“The Coruscalli have had an abundance of time to recruit new members.”
Talon’s apathy toward the staggering number of cultists troubled Jan. “That’s what worries me. In order for such a large group to remain in secrecy for so many years, it must have connections, connections to the sort of people who have the power to make things fade into the background.”
“You think someone powerful is offering support to the Coruscalli?” Talon’s eyes flashed dangerously. “Yes, it is logical that someone from the Mainland has been helping to cover the Coruscalli’s tracks. I am no expert in these matters. Do you have any idea who might hold an interest in discovering forbidden secrets of the Ancients?”
“I do.” Jan surprised herself and Talon with her words. There were people in the Four Kingdoms who revered the arcane, people who practiced the lost arts more openly than any other land, save for Astraeyu Nouvi. Kalvatin, the nation at the southeastern end of Lythril and neighbor to Rider’s Vale to the east, was more devoted to practice of the arcane than the other three kingdoms, and the Kalvats made no attempt to hide their fascination with magic and mysticism.
“Kalvatin,” Jan said aloud. “By Lyth’s golden arrow, I think we might be getting somewhere.”
Chapter Four
TALON WAS SURPRISED when Jan first mentioned that a high-ranking official from Kalvatin might be supporting the Coruscalli. Surprised, most of all, that she had not considered the possibility herself. Kalvatin was a land surrounded in almost as much mysticism and secrecy as Astraeyu Nouvi. Before setting out to the Mainland, Talon had been warned of the Kalvats. Although Kalvatin’s location placed it farther from the Harrowing Sea and the pirate raids that had turned Tiruval against Astraeyu Nouvi, the southern people hated Astraeyu Nouvins more passionately than the Tiruvali. Some said the Kalvats’ prejudice came from jealousy, not fear, for Kalvatin saw itself as being the capital of arcane mastery in Lythril. It could not truthfully be as such, not as long as Astraeyu Nouvi held all the secrets of the Ancients.
It made sense to Talon that Kalvatin might be involved with the Coruscalli. The southern kingdom’s open adoration of all things arcane brought the disapproval of the neighboring kingdoms, thus Kalvatin had become adept at veiling its actions from the rest of Lythril. Talon was skeptical at Jan’s decision to focus on the major political figures of Kalvatin, not because she did not suspect them of aiding the Coruscalli, but because it seemed rather pointless to pursue a lead that would inevitably take them to a dead end. Surely if the Kalvat leaders were assisting a cult with devastating intentions, they would cover their tracks so that not even the Grand Arbiter could discover them—especially so that the Grand Arbiter would not discover them.
The change in scenery was welcome, however. When Jan decided to send agents into Kalvatin to more closely monitor the actions of the Kalvat Thaumaturgists, the operation was relocated to Fort Solitude, the Arbiters’ stronghold in Rider’s Vale. Talon was grateful to be away from Tiruval. Too much bad blood existed between the Tiruvali and Astraeyu Nouvins. The southern Horselords also regarded her with suspicion upon her arrival at Fort Solitude. The main difference was that the Arbiters in Rider’s Vale did not want so badly to see her hanging from the gallows simply for being an Outlander.
With the relocation to Rider’s Vale came more freedom for Talon. Since the Horselords were not as hostile toward Astraeyu Nouvins, Talon was no longer confined to her quarters. She had permission to explore the vast fortress, with the exception of some restricted areas that were intended for high-ranking Arbiters only. Talon decided to take advantage of that freedom, before someone declared that allowing an Astraeyu Nouvin to wander was too much of a threat and she was forced into the role of glorified prisoner again. It had taken Talon little effort to discover the Grand Balcony, which overlooked a large courtyard, and beyond that, a vast field of flowers that seamlessly merged with the landscape of Rider’s Vale.
“It’s quite the view, isn’t it?” There was an underlying purr to the feminine voice that Talon immediately recognized as belonging to Beatrix, who stood beside her on the balcony.
The feline woman’s ability to move without making a sound was unnerving. That a warrior with Talon’s training was unable to detect her was nothing short of a miracle.
If Beatrix intended to insult Talon by keeping her presence unknown, she showed no sign of it. She leaned against the railing, her gaze focused on the sweeping view that sprawled before them. Forming a half-circle around the back of Fort Solitude, the large balcony overlooked the rolling hills and verdant meadows for which Rider’s Vale was famous. Wildflowers were in bloom, even with autumn fast approaching, creating a sea of color that seemed to stretch on endlessly.
“It is different from what I’m accustomed to, I must admit,” Talon said. The snow-capped peaks and frozen tundra of Astraeyu Nouvi was not as devoid of life as the Mainlanders might imagine, but the abundance of flora in Rider’s Vale was indeed breathtaking.
“A welcome change from the gray skies and fierce waters of Tiruval,” Beatrix said. “The weather in Rider’s Vale is not as unforgiving as the northern coast.” She tilted her head back and allowed the sunlight to warm her face.
Talon watched Beatrix’s whiskers flatten against her face contentedly as she basked in the sun. Among her friends and peers in Fort Solitude, Beatrix removed the hooded cloak she wore to conceal her unusual features. Talon had heard of Shifters before, they were not so uncommon in Astraeyu Nouvi. But never before had she met anyone so deeply affected by the old magic. Shifters always took on some aspect of the animals they preferred to imitate, but Beatrix almost appeared to be more cat than woman.
“Was it painful, the magic that you used to change yourself?” Talon asked, unable to hold the question any longer.
Eyes the color of jade pinned Talon where she stood as Beatrix turned to face her. “No one ever asks me about my magic. What a curious thing. I believe you’re the first to give voice to the question that must surely be on the tongue of every person I meet.”
“I meant no offense.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I relish the idea of discussing the art of Shifting with someone. To answer your question, it was painful, at least until I learned to transition from human to feline more skillfully. If you don’t mind my asking, what do you know of Shifting?”
“The Shifters of Astraeyu Nouvi are respected and revered for their talents,” Talon supplied generously. “The secret of their craft is honored, however, lest such a power should fall into the wrong hands. Shifters are a mystery, even in a land that so openly practices the arcane.”
“Shape-shifting is a forbidden practice in the Four Kingdoms, yet I continued my research in spite of this.” Beatrix grew reflective, her whiskers drooping as she stared at some indiscernible point in the distance. “I apologize,” she said, as if suddenly remembering that she was not alone. “I’ve taken too much of your time. You probably want to get settled in before Jan has further use for you. Oh, and I recommend visiting the gardens if you find the time. The Flame Crest Lilies are breathtakingly beautiful this time of year.”
Talon watched Beatrix go, wondering if she had said something to offend her. Shifters rarely ever wished to discuss their craft with others. Maybe Talon made a mistake by inquiring about it. She hoped she hadn’t offended Beatrix too deeply. Talon rather liked the cat woman, as she was one of the few people willing to attempt to make Talon feel more comfortable so far from her homeland.
Beatrix was not so bad, for a Mainlander. Rhys was also a decent person, although he was less talkative than Beatrix. Talon understood his caution when dealing with outsiders. As an Astraeyu’s Talon, she was taught to be wary of Mainlanders. From what she’d seen so far, not all Mainlanders lived up to the image held by the common Astraeyu Nouvin. The Arbiters were not the conquerors they were believed to be, trying to force their faith upon the world. They were enforcers, the hand that carried out the will of their Huntress Quee
n, Lyth. In many ways, the Arbiters were like the Astraeyu’s Talons. Nothing Talon had seen so far was what she expected. It was disorienting, to be in this foreign land only to find that the ways of its people were not so foreign after all.
Most confounding of all was the Grand Arbiter, Jan Sterling. The woman was leader of the most powerful organization in southern Lythril, yet her reluctance to lead was almost tangible. Jan seethed with uncertainty. In Astraeyu Nouvi, a woman like Jan Sterling would be swiftly removed from power, either by someone with more qualifications—or at the very least, more ambitions—for the position. Until recently Jan served as an archivist. She’d admitted as much herself. The role of Grand Arbiter was thrust upon her rather unexpectedly after the events in Sonastra. Still, in Astraeyu Nouvi all of Jan’s doubts and insecurities would be viewed as signs of weakness and would be exploited.
Talon supposed it should not matter to her what sort of leader Jan Sterling was. All of the Arbiters respected her and never questioned her merit. In the end, having allies willing to trust Jan with her life was what really counted, and she had an abundance of those. Including Talon, apparently. It was difficult to explain, but Talon had no qualms about following Jan. Fate seemed to favor the woman, or perhaps it was something else. The luminescent scar on Jan’s chest had to be the Light of Astraeyu, a blessing from the Phoenix Herself. Such a truth was difficult for Talon to accept, but even more difficult for her to ignore.
THE CLIMATE IN Rider’s Vale was pleasant, as mild and peaceful as Astraeyu Nouvi was harsh and unpredictable. The rolling hills and lush meadows were rife with plant and animal life. After a few days at Fort Solitude, Talon began to settle in. She took to spending a great deal of time in the courtyard or the gardens, sketching the various species of flowers and birds that were unheard of in the north. There was little better to do while Jan waited for word from her agents in Kalvatin and sketching soothed Talon’s nerves.
Talon had plenty of reasons to seek refuge in her drawings. With time, the Arbiters were growing accustomed to seeing an Astraeyu Nouvin in their midst, but with this acceptance also came curiosity. Many of the southerners had never even seen an Astraeyu Nouvin before. It was disconcerting to Talon to have to answer so many questions about her homeland. So, she escaped to the courtyard whenever she could, disappearing within the stone arches and fragrant gardens.
One of Talon’s favorite places to sketch was on a bench by a fountain. The cascade of water was relaxing, and it also served to attract many colorful species of birds. Talon watched as a small, vividly blue bird splashed in the shallow water. It hopped onto the side of the bottom tier of the fountain and began preening its feathers. When it was finished, it took flight, its tiny wings beating as it ascended to the treetops above.
Talon studied the image on the paper. The ink drawing was a decent representation of the bird, but she would have to do a painting in order to catch the deep blue and bright turquoise of its plumage. She took a moment to look around and her eyes settled on a flower the color of fire, its petals ascending skyward like tongues of flame. The flower was the Flame Crest Lily that Beatrix mentioned, and just as she’d promised, the flower was a sight to behold. Already, Talon’s sketchbook was filled with drawings of the lilies, along with the buntings, wrens, and finches that frequented the gardens. Life at Fort Solitude was serene. It was almost possible to forget about all the problems that existed outside of its walls.
Places like Fort Solitude usually only existed in epic poetry, or so Talon thought before coming to Rider’s Vale. The land possessed a majestic quality, like the places of legend spoken of only in old stories. Most Astraeyu Nouvins never ventured outside their northern homeland. What was spoken of in legends passed down since before the Lost Era were just that: legends to inspire awe and wonder within the listener. The Astraeyu’s Eyes and Talons were given the rare opportunity to travel to other lands in Lythril, to glimpse for themselves what the Ancients had once seen.
At one time Talon fancied herself like the heroes of those epics so popular in Astraeyu Nouvi, an adventurer who rose up against seemingly insurmountable odds to become a legend. As she trained with the Talons, she began to see the folly in her dreams. There were no heroes or legends among the Astraeyu’s Talons, only shadow warriors destined to carry out their duties while remaining unknown to the world. Epic poems were solely a means of entertainment, yet that did not mean that Talon did not still dream that maybe someday her actions would change the world.
ALL OF TALON’S suspicions were confirmed when a patrol sent to the border returned to Fort Solitude with reports of an attack by people wearing red. The Arbiters were the Coruscalli’s target. It was the only logical explanation.
“It looks like we’ve stumbled into a nest of vipers,” Rhys said as he read the report given by the patrol. “So brazen these Coruscalli are, to attack the Arbiters without a thought to the consequences of their actions.”
“We can’t let such a bold insult go unanswered,” Jan agreed. “But how do we retaliate when we don’t even know where the Coruscalli are striking from?”
Talon remained silent, her arms crossed over her chest as she leaned against the ancient wooden desk in Jan’s office. This conversation was none of her business. The only reason she was invited was on the chance that she might have some useful information to add. This was not the Labyrinthine Archipelago. The southern lands were unfamiliar to Talon. She had no more idea where the Coruscalli might be hiding than the Arbiters. So she decided to listen and observe. The Arbiters were beginning to see that they were the true target of the Coruscalli’s attack on Sonastra all along, not the political representatives at the Summit of Four Winds.
“Miles and miles of wilderness extend along the border between Rider’s Vale and Kalvatin.” Rhys appeared disgusted at himself for not being able to provide an answer to their current plight. “The cultists could be holed up in any number of caves or woodland camps in the wilds. Searching the area would take too long and use too many resources.”
“I refuse to allow the Coruscalli a victory in this,” Jan said. She sounded more determined. “Let’s not forget about the Firebringer. While our patrols are being harried by small groups of cultists, there are still more out there, trying to unearth a secret of the Ancients that would be best left forgotten.” Jan leaned back in the high-backed leather chair, pinching the bridge of her nose. “We have to draw them out.”
“I beg your pardon, Arbiter Sterling?”
“If we can’t find the Coruscalli, we make them come to us.” Jan got up and stepped toward Rhys. “The cultists are targeting our patrols, are they not? Well, I propose we take another team to the wilderness, only this time, we will be better prepared.”
“You want to lure the Coruscalli out by using our people?” Rhys looked appalled at the idea. “Who would you suggest sending on such a dangerous errand?”
Talon was impressed. Using the Arbiters as bait for the Coruscalli was an excellent plan, and one destined to succeed, as long as the Arbiters in question were truly prepared for the task ahead of them.
“Only the best, of course,” Jan replied. “I wouldn’t recommend anyone other than my most trusted, most skilled fighters for this mission. In fact, I was about to suggest that you lead this false patrol, Rhys.”
“Me? I’m honored, Grand Arbiter, truly I am. I will begin assembling a team of my best soldiers at once.”
“One other thing,” Jan said. “I think it would be beneficial to all of those involved if I came along as well.”
Talon regarded Jan thoughtfully. Perhaps she was not as meek and cowardly as she initially believed.
“Is that wise, Arbiter Sterling?” Rhys asked. “If something goes wrong, not only will the Coruscalli have some of the Arbiters’ finest fighters, but the Grand Arbiter as well. It seems like we’re playing into the cultists’ plan by taking such a risk.”
“The Coruscalli won’t be expecting to face such formidable opponents on
a simple patrol.”
“If it is all right with you,” Talon said and stepped forward to speak for the first time, “I would like to go along as well.”
Jan hesitated only briefly. “An excellent idea. Those cultists certainly won’t expect the Black Talon to be so far south.”
Talon nodded. It was uncommon for an Astraeyu’s Talon to venture so deep into the Mainland. Maybe her presence would be enough to give the Arbiters the advantage they needed.
Chapter Five
JAN WAS STARTLED at how deeply concerned the Coruscalli’s latest offense had her. Volunteering to place herself in such danger by accompanying Rhys’s warriors was further confirmation that she was coming to accept her new role as Grand Arbiter. It had to be done. Each and every man and woman in the Arbiters was Jan’s responsibility. Their ultimate safety and well-being were in her hands. By allowing even one of them to fall to the Coruscalli, she was exhibiting weak leadership skills. Not only that, but the fate of the Four Kingdoms of Lythril could hang in the balance.
To be thrust into the position of Grand Arbiter was a heavy burden, and Jan was still overwhelmed at facing the challenge, but if her superiors thought she was best suited for the role, she would do all in her power to make them not regret their decision. She only hoped she lived long enough to serve her fellow Arbiters well.
The plan to lure the Coruscalli offenders out into the open seemed a far better idea back at Fort Solitude. On a deserted road through the backcountry with only the light from a crescent moon to guide the way, Jan was beginning to think she should have used more caution. There were so many factors that could affect the Arbiters adversely. More cultists than Jan anticipated could set upon them in the wilderness. Even the geography could be used against them.
Tears of the Sun Page 8