Halfblood Heritage

by Rheaume, Laura

  “I did live like them, but I’ll never be one of them. They weren’t cruel like you might think, though. Just...well, it was empty.”

  “It must have been horrible for you to live there with those mongrels.”

  Scythe frowned. “They’re not animals, just different. Some were real friends to me...”

  Keyrin interrupted, “Well, put it behind you. You’re with family now, brother.”

  They reached the end of the first long canyon, and Scythe saw a jumper waiting for them in the wide space created where the canyon forked. Several military personnel stood around, as casually lethal as Smoke and Rend. Looking up, Scythe saw some twenty more along the edge of canyon walls, watching the small procession.

  Grinning at Scythe’s observation, Keyrin said, “Well, I will be the governor, after all.”

  Scythe nodded, noting for the first time Keyrin’s added height and air of complete confidence. Everyone stood ready to obey him with a mixture of affection and respect that Scythe didn’t remember from before. Admittedly, he hadn't known him that well as a child. He had only seen him when he came to visit his cousin. Still, there was definitely something different about him. He was more compelling than he had been.

  A shirt was brought to Scythe from one of the compartments that lined the outside of the jumper. He pulled on the soft, thin tunic as they climbed onboard. Everyone put on the helmets which functioned not so much to protect them as to muffle the loud sounds of the craft. Rend went to the driver’s seat, starting it up with quick, practiced movements, and within a minute they were riding through the maze of canyons toward the valley.

  The settlement lay at the bottom of a crater in the center of the canyons. Scythe noticed that some areas were drastically different from the way they had been when he lived there three years before. Where rows of houses had framed wide streets in one region, the ruins of many of those homes, some merely blackened skeletons, now huddled. The parks that covered a third of the affected section hosted the few buildings that appeared untouched or rebuilt. The neighborhood where he had lived looked like the remains of an ancient and glorious but decimated civilization.

  Scythe leaned forward to ask Keyrin, who was seated in front of him, “Is this from the same raid, or were there more attacks after I was taken?”

  “This is the damage the Humans did to us on the day you were kidnapped, Scythe. We’ve left it mostly intact to remind us who our enemies are and what lengths they’ll go to fool themselves.”

  “Where does everyone live?”

  “Everyone that survived and found themselves homeless was moved to other houses here or were offered small places within the governor’s residence. Many of our citizens relocated to other cities, farther from the Human threat. As you can see, the parks are used more than ever before; we are a people who love the sun, not the dark places we’ve been forced to inhabit.” His mood had turned angry and he turned away from Scythe, ending the conversation.

  The dark place he was talking about was the governor’s residence, which was built directly into the most formidable of the canyon walls that surrounded the settlement. It could be spotted from any point in the small valley: a palace as high as the steep cliff wall, with layers of windows and balconies that stretched all the way to the top, hewn into stone and decorated with masterful skill by Kin artisans.

  Scythe looked out the window of the jumper, trying to spot his aunt Dren’s house or his own. They drove by a few kids playing a ball game he remembered in the streets. The children looked over as the jumper passed by and waved, and Scythe raised his hand in response.

  Smoke leaned forward from behind him, “That take you back, Mismatch?”

  Scythe smiled at his old nickname, “Yes.”

  “Have you been keeping your skills up or slacking off like a softbelly?”

  “Well, I could use some work, that’s for sure. Humans don’t think their children are suited for training. They like them to play games where they can’t be hurt.”

  “What? That’s ridiculous! No wonder they are so weak.”

  “Well, when you think about it, most of them spend their whole lives in a perfectly safe place. For them, combat training is a huge waste of time.”

  “Just a select few learn the killing arts, then?”

  “That’s right. They play a lot of games, though, that simulate fighting.”

  Smoke patted him on the back, “Well, Rend and I will get you fixed up real good, Scythe; no more simulations for you.”

  “Ha! Now I am worried.”

  “You should be. You are big, though, much bigger than most of us at your age. Are you about the same size as Humans your age?”

  “Depends. Humans grow at different times. Some grow like crazy at twelve and thirteen, and others grow slower over four or five years. They don’t usually stop until after eighteen or twenty.”

  “Boy, you are going to be a real powerhouse if you keep growing for another five years. I’m gonna have to work on some new skills, just to keep you in your place.”

  Scythe smiled at the ludicrous idea of Smoke having trouble with him.

  The jumper, having crossed the entire valley, found a place in a line of similar vehicles just outside the governor’s residence. Scythe looked up at the giant structure. Huge columns reached up from the ground, framing the steps that led up to an enormous archway. Just inside, two large, intricately carved doors stood open. Above the archway, the levels of balconies spread from column to column, each with windows and doorways of their own. Beautiful carvings adorned the rock face: animals, flowing vines studded with flowers, depictions of weather, the earth and heavens, and the valiant Kin, proudly but benevolently overseeing all.

  When he reached the top of the stairs, Scythe turned around to see the settlement spread out before him. Some of the homes he had recognized as they had driven past, but none here by the palace; it was a place, like most in Poinsea, he had never visited in his sheltered youth. The large homes nearby were surrounded by expansive gardens that were public and so sported a handful of visitors. In the distance he could see the areas that had been left alone for three years. They were filled with silent ruins that crouched in the shade of their own wild growth. During the drive past them, his emotions had warred back and forth between dismay and anger, but the view from the palace made the deciding battle. Like his own experience, the raid on his people’s land was all a tragic waste.

  Keyrin’s struggle had long ago been decided. Standing beside him and looking out at the same patches of gray he was, Scythe could feel the hatred roll off the governor’s son like a furious wind. It circled around everyone, both inflaming them and stealing some of their rage, before it retreated back into the man. Keyrin turned on his heel and strode into the palace, and everyone followed him.

  Chapter 6

  “So, Scythe, my son tells me you are the Kin’s lost brother. What do you say about that?” Governor Talto leaned forward, looking past Keyrin and several others to address Scythe.

  Scythe lowered the bread he was just about to bite into, his heart jerking to a halt at the way everyone around the table suddenly quieted and stared at him. He tried to think of an appropriate response, “I...um...well...” He could tell he was supposed to say, "Yes," but that didn’t feel right to him.

  “You scared him to death, My Lord!” a woman laughed, and was joined by the very few people who were not taking pains to ignore his presence. “Look at his face! Poor thing. Don’t torture him.”

  The middle aged governor threw his head back, and his booming laughter filled the room.

  “We don’t torture the Kin here, Trinae. Well, let’s see...he looks like Kin and he smells like Kin, mostly.” He added to Scythe, “You look like you’ve been treated well enough by the Humans, well fed, body intact, if a bit soft.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “So, have you come back to find a place among us, brother Scythe?” The leader of the Kin sneered, but his casual gaze had sharpened. He waited for Scy
the's answer.

  Scythe’s already large eyes widened further, and he felt a sudden threat from not only the governor, but also from several others around him. He had no idea what reply would take the heat off those looks. With Humans, the polite response, however meaningless or false, was always the correct one, especially to people in positions of power. Here, however, Scythe didn’t know what to expect. His eyes slid to Keyrin, whose face was attentive and slightly amused. The young man took a bite of his dinner, smiled, and nodded for Scythe to answer.

  Knowing he had no way of coming out on top in a game he didn’t know the rules to, Scythe relied on his usual tactic, “Honestly, Lord, I’m not sure where my place is, but I don’t feel like I belong with the Humans. I’ve been wanting to return here since the day I was taken, but...I couldn’t.”

  “They locked you up?”

  “No, I had some freedom...but, my mother was very ill and needed medical care.”

  “Which she couldn’t get here?”

  “I wasn’t sure of my welcome here without my father. In any case, it would have been very difficult to leave with my mother.”

  “And now?”

  “She’s dead, sir.”

  “So,” The governor leaned back, placated and somewhat thoughtful.

  He knew what they were thinking. Orphan. No one would say it aloud, because everyone at the dinner was from a good family and knew better than to utter such a foul curse. To the Kin, an orphan was a pitiable creature, but Scythe wasn’t just an orphan. He wasn’t just a young man without a family. He was a halfblood without a family.

  In the uncomfortable quiet that had fallen, he managed to find the courage to continue, “Also, there’s the matter of the abdu...”

  Keyrin interjected, standing, “Of whether you’ll be able to fit in here or not.” He walked over to stand behind Scythe, addressing the whole party. “My father has agreed to let him stay, to see if he is truly our brother. You all know my mind: Scythe carries the Blood of the Kin and so will always be one of us.”

  Scythe noticed that many of the diners, especially the older ones, had skeptical expressions on their faces at Keyrin’s mention of the Blood of the Kin.

  Keyrin looked down at Scythe, “Come, brother, let me show you where you can stay. You’ve had a long day, and tomorrow you will be starting with Smoke and Rend, so you’ll need some sleep.”

  Many eyebrows raised, some in appreciation or calculation, but most in surprise. One self-important looking man who sat near the governor commented in disbelief, “He’s to train with the Blades? He doesn’t look like Blade material to me.”

  “Oh, he is. I assure you, Yunet. He’s fast and, though he looks older, he’s only thirteen...” At the gasps and astonished responses, Keyrin smiled. Scythe could tell that he loved to shake up his father’s friends and advisors. “...and not even close to his full growth yet. So, for now, I’ll take him as one of my own.” Satisfied by the nods of understanding and appraising looks, Keyrin tapped Scythe on the shoulder, “Let’s go, shall we?”

  Scythe rose, turning to bow at Keyrin’s father, “Thank you, Sir, for your hospitality.”

  Talto, Governor of Poinsea, nodded, “I’m reserving my judgement on you, boy, which is a testament to the love and respect I have for my son.”

  “Thank you, Father.” Keyrin bowed to the group, “Prosperity to the Kin.”

  The many people around the table nodded their heads to him, chanting, “Prosperity and peace until the end of days.”

  Keyrin led Scythe across the room and through a small archway guarded by two Kin who nodded companionably as they passed.

  Keyrin asked, “Gren, how’s the new baby?”

  “Keeping us up to all hours, my Young Lord.”

  Keyrin laughed, “That’s what they do. Probably a good sign. She’s a real feisty girl, like her momma, no doubt.”

  Gren laughed, “Yes, sir. Got it in one.”

  “G’ night, boys.”

  “Good evening, my Young Lord.”

  “Good night, My Lord.”

  They walked in silence, going deeper into the palace and passing by many doors, some of which stood open to reveal small rooms decorated with fine but simple furniture. Scythe looked around him, marveling at the immensity of the residence.

  “This whole palace was carved out of the rock? It’s enormous.”

  “Well, it wasn’t done overnight. Each governor’s family has added to it for over ten generations. I’ve already started my section; it’s way in the back, of course, but maybe I’ll bring you out to see it sometime. We’re almost to your quarters, just up here.”

  They entered a large room with three staircases spiraling upward. Each stair bore delicate iron banisters decorated with intertwining vines. Every so often, a landing jutted out of the wall, with an archway leading to another floor. Scythe noticed that each staircase accessed different levels. Keyrin and Scythe headed up the stair on the right, turning onto a landing after just one flight. Scythe craned his head, trying to see how high the winding staircases rose. He peered into darkness.

  “Eleven levels in this part of the palace. Impressive, isn’t it? Don’t go wandering around right away or you’ll get completely lost. Some of the levels are designed to look the same as others, as a defensive measure; even I could get lost if I don't pay attention.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ve got no desire to wander around here. Listen, I want to thank you, you know, for...accepting me. I wasn’t sure if I’d be welcome here...”

  “You’re welcome Scythe, to my support, and more. However, don’t get too excited until you know what you’ve gotten yourself into. Okay, it’s right up here...”

  Keyrin led them down another set of corridors, finally stopping in front of a door which he opened to reveal a room with a wooden table, two chairs, a bench and a small cabinet. Through a small doorway, Scythe could see a bed, dresser, chair and side table. His bags were on the bed, along with some new shoes and what appeared to be several changes of clothing, two of which were deep, navy blue uniforms. The room was lit with the same quiet, organic lighting that was often found in Kin homes: small bulbs or trays of glowing algae which needed to be fed weekly with a protein spray. For large areas, the Kin used electrical lighting, but for places like the home the dimmer lights were sufficient for a people whose vision was extremely sharp and whose hearing was sensitive. Scythe grinned at the thought of a good night’s sleep without the clicking, humming and whistling he was used to.

  Keyrin took a seat at the table, leaning back comfortably in the chair. “So here’s what you need to know. For the most part, you are absolutely not welcome here. Most of the people at the table tonight would have had you shot long before you reached the city. Don’t look so surprised, I know you remember what it was like growing up here as a halfblood. It was bad when you were a kid, but the raid made it fifty times worse. When those old guys see you, they don’t see the Kin half at all; all they see is your Human half. And trust me, they hate everything Human, from long before you were born. Every tiny drop of Human blood you’ve got in you is a reminder of a thousand evil deeds: lies told, treaties broken, lives stolen, and enmity that was bred way before our grandparents were born and hasn’t faded a bit. Heck, probably many of the things attributed to the Humans aren’t even true, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is that they believe it and because of that, you’re screwed when it comes to them.”

  Scythe sat down hard on his chair, “So, your father...”

  “Oh, yeah. He is definitely one of the ‘Up against the wall!’ faction, but as he told you, he’s decided to watch and see what happens. Now, I’m telling you this because I want you to understand a few things. One: I don’t care about your Human blood; you are Kin as far as I’m concerned. Yeah, you already know that, from long ago. Number two: you are not safe around here by yourself. I want you to stay with one of my people at all times, or I’ll be fishing what’s left of your body out of something disgusting, and I don’t w
ant to have to do that. I am dead serious: you will die here unless you are adequately protected or until you prove yourself to the old folks somehow. Although, realistically, I don’t think there is anything you could do short of wiping out all Humans that would ever make you acceptable to them. Naw, even that wouldn’t do it, so just forget it.”

  Scythe’s stomach churned as he listened to Keyrin’s explanation. He had known it might be bad, but he had expected to be ignored or insulted at the worst. In all of his years living with his family, he had never suspected that his life might be in danger for being half Human. He suddenly realized the gift Keyrin had given him by meeting him and escorting him into Poinsea.

  “Why are you doing this for me?”

  Keyrin smiled at him, “Well, good question, Scythe. Why go out of my way for you? Well, I think you have potential as a soldier, could see it even on that first day, long ago.”

  Scythe remembered clearly the day that Prize had taken him to play at the park and he had gotten involved in a dangerous game. Keyrin was there visiting Prize, and had intervened, calming a group that had turned aggressively on the young halfblood. That was also the day he had met Smoke and Rend, who later became his mentors and even shared much of their Blade training with their young friend.

  Keyrin continued, “You were calculating, tenacious, fast and lucky; all of these are qualities I look for in someone I’m thinking of having at my side. When you downed your opponent, you didn’t stand around and lord it over him, you didn’t take it easy, you looked around for the next objective. That made a real impression on me, coming from an eight-year-old.” He gave Scythe a wink, “Your being my wife’s cousin didn’t hurt at all, either, especially since I was still trying to catch her in those days.”