The Half-Light

by A D Lombardo

  Kai took a step back and instructed Smoke and Shiva to do the same. Without challenge, they did as he asked. The bears progressed. When they reached Kai, the mother bear huffed. Kai felt her relax as they meandered down the slope. Pleased, he watched them disappear into the trees, gone from view.

  Behind him, on the hill, he saw two wisps. One was bright—he focused on the energy and Shane’s face became clear. The second was not as bright—Hunter Marduk. They stood at a distance in the trees. Kai gulped. He’d made a mistake by using his powers. But he couldn’t help his desire to try again on a wild animal.

  He turned to face them. They had seen and would now have questions. As he approached, Marduk stood with one arm across his midsection and the other grasping his mouth. Shane gawked in awe. There was no easy explanation for what he’d done—what they’d seen.

  Together they stood in awkward silence. Nobody was willing to say the first words. Shiva and Smoke patrolled around them. Marduk cleared his throat. “That was foolish, Kai. You could have been hurt.”

  “How?” Shane interjected. “How did you do that?”

  Shane’s eyes were wild and confused. Before Kai could respond, Marduk answered. “Kai is like your mother—Katori. It was foolish of him to use his gifts in front of us. Now, my son, we bear the burden of knowing and keeping Kai’s secret.”

  Marduk was right. Kai was foolish, and they were now at risk for just knowing. “I am sorry.” Kai looked at them both. Marduk’s hard, unforgiving glance told Kai all he needed to know. The man was angry for the reminder of his lost wife and the Katori burden he and his son now had to carry.

  “As for the grizzly bear and her cubs, we need to be aware that this is a route she plans to take her cubs. Keep an eye out for them and stay clear when they pass. No more heroics Kai. We are not the only ones who hunt on the mountain.” Marduk turned and walked back to the smokehouse.

  Stepping between the two boys, Marduk motioned, “I think you’ve both done enough today. Let’s get you back to the palace; I want Shane and me home before dark.”

  Shane collected his things and fell in line beside his father. Marduk motioned toward the woods. “Lead the way, Kai. Let’s see what you remember.”

  Confident, Kai started down the hill. Before long he recognized a few rock formations and a tree bent at an odd angle. He turned toward a rotten stump. The farther down the hill they went, the louder the sounds of water echoed about the trees.

  When he came to the slope leading down to the large creek, he smiled. On the way back, he looked for landmarks to guide him until he saw the palace walls through the trees. He had done it.

  Inside the second gatehouse, he turned to Marduk and Shane. “Thank you. I hope I am still welcome. Besides, Shane and I still have a large pile of rubble to move.”

  Marduk put out his hand to Kai. They shook hands. “You are always welcome, Prince Kai. I am very proud of how you handled yourself today. Only be more careful. Not everyone would be as understanding. And many would take advantage.” Marduk gave a wave to the guard and headed back through the gatehouse.

  Kai headed for the stables with Smoke and Shiva by his side. Haygan was standing outside talking with Finlee and Weston. “How’d it go?” Haygan asked.

  He didn’t dare tell Haygan what he’d done. “It was a long day. They are good people. I am lucky to have them around me. Shiva spent a lot of time in the woods with Smoke. I hope he learned something today, given most of the time, they were circling the perimeter around us.”

  “It would be a good idea over the coming weeks to let Smoke out of the city with her,” Haygan suggested. “Especially overnight before I leave.”

  Kai wanted to say no; he liked having Smoke nearby. He trusted the nature of animals over most people. But Smoke was a wild animal, and if he was to serve his real purpose, he needed training. “Let me know what nights, and I will send him to you.”

  “Why not start tomorrow night? Let him rest tonight, and they can go out every other night until I leave.”

  “That often?” Kai asked in surprise.

  “Yes, that often. Smoke will be fine. It will be good for both of you. I will keep an eye on them the first night, don’t worry.” Haygan assured him.

  Again, Kai wanted to protest, but he knew Haygan was right. “Alright. Can we go riding tomorrow?”

  “Certainly. I believe Amelia and Tolan are also going for a ride. You are welcome to join us, or I can send Bram with them. We can go for a ride just us.”

  Kai thought about his offer. “Since you only have a few weeks before you leave, I want to spend as much time together as we can, if that’s alright.”

  “I will speak with Bram about escorting Tolan and Amelia. Also, I think you should start running regularly. It would be good for you to build up your speed and control. You can run the inside perimeter of the wall—tomorrow.”

  Kai nodded in agreement.

  Chapter 17

  Who’s That Girl?

  Kai had been dreading this day. Winter was nearly here, and Haygan was leaving. Across the courtyard, he noticed Shane and Marduk approaching on horseback. The huntsman’s horse was pulling a small cart. Inside the stables, guards loaded saddlebags. Finlee and Weston helped saddle the horses.

  In the back of the barn, he saw Haygan pull out his black stallion. How would Kai manage the next three months without him? Over the past few weeks, they had spent every day riding, working in the stables, or running together. He wasn’t ready for him to leave.

  Arms crossed, Kai kicked the ground with his boot. “Good morning, Haygan. Are you ready to leave?”

  “Nearly ready. How are you feeling after yesterday?”

  Kai thought about it and realized he felt good. “This is the first morning I don’t feel sore.” But he was too disappointed to be happy, so he said, “I wish you weren’t leaving. When will you be back?”

  Haygan looked at Kai. “As I mentioned before, I will not return until spring.” He placed a hand on the prince’s shoulder. “You need to continue riding over winter. Please ask Weston or Finlee to help you and take a guard if you leave the city without Marduk.”

  With a nod, Haygan gestured toward Ember. “I believe he’s trying to get your attention—or at least get that apple.”

  Kai looked at the apple in his hand. He held up the apple to Ember and ran his hands down his long neck, unable to shake how he felt. While he had other friends, it wouldn’t be the same without Haygan and Shiva.

  Unexpectedly, he heard Shane call him. “Kai, what are you doing today?” Wagging his eyebrows, Shane smiled. “Saddle up! We’re going to Port Anahita this morning. Dad has more furs for your uncle Kaeco, and we need to pick up supplies like salt and oil before the snow comes.”

  Ecstatic, Kai ran to the tack room, along the way he grabbed Finlee to help him. This is going to be a great day, he thought. Brush and blanket in hand, he waited for Finlee to pull Ember from his stall. As he started to brush Ember down, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Hagan motion for him to step outside.

  “You better get permission for the trip. I am sure Marduk has asked if you could go; however, out of respect, you need to ask your father. I need to speak with Dante about what he needs in spring for new dogs and horses. Hurry up, we need to get going! I don’t want to miss my ship.”

  Fear welled up in his throat as Kai approached his father’s study. His father stood between Cazier and Kempery-man Henley as they rifled through large maps on the corner table near the bookshelves. As Cazier tried to slip around the table, he looked up at Kai waiting in the doorway. Glancing from the table to the wall, he smiled and pulled it away from the wall.

  Well, that’s convenient, Kai thought. As he entered, Cazier nodded toward the door, and Iver turned. “Son, come in. We are looking over the maps discussing a new outpost near Milnos. Join us.” Iver beamed with pride as he motioned Kai over.

  With hesitation, Kai approached the table. “Actually, father, I wanted to get permission to rid
e with Hunter Marduk, Haygan, and Shane to Port Anahita.” Worried he’d disappoint his father by not staying, he interlocked his fingers behind his back and looked down at the maps.

  Iver clapped a hand across Kai’s shoulder and smiled. “Is that today? Marduk mentioned the trip a few days ago. I had been waiting to speak with you. I have some letters for Kaeco, would you mind delivering them for me?” From his desk, Iver grabbed three letters and handed them to Kai. “How many guards are going with you?”

  Shocked, he glanced at Cazier, who motioned him forward with his eyes. “Thank you, father. Yes, I would be happy to deliver your letters. I believe four guards are going.”

  The king addressed his Kempery-man. “Henley, since my son’s taking his first trip to Port Anahita, I want you to see to the arrangements. Ensure that four designated guards are going both ways. Also, I want Kempery-man Dresnor, Albey, and Redmon assigned to my son going forward. Return when you’re done.” Then his father placed an arm around Kai’s shoulders. “Have a good trip, son. I wish I could go with you, but duty commands my presence here.”

  “Thank you, father. I will see you this evening.” He was so thrilled he could hardly stand still.

  ◆◆◆

  As the large group rode out of the southern gatehouse, Kai sat tall and proud in his saddle. He had been placed in the middle of the group, between Haygan and Kempery-man Dresnor. “How long will it take us to get to Port Anahita?” he asked Haygan.

  The stablemaster scanned the road ahead. “On horseback at a quick pace, about two hours. But with Marduk pulling a cart, and the additional supply cart Captain Henley is sending to Kaeco, it will be four hours. Still enough time for me to catch my ship.”

  Feeling his heart jump, Kai’s eyes doubled in size. “I’ve never ridden that long.”

  Shane let out a small chuckle ahead of Kai. “And that’s one way. We still have to ride back,” he said, shifting in his saddle to look backward. “Dad and I have made the trip in a little over three hours pulling our cart. We should not slow you down.”

  Then it dawned on Kai. “Can Shiva and Smoke really manage such a long trip walking?” He stretched his neck to find them ahead of the group.

  Still scanning the area, Haygan replied, “They’ll be fine. It may be hard on Smoke by the trip's end, but wolves can travel about forty miles or more in one day. We are going about twenty five this morning. We will stop twice to water the horses and take a break.”

  By the time they reached their second stop, Kai was quite happy to hop down and stretch his legs. He sat in the grass and rubbed Smoke’s thick black fur, watching a cloud bloom across the pale-gray sky. The brisk wind whipped around him and he felt a bite in the air he’d not noticed earlier.

  From the road, Shane approached the horses. “Time to go, mount up.” With help from Haygan, he hopped back in the saddle. Again, Kai folded into the center of the group, and everyone rode on in silence, allowing the guards to survey the area and take their places around the group.

  Breaking the silence, Haygan cleared his throat. “I wanted to talk to you about next summer. The Master General spoke to me about your trips around Diu. Your father made these trips when he was young. As I understand it, no one has been tending these towns over the last five to ten years. He wants you to learn the Diu territory and meet its people. You will travel to cities on the far side of Baden Lake.”

  Kai thought about the idea of spending his summers traveling. He knew it was a typical role for a prince, but he never thought he would be asked so young.

  “While it would be easy to take a boat across the lake and we’d be to any city of our choosing,” Haygan continued, “you need to be saddle ready for longer trips. It has been years since Iver has made time for some of his people, and you need to make yourself known. Earn their respect and offer aid where you can. Obviously, this is in preparation for when you move to Milnos.”

  Lost for words, Kai did not respond. He tried to process everything. Every time he went to speak, nothing came out. More thoughts came into his head. Sleep outside. Summer-long trips. Lead people. Move to Milnos… I’m not ready! His mind was spinning. Now he knew how Gideon felt.

  Being adventurous sounded exciting when it was someone else. Now Kai owed his cousin Gideon an apology. Slumped in the saddle, he stared straight ahead. “Milnos. It takes over two weeks to get there. What are they thinking? I am not ready to…” Overwhelmed, he cut himself off.

  Then he started again. “This is all too much. The bonding, weapons training, studying maps, language lessons, cipher codes, and gleaning…I just can’t,” he responded sharply.

  Haygan held his hand out in Kai’s direction, patting down the air. “One step at a time. I know change can be overwhelming. And at your age, things physically and mentally begin to change.” He waited a moment for Kai to breathe easier before he continued.

  “We’ll be in Diu territory, camping on the far side of Baden Lake one night, maybe two. Cazier has recommended a few sites we can stop along the way. Most of the time, we will be within a small estate. Each summer trip we will go a little farther around the great lake. I have much to show you. And most importantly, we aren’t going tomorrow.”

  “Who would be going with us?” The tone of concern in Kai’s voice revealed his apprehension.

  “Like today, we would have your Kempery-men, scouts, and guard escorts. Cazier said Hunter Marduk and Shane will go with us.” Haygan answered.

  As the idea began to settle, Kai found it easier to breathe and started to sit a little taller again. Craning his neck, he could just see the horizon. The sky came down to press against the dark blue sea. Cresting the hill, the full breadth of Port Anahita city came into view.

  His mind exploded with wonder. The last time he’d visited his aunt and uncle, he’d been six and he’d ridden in a carriage. Thinking back, he’d slept the entire way. He had never seen the view from this hill. The town was a mix of white, pink, and yellow homes with flat roofs.

  At the stables, they were greeted by the local stablemaster. Marduk offered the man money to tend their horses.

  After a quick goodbye, Haygan made straight for the coast with his horse to board a ship. Marduk and the boys walked the city in route to Kaeco’s office near the docks. Along the way, they purchased candles, honey, lamp oil, and salt. At each stop, Marduk sent his order back with one of the guards.

  Around the center of town, they passed a park and Kai looked down at Smoke. “I wish we had time to play.” Kai’s hand drifted across Smoke back.

  Two buildings away from their destination, they stopped. Two men exited a store, and the smell of freshly baked bread spilled out into the street to fight with the salty air. Both boys stopped to eye the toasty brown loaves on display in the window. They licked their lips and pointed to the tasty treats. Hunter Marduk joined them. “I brought some dried meat and cheese for lunch. What do you say we get freshly baked bread too?” He grinned.

  Smiles crossed both of their faces. “Yes, please,” they said in unison.

  Inside the small shop, they were overcome by the warmth from the ovens. Behind the counter, a short woman kneaded the dough into small round balls and then placed them on a rack under a towel. Her auburn hair twisted into a round bun on top of her head. Her round pale white face lit up when she spotted them. “Rayna, we have patrons, please see to their needs.” The woman nodded in their direction.

  As if by magic, a young girl popped up from behind the counter in front of them. “How can I help you today?” She smiled.

  Caught in her honey-brown eyes, Kai stared at her across the counter. She had long brown hair swept neatly to one side and tan skin.

  Marduk stepped forward. “Hello, dear. I’ll take three round loaves. Please split one three ways, if you don’t mind. Thank you.”

  Looking past the young girl, Marduk addressed the woman. “Hello, Dori. Where is Levi today?”

  While the young girl went to split the bread, her mother collected two other
loaves and placed them into a small cloth pouch. “Levi is busy packing up our home—we are moving into the palace bakehouse, you know.” She helped the young girl place the three pieces into a pouch and handed it to Marduk.

  “That’s right, we’ll be seeing you lot at the palace very soon.” Marduk handed her a few small coins and smiled. “Thank you for the bread, Dori.”

  “Always happy to serve you, Marduk.” Dori waved and turned back to her work.

  As they all turned to leave, Kai continued to gawk at the young girl and stumbled into the back of Shane. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t see you.” A bit embarrassed, he stuffed his hands in his pockets and shuffled out the door.

  Shane and Marduk smiled to each other without saying a word, as they took a seat on a bench outside of the bakery. Together they ate as they watched the busy streets ebb and flow with people.

  “Boys,” Marduk said once he was finished, “while I complete my business with Kaeco, why don’t you two go down to the docks? Let’s meet back at the stables in two hours.”

  Kai reached into his coat and pulled out the letters from his father for Kaeco. “I have my father’s letters to deliver to my uncle first.”

  “His office is on the way to the beach.” Marduk directed them to the warehouse.

  When Kai delivered his father’s letters, he felt a sense of pride in completing his mission. “Kempery-man Dresnor, escort Kai and Shane wherever they’d like to go. Be sure all of you are back at the stables by two-o’clock.” Then the huntsman pointed at two other guards. “You two can come with me.” Marduk walked back inside the warehouse.

  The two boys stood and glanced at each other. “We want to walk to the docks,” Kai said, directing Smoke to follow. With a glance over his shoulder, he saw three other men fan out. Dresnor stayed about three feet behind while another guard made his way in front of them and the third and fourth took positions on either side of the street.