Kadj'el (The As'mirin Book 1)

by Ada Haynes

  Shona managed to smile. “I’ve survived worse odds, Jeffrey. Have a little faith in me. I do plan to see my son again, and not in paradise. And if I die, please promise you’ll keep looking for my little boy.”

  Jeffrey reluctantly promised. Shona allowed herself to relax. Convincing Toshio was not going to be as easy, but she had won the first argument. She smiled. “Now, you were telling me of a message from Ekbeth? Where is it?”

  Jeffrey left the veranda to fetch it. Shona enjoyed the few minutes of solitude.

  “There’s something in the envelope—looks like a stone. But I did not open it.”

  From the feel of it, Shona guessed what it was even before she opened the envelope and had it in her hand. The oracle pebble. What…?

  The next second, she felt the familiar tingle in her whole body. She let go of the pebble… tried to fight the Call.

  This time it did not work. She only had time to order Jeffrey to find her son. The next moment, she found herself in total darkness.

  She was so dizzy that she fell to her knees, then her stomach revolted. She puked a few times.

  When the dizziness faded, she sprang back to her feet and took a tentative step, away from her own vomit. Her foot touched something furry that scurried away with a screech. Rats! She hated rats! She extended her arms in front of her. Met a wall. She followed it with her hands. It formed a large circle around her. Her feet were getting wetter by the minute. Probably some sort of well. But she could not see any opening above her head.

  Trapped! She was trapped!

  But she was not defeated yet.

  She tried to Call herself out of the place. But the person who had brought her there was firmly, energetically, holding her.

  Damn! This was just so unfair! She was trapped somewhere in the Valley. Next would be that Ara’s trial.

  She concentrated. The Valley’s Caller was an old man, she’d understood. One of them would have to give in, eventually.

  She was not planning to lose. Her son needed her.

  42

  The good news reached him in the middle of a particularly difficult meeting. They had her. Finally!

  His interlocutor stopped talking, then looked at his lawyer, puzzled. The lawyer took over, addressing Ekbeth. “Can we deduct from this smile that my client gets the extra loan he needs?”

  Ekbeth looked at both of them with a severe frown. “No.”

  He had confused them, but maybe it was not a bad thing. That conversation could have gone on and on for hours. That was always the case with those Italian guys.

  “I give you one more week. I may be willing to renegotiate the interest rate then, but I strongly recommend that you have the money you owe me when I come back next week.”

  “But…”

  Ekbeth looked at his watch. “I’m expected somewhere else, gentlemen. See you next week.”

  Najeb was already at the door, ready to leave. They walked quickly out of the building, where their driver was expecting them.

  “Bring us home.”

  The driver frowned. “I thought…”

  “Change of plans.”

  There was a bad traffic jam. Ekbeth scowled with impatience.

  “Akeneires’el?” Najeb said. “You know this customer we just left? He won’t be able to pay.”

  Ekbeth closed his eyes. It had been a long week. “This is what is going to happen, Najeb. Someone is going to give him the loan he desperately needs and he’s going to repay me. Then he won’t be my responsibility anymore, but that of the other lender. And our customer is going to discover he had better respect his agreements with me, because his new lender is not going to be as amenable as I am.”

  “Are we talking of the Mafia?”

  The boy was learning fast. No need to tell him, though, that Ekbeth was getting a very nice commission out of this reloan business. Najeb deserved to keep a few of his illusions. For now.

  The driver finally reached their address. Ekbeth did not even wait to be in his apartment. As soon as the entrance door was closed, he said to Najeb. “I’m going to the Valley. You go to Lyrian to give him the news and those contracts. Ask him to reschedule all the appointments for the next few hours, at least. Then I’m expecting you in the Valley.”

  Najeb nodded.

  Ekbeth concentrated. The familiar dizziness and he was in the Valley. Nukri na Liom’s skin was ashen.

  “Are you okay, Nukri?”

  The older As’mir just nodded, teeth clenched. This was so unlike him.

  Ekbeth frowned. “Is Kimiel Keh Niriel trying to Call herself out?”

  Nukri nodded, then managed to say, “She has a strong will.”

  Ekbeth frowned. “Does the Aramalinyia know about this?”

  “Yes, but we need to wait until everyone from the community is there and Ara’s water has to be collected. We can’t hurry the process.”

  Ekbeth pitied the man. All those tasks needed his Caller skills. On top of the daily routines of moving the As’mirin from one house to the other at their requests, bringing food and drinks everywhere, or anything else the others wanted, Nukri needed to also keep track of what was happening outside of the Valley itself, in case one of the Callers of the Aiarz’in part needed help. No wonder Nukri was exhausted.

  It was in moments like this that the community should realize the danger they were putting themselves in by not lifting the ban on Akalabeth, Ekbeth reflected. He did not really have time to think of a solution to his niece’s problem. Yet, obviously, sorting out the situation was becoming urgent.

  He observed Nukri. Definitely urgent.

  “Are any of the callers outside the Valley helping you right now, Nukri?”

  The old man nodded. This was good news.

  “I’m glad our plan has worked. Where is she?”

  “In one of the water collectors under Kse’Annilis. A dry one.”

  Ekbeth agreed this was a perfect jail. “Who’s still to come?”

  “The McLeans. They are slow packers. And your bodyguard.”

  “Well, Najeb should Call any minute now. I will wait for him.”

  The next minute, the young man was with them. Ekbeth took him out of the Call room and whispered to him, “Najeb. Kimiel is in one of the water wells, but she’s trying to escape. Look at Nukri na Liom. He’s not going to hold on much longer. We can’t give her the drug to block her abilities. It would also block some of the effects of Ara’s water. Can you think of anything else we could do?”

  The young man thought about it for a moment. “I think the best is to knock her out. If I hit her hard enough, it should give enough time for the Caller to rest.”

  Ekbeth frowned. “You’re not going there alone!”

  “Akeneires’el. I know the danger! If Nukri can restrain her physically for a minute, there’s no risk for me.”

  The boy was right, of course. “Do it then. And, as far as I’m concerned, you may hit her as hard as you want. As long as you don’t break her skull!”

  Najeb chuckled. “I would not dare! Imagine the scandal if she’s dead before Ara’s trial!”

  Najeb walked back inside the Caller’s house, while Ekbeth went down to the Na Duibhnes’ house. The cleanliness of the streets during the Aras’arisidz was already a thing of the past. A thick layer of decomposed flowers petals coming from Ara-knows-where covered them! It was dangerously slippery. But he somehow managed to reach his home without falling.

  He discovered, upon entering the hall, that he was expected. To his surprise, most of the persons in front of him bowed to him. What was happening?

  His uncle Es’ael approached him. “Sorry for having doubted you, Akeneires’el. You managed to capture the law breaker!”

  The others nodded their agreement. Respect from them? That was certainly unexpected. There had been less muttering since he had forced some of them to work in the McLeans’ house. But respect?

  He certainly did not want the honor of having brought back Kimiel to the Valley to fall entir
ely on him.

  “Sarah-Lysliana McLean is the one you should praise. It was her idea that brought Kimiel back to the Valley. With Nukri na Liom’s help. He kept the trap open for her all those days. They deserve the congratulations, not me.”

  That only brought more nods, if a bit less fervent. Of course, it was not about him only. Bringing her back was going to honor the whole Na Duibhnes’ family. Something his uncles probably thought was needed after their embarrassing implication in the mob and the death of Duncan McLean.

  Najeb entered the hall at that moment. He only slightly nodded at Ekbeth, then left the building again. He was probably going to his father. Good.

  Ekbeth turned to Es’ael. “Do you know when the trial is going to take place?”

  “At dusk, the Aramalinyia said.”

  In less than three hours then. There was not much to be done except wait. He walked to his study. He was sure to find enough paperwork there to keep his mind off what was about to happen.

  They had her. They were going to punish her. Somehow, the news was not elating him as much as he had expected.

  Just too damn soft hearted, Lyrian would say. How well Lyrian knew him, thought Ekbeth.

  *

  The whole community was in the temple, facing the Lake, when the sun touched the peaks of the surrounding mountains.

  The last Ara’s trial Ekbeth could remember had been the one of his brother Kas’el.

  And, as then, there was lingering anger in the air. Definitely hostile. Some people were holding stones in their hands.

  The Aramalinyia entered their circle, followed by her servants. One look from her, and the stones disappeared.

  “Bring the lawbreaker to Ara’s justice.”

  Ekbeth had more or less expected to see Kimiel appear out of thin air in front of the Aramalinyia. But he had forgotten how important ceremony was to his fellow As’mirin.

  Kimiel got the full extent of the ritual. Four bodyguards in armor walked her inside the temple precinct. Najeb was probably one of them, but Ekbeth was not entirely sure as armor covered the guards from head to toe.

  And they had shackled her. Heavily. Still the extra weight did not seem to bother her. Her clothes were filthy from her time in the cistern, but she was walking proudly and gracefully, her face carefully neutral, as if she was arriving at a celebration.

  Ekbeth tried to read her emotions, but her mind was blank.

  When they reached the Aramalinyia, the guards broke their formation, moving from a square surrounding her into a line behind their prisoner. They cut the clothes off her with sharp knives.

  Kimiel did not budge. Naked, she kneeled on her own volition. Or so it seemed.

  Ekbeth had no doubt that Nukri na Liom was still ensuring she could not transfer herself out of this. The Caller had probably also forced her to her knees.

  The air around her was tingling with suppressed energy. If he could feel it, probably everyone could.

  The Aramalinyia approached Kimiel, a small, open vial in her hands. Ara’s water. Only it was not innocent water. It was their deadliest poison, which came from a hidden spring, the location of which only the Aramalinyia knew.

  Two guards put their hands on Kimiel’s shoulders, while a third forced her head backwards and opened her mouth. Kimiel could go nowhere.

  “Ara be merciful. Judge this woman in equity.”

  The liquid was poured, the mouth closed. Maintained closed till the guards were satisfied Kimiel had swallowed. Then the Aramalinyia and the guards took a few steps back, joining the crowd around them.

  Kimiel did not scream or writhe on the temple sand. She just collapsed very slowly, and then lay there, not moving.

  But they could all hear her laborious breathing. Ekbeth felt his innards shriveling. He could only imagine what she was going through right now.

  Suddenly, he felt her emotions, all too clearly. The light touch of cold. Then the fire… burning… burning…

  “Uncle? You’re okay?”

  Alyasini’s touch on his arm brought him back to his senses. He looked away from Kimiel for a moment.

  “She deserves the punishment.”

  Ara, there was such venom in his niece’s voice! Not something he would have expected from her. Even though he agreed with her words. He nodded. “Yes, she does.”

  His niece put her hand through his arm and left it there. He returned his attention to the crouched form in the center of the crowd. There was nothing else to do but wait now. If Ara was indeed merciful, Kimiel would die quickly.

  If not, it was going…

  Suddenly, unexpectedly, a loud shriek resonated in his head. He fell to his knees, his head between his hands, trying to make it stop.

  The shriek just went on… and on.

  “Uncle! Uncle! Ekbeth! Someone help him! Please!”

  Ekbeth was vaguely aware of people around him. He was just trying to block the scream in his head. All went black around him.

  43

  Shona fought the drug. They might have forced her to take it, but she was not going to let them win. Nothing worse than what she’d been through before, she kept repeating herself.

  But this was worse. Far worse. She felt the fire spreading through her body. She clenched her teeth. She was the fire.

  Concentrate! Do it for Sonam!

  Oh, so warm! She was burning!

  Fight! You are stronger than this!

  Water! She needed water! There was water not far from her! If only she could reach it! But she could not move! Breathing was all she could manage. So be it then. Keep breathing! Ignore the fire!

  A violent spasm took her breath away. Yes! Another spasm! Puking the damn drug! That would help! Only, she was not puking. She felt a hot liquid between her legs… Great, she was peeing on herself!

  Another spasm, heavier. Something moved inside her.

  She suddenly realized what was happening! Impossible! It was just impossible!

  You are a stubborn one, child! Believe!

  That voice inside her head! She ignored it!

  How could have she been so stupid? All those weeks, she had attributed all the telltale signs to indigestion! Some stomach cramps indeed! She was pregnant! And right now, she was losing the baby. Another baby. She could not let this happen.

  I can help!

  She gritted her teeth. Thought loudly, as she was unable to speak. Then help!

  You have to promise…

  Just help!

  She felt a cold hand touching her brow, staying there. And slowly, slowly, the fire in her blood receded. Even more slowly, the spasms quieted. Shona allowed herself to breathe. But she did not dare move.

  Kimiel Malcolm Keh Niriel. You disappointed me deeply.

  Who was that voice inside her head? Not one of those Ke’As’mirin again, eh?

  A peal of laughter answered her. No, not one of my children. I am Ara, child.

  Shona’s mind went blank.

  Impossible? I did not expect you to be so narrow minded! You did not believe in your heritage before you came here, Kimiel. Yet you met your ancestors! Why would hearing me be impossible?

  Shona was shocked. But she had no time to collect herself, as the Goddess continued talking inside her head.

  I had such great plans for you, Kimiel Keh Niriel! I asked the Ke’As’mirin to let you live! I chose your name! And how did you thank me? Ignore my oracle! Break my laws, one by one!

  Shona felt like laughing. Only she was lacking the energy. She had expected to die. She had decided to fight till the bitter end. Now, apparently, she was going to live. Only to suffer the sermon of a Goddess!

  Fire ran through her again.

  Don’t you dare mock me!

  Oh my! A susceptible Goddess! The fire was hurting again. But Shona could not help it. She was still amused. As suddenly as it started, the fire collapsed. And the voice in her head laughed as well.

  That temper of yours will get you killed eventually! Do you respect anything, child?

>   Shona nodded. She respected plenty of things. People who survived in the most difficult conditions. People who stood their ground even though it may cost them their life. Yeshe’s decision…

  A sigh.

  Yes. Life has not been easy for you so far. You’ve survived, but at what price?

  Shona did not want to answer that. She had accepted what she had become a long time ago.

  It’s never too late to redeem yourself.

  Easier said than done. Her past kept following her. It was not as if she could erase it, was it?

  Well, here you could have done that! No one in the community knew about your past! Except my dearest Keremli, but she would have kept her knowledge to herself, because she loves you. Only, you had to blow it! Again, and again!

  Damn! Shona hated to admit it, but the Goddess was right. She had botched it. Badly!

  Better.

  It was quiet in Shona’s head for a moment. So long that Shona thought the conversation had come to its conclusion and she began trying to find enough energy to stand up. But Ara was apparently not done. In the next moment, her voice was back in Shona’s head.

  For the sake of this little life inside you, I let you live. This time. But no more law breaking! No bloodletting, no thievery, no torturing, no… In short, behave! Make amends to people you’ve wronged! Don’t think you’ll escape my wrath if you break your word: my power is not only inside this Valley. I’ll find you!

  Her word? Shona had not promised anything! And she needed to find Sonam! She knew only one way to get information.

  That insufferable fire again! She went back into her crouching position. Okay, she’d gotten the message!

  Find another way! And you will marry Ekbeth Maher na Duibhne! I still can’t believe you prefer to trust some vague Buddhist predictions above my own oracle!

  Definitely touchy there, that Goddess! Marry Ekbeth? She was pretty sure the man hated her with a passion nowadays. She had done her best to make him hate her. As well as Toshio and Jeffrey.

  You’ll find a way. You are creative. Promise.

  She nodded her agreement before Ara thought another demonstration was needed.

  Marry Ekbeth?

  Of course, there was the little issue about who was the father of that child inside her.