by A D Lombardo
She continued to stare out the window as if the answer to her situation would fly in through the window. In all of this, she had never really asked herself what she wanted beyond finding her family.
Her contemplation must have taken too long because Kai interrupted her internal conversation. “Maybe you could stay with one of your friends from the garden—Jayla, maybe. Have you thought of finding Imani?”
The mention of Jayla gave Rayna some confidence. She had spent nearly every day with Jayla, and they had become rather close. She reminded her of Julia, her best friend from Diu, now Shane’s wife. “Jayla may be willing to let me stay with her and her mother. She is to marry soon and could use help making her dress.”
The name Imani swelled her heart. The thought of this girl being her sister battled within her soul. “I don’t know if I am ready to see my sister. Finding out why my parents, our parents, abandoned me hurts too much to face. What if they are here? Living with her…no, I am not ready to learn why they did not want me.”
Kai touched her cheek and pulled her close. “I did not mean to bring her up again to hurt you. When you are ready, I will go with you. You don’t have to face them alone.”
His arms gave her comfort. “So, when do you leave?”
When Kai didn’t answer, Rayna pushed back from him. His hesitation made her wonder how long he had been putting off the discussion. Rayna squinted at him. “You’re leaving tomorrow, aren’t you?”
He pursed his lips and looked down.
Her eyes went wide. “You plan to leave today?” she huffed.
“Again, I’m sorry. I have been putting this off. I meant to tell you weeks ago, but I’ve been distracted, and now Ryker is tired of waiting. He told me last night he was leaving this morning.”
“So, he is waiting for you now? Right now?” She stormed towards the window. “What, is he waiting downstairs?”
There was no denying her words. He went to her and wrapped his arms around her from behind. “I love you. Please, tell me you’re alright with this. You are safe here, in this home, in this community. Jayla is a good woman. As are many others. Even Lucca seems to be trying to mend the gap between us.”
She relaxed in his arms. “I know I will be fine, and I know you will return. But I have never been on my own. Sleeping out under the stars did not frighten me because you were there.” She turned to face him, her expression a mix of emotion.
“Have confidence, my love. You are stronger than you know.” He kissed her forehead and hugged her tight. “I never considered the thought of being alone would be your concern. Or how hard it would be going straight from your parent’s house to here. Haygan and Simone have been like surrogate parents, but I know it’s not the same.”
“How long?” she asked.
“A month, maybe two.”
A faraway thought consumed Rayna’s expression. She gazed through the crescent moon window. Below she could see a man dressed in black approaching. “You are right.” She glanced over her shoulder at Kai. “I cannot hold you back. If Alenga wants you to go, you must go. I will be honest, I am nervous. This will be strange at first, but maybe this is what I need.” She spun on her heels. “Ryker is coming down the path. You need to pack. I will be fine. What supplies do you need to take with you?” She approached the shelves with their provisions.
A small grin curled Kai's cheek, “I suppose bread, cheese, dried fish. Any vegetables you can spare.”
“I will make you a satchel, go collect your things. You should be ready before he decides to leave without you.” She scurried about, placing items on the table. “Go, go,” she waved.
While he ran to his pod and collected a few belongings, she packed food and a water sack into a bag. The idea of spending the two months without him jumbled her insides. This would be good for her and her studies.
Moments later, Kai bounded up behind her, all smiles. “Thank you. I will be back as soon as I can. With good news, I am sure. I love you.” He pulled her into a kiss.
When he stepped back, she found it difficult to let him go. “Travel safe. You will be back before you know it.” She assured herself more than him.
“Smoke, come.” Kai tapped his leg.
Rayna heard Smoke run down the spiral stairwell. Kai thundered down behind him, and she watched him dash down the trail. Sunlight seeped through the trees. Much to her surprise, Ryker was gone. Kai turned back and gave her a wave and dashed down the path toward the central part of the city.
Rayna felt surprised at how excited she was to be on her own. This was her time to decide who she wanted to be. Create the person she was meant to become. Deep within her soul, she knew she was more than Kai’s girlfriend, more than a baker’s daughter, and more than a Kodama from Katori.
The path she chose brought her to this point, and it would determine the course of her future. She would need to listen to the call from Alenga and discover the depth of her power. Her sudden awakening made the essence of her soul feel more connected to the world and the life around her.
Filled with confidence and determination, she bounded down the spiral staircase into the Hiowind city to find Jayla.
Chapter 14
Ryker’s Truth
People gawked at Kai as he navigated around them. He had to admit he had no idea where to find Ryker, so he walked towards the lake. Then he had an idea. Smoke had spent time with the man, so why should he vex himself searching? With a deep breath, he connected to Smoke, asking for him to find Ryker.
Smoke sniffed the ground and took off through the gardens, headed for the edge of town. They ran around the lake and up the hillside. They entered the woods and veered south. Kai dodged down trees and scaled a steep slope to keep pace. They ran for hours over the sloping terrain. The grass was high against his legs. Sparse trees provided little shade, but the trees grew thicker as they went deeper into the foothills. Tall pine and mighty oak swayed in the breeze. It was a beautiful country.
Smoke darted over a small creek, and Kai stopped. “Hold up, Smoke. Let’s stop for a moment.” He turned around, getting his bearings on where they were in relation to his Katori home. After running for almost an hour, he was thirsty. He sipped water from his pouch. High in the cliffs, Kai could tell there were more trees and Katori homes. Old large Bodhima trees wrapped in Cosmos vines.
Satisfied, Kai stood up. Beams of sunshine trickled through the branches. He and Smoke stood in a large wildflower meadow within the forest. Kai spun around. “Rayna would love this spot.”
Smoke danced on the edge of the meadow, begging Kai to move forward. “Alright, I’m coming.” He dashed into the trees, and they were off and running once more.
It wasn’t long before Smoke stopped. He sniffed the ground, then the air. Then he doubled back and zipped through the forest. Again, Kai did what he could to keep up with all the detours. “Looks like Ryker is playing a trick on us. Or at least on me. He knew I would use you to search for him.” He scratched his chin.
“So, what do we know about Ryker? One, he lives somewhere up here in the high country.” Kai ducked under a low branch. “His scent must be everywhere. Not to mention, I am sure he did some fresh passes to confuse you.”
Kai tapped his chin. “Second, he is extremely competitive. Loves to win. So, we are playing a game. Time for a new approach.”
Focused on the surrounding hillside, he opened his mind. The trees, animals, and landscape bloomed to life. Energy illuminated the countryside. In his mind, he panned outward, sweeping each tree, rock, and river. Nestled in a pile of rocks, a black satchel of supplies sat hidden under dried branches.
They had to be Ryker’s. Now, where is the man, Kai wondered. Two miles up the hillside, there was a quiet little village nestled into the cliffs. Their gardens bustled with people, but no Ryker. Concerned he’d overlooked the animals, Kai quickly scanned for any shuk in the area. No luck there either. Where was he? Frustrated, Kai ventured through the woods to the black satchel hidden in the rocks. “He wa
s here.”
They crossed a nearby stream, and Smoke stopped. Kai looked upstream. “There is a waterfall up ahead. Could he be hiding there? You’ve lost the scent because of the water. Good boy, Smoke.”
The waterfall was short compared to the ones he’d climbed on his journey into Katori. Behind the falls, he found a round stone door with the remnants of a carving, nearly worn away—the triquetra. Curious, he pushed the stone. It did not budge. He put his shoulder into it and shoved harder. The stone shifted.
The door rolled slowly. Sunlight and water poured across the ground in the wake of the open entry. Smoke darted inside, and Kai ran after him. Once he let go of the stone, it started to roll back into place.
“Shoot.” Kai darted to the entrance, but it was too late. The door was shut. He studied the stone. There was no way to get hold of the stone, no way to open it from this side. “Great, now I am trapped.”
“I’m not trapped,” Ryker’s voice called out from the dim.
A quick pivot revealed Ryker leaning against a stone archway. “Took you long enough.”
Confused, Kai squinted at the man in black. “I gleaned the countryside. I did not see this cave. How?”
“Alenga doesn’t wish it. Her magic hides this place. Most have forgotten it even exists. Part of this collapsed centuries ago, but this section is intact. These hills emanate with power, but then much of Katori swells with the power of Alenga. I thought you should see it.” Ryker motioned and walked deeper into the cavern. “Even my tribe, that lives on the ridge above, has forgotten its existence. We built a new Agora deeper in our city. I found it because Alenga revealed the entrance. The stone rolled open on its own.”
To Kai’s wonderment, millions of crystals illuminated the cavern. Decorative white stone columns towered up to the ceiling. Etched black and gray stone adorned the cave floor. At the center, a bright blue light lit up a tiny pool. A round stone covered the hole where the skylight should be.
“We will camp here for the night. This place is very powerful. I have been told you share your mother’s gift for visions.”
“I do. Though that is not always a good thing. And I most certainly cannot control the gift. The visions of the future happen on their own.”
“I stay here often. It is peaceful. Empty. This place gave me a vision. It told me to help you find your way here. I have fulfilled her request.”
Ryker motioned to the statue of Alenga carved into the stone wall. Her body half emerged from the rock face, and tiny blue stones bedazzled the thin band around her head. Her outstretched hand looked ready to greet him. Kai could tell this was once a beautiful place.
“It is still early, but I want to travel the maze at night. Less movement by the Stonekings makes travel faster. Plus, if we can get to the backside and go north, we are a day’s run from your friends. I thought you should know, most of them stayed behind after you left. They wait for you near Shane’s cabin.”
“I am not surprised. They are a loyal yet stubborn bunch.” Kai touched the stone that blocked the entrance. “If we’re not trapped, how do we leave?”
“Since you did not bring my pack, I must retrieve it myself. I left it for you to find. Did you not see it?”
“Oh, I saw it. Didn’t even think to pick it up. Thought you were playing a trick on me.”
“Fair enough. This way.” Ryker moved around the back wall, behind Alenga.
The exit area was darker. Another stone circle pressed against the wall. This time Kai noticed the angle of the design. This stone was also meant to reseal itself. Ryker put his shoulder into the side, and the sound of stone rolling over stone echoed in the space. Kai slipped through the opening behind Smoke. Ryker released the stone and joined them.
Outside, there was a narrow path between giant boulders. Pine trees blocked the opening, and vines covered the ground. Ryker led the way out and found his pack. “We should check my fish traps. We can conserve any dried food you brought for the hike.”
Through the trees, Ryker retraced their original path. They checked two traps and found three river bass. On their walk back to the cave, Kai felt a strange barrier around the waterfall. Delicate, but there. “The barrier, who created it? Who maintains it?”
“Alenga. This is her, or rather was, her place. When she walked among us, her home was there. You see the tree? How it is splayed open?”
He studied the split tree. It had a thick trunk and was overgrown with new life, but it was not near as tall as the trees people used today. “I see it. What happened?”
“Before my time. I only know it was hers. As was the cave next to our Agora. She created all the sacred pools. We built great structures to celebrate Alenga. The Katori people started here in the highlands. The barrier ebbs and flows to hide its location from any that come near. Can’t say I understand, I am just thankful the place goes unnoticed.”
“Have you ever brought anyone else here?”
A smile pulled at Ryker’s eyes. “You mean besides your mother?”
Kai gulped. What was their story? “You cared for her.”
Ryker grunted as he shouldered open the stone entrance. “I did. But then your father, Keegan, came and took her away. She was missing for over five years before we had news that she had married the Diu King. Your stepfather, Iver, stole her a second time. When I lost her a third time to the sea, I wanted to die, but Simone would not let me. I came back here hoping for a vision of how to find her.”
Speechless, Kai helped Ryker clean and cook their fish. He watched smoke trail up from their small fire. It weaved upward to the ceiling and slipped through a crack as if sucked out. What could he say? This man was in love with his mother. Could he use him to help find her? Would that be wrong?
“What do you now about Keegan?”
A snarl curled Ryker’s mouth. “I never liked the man. He’s an arrogant, power-hungry bully, but many found him charming. His ideas about more freedom for our people challenged the wrong people. While he came from a prominent family, his ideas went against tradition.” Ryker paused, his face darkening. “And I hate him for taking Mariana away.”
“My father, Iver, told me he found my mother washed up on a beach after her ship crashed. I always wondered how true that was. I cannot imagine what it would have been like to have someone hunt you, or to fear someone so much you were afraid to return home.”
The contemplation on Ryker’s face and his clenched jaw made Kai feel bad. Hearing about his mother had to be difficult. It was certainly hard to talk about her. “I want to find my mother. If you and Haygan are right, she is in the ocean as a manta ray. I can only hope it is not too late to turn her back.”
“Manta rays migrate near the Mystic Islands each autumn. They feed and mate before they migrate back south. I am not sure of the exact location, but someone knows.” Jubilation tickled the corners of Ryker’s eyes. He tossed Kai a hunk of fish. With renewed spirit, they ate and pondered their next move.
“I want to come with you,” Kai interrupted Ryker’s thoughts.
Unfazed, he swallowed. “Certainly. I will make the arrangements. We will need a ship. Not a skimmer. I hate those shallow bottom boats. They are great for navigating between the Mystic Islands, but they are terrible on the open sea. We should take Yulia. She is the best Weathervane I know—someone I trust. We will bring Mariana here after.”
“What about Lucca?”
“No.” Ryker’s clipped tone startled Kai.
“You are not fond of Lucca, I take it.”
“I am not. I blame your grandfather. Blame him for all of this. He favored Keegan over me. Keegan came from a Hiowind family, but I was Matoku-born. He judged me unworthy—a highlander. Lucca made the wrong choice. Though Mariana cared for me, she obliged her father. He sent me to find Haygan in Milnos. While I was away, Keegan pursued her. When I returned, a year later, they were both gone.”
The pressure of the past pushed a sigh from Ryker. Kai felt sad for him. His mother’s life was so complicated.
How could one person have so many secrets?
“I didn’t realize there was any social structure here. Why should it matter what tribe you are from?”
“Normally it doesn’t, but parents think they know what is best. Lucca certainly thought Keegan was the better choice.”
Tired of talking about Lucca, Kai shifted things. “How can we help my mother?” he finally asked.
“She has been a beast for years.” Ryker rubbed his stubbly chin. “She won’t be thinking clearly. This place,” he motioned to the pool, “it can restore her mind. I know it.”
Kai nodded, hoping Ryker was right. He didn’t know what else to say.
Ryker put out the fire and cleaned up the stone fireplace. “Get some sleep. I will wake you in a few hours. I want to be through the maze before dawn.”
Still overwhelmed by this new information, Kai unfolded his bedroll. Smoke lay near the wall behind him. Somewhere between excited and exhausted, he closed his eyes. He struggled to quiet his mind. The stone floor pressed on his shoulder, and he felt the room swell with power. In a haze, he saw Ryker’s sleeping form. He reclosed his eyes.
◆◆◆
His mind slipped into a wild sleep. Crackles popped in his mind. Snaps of images struck his subconscious. The wind blew against his face. High above Baden Lake, he soared. His vision became clear, and a silver dragon flew in front of him, its massive wings gliding on the wind.
Snap—pop. Alenga’s cavern burst with energy and light. His mother’s frail body lay floating in the pool. Her cuts and wounds beamed with light. Her muscle mass returned. Her thin, patchy hair regrew across her scalp.
A whirlwind of light flashed. Kai felt pulled through time. His father’s bedchamber morphed into being. He sat beside his father, Iver spoke, but the words were lost to his ears. Blood leaked from his father’s ribcage. A silver-and-gold-handled blade with blue gems glinted in his eyes—his recent birthday gift, covered in blood. Queen Nola screamed. Bells rang. The word traitor echoed in his ears. He had killed Iver with his own hands.