by A D Lombardo
“Paddle!” Ryker ordered.
When they hit the center, Kai expected them to shoot out the other side as he’d seen another rafter do the day before. Instead, they bounced off the rocks and spun back into the churning whirlpool. Their angle was all wrong. As they bounced and turned in the center, water swamped them from all sides. Rayna fell into the center of the raft. Ryker paddled but nothing changed.
Kai looked at the bindings holding their raft together. Two strands broke, then another. “The raft is breaking apart!” He stared at Ryker and then the raging water on both sides.
The sharp, slippery rocks provided no chance to evacuate. There were nearly fifty feet of treacherous rapids between them and the shore on either side. If they were going to survive, he needed to think fast. Taking hold of his crystal, he took a breath and reached for the golden thread within his soul. The magic coursing through his veins felt powerful.
Not wanting the break the raft further, he jumped into the river as the transformation began. The rushing water pushed him under and carried him away. His spine rippled with new vertebrae, and his body expanded. His fingers curled into sharp talons and his arms bulged with muscle mass. As his wings unfurled, Kai became the silver dragon.
Bursting out of the river, his dragon wings stretched wide, lifting him into the air. Circling back to the others, he saw Ryker grab hold of Rayna as the raft broke apart. They fell into the water and disappeared. Fixated on the river, he waited for them to resurface. Rayna popped up first, then Ryker. Kai flew over the rapids after her. Gliding over the water, he grabbed Rayna with his talons, careful not to squeeze too hard. With the next few beats of his wings, he was over Ryker and lifted him from the roaring rapids.
Up into the sky Kai flew, ever mindful of his friends dangling in his talons. Near the riverbank, Kai eased Rayna and Ryker close to the ground and let go. They dropped to the ground and turned to face him. He knew what this meant—if he changed back, he would be of no use to them.
Interrupting his thoughts, he heard Ryker in his head. You did the right thing, Kai. Saving us. The man’s warm hand touched Kai’s scaly dragon face. Do you feel up to flying? We must continue to search for Liam and Yulia.
Kai thought about the risks. I will not endanger you and Rayna for speed.
You can do this, Kai. Just keep near the ground. If you lose your connection, we won’t have far to fall.
He looked to Rayna for her approval. She shook her head and spoke out loud. “I believe in you, Kai.”
The pressure of carrying them weighed on his heart, but he lowered his dragon wing to allow them to climb up. Their weight was hardly noticeable. With a few thrusts of his wings, he lifted into the air. Higher and higher he went. Below on the ground, he saw his shadow, the span of his wings and the curve of his long barbed tail. Then he noticed how high he was and swept closer to the road. The wind in his face felt amazing and the pleasure of gliding filled him with excitement and desire.
The dragon within begged to go faster, to belch fire, and warble. He let out a chirp and spat a flame across the sky. In the back of his mind, he heard a voice. Kai, hold fast to your real life. Find the balance between your two worlds. Ryker touched his neck.
The reminder shook Kai’s core, and he dropped a few feet. Holding his breath, he refocused his mind to keep the connection to his Beastmaster form and his life as a person. He flew straight and steady, alternating his mind between his mission and his dragon form.
To Kai’s relief on the road ahead, he spotted a group making camp. On his second pass, he saw Liam and Yulia. He dropped to the ground and let Ryker and Rayna down. Unsure what else to do, he let his mind flood with memories. He released the golden cord and held onto the white light. His hand clutched his white crystal and he transformed back into his natural form. Disoriented and tired, he found it impossible to stand. White stars floated in the periphery and blackness pulled him down.
◆◆◆
When Kai awoke, he was lying on soft grass. The sun had nearly set and he saw Liam and Yulia gathered near the water’s edge. They whispered and walked the riverbank. Liam pointed to the opposite side, a level spot of grass in the curve of the river. Yulia nodded in agreement. Liam stepped forward.
Beside him, Rayna held his hand, Kai watched, curious. “Rayna, what are they doing?”
She leaned over him, “You’re awake. I tried to wake you, but the transformation was too much for me to correct without another Kodama.”
“How long have I been asleep?” he sat up and looked around.
“Not long, maybe an hour. I guess I helped a little.” She motioned to the changing sky.
“What is happening?” he asked again.
“According to Yulia, this is a narrow point in the Makani River. They elders would like a bridge built to connect both sides. Liam asked for the honor of making it.”
Liam approached the river. The smooth flow glistened with sunshine. On one knee, Liam pushed his hands into the soil. The ground rumbled. Stone punched up through the ground in front of Liam. Sod burst into the air. Liam’s arm muscles flexed as he curled them. Slowly Liam arched his arms upward and joined them together as he stood. On the opposite side of the river, more rock emerged from the soil. From where Kai sat, he smelled dirt and grass.
Thunder shook the ground, and the two structures curved toward one another over the narrow point in the river. As Liam’s hands came together, the stone arches merged, forming one solid bridge. Pleased, Liam stepped through the group.
Interested to see what might happen next, Kai stood and joined the gathering. Feeling disoriented, he leaned into Rayna. Standing in a semicircle, the group watched. Everyone waited while Liam studied the ground. Happy with the location, he rubbed the dirt with his hand in an ever-expanding circle. Beneath his friend’s touch, the soil turned to solid stone. Even in the fading light, Kai could see the polished sheen Liam created.
Perched on his knees, Liam pulled on the edge of the disk. As if working clay, the stone responded and expanded five feet wide. With no effort at all, he spun the stone slab. Using the palm of his hand, Liam pushed downward creating a rock bowl with a lip.
Pleased with his handiwork, he stepped to the center of the bowl and tapped his fingers over the middle. Over and over, he struck the same area. To Kai’s surprise, the hard surface turned to dust beneath his touch. If Kai had not seen it with his own eyes, he would not have believed it possible. “That was spectacular, Liam.”
Liam smiled but did not boast. “Good to see you up and about, Kai. Ryker told me you were chasing Lucca and Basil. And that you needed my help through the Mystic Islands.”
“That is the long and short of it.” Kai bobbed his head. “I mean to save my mother when the manta rays come near the islands. I can only hope we are not too late.”
“Well then, it sounds like there’s no time to waste. We will leave first thing in the morning.”
While a man named Chance built a fire at the center of the stone firepit Liam created, Ryker, Liam and Kai caught fish from the river to provide a bountiful dinner. They were all content despite what was to come once they reached the shore.
◆◆◆
Later that evening, Kai found a place to lie on the ground near two trees. Liam took a spot a few feet away.
Kai gazed up at the starlit sky. “Liam, you said Benmar asked you to come to my aid. Why did you?”
Liam stared at the blazing fire. “Benmar, your grandfather, is a good man. Many seek him out as a teacher, but he only accepts a few. Make no mistake, the chiefs and the unie watch him. They are not fond of him or his living with dragons. You must remember, he is Keegan’s father in their minds, first and foremost.”
“If he is such an outcast, why in the world did you ask him to be your mentor?”
Befuddled, Liam tossed up his hands. “I didn’t! He approached me in the Agora on the day of my blessing. He told me we had a friend in common. Benmar follows you very closely. He mentioned your name, and I w
as hooked. You made such an impression that day near Chenowith—the day in the clearing with your wolf pack. Benmar told me when it was your time to claim your own birthright, the elders might not send a Stoneking to open the way. I was happy to come. I don’t believe anyone has the right to decide what should be up to Alenga.”
“Thank you again for being a dedicated friend.” Kai acknowledged the support. “I know Lucca thinks very little of Benmar. What do you think of him?”
“Strong-willed, wise yet kind. He took me flying once. He climbed so high into the pitch-black sky. I had a strap around his dragon’s neck, and I held on tight. Your grandfather rolled into a dive.” Liam’s expression filled with delight.
Listening to his friend speak of his grandfather reminded him of his own experiences with the man. He had a good soul, and no matter what Lucca thought, Benmar did not make Keegan into the man he’d become. Keegan chose his own path.
“I thought we were going to crash into Baden Lake,” Liam continued. “At the last moment, he pulled up and skimmed the surface. The water sprayed up behind us. I have never felt anything like it. He treats me like family.”
“Sounds amazing. The flying part.” Kai reflected on his own flight as a dragon. Kai brought his eyes down from the night sky. Liam’s peaceful nature was still there. He had the same calm demeanor from two years ago. “Can I ask you a question, Liam?”
“You mean, besides that one?” Liam chuckled. “Sure, go ahead.”
“Were you angry that I lied to you about who I was when we met?”
“Why would I be angry? If I remember, you didn’t really lie. You may have omitted your last name and the fact that at the time, you thought you were a Half-Light, but you never lied. You were curious. Who wouldn’t be? Your mother told you stories. That’s what mothers do. Kendra told you stories to earn your trust. Clearly, you have gifts. A talent like yours would not have stayed hidden. You are no Half-Light. You are a true Katori child, and I believe you had every right to know your heritage.”
“Maybe. But not everyone believes I should have been allowed to come here. That I should have been denied my gifts.”
“That was for Alenga to decide. And she does choose.” Liam scoffed. “Did you know, not everyone has a gift? That not everyone is blessed by Alenga?”
“I’d heard that. Why?”
“You would have to ask Alenga. It is her decision. Often those that don’t have a gift admit they never really wanted the responsibility. I think Alenga knows our hearts. Mind you, they still have the speed, the ability to glean, and long life. The few that are disappointed go a little crazy at first. But they accept their fates.”
“Sounds like maybe Alenga was right to pass them over. If they go crazy without power, what would they do if they had it?”
Liam laughed. “My thoughts exactly.”
“Are you two going to talk all night?” Ryker chided. “Or would one of you like to swap the midnight shift with me?”
“Sorry, Ryker.” Kai turned over and closed his eyes.
Chapter 24
Within Reach
Once on the road, they ventured due east into the rising sun. High above a flock of birds dotted the sky. This time they rode horses. Kai and Rayna together, Yulia with Ryker and Liam on his own. Grateful Chance was willing to ride double with someone else, Kai and his group rode hard toward their destination. They were only an hour from the coast, and it was hard not to push their mounts.
Over the next hill, the ground spread out into a wide valley. On the horizon, the deep blue water edged against the pale sky. It was a welcome sight. The main Kahoma city clung to the shore all along the coastal cliffs as far as the eye could see. Where the road and the river bisected the city, Kai noticed the largest concentration of structures.
Everything about Kahoma seemed unique. There were many stone structures and music flitted through the town. Before long, the dirt road transformed into a sandy-colored flat stone path with bits of crushed seashells. Coming down the hill, Kai could see the main wide road carved through the center, while smaller roads curved away on either side.
The more he studied the layout, he realized the city was designed like a wagon wheel, with meandering spoke roads connected by other offshoots. Everything encircled the center structure, the Agora, the Kahoma’s temple to Alenga. It was another behemoth of a building. All throughout the city, statues of sea creatures popped up out of fountains.
The Bodhima trees here were squatty and stout. Cosmos vines snaked around their trunks adjoining the next tree. Much like the Hiowind village, some homes utilized stone structures to weave additional space and create bridges between dwellings. And like everywhere, the water flowed throughout the city—a blue ribbon of life inside a stone channel.
“Now we have to get to the shore. We may yet catch Lucca,” Ryker insisted. “Yulia, can you and Rayna get more supplies? Meet us on the beach when you can.”
Yulia nodded, and she and Rayna disappeared into the crowd.
Ryker hustled through the crowds. Liam and Kai kept pace. While they went, Kai tried to look at his surroundings, but the streets were too crowded. Twice he bumped into someone when he gawked at the city.
People offered pleasant bobs and smiles as they passed. Much like the Hiowind tribe, the Kahoma dressed in bright colors, though the style was less flowy and more form-fitting. They wore their hair restrained in braids, beads, and silk strips. That is unless it was cropped short. Another difference was that a few wore sandals or heavy boots.
Kai kept pace behind Ryker and Liam. Their speed continued to accelerate. There was no more time to take in the sights. Focused on their destination, he searched the stretch of land before them. Even at their pace, it would take time to reach the cliffs. A sheer cliff, to be precise.
Ryker arched around the edge of the city before they reached the cliffs. His speed slowed dramatically to weave through the growing crowd. Along the cliff, people gathered, each wearing various shades of purple–Weathervanes. Kai studied their movements and their glowing crystals. The first drops of rain struck Kai’s head. Small wet beads. One, two, three. The wind smelled of saltwater and seaweed.
A steady stream of people came from the cliffs. Confused, Kai stepped closer to the edge. Stone stairs on the cliff wall provided access to the beach about forty feet below. “Wow, the cliffs are much higher than I expected,” he called out.
More rain fell. Larger drops. One after the other, a steady stream of wet. Ryker wormed through the crowd. He did not wait. Kai slipped between two men and followed. The wide stone stairs were pitch black with a bit of grit embedded in the surface. “There,” Ryker pointed to a long pier in the distance. “It’s Lucca boarding a boat.”
Down below the cliffs, a white sandy beach met the rolling blue waves. Two boats bobbed against a wooden pier. Kai watched three men scurry onto a small cutter. He gleaned the men boarding the ship—Lucca, Basil, and another man, whose purple crystal gleamed bright.
“We have to catch them!” Kai pushed through the crowd, knocking a woman to her knees. “Sorry, ma’am.” He helped her stand before continuing down the stairs behind Ryker.
Lucca was within reach. Kai could taste their success. After all their struggles, he had caught Lucca. He would force him to return the necklace. Heart pounding, his feet stepped onto the soft sand. A few drops of rain smacked his cheeks.
A signal light at the dock waved in the air. The blue sky disappeared behind the converging clouds, dark and swollen with rainwater. Ryker’s boots dug into the sand, and Kai raced to keep up. The heavens opened and a deluge fell from above. Heavy, blinding rain soaked the beach.
One vessel left the dock and charged into the waves. By the time Ryker and Kai traversed the length of the pier, Lucca’s boat was out on the open water. The wind whipped around the beach, and Kai held onto a post. Waves slapped the wood and splashed them both. The water was cold. The sea was angry and dark. Salt accumulated on his lips.
“Why don’t the
Weathervanes stop the storm?” Kai shouted over the thunder.
Lightning cracked the sky. “Stop it? They are the ones creating it. Take another look. See the sun on the other side of the break? My guess is they are here to help Lucca leave, and keep you from following.” Ryker motioned to the cliff top. “This is not natural, but the ocean will be happy to feed their creation and the storm will last for hours.”
The darkening sky and black sea made it impossible to see much. But the sun did indeed
shine down on Lucca’s departing vessel. On their side, rain lashed at their faces. Waves pounded the pier. Lightning and thunder loomed overhead. Kai turned back to the cliff. Tiny purple lights dotted the precipice, crystals worn by the Weathervanes. Yulia stepped up to Kai, a large leather bag slung over her shoulder. “We will be going nowhere until this storm lets up. Come take shelter in the caves in the cliffs.”
◆◆◆
When the storm passed, sunlight poured through the cave entrance, and Kai felt the heat warm his back. “Time to go.” Ryker grabbed their food supplies and Liam led the group to the shore.
“According to the boat master,” Liam pointed, “my boat should be ready. It should be on the far side of the beach with the other beached vessels.”
Liam weaved between two sailboats. He led them to a strange-looking twin-hulled craft bridged by a wide deck with a suspended central cabin. Scanning the repairs made by the boat master, Liam ran his hand down the side and smiled. “The man does great work.”
Continuing around the ship, Liam inspected everything. His hands rubbed the dark wood in small circles. “What is this?”
Kai came around the side and caught sight of a scorch mark on the left hull. “Lucca did this.” Liam seethed, placing his hand over the odd-shaped hole. “These burn marks are about the size of a man’s hand. This entire section is below the waterline and will need to be replaced. It will take days.”