Thread Skein (Golden Threads Trilogy Book 3)

by Leeland Artra

  And yet everything was different. The gods were just another magical race, no better than elves, dwarves, or humans. Lady Dalpha had proven the race that called themselves gods, and acted as if they were truly superior, had all the same problems and issues as those who lived shorter lives. In fact, Dalpha was so greedy that she risked others for her own gain. Because of her greed, an entire race of elves had been destroyed.

  Still, Lebuin knew most of the gods blamed others, unwilling to see themselves as a possible cause. But if not for Dalpha’s actions, how would things have gone? The visions he, Ticca, and Illa had experienced in the Elracian wastelands had shown a bright and wonderful future gone.

  Pay attention to the now! As the Daggers say, ‘What we do today can improve all our tomorrows.’

  He turned his attention back to the scene playing out before him, looking for any opportunity to help. There were a number of people dressed uniquely, in a style using wrapped robes with pins and leather belts. They were obviously nobles, but they all reacted to Ticca together. They were all on bended knee to Ticca. The only ones not on one knee were the Nhia-Samri warriors, Ticca, Lebuin’s team, and of course, the warlord.

  He didn’t miss that the uniquely dressed nobles had said something in the ancient language used by the Duianna Empire for its rituals.

  The warlord descended from the throne to stand just at the edge of Ticca’s shields, and bowed rigidly. Lebuin got a surge of concern from Illa.

  My connection to Illa is still working!

  Bracing for a shock from the collar, he relaxed and opened himself to her. ‘Illa, can you hear me?’ No shock came; the collar didn’t react.

  ‘Yes, my Lord, I can.’

  ‘Why are you so worried?’

  ‘I think he might....’

  “Your Royal Highness. I am pleased you could join us here in Lumendaria.”

  “You mean Allornia!”

  “No, Your Highness. These lands were granted fairly to me by the voice of King of Laeusia. The treaty was signed in accordance with all your laws.”

  Ticca shook her head. “No, you took them by force, and if I’m not mistaken, the Alliance is about to take them back. That’s why these warriors were in a hurry to get back here. Am I right?”

  “You’re correct that Alliance forces are approaching. However, they’re led by Duke, and I believe he’s more interested in Hisuru Amajoo than Lumendaria.”

  Standing straight and tall, Ticca said, “I will not allow you to steal these or anyone else’s lands.”

  The warlord stepped back and placed his hands on the hilts of his blades. “You can try to take them back.”

  Ticca held out her hand to the warrior holding her weapons. “I accept!”

  Lebuin’s heart sank, and his stomach lurched. He wanted to say something, but he knew it was of no use. Oh, Lords, please protect her!

  Six people, including Ditani, screamed, “NO, YOU MUST NOT!”

  The warlord turned on the robed nobles who’d called out. “You stay out of this! I rule here, and I know what I must do.”

  The eldest of the nobles, an ancient thin woman in flowing blue and green silk robes, stepped forward, placing her hand on the warlord’s hand that gripped his sword. “No, Maru-Ashua, you do not. You are one of her royal guard, and you cannot attack her. It would be treason, and you would be dead before you could harm her. We cannot allow this.”

  Ticca and the warlord simultaneously said, “What?”

  The elder noble pulled the warlord’s hand off the blade and then drew it with her other so fast that the motion was a blur. The blade glowed, reflecting Ticca’s shimmering, and there was another sound that came from it like a distant, sustained chime.

  Holding the blade before the warlord, she said, “Do you not recognize the Duianna panther on this blade?”

  Lebuin saw that the bronze bands at the base of the sword had a stylized cat silhouette in profile, over an oblong oval that looked like an egg. It was easy to see, as it was glowing as brightly as Ticca. The cat silhouette matched the Imperial panther in the Duianna coat of arms under Ticca’s feet perfectly.

  Why would they use an egg on a sword? It must mean something.

  He recalled the golden egg artifact at Dalpha’s temple and the one at the Argos Guildhouse in Llino that belonged to him. Not an egg. A mana collector! Could it be? The Empire has THE LOST COLLECTOR! That sword must be Elracian technology connected to one of the most powerful devices ever made by my people. But how could they channel mana to it? I doubt they have mages constantly feeding it, especially for 15,000 years.

  Lebuin remembered the visions. Ticca had given Illa the fae mana filter, and Brandon had said she’d caused a serious stir over taking it away from the researchers, to which Ticca had implied there was an Imperial version.

  That must be what Dalpha was trying to replicate! She got the idea from what was done by the first emperor of this world. So what went wrong? Maybe the Elracian generators were too much at once or were somehow not compatible.

  “These were made as a gift to the Duianna Empire, which saved us all, and were to keep the emperor and his line safe from all harm. Only the most loyal, dedicated, and honorable warriors were selected by these to protect the Empire. They connect you to the emperor’s line, and give you power to protect the Empire. Each one holds the knowledge and personality of a dedicated warrior carefully selected for the honor of eternal vigilance.”

  The elder noble let the blade drop sideways, catching it in both hands, and held it up to the warlord. “Take your blade and know yourself.”

  The warlord’s back was to Lebuin, so he couldn’t see what his initial reaction was. He stood there for a long period.

  “This is Imperial technology? This is mundane? Our people made it?”

  “No. It is entirely magical, made by the elves and dwarves as a gift shortly after coming to these lands. Only one pair was made that combine mundane and magical technologies. I haven’t seen those blades since I was a young woman.”

  “Did they not work?”

  “They worked better than any could dream. The knowledge and key resources were destroyed before more could be made. It’s a great tragedy.”

  The warlord took the blade. Turning back to Ticca, his face was stone neutral. He sheathed his sword and stepped back in front of her. He stood tall and stared at Ticca, who also stood silently, gazing back at him. Finally, Ticca’s eyebrow went up, and her lips smirked.

  “Not exactly going to plan, is it?” she asked.

  The warlord shook his head. “No. You?”

  “Nope,” Ticca said. “Completely lost. Now what?”

  Maru-Ashua gestured around the room. “We have built a strong nation, one that will make you proud. Will you help me preserve it?”

  Ticca looked Lebuin in the eyes, holding his gaze.

  She wants my opinion. His heart rate leapt up a notch. She believes in me again. What should we do?

  ‘Illa, can he be trusted?’

  ‘Yes, my Lord. He will never break his word. But he is clever and dangerous.’

  ‘Then we need him with us.’

  Lebuin nodded to Ticca. She smiled warmly at him, and then looked back to the warlord.

  Ticca’s eyes touched Lebuin’s soul. He felt a small tremor throughout his body as his mind still focused on that sweet smile. She’d left a warm feeling that was swelling in him.

  Oh, I feel like dancing! If I wasn’t in shackles with this collar on, of course.

  “Tell me about Hopu Rinyaru,” Ticca said.

  The warlord explained the war casualties, the outposts, the citizens, the new farms, the trade routes forming, and small towns that might someday become cities. He gushed over the farms and other settlements. Lebuin was shocked that a Nhia-Samri warlord could
be so passionate over farming settlers. Ticca, on the other hand, chewed her lower lip thoughtfully and followed every word intently, leaning forward towards the warlord nodding at key points. When he finished, everyone looked at Ticca.

  “You’re right. I’m proud of this, of you, and of what has been done in such a short time. Laeusia did not use this land well. It’s no real loss to them, and if this stands, it would be a strong nation.”

  She looked up, holding her hands wide, calling out, “Allornia, hear me and obey.”

  She looked back to the warlord. “Lord Maru-Ashua, I accept the treaty and your rule here. Allornia is now Hopu Rinyaru, this is the city of Lumendaria, and you are the ruler. But the ends do not justify the means. Shar-Lumen still has much to pay for.”

  “In nomine imperatoris, Maru-Ashua. Maru-Ashua vivat rex Hopu Rinyaru,” said the same loud husky female voice from before, from all around them.

  The warlord glanced around and, for the first time, his face showed a sign of awe.

  “Did the city guardian just accept me?”

  A fountain rose up out of the floor next to the warlord. On it stood a golden cup, and it appeared to be filled with some kind of silver liquid.

  The warlord considered the small fountain. Then, with care, he picked up the cup.

  Ticca pointed. “You’re supposed to fill the cup and offer it to me.”

  “Yes, I know the binding ceremony. I just didn’t expect the cup to actually be gold and the water to really be silver. I thought those were just metaphors.”

  He scooped the cup full of the silver liquid, and with two hands holding the cup before him, approached Ticca. The shield around her vanished.

  “Your Royal Highness, Empress Ticca Duianna, please accept this in binding our nation to your reign. Long live the Empress, long stand the Empire.”

  How do they know what to do?

  Ticca took the cup and then slowly looked around the room, taking time to give each person present a significant amount of eye contact and her gentle smile. “Lord Maru-Ashua and citizens of Hopu Rinyaru, I am pleased to accept you into the Duianna Empire. It is with deep humility and pride that I accept your binding to the throne of the Duianna Empire.”

  The elder noble covertly dabbed the corners of her eyes.

  Ticca then drank the entire cupful down in one go.

  She handed the cup back to the warlord, who called out “Vivant et imperii decus est famuli tui Duianna Hopu Rinyaru.”

  He dropped to one knee.

  The Nhia-Samri all dropped to their knees. Most of the warriors drew their blades and held them forward, forming a cross. Lebuin spotted the glowing Imperial panther on the blades.

  The Nhia-Samri are Ticca’s royal guards and didn’t know it! He noted that not all of the blades had the glowing panther, so it wasn’t 100 percent.

  Hiri-Rula was still standing and holding her drawn blades, staring at the glowing panther on them. Her eyes lifted to Ticca, and she knelt, crossing her blades before her. She shouted, “LONG LIVE THE EMPRESS, LONG STAND DUIANNA!”

  The call was echoed by the other warriors.

  Ticca went red, but smiled so wide her dimples came out. She looked magnificent. Finally, she made lifting signs with her hands. “Everyone up, this is a bit much.”

  The nobles stood and stepped forward. The elder took the lead. “Thank you, Your Majesty, for accepting our nation. With your permission, we shall now return to our duties.”

  Holding up a finger, Ticca said, “First, I’m going to swear everyone here to secrecy. I do not want to go sit on a throne in Gracia. I’m a Dagger, and that is my calling. So all this, and who I am, is not to be revealed.” She looked around, meeting the eyes of all there.

  The elder nodded. “And so it has been for many generations, since the time of Aphren Duianna the 34th. Our ancestors made a similar promise to him, to keep his progeny’s status within our borders. As it has been since before this world was born, your will, my Empress. We shall all do as you command.”

  Looking down at herself, Ticca asked, “You wouldn’t happen to know how to stop this show, would you?”

  “Your will, Empress.”

  After a little laugh, she said, “Yes, of course. Uh, City of Lumendaria, please stop this shimmering and coat of arms display.”

  The Imperial coat of arms sank away as the city seal closed under their feet. The shimmering effect washed away from Ticca, leaving her with a normal appearance.

  “Ah, that’s better,” Ticca said with a small bounce.

  The eldest gazed at Ticca, tilting her head to the side. “You weren’t trained in the command language? Your family promised to keep the line true in all things.”

  Sadness crept into Ticca’s eyes. “My father died when I was very young. I’m sure my uncle plans on teaching me more. I sort of insisted on Daggering.”

  “Is he in Rhini Wood with your family’s lands?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then he must be the guardian. With your permission, I shall communicate with him on this. Also, we must seek his permission to train another.”

  Ticca held her hands out to the warrior holding her weapons.

  The warlord held up a hand. “Uh...before we give you all your possessions back, we need to consider what to do about the coming war. I have to present you and your team to Shar-Lumen in Hisuru Amajoo.”

  “By your leave, Your Majesties, we shall continue our work,” the elder woman said and bowed to both, Ticca first. The other nobles did the same, and they left.

  “Are you going to tell him?” Ticca asked, returning to the subject at hand.

  The team and warriors gathered closer together.

  “Shar-Lumen knows who you are. But not about Lebuin.”

  “And?” Ticca prompted.

  “I’m unsure. I cannot betray Shar-Lumen, but I cannot allow you to be taken prisoner, either.” The warlord sighed and held his hands up.

  “Give us a moment?” Ticca asked.

  The warlord nodded. “Come join me in the rest lounge through there.” He pointed to some doors and then motioned for the manacles to be removed. He and all of the Nhia-Samri left, closing the doors behind them. Ticca and her team were alone in the throne room.

  “Should we make a break for it and join Duke?” Nigan asked.

  Ticca grabbed a chair from the side and sat down in it, leaning back against the wall, her eyes closed.

  Carda said, “It wouldn’t necessarily be making a break for it. We can probably ask for horses and provisions, and then simply ride out.”

  “Ticca....” Lebuin started.

  She opened her eyes and looked at him.

  “I’m really glad you made it. We thought we’d lost you, and I....” I love you.

  He couldn’t say it, and it burnt. She raised a brow at him, and all eyes were on him. “I...I need to tell the other Gods about Dalpha. This collar has me locked in tight.”

  Illa put a hand on his shoulder. He knew she felt some of his angst.

  “Thanks,” Ticca said. “Me too. What do you mean about Dalpha? What did you learn?”

  Lebuin summed up everything they found. Ticca sighed, leaning her head back, and closed her eyes again. Tears ran down her cheeks.

  “She stole more than you know. All our lives could have been so very different.”

  Illa shoved him forward. He looked at her, and she pointed with her chin to Ticca, giving him a do-something look.

  A realization came to him. She saw far more than we did of that alternate path. She must’ve learned that ceremony and Imperial protocol there. She knows clearly what could have been.

  He stepped forward and knelt down in front of Ticca, putting a hand on her shoulder. “I’m with you.” His mouth betrayed him. He should have sai
d, “We’re with you.”

  Ticca sobbed and grabbed him, pulling him into a strong hug and burying her face in his shoulder. She cried, mumbling something about her father, Illa, and him. He couldn’t understand what she was trying to say.

  Ditani moved beside her and placed his hands on their backs. Illa did the same on the opposite side. Nigan, Carda, and Malla all stepped up and put their hands on Ticca’s back.

  “We’re all here for you both,” Ditani said.

  They held the embrace for several minutes before Ticca pulled away. She stopped, her face inches from his. As their eyes met, his soul melted for her. He felt an energy between them that was much larger than they were. It was larger than life. In that moment, consequences ceased to matter.

  “Lebuin, I care for you far more than you can imagine. You must understand what I’m about to tell you here and now. Something happened to us in that flood of power when all that magic was directed to destroy us at that Nhia-Samri base. I think a part of our potential came out of that other realm and changed us. But I promised my father....” Tears flowed freely down her cheek as she choked to a stop. After swallowing, she continued, forcing the words out. “If that other possibility had come, we had a shared destiny. I will not be controlled by another’s desires, even if that person is myself from another realm. I know your feelings, and I admit we might yet have a shared destiny in this realm. But here and now, neither of us can be sure of our feelings. I need time, probably a lot of time. All I can offer you is my friendship, and if you want, you’re welcome to put your dagger out with me.”

  His heart pounded and tears pooled in his eyes. He knew that was the most important turning point. Lebuin swore to himself that he would earn Ticca’s true trust and love. Abandoning her was never an option. Even if she never came to love him as he loved her, he would stand by her and never let her doubt his support again.