Rayna's Sacrifice (The Katori Chronicles Book 3)

by A D Lombardo

  Remorse resonated in Benmar’s words. Kai knew these choices were Keegan’s, yet his grandfather felt responsible. “Years later, we received word Mariana had married the young Diu King, Iver Galloway, and had born him a son. Lucca was bitter. He announced Mariana had made her choice. ‘Let her stay in the world of modern man,’ he said. Her brother, your uncle Haygan, was denied the rights to visit. Not that it stopped him, but by the time he found a way, she had supposedly died. Haygan delivered the news, then left in search of his sister. We all knew no dragon would harm a Katori without due cause.”

  “But you came,” Kai interjected. “You visited.”

  “I did, but then I had very little to lose. And I hate rules…maybe Keegan gets that from me. Anyway, the Diu palace was not a challenge. The Mryken, they sensed me, but as a Beastmaster, they calmed in my presence. Over time, they learned to recognize my scent and ignore my visits.”

  The idea that this man walked the halls of the Diu palace undetected astonished Kai. It also pleased him to know his mother still had connections to her home.

  A log shifted, and sparks flitted above the fire. Benmar poked and tossed on a new piece of wood. “Haygan, like many, refused to believe that she was dead. That is how he met Simone, on his search for Mariana. She convinced him to come home. To find you. The horse farm in Chenowith hired him; a young man with a talent for taming, training, and breeding wild horses. It didn’t take long for his reputation to grow.”

  Kai nodded. “He told me about traveling through Nebea. Where he met Dante Carmello. Dante convinced him to train horses for the Cazier family. Then he was offered the position in Diu.”

  “Enough talk of the past,” Benmar announced. “You came here to learn. Grab a coat.”

  Benmar led Kai through a series of tunnels. Along the way, Kai heard voices echo from the various shafts they passed. In his mind, he saw the network of chambers branch off from the main passage. He was surprised that so many lived within the mountain.

  Nearly an hour later, they emerged outside in a snow-covered glade. The sun beamed high overhead. They traveled down the mountain. Confused, he tried to get his bearings. “Are we on the eastern side of the mountain now?” he asked.

  “Excellent, Kai. We walked through the mountain. A well-guarded Katori secret. The peaks are narrow and it does not take long to go from one side to the other.”

  They traveled down the mountain until the snow faded, and the grasses grew tall. Through the trees, Kai caught sight of something large. Strange noises struck his ears: shrieks, coos, and warbles. The ground rumbled slightly. Benmar slipped through the thicket, and Kai followed until the trees parted. His grandfather found a spot on a stone perch. Mouth agape, Kai watched in awe.

  Dragons of all sizes covered the mountainside. Many turned to gawk back at him. Nervous, Kai sat on the rock beside his grandfather. Speechless, he watched the dragons mingle, old and young, large and small. They eyed him at first. Some came close and cocked their eyes at him, then at Benmar, only to bound away after a few good sniffs of Kai’s head.

  “Where do dragons come from?” Kai asked softly.

  “The first dragons came from the imagination of two lovers,” Benmar answered.

  “It is said that creating the new creatures took all their energy, and they were lost in the change. From them, baby dragons were born into this world. With their offspring, other Katori shifted into their form. More and more people chose to remain dragons. Over the centuries, their numbers grew.”

  Listening to his grandfather, Kai watched their nature. Dragons coiled on rocks to bathe in the sunshine. Young dragons popped their heads out of dens within the rocks. Others took flight and disappeared over the trees. He wanted to get closer, but he dared not move from his grandfather’s side. “Why do Beastmasters no longer become dragons?”

  “The dragons fought for our desire to be free from the rest of the world. They died for us. In retaliation, men everywhere hunted them until we Katori intervened.”

  “How could anyone get the upper hand over a dragon?”

  “Like any creature, they have weaknesses, points where they can be killed with the right weapon—giant spears catapulted into the air. Their young were hunted most aggressively. Men entered dens and slaughtered babies in the hundreds. Dragons everywhere retreated to Katori, begging for our help. Four of the fourteen Mystic Islands solely belong to them.”

  “What did the Katori do to stop them? And who is them?”

  “They—were warriors from Bangloo. They took Milnos first and aimed to take over the world. We crafted the Zabranen Forest into a wild and unsafe border. Our guardians dominated the grounds. The hunters became the hunted. I hate to say we killed all who entered. But in the end, we created our mountains. The earthquake that shook the world created the Katori Mountains, which suited both our desire for seclusion and the dragons’ desire for safety. It also cut us off from the world.”

  “But the dragons fought for Diu in the next war against Milnos. Why?”

  “Because Gianfranca Galloway asked for our help to save Diu. She was Katori. At the time, Milnos was getting too strong. All of Katori felt it worth the risk to push them back. The elders felt we would be next, and it would start the great war all over again. But after, the dragon’s retreated even more.”

  With one eye on their surroundings, Kai followed his grandfather. “That still doesn’t explain why Beastmasters don’t select dragons. Simone is a dragon.”

  “She is a brave woman. Her parents made the trip to Alenga’s crystal mountain. She saw me fly away one night. It took her several months to find me, but she kept stalking me until I agreed to teach her. Then she begged to see the dragons for herself. So, I brought her here. She was captivated. I introduced her to the dragons. The rest was up to her.”

  “If I were here alone, would I be safe?” Kai’s voice wavered in the asking.

  “Without our constant interactions, dragons became aggressive. Honestly, they fear being manipulated for a cause that's not their own, and most Katori now fear them. To answer your question, I believe you would be fine. Your humble nature and respectful posture are the only things keeping you alive now. It is not out of respect for me.”

  Kai started to ask another question, but Benmar stood. “Enough questions for today. We can come back tomorrow.”

  Chapter 18

  Fighting Dragons

  Over the following weeks, they continued to visit the dragon’s meadow. Kai studied their habits, watched them nurture and play with their young. He noticed their individual personalities. Today he and his grandfather walked through the center of their lair. Young dragons hid within their dens, while the adults were curious yet hesitant. They ranged in shades of black and red, some dark and intense while others were more vibrant and bright.

  Following his grandfather’s lead, he strolled through their rocky warren.

  “Why would Liam, a Stoneking, choose to learn from a Beastmaster?” Kai wondered as they walked. “How could you possibly help him learn his gifts?”

  “The lessons are the same, Kai. All young Katori must learn to access their gift. The only difference is the manipulation of power into the desired outcome. That, each person must discover for themselves.”

  “But why you? It can’t just be a coincidence you became Liam’s teacher.”

  His grandfather contemplated his response. Kai could see him struggling as he decided how to respond. “I am Liam's teacher because I needed him here. In truth, I needed someone willing to break the rules. Or at least bend them. Liam was that young man. I heard about a young Stoneking meeting a boy who traveled with wolves. When I asked him about meeting you, I felt it gave him insight into the person you were. I knew a day would come when you would try to come for your Conhaspriga. I needed a Stoneking for that day and I hoped Liam would be willing to help you when all the older elders refused.”

  “But Stonekings and Weathervanes are so different than Beastmasters,” Kai insisted.

&n
bsp; Benmar chuckled. “Stop trying to force logic into every situation. Stonekings are more than brute force or physical strength. They see the finished product in their mind, feel it in their bones, then move it out through their hands. Weathervanes are the same. As I understand it, they feel a current running through their veins as they draw in energy. Their magic turns what they’ve created to alter elements of weather. At least that is what I’ve been told. Yulia told me how you helped her on the ship. You and Rayna pulled energy from the sky.”

  Kai knit his brow together. “How did we do that, anyway? Help Yulia, I mean.”

  “A small part of your gift is accessible once you open your mind to Alenga. The moment you glean, or bond with a companion, you are open to her. Touch a tree or a blade of grass, the energy is there. Now with your crystal and her blessing, you feel it more.”

  His grandfather’s explanation sounded reasonable. “So, the two black dragons you fly with, are they real dragons or Katori people?” Kai asked, focused on one particular dragon that had meandered behind them. Its spiny head bumped into Kai’s back. “What the…”

  “Ignore him. He’s trying to pick a fight.” Benmar kept his eyes front. “And yes. They are Katori friends.”

  “What? Pick a fight?” Kai took a deep breath and was struck again, but this time he fell to the ground with a thud.

  Benmar kept walking. “Good luck. See you at home.”

  Kai sat in the tall grass as Benmar walked away. He had his back to the beast that provoked him, and the creature laid its head a foot behind Kai. The dragon warbled. Kai glanced over his shoulder. Amber eyes blinked at him. The beast's head was the size of a large boulder. His scaly body was a dark metallic gray. Giant horns forked out of the back of its skull. Slowly Kai swiveled around to face the dragon. He slid back a few feet to give the beast space.

  The pair stared at each other. Hands on his knees, Kai tried to look approachable, friendly even. He pushed his nature to the dragon, just like he did with Smoke and Ember. Within moments, the dragon began to emanate heat. Smoke rolled out his nose. A snarl revealed sharp teeth. A lump formed in Kai’s throat.

  With little to lose, Kai pushed his thoughts. Would you like me to leave? Or can we talk?

  The dragon reared its body back. Head cocked to one side, the beast belched fire into the sky. Heat rained down on Kai.

  Mistrustful creature you are. Kai heard the dragon speak inside his mind.

  Kai stood to put distance between them. He studied the dragon’s eyes and thought about his words. Real words came into his mind from the dragon. The concept was astounding. We are not for you, little creature. Go back down our mountain, pick another beast. You are not worthy of us. The dragon continued to murmur words in Kai’s mind.

  Without provocation, it lunged at Kai. Its nose popped him in the jaw, and Kai fell to the ground. Blood spilled from his lip. “I will not fight you,” Kai said aloud, “but I cannot let you continue to hurt me either. I want you to trust me.” Kai stood and bowed respectfully.

  They stared at each other.

  You seek power. Do you not? I see you and your pathetic courage. Go, if you think you can, weak one.

  Certain the dragon was done talking and might get more aggressive, Kai wiped his mouth and turned to leave. Four other dragons closed around him. They all bumped him with their mighty heads, tossing him about in their little circle. Kai dusted the dirt from his hands. “If you mean to test my courage or my wrath, I will offer you neither. You have me afraid—I would be foolish not to fear you, but I will not draw my weapon on you. I want to know your ways. I want to become a dragon, but only to search for my mother.”

  Kai thought about what he’d just said. That was not entirely truthful. “Actually, besides having always wanted to be able to fly, I may need to fight a man who is pursuing me, but that is not what I mean to do with the gift of your connection. I hope to save my mother.”

  The dragon snorted smoke. We are not weapons or playthings. The voice again echoed in his head.

  The idea that he was using them for one thing or another struck Kai, and he stepped back. He was drawn to their majestic nature, but it was not right to use them. “You are right. I came here for power, not for the joy of being a dragon. Let me leave, and I will not return.”

  Two dragons moved to open a path. Kai crossed the meadow, and he climbed the rocks and did not look back. Sliding down the backside, his heart pounded in his chest. Inside the tree line, he sensed his grandfather.

  “That did not go well,” Kai admitted.

  Benmar stepped beside his grandson. “Couldn’t have gone any better, if you ask me,” he beamed.

  “That was the most terrifying moment of my life. Their general distrust of people keeps them from giving me a chance. And they believe I am only after power. But you know, if I am being honest, I was not looking to bond as friends. I need them, and that makes this wrong.”

  “I wouldn’t be so sure they are done with you.” Benmar gestured behind Kai.

  Kai turned to see three dragon heads peer over the rocks. Two others came from either side. “Fight or flight. Those were your two choices. You did not fight him, nor did you cower in fear. By speaking, you stayed neutral. You gave him the power to choose. The others tried to provoke you, and still you remained calm. Most importantly, you were honest about what is in your heart. Kai, what do you think makes a good Beastmaster?”

  “Up until now, I would have said fearlessness. Control? Bonding?” Kai had no idea how to answer.

  “Becoming an animal, any animal, takes equal measures of courage and fear. Balance. Too much arrogance and the beast will recoil; too little, and the beast will dominate you. Respect them. You don't bond with a beast, you become the beast. Bonds are for companions, but true emulating requires you to embrace their nature. Feel what they feel. They want the same as you, to live free.” Benmar circled back to the dragon’s meadow.

  “When the change happens, will it hurt?” Kai felt the tremor in his legs with each step.

  “Only if you fight against it,” Benmar responded. “You must believe for it to happen, and if it doesn’t happen, then it is not your gift. You may still have a way with creatures, but you may not be able to become one. But know this—you get one animal form. If you have the gift, one golden thread exists inside of you. Once you use it to create the beast, it will only become a dragon. You cannot change your mind.”

  Even though he knew his mother could become multiple animals, he knew that did not apply to him. Then he thought of witnessing his mother’s change. She had screamed in pain, and fear had consumed her face. She had been fighting the change. “Will I look exactly like the one I choose?”

  “You are not making a copy of them. You are changing your own elemental structure into a dragon. Your physical chemistry will design the creature you become. Spines, horns, and color.” Benmar looked over the dragons. “Do you see the dragon you wish to fly with?”

  “Yes. There is something about the one who shoved me.”

  “Walk with him, understand him. Understand who he is. Develop trust and he will consider your request. He will let you know when he is ready to accept you and if he will let you fly with him. When you do, lay across his back as he flies. Search for the golden thread of creation and let it happen.”

  “What should I say?”

  “He knows full well why you are here.” Benmar stopped walking. “You must walk alone from here.”

  “The golden thread, what is it? How do I find it?” Kai felt both excited and nervous. He held back from the dragon, not wanting to make a mistake.

  “Each Beastmaster holds within their soul a golden thread. Two strands twisted together, or rather bonded by many strands. Only if you can find it within yourself can you transform. The change is personal—I think. I cannot know what you or any other Beastmaster feels. There's no place for thinking. If you focus on how, nothing will happen. Hold your crystal, reach inside your soul and open your mind.”

&n
bsp; His grandfather’s words instilled confidence. Kai approached the dragon, the very one that had only moments ago tried to provoke him into a fight. His spiny head lowered to glare at Kai. Its amber eyes blinked, and the beast turned away.

  “What changed your mind?” Kai asked the dragon.

  Who says I’ve changed my mind? The dragon’s deep-penetrating voice once again echoed inside his mind.

  “Why let me come back?”

  Not every human is sincere, even with themselves. It was refreshing to get the truth from you.

  “How can I hear you inside my head?”

  Because you are a Beastmaster. Only another dragon can understand the shrieks and warbles that is our language.

  “My name is Kai, by the way. Do you have a name? I cannot very well just call you Dragon.”

  I am Raijin.

  Kai continued to talk with Raijin, searching to understand him. “What are you most afraid of?” Kai half-whispered, worried he was too intrusive.

  I fear dragons will disappear from this world and be forgotten. Become creatures of myth. While we live for hundreds of years, our eggs take two years to incubate. Many things can happen, and the egg might not hatch.

  They walked and talked for nearly an hour. When Kai tripped over a stone, he learned they also have a sense of humor. Raijin’s laughter sounded like a collage of warbles and hiccups.

  Hopeful of their growing ease, Kai dared to wonder if his new friend might help him. “Raijin, thank you for today. It is getting late in the day. I can only hope to ask, as I know I may not be worthy, but I would like to become a dragon. May I fly with you?”

  Kai waited in a few moments of silence. The possibility of rejection tightened his chest. Raijin bowed his head. You have great honor for a young spirit. May you always remember you are not alone in this world. Call on friends when you need them and trust in Alenga. I will help you, you may fly with me.

  In one hand, Kai held his crystal, while the other touched the dragon’s body. Electricity surged through Kai’s fingers. The thick, scaly skin felt hard like armor. He climbed onto its back, and sat between two large spines. The sense of something cosmic ebbed between them.