by A D Lombardo
“Why? I thought that is what we do.”
“True. You are Katori, but you are a Beastmaster. I am sure of it. Develop your senses like the animals of the forest. Listen. Look. Smell. Marduk cannot glean. Shane doesn’t either. They are hunters: hunter and the hunted. Going against the Lumens should have taught you that. Gleaning isn’t your only natural gift. As a Beastmaster, you are so much more. Feel the magic around you.”
“But my crystal is white. How do you know?” Kai insisted that mattered.
Ryker turned to glance back at Kai. “Alenga saw fit to give that gift to you, a white crystal, but you have a way with animals. Focus on what you know. As a Beastmaster, you can sense animals. Feel their intent. You will know which ones to run from and which can be approached. It works the same way with people. If you pay attention, you’ll sense their true nature. This is your first lesson. Feel the connections around you. Don’t take it for granted, develop it.”
Kai listened to Ryker’s advice. For a man of few words, he had much to say these past few days. Now was the time to absorb every bit of knowledge that anyone was willing to share. While most of Katori had opened their hearts to him, he wasn’t sure how long that would last if he chose to return to Diu so soon, even if it were only for a short time.
“Push out with your own aura; the sensitivity you feel on the surface of your skin,” Ryker continued. “The soul opens the mind and expands your sight. Do more than see them. Feel them.” Ryker hopped across a stream. “The aura you saw around people after your dip in Alenga’s waters. You saw that, right?
Kai followed him across the stream. “I did, but that has faded now.”
“Life’s energy never fades. It changes, but never fades. You were taught to glean with your mind. Now you need to learn to do it with every part of you.”
“Can every Beastmaster do this?” Kai asked.
“The short answer is no. They could if they tried, but it is a lost art. People are lazy. They rely on their ability to glean. Everyone likes seeing. Feeling takes effort.”
In the renewed silence, Kai let his body sense the surrounding world. He smelled the damp earth, decayed leaves, and cold air. There was power in the ground. He listened to the scamper of animals, the bird's chirps, and the sway of the trees in the wind. Life teemed around him. Ryker’s footfalls were hardly noticeable on the trail ahead, but Kai felt the man’s physicality.
Around the next tree, Kai let his hand brush the rugged bark. The trunk bloomed with power. Some of the magic seeped into Kai’s hand. He felt the energy charge his muscles. It was easy to see how one could sustain themselves or even increase their abilities by borrowing from nature.
The smell of snow filled Kai’s lungs. Through the trees, there was a hint of white snow on the ground. Thick flakes began to fall from the sky. The dark form of Ryker against the white reminded him of his dream. He ignored the signs of snow and continued to follow his guide, his new friend.
It saddened him to know Ryker would turn back soon, yet it thrilled him to know he was close. Today, he would meet the silver dragon. The invisible man. His grandfather.
Ryker’s demeanor changed. His expression seemed solemn. “You are so much like your mother. You have her spirit.” He let go the breath he’d been holding. “I’ve enjoyed our time together. How I wish I were your father.”
At a loss for words, Kai bobbed his head.
“I am sorry you had to wait so long to know what you know now.” Ryker stopped in the snow, and turned to look into Kai’s eyes. “If you ever need anything, I will help you. I will take good care of Smoke. When you return, look for me around Alenga’s hidden cave. I will help you search for your mother.”
Kai offered his hand. “Thank you, Ryker. That means a lot to me. Look in on Rayna. She is alone now.”
“Consider it done.” Ryker let go of Kai’s hand.
Their goodbyes were short, and they parted. Ryker walked back down the mountain, and Kai stepped through the snowdrift. The climb became difficult, but he continued. Each step, the snow got deeper. At first, it hardly covered the tops of his boots. Within a few feet, he was knee-deep. Snowflakes collected on his shoulders.
Each gust was colder. The higher he climbed, the fewer trees there were to block the wind. He planted his foot, and it sank thigh-deep into the wet snow. Some steps sank, others did not. The frigid wind froze his soaked pants. More snow fell. It became harder and harder to see where he was going.
Snow whipped around Kai’s shoulders. The bitter cold slipped through the threads of his coat. His jacket was soaked through and half-frozen. The icy rocks made it difficult to keep his footing. Every other step he struggled to keep from falling. The steep incline had him zigzagging instead of walking in a straight line.
The air was cold and dry. The wind burned his cheeks. He pressed on. His unusually warm core was almost not enough to keep him from freezing, but there was no turning back now. He peered through the snow. Its whiteness blinded him. He squinted through the storm and braced himself against the howling winds.
A cluster of ice-covered trees came into view. The snow was now hip-deep, and he stepped around the trees. Relieved to see the dark cave opening, he hopped through the snow. Inside the nothingness, he felt it. Something waited.
Kai lowered his arm. Inside the cave, he felt warmth. Heat pulsed within the walls. Hot air blew into his face. A shadowy mass shuddered in front of him. The walls came alive with ambient blue light, and he came face-to-face with the silver-scaled beast. The dragon’s amber eyes glowed. Smoke trickled out of its nostrils.
Kai froze. The scale of the beast took up the entire cave, its imposing body size doubled by its massive wingspan. There were so many details to consider. A series of horns protruded from its massive skull, and many spikes trickled down the spine. The wings were a lighter shade of gray, while its stomach was darker than its back. Sharpe talons scraped stone and the barbed tail hovered slightly above the floor.
The beast rustled its wings then unfurled them slightly. Kai stepped back. The dragon cupped its wings inward, concealing its body. Kai felt an increase of heat emanating from the already warm beast. Air puffed around the dragon, and with a white spark, the beast collapsed inward, leaving behind the man from the Agora all those weeks ago.
His white crystal glowed briefly. He was still dressed in dark blue with long sandy blond hair wild about his shoulders. His sharp goatee was grayer than Kai had noticed before. Upon closer inspection, Kai noticed the man’s blue-green eyes. The shape of his face looked familiar. A memory flashed in his mind. This face had hovered over his bassinet. A wide smile beamed as the man lifted Kai into his arms.
The realization of his old memory startled Kai. “You knew my mother. We’ve met before, when I was a baby. How could I possibly remember that?”
“My name is Benmar. Pleasure to meet you, my grandson. Follow me.” He strode deeper into the cave, down a well-lit tunnel into a vast living space. “Have a seat.” Benmar motioned to a twisted vine wicker chair with a red cushion beside a stone hearth.
“Our memory is a tricky thing. I visited you many times, until you learned to speak. I feared you mentioning my visits to King Iver.”
Feeling warmer, Kai took off his heavy coat. “Then you must have known that Keegan was my real father?”
“Mariana told me what happened. Keegan abducted her. She felt it was safer for you if everyone believed Iver was your father. Had she returned to Katori, news would have reached Keegan of your birth. He would have come for you and her, I am sure of that. She would not risk losing you. Iver is a good man and she loved him. Mariana was happy in her chosen life.”
“Why did she confide in you, Keegan’s own father? Was that not a risk?”
“I don’t follow the rules and I go where I please—my book should have told you as much.” Benmar smirked.
Kai chuckled. “The Invisible Thief. I remember it.”
“I know my own blood when I see it. At first, I only wanted
to see if she was happy, maybe apologize for my son’s misguidance. When I saw you—I just knew, and she did not deny the truth. I promised to keep her secret and let all Katori believe she had a new life. As you can imagine, Lucca was displeased, but the man’s pride kept him from visiting. He turned his back on her and never considered you to be family. I think a small part of him always knew Keegan was your father.”
Kai’s heart hardened against Lucca. The more he knew about the man, the less he liked. How could anyone abandon their own flesh and blood? His brooding silence was interrupted by his grandfather pouring hot water into a teacup. “Let’s not stew about the past or another man’s choice. Rest assured, Lucca is suffering for his decisions. His loneliness consumes him. Pity, he has no idea how to remedy his mistake.”
Kai pulled his crystal from inside his shirt. “Benmar, is your crystal white, like mine? What does it mean?”
Benmar pulled his chain out for Kai to see. “Yes, Kai, mine is still white. What do you want it to mean?”
He didn’t know what he wanted. “I thought I would get a color—blue, actually.”
“Do you need to be told who you are? Are you a prince? A Beastmaster? You need to be yourself. What do you want?”
“If I could choose, I would be a Beastmaster. I feel most like myself around animals,” Kai admitted.
“Then be that. Alenga is not here to tell us. The white crystal, to me, means freedom to evolve. It seems to come with more than one single gift. Your mother’s crystal had a white vein down the center. She could become multiple animals. You have choices.”
Kai had never thought about having the freedom to choose. He had so many more questions. He went to ask another, but it came out in a yawn.
“Bring your tea. I will show you to your room. Cave living is different—it takes a little getting used to the lack of sunlight in the morning. These crystals work the same as the Cosmos vine flowers.” Benmar motioned to the various crystals embedded into the wall. “Once you settle, their ambient light will fade. Good night, grandson. Get some rest. We have much to accomplish in the coming weeks.”
Kai glanced around the hollowed-out space. Like the beds in the tree pods, his bed was a twist of thick vines with a thick pad of cotton covered in linen. He had a table and chair in one corner and shelves in the other. Everything was made from twisted vines.
“Good night, grandfather.” The word felt good rolling off his tongue. Kai liked this man.
Chapter 17
The Black Soul
Kai awoke. The darkness of his room surprised him, then he remembered where he was. The moment he moved, the Lumen-empowered crystals brightened the windowless cave. He dressed in the ambient blue light. From memory, he retraced his steps back to the main living space. A black pot of porridge dangled on a wrought-iron arm. Water bubbled in the kettle dangling over the fire.
“Good morning, Kai. I hope you slept well.” Benmar dropped his armful of split wood into a copper bin.
“Good morning, grandfather. I slept well, thank you.” Kai sniffed at the warm meal.
“Breakfast is ready. Grab our bowls and cups.”
On the modest shelf, Kai found what they needed. Together they enjoyed a pleasant meal. “Do you live here alone?” Kai asked, looking around for signs of others.
“When Liam, my other student, is not here, it is just me. There are a few others that live within the mountain. Old-timers like me. People who fought in the war. Many find it difficult to be around others after all the violence. That or they simply won’t follow the rules of others.”
“You fought in the great war?”
“I did.”
Kai leaned forward. His eyes locked with his grandfather’s. “So, if I may ask, how old are you?”
Benmar chuckled, hearty and deep. “Mind you, age is only a number, but by today’s calendar, one hundred and seventy-five. But who’s counting.”
“You don’t look a day over fifty!” Kai stammered. “How is that possible?”
“Questions, questions. Let go of your traditional sense of time.” Benmar poured them both another cup of tea. “Why are you here, grandson?” He raised one eyebrow.
Kai thought about his answer. “A vision directed me here. Everyone told me to seek you out, but if I am honest, I came seeking answers. I think you are the person capable of giving them to me. Not to mention my crystal is white, and nobody knows what to do with it.”
His grandfather patiently waited.
Kai tapped at the table, collecting his thoughts, his mind a jumble of questions. “I have too many questions, I am not sure where to start. I read your book, but that was all made up, right?”
“There was more truth than fiction in my book. My life was a great adventure. It was a different time, but I don’t think that is the right question. What do you really want to know?”
Silence fell between them. Kai pursed his lips. “Tell me about Keegan, my so-called father. How could he turn against this way of life? Why did he kidnap my mother? Why did he turn…?” Kai let his voice trail off.
“Bad? My poor lost son…” Benmar took a deep breath and stood. “Keegan, your father, has a black soul. If you’ve seen his crystal, you know it’s true. It was once white as snow like ours, now it is black as coal.” Benmar moved to a more comfortable chair near the fire, offering the adjacent seat to Kai.
“Long story short, Keegan was unable to learn my power to become invisible. He begged to know my secret. It wasn’t like I hid the technique, I showed it to you the night of your blessing. Keegan was simply unable to convert the light.” Benmar shook his head in sorrow.
“I’ve not tried yet,” Kai admitted. “What you showed me. Not sure I am ready. I was unsure how to reverse the effects.”
Benmar snickered. “Good. A healthy dose of humility and fear. Your father was not a humble man—he lashed out. The more he tried, the angrier he became. He assumed his white stone would give him the same abilities. You cannot be who you’re not, and he was not me. His arrogance was his downfall. In his fury, he touched the person closest to him, his own mother. His blood boiled with rage. Out of control, he unwittingly pulled on her soul. Nobody understands how, but he shifted. His bone structure, his skin, his hair, all changed. Outwardly, he became his mother. His voice even had her gentle lilt.”
Sadness washed over Benmar’s expression. “My wife dropped to the ground. Your father just stood there. He shook his head disoriented, his mother lay helpless. For three days he was trapped in her skin. I kept him hidden. Sadly, my wife never recovered. She sat and stared, lost, disconnected from life. She died a few years back. My son did that. Took her from me.” Benmar’s words held anger.
“I am sorry for your loss.” Kai didn’t know what else to say.
Benmar continued. “Keegan went on to do it again. This time to his Kodama teacher, then his best friend. Each time, he became more fluid in his change. Fortunately for his victims, they were only paralyzed for a few hours. Their minds return in time; although, they are never exactly the same. My son’s gift shatters the mind-soul connection. If you can call it a gift. He was meant to be a healer.”
Kai thought of the effects on Kempery-man Marcone. He had lost his memory, but even when some of his thoughts returned, he never again had the sharp mind he was known for. “How could someone knowingly cripple another?” Kai clenched his fists.
His grandfather grabbed at the clear crystal around his own neck. “Keegan’s own stone became blacker with each turn, and people began to call him the soul stealer. He was convinced he was the most powerful Katori who’d ever lived. He was sure Alenga had granted him unique gifts for a reason. In his mind, he was superior. To him, there was nothing wrong with his actions.”
Kai listened intently. “How did he raise a following after doing these things? Why would anyone believe in him or his cause? For that matter, how did my mother get involved with a man like him? Ryker claims Lucca pushed them together.”
“My family was a we
ll-respected family in the Hiowind tribe. Lucca had every intention your mother and Keegan would be together. Ryker is correct, Lucca pushed them together. Mind you, Keegan was a handsome young man, and Mariana enjoyed his company. They were friends. When he became aggressive, she pulled away, but Keegan had his mind set. My son had a silver tongue. He convinced many that the Katori should rule the world. He was exceedingly arrogant.” Benmar paused to drain his cup.
Kai tilted his head, wondering. “I hate to ask, but could Alenga not heal your wife? The waters of the sacred pool healed me when I entered.”
“Believe me, we tried. Later, my son challenged your grandfather Lucca to the rite of Chief. Keegan attacked Lucca, tried to take his soul. Foolish boy. He had no idea the power the Lumens possessed. There are only three that I know of, and they are all elders. Not to mention when the chiefs and unie fight as one, well, let’s just say your father was put down. They cast him out. Banished him from all of Katori.”
This confused Kai. “And people still followed him?”
“Keegan convinced people they were trapped in Katori. He told them that even a gilded cage is still a cage. He said the world was ready to know we existed. Not that my son wanted people to choose their own leaders—he felt people should not be controlled. He persuaded them to rise up because they had no choice, given that the elders serve for life, and we can live three hundred years.”
Kai nodded with understanding. “Old minds are difficult to change. Fear of trying anything new keeps you from advancing.”
“Funny, that is what your father believed. The world outside was changing, and we were behind the times.”
Benmar poured another cup of tea and continued. “Your father, however, plays a very long game. Over a year later he returned, only his face was that of a child. Poor thing. Keegan stole his essence. My son walked into the Agora and convinced your mother to go with him. Mariana thought she was helping a student. We never saw her again. The boy was too young to handle the experience, his heart gave out several days later.”