Rayna's Sacrifice (The Katori Chronicles Book 3)

by A D Lombardo

  Below decks, everyone grabbed timbers to secure their footing and keep from being tossed about the ship’s hull. Kai ushered Rayna into the captain’s cabin. He steadied her as she grabbed for the captain’s desk. Her expression matched the turmoil in his own mind.

  Wave after wave battered against the Dragaron. Lightning cracked the sky, the dark windows along the hull of the ship flashed. Kai looked out a small window and held fast as the vessel rocked and rolled. One glance at Rayna, and he could see the fear on her face. Wanting to believe everything was fine, Kai rubbed her shoulders, but a small part of him wondered if they were in trouble.

  “Kai, this weather is not natural,” Rayna called over the storm. “I have lived through hurricanes at the beach. This storm is too intense, too sudden. How is this possible?” Her eyes wrapped around an idea. “Weathervanes. They stand against us. Why?”

  With a finger to his lips, he acknowledged her concern. Why indeed? If only he knew the answer, but she was right. This was no natural storm.

  Kai searched his group; Yulia was not below. “Yulia must still be on deck. I have to help her!” he yelled over the thunder cracking the sky. “Stay here!” He crossed the cabin and reached for the doorknob.

  The cabin’s door opened, and Dresnor entered, soaking wet. “Kai, where are you going? Stay below.”

  “I can help Yulia. Trust me, Philip. She needs my help.” He gave his Kempery-man a glare.

  Dresnor grabbed Kai. “Either we both go, or I must insist you stay here.”

  There was no time to argue. “Fine, see if you can get the rest of the crew to come below. You can operate the helm. The fewer people above, the better.” With a nod, they plunged into the rain.

  Kai and Dresnor climbed the stairs as rain pelted their faces. Halfway, Rayna's hand locked with Kai’s. “I want to help,” she insisted, stepping to his side.

  “Go back below, where it's safe,” he yelled over the howling winds.

  Rayna charged ahead of him into the storm. Fearful, Kai chased after her. “Rayna,” he called, but she did not stop.

  Dresnor made for the captain and his crew, but each man refused to go below. He approached the captain, but the captain’s white-knuckle grip held fast to the helm. Dresnor grabbed the captain by his coat and pulled their faces together. The storm swallowed the sound of his voice. Shocked, Kai stepped in their direction. Dresnor released the captain, pointed, and took the helm. The captain and his crew scampered below.

  Kai turned his attention to Rayna. He reached for her, but before he could protest, Yulia motioned to him. Yulia stood near the center of the vessel, water dripping from her face. Her movements were familiar. He had seen her perform them once before. He did not need to glean to know she was collecting energy, folding and shaping it with her hands, directing it upward against the storm. He surmised that she was forming a weak windbreak around the mast.

  Whipped by the ferocious storm, the foresails tore from the rigging and flapped violently in the wind. The Dragaron sat dead in the water. Lightning pierced the sky, and thunder pounded.

  Yulia yelled to Kai, “You know these movements. Riome taught them to you. Repeat them. Work one sequence behind my moves.” While she spoke, she continued the movements. “See the energy within the storm. Collect the energy, pull it from the storm, and push it to me.”

  In their hesitation, Yulia called out again. “I cannot stop this storm, but we can use it. See the energy in the storm. Feel it. Draw it out of the sky. Use their power. Trust me. Each of us draws on the same essence. Magic surrounds us—you need only to take it from this storm. Weaken the storm. I will convert it and feed the windbreak around us.”

  Kai took a deep breath and connected to his sight. He could see the energy Yulia collected from the black cloud. A small waterfall of light fell from the storm and splashed around her. In her hands, she converted the raw power. Magic she could control to protect the ship.

  Kai pulled Rayna’s face to his. “Do as I do,” he instructed.

  He took his stance. Rain, wind, and waves threatened his footing. Yulia’s small windbreak barely protected the mainmast and the remaining sails. He stepped closer to Yulia and felt the wind and rain slacken. The small protective sphere extended to Rayna and himself.

  Focused on the dark mass thundering above, Kai reached out with his mind. The pulse within the storm rolled against him. He called out to Rayna. “Glean, connect to the energy within the storm. Feel its power. Draw it to you.”

  Kai thought of the many lessons with Riome. How energizing the room often felt when they trained. As he pulled at the storm, he felt the power wash over him; then, he pushed the energy to Yulia. The loss felt hollow. The empty void drained him. Again he cycled through the movements. His movements recharged by a waterfall of magic pouring down from the storm.

  Rayna copied his movements. After a few repeated moves, he noticed Rayna had grasped the pattern. Her body flowed in unison with his. Her precision behind each action impressed him. She was a natural. He looked to the storm—while neither of them could convert the energy, he saw they were affecting the intensity of the squall. The clouds above them began to thin and lighten.

  Yulia used the increased power that Kai and Rayna sent her to create a more substantial windbreak around the ship. Struck with the occasional gust and pricked by rain, Kai felt hope that the boat would survive—they would survive.

  But surviving wasn’t good enough. “Yulia,” Kai shouted over the pounding thunder and lightning crackle. “We cannot stay here! You must find a way to feed the sails and get us to land. If you give out, we are doomed.”

  Wave after wave continued to pound the hull. Dresnor looked on in awe at the change in weather around the ship. Still, Dresnor held them steady. Yulia slid back behind the mast. Her movements changed slightly. The windbreak around the vessel shrank, but the sails swelled, and the Dragaron lurched forward. They were moving again.

  Kai and Rayna continued to weaken the storm above them. Their energy supported Yulia’s efforts. Wind and rain clawed at each of them. At the stern of the ship, Kai saw Dresnor was unprotected from the storm. The rage-fueled storm pelted his Kempery-man, and yet, Dresnor held fast. He kept one hand on the tiller and used the other to protect his body from the hail with his heavy shield.

  Waves continued to ravage the ship. Yulia’s decision to focus her power on the sails reduced their protection. Waves slapped the deck, and Rayna lost her footing. The surge washed her towards the railing. Kai dove after her, but a second wave knocked him to his knees. Water splashed over him as he scrambled to grab Rayna.

  He watched helplessly as she tried to stand. The next wave slammed her to the deck and washed her out of reach. He called to her, but she was unconscious—her limp form pressed against the railing. Blood trickled down her cheek. Frantic, he ran to her side. He felt the ship reduce speed. The wind around him lulled, and Kai rolled Rayna to her side. She coughed. Water spewed from her mouth. She was alive.

  He tenderly wiped the blood from the cut on her cheek. “Let me take you below.”

  She shook her head. “No, we need to help Yulia. I will be alright.”

  Suddenly aware of the calm around them, Kai looked to the sky. Once again, the storm rolled black over them. Yulia kept the weather at bay, but they were again motionless in the water. Ripped in two, another sail flapped in the wind. Yulia’s movements barely protected the mainmast. Her focus had shifted to protect Rayna.

  Kai pulled Rayna to her feet, and they rejoined Yulia. Once again, the ship lurched into motion. They were not streaking across the waves as before, but the windbreak Yulia created protected them from the surge. The storm clouds continued to dump heavy rain. The howling wind pushed against the Dragaron. Hail again pelted the ship. Lightning cracked the sky.

  Hours passed, and there was no sign of the shore or the weather easing. Kai wondered how much longer they could hold out. They were exhausted. He felt his strength wane. Rayna’s movements were sluggish; tears wel
led in her eyes. Even Dresnor was slumped by the tiller. Everyone was exhausted. The push-and-pull of magic made Kai very weary.

  Yulia’s focus, however, was unyielding. She pulled, folded, and pushed the energy, ever resilient as she worked. Rain poured from above, the wind stirred the waves and whipped against them. Thunder and lightning pierced the black sky. Renewed by Yulia's commitment, Kai continued to pull the energy from the storm. Their only chance was to push onward.

  Off the port side, far in the distance, Kai saw a shaft of light break through the storm. Unsure what to make of the weather change, he dared not stop. He continued to draw power from the storm looming above the ship. Then another ray of sunshine burned through the clouds, and more and more light poured through. The wild weather shifted in a wave across the sky. The black clouds crumbled away and slowly dispersed altogether.

  Relieved, Rayna dropped her arms. Kai stepped to hold her upright. Yulia refocused all of her energy at the remaining sails. The Dragaron surged forward with astounding speed. Dresnor stood tall and cleared the water from his face and beard. He dropped his shield at his feet.

  The waves started to recede, and the ship cut through the water of Baden Lake once more. Kai and Rayna stepped forward. The early evening sun kissed their faces and the wind blew against their soaked clothing. They were saved. He wrapped an arm around Rayna’s waist and pulled her close. A thin dark line cut into the horizon. They were close to land.

  “Yulia, you can stop. Look, I can see land.” Kai gestured.

  Yulia did not stop. She worked harder. Their speed increased. The prow of the ship rose out of the water. Rayna stumbled. Kai caught her elbow and steadied her. Concerned, Kai looked to Dresnor.

  “Make her stop,” Dresnor called. “We are close enough. Quick before she crashes the ship or the crew comes up.” He gestured at the hatch.

  It was enough that Dresnor witnessed everything. The ship’s incredible speed. Yulia controlling the wind. No one knew that Yulia was a Weathervane. While the crew may be thankful for her help, they would also whisper that she was a witch or some other fanciful creature.

  “Yulia,” Kai pleaded, “you must stop. The crew, they will see you. The storm is gone.”

  In front of them, the horizon began to take shape. The thin line became lumpy and green. Out of the corner of one eye, Kai saw the hatch door rise. There was no time to wait for Yulia to comply. Kai grabbed her hands. “Yulia!” He startled himself with the violence of his tone.

  Alarmed, Yulia stared half-crazy into Kai’s eyes. “Sorry, I…I couldn’t. If the storm returned, we needed to be closer to shore. Why did they stop?” she whispered, mostly to herself.

  The sails sagged, and the ship sloshed down into the tiny waves. Only the faintest breeze remained. Grunts echoed from the hatch as men spilled out into the fresh air. The captain eyed Dresnor. “I see my ship is still in one piece.” He glanced across to Kai and his group. “I won’t ask what you did, nor tell what I believe. Now, Your Highness, let’s see if I can deliver you safely north of Albey.” The captain gave them a slight nod and took the helm.

  Dresnor nodded to the captain. Kai escorted Rayna and Yulia below, leaving his men behind. Satisfied they were in good hands, Kai took them to the captain's quarters.

  Yulia wasted no time stating the obvious. “Well, it is pretty obvious to me that the elders don't want you to make it to Katori, Kai. To create a storm so intense, the Katori must have a dozen Weathervanes, maybe more.”

  “I agree. But if that is true, why did the storm stop?” Kai rubbed his sore shoulders, each one in turn.

  Before Yulia could answer, Dresnor entered the cabin. He slumped down into one of the chairs secured against the wall. “You mind explaining what in Alenga’s name just happened?”

  No logical explanation would satisfy his friend. Kai knew they were not permitted to tell Dresnor the truth. Plus, if he knew the Katori people fought against them, Dresnor would not let them continue. His friend had no idea what was at stake. Kai and Rayna had little time left before their fever consumed their power. They needed to complete their journey.

  Yulia leaned against the desk and eyed Dresnor. “We prayed to Alenga for her mercy. Our steadfast faith saved us.”

  Dresnor scoffed. “You don’t honestly expect me to believe that was Katori luck and prayer?”

  Yulia turned away to gaze out the window. Dresnor looked to Kai, who only offered a shrug before slumping into a chair by Rayna to rest for the remainder of their journey.

  Chapter 2

  Old Friends

  Their ship made landfall on the eastern shore north of Albey. Pale gray clouds dotted the dusky sky. Light rain danced on their shoulders—a natural shower, peaceful and calm. Soaked once again to the bone, Kai helped Rayna into a small rowboat. Dresnor, Drew, Redmond, and Albey climbed in beside him, and the two crewmen rowed deep into the secluded cove. Near the mouth of the Conha River, Kai pointed. “We should get out there. Find a clearing to make a suitable campsite.”

  Once on shore, Kai thanked the crewmen, and they returned to the ship with the rowboat. Each Kempery-man hefted a bag of supplies. When they finally sat around a warm fire, everyone was silent. They were merely relieved to be safe on dry land.

  Exhausted and caught in thought, Kai’s focus was not on point. He barely noticed the man approach them through the thicket before Smoke growled. Drew and Redmon circled the fire. Their eyes focused into the woods, swords at the ready. Kai searched the trees. The corner of his mouth curled; he knew the man that waited obscured by the darkness.

  Kai stepped in front of his men. “Davi. You may approach,” he called into the early evening shadows.

  Davi stepped out from the gloom. “Kai, I’m pleased to see you. May we speak, in private?” He nodded and disappeared back the way he came.

  Before Dresnor could protest, Kai faced the group. “Davi is a good man. He is Katori and a friend of Haygan’s. I met him last summer. I trust him with my life. Rayna, Yulia, please come with me. Please, Philip. I need to speak to him alone. He may be able to help us find the herb Rayna needs for our cure—or know who can. Mountain Katori people are not fond of strangers. We will be back at dawn.” Kai tapped his leg, and Smoke followed.

  Dresnor opened his mouth, but no words came out. He relented with a nod and stepped backward. The other men began to protest, but Dresnor held up his hand. Mouth pursed in a thin line, he approached the newly built fire that Drew stoked.

  Guilt about the lie stuck in Kai’s throat as he ventured into the woods after Davi. Rayna held his hand, and Yulia brought up the rear. Behind them, he could hear voices. His Kempery-men commiserated about the storm and their seasickness, but Dresnor spoke no words. Kai felt bad excluding him, but he could not possibly explain where they were going or whom they would meet. Dresnor had already seen more than he should.

  Deep into the forest, Davi waited. Gabe and Hale, two of the other Katori outcasts that Kai had met last year, stood with him. “It has been too long, Kai,” Davi extended his hand. “Good to see you and yours survived the storm.” Davi tucked a section of gray hair behind his ear. “Yulia, I am glad you were with him.”

  Stunned, Kai looked over his shoulder. “You know each other?”

  Yulia chuckled. “Kai, like my daughter, I know everyone. I go everywhere. Where do you think Riome gets her wanderlust?” She smiled and stepped around Kai. “Where are the others?”

  “Safe,” Davi announced. “We have a makeshift camp a few miles from here. It was good you sent word. Sabastian is with us.”

  Silently they tramped through the woods. Kai’s mind filled with questions. He pushed a query at Davi’s back. “Last summer, when I came to your camp, did you know who I was?”

  “You mean, did I know you were a Half-Light? That you were the Prince of Diu? Or did I know you were Mariana’s son? Possibly Keegan’s son?” Davi chuckled to himself.

  The details Davi knew astonished Kai.

  “No, Kai,” Davi stepped
over a felled tree. “Yulia came after you. She thinks the world of you, in case you didn’t know. She came with news of the Caroco ships spotted around the Mystic Islands. We all speculated Keegan had returned. I knew Keegan briefly. Sabastian said Keegan is your birth father. No offense to King Iver, but you are no Half-Light. I see you have the fever. I’ve been through it. The pain will only get worse.”

  It wasn’t hard to believe the pain could get worse. The agony pounding in his chest and head left Kai feeling on edge. Every part of him hurt, but he had to keep going. His mother’s life depended on him coming into his powers. He touched Yulia’s arm. “Why are you helping us? Did Riome ask you to help us?”

  A solemn wave washed over Yulia. “I— know Benmar, Keegan’s father. He is a dear friend. Riome did not ask, but she did not have to. I am here because it is the right thing to help you.”

  Kai touched her arm. “Thank you, Yulia.”

  Davi ducked under a limb. “The storm confirmed the elders aim to keep you out. With rumors of Keegan’s return flooding Katori, I can understand you being lumped in with his arrival. These two events don’t seem coincidental. Not to our obsessive, controlling chiefs. They fear you, while others believe in what you might represent.”

  “What exactly do I represent? They don’t know me.” Kai stomped closer to Davi to gauge his reaction.

  “Change. You are either Keegan’s son, power-hungry and planning to rise against them. Or, you are the legend, meant to change the Katori way of life. I told you this before. The legend speaks of a story depicted on the walls of Alenga’s lost Agora. Two warriors fight against the man with a black soul. Nobody wants a war, Katori fighting Katori.”

  The burden of carrying the future of the Katori pressed on Kai’s heart. He never asked for this. All he wanted was his mother back.

  Rayna stepped between Kai and Davi. “So how did you come to our aid in the storm?”

  Davi’s kind eyes smiled at her. “Sabastian came to us, asked for our help. Another came to your aid, a young man named Shane. He has returned to his wife for the night, but promises to join you at dawn.”