Thread Skein (Golden Threads Trilogy Book 3)

by Leeland Artra

  Before she could answer, Shar-Lumen reappeared. He wore an elegant pair of boots etched in silver that mirrored the inlays of his armor. In his hands were the old, scraggy boots he’d just been wearing. He held them out to Ticca.

  She took them and then handed them to Hiri-Rula. “Burn these to ash now.”

  Hiri-Rula had raised eyebrows, but she didn’t comment. She walked over to one of the large braziers and dropped the boots in. Lifting her hands, she said something as her necklace shined. The boots went up in flames.

  Shar-Lumen was staring at the boots, but his eyes were looking through them, to something beyond.

  “Kliasa’s will serve you better. Keep those on always.”

  Shar-Lumen’s brows were tight. “Why should you care?”

  “That’s my business. Shall we?”

  He bowed and stepped back to the middle of the room. “Give Ticca her weapons.”

  Sula moved out from the side with a silver tray. On it were two glasses. She stepped to the center of the floor. “What are the terms?”

  Shar-Lumen said, “To end the declared war between the Duianna Alliance and the Nhia-Samri. Between the acknowledged rulers of both nations. Till one combatant cannot continue.”

  Sula asked Ticca, “Do you agree to the terms, Empress Ticca Duianna?”

  “I agree,” Ticca said.

  Sula looked at Shar-Lumen. “You are the challenged. Name the weapons of choice.”

  “Odassi, sword, and dagger.”

  Sula asked Ticca, “Do you accept?”

  “Yes.”

  “Empress Ticca Duianna, choose your glass.”

  So that’s why she wanted the vanedicha and the formal challenge. Is this right? Should I warn him? Her instincts warred within her. The glasses looked identical. There was no way to tell and no indication from Sula which she should pick.

  I’m a Dagger. I must do what is right. But poisoning Shar-Lumen? Is that right? The answer depends on whether or not I can beat him in a fair fight. If I get lucky, yes. But really, no. Not yet. I might be able to beat him in a few more years, after I’ve fought dozens of better warriors and gotten less ‘wooden’. As my trainer always said, ‘Be thankful when luck happens, but don’t count on it.’ All right, it isn’t fair, but it is the right thing to do for the Empire. I have to stop this war somehow.

  She calmly reached up, and just as her hand came level, she saw the sign she knew had to be there. The crystal glasses were etched with the Nhia-Samri symbol of the growling panther against the sun. The glass closest to her was turned so that the panther was almost in profile, leaving only a portion of the circular sun, while the glass closer to Shar-Lumen was facing her squarely, showing the entire Nhia-Samri panther symbol.

  The one almost in silhouette against the eclipse is as close to the Duianna seal as she could get with these glasses. That one is mine.

  She took the glass closest to her. Sula didn’t blink, flinch, or react. She simply turned to Shar-Lumen.

  “Grand Warlord Shar-Lumen, take your glass.”

  He picked up his glass and raised it high. “To an end that brings our people a bright future.”

  Ticca raised hers, as well. “To a peaceful future.”

  They both drank the wine down. It was sweet, and it burnt all the way down, but it didn’t stop there. For a moment, Ticca thought she’d picked the wrong glass. The burning rushed out through her body and down every limb. But instead of cold numbness, it brought a feeling of renewal and energy.

  They put the glasses back down on the tray, and Sula moved away.

  Shar-Lumen drew his blades. “Empress, these are not from your royal guard. I hope you weren’t counting on them stopping me.”

  She pulled her dagger and sword. An unexpected flare of power surged down her arms. The black sword she’d taken from the Knife didn’t react, but her uncle’s dagger did. The blade flared with a golden light, and the hounds on the hilt shimmered with glowing, silver eyes.

  Shar-Lumen raised an eyebrow at the dagger. “I thought that was just a copy. This will be interesting indeed.”

  He didn’t give her time to ask what he meant. He lunged in, his leading blade shooting for her chest. She twisted out of the way and brought her sword up, parrying his second. The clash sent shivers down the blade and into her bones.

  Before she could change her parry to an attack, he stepped in closer, swinging his back foot under her as his blades screamed with the speed of his cut.

  She pushed herself backwards, under the blades’ path, and leapt, floating between the two attacks. As she started to fall, she twisted to the left, chopping down towards the floor with the sword, while thrusting at him with her dagger.

  A howl of rage came from her dagger as it rocketed towards Shar-Lumen. He twisted sideways, and the dagger slid past, scraping her knuckles on his armor.

  She pushed up with the hand on the floor with a strength she didn’t know she had, causing her to fly up, cartwheeling in the opposite direction.

  Shar-Lumen dropped one hand back to catch the floor and snapped to standing, bringing a blade forward and thrusting at her. She saw it coming and snapped her head to the side, letting the sword brush past, cutting some of her hair.

  She finished the cartwheel and brought the sword along the same path, adding to its spinning momentum, to bring it back across. Shar-Lumen was forced to parry it with the edge of his sword.

  She took advantage of her size and brought her leg up, kicking him backwards. He recovered and danced around her. Ticca kept her stance open and balanced.

  Shar-Lumen attacked, slashing his blades downward. She brought her own blades together in a cross block. The strike was as light as a feather. Shar-Lumen’s blades only touched the edges of hers before he pulled them back up and swung them around, spinning them in a circle, slashing up. Caught off-guard by the feint, she leapt backwards, barely managing to dodge.

  Shar-Lumen didn’t give her time to recover. He lunged in. Years of training reflexes saved her. Her sword dipped, parrying his blade enough to let her dodge sideways.

  She snapped back, realigning her feet. As her balance recovered, she slashed at him with the sword while holding the dagger back defensively.

  Shar-Lumen popped back to guard and easily parried her attack with the back of his blade. He brought his other blade up, slicing for her neck.

  Ticca leaned the opposite way of his slice, avoiding the strike. She stepped around, and she kicked him in the shin. He moved away, eliminating the force of her kick.

  As he came back to face her, his arm was slightly behind. He used the momentum of the spin, adding to his strength, bringing one of his blades in a downward strike.

  She had nowhere to go. Ticca tensed up and brought her blades up in a cross. That time, it was not a feint. Their blades rang, and sparks flew. The force slammed her down to her knees.

  Both her arms screamed in pain. She was in trouble. Shar-Lumen didn’t give her pause. He slashed at her with his other blade. Ticca bent backwards, going flat on the floor with her knees under her. Shar-Lumen’s blades shrieked as they cut the air over her.

  As soon as his blade had passed, she slapped the floor with both elbows and jumped up to get her feet back under her. Shar-Lumen turned the failed attack into a spinning kick that hit her in the chest. She felt her feet leave the ground as she flew.

  She arched herself backwards, in line with her momentum, bringing her hands over her head. Gripping her sword and dagger, she used the knuckles of a couple of her fingers to control the reverse somersault. She landed with her rear foot on the first step of the dais.

  She quickly stepped back to Shar-Lumen as he stepped into her range. She sliced with her sword. He lifted one of his blades up, blocking the attack with the back of it.

  He spun his blade
, entangling hers, forcing it up, and bringing his other blade in for a thrust to her exposed chest.

  Ticca twisted to the left, bringing her dagger up. Sparks flew as her blade engaged his, knocking it just far enough out of alignment to pass by her safely.

  He was overextended, and she whipped her dagger back at him, reversing it in motion. It connected, with her dagger sinking an inch through his shoulder armor, stabbing him.

  Gasps came from all around.

  Shar-Lumen jerked backwards, pulling himself free of her blade. Bright yellow liquid, which turned sullen orange, oozed from the wound.

  He grimaced as he went en garde. Ticca knew he wasn’t done and quickly brought herself en garde, too. Shar-Lumen’s eyes bore into her.

  Ticca heard her trainer’s voice. ‘Steady, calm, wait for the right moment.’

  Shar-Lumen glanced at his shoulder. He stepped in, swinging his blades in a pattern she knew instantly. She countered as fast as he moved. They exchanged several nicks as they went through variations of the fighting patterns. It was as if he was testing her.

  He moved in and out. Every time she was too slow, his blades cut into her skin. Their arms, necks, and legs were covered in a mix of her red blood and his sullen orange.

  His attacks were sticking stringently to the fighting patterns taught to Daggers. However, Ticca had to use a mix of elven tactics, as well as several others she knew, to hold him off because of his raw speed and power.

  Then he changed. He no longer followed any pattern. His blades sang in and out in a ballet of motion. Ticca parried everything. Her strength was reaching her limits, and they both knew it. Still, she fought on.

  I have to relax like I did before. Release, calm, find my center.

  She controlled her breathing, and she felt a core of power form at her center. She rotated, spun, and leapt, using it as a balance. Her swords began riposting against his attacks.

  You forgot one of the best Dagger rules. ‘Don’t waste time in a fight. End it as fast as possible, or else you might lose by example.’

  Shar-Lumen had been testing her, wasting time, letting her learn from him. That’s when she realized what her trainer had always complained about. She had been wooden, stuck in the patterns. But she saw the balance, the core, and at her center was a mass of energy she could push off of, pull herself to, and use to control herself.

  She shifted her stances and moved up and down. Taking advantage of her smaller size, lower mass, and female flexibility, she fought. Shar-Lumen was put on the defensive.

  The chance came, and she didn’t hesitate. She allowed one of his thrusts to cut her side deeply. The pain shot through her, but it wasn’t a critical strike. By not parrying, her dagger was left clear to slam into his chest. The hounds howled a hunting cry as the dagger flared with power, slicing through his armor, digging deeply into his chest.

  Shar-Lumen fell backwards, his grip ripping his one sword back out of her side painfully. His arms spread as he fell, dropping his swords. He brought his empty hands to his chest to cover the wound. Yellow and orange blood flowed from his chest spilling on the floor quickly turning dark orange. His hands started to glow, but they faded. He coughed more blood covering his lips and chin.

  He motioned for her to come closer. Cautiously, she leaned down. He grabbed the back of her head and pulled her down, so he could whisper in her ear.

  “I’m too weak. Honor the treaty, and let our nation stand. Protect our people.” His mouth was so close to her that his blood rubbed off his chin onto her cheek. The strong salty sweet smell of his blood filled her nose.

  Tears burst forth, and she sobbed as she wiped his mouth clean. “I’m so sorry. Kliasa waits for you. Go to her. We dreamed you could have used the soul statue of her in Llino to bring her back. And I wished for that so hard for her.”

  He stared at Ticca, and his brows furrowed. His eyes moved back and forth rapidly as he thought through something. His coughing continued as he said, “I name... First Warlord... Maru-Ashua... my successor. ...Make Ashua....” His coughing became uncontrollable as more blood surged out of his mouth.

  Ticca put his head in her lap and cried over him. Everyone gathered, encircling them. Shar-Lumen stopped coughing, looking up at her, as if he was trying to control his dying body. His breathing became shallow, and he closed his eyes.

  Just when she thought he was gone, Shar-Lumen spit some bright yellow blood out, reached up, and pulled her down again. He whispered, “Make Ashua...drink the water. He’s...true son of Duianna...like you.... I can feel her... I can see her. Thank you, my Empress. I....”

  Then he breathed no more.

  After carefully placing Shar-Lumen’s head on the ground, she stood. “Open the doors and summon all the officers.”

  Dozens of Nhia-Samri ran to obey.

  Ticca walked up to the throne and sat in it. “Remove all their restraints. Our guests are allowed to leave or stay as they wish. Fetch an appropriate coffin for Shar-Lumen. I want his body placed on the right side of the dais. Warlord Maru-Ashua, you are to stand here on my right.”

  Sula approached and bowed. “May I provide healing for you, Your Majesty?”

  “No, not yet.”

  Lady Lothia was talking to Lebuin, and they turned to Sula.

  Before they said a word, Sula nodded. “Yes, I was given similar information. I’m aware of my mother’s actions.”

  “Lebuin has proofs Dalpha was responsible for Elraci. Shar-Lumen was well within his rights to execute her,” Lady Lothia said.

  Nhia-Samri officers were flooding into the vast throne room, as were a number of people dressed in fine robes, but with no weapons.

  Warlord Maru-Ashua bent to Ticca, looking at Lothia, Sula, and Lebuin. “Empress. The gods will execute all of us for our knowledge of Elraci.”

  She put her head in her hands and leaned sideways in the chair. She was weak and tired, and hadn’t even finished clearing one problem up, and already more issues were climbing onto her back.

  I do not want this. I am a Dagger. I can do more good as a Dagger.

  “Lord Lebuin. Please approach.”

  Lebuin left his conferral with the other gods and walked up to her and the warlord.

  Ticca said to Maru-Ashua, “Now is not the time for secrets. Tell Lebuin what the Nhia-Samri know of Elraci, and he might be able to prevent any punitive actions.”

  Maru-Ashua bowed to her. “I obey, Grand Warlord.” Turning to Lebuin, he said, “I beg this does not go far. The Nhia-Samri are what remains of the Elracian society. We have lost much in knowledge and skills. Seven hundred years ago, Shar-Lumen discovered, or was approached by, those who remained. Together they built this fortress and brought their knowledge here. Shar-Lumen was attempting to preserve that nation. The whole society predates this world. And now, once again, we are a nation with a voice. However, we desire to quietly bring our gifts and knowledge back.”

  Ticca felt as if the floor had just dropped out from beneath her.

  That explains a lot.

  “Do you have proofs of this?” Lebuin asked.

  “We do.”

  “I believe you. You cannot share your knowledge outside of your nation. I require safeguards to allow trade with the other nations. But Ticca and I have seen the possibility of letting your nation thrive, and I want to see that future. I will so inform the gods, and I will ensure the Circle puts protections to prevent tampering with your society.”

  With creased brows, the warlord asked, “Who are you?”

  “No secrets,” Lebuin said, smiling. “I am the grandson of Lord Argos and Lady Lothia. I am the keeper of Elraci. I alone dictate the gods’ laws on Elracian knowledge. This knowledge you will protect as much as you protect the secrets of your origins.”

  Maru-Ashua’s jaw dropped.


  Ticca giggled and said, “Get control. We still have to convince the Alliance and Duke. But first, we have to find Duke and get to him.”

  The fifty officers who came with Ticca from Lumendaria stood as honor guard to the sides of the throne. They all looked fiercely at the Nhia-Samri officers who filled the throne room.

  To the side was Lady Lothia, who once again floated above the floor. Lady Sula stood regally with Magus Cune to her right. Lebuin stood to Ticca’s left, next to the throne. And Lord Bayion stood with the red-haired woman, whom no one had bothered to introduce in all the excitement.

  Shar-Lumen’s body rested on a panther’s fur with his blades crossed in his hands. His head was on a silver pillow. Someone had wiped most of the orange blood away, but a little had oozed out since and was turning even darker orange.

  Ticca stood. “By the ancient Imperial right of formal challenge of peers, witnessed by the gods, the mages, the Alliance, and the Nhia-Samri,” she said, gesturing to the body, “I have bested Grand Warlord Shar-Lumen. The Nhia-Samri nation now belongs to me, Empress Ticca Ethulin, true daughter of Duianna, and through me, owes allegiance to the Duianna Empire. Swear it!”

  A thousand odassi blades came out, ringing together as they were crossed. All of the officers dropped to their knees, blades crossed before them. “I am yours to command! Command me!” they called out, causing the entire room to reverberate in the echoes.

  Ignoring the pang in her side, Ticca drew her dagger, spinning it around her hand dramatically, and held it high. The blade bloomed with a golden flare, and the call of hunting hounds could be heard.

  “From this day forward, the Nhia-Samri shall be the guardians of the Duianna Empire. You shall not take any commission or action that would harm the Empire or the Alliance.”

  The room remained on their knees, but they shouted as one. “Yes, sir!”

  Ticca pointed to the Nhia-Samri around her. “These are your generals now. Only someone selected to hold an ancient blade of the Nhia-Samri may hold the rank of general. Do you understand?”