He took a breath, and in as firm a tone as he could hold, as much as it hurt he said the right thing. “I know I have a lot to learn. And to prove to everyone. I’d be proud to call you my friend and to be part of your team.”
Ticca let her breath out. She’d been holding it, afraid of his reaction. He knew he’d won points, and the tally was finally going positive. She smiled, and his heart leapt at that.
He let her pull him to her for a solid hug, before she leaned back and wiped her eyes.
He’d completely forgotten about where they were, or who was there. Someone coughed, reminding him that he and Ticca weren’t alone. His face and ears burnt as he glanced around. The rest of the team was standing around, looking at them with smiles. Illa even nodded once to him.
Nigan patted his back. “Now that you two have worked that out, perhaps we can get back to saving the world.”
Ticca stood, and offered her hand to help him back up off his knees. He took her warm hand, and it was as if he felt lighter standing.
“Nigan’s right. Now is the time for work,” she said, sniffling and wiping her face on her sleeves.
“Now what?” Ditani asked.
“Right,” she said, putting her hands on her hips. She looked like a commanding officer should. The transformation was amazing. “I want to preserve this land. This new nation will be good for its people. We have to find a way to stop the slaughter that’s coming. That means both Duke and Shar-Lumen have to be stopped.”
Ditani said, “So now we fight both sides with Warlord Maru-Ashua at our side? He won’t raise a sword against Shar-Lumen. I’m sure they’ll back us against Duke.”
“Tactically,” Carda said, “we should deal with one side. Take the easiest one down and then deal with the other. Duke is more likely to listen to us. So I suggest we get Duke in on this plan, and then we can all head for Hisuru Amajoo in force.”
Ticca looked doubtful. “If I do this, do you think Shar-Lumen will surrender? Or listen with all those troops with us?”
“So we attack Shar-Lumen first?” Ditani asked.
Ticca said, “No. We let Maru-Ashua takes us there as prisoners, and we try to talk him down.”
Lebuin laughed. “Talk Shar-Lumen down? We’ll be thrown in his deepest dungeon. Probably tortured.”
Nigan and Illa nodded agreement.
“No, it won’t happen. Don’t forget, we’ll have fifty or so of my personal guard along for the ride. That might change things a bit.”
With a frown, Illa said, “They’ll be viewed as traitors and killed. We couldn’t stand against Hisuru Amajoo’s numbers.”
Ticca motioned for them to move and started for the doors, where the warlord was waiting. “I have an idea.”
Chapter 17
Journey’s Beginning
Ticca
Sweat poured down Ticca’s back. She’d never been so scared.
This was my idea. Stand tall, make it work.
‘Preparation with boldness overcomes many obstacles,’ said the voice of her trainer, Amia-Dharo, from her memory.
Dharo, I hope you’re right. There’s no maneuvering room for mistakes.
Warlord Maru-Ashua, flanked by General Hiri-Rula and Colonel Runa-Emry, walked in front of their group. Fifty Nhia-Samri warriors surrounded them. The arms of Lebuin, Ditani, Illa, Nigan, and Ticca were bound behind them. Lebuin had the bonus of leg shackles, and the magic prison collar.
I hope nothing goes wrong with Malla and Carda. They should get to the front line in two days and deliver my message to Duke. At least two of my team will survive my first big command.
The magic gate was just like the last. There was a slight pressure, like pushing through the surface of water, a mild shock, and then she was someplace else.
Ticca was struck by the implications. At twenty years old, not even a full year into her Dagger career, she was standing in Hisuru Amajoo, the fate of the world resting on the next few marks.
Everyone knew Hisuru Amajoo was big, but nothing prepared her for the scale. They stood before a pair of doors taller than the walls of Llino. The exterior fortress towers stood almost 1,000 feet tall and were 200 feet wide, with arched walkways between, hanging in the air.
Dozens of such towers surrounded a central one, which was 300 feet wide and extended into the sky well above the others.
Turning, she could see the valley, which was over fifteen miles wide. A single town was nestled in the center, encompassed by lush green farms and forests. Around the entire area, a heavy grey wall stood.
Ticca was pushed forward by the guards and marched into the fortress. Once through the main doors, they proceeded across the front lawn and up a set of polished stairs flanked by massive statues of panthers with growling open mouths showing full fangs. Each had a paw extended with claws out, ready to leap and kill.
The entry foyer was over fifty feet tall, with arched ceilings and patterns inlaid into the stone floor. Hundreds of Nhia-Samri officers collected around them as they were pushed into the throne room.
I never imagined the numbers. We could never fight free. I wonder if all the armies of the Alliance even have a chance of taking this place. Even if they did, the cost in lives would be too much. I can’t let this war continue.
She was brought before the throne, in which a man she knew well sat. Shar-Lumen hadn’t changed one bit from her visions with Kliasa. As she thought about the fact that he’d once been such a wonderful being, tears came to her eyes. He was twisted and lost. Even if he could be brought back to sanity, he’d never submit to being tended by the elves. He was so handsome, it was hard to imagine the atrocities he’d personally committed.
She almost laughed when her eyes dropped to his boots.
How did he manage to make those last 700 years? They look just a little more ragged than I remember, but that is serious stubbornness. If only Kliasa had managed to steal them and destroy them, he might be wearing the boots she made for him. Then he would’ve known she was waiting and might have been saved.
Shar-Lumen leaned forward in his throne. “So this is the Dagger General of Duke’s, who was supposed to find a clue to stop us in the ancient ruins of a dead land?”
His eyes traced over every person with them. The warlord had continued to step up onto the dais to stand at Shar-Lumen’s right side.
“Grand Warlord, I present Ticca of Rhini Wood, general of Lord Lebuin and a commander of the Duianna Armies. Lord Lebuin, of unknown origin, a Journeyman Mage in service to Lord Argos, and a deity. Runa-Illa, once Nhia-Samri, now first priestess of Lord Lebuin. Nigan of Eppon, Dagger in service to Lord Lebuin. And finally, Kiotiaditani, speaker of the tribes of Kiliua-ona, son of Lothia, the Raven and Lord Argos, servant of Magus Vestul.”
Shar-Lumen listened to Warlord Maru-Ashua’s introductions. He then stood and bowed. Every Nhia-Samri present also bowed.
Ticca looked at Lebuin, and he shrugged. So they waited.
Shar-Lumen flowed down the stairs. “You failed to mention one thing, Warlord. However, I forgive the oversight. I know she wishes to remain...” Shar-Lumen approached Ticca and stepped behind her, removing her shackles. He whispered into her ear, “...undiscovered. However, that will not do here, Your Majesty.”
He picked his voice up. “Remove their shackles. They are our guests.” He stepped before Lebuin as the guards removed all the chains. “Lord Lebuin, you’re truly a mystery. And...” He stepped over to Illa and lifted her chin to gaze into her eyes. “...very persuasive. I had great expectations for Runa-Illa. It seems her potential is appreciated by you, as well.”
He held out his hand to one of the warriors, who produced Runa-Illa’s odassi blades. Shar-Lumen drew both and held them before Runa-Illa.
Oh, no! What have I done?
Ticca and Lebuin moved together.
Four Nhia-Samri grabbed them and held them back.
“Don’t harm her!” Ticca shouted.
Shar-Lumen paused his inspection to look at Ticca. He spun the blades expertly in front of Runa-Illa and stopped. Lebuin’s color left him.
He’s tapping their power!
Shar-Lumen smiled, sheathed her blades, and then put them into Runa-Illa’s belt, in their proper place, with the air of a proud father.
“She has chosen freely.” He placed his hands on her shoulders. “I release you from all your Nhia-Samri vows. You’re not the traitor we thought, nor the corpse we feared.” He leaned over her, and whispered something in her ear before returning to the throne.
“I believe it’s time for all our guests to come together. We have much to decide before the Alliance’s war can be finished.”
Shar-Lumen motioned towards a pair of doors that opened by themselves. Through them was a ballroom chamber as impressive as the throne room. Ticca gasped when she saw Lady Lothia standing next to Sula and Magus Cune. All three of them wore collars similar to the one on Lebuin. With them stood another lady, and a man she didn’t recognize. The man looked thin and tired, and his clothes appeared to have been slept in. The lady was young and attractive. She had the olive complexion of a Gracian. Just behind her, dressed as a servant, was a short, stalky woman who moved more like a warrior than a servant.
Ticca took a closer look at the short woman’s face and put a name to it. Mandy, you’re a Dagger from the Dolphin. Probably assigned to guard the regent. Very well done, sticking to him.
The unknown lady’s mouth dropped open when she saw Ticca. Her eyes teared up, and her face went pale. She quickly recovered, drying her eyes with her index fingers.
I’ve never seen her before. I’m sure I’d recall someone like her, even if she was disguised. But she’s really shocked and happy to see me.
The guards pushed the three into the throne room. Shar-Lumen frowned. “Lord Regent Bayion, you could have availed yourself of the accommodations. There is no reason for this appearance.”
The man stood tall. “It’s to remind you that we’re your prisoners, not your guests. I shall not pretend otherwise.”
Shar-Lumen regarded the Aelargian regent briefly before ignoring him.
Shar-Lumen said, “And now, at last, I will have that which will change all. General Hiri-Rula, you reported that you recovered Magus Vestul’s journal from Lebuin’s possessions. Give it to me.” One of the guards produced it from a sack.
From all her experiences with Kliasa’s memories of Shar-Lumen, Ticca could see past the statue-like mask he wore. His eyes told her all she needed of his thoughts. They sharpened, locking onto the small book handed up to him. She’d never seen anyone long for something as Shar-Lumen did for that journal.
Sula jumped at it. “YOU’VE UNLOCKED IT! NO!”
A Nhia-Samri guard grabbed her and yanked her back to her spot, lifting a hand to strike her. Magus Cune body-slammed him out of the way. Two guards jumped Magus Cune, and three more drew their blades, racing for Sula.
“STOP!” Shar-Lumen ordered.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Ticca leaned to Lebuin, whispering, “You should’ve told me you finally opened that. What’s in it?”
He whispered back, “I didn’t mention it because I opened it a couple of days after we lost you. And there hasn’t exactly been a moment to discuss it since then. But there is nothing really important in it. It’s mostly a lot of details about making those soul image statues. There are also some maps of an island chain far to the west, a little north of the equator. The rest of it is about scrying and shielding from scrying.”
“Is that valuable?”
“Not that I could think of.”
“Another distraction?”
“Possibly.”
Once everyone was back in position, Shar-Lumen sat down in the throne and began to read the journal. At first, he had a happy smirk on his face, but soon that smirk vanished. As he read, his eyebrows got narrower. His face started to distort into a hard grimace. He flipped through it rapidly. He then stood and jumped down the stairs. He punched Lebuin, who flew backwards and landed with a grunt.
Ticca screamed, “NO!” but was ignored. Her heart pounded, and her mind raced, as she tried to figure out a way to help her partner.
“WHERE IS MAGUS VESTUL’S REAL JOURNAL?” Shar-Lumen’s violet eyes glowed in anger. “THIS IS NOT WHAT HE CARRIED TO LLINO!” He shook the journal violently, and threw it away.
Stamping towards Lebuin, Shar-Lumen drew his blades. He spun his blades around him in a pattern with such force and speed that they sang a high-pitched tune.
“STOP!” Ticca cried.
Lothia threw herself over Lebuin. “You cannot attack a child. If you want to fight, fight me.”
Magus Cune stepped forward. “No, fight me!”
Ditani called out, “Fight me!”
Illa was already in motion. She drew her odassi swords and spun to stand between Lebuin and Shar-Lumen. Their blades met with a series of explosive rings.
Sula stepped next to Ticca. She tapped Magus Vestul’s pouch, which the Nhia-Samri had emptied, but left hanging on her belt. “Do you still have the vanedicha?” she whispered to Ticca.
Why would she want the poison I got off the Knife? There’s no way to get him to drink it, let alone sniff it.
“Yes,” she whispered.
“Quick, give it to me.”
Ticca unlocked the dial on her pouch and rotated the control. She slipped her hand into the pouch, feeling for the vial on the end. Pulling it out, she glanced around. Everyone’s attention was on the fight. She slipped the vial to Sula.
Sula whispered, “You’re Damega’s progeny. You can hold your own against him. Embrace the chaos. Challenge him to a duel to end the war.”
She moved back next to Cune. Ticca reset the dial to the empty compartment and locked its position, just in case they went to search her pouch again.
Is she insane? If I lose, he knows who I am. That will give him the rights to take the Empire.
Illa was good, but no match for Shar-Lumen. As fast as the fight had started, it ended. With a rapid series of cuts, Shar-Lumen disarmed Illa and kicked her back. She fell over, smacking her head on the hard floor. She was clearly dazed. Shar-Lumen advanced over her, and raised his swords.
“I had such plans for you,” he growled.
Ticca’s gut wrenched sideways.
He’s going to kill her! Lords and Ladies, help me!
“LEAVE HER ALONE!”
Shar-Lumen turned to face her.
“Leave her. Fight me,” Ticca said.
“Why?”
“To end this war.”
Shar-Lumen smiled and lowered his swords. “Empress, is that a formal challenge? By the ancient right of the Empire, between two peers?”
Lord Bayion gasped, and turned to look at Ticca. A fraction of a second later, the lady next to him also gasped and did the same.
She stood tall and faced Shar-Lumen. “Yes. Let us spare our peoples. Let this be between us.”
Shar-Lumen scrutinized the room. “If your guards interfere, so shall mine.”
He knew! We never had a chance. This is playing right into what he wanted all along.
“They won’t.” She could feel the pulse in her neck as her heart pounded. She fought to hold the tears back as she realized how the scene had been arranged. Turning to each, Ticca acknowledged the participants. “Lady Lothia, you are witness for the Gods. Ditani, you are witness for the nations. Sula, you are witness for the temples. Nigan, you are witness for the Daggers. Magus Cune, you are witness for the mages. Lord Bayion, you are witness for the Alliance.”
Lebuin stood. “Ticca, if he wins, he can claim the Duianna
Empire.”
Shar-Lumen bowed. “Yes, that’s an added bonus. No one sane, or insane, wants deaths on the scale that would occur should the Alliance armies reach Hisuru Amajoo. This was supposed to be between the Alliance champion, in the form of Lord Dohma, and me. However, Ticca is a far better candidate.”
Shar-Lumen squared off with Ticca and stood tall. “Empress Ticca, I....”
Ticca held up her hand to stop him. “One condition.”
Shar-Lumen closed his mouth and raised an eyebrow.
“I require this to be a fair competition. You will fight me in the boots Kliasa made for you. Win or lose, those boots you have on now are mine.”
Shar-Lumen took a step backwards. His mouth dropped open, and his face went even paler. “How...?”
Ticca lifted her leg and slammed her foot down on the hard floor. Not even a whisper of a sound came from the action.
Shar-Lumen dropped to his knees and gaped at Ticca’s boots. “You.... Those.... How...?”
“I’ll wait while you fetch yours from your bedchamber.”
Shar-Lumen’s eyes locked onto hers. She could see the tumbling thoughts behind them.
I might have unnerved him enough to at least make this look good. Dear Kliasa, you saved my life numerous times over. I return the favor and give you a chance at your love, should I fail.
As Shar-Lumen’s stone face returned, he stood and stepped towards her, vanishing without a trace. The entire room gasped.
The warlord was by her side instantly. “Your Majesty.... Ticca, you take a tremendous risk. You cannot beat him. No one can.”
“I’ve been trained for this. I might not know the royal protocols, nor the ancient language, but this is something I do know.”
Lord Bayion came over, followed by the red-haired woman. “Can it be true? Are you really of the royal line?”
Thread Skein (Golden Threads Trilogy Book 3) Page 47