Temian chuckled. “So we’ve been told. The Zaxson extends his greetings, Master Gael, and awaits you in the grand hall. Would you like to be shown to your chambers to freshen before your meeting?”
“My chambers?” Tioch asked, looking around the massive compound.
“Yes. The Zaon—” Temian cut his words short, noticing Julaybeim’s gesture. After clearing his throat, he said, “Lady Brahanu has assigned you chambers near hers. She wanted you to be near her and Eytan.”
“The—the Zaon?” Tioch asked, confused.
“Yes,” Julaybeim said. “Brahanu holds a formal title in Nazil, but you needn’t worry about such formalities.”
Tioch nodded, following the guards through the citadel. When they reached the large doors of the hall, Temian push forward, motioning for the men to follow.
“Zaxson, Lady Brahanu, allow me to present the Caretaker of Cazaal, Lord Julaybeim Ravenot, and master craftsman, Tioch Gael,” Temian said.
Pentanimir smiled, extending out his elbow for Brahanu. With what he’d recently learned about Sanctium and Ahvixx, this visit was a welcomed reprieve.
“Greetings, Caretaker, Master Gael,” Pentanimir said, descending the stairs with Brahanu. “It’s a pleasure to see you both again. I trust your trip was uneventful.”
“It was. The road was easy, though long,” Julaybeim said. “I’m pleased to be in the city again. The reason for my past visit wasn’t pleasure, and I intend to remedy that on this occasion.”
“Indeed.”
“Julaybeim, are Gali and Dawntaylesha with you?” Brahanu asked.
“No, and she wasn’t pleased with my decision. However, Yonas and his wife are visiting Cazaal, and will hopefully keep her mind off my absence.”
“Yes, we regret being unable to attend Yonas’ wedding,” Brahanu said, hugging her brother, and then turning toward Tioch.
A smile creased Tioch’s face as Eytan pointed in his direction. So much Eytan reminded him of Itai. Tioch’s smile took in his entire face when Eytan leaned, reaching out for him.
“He remembers me,” Tioch said.
“Of course, he does.” Brahanu kissed Tioch’s cheek, leading him to a comfortable divan against the wall. “Eytan loves you, Father Tioch. You’ll always be a part of his life.”
As he played with his grandson, Brahanu gestured to Julaybeim. Taking his arm, they excused themselves, walking midway down the aisle.
“What did you tell Tioch about Pentanimir and Tardison?” she asked.
“I told him about your promise, but it’s for you to inform him about your marriage.”
“Does he know that Eytan has a twin? Did you say anything about Tardison?”
“It’s not my place to do so. Tioch wouldn’t understand the complexities of Tardison’s birth.” He glanced around the room, whispering. “He certainly wouldn’t understand your infidelity with Pentanimir. Some truths are best left untold.”
Brahanu was shocked at his assertion, but could only offer a weak nod. Julaybeim spoke true, and denying her intimacies with Pentanimir before and during her marriage to Itai wouldn’t change what she’d done.
“Tha—thank you for escorting Tioch to Nazil. I’m aware that you wouldn’t have come otherwise. I appreciate what you’ve done, Brother, and what you’ve said.”
“Tioch hasn’t been himself since you left Cazaal. I didn’t tell him why you haven’t visited, only that there was some trouble on the road when last you were en route.”
“I’m going to tell him about the attack on my caravan,” she said.
“Are you going to tell him about Itai?”
“No. Tioch doesn’t know anything about the Guardians beyond the Protectors who visit Cazaal. He wouldn’t understand the intricacies of the divine gate or how Itai’s essence is interlaced with two worlds.” She shook her head, taking a deep breath. “One day I’ll tell him about the connection Itai shares with Eytan, but it won’t be soon.”
“As you say, Sister.”
“How long will you be staying?” she asked, leading him back toward the others.
“I promised Gali I’d return within eight suns. However, Tioch will remain here with you.”
“He wants to stay in Nazil? Are you certain?”
“He needs this time with you and Eytan. I’ve told him to send a message when he’s ready to return. I’ll send Aschelon to retrieve him.”
“Thank you, Brother, no. When Tioch is ready to return, we’ll escort him ourselves: the Zaxson and Zaontras of Nazil.”
Volunteers
“Six more have petitioned to join,” Emet said.”
“Six?” Vot asked.
“Thus far. After receiving the report from the new Nazilian sentries, whatever apprehension that prevented them from petitioning before has faded. Many are eager to become a part of this new brigade since humans have never had the opportunity to become Chosens. Both Pentanimir and Hosdaq have done something truly progressive and enlightened when selecting their First Chosens.”
“They have, and hopefully others will follow such examples. What did your brother report regarding their duties and training?” Vot asked.
“Pentanimir cleared two barracks to accommodate the sentries,” Emet said. “Their training is extensive, and the majority have been assigned to guard the main corridors and outer wall.”
“Surely, the Nazilians aren’t pleased with this change,” Olam said. “Many have trained for years to become Chosens of Nazil.”
“True, but Pentanimir’s acumen is justified. They aren’t certain which Nazilian guards are loyal. Only a select few have any interaction with the Zaxson’s family.”
“We’re having our difficulties here as well,” Huname said. “I can’t fathom the pressures that the Zaxson is under.”
“Nor I,” Vot said. “Most of the difficulties in Nazil stem from the Zaxson’s and Nakshij’s human wives.”
“It’s more substantial than that,” Olam said. “Certainly, some Nazilians feel betrayed by their behavior, but most are angered about the destroyed villages and lost lives. That isn’t a thing easily forgotten…or forgiven. Even those who support the Benoists don’t agree with that outcome of the war.”
A war the Nazilians forced , Vot thought, vividly recalling every aspect of the war and the betrayals and brutalities leading up to it.
“Do you agree, Caretaker?” Emet asked, sounding as if the question was posed more than once.
“Yes. Yes. Of course, this could be the case,” Vot stammered, re-joining the ongoing conversation.
“Father, is everything all right?” Aizen asked.
“There’s much on my mind, my son, and more to discuss. Our time grows short, I fear.”
The twins exchanged a look. “We have all the time you need, Father,” Ahni said. “What’s troubling you?”
“Nothing more than you already know,” Huname said. “Your father and I’ve been discussing many things of late. Despite our earlier troubles, Noraa is stabilizing. Once the same is true for Nazil, we don’t intend on remaining here in the city.”
“You do mean to return?” Asmaa asked.
“Return?” The twins said in tandem.
“Your mother and I aren’t as young as once we were. We were honored to help oversee the transitions after the war, but this was never meant to be a permanent position for us. Noraa isn’t our home, but it can be yours.”
“Our home?” Aizen asked. “You’d leave us here?”
“Your father and I will always be a part of you both. It doesn’t matter where we are, our love is with you.”
“But you can’t leave, Mother. Please. Where would you go?” Ahni asked, moving to embrace her. Though they were twins, Ahni was the youngest, and always needed the comfort of his mother most. They knew that he’d take their leaving the hardest.
“Ahni, you and your brother are men grown now. Soon Aizen and Droxahn will be married, and have sons of their own. You don’t need our guidance, not anymore.”
“We’ll always need you. Even when my sons have sired sons, I’ll yet need you,” Ahni said.
“And we’ll be with you as long as the Guardians bless it to be,” Huname said, kissing his cheek.
“Where will you go?” Aizen asked.
“Your mother and I have been speaking with Pentanimir regarding Bandari.”
Aizen’s brow knitted. “Bandari? I thought the Nazilians left it in ruins.”
“That was Draizeyn’s plan,” Olam said. “But after clearing much of the debris away, the damage wasn’t as severe as we’d originally believed.
“Emet and I have taken numerous trips with builders and masons to ascertain the viability of salvaging our village.
“Once we spoke with Pentanimir, and he offered his assistance, we began planning for a new and greater Bandari.”
“Why haven’t you mentioned any of this?” Aizen asked.
“It wasn’t time,” Vot said. We’ll remain here throughout the cold season, but once the planting season begins, we’ll be sending caravans of masons and supplies.
“This Bandari will be grander than the last, with buildings of stone, and a road plowed through the great forest. We’ll have a modest citadel and Caretaker to oversee our affairs. More of the Dessalonian Wood will be cleared to sustain a larger population. Eight families have contacted us interested in relocating and beginning a new life. It’ll be a thriving village again.”
“It will be that, and more,” Emet said. “I plan to call Bandari home again as well.”
“You? What about Maisha?” Aizen asked. “What about your promise.”
“I still plan on taking her as my wife. Maisha’s family is agreeable, and aren’t trouble by my Nazilian heritage. Even Janshai has been more accepting since he wed Alishna and accepted Pentanimir’s proposal to oversee Kumasi. When he returns from Cazaal, I’ll speak to him about the particulars of our marriage. Bandari will be a well-traveled village and my family has pledged much to help us rebuild it. Even after our relocation, we’ll travel to Noraa often.”
“But what about us, Mother? Are we to return with you?”
“No, Aizen. You and your brother will remain here once we’ve abdicated. You’ll be the Caretakers of Noraa, together.”
“Caretakers?” Ahni gasped.
“Both of you are ready,” Vot said. “Your mother and I will ensure you’re fully versed on all that you must know.”
“Don’t worry,” Olam said. “Your parents have taught you well, and together you’ll oversee Noraa justly. Nevertheless, there’s still more for you to learn. All of us will be here to assist you. Tesu led you to the wood at the Guardians’ behest, and it’s through the Guardians that you’ll be prepared.”
Blood of Oisin
“Make haste, before the guard returns,” Beilzen whispered, ushering the young woman through the postern door.
“Are you certain that we won’t be discovered?” Nikolina asked.
“Only if you don’t hurry. The guard has moved to the end of the corridor and it won’t take long for him to return.”
With that, she accepted his offered elbow, moving toward the steep stairs. She glanced around the dank corridor, noticing the unoccupied cells lining the walls. The stench of former slaves and prisoners caused her nose to wrinkle. Nikolina had never ventured into the bowels of the citadel, and the description of the previous slave-filled quarters didn’t do justice to the actuality.
“Take care on the stairs,” he cautioned, placing a gentle hand in the small of her back. Nikolina nodded appreciatively, raising her long skirts. Within moments, the two were on the main level. Bringing a finger to his pursed lips, Beilzen pointed to the guard. He then motioned to a narrow, dimly lit passage away from the guard’s position.
Leading her through the winding halls, he avoided most of the well-traveled areas, pausing as footsteps and voices sounded around them. After taking another flight of stairs, Beilzen stopped, sidling against the wall. Nikolina mimicked his movements, as he peered around the corner.
“We must wait,” he whispered. “Do you need to rest?”
“No,” she said, dabbing at her face with a silken cloth. “How much further?”
“The children are kept just there.” He pointed. “At this time the babes are usually resting while the older children have lessons in the adjoining chamber. The caregivers won’t return unless a cry claims their attention. It’s fortuitous that only two caregivers are attending the children, and the guards in the corridors is reduced. With the celebration underway, most of the guard are below near the grand hall.”
“Are you certain?”
“I’ve planned this meeting to the last detail. Ordinarily, such a thing would be nearly impossible. However, the celebration draws the attention of most in the citadel and lessens the guard in the corridors,” he explained, checking around the corner again.
“What celebration is this? I haven’t heard anything about it.”
“No doubt the Zaxson didn’t want his denizens to learn about it. They’re celebrating the union of a Nazilian and an abomination from Noraa. The guests began arriving two suns past, under the cover of darkness,” he added, for effect.
“An abomination?” Her face scrunched in disgust. Nikolina took comfort in the fact that she was carrying a child of pure Nazilian blood: Danimore Benoist’s first true son.
She caressed her ripe womb, thinking about their son’s birth. She was several weeks past when Arilian estimated the babe’s birth, and her weariness spoke much to that. Nikolina needed to complete this task before she could no longer. Her father would deliver the phial to Lilinth; albeit, it was her onus to acquire the blood of Oisin.
“Now,” Beilzen said, taking her hand and leading her down the corridor. When they reached the door, he paused, pressing an ear against it. Patting the air with his hand, he signaled for Nikolina to hold in place as he inched the door open. His lips twitched up in a grin, gesturing her forward.
“You won’t harm Raithym?” he asked one last time.
Nikolina’s eyes flashed as an aberrant expression engulfed her visage. “The bastard won’t be harmed,” she rasped.
The hackles raised on Beilzen’s neck as a chill cascaded down his spine. Something was different—some malefic essence suffused the room, causing his fear and doubt to escalate. He ignored the warning of his heart, and proceeded as he was instructed, gazing warily around the room.
“The—the child you seek is there,” he said, nervously.
Nikolina smiled, gliding over to the sleeping child. Her fingertips gently caressed Raithym’s silvery-white hair as she spoke words that Beilzen couldn’t discern.
“You must make haste,” he said, peeking out into the corridor.
A moment later, Nikolina’s eyes flickered until all hint of their pale blue coloring was gone. Producing the claw-like object from her pouch, she began speaking in the arcane language, moving her hands rhythmically over the sleeping child.
She exposed Raithym’s back, rubbing an ointment on his skin, before stabbing with the sharp claw, extracting his coveted lifeblood. Raithym didn’t stir: the ointment deadened the area, allowing the stab to go unfelt.
Once the phial was full, Nikolina retracted the claw, sampling the phials contents and then licking the remains from the claw’s edges. Producing a second ointment, she rubbed the reddened area, and then replaced his covers. When she turned back to Beilzen, he nearly yelped.
Nikolina’s eyes hadn’t shifted back to their pale blue. They were bereft of color as she glided toward the shaking man, wearing a serrated smile. Beilzen’s eyes widened, and then he blinked repeatedly, observing Nikolina’s features gradually revert to that which he knew.
“Let’s go,” she commanded, pushing him aside.
Beilzen grunted, grasping his chest after the uncharacteristic force of her shove. Apprehensively, he followed behind her, unable to keep the tremble from his body. When they approached the final set of stairs, he gripped her elbow.
> “Who—who are you?” he demanded.
For a moment, her smile was wicked, looking at him from toe to head. “One whom you’ve empowered.”
A gelid torrent encircled the two of them as Nikolina cried out, falling against him, grasping her womb. “Help me, Beilzen.”
Licking the sudden dryness from his lips, he slid an arm around her waist while grasping the balustrade with the other. “We must hurry, Nikolina, please,” he begged, helping her down the narrow passage.
“Halt!” Nakaris said, holding his Xtabyren at the ready.
Nikolina screamed, a pallid viscid material expelling from both her mouth and from between her legs. Her face contorted as she stumbled backward, flailing spasmodically. The guards moved further away while Beilzen attempted to steady the pregnant woman.
“Help me,” he yelled to the guards, struggling to keep her upright.
Nikolina continued to thrash, slapping and scratching him, while muttering in a guttural tenor that he couldn’t understand. Clutching his arms, her nails dug into his skin, as she slapped at his face. When he tried to free himself, her eyes bulged, while releasing an otherworldly shriek that reverberated off the stone walls.
Beilzen’s scream joined hers as an acrid miasma wafted from her open mouth, followed by the fetid stench of decaying flesh.
“Guardians, help me!” he shouted, falling back, unable to support the seizing woman. A translucent mist emerged, swirling around them, its fading tendrils leaving stabbing chills in its wake, as she collapsed on top of him.
“By the gods!” he cried out. “Take—take her to a secure chamber and find the Zaxson and Nakshij!” Beilzen ordered, watching Nakaris batting at the fleeing shadow. “Her babe is coming! We must help her. Help me!”
When they regarded him, Nikolina’s raised skirts allowed a significant view of her predicament. Nakaris sheathed his Xtabyren, moving toward the couple.
“You heard him! Move! Darius, get the Zaxson and Nakshij! We’re going to chamber six on the second level. Tabrile, help us carry her,” Nakaris ordered, lifting Nikolina off Beilzen. “Chester, fetch Hushar and Micah. Make haste.”
As Nakaris and Tabrile carried the agonized woman, Beilzen continued to check her condition. Her appearance had deteriorated since they’d left the nursery. Once they rounded the corner to the chamber, Nikolina’s lips were nearly blue. When they entered the room, Pentanimir and Danimore were waiting inside. Zeta gasped, tossing more cushions on the bed as they laid Nikolina down. Before anyone could utter a word, Hushar rushed through the doors with Dalia and Micah.
The Rise of Nazil- Complete Epic Fantasy Trilogy Page 126