by A D Lombardo
When Kai awoke, his clothes were dry. He sat up to see Haygan perched on a large round cushion, near his feet, between him and Rayna. An intense white glow surrounded his uncle. He opened the palm of his hand. His stone remained crystal clear. Basically, unchanged. Although, if possible, maybe whiter than before.
He felt a little disappointed. He had been sure it would be blue like all the other Beastmasters he knew.
Rayna lay on the mat beside him. Her body emitted light that he could see without gleaning, and it pushed against Kai’s sensitive eyes. He noticed she was also dry, but still deep within her experience. “How…” Kai struggled to make a sound at first. “How did we get out of the pool?” Kai asked. He wanted to touch Rayna’s arm, but he refrained. “Why is everyone here glowing so bright?”
Haygan whispered. “After your… shall we say, experience, everyone floats to the surface. As your uncle, I asked to be the one to lift you from the pool. It is a blessing to enter the water while it teems with power. The entire building hums with magic.”
“How is it that we are completely dry? I kind of remember you pulling me from the water, only, I…” Kai let his words fade, thinking back to the moment.
“You have been lying here for almost an hour.” Haygan waved to the meditating crowd. “We are all here to pray over you and Rayna. Offer blessings. We wait for you to return.” Haygan paused as Rayna stirred. “They are bright because you are attuned to their aura. I see it too, although not as brightly as you, because I was in the pool. They can also see a pale version of the magic you connected with in the water. It is the insight from Alenga, shared with us all on this day.”
Lost between thoughts and emotions, Kai did not know what to say. He tried to speak again, but no words would come out. His nerves felt raw, near the surface, oversensitive. Without needing to focus, not only could he see everyone’s aura, he sensed their emotions. Harmony emanated from the crowd. He took a deep breath to linger in the moment.
“Nephew, after our bonding, everyone feels at a loss for words. It is a compelling experience. Relax and enjoy the moment. It can be disorienting for some and euphoric for others. It will subside. Within a few hours, you won’t even remember the experience. You will be left with the memory and feeling of pure peace and love. That is Alenga’s way.”
Brows knit together in confusion, Kai looked at the pool. He didn’t want to forget. Just the opposite, he needed to remember her words. He was sure that is what Alenga told him. Before he could protest, Rayna sat up. Her beautiful long brown hair puddled around her shoulders. She opened her hand. The once white teardrop crystal was now deep emerald green.
“I…” She swallowed and looked at Kai. “I feel wonderful,” Rayna announced profoundly. “Alenga was so beautiful. She told me…I…I don’t remember.” She looked to the others, her eyes ready to tear with joy. “Kai, you are radiant.” She motioned to his aura. “I can feel your essence. Without gleaning, I see your light shining.”
Yulia knelt between them. “Welcome back, my dear. Green, I see—Kodama. As if there was any doubt. You are most blessed, Rayna.”
Yulia reached toward Kai. Her expression shifted to one of concern. “Close your hand, Kai,” she whispered. “Don’t let them see your stone is white. The elders will not like this. It is as they feared. You are most certainly Keegan’s son. I don’t know why I didn’t notice the resemblance before.”
Fear welled in the pit of Kai’s stomach. “You mean my father’s crystal was white?”
“Yes,” she cupped her hand over his stone. “Before it turned black. Although his father, Benmar, your grandfather, his crystal is still white to this day.”
Haygan waved her off. “There is no use in hiding it, Kai. Alenga has blessed you as she saw fit. Legend or no, your crystal is white. Like all of us, you will choose a teacher, and your gifts—whatever they are, will simply be. How you choose to use them is what will define you. Maybe even define us all. I do not know what this means, or if you will fight your father, but this is not the time to talk.”
On his feet, Haygan pulled Kai and Rayna to his side. Hands pressed together, he bowed to each of them. “I see you, Kai, welcome to Hiowind. I see you, Rayna, welcome to Hiowind.”
Unsure what else to do, Kai pressed his hands together and bowed in return, Rayna followed his lead, thanking each new person. Simone and Yulia followed Haygan. They offered them the same greeting and stepped aside.
The crowd stood. Each person, one by one, all came and extended their warm welcome to Kai and Rayna. Hands pressed together in prayer, they bowed. Eyes locked with each person, Kai felt the love they offered. Emotions welled in his chest. Overwhelmed tears rolled down his cheeks. He had never experienced anything so raw.
When a man with pitch-black hair and dark brown eyes approached Rayna. Kai felt tension tighten his neck and shoulders. Without him saying it, Kai knew who this man was to him. Like the others, he pressed his hands together and bowed graciously. “I see you, Rayna, welcome to Hiowind. I see you, Kai, welcome to Hiowind. My name is Lucca. I am your grandfather.”
The apprehension swelled in Kai’s chest. His heart pounded in his ears. He had nothing to say to this man. What could he say? Best he knew, Lucca did everything he could to keep Kai out of Katori. The smile his so-called grandfather offered looked real but did not truly reach his eyes. The softness in Lucca’s touch as he patted Kai’s arm left Kai feeling conflicted.
This was more than he expected after the fight it took to get here. Could it be that simple? Were they now welcome among the Katori? Face after face, he bowed and met new Katori people. So many eyes, smiles, and blessings. They all became a blur.
After the crowd stopped, Haygan put his arm around Kai. “I know this,” Haygan waved to the now growing crowd, “is overwhelming. I would love to say it was over, but this will go on well into the night.”
Kai rocked back on his heels. “Really?”
“Yes. People from all over Katori are pouring in to join the festivities. Word has spread that you are here. The moment of the bond and Alenga’s presence this close to our plane of existence brings pure power and harmony. People will come to celebrate and enjoy the energy your bonding creates. This happens every time someone completes the Conhaspriga.”
“After tonight, what do we do? I want to search for my mother. But—I don’t know where to start. Or do I have to find a teacher? How do I pick? Can you be my teacher?”
“I would love to be your teacher, if mentoring were my gift, but I don’t believe I can teach you how to reach your potential. Riding a horse, yes. Bonding with your companion, certainly, but considering your crystal is white, I don’t know how to help you search your spirit for your calling—I am no shaman.”
“I know my mother was a shaman, a spiritual guide, and a teacher. She helped young Katori learn to control their gifts. Kendra told me all about it months ago. Who is the Shaman now? Has my mother not been replaced?” Kai felt sad that nobody had followed in her footsteps.
“Mariana, your mother, was a wonderful teacher. She helped many find a suitable teacher. A select few she mentored herself. It is most unfortunate nobody has felt capable of replacing her. How we all miss her dearly. Times change, it is no longer our way to have one shaman. The four tribes decreed we did not need a new shaman. Now each new Katori study with many teachers.”
“What are the four tribes again?”
“There are the Hiowind, the mountain tribe where we are now. There is the Matoku, the highland tribe; the Kahoma, the coastal tribe; and Gemidi, the Mystic Islands tribe.”
“Which one was my mother?”
“Our family is Hiowind.” Haygan motioned to Lucca, who was lingering next to a column nearby. “Lucca, my father, your grandfather, is our chief. The woman with him is Kendra’s mother, Olina. She is our unie.
Haygan’s eyes turned sad at the memory of his lost sister, Mariana. “I wish your mother were here to see you, Kai.”
“Me too, but soon enough.
” Kai surveyed the room. “Are you sure you could not teach me? Time is of the essence. I must find my mother.”
Haygan scratched his chin. “You do me a great honor by asking, but I am not the right person. Given your white crystal, I can think of only one man who might be willing to teach you—Benmar, your other grandfather. But since Keegan’s betrayal, he does not come here much.”
Yulia stepped into their conversation. “Benmar might teach you, but not here in Hiowind. He rarely leaves the dragon meadows. He is a wise teacher and a rare few have the courage to seek him out on the mountain. You will not find anyone more qualified.”
Meeting his grandfather tore at Kai’s heart. There was something familiar about a man from his past, his face, but Kai could not recall the complete memory. He had sent Liam to aid him in accessing Alenga’s Mountain. But Benmar was Keegan’s father, and if truth be told, Kai didn’t want to bother with lessons. He felt in the prime of his life. His fever was gone, and, if challenged, he was sure he could move a mountain.
“We don’t have time for lessons. I need to search for my mother. She may be a manta ray somewhere in the ocean, but I know I can find her. This is our last chance to save her, if it is not already too late to turn her back. Can I not use her necklace and track her?”
His uncle curled in close. “Not so loud, Kai. We don’t want anyone else to know you have your mother’s crystal. We will use it to track Mariana, but the manta rays don’t migrate near the Mystic Islands until autumn. She could be anywhere right now. In the meantime, you better learn what your white crystal means.”
Simone interjected. “It might be wise if Kai and Rayna start out working in the gardens together. It will be better if they meet people as a couple. That will strengthen their bond and soften the integration into our community.”
Curious, Rayna tilted her head. “For all the Katori who don’t venture out into the world for their Conhaspriga, how do they take their rite of passage?”
“The ones who choose not to venture out spend their year in silent meditation. They are provided access to the cave from this side to carve out their stone. The rest is basically the same. They go into the pool to discover if Alenga will bless them with a gift. Not everyone has magic. And most that don’t are usually happy without the burden.”
“Doesn’t seem fair,” Kai interjected.
“Fair?” Haygan tilted his head. “A rare few choose to leave. They fear the outside world. Those that do leave have a warrior spirit. They want to test their mettle against the world and our Guardians. Explorers at heart. Most of them return, but as you know, a few do not. It is unfair you did not have a choice. But I do not make the rules. Nor am I the one to change them.”
Before Kai could counter, Simone stepped between them. “This is a celebration. Debate tomorrow.” She wrapped her hands around Haygan’s arm.
Chapter 9
The Agora
No sooner did Simone stop talking than a delightful melody filled the air, and the crowd burst into celebration. Kai pressed his hand on the side of his leg, tracing the weight of the crystal in his pocket. He wished he understood the power it held. Something was reassuring about feeling the shape of it against his fingers.
People with trays of food and drinks flitted between the crowds. Flute and violin players wandered about, and in one corner Kai noticed several stretched cylindrical drums being placed in a semicircle. One man rhythmically tapped them with his hands to blend with the current melody. Other instruments slowly joined to build on the tune.
Behind them, a group brought round pillows to sit around the spirit pool. They nibbled on food, sipped wine, and conversed. In another area, people set up easels and began painting the scene. Ladies meandered through the crowd passing out tiny flowers, which women placed in their hair. Kai instantly thought this reminded him of a city festival.
Rayna slipped her hand into Kai’s. “I feel overwhelmed. I want to blurt out a million thoughts, yet the words are unable to capture what my mind has shown me.”
Grateful he was not experiencing this alone, Kai cupped his hand over hers. “We should get something to eat, that may help.” He escorted her to a low table with blue round plush cushions.
Cheeses, fruits, and vegetables covered the marble table. They sat eating food and sipping some strange brown liquid. It was smooth to the taste and warmed Kai’s throat. People continued to welcome and bless them before joining in the festivities. Unsure when the string of new people would end, he was at least thankful they did not stay to chat. When they finally stopped approaching, Kai and Rayna sat quietly watching the event.
“Rayna, do you feel the thread? It pulls at my soul. We are tethered to this place.” He motioned to the Agora. “But this place is not the only one, there are two others. One in the highlands and one more near the shore. Can you feel them?”
She shook her head. “I only feel this place.”
“The one in the highlands pales in comparison to the one by the shore. It feels old and forgotten.”
“How could you possibly know…” She let the thought go and popped a grape into her mouth.
He ran his hand over the back of her hand. “I have to remember to live for now. Let go of the past and the struggles it took to get here. I am lucky to have you in my life.”
She blushed at his comment. “We are both lucky.”
Tired of sitting, Rayna stood to stretch her back. Before Kai could join her a group of girls approached, all wearing various shades of green dresses. They surrounded Rayna. “We are Kodama, little sister. Come with us!” And with that, they swept her through the crowd.
Kai was pleased to see her making friends. He stood to get a better view of where they were taking her. They fawned over her like newly found treasure. Each seemed to ask her a question and pull her this way and that. Several girls placed flowers in her hair and wrapped green silk around her body. Through the crowd, he felt someone staring at him. When he locked eyes with the man, Kai instantly recognized him.
He was one of the Guardians from the morning’s battle. Regret panged Kai’s heart. When they met in battle, the man was an eagle; in fact, Kai had sliced off his wing, or rather the man’s arm. The man approached, and a lump formed in Kai’s throat.
They locked eyes, blue on black. Kai held his breath. Gingerly the Guardian raised both hands, pressed them together, and bowed. “I see you, Kai. Welcome to Hiowind.”
Befuddled, Kai bowed back. “Thank you.” His words tumbled out in shock. “How could this be? Only earlier today, I severed your arm. Cleaved it entirely through your bicep. Sorry for that, by the way.” Kai gulped.
The man smiled and lifted the corner of his pale blue shirt sleeve. Across his upper arm, there was a pink circular scar that cut through his copper complexion.
“My name is Ari. I am proud to be a Katori Guardian. No hard feelings. Our Kodama restored my arm. It will be sore for a few days, but good as new within a week.” Ari rubbed the newly earned battle wound. “Scars are good. They remind us to learn from our mistakes. It is not my first, and I doubt it will be my last.”
“Pleased to meet you, Ari,” Kai said with relief.
Ari nodded at Kai’s clenched fist inside his pocket. “It may be rude to ask, but is it true? Your stone remained clear?” His voice was low, and he covered his mouth as if they were sharing a secret.
Talk about direct. Ari cut right to the heart of what everyone wanted to know. Kai nodded. “Yes. My crystal is completely clear.” Unsure what it meant himself, he asked in return. “What does that mean to you?”
“Well, as I am sure you know by now, each person’s stone is green, yellow, purple, red, or blue.” He pulled the necklace from his shirt. On the chain dangled a solid blue gem, irregularly shaped with smooth edges. “The darker the color, the stronger the connection, some say. Although my father’s stone, while dark blue, has a coil of white. I can’t imagine a man stronger with his Beastmaster connection.” Pride emanated in Ari’s voice and carried
through to his eyes.
“I’m not sure what white means. Our gifts are usually defined by the color Alenga fills the crystal. There have only been two other people with white crystals. There was Keegan, who is—or was, rather—a Kodama healer. And there is his father, Benmar. He is more legend than man nowadays, a Beastmaster who lives secluded high up in the Katori Mountains. I have never met him. Dragons are not very welcoming these days. I chose not to be rejected by the dragon’s discriminating nature and became an eagle. But I doubt that’s what you meant. Am I right?”
Kai contemplated Ari’s expression. “I was hoping for a different answer.”
“The talk is you are Keegan’s son. One look at you, and I can see it. Having met Keegan and knowing both he and his father are the only others with a white crystal, it is easy to jump to the conclusion. I only wonder why Mariana chose to stay away. Why hide you?”
Kai knew why. Keegan was not a nice man, and she feared him finding her and Kai. Pretending Kai was a Half-Light gave them security. “Only my mother knows the answer.”
Tempted, Kai wanted to ask how old Ari really was, even though that was not considered polite. But nothing about the past few days had been polite. Time for answers. “Ari, it may be wrong to ask, but how old are you?”
Reserved, Ari folded his arms across his chest. “I am seventy-three.”
Shocked, Kai shook his head. The man in front of him could hardly be a few years older than he was—twenty-three at the most. His mind spun with questions.
“How old is Orin?” Kai asked cautiously.
Ari smirked. “The old man is two hundred and fifty-two. He is among the oldest. Great man. You should spend time with him. He could teach you more than us young folk.”
Kai stood stunned. What else could he ask?
Before he could learn more, a young blonde woman swept Ari away. They merged with the other dancers. Kai observed the subtle changes in the room, the changes in the people. Their magnified aura had nearly faded. Everything looked more natural. Only the tiniest light emanated from the crowd.