“What do you mean? He has my features and eyes, and your beautiful coloring, Brahanu. Many children with a blended heritage are the same.”
“No, I’m not talking about his features. What about his hair? I haven’t seen another child with a streak of white hair.”
Pentanimir looked at Tardison, his only natural son. He remembered when he’d first seen him and running his fingers over that one streak of silvery-white hair atop his head.
“What are we to do? The Guardians blessed him as he is.”
“I’m not questioning the Guardians, I’m afraid for our son. We don’t have enough human sentries to keep our children protected, Pentanimir.”
“We will, I promise you. We’ll reassign our current guards and implement more restrictions until I can conscript more. With only our family, Hushar, Ceron, and Micah tending the nursery, no one else will be aware.”
She nodded, resting her head on his chest. “Tell me that everything will be all right, Pentanimir, and I’ll believe you.”
Inhaling a slow and steady breath, he raised her head to meet his eyes.
“Everything will be all right, my love,” he said with a face devoid of expression. She smiled wistfully, embracing him again.
Forgive me, he thought. Never have I come false to you, and I pray that my words hold truth.
Threshold
The cavern wall rippled like soft, ebbing currents, unfurling toward the shore. With each synchronous pulse, the surrounding waterfall’s harmonic expressions increased in intensity, emitting an accompanying luminescence.
With a crescendoing resonance, the cavern’s corrugated surface faded, leaving a shimmering archway in its place. When the glow in its center distended, the Desu Beast screeched, heralding the emergence.
As Déshì crossed the threshold, the glittering archway bedimmed, reshaping into stone.
“Za juahnu k’ahndelae r’ryn shinc,” Natelegé said, urging her mount forward. “Weisheng szretayne baahrean zan’ner ainth.” [94]
Déshì smiled, repositioning the haversack on his shoulder. “Mahn Zla juahne k’ahndelae dyrahnn r’ryn r’shi, Zla dyrahnn mahn hakahra,” [95] he said, patting Utuk’s snout. “Vizu o’ton k’ahndelae tylshara pahn’tah?” [96]
“Miss you? By the way Utuk’s licking your hand, it looks as if he has.”
Déshì laughed, pulling up on Utuk’s back and nestling in behind her. “That’s because at least he appreciates me.” Déshì pulled some dried meat from his sack, tossing it into the air. He immediately gripped Natelegé’s waist, chuckling as Utuk lurched forward, catching his treat.
Natelegé clutched the ridge adoring Utuk’s neck, steadying him again. “Mayhaps I was wrong. It wasn’t you that Utuk missed, it was the treats you always seem to have.”
“Well, it doesn’t hurt to keep him on my side. I’m hoping to gain his favor.”
“That, you’ve always had,” Natelegé said, spurring Utuk forward. “How was your visit?”
He sighed. “Fulfilling, as you knew it would be. I still have much to learn.”
“As do I. When next you return, I’d like to accompany you.”
His brow creased. “You? For what purpose? I mean, I’d appreciate having you with me, but I wasn’t aware that you had any interest.”
“The interest has always been there, Déshì, and now the need is, too. The Faélondulians aren’t the only ones who must prepare. You know what has awakened with Mah’saahc’s emergence.”
He nodded, considering the dire implications. The fracture in the seal was most likely a presage to something greater…something more powerful.
“We must first secure the seal. All other matters are infinitesimal compared to this.”
“They are…for now, but we mustn’t become complacent.”
“I agree,” he said, shifting on Utuk’s back. “When did Weisheng arrive?”
“Nearly a fortnight past. He was here for three suns before leaving for Kumasi. He said for you to meet him there.”
“He should’ve remained here. Surely, his plans with Arianwen could’ve waited until after my arrival.”
“Mayhaps, but Weisheng has never possessed your…forbearance . You’ve both been gone for over a season, and I doubt that he could contain himself any longer. You might possess the fire, but Weisheng has more of the beast.”
He laughed again, leaning in to kiss her cheek. “Forbearance? Is that what you call it? I thought I was offering pleas to the Guardians, begging for it to be.”
She joined in his mirth as they exited the falls, enjoying the peace of Afferea. Although the Animus Wood was beautiful, Afferea was even more so. A melodic hum radiated from the ground, eurythmically entwinning with the falls’ music.
Natelegé inhaled the floral-scented air, relishing the warm sun that peeked through the bower. Feeling Déshì’s arms tighten around her waist, she allowed a kittenish grin to crease her lips, as they passed between some hillocks, fording a shimmering pool.
“Father Ahgelon released you some time ago,” Natelegé said, passing through another fall. “Why didn’t you come to meet me?”
“Ah, so you did miss me?”
She shook her head, halting in front of a stone-carved dome. Déshì slid from Utuk’s back, reaching out to her.
“The AsZar was expecting you.”
“Of course,” he said, seriously. “Is she well? We were aware of her leave of the Animus Wood. Both Father and I were concerned, but we’ve felt the shifts, and understand the desperation that they’ve caused.”
“Not desperation, expedience. Mah’saahc’s influence is growing, and the Ke’ohnzi needed to be prepared.”
“And the wielder?”
“Both will be ready.”
Déshì extended out his arm to her, walking toward the gates. “That’s also the reason for my delay. Before coming here, I traversed the Dessalonian threshold to meet Symeon near Nazil.”
“The ti’ehmbe ?”
He nodded. “If he’s to summon the leopard of the sky, it will be needed.”
“As you are needed. Come, the AsZar awaits you.”
Jasiri
Pentanimir stepped down from his dais, lifting a bottle of honey-wine from the table. The morass of recent events inundated his mind as he refilled the two goblets. His recent conversation with Brahanu had disturbed him more than he’d admitted. He hadn’t thought past his son’s rapid growth. The AsZar assured them that their sons wouldn’t be harmed, but now he couldn’t help being trepidatious regarding the actualities and possible consequences of their acceleration. Tardison and Ayrmeis would be men grown in merely three seasons.
“Men grown,” he murmured.
His sons and nephew would need constant protection. It wouldn’t be safe for them to leave the security of the citadel. Even the acquisition of sentries from Kaleo and Noraa wouldn’t be enough, and Symeon was already overtasked with his duties as First Chosen, training the new guards, and his scouting missions.
Now, he was charged with preparing Ayrmeis and Tardison, too. In addition, Pentanimir sparred with Symeon often, relying on him to hone his fighting prowess. Even with Thalassa’s assistance, it was too much.
With a wistful smile, he looked over at the redoubtable man. There was never any doubt as to Symeon’s strength or integrity. Even when he’d been a slave, Symeon had commanded Pentanimir’s respect. And that integrity was proven when Symeon saved Pentanimir’s life during the war.
“Is everything all right, Zaxson?” Symeon asked.
Pentanimir managed a genuine smile, raising his goblet. Taking a seat opposite him, he admired the warrior markings on Symeon’s face and neck—markings earned and bestowed by those who’d trained him.
Drah’kuu Kuhani also displayed the same. Pentanimir nodded with the recollection. How easily he’d forgotten or just didn’t notice the similarities in the two men. Both were tall and as dark as onyx, and even though Kuhani served as a priest, he kept his head bare except for the long braid da
ngling at the base: a braid Pentanimir had learned was a rite of passage, and bore great significance amongst their people.
“I’m not certain, Sir Yego,” Pentanimir said, finally. “I’m concerned for my sons and Faélondul.”
Symeon nodded. The same had been on his mind since before the AsZar’s visit. He knew but one way to secure Nazil and protect the ruling line. Howbeit, Symeon was unsure if the Zaxson would approve such a cogent move.
“You should be proud of your accomplishments, Zaxson. We have many obstacles to face, but we can’t lose sight of what we’ve already overcome.”
Pentanimir accepted that truth. Clearing his throat, he asked, “Have you made arrangements for Ayrmeis?”
“I’ve designated a training room at the far end of the corridor and away from the others. His instruction is scheduled once each sun, but will increase next season. For now, it’s remedial, but he’s learning.” He shook his head. “It’s astonishing when I look at him, Zaxson.”
“For me as well, but Brahanu is finding it difficult to nurture either of them as she once did. She clutches Eytan and mourns what she thinks we’ve lost.”
“That’s understandable. In time, she’ll be able to accept these changes and embrace them again. Sarai has commented on the same when she assists in the nursery, but it hasn’t deterred her from interacting with him.
“However, I know that you didn’t merely want to discuss Ayrmeis’ training. We have other matters that need addressing.”
“Indeed,” Pentanimir conceded. “Though I fear we haven’t the needed resources available. How can I protect Faélondul if I can’t ensure my own family’s protection?”
“Because you aren’t tasked with their protection alone.” Symeon smiled. “Your First Chosen will ensure the sentries from Noraa and Kaleo are prepared. Once their training is complete, they’ll serve well.”
“Of this, I have no doubt, but they are so few. The Nazilian citadel guards outnumber the Humans three to one. That isn’t including the second and third guards positioned throughout the city. You’re but one person, Sir Yego, but I rely on you as if you were a dozen.”
“It’s an honor to serve, Zaxson, in whatever capacity is needed.”
“Nor is your loyalty in question, my friend. Still, it’s far too much. You barely have time for yourself, yet you continue to train Fáelán and started training Nzuri, too. Sarai needs her husband, just as Brahanu has need of me. I can’t in good conscience ask more from you. Soon you may grow weary, regardless of your dedication.”
Symeon accepted that. Now that Sarai was pregnant, she needed more from him, not less. He couldn’t recall the last time they’d lain together. He’d usually finished his duties well after she was abed, and rose before she’d awakened.
“What do you propose, Zaxson?”
“We need to acquire more trustworthy men, and someone to assist you and Thalassa with training.”
“Wosen works well with the new sentries,” Symeon said. “Since his return from Spero, he’s much improved.”
“He has, however, his skill isn’t nearly that of yours or Thalassa’s. I must find someone seasoned that we can trust to assist.”
Symeon gazed off in contemplation. There was only one person that he’d entrust with a task of this magnitude…only one man who’d ever bested him. But he didn’t know if he would, or could, come.
Nazil’s reputation was known beyond Faélondul’s borders. Compared to other lands, it was still in its infancy. Now, with Pentanimir as Zaxson, some of the wrongs had been righted, but the maleficence still festered, like a weeping wound, untreated and exposed.
“What is it?” Pentanimir asked, noting his distant expression.
“There might be a way.”
“A way to what?”
“I know someone who might be able to assist us. He’s a seasoned warrior, both honorable and well-skilled.”
“Who is he , Symeon? Where must we go?”
“We cannot go to him. If he so chooses, he’ll come to us.”
“Who?” Pentanimir asked again.
“His name is Turahn Osei. He’s an Uzon of the Jasiri.”
Pentanimir’s squinted, recognizing the name, but not recalling why.
“He’s my uncle,” Symeon clarified.
“Your uncle?”
“Yes. My mother’s eldest brother.”
“You’ve always spoken about warriors of the Jasiri, but you’ve never elaborated. What is their purpose?”
“The purpose differs depending on whom you ask. The Jasiri are a consummate division of warriors who defend K’ohshul. When needed, they travel beyond K’ohshul in defense of their allies.”
“Beyond?” Pentanimir’s head cocked in confusion. “Are they like the Chosen to Nazil?”
“In a manner, yet not so. Those able are trained from birth in the ways of the warrior. Unlike the guards here, most Jasiri don’t wed. Only those who’ve proven their worth are allowed the privilege.”
“What’s that to mean?”
“Those who have proven themselves in battle and deed. It isn’t until they’ve accomplished such feats are they allowed the privilege of a wife. Even then, warriors must be accepted by prospective mates and pass the trials of the N’gohne .
“Both my father and uncle exceeded the training of their masters. As such, they became Uzons over their own regiment.”
“The Jasiri aren’t trained as one?”
“No, but we do come together in battle. In defense of K’ohshul, the Jasiri always act as one. Albeit, the different regions have their own forces.”
“What purpose would non-K’ohshulians assign to the Jasiri?”
Symeon smiled. “Death,” he said, raising his goblet, and draining its contents.
“Death?”
“That’s what those who’ve made an attempt against them have found. It’s been decades since the Jasiri came to Faélondul in force. In times past, they protected the Animus Wood, and this is the reason the Cha named it cursed.
“They didn’t fear the Protectors, Zaxson.
“They feared the Jasiri.”
Pentanimir’s mouth went slack, momentarily unable to respond. “The K’ohshulians lived among us? The Jasiri were here?”
“Their place was the Animus Wood. When Nazil began to reach across the lands, we were called upon, and we weren’t alone. The Drah’kuus have always had a connection with Afferea. If the Jasiri are called, they will answer.”
“I’ve never heard any of this, Symeon. The Cha always warned about the Animus Wood and those inhabiting it.”
“With good cause. Most Nazilians who entered the blessed woods didn’t return.”
“And your uncle was responsible for your training?”
“Yes, after my father’s death. His skill rivals mine.”
“He’d come to Nazil if a bird was sent?”
“No bird will reach K’ohshul.”
“Then how?”
“There are ways. I need to trek to Spero, and then to the Animus Wood. If I receive the response I believe I will, I’ll return within a full moon.”
“A full moon? But you’ve only just returned. I need you here, Sir Yego.”
“Your need is my uncle and his sons. The AsZar mentioned the leopard of the sky. If it is to come, I’ll need to call for it.”
Pentanimir gazed off, recalling the AsZar’s words. “And Spero?”
“Once my message reaches K’ohshul, many warriors will come to our aid. When I greet them, I’ll need Kuhani at my side. He’s more than a Drah’kuu on K’ohshul, Zaxson. Much more.”
Pentanimir nodded, considering his options. “Then we’ll make it so. Firstly, we must arrange for your travel. What do you need from me?”
“I’ll be traveling as a scout. Nothing but a horse, some coin and supplies are needed. However, with Thalassa ailing, you’ll need someone to serve in my stead.”
“That’s a place not easily filled.”
“You honor me, Zaxson.�
�
“I speak truth. There’s no one who could replace you or the friendship we share.”
Symeon inclined his head in respect. “Medric and Remy could aid Nakaris and Temian while I’m away. Both are from Kaleo and the finest swordsmen of the new guard.”
“I know of them. We met upon their arrival in the city, and Yonas spoke highly of them as well. Tell me: how do you find Ephron Kain? He spoke with me not long ago inquiring about a better position.”
“He performs his duties adequately, but neither his experience nor prowess matches that of the others. He’s new to the guard, and not even the Caretaker could comment on his abilities. I’d rather put our trust in those that we know.”
“Medric and Remy then,” Pentanimir agreed.
Absolving the Fallen
Nzuri stepped down the marble steps, watching as the men approached. He’d thought his heldings were in error, but the limp form being carried by the guards confirmed their accounting.
“Where did you find him?” Nzuri asked the two guards.
“Beyond the north gate, near the tree line.”
Nzuri gazed down at the battered man, shaking his head.
“He’s Nazilian. I’ll send for Arilian or one of the other healers.”
“Beg pardon, High Priest, but we were told to bring him here.”
“By who?”
“There was a man with him when we arrived. It was the strangest thing. He was hovering over him, surrounded by a pack of dogs. In fact, that’s how we knew he was there. We heard some howling and thought they were wolves, so we went looking. There’s been more than a few folks talking about them lingering near the river.”
The second guard nodded. “But they weren’t wolves, nor like any dogs that I’ve ever seen, either.”
“Dogs?” Nzuri asked.
“Aye. Bigger than any I’ve ever seen,” the first guard said.
“I don’t believe those were dogs,” Nzuri said, looking behind them. “They’re jaenitu. Where’s the man who found him? Was he a guard, too?”
“I’ve never seen the likes of him before. I don’t know if it was the cold, or just seeing all those ja—jae—jaenitu, but I could’ve sworn the man was on fire, or at least, he looked to be.”
The Rise of Nazil- Complete Epic Fantasy Trilogy Page 133