The Traitor

by A D Lombardo

  Below them, Baden Lake unfolded, dark and vast. Rain pelted his dragon face. He felt Rayna shiver. He pumped and pumped his wings up above the clouds out of the freezing winter weather.

  The fresh air filled Kai’s nostrils as he increased his speed, taking them higher. He felt the heat well in his throat, but he resisted the urge to belch fire. The heat of it washed back down his throat. He felt Rayna squeeze his warm neck. Her gratitude resonated with the stroke of her hands across his scales. They flew like this until he spotted land through the winter clouds.

  They were flying over the big island. It was a relief to know they were on target. The rain clouds parted, and he flew lower over the lake. He watched his dragon reflection on the water. His amber eyes blinked at the sight of his massive wingspan. He flexed his back. Dropping near the surface, he let his talon skim the waves. Water splashed his belly. Far in the distance, his dragon eyes spotted the shoreline blooming along the horizon.

  The approaching shore reminded Kai they must go unseen. Forcing his wings to beat harder, he climbed into the dark sky while he scanned the town of Albey and the woods to the north. A trail of lights trickled through the hills, leading deep into the forest.

  Ascending the Katori Mountains, he caught sight of a bright light illuminating a vast cave entrance. A man stood in silhouette—his grandfather, Benmar. Kai flew toward the cave and landed with a thud. Rayna and Smoke crawled down his back, and he returned to his proper form.

  Exhausted from the flight, Kai sat on the ground, collecting his bearings. Benmar touched Kai’s shoulder. “You mind telling me what is going on? The Katori Elders are in an uproar. Milnos and Diu soldiers attacked Davi’s community, and as I understand, you were there. Lucca is furious you left, by the way.”

  “Let him rest,” Rayna insisted, using her hands to collected energy and push it to Kai, recharging him.

  “Thank you, Rayna.” Kai’s raspy voice wavered. “Grandfather, did Davi’s people come home to Katori?” He searched his grandfather’s eyes, then he looked to Rayna to assess her mood.

  “They are slowly moving through the mountain,” Benmar acknowledged. “You should be here to witness Alenga’s blessings. The gift of sight returned to all so far, and some have powers as you would expect from a Katori born going through Conahspriga. Nobody knew Alenga would grant gifts to an adult after the time of Conahspriga passed. As I understand, many are settling into the new city between Matoku and Hiowind. A few left, to where I do not know.”

  Kai listened to the news about his friends. It was good to hear they would be safe on the Katori side of the mountains. “I appreciate you welcoming us here, and I hope you will take care of Rayna and Smoke, but I must return to Diu.”

  “Wait, return to Diu?” Rayna grabbed Kai’s hand. “Don’t you dare leave without me. Why did you bring me back? Is this about Nola?” She studied his face.

  The confusion in her eyes broke Kai’s heart. He knew he planned to leave her behind, breaking a promise to face whatever came their way together. But crossing destiny was his risk to take alone, and there was no time to explain what happened that night with Nola. Not now.

  Moonlight and tiny stars gleamed, bathing Kai with their power. His strength grew. Benmar stood and helped him to his feet. “Whatever your plan is, Kai, know that I will always be there. You are not alone in this. Let me help you.”

  Believing those words might have swayed Kai to alter his course, but deep down, he could not accept anyone else cared for Iver the way he did. Nobody understood that changing his father’s fate was up to him. “I will not put anyone else at risk.”

  A dark shadow drifted overhead, blocking out the stars. Kai sensed the approaching black dragon—Simone. Lucca slid from her back after she touched down, and Simone transformed at his side. Saying nothing, Simone escorted Rayna and Benmar toward the cave entrance, leaving Kai alone with his other grandfather.

  Lucca stared through the lingering silence. Kai could almost see his grandfather moderating his breathing to slow his racing heart before he spoke. Kai broke the silence. “Grandfather?”

  “I would ask where you have been, but I already know. Diu is no place for you, grandson.”

  Kai looked to the others standing in the distance; their backlit silhouettes offered no emotional support. “Lucca, I do not have time for idle conversation, nor do I wish you to chastise me. What do you want?”

  “I want to know what you’re planning. I wanted to believe you embraced the Katori way of life. I hoped you would give up the world on the other side, yet now I find you left without telling me. You nearly started a war with Milnos and Diu against Katori in order to save Davi, and then you returned to Diu for the Winter Festival, and now I see that you have been flying over Baden Lake against the Elder’s orders. I am aware King Iver is unwell and that he may soon die. Are you home for good, or do you mean to revisit him?”

  The question lingered for barely a moment.

  Kai clenched his jaw. “Seems to me you’re hiding behind your great mountains, protected by your cliffs and avoiding the world. You should know, there is nothing I will not do. Nothing, if it will save Iver. He is my father, and I will save him. Destiny is wrong and I know I can do this now.”

  “I do not want to fight. Not when we have come so far, you and I.” Lucca stepped toward Kai. “You speak of things you do not understand. You sound like a child. I have a nation to protect. All the Elders want is to protect our way of life. Our secrets are necessary.”

  “Stop trying to control everything and everyone!” Kai shouted. Irritation crawled over his skin. “Have you not learned your lesson? You tried to control my mother. Ryker. Keegan.”

  “I do what was best for my people,” Lucca hammered back. “I had no idea Keegan would turn out the way he did. He was a good boy when I introduced him to my daughter.”

  Months of pent-up resentment bubbled to the surface. Every bitter thought Kai ever had toward Lucca vomited from his mouth. “You did what was best for you. Years ago, after Keegan kidnapped my mother and she reappeared in Diu—married to Iver—you could have come to her and welcomed her back into your life. No, you shunned her and the outsiders that she chose. Not once did you ask what she wanted or why she hid.”

  Any peace between them was now shattered. There was so much at stake, and Lucca was still trying to control the outcome. Tired of holding back, he lashed out. “When I was old enough, you could have reached out to me. Iver would have understood; you were Mariana’s father. Instead, you kept secrets. You even tried to keep me from my birthright. You set the Guardians against me. Would you have cared if they’d killed Rayna— killed me?” Anger reverberated from his core. Kai clenched his fists and continued. “Why can’t you let me do this one little thing for myself? I know what I am doing—I can stop his death.”

  Lucca was unmoved. “I am sorry you feel this way. However, you cannot change what is meant to be. Iver’s fate is not in your hands.”

  “Don’t be so sure. I know now what destiny planned, but I am in control now, not Nola. I will change fate. I will save Iver.” Then Kai transformed into his silver dragon and disappeared into the night sky.

  Chapter 11

  Even Kings Die

  Kai circled the city, floating above the clouds. Yulia’s magic-induced storm still lingered, with thick clouds blocking the moonlit sky and covering Diu in snow. His dragon-wings floated on the wind. Round and round he went. His amber eyes focused on the king’s chamber. His father's room—Iver was alone. Dawn was coming, and he needed to land while the snow still fell.

  Kai dove through the night. He pushed his wings tight against his body, wind streaming around his aerodynamic form. At the last moment, he swept his wings wide, halting his descent. Seconds before his claws touched the balcony outside his father’s chamber, he transformed back into his proper form.

  His heart pounded with emotion. Kai thought of his father’s withered, frail body. Nola had denied him access to Iver’s chambers before, b
ut tonight he was determined to see his father. Even if this would be the last time, he wanted to say goodbye.

  Kai gathered his strength and gave one last prayer to Alenga to help him. “Please hear me, Alenga, change my fate. Let me save my father.”

  The pounding of his heart slowed, and he pulled the balcony doors open without a sound. The dank room smelled foul. Death lingered in every corner. Sickness dripped from the bedsheets. Studying his father’s gaunt and pale face, Kai approached and touched his father’s hand. Clammy.

  Iver opened his eyes. Hazy eyes peered up at Kai. “Son, is that you?” His raspy voice begged for an answer.

  Kai’s heart broke at the sight of this once great man. His muscular form was now skin and bone, near death. “Yes, father. I am back. Come to make you well.”

  Visions are a terrible thing: gift or curse, Kai was unsure. Knowledge is power, something he learned at an early age, but knowing did not necessarily tell him how to change things. Still, he was not prepared for this horrible moment etched across his spirit. Anxiety swelled, and his heart pounded violently. His hands trembled.

  No amount of preparation could squelch the sick feeling. Kai had to believe Alenga showed him the next moment, not to scare him, not to trap him, but to empower him. It was a risk to let the vision unfold. While he did not know who would wield his blade, he felt it necessary to let it play out. He thought of Riome’s seed planted as a key to free his mind.

  A key in the lock clicked and the door opened. Light from the hallway cut through the room, blinding him momentarily. The silhouette stepped forward, and Kai saw Nola’s familiar form. Kai turned his face towards his father. It was time. He leaned on the bed to listen to Iver’s labored breathing.

  “How did you get in here?” she snarled, but then she closed the door, and Kai heard her lock it.

  The room swelled and Kai felt a thickness press on his mind. “You came, my dear,” Nola spoke with a new tenderness. “We have longed for this moment. Remember the commitment you made, and the promise hidden deep within your mind. I am your queen, and you promised to be true.” She approached and leaned into his side.

  His mind felt like it was drowning in the lilt of her voice. The memory of a command given. All the seeds within his mind bloomed at once. Obey—Kill the king—Choice—Save the king. Her warm hand pressed into his shoulder and slid down his arm; together, they withdrew the dagger from the scabbard on Kai’s hip. He felt the energy flow from her touch.

  Kai thought about the blade in his hand, and he felt her guiding him. “I remember, my queen, all the words you told me.”

  She squeezed his hand with her own. Fear and faith battled within Kai’s soul. Then he heard these words again. Riome’s face, Nola’s face, Nola’s voice:

  See the light dance in my eyes; I lead you by the hand.

  Unravel the string to break the ties, there is power in a grain of sand.

  Time does not wait for thee; remember, I am not your kind.

  Before the hands of time stop; unlock the key to free your mind.

  Candlelight flashed across his blade. The palm of his hand began to sweat as Nola’s grip tightened. The memory of her words continued to guide his will. The tightness in his soul loosened. A tiny speck of light awoke his mind. Broken were the ties of her commands.

  I love my father.

  He angled the point downward and tried to resist Nola by pulling the blade away from his father, but her white-knuckle grip forced the dagger forward. Kai pulled it back again; his mind became cloudy and lacked focus. Nola leaned into him, and he felt a strange power press against his mind. The dagger eased toward Iver again. Kai felt her breath on his ear. “Make this easy, Kai.”

  Riome’s warning echoed in his mind.

  You may never be free of her.

  Before he could stop her, she plunged the knife into Iver’s rib cage to the hilt. He felt the warm blood oozing from the wound. His mind suddenly free, he gleaned the injury; she had missed the heart.

  I am sorry, father.

  Nola yanked the blade free. Her vile green eyes glared at Kai. Her lip curled into a sly grin. “You’ve made this too easy, Kai. Thank you.” Nola ran and opened the door; the blood-covered blade glinted in the light from the hallway.

  “HELP! HELP! The king is dead. Murderer! TRAITOR!” she yelled for all to hear. “Kai has murdered the king!” She held the knife in the air.

  Behind him on the wind, Kai heard a voice.

  Run, boy. Fly away.

  Was he hearing voices now? The open balcony beckoned, but there was no one there. He could not very well transform into a dragon and fly away with Nola watching. From the hall, dogs barked and men shouted. Without a moment to lose, Kai shoved Nola through the doorway. She fell to the floor. Kai bolted down the hallway with the guards and Nola in pursuit. Tears ran down his face as he punched the first set of guards and kicked them away, darting down the stairwell. More men charged him on the next landing, and others descended with Nola hot on their heels.

  “Take him!” she ordered. “Kai killed the king!”

  Two men blocked his path, swords drawn, bringing Kai to a halt. Before he could disarm one of them, a Mryken guard dog pounced against his backside, knocking him into the wall. The beast latched onto Kai’s arm, and Kai yelled in pain as the animal’s teeth dug into his skin. He reached out with his mind to call the dog off. The Mryken let go and stood next to Kai, but it did not matter—more men charged him.

  From behind, someone punched Kai in the head, pitching him forward. His vision filled with stars as another man landed a strike to his ribcage. He fought back but there were too many. Guard after guard surrounded him, swords at the ready. The Mryken growled in Kai’s defense and Kai ordered the beast to stand down.

  “Arrest him!” Nola handed the guard the blood-soaked blade, Kai’s initials on the hilt.

  Heartbroken, Kai’s eyes fell into a trance as he looked down at his blood-stained hands. He had done it—killed his father. The voices of the guards swarming around him echoed distantly in his head. One guard shackled his wrists, then two men yanked him by the arms and hauled him down the hallway. He remembered little of the winding stairwell to the dungeon. Even as they removed his chains and his sad form crashed onto the cold stone floor, he was still in shock.

  Above him, he heard the chiming of bells—death bells for his father. The thought made him retch until he dry-heaved and collapsed in the corner. He pressed his hand to his broken heart and felt his crystal beneath his shirt. His little piece of Katori, missed by the careless guards. He removed the chain and tucked it into a hidden leather pocked hidden within this boot.

  Guards outside his cell speculated, but he did not have the will to listen to their rumors. “Did you really kill the king?” one of them asked with a laugh.

  Recognizing their Milnosian accent, Kai stared frozen at a dark spot on the floor. These men were not from Diu, and they most likely were here because of Regent Maxwell. Confiding in any of these men would not serve him well.

  They did not leave him for long. A beast of a man entered his cell, all muscle and mass. Kai noticed a tattoo on his arm—the Milnos raven and an iron skull, this man belongs to the Iron Skulls. Kai gulped in fear backing away from the man, but it did not matter. The guard beat him more than questioned him, and the few words he did say were thick with Milnosian brogue. Kai took his beating in stride; he cared little for his own life now. There was nothing worth living for now that Iver was dead and the Katori would no longer trust him. He was even sure Rayna would hate him for abandoning her—again.

  The next man to enter Kai’s cell took a different approach, asking him how he could murder his own father. The man wore a Diu captain’s uniform, but he had no sword on his hip. His seasoned gray hair and chiseled jawline held a controlled demeanor and reserved tone. Still, Kai kept his eyes on his hands. He could not face this man.

  “Speak, boy. Why did you kill the king? I was hoping you could speak to me, or they will sen
d in another to beat the answers out of you. Who helped you enter the king’s chambers? Where have you hidden Iver’s body?”

  Kai’s silence infuriated the captain, but still Kai said nothing. The man’s questions danced around his head but made little sense. No tears fell; he was empty. Nothing felt right. How could he have failed? He had been so certain he could change his destiny, that he could change Iver’s fate and save them both. Was this punishment for challenging fate? How could this vision be any different than saving Drew or anyone else?

  Nevertheless, every hour they sent in a man to beat or question him. Over time their words seemed jumbled and unreal. He felt numb and broken, inside and out. By the time a familiar face came into Kai’s cell, he could hardly see. His eyes were swollen, his ribs broken, his entire body ached, but he did not care. He wanted to lay down and die. He deserved to die.

  “Sorry I did not come sooner,” he heard Cazier's voice echo across the stone cell. “The queen is distraught over the loss of Iver, but I know it is all show. She called the council together, demanding the guards walk us through what happened. Meanwhile, the Regent had the freedom to oversee your questioning, and this is the first time they let me through.” He paused, then asked, “What happened, Kai? All you had to do was stay in Katori or hide in my tower until we had our proof from Milnos.”

  A warm tear rolled down his bruised cheek. “You wouldn’t understand,” Kai started, “I thought I could . . .” He coughed, and a sharp pain stabbed him in the side.

  “Riome warned you not to return. Unless you give me something, I doubt I can help you, “Cazier pleaded, lowering his head to Kai. “Who helped you get back into the palace? Did you use the secret passageways, but more importantly, who was with you? Confide in me, and I may yet help you.”

  Tears streaked through the dried blood around Kai’s puffy eyes, and he tasted it on his lips. He coughed blood, trying to speak. The look on Cazier’s face was utter disbelief. As Kai tried to lift his head from the stone floor, he felt dizziness take hold, and he blacked out.