Amáne of Teravinea - Black Castle (The Teravinea Series Book 4)

by D. Maria Trimble

  My chest rose and fell in shallow rasping breaths. I swallowed the nausea that rose from my stomach as I stared at his body. No emotion moved in me.

  I wiped my blade on the man’s tunic. Trying to avoid looking directly at his staring eyes, I removed his sword belt and wrapped it around me. Sheathing the sword, I grabbed his dagger from the ground where it had dropped. A hasty search of his body procured another knife. With the knives stashed in my belt, I rushed to the cell door. Aperio’s key opened the bars and I slid out. Assured I was alone in the corridor, I leaned against the wall to pull myself together.

  “Eshshah,” I whispered, “I’m all right. I’m going to see if I can help the others before I figure out where the guards have taken my weapons.”

  The corridor held more cells like the one I’d just escaped. Those I passed were empty. Whispering voices came from down the hall and drew me farther. With caution, I inched my way to the last cell and found the natives that had been captured with me. They leaned against the bars of their cell, craning their necks to get a glimpse in my direction. The clashing of weapons with Ghan had, no doubt, attracted their attention.

  When I reached their door, they fell to their knees.

  I shook my head in confusion and bid them to stand. Using Aperio’s key I opened their cell door and one by one released them from their irons.

  A native girl stepped up to me.

  “Amáne.” She took both of my hands and pressed them against her forehead.

  “Do I know you?”

  “Lia’ina.” She put her hand on her chest, a questioning look in her eyes.

  “You’re Lia’ina?” I said.

  She nodded. “Ah,” she said in an understanding tone. “Manu’eno say Amáne lost mind.”

  “I didn’t lose my mind,” I snapped at her. “I lost my memory.”

  “Meh-mo-rhee?”

  I huffed. “Never mind, yes, I lost my mind. You were the dragon riders’ contact, weren’t you?” She nodded. “Why do you act like you know me?”

  She waved her hand in dismissal and said, “Teku’eno,”

  “I’m sorry, I don’t speak your language.”

  “Teku’eno betray Amáne. He tell evil lady you come in box.”

  He must have been the one I saw sneaking away.

  “Teku’eno shame tribe. Soon he die for his bad.” A frightening scowl twisted her face.

  She closed her eyes and released a slow breath. Her anger in check, she said, “Not time to talk. Fast. We must go.”

  She pulled me out to the corridor. Her companions surrounded me in a protective shield. I handed the dagger to her and the knife to one of the men. I kept the sword.

  Moving in silence, we took a route that led us to an upper level. Thus far, it seemed our escape hadn’t been discovered as we ducked into an empty chamber. We needed a plan. Ten of us sneaking through the castle would be folly. I’d intended to free them and continue on alone, but I couldn’t just leave them behind.

  As if Lia’ina read my thoughts, she turned to me and whispered, “Too many. Not safe. Is long hole under dirt in castle. Lead to big water by mountain.” She bit her lip in frustration. “Ancestors make hole. Lia’ina look and look, but not find. So sorry. Many men watch doors. Lia’ina must find other out.”

  “No need to be sorry, I know where the tunnel is. I can show you.”

  Her eyes went wide.

  I moved to a nearby table and drew some lines in the dust. I’d studied the castle floorplans enough to figure out where we stood and how to get to the old kitchen where Braonán said the tunnel was located.

  The group paid close attention. They each gave an indication they understood where they needed to go.

  “You can separate and go in three groups.” I held up three fingers. “Three, three and three.”

  Lia’ina shook her head. “Not three, three, three. Four, three, three.” She flashed the corresponding number of fingers.

  I shook my head, “I have to stay and finish my work.”

  “No. Amáne must go. Be safe.”

  “I can’t go with you, Lia’ina,” I said firmly. “There’s a job I’ve come to do. First, I have to find the weapons and equipment that came here with me. Then I need to continue my mission.”

  She started to object, but I interrupted her. “I cannot shame my tribe, Lia’ina. I must complete my task.”

  Her eyes reflected understanding. She smiled and said, “Lia’ina go with Amáne.” She pointed first at herself, then at me.

  Before I could respond, a member of her tribe confronted her. He seemed to have understood her intention. Although she was the tribal chief’s daughter, the way he spoke to her demonstrated some authority. The conversation became heated. Their voices were low whispers, but the force of their words would not have been more powerful if they had shouted them.

  Lia’ina huffed, then slumped. She gave a reluctant bob of her head.

  Her eyes met mine as she said, “Lia’ina father tribal chief. He meet ancestors. Now Lia’ina chief. Must be safe for tribe. Not can go with Amáne.” Her angry eyes darted toward the man with whom she’d argued. “Ramu’eno go. He find what Amáne seek. Then Ramu’eno must make Teku’eno pay. End him.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Ramu’eno motioned me behind him as he glanced up and down a corridor. Lia’ina and her tribesmen had already set off in three groups, leaving me with the native. I’d let Eshshah know of their escape, so someone could meet them on the north shore and take them to safety.

  Not knowing each other’s language, Ramu’eno and I communicated with pantomime gestures. Seeing the corridor was empty, Ramu’eno waved me on. We traveled down the hall soundlessly. From what I knew of the castle layout, we headed toward the working kitchen.

  We arrived at a doorway. Ramu’eno bid me wait in the corridor as he slipped into the room. I peered around the corner and noted a single native, dressed in the same work clothes as Lia’ina and her companions. He stood at a table with his back facing us. The kitchen was otherwise empty.

  Ramu’eno crept up behind him. He reached out with both hands and grabbed the man’s head. His fingers wrapped around and dug into his eye sockets. Using them as a fingerhold, with a lightening move, he jumped up and to the side, pulling the man down and back hard, slamming his head on the ground before he had a chance to cry out. I stifled my gasp at the sound of the dull thud as his skull hit the stone floor. Blood oozed out of his eyes.

  Ramu’eno jerked his head to me to join him in the kitchen, then signaled another wordless instruction to open a door to my left.

  He dragged the unconscious man into a small pantry and I closed the door behind us. Taking his knife, he cut pieces of the native’s shirt, tied his hands and feet and secured a gag over his mouth. While he worked, he indicated the man was Teku’eno.

  Ramu’eno spread his hand out to me to wait there while he slid out the door. He returned moments later with a bowl of water that he poured on Teku’eno’s face. The captive native sputtered and coughed as he regained consciousness. His face twisted with fear. He struggled against the bonds.

  Ramu’eno’s face turned vicious as he dropped to his knee on the traitor’s chest. Air forced out of the man’s lungs. He struggled to take in a breath.

  Holding his knife to the downed man’s throat, Ramu’eno spat venomous words at Teku’eno, who lay powerless under him. Ramu’eno loosened the gag and pressed harder with the knife, coercing the man to talk.

  A series of angry words were exchanged, but in moments Teku’eno’s defiance waned. Ramu’eno’s voice became lower and more ominous. If Lia’ina hadn’t expressed confidence in his loyalty, I would have been in fear of Ramu’eno, myself.

  Stifling a yelp, I watched in horror as Ramu’eno pulled his knife across the man’s throat. His own tribesman. Blood spurted, then pooled beneath him. Ramu’eno wiped the blade on Teku’eno’s shirt before rising to his feet. A fierce look distorted his face as he continued his rant directed at the b
ody.

  Should I have trusted Lia’ina’s assurance about this man?

  My hand went to the sword at my side.

  Ramu’eno noted my action. He immediately shook his head and made a great show of slipping his knife in his belt. He held up both hands as if in surrender and spoke quickly in his own language. His tone was that of reassurance. I studied him for several seconds before I relaxed my grip on my sword.

  He nodded and beckoned me to follow.

  He must have gotten the information he needed from Teku’eno.

  I hoped the dead man’s last words were spoken to redeem himself.

  We stole through several corridors, all fortunately empty, until we came to a low wooden door. Ramu’eno tried the latch. It was locked. I signaled him aside as I drew Aperio’s key. Placing the key in the lock, I whispered, “Aperio,” and the latch released.

  Ramu’eno jerked back and eyed the key suspiciously.

  “Dragon scale,” I said, over-pronouncing my words as I held it for him to see.

  He dipped his head and then snapped back to our task at hand. We ducked through the door. A weapons supply room. My eyes took in the multitude of swords, shields, knives and spears. I scanned the space and exhaled a triumphant “yes” as I spotted my glaive, sword, daggers and bow, all stacked in one corner. I could, however, only find two of my three blast sticks. My stomach sank.

  I’ll have to succeed with only two.

  That would leave one harpoon cannon intact.

  Tossing Gahn’s inferior sword, I pulled on my sword belt, sheathed my belt dagger and my boot daggers, then grabbed my bow and glaive. I slipped my quiver of arrows with Eshshah’s embedded scales, over my shoulder, and pulled on my dragonscale scull cap helmet. Ramu’eno picked a few choice daggers and slid them into his belt.

  We headed back to the old north kitchen where the escape tunnel lay. Ramu’eno helped me drag a work table aside to expose the trap door beneath. I pulled it open for him and pantomimed my thanks, bidding him to go and find his tribesmen. He put his hand on my back and guided me to the tunnel entrance, gesturing for me to enter before him.

  Shaking my head and speaking partly with my hands, I said slowly, “I have to wait here until dark. I will see you tomorrow.”

  I hope.

  Ramu’eno tipped his head in understanding. He held out his hand, which I took in a firm grip. Bringing it to his forehead, he bowed to me, then turned and disappeared into the dark tunnel. Closing the trap door behind him, I pushed the table back over it and then sat on the floor to await my moment.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Sitting idle, just waiting, made me anxious and impatient. My mind raced with a swarm of questions.

  Who is the real Amáne? How do I know how to fight? Am I a mercenary? An assassin for hire?

  I couldn’t have been a bad person. The dragon riders knew my past. I didn’t think they would so readily take me in if I’d been evil.

  Would they?

  Unless they needed me only for this mission, and then planned to dismiss me. By that time, I hoped my memories would have returned.

  To calm my nerves and pass the time, I started to count. I made it to one thousand, then stopped and counted backwards from there. It helped only a bit, not enough. Before I fell into a black mood, I decided to contact Eshshah. She gave me such comfort. I envied her rider.

  “Eshshah? If you’re listening, I’m sorry to bother you, but I need someone to talk to. I’m tired of talking to myself.”

  I told her how I’d found my weapons and that I’d said farewell to Ramu’eno. He should be arriving at the north shore within the half hour.

  My rambling one-way conversation went on. I couldn’t help thinking about the missing lady.

  “Eshshah, I hope your rider knows how lucky she is to have you. I wonder why it is that you can’t communicate with her. If King Ansel’s dragon can be in contact with him, why can’t you find her?”

  I realized what I said may have upset Eshshah.

  What if her rider has met with her ancestors?

  That would certainly be a reason for the absence of contact. If that were the case, then they would be anxious to find her body and take her home.

  I’ll volunteer to hunt for the lady, or her body, until she’s found.

  My conversing with Eshshah didn’t have the uplifting effect in which I’d hoped. I spiraled down into my dark thoughts.

  A commotion in the corridor brought me out of my darkness.

  “Someone is coming, Eshshah.”

  I leaped to my feet and sprinted toward a nearby door. Pulling on the knob, I found it locked. The bootsteps grew louder. I yanked Aperio’s key from my sleeve and whispered the dragon’s name. The latch clicked. The door opened. Another storage closet. I rushed in and shut it behind me as silently as I could. Whispering ‘Aperio’ once again, the bolt fell into place, locking me inside.

  Thankfully, I had pushed the work table back over the trap door. I prayed they wouldn’t discover it.

  “If we don’ find her, Galtero’ll have our heads.”

  “Did you tell ’im, yet? That she’s gone missin’?”

  “Of course not, ya fool. An’ he’s not gonna know ’bout it neither. We’re findin’ ’er.”

  “Borit told me when Galtero heard she was back, he went purple. He swore he was personally gonna kill ’er along with that fancy lord. She goes first. He says he’s gonna do it nice and slow so Drekinn could watch.” He laughed.

  My blood froze.

  “If we can’t find her, ya idiot, it’s gonna be us instead. So, quit yer laughin’ and start searchin’.”

  “Curse that Gahn. It’s his fault she got away. Why can’t he ever keep his hands to hisself? She was too much for ’im. Maybe she is bewitched.”

  “Well, he won’t be botherin’ nobody no more. She stuck ’im with his own blade. And him such a good fighter an’ all. Yeah there’s somethin’ ’bout her. Maybe she got sorcery like Lady Ravana.”

  “Quit yer yappin’. Go check that closet.”

  I held my breath as I listened to the guard approach. The door knob giggled and then I heard him jerking and trying to work the lock. My glaive at the ready, I prepared to fight. The door held tight.

  “It’s locked,” the man said with an added curse.

  I stifled a cry when something struck the wood. Another smash hit the door, and another.

  He’s using his halberd to break down the door.

  I steeled myself to attack.

  “Wadda think yer doin’? Ya stupid or somethin’? That door’s locked from the outside. Those doors don’t lock from the inside. That means she ain’t in there. Come on. We got a lot o’ rooms to search.”

  I nearly collapsed with relief as the sound of their boots retreated. After a space of time had passed and I was certain they would not return, I unlocked the closet. Peering around the door, my eyes swept the room. It was safe to exit.

  Trying to calm my shaking, I made my way slowly across the kitchen and sat with my back against a wall to resume my wait for nightfall.

  I thought about the king. What if they hurt him because of my escape? Maybe after I ignite the blast sticks I should search for him.

  How will I know if he makes his escape?

  Too many variables. I didn’t know what I should do.

  Just continue with the plan, Amáne. That’s all you can do.

  A sigh of frustration passed my lips.

  I jerked awake. A small tremor shook the ground beneath me.

  What is that?

  Just as quickly, the rumbling stopped and the ground stilled.

  It must have been part of my dream.

  Wide-eyed, I studied my surroundings. My heart slowed as I remembered where I was.

  I’d been dreaming about falling off a cliff and being rescued by a fiery red dragon. In the dream, I fought a large man in black armor. Something about the nightmare haunted the back of my mind. I’d had this dream in the past. The fleeting memo
ry faded before I could get a hold of it.

  At last, night fell. The wait had ended. My nerves would soon calm as I prepared for my task. I breathed in deeply and let it out in a slow exhalation.

  Pulling myself to my feet, I peered around a crumpled wall. This part of the old kitchen had been partially destroyed in a volcano. I stood on the north side which opened out onto a courtyard. Its cracked tiles had lost the fight against the overtaking jungle. Plants, vines and trees had reclaimed much of this side of the castle. This was to my advantage. It would provide some cover when I made my way toward the west exterior wall.

  My glaive would be a hindrance as I completed the next step, so I hid it behind a work table to retrieve after I’d set the blast sticks. The sword sheathed at my side, I strung my bow and slid it over my shoulder. With a quiver full of arrows, I had all I needed.

  I surveyed the route I planned to take. A quick glance in either direction assured my path was clear. I stepped out into the courtyard and turned left. In short dashes between the trees, I came to the final edge of the leafy screen.

  Eyeing the harpoon cannon that sat atop the battlement, I pinpointed where I needed to set the first blast stick at the wall’s stone base. The drain spout, just as Braonán had indicated on the map, protruded near the ground.

  With one last deep breath, I said, “Eshshah, here I go.”

  Timing would be important for this last stretch across the unprotected part of the courtyard and the open area beyond. Keeping my eye on the guards that paced the wall walk, I gritted my teeth and darted across the exposed grounds.

  The fountain Calder had mentioned stood in ruins at the farthest perimeter of the courtyard. As I ran by it, I decided the dragon rider was right. It could work as a strategic location from which to take my shots. Its distance from my targets would be within my range.

  With a final burst of speed I reached my goal. My heart pounded as I leaned my back against the stones of the fortress’ outer wall. Without waiting to catch my breath, I turned and removed the blast stick from where it hung on my belt. The drain spout jutting out from the wall was carved with a hideous face, part-animal, part-human. It’s mouth open wide to belch out the rain water redirected from the wall walk above. Bending over the spout, I shoved the stick in the creature’s mouth as deeply as I could, making sure the fuse remained exposed.