Blades of the Old Empire

by Anna Kashina

  Evan spread his hands. “But, for Shal Addim’s sake, our feud with the Cha’ori goes back to the Holy Wars. Their seat in the council chamber is a historic relic, no more.”

  “Nonetheless, their chair still has a place at the table.”

  “Couldn’t we just remove it by a special decree?”

  Mother Keeper shook her head. “Council seats can only be removed by a unanimous vote of the full assembly, Majesty. The reverend included.”

  “But how in the world would we ensure their support? They won’t let our messengers within an arrow’s flight of their camps!”

  “Actually…” Kyth began.

  All heads turned to him.

  “I’m sure if I go they would at least listen.”

  “But–”

  “I’ve met the Cha’ori before,” Kyth went on. “Back when Ellah, Alder, Kara and I traveled from the Forestlands to the Crown City so that I could take my place by your side, father. We rode with their hort for a while. A Cha’ori wisewoman even gave me a medallion to wear. I’d say if you send me, father, we do have a chance. Besides, what do we have to lose?”

  “Your Highness has a point there,” Brother Bartholomeos said.

  The king shook his head. “Too dangerous, son. This morning you were attacked in this very castle. What do you think would happen if you go all the way to the Grasslands?”

  “Even in this very castle,” Kyth said, “the only one who could defend me was Kara. Without her, I would be just as vulnerable here as anywhere else.”

  “But Kara is due to return to the Majat Guild.”

  Kyth shrugged. “So, I’ll make a detour. I’ll go with her to the Majat Guild and hire her back. There’s enough time.”

  “Barely. Besides, she may already be bound to a new assignment. You know the Majat rules.”

  “I’ll bring Raishan with us. If there is indeed an assignment waiting, I’ll suggest him as a replacement. He shares Kara’s rank and should be as good in every respect.”

  “How can you be sure that Kara can resist these attackers again? Or that Raishan is not immune to them as well?”

  “If I may speak, Your Majesty,” Magister Egey Bashi interrrupted, “I think Prince Kythar is right. We already know Kara can resist them, and Raishan is an unknown quantity. It’s worth a try.”

  “Hiring a Diamond by name costs triple,” Brother Bartholomeos said.

  “If Kara can indeed resist the Kaddim, it’s worth the money.”

  The king hesitated. “You really believe it will work, Magister?”

  “With your permission,” the Keeper said, “I will accompany Prince Kythar. I’ve dealt with the Majat before. Perhaps I could be of assistance in the negotiations.”

  Kyth nodded. “I would be grateful, Magister. I believe Alder and Ellah should also come. The Cha’ori know them. Their presence might be of help once we get to the Grasslands.”

  “Actually, Highness,” Mother Keeper said. “I was hoping your friend Ellah could come with me.”

  “Ellah?” Kyth stared. “Why?”

  Mother Keeper gave him a long look. “I have been watching her for a while. She has an interesting ability – I want to learn more about it.”

  “Ability? Do you mean magic?” Kyth shook his head in disbelief. Ellah was one of the most normal people he knew. Surely Mother Keeper was mistaken.

  “If you don’t mind, Highness,” Mother Keeper said, “I’ll have her come to my chambers later tonight. If I can convince her, I’d be glad of her company. If not, no harm done.”

  “You don’t need my permission, Mother Keeper,” Kyth said. “Ellah is a free person.” With enough mind for two. He was curious how this meeting would go. Would Ellah actually choose to travel with Mother Keeper rather than coming with him and Alder?

  One way or the other, he’d know soon enough.

  Brother Bartholomeos rose. “We have no time to lose. I’ll start the arrangements for the official royal trains to accompany Your Majesty and the Prince. Fifty riders of the Kingsguard and–”

  “No need,” Evan said. “I’d rather we keep our trips a secret. His New Reverence seems to have too long a nose.”

  “But–”

  “Don’t argue with your king, Holy Brother. The prince will need no other protection but the two Diamonds. As for myself, I will travel in disguise with a small retinue, under the Pentade’s guard. Let the reverend think I am still here.”

  “How exactly do you intend to avoid being recognized, Your Majesty?”

  Evan shrugged. “You’d be surprised how little people notice. If Mother Keeper is indeed set on going with me, I could travel, for instance, as a stableman.”

  “A stableman?”

  “I’m not that good with horses, but with a certain amount of humility, I believe I can pass.”

  Mother Keeper smiled. “That is possible, perhaps. I could assume the identity of Lady Eyandala Ellidorm, a lesser noble house of the Illitand Clan. I do share kinship and likeness with that house. And you, Odara, can be my handmaiden.”

  Odara Sul bowed her head, but Kyth saw her frown before she lowered her eyes.

  “We must all leave as soon as possible,” Magister Egey Bashi said, “if we are to make it back for the High Council. With Your Majesty’s permission, on my way back from the Majat Guild I would also like to make a detour to the Holy City and find out more about the circumstances of Father Cyrros’s election.”

  The king nodded. “Every bit of information would help, Magister,” he said. “But this may be a challenging task for a scholar like you. Perhaps more of a military force–”

  “The Magister has been on such missions before,” Mother Keeper put in. “He’s very resourceful and, importantly, he can blend in. I assure you, Your Majesty, that there isn’t a better man we could send.”

  The King spread his hands. “I’ll trust your decision on this, Mother Keeper. Besides, there seems to be very few we could trust with such a mission. So be it. And with that, shall we conclude our gathering?”

  As they made their way along the passageway Evan fell in pace with Kyth, leading him away from the others. The Pentade followed, five noiseless figures blending in with the shadows.

  “You must be careful, Kyth,” the King said quietly. “Don’t let your feelings for Kara get in the way. A thing like this could give your enemies an easy advantage over you.”

  Kyth felt color creeping into his cheeks. He didn’t feel like discussing this, especially when the Majat were so close by and could probably hear every word. In the depth of his heart he also knew that his father was right. He couldn’t allow his feelings for Kara to stand in the way of his mission.

  Yet, how could he possibly let them go?

  6

  A CUP OF TEA

  Ellah paused in front of the heavy double doors leading to the Keepers’ quarters. She frowned and looked over her outfit before raising her hand to the massive wooden handle. It was her favorite dress, green with a brown bodice. Probably too simple for this audience, but wearing it made her feel more like herself. If the Keepers had anything to say about her looks, let them say it to her face.

  Raising her chin high, she opened the door and stepped inside.

  Two women sat in deep armchairs beside a fire. A third chair across from them was empty. A tray with a steaming teapot and three cups occupied a small table in between. As Ellah walked across the floor, one of the women turned and beckoned toward the empty chair. Ellah approached, trying to look confident, and lowered onto the corner of the soft seat.

  Only now did she realize that the woman who beckoned her was Mother Keeper. Without her white robe she looked just like an ordinary woman with a kind face and thick graying hair.

  Seated on her left was Odara Sul, wearing a loose soft dress of washed-out blue. Her hair coiled rope-like around her head. As Ellah looked at it, she imagined a tiny strand worm its way into the coil and smoothe itself against the shiny dark mass. She shivered.

  “Make yoursel
f comfortable, child,” Mother Keeper said. “Have some tea.”

  She poured the tea and handed a cup to Ellah. A breath of fragrant steam met her face, coating her skin with a warm mist. Ellah took a careful sip. The tea had a heady flavor that made her feel lightheaded.

  “I can see you have questions.” Mother Keeper’s quiet, tranquil eyes rested on Ellah.

  There was no challenge in this gaze, but Ellah still felt she was being tested. She sat up straight and turned to Odara Sul. “Why does your hair move?” Her voice came out louder than intended, echoing clearly in the large room.

  Odara Sul smiled. “I was experimenting with a new elixir. It’s a revitalizer that can bring dead tissues back to life. It was meant to heal wounds. Very serious wounds. But I didn’t realize at the time that the substance has more effects than we anticipated.”

  Ellah held her gaze. Some of these words were not familiar to her. Tissue. Revitalizer. It was perhaps part of the test, but Ellah knew better than to play by their rules.

  “Can you control the way it moves?” she asked.

  Odara Sul shrugged. “Not quite. But it’s getting better. For the most part now I can make it go still when I really want to. But it’s hard.”

  Ellah looked at the hair with fascination. “Is that what Keepers do? Invent new elixirs?”

  “Among other things.” Odara Sul glanced at the Mother Keeper as she spoke. Ellah did her best to keep her face straight and took another sip from her cup. A rich, herbal taste rolled through her mouth. The wind echoed on the outside of the thick window panes, dancing with the leaves in the garden and rippling the mirrored waters of the Crown Lake beneath the castle walls.

  With a start, Ellah came back to her senses and noticed the two women looking at her intently. She carefully put her cup back on the table.

  “What did you put in my tea?” she demanded.

  Mother Keeper smiled and set down her own cup. “This tea comes all the way from the Eastern Empire. You can never get such a flavor from the teas grown in Tahr Abad or Bengaw. I myself enjoy it immensely. Yet, I can assure you, child, that there is nothing in this tea that would affect your mind.”

  Ellah regarded her with caution. Surely, what she felt right now couldn’t be a coincidence. “You didn’t answer my question. About what Keepers do.”

  Mother Keeper nodded. “What we do cannot be explained in one simple conversation. But I can try. Our name, Keepers, used to be longer. We used to be called ‘Keepers of the Book of Knowledge’. That’s what we are, but very few people remember it now. Back in our stronghold, the White Citadel, we study the Book of Knowledge and attempt to unravel its many mysteries for the benefit of mankind. We also try to preserve unique abilities that humans possess, and to make certain that these abilities are properly developed. And this, child, is why you are here. We sensed an ability within you that is quite unique.”

  Ellah sat up straight. “Ability? You mean magic?”

  Mother Keeper smiled.

  “I have no such ability!” What was this woman accusing her of? Ellah glanced at the door, prepared to jump up and run out of the room, but something in Mother Keeper’s gaze held her in place.

  “There’s no need to be afraid, child,” Mother Keeper said.

  “I’m not afraid!” Blessed Shal Addim, what did I get myself into? Yet, she remained in her chair. She had a unique ability, Mother Keeper said. She, an ordinary girl, too skinny and sharp-featured to be attractive, was being called unique by this woman, who commanded one of the biggest powers in Tallan Dar.

  “Then,” Mother Keeper said. “Let’s find out if I’m right.”

  Ellah bit her tongue. All this may not be true, after all. She was surprised that instead of relief she felt a small pang of disappointment.

  “I know,” Mother Keeper said, “that you sense a power within yourself and you are trying to suppress it, because you believe it’s a curse. We think,” Mother Keeper exchanged a quick glance with Odara Sul, “that you are gifted with the ability to sense the truth. This is a rare talent that needs to be developed. That’s why you are here.”

  “Truthseeing?” Ellah stared.

  “That’s what common people call it, yes.”

  “But…” Words were failing Ellah. To hide her embarrassment, she picked up the cup from the table and took a lengthy sip.

  Mother Keeper smiled. “You wanted to object, didn’t you? But then, you sensed I was telling the truth. So, you didn’t say anything. This is a simple example, but we believe you are capable of much more. If you are willing to find out, of course.”

  “Find out, how?” The words came out in a half-whisper. She felt frightened. She did not have a gift! She was normal, like everyone else.

  “Allow us to teach you how to control it,” Mother Keeper said. “If you do, you will always be able to tell true from false. You will speak to people and know if they believe what they’re telling you. Don’t you think such power is worth something?”

  Ellah continued to stare, unsure what to say. Off hand, it sounded ridiculous. No one could have such power. Yet, if she could know true from false, really know without guessing…

  “The Keepers,” Mother Keeper went on, “pick up gifted children and save them from the Testing at birth, before the priests could identify and eliminate them. We take them into our White Citadel and teach them how to control their gift. We make them powerful, so that they can do good for others. And we rarely offer such privileges to adults, who have been brought up with different values and could do more harm than good if they learned to control their gifts. Yet, we offer this to you. Would you refuse?”

  Ellah hesitated. “What would I need to do?”

  Mother Keeper leaned forward and met her eyes. “Travel with us. Odara and I are going to accompany King Evan to Illitand Hall. You can go with us and on the way we’ll teach you to control your skill. At the end of the trip, if you succeed, you can go free and use your gift as you will.”

  “And if I don’t?”

  “Then,” Mother Keeper said, her eyes filling Ellah’s vision like two pools of liquid light, “you will go back to what you were. A girl who denies her gift and tries to pretend it’s not there. An extraordinary person who tries to fit in with the ordinary people. Whether you accept my offer or not, if you choose to bury your talent, this choice is up to you.”

  Ellah held the woman’s gaze. “Whether or not I have this talent, I have a feeling you’re not telling me everything.”

  Mother Keeper smiled and leaned back into her chair, breaking eye contact. She picked up her cup and finished the cooling tea, then put the empty cup back on the table.

  “This is the first step in your learning,” she said. “I dare you to find out what I am not telling you. We leave tomorrow. If you can tell me by then, you’re ready to go with us. If not–”

  “I don’t need that long,” Ellah said. “I can tell you right now. You need for me to come. You’re going to meet someone with whom my truthsense would prove useful to you. Maybe the Duke of Illitand himself? That’s why you want me to go with you, isn’t it?”

  For the first time she saw hesitation in the older woman’s eyes. Then it dissolved into a broad, overwhelming smile.

  “Consider this the start of your training, child,” Mother Keeper said. “I look forward to our trip.”

  7

  NIMOS

  The road through the city’s north gate ran up toward the hills, barely visible in the distant haze. The plains spread around it as far as the eye could see, in a gradual ascent to the distant Ridges’ outskirts, a jagged line of peaks rising out of the blue haze at the horizon. Kyth turned in the saddle for a last look at the stone lace of the Crown City of Tandar, bathed in the beams of the rising sun. Behind it, the golden glow of the lake swallowed the horizon, making it seem as if the city, with its roofs, domes, and spires, was hanging at the edge of the world. Kyth held still for a moment, taking in the view. Then he urged his horse around the bend of the road, t
o level up with Kara riding in the middle of their small formation.

  Kara was silent, her eyes fixed on the road ahead. As Kyth’s gaze fell on her hand, he saw a fresh wound grazing her dark skin, half-hidden by the long sleeve of her shirt. Mesmerized, he leaned forward in the saddle and pulled the cloth away. “What happened?”

  She shrugged. “Practice fight.”

  He looked at her in disbelief. There were very few people in the world capable of reaching through Kara’s defense in a fight, and they were all her equals in rank. Diamonds. Did they do such things often? Wasn’t it unnecessarily risky for Diamonds to be practicing with real weapons?

  She grinned. “Mai has a wicked left hook.”

  “Mai?” A chill ran down Kyth’s spine. He thought of Mai’s staff with retractable blades. A treacherous, vicious weapon. To think that this ruthless man used it to fight Kara and wounded her.

  “Do you often practice with real weapons?” he asked.

  Kara’s eyes glittered with mischief. “We don’t. Our trainers could have our hides for this. It was just too… tempting.”

  “Tempting?” Kyth made the effort to adjust the mental picture again. It didn’t quite work.

  “Mai and I are well matched,” she went on, seemingly oblivious to his emotions. “Really well. It’s almost as if… as if he’s my shadow.” The last word trailed off into silence, the pause so long that it seemed she wasn’t going to say anything else. But after a while she continued in a steady voice. “I guess I just wanted to find out.”

  “Your shadow?”

  She turned to look at him, her gaze becoming distant. “Sorry, Kyth. It’s something only a Majat can know.”

  Shadow. He didn’t like the sound of it. “Did you also wound him?”

  She shook her head. “No. Couldn’t get through at all. Anyway, we only fought until first blood, and it happened to be mine.”

  Kyth’s gaze slid to the scratch on her hand again. It was deeper than he had first thought, running along the edge of her wrist down to her fingers.