Jan wasn’t naïve. She knew of the various methods used to extract information from prisoners. Even the Arbiters weren’t innocent when it came to invoking such deplorable practices, but Jan never imagined she would have the authority to issue such an order. Jan glanced away from the guard captain before he could read the emotions on her face. Her eyes fell on the Outlander, who was watching her curiously from the cell. Head hanging low, the woman seemed less interested in her own fate than she should be. Or perhaps she was merely resigned to accept whatever happened next with as much dignity as she could muster. The woman’s life was in her hands. Jan shuddered to think what it must be like, waiting for another to pass judgment.
Jan thought fast, and said, “That won’t be necessary.” She hoped her expression was calm and stoic as she met the guard captain’s eyes. “This woman is an Astraeyu’s Talon, a highly skilled and disciplined warrior. Subjecting her to torture would accomplish nothing. It’s more likely that she would bite off her own tongue to avoid imparting any confidential details of her mission.”
The guard captain nodded and closed his fist over his heart in a salute. “As you wish.”
Jan breathed a mental sigh of relief. She thought she handled that rather well, considering how unprepared she was for all of this.
“Begging your pardon, Grand Arbiter,” Rhys said softly next to Jan, “but what are we to do next? The Outlander is currently the only lead we have. Are you certain we should right her off as innocent?”
“She’s not above suspicion,” Jan replied. “However, I don’t believe this one woman is responsible for what happened here. Setting fire to the Summit Palace isn’t the usual style of an Astraeyu’s Talon. It’s too conspicuous, too flamboyant.”
“Too sloppy,” Beatrix added.
“Exactly,” Jan agreed. “The Astraeyu’s Talons have always conducted their business in secret. It isn’t their way to draw attention to their actions. That’s why we know so little about them.”
Beatrix smiled, affording Jan a glimpse of her elongated teeth. “It is fortunate for the Outlander that you are so learned in the customs and traditions of Astraeyu Nouvi.”
“I don’t know about that,” Jan countered. “I haven’t cleared her of her alleged crimes yet. If anything, I’ve only prolonged her imprisonment. And the mood among the Sonastra guardsmen is making me uneasy.”
“Tiruval has a long history with Astraeyu Nouvins,” Rhys said. “Unfortunately, their experiences have mostly been with the pirates that haunt the northern seas. If it seems the guardsmen are ready to string the Outlander up if she so much as moves a muscle, it’s because many of these men and women have a tragic story to tell involving Outlander pirates.”
“Is it safe to leave the Outlander here?” Jan asked. “I would like to investigate the Summit Palace, scour the area for evidence, but I don’t want to place a potentially innocent woman in harm’s way.”
“You’ve given the order not to torture her. While your face might be new, your name unknown, every man and woman in the Sonastra guard knows it would be in their best interest to earn the respect of the new Grand Arbiter.” Rhys offered an encouraging smile. “We form the foundation of the Four Kingdoms, as well as represent the principles of the Lythrillian faith.”
“You’re doing an excellent job of fulfilling such a prestigious role, by the way,” Beatrix said. “Far better than I would have done, given such short notice.”
Jan guffawed. “It’s too soon for compliments. This is only my first day as Grand Arbiter.” She wanted to tell Beatrix how she had no idea what she was doing here, but she kept her emotions in check. The last thing she needed was to have her companions see just how inept at being Grand Arbiter she really was.
Jan could hear sounds of a commotion outside, as they descended the stairs. People were shouting. From where Jan was standing their words were incomprehensible, but above the din she heard distinctly the clang of metal clashing against metal.
“What is that?” Rhys asked, taking two steps at a time as he rushed to the top of the stairs.
“It sounds like fighting,” Jan said, hurrying along behind him. Before she could utter another word, the door to the guard tower burst inward. A group of red-robed figures filed in, their flowing garments shimmering like flame as they gracefully filled the room.
Jan did not recognize the crest embroidered on the robe of each individual. “Who are they?” she asked Rhys, but he did not respond. The robed people had seen them gathered at the top of the staircase. Jan’s hand went to the hilt of her sword.
Rhys held a hand in front of Jan, stopping her in her tracks. “Get back to the dungeon,” he commanded. “Alert the guard captain of the situation.”
“What will you do?” Jan didn’t need to ask. She knew Rhys would fight to his last breath defending the Arbiters, defending her.
To her surprise, Beatrix also stepped forward, taking a place next to Rhys. “Go,” she said to Jan. “We will handle matters here, just stay safe. We’ve already lost one Grand Arbiter. We can’t afford to lose another.”
Jan fought back the tears that stung her eyes and turned away, retreating back down the stairs into darkness. She nearly stumbled as she sprinted down the staircase. If only she could reach the Sonastra guardsmen in time, Rhys and Beatrix might have a chance. She knew it was their duty to protect her, but she couldn’t bear the thought of having the blood of two valued companions on her hands.
Jan jumped over the last three steps and landed unsteadily on wobbly legs. She made her way through the dimly lit passage, but as soon as she stepped into the entrance to the dungeon, she knew something was amiss. The Sonastra guard that stood watch over the entrance before were now strangely absent. Jan traded speed for stealth as she stalked cautiously through the gloom, expecting trouble to greet her from every shadow. It was unnervingly quiet. The only noise was the sound of Jan’s breathing, which seemed too loud in the silence. Her heart nearly jumped from her chest as something crunched beneath her boot. Jan held her breath and listened to see if the sound attracted any unwanted attention. When she was satisfied that no one was around to hear, she lifted her foot and inspected the source of the sound.
A set of keys had been dropped, presumably during a scuffle if the nearby droplets of blood were any indication. A short distance away, a dark form lay crumpled on the floor. One of the Sonastra guard, his throat cut open. Jan could tell by the way the blood pooled around his head and neck. Whoever planned the attack must have taken the precaution of sending in more forces through the network of tunnels and caves leading to the hills outside of Sonastra. The caves were connected to the dungeons, but what Jan found most unsettling was that only a few knew of this information. This could mean that the people in the red robes have connections within the Sonastra guard.
Jan kneeled to pick up the keys. It looked like the set to open the cells and shackles deeper within the dungeon. She didn’t know what use she would have for such an item, but she tucked the keys away in her pocket, just in case.
The corridor leading from the guard station to the holding cells was dark. Even the torches from before were extinguished. All was not silent here. As Jan went farther along the hall, she could hear the sounds of fighting. The Sonastra guardsmen were busy defending themselves against more people in red, that same blazing crest adorning the armor of these warriors.
Jan knew she should stay out of sight. Rhys and Beatrix were risking their lives so she would have the chance to retreat to safety, but it was becoming increasingly obvious that nowhere in Sonastra was safe, not as long as these red-clad individuals were lurking in the shadows. There would come a time when she would be forced to fight. Even though she had spent most of her time with the Arbiters as an archivist, she passed combat training in the Academy of Arcane Justice. All Arbiters were required to pass combat training, both physical and magical. Until now, Jan never thought she would need those lessons.
As Jan edged her way al
ong a row of cells, a flash of gold caught her eye. The Outlander was watching her, her golden eyes glowing in the semi-darkness like embers. In all the excitement, Jan had nearly forgotten about the prisoner. As before, the Outlander’s hands were still chained to the wall. She lifted her head a little higher when she realized Jan was watching her.
With a wry smirk, she asked, “Do you still believe I am guilty, Grand Arbiter?”
Jan hesitated, taken aback by the question. “These people in red could be your allies, here to secure your escape.”
“You don’t believe that, do you?” The Outlander tilted her head to the side questioningly. When Jan didn’t respond right away, she sighed. “All right, I admit I know of these people, but I assure you they are not my allies.”
“You know the ones wearing the flame crest?” Jan moved closer, afraid someone would overhear their words and they would be caught up in the battle that was raging all around them. The Outlander gave another sigh, this one of exasperation.
“Now is neither the time nor the place to discuss these things. The Sonastra guard is outmatched. Release me, and I will tell you what I know.” She regarded Jan from beneath the black bandana as she gauged her reaction. “If we survive.”
Jan considered her next words carefully, suddenly mindful of the keys in her pocket. Was it fate that led her to stumble upon the set of keys? “How do I know you won’t betray me? Stab me in the back?” She took another step closer to the Outlander.
“I give you my word as the Black Talon.”
Jan hesitated, fidgeting with the keys in her pocket. Rhys and Beatrix were outnumbered. If she didn’t think of something fast, they would not stand a chance against this unknown foe. “All right,” she said. “If you think you can be of use to the Arbiters, I’ll set you free. Lyth knows we could use an extra sword arm.”
She cautiously approached the Outlander—the Black Talon, she called herself. Eyes like firelight watched with curiosity as Jan placed the key first in the shackle holding the Black Talon’s left hand. The heavy iron shackle came undone, falling back against the wall with a loud clang. The Black Talon flexed her free hand. For a moment, the only sound in the dungeon was the tinkling of the chain as it dangled against the wall. Jan stepped back from the prisoner and searched for any sign of treachery as she met those fiery eyes. When the Black Talon made no move against her, no attempt to wrestle the keys from Jan now that one hand was free, Jan stepped forward and released her.
The woman watched her with the intensity of a wild animal, untrusting, wary, but not outright aggressive.
When the chain fell away, Jan moved back. The Black Talon rubbed at where the shackles had held her wrists. Jan saw contusions had formed, darker blotches marring the foreign woman’s olive skin. Jan unlocked the shackles fastened around the Black Talon’s ankles and stepped away, all the while keeping her eyes on her.
“You’re free,” Jan said, breaking the tense silence. “Don’t make me regret this.”
The Black Talon dipped her head in what might have been a slight bow. “As long as I am allowed to hunt my enemy, you have nothing to worry about.” She took a step toward Jan. Instinctively Jan backed away, and then mentally reprimanded herself for doing so. This was all too much for her. Never in her life had she encountered a woman as intimidating as the Black Talon, but she mustn’t allow her emotions to show so easily. She was the Grand Arbiter now.
“And who, pray tell, might these enemies be? Can you tell me that much?” Jan asked, steeling her nerves the best she could in such a dire situation. It wasn’t everyday that the Arbitrary Order of Lyth found itself under attack.
The Black Talon stopped when she was right next to Jan, her golden eyes blazing in the gloom. “We shall see,” she said cryptically. Then she stepped around Jan and left in the direction of the fighting.
Flabbergasted, Jan could only stare after her for several seconds before realizing that others were fighting behind them, back the way she came. The battle from the entrance to the prison had moved deeper within the dungeon, close enough that Jan could now hear the sounds of battle. Jan had to struggle to catch up to the Black Talon. She began forming a rough plan on how they might be able to escape the dungeon alive.
“Wait,” she called, taking the Black Talon by the arm. It was a simple gesture, one Jan made without thinking, but the Black Talon recoiled from the contact as if she’d been burned. She whirled to face Jan, pulling her arm free of Jan’s touch. Stunned, Jan allowed her hand to fall to her side. “Not that way,” she said, trying to explain her actions. “My allies are fighting closer to the entrance.”
“You want to assist them?” the Black Talon asked. She glanced over her shoulder as a shout rang out in the dungeon.
The Sonastra guard needed their help, but so did Rhys and Beatrix. Jan regretted that she couldn’t be in two places at once. Whoever she didn’t help would likely be overrun and killed. She detested making such heartrending decisions.
It was the Black Talon who helped Jan to make it. “They are your allies you say? Then you should go to them. They will be expecting you.” She started along the corridor in the direction from which they’d come and sighed. “By Astraeyu’s tail feathers, how many Coruscalli are there in this place?”
Jan had to run to keep pace with the taller woman’s long strides. “Is that what the people wearing the flame crest are called?” she asked. “The chorus call…what was it again?”
“The Coruscalli,” the Black Talon corrected her, her thick accent giving the word a distinct staccato sound. “It is a cult with fanatical beliefs. Astraeyu Nouvi has been troubled by the Coruscalli for centuries.”
“A cult?” Jan was shocked to learn that a cult was behind the attacks on Sonastra. What was more astonishing was that in all her years as an archivist, she had never come across any information pertaining to this Coruscalli. “I didn’t realize there were any cults so well organized as to become a threat to the Four Kingdoms of Lythril,” she said.
The Black Talon stopped in her tracks and whirled around to face Jan. She said, “Do you question the validity of my words even as your allies fight for their lives?”
Flustered, Jan found it difficult to formulate a reply. “N-no,” she stammered. “It’s just that I find it odd that I’ve come across no mention of this Coruscalli in the Arbitrary Order of Lyth’s archives. Yet you claim Astraeyu Nouvi has had countless altercations with the cult over the years.”
“The Coruscalli has always existed in secrecy.” The Black Talon turned away from Jan and continued to march along the corridor. “Well, until now.”
Jan was right on her heels. She was so close that when the Black Talon suddenly stopped, Jan nearly collided with her. Jan peered over the Black Talon’s shoulder and saw that they had reached the bottom of the stairs. Relief flooded her heart when she recognized two familiar faces among the combatants. Rhys and Beatrix were still alive, and both were still battling valiantly to hold the Coruscalli back.
There were more of the Coruscalli than Jan remembered, but the blue and gold of the Sonastra guard now added to the red of the cultists. Still, the guardsmen were outnumbered as well as outmatched. Clearly the Coruscalli were trained in the arcane arts in addition to the more physical aspects of combat. Scorch marks could be seen around the dungeon where magical fire had been brought into play during the battle.
Before Jan could say a word, the Black Talon rushed forward, nimbly diving to where a Sonastra guardsman lay dead as she dodged an attack by a red armored figure. She rolled easily from the fighting and came up holding a sword in one hand. The same cultist who took a swing at her only seconds before turned just in time to see a flash of metal as the Black Talon cut him down. The cultist’s eyes widened in horror as an arc of his blood sprayed into the air. He staggered back, falling as if in slow motion. Before his body could hit the floor, the Black Talon grabbed the sword from the cultist’s fingers and spun around to enter the fray.
&
nbsp; With a sword in each hand the Black Talon sliced her way through the Coruscalli foot soldiers with ease and elegance. Jan could only watch in stunned awe, her own sword gripped loosely in her fingers. The two-sword technique of Astraeyu Nouvi was practically unheard of in the southern nations of Lythril. By the way the Black Talon executed each move with grace and finesse, it was evident that she was a master of the technique. She seemed almost unstoppable as she cut down every cultist she came across, effectively blocking any oncoming attacks with one sword and then using the other to take her unwary opponents by surprise. She moved with supernatural speed and precision. Jan could hardly keep track of her movements from where she watched.
After what must have been only a few moments, most of the Coruscalli lay dead or bleeding on the dungeon steps. It was little wonder why the Sonastra guard had such a trying time bringing the Black Talon in, even as injured as she was. She was a one-woman strike force, catching her enemies by surprise and slaughtering them before they had time to regroup.
By now, Rhys and Beatrix noticed the Black Talon’s presence, as had the Sonastra guard. All kept a wary eye on her as she stood off to the side, swords still in hand.
“That was quite the battle,” Rhys said as Jan approached him. With the toe of his boot, he turned over one of the corpses and asked, “Who are these people? I’ve never seen this crest before.”
“The Black Talon claims they call themselves the Coruscalli.”
“Who?” Rhys asked.
Jan’s gaze drifted to where the Black Talon still stood alone. “The Outlander informed me of our true enemy here. These people are of a cult with fanatical and violent beliefs.”
“Ah, yes, the Outlander,” Rhys said, as if it suddenly all made sense. “I couldn’t help but notice how she is now free. I also noticed how she likely turned the battle in our favor and prevented this dungeon from becoming our tomb. I suppose we have you to thank for her untimely arrival.”
Tears of the Sun Page 2