Fortissima

by Sara Kingsley

  The man leads us to one of the larger buildings, all of which are made from mud or clay. We follow him through a set of large wooden doors into a cool, dim foyer. A minute later we emerge into a shady courtyard.

  The smell of greenery nearly knocks me over. Bushy trees surround us, along with many smaller plants teeming with bright flowers of every color. A fountain in the center emits a cooling mist.

  A young woman offers to take my jacket, and I don’t hesitate to give it to her. I untuck my shirt to allow the cool air to flow in. Plus it covers my knife, in its usual spot in my belt. I can’t be too cautious.

  “Please, guests, have a seat and enjoy some tea.” The elder man motions toward two woven chairs on the other side of the fountain. There are six in total, one already occupied by a distinctive-looking woman. She stands when she sees me, her dark eyes gazing at me warmly. Curly black hair tumbles out from her colorful headscarf. A small table is set with a pitcher of what looks like iced tea with lemons in it, and numerous plates of sandwiches, biscuits, and bowls of fruit. My mouth waters.

  When we are all seated, the elder man introduces the woman as his wife, Marina.

  “I’m sorry, and you are?” I prompt him.

  His eyes open wide. “You do not know?”

  I shake my head.

  “Please forgive me, m’lady. I thought you were familiar with … us, here. Did the Queen not tell you?”

  His eyes grow wider as he sees my face fall. Clearly he doesn’t yet know about her execution.

  He stands up and holds out his hand. He is so short that our faces are almost level. “I am Sufa, the free-governor of Nuimana. It is my honor to have you here, Raven of Nadir.”

  I take his hand. It’s cool and soft. “It is my pleasure, Sufa. I am honored that you have taken us in.”

  “Oh, but it is a far greater honor for us to have you.”

  I see this could go on for some time, so I thank him and release his hand. He resumes his place in his cushioned chair.

  “The Queen sent us a message that you would be arriving here,” he says, as if he can read the many questions looming in my mind. “We have been waiting a very long time for such a message.”

  “Oh? How long?” I wonder for a moment how she could have gotten such a message to him, when ships sail here only every few months.

  “For a thousand years. Give or take.” His face breaks into another enormous grin. Then it falls just as quickly. “She must not have had a chance to tell you about us?”

  “No. She did not. I’m sad to say King Araroa had her executed right before we set sail. For treason. There were many things I didn’t have time to ask—” My voice fails. Sufa places one of his hands lightly upon mine, now gripping the arm of my chair.

  “We are so sorry to hear that. So sorry. Tragic. She was such a kind queen. It’s a terrible loss.”

  I nod, taking a sip of my tea. I focus on the sweet and spicy taste, trying to hold back the tears that threaten.

  “But now you have made it here, to our little island,” he says, encouragingly. “Do you know the history of how we came to be?”

  I shake my head, still working to regain composure. I get the feeling this meeting could affect the rest of my life. I must focus on what’s before me now. The past is past. I take a deep breath. “I know Nuimana used to be part of Nadir. But how did it come to be an independent land? How did the Kings allow it?”

  He smiles broadly. “Ah, but they didn’t. Soon after the Quelline decree—you are familiar with this, yes?” He knows I am, of course, so he continues, “We did not agree with this—nobody in the Kingdom did, I am sure. I can not remember a Woman King who was not loved …” His eyes seem to cloud over, and he pauses, remembering. With a shake of his head, he jolts himself back to the present. “But we have the good fortune to live on our own land, so we sent a message to the Quellines that we would not honor the decree. That we would rather be an independent land than go along with their terrible order.” There is a fierceness in his eyes as he recounts Nuimana’s history.

  “I’m going to guess they didn’t like that.” I grab a biscuit and take a small bite. It’s buttery and melts in my mouth.

  “Indeed not. They even sent shiploads of armies to try to force us to comply. But we fought them as they tried to land. We are warriors, but peaceful—we fight only to protect our country. Eventually they gave up, sailed back to Nadir. But we know the split is only temporary.”

  “Temporary?” A situation going back a thousand years hardly seems like it’s for the interim.

  “Yes. If Nadir reverses its wrongful course, goes back to the rightful way of Woman Kings, then we shall reunite with our homeland. We came here five thousand years ago from Nadir, you see. We very much love our new island home, but it’s difficult having to trade in secret. King Araroa only allows us the most basic of goods—old flour, corn.” He makes a disgusted-looking face. “Anything else has to be smuggled here.” He winks as he adds this. I’m not sure if he’s referring to the barrels of whiskey no doubt currently being unloaded from the ship. Or me.

  I don’t have to wonder long.

  “You are the best thing to arrive on our shores in a thousand years. You are our Woman King, Raven.”

  My heart leaps in my throat. I don’t know what to say. I shake my head.

  “I don’t know, Sufa. I don’t know anything about how to be a Woman King. It’s true I was born to be … but I didn’t grow up in the Bastion. I know nothing.”

  He smiles kindly and pats my hand again. “Nothing to know. It’s only what you are. You are kind, you are good. I bet you are fair too. You bring not just yourself here, but something more.”

  “Oh? What is that?”

  “You bring us hope, Raven. Hope for a better future. For humans and creatures alike. A united land.”

  Hope. I didn’t know I was carrying such a heavy thing. I’m just about crushed under the weight of the knowledge that they see me as their hope for the future. I realize then what he’s asking of me: to declare myself the Woman King of Nuimana.

  Sufa’s studying my face. As if he can read it like a book, he says, “Think about what we ask of you. Take as long as you need. It’s sort of a big responsibility.” He grins, widely.

  “Yes, yes it is. I will do that. I’ll tell you tomorrow, if that’s all right.” If I’m going to crush the hopes of this small island nation, I’d better not keep them waiting.

  He grins again. “Tomorrow—perfect. Until then, you can relax. Marina will help you with a nice bath. Then we’ll eat and dance and sleep.”

  Tomorrow is going to come far too soon.

  After our tea in the courtyard, Marina shows Leif and me to our rooms, which are right next door to each other. Mine is simple but very comfortable. A large, low bed on the floor has white netting draped around it. One wall is open to the outdoors, looking out over the turquoise sea, allowing a cooling breeze to flow in.

  Marina helps me into my bath, which is a large, round, wooden tub. The water is scented with flowers, and pink blossoms float on the surface. After weeks without bathing, it’s deliciously refreshing to lower myself into the warm water. I close my eyes and try to clear my mind. My thoughts are so jumbled that all I can do is push each away, one by one.

  When the water begins to cool, Marina washes my hair. As she gently lathers it, I’m transported back to when I was a little girl, to the times my mum would take me down to the river to bathe. She’d wash my long hair in the cold running water, sending chills up my body as she massaged my head. Just like Marina’s hands are doing now. We’d lie on the grass in the warm sun to dry, my hair spread out around me like a fan. That was so, so long ago.

  Marina helps me into a long wrap-around sleeveless dress, explaining that this is a traditional Nuimana style. It’s beautiful: turquoise blue, sewn with small pearly shells. The fabric is light and transparent, but the many layers ensure modesty.

  Leif is waiting in the hallway when I emerge from my room. He
almost looks like a different boy altogether. His hair is washed and clean, tied back with a green ribbon that matches his eyes. He’s wearing a black wraparound cloth like a skirt, and a soft, green, patterned shirt. We smile at each other. The local wear appears to suit us.

  He offers his arm and I take it. Marina leads us to a large dining room at the back of the house, where a feast awaits. We’re introduced to dozens of new people, and I try desperately to remember all their names.

  The night is a blur of eating and drinking, rhythmic music and drums and dancing. But I’m so tired from our journey and all the other events of the day that I’m relieved to fall into my bed at the end of it.

  And then I can’t sleep. My head spins with what Sufa has asked of me. It’s not so much that I’m surprised; I realize I’ve known for a long time I’d have to make this decision some day. I just never expected it to be now, like this.

  I desperately want to talk to Leif about it, but haven’t had the opportunity all evening. Maybe he’s still awake.

  I sneak into the hallway, and quietly slip into his room, closing the door behind me.

  “Raven? Is that you?” Leif is already sitting up in bed, silhouetted by the moonlight streaming through the window behind him. There’s only a sliver left, but it’s enough to light up the clear night sky.

  I jump into his bed and pull him down, sliding the silky sheet over me. I kiss him hungrily in answer. He responds eagerly.

  “I can’t sleep,” I say, panting.

  “I can’t either.” He kisses me again, clearly not bothered by our mutual insomnia.

  But this wasn’t really what I had in mind when I came in. I give him one final peck on his nose, then back away slightly. “I don’t know what to do.”

  “About what?” he says in a dreamy voice.

  “Leif. It’s serious. What do I tell Sufa? What am I going to tell all these people? I didn’t come here to be their … their King. I just wanted to live a quiet life, like I had before, in Baldachin. Maybe a family … with you. A little house, in one of the villages here.”

  “Mmmm, that sounds delightful.” He considers this possible future for a few moments. Then he leans up, his head propped in his hand. “But it’s not possible, you know.”

  “Why not? Why can’t I just tell Sufa I can’t do it? I don’t know how to be a King. Remember what I told him this afternoon? Kings are raised to be so, they’re trained, starting when they’re just little kids. I don’t know anything.”

  “What do you need to know? Sufa was right. You are kind, and good, and fair. What more is needed? You even have the bonus traits of determination and stubbornness—”

  “I’m not stubborn.”

  “You sure?”

  “Okay, maybe a little.”

  I study his face in the moonlight. I think I’d like to go to sleep every night doing this. Another thing I might not get to do if I claim my place as a Woman King.

  “Besides,” he continues. “This is your destiny.”

  I start to laugh, and then I see his face is completely serious. “I don’t believe in destiny.”

  He shrugs. “Doesn’t matter. I believe in you.”

  His words send a jolt of warmth through my body. I don’t know what to say. Suddenly I feel very, very tired. I lay my head on his pillow and close my eyes. “I think I’m going to sleep now.”

  “Good idea. Good night, m’lady.”

  I open my eyes the next morning to find myself in my own bed. Leif must have carried me back into my room after I’d fallen asleep. I stretch out my arms, wishing I could reach for him. But I suppose it’s as well to maintain our modesty here.

  When I went to sleep I was still unsure what to tell Sufa. But now, lying in bed alone in the bright morning light, I know.

  I find Sufa in the courtyard, sipping his morning tea. He stands and bows his head in greeting. I’m so glad that people won’t need to greet me like this for much longer.

  “Good morning, dear Raven. Would you like some tea?”

  “Good morning, Sufa. I’d love some.” When we’re both seated, he pours a cup for me. We sip in silence. Sufa doesn’t remove his eyes from my face.

  “Please, help yourself to something to eat.” He motions toward the table, once again filled with delicious-looking food. I pile a plate with fruit and pastries. We eat in silence as the minutes tick by. Finally, I can’t put it off any longer.

  “Sufa—”

  “Wait. Raven, before you go on, I must show you something.”

  “Of course.” I’m glad of any reason to put off what I’m about to say.

  “Come.” He sets down his tea and plate and I do the same, then follow him out into the hallway. We wind around in the dimness to the back of the house, where he stops in front of a red-curtained doorway. He holds the curtain aside, and motions for me to go in. The room is dark, window-less. It takes a minute for my eyes to adjust after the bright morning light of the courtyard. When they do, I see there's only a single long table in the room. On it are two metal objects, lit by candles.

  “Go on, have a look,” Sufa whispers behind me.

  My heart pounds in my throat as I take the five steps needed to reach the table. It takes me several moments more before I fully take in what lies before me.

  “I thought these were destroyed. A thousand years ago. By Quelline himself.” My mouth is bone dry and I can barely croak out the words.

  Sufa is beside me. “What lies before you is real. Quelline lied when he declared these destroyed. They were rescued and brought here for safekeeping. Secretly, of course. He was so humiliated he told everyone they’d been melted down. But as you can see, they are here and unharmed. Go on, touch.”

  I will my hand to reach over. At first, it doesn’t seem to want to cooperate. But then, as if my arm no longer belongs to my body, it reaches up and the finger of my right hand touches the hilt of the sword.

  The power shoots up my arm like a lightning bolt. It’s terrifying. And yet … it is so true and right. It is the power of Fortissima, the sword every Woman King has carried since the dawn of our history.

  Beside it is the sapphire-encrusted crown that has graced every one of their heads. I touch it with my left hand, and feel strength flow down my arm into it.

  I’m not myself any longer. Or at least, the person I thought I was dissolves right there into the line of women, those Miss Lilith told me stories about as a girl. I can’t even feel my body anymore, only love and hope, flowing in and out of me, around and around like a circle. Everything fades from my mind: my family, Leif, Tui, Baldachin. My journey here is like a dream. I have always been here, in this room, holding what has always been mine. Not these physical objects, but what they represent: fairness, goodness, and hope. I feel like there is so much of each, I must share them around. To carry them for myself would smother me.

  I slowly drop my arms and come back to myself. The silver sword shimmers in the candlelight. I swear the crown is glowing.

  I do not want these objects. Not at all. But clearly they want me.

  At last I give Sufa the answer he’s been waiting for; the answer all of the people of Nuimana have been waiting for.

  The only word that could be true.

  “Yes.”

  Chapter 21

  It’s just before dawn on the first day of the new year. I’m standing on a knoll looking east, out over the blue-green sea. Sufa has told me this is where they last encountered Quelline’s army. Here Nuimana warriors fought them off, forced them back to their ships and back to Nadir, and the first free-governor swore to the people: until the time of a Woman King’s return, they are no longer part of Nadir. The people of Nuimana are their own.

  Now I stand with my back to those people, and Sufa stands between me and the sea. Our soft white robes billow in the light, warm breeze of this brand-new day. I can’t hear them, the thousand people behind me, silent as they listen to me speak.

  I repeat the ancient words that Sufa is saying to me. I ca
n’t comprehend them now, but I will later. At some other time each and every one will appear in my memory like a tattoo.

  He gestures for me to turn so that I face the people. A smiling sea of joy. A sea of hope. I won’t let them down.

  My eyes focus on the golden-haired boy who stands before me. He holds two items, each wrapped in silk, protecting them from the light of day, which they haven’t seen for a thousand years. He hands the smaller of them to Sufa. He unwraps it carefully and places the delicate silver crown on my head. I feel like it should be lighter than it is, but its weight seems to anchor me to the land I’m standing upon.

  Leif steps up and hands me the other package, the long one. “For my Woman King,” he says and bows his head.

  I take the package and let the soft silk fall away to the ground. I grasp Fortissima’s handle and wait as she helps subdue the shaking in my hands. Leif looks up at me, hesitates for a moment, then nods.

  As I raise the sword above my head the sun rises from the sea behind me. The first rays hit the edge and ricochet off into the crowd before me. Leif’s face is the only one on which my misty eyes focus. It erupts in joy and pride and love.

  I am his Woman King.

  If you enjoyed Fortissima, please help other readers find this book by leaving a review at the online store where you purchased your copy, or on a reader review site such as Goodreads. Thank you!

  An Excerpt from Bravura

  Raven and Leif’s journey continues in Bravura (The Woman King Book 2), available at all major online booksellers.

  * * *

  Keep reading for a sneak peek!

  Chapter 1

  “Would you like some more, m’lady?”

  A nearby voice startles me out of my daydream. I look over at Leif, who is holding the decanter of wine. He’s already refilled his glass. “Yes, please.”

  He reaches over, tips the rose-colored liquid into mine. “That’s enough, thank you.” I smile at him and accept the fistful of grapes he’s offering. He places the half-empty decanter on the table between us, set with our afternoon tea.