Star of Sakova

by Richard S. Tuttle

  Fury burned in RavenWing’s eyes and StarWind rose and pulled RavenWing aside. She whispered in his ear for a few moments and turned to Lyra. “Your treatment of our leader is unacceptable, Lyra,” she stated. “RavenWing is respected by all Sakovans and you gain nothing with this childish rampage.”

  Lyra’s eyes opened wide at the mention of the leader’s name and her mouth gaped open. Her mother’s final words flooded back through her mind. “This is RavenWing?” she asked nervously. She hoped to barter her life for some concessions or die trying, but the mention of RavenWing’s name brought confusion to her mind. “Can there be another RavenWing?”

  StarWind looked puzzled at Lyra. “There is only one RavenWing. Where have you heard the name before? I have never mentioned it, I am sure.”

  Lyra stared down at the ring upon her finger, the ring given to her by her mother and recalled Rhodella’s instructions. She was supposed to go to Uncle Temiker to get training and then have Temiker contact RavenWing. What could Temiker have to do with the Sakovans? “Do you know a mage Temiker of Alamar?” she asked.

  StarWind and RavenWing exchanged glances with each other quizzically. “What do you need help with?” RavenWing asked calmly.

  Lyra sensed an acknowledgement from the pair of Sakovans and sat down. “Syman and Antello are here because they vowed to help me. I feel responsible for them. I understand that you cannot free them, but I ask that they be allowed to remain with the Sakovans. They are good boys and I know that they will accept this situation and be productive in any way they can.”

  Lyra cleared her throat and continued when she got no reaction to her first request. “My father has been kidnapped and the only people to help him are myself and Uncle Temiker. If I must die, I ask that you get a message to my uncle so that he may help his brother. That is all I ask.”

  RavenWing reclaimed his seat behind his desk and looked at Lyra. “Temiker will be informed,” he declared. “As for your friends, nobody has decided upon killing anyone yet, including yourself. Contrary to your views of Sakovans, we do not take pleasure in killing innocent people. We kill only when it is necessary to ensure our survival. If we can find a way not to kill you without endangering our people, I will be the first to proclaim it. Having the three of you remain in StarCity for the rest of your life is an option, but that must not be considered lightly. For as long as any of you lived, we would be bound to spend manpower watching you to ensure you didn’t escape. There will be time to discuss such things later. At present, we are in no hurry to be rid of your company.”

  Lyra nodded and began to tell her tale. She watched their faces as she went and noted some interesting reactions. RavenWing’s eyes flared when Lyra mentioned names that she supposed he had heard before, while other names brought no reaction. As best Lyra could tell, he had heard of Temiker, Rhodella, and Klaarg before, but not Master Malafar or Master Caulder.

  RavenWing interrupted Lyra when she got to the part where she and Syman and Antello tried to escape. “That was a very foolish move on your part, Lyra. If any Sakovan is trained to kill quickly and silently, it is HawkShadow. You are indeed charmed to have lived to get this far.”

  RavenWing rose and walked over to Lyra and picked up her right hand to examine the ring. “Goral was right, StarWind. That is why she saw the cave.”

  StarWind smiled as Lyra’s face distorted with confusion. What could Goral have said about her seeing the cave?

  “Lyra,” RavenWing said, “you mentioned before that you feel for our people and would like to help them. How sincere was that offer? If you were free to leave and your father and uncle were not in danger, would you stay and help the Sakovans? Think before you answer. I do not wish to hear false bravado and your answer will have no bearing on the length of time you can expect to live, because I have already decided that the Sakovan people will not kill you, regardless of your answer.”

  Lyra seriously pondered her answer to the question. She had no home to return to and she did feel for the Sakovans, despite the fact that she had felt threatened by them. She understood why they felt the need for their actions and she thought she might react similarly to such a situation. Slowly, she nodded her head. “I do care about the Sakovan people. I do not know what help I could be, but I think that I have to try to do something to right the wrongs that have been done here. I have nothing to return to in Omunga as long as my father is free.”

  “Do you have any idea why you feel for a people who have wanted you dead the past few days?” RavenWing asked.

  “No,” Lyra answered. “I understand that you are just doing what you feel you must to survive. I may not agree with some of your methods, but I do agree with your grievance with Omunga. Perhaps I feel the way I do because I do not like the thought of a peaceful people being annihilated.”

  “Lyra,” RavenWing smiled, “you feel the way you do because you are Sakovan.”

  Lyra stared at RavenWing in disbelief, seeing an old man gone mad with age, but RavenWing continued. “Your mother, Rhodella, was Sakovan, Lyra. The ring she gave you is a magical Sakovan ring. It is the reason that your fireball spell failed. While a mage can cast with a magical ring on, she must take the ring into account when casting because the magical auras can interfere with each other. If you removed the ring or accounted for it in your spell, your casting would go fine.”

  Lyra was startled with the revelation regarding Rhodella. How could she have been Sakovan and Lyra never know of it? Was it possible?

  “I know that you may need time to reflect on what I have said,” soothed RavenWing, “but consider this. Goral came to me last night and told me that you saw the cave opening on your journey into StarCity. The cave opening is protected by magic, which makes it invisible to outlanders. That is why your friend asked where SkyDancer had gone; he could not see the cave. Yet you, wearing the Sakovan Ring, saw it clearly. It is not sufficient to just wear the ring to make it work, Lyra. The person who wears it must be of Sakovan blood for it to work.”

  Lyra’s whole life reeled through her mind at an incredible speed. Every interaction with Rhodella played itself back and Lyra fought to find some indication that Rhodella was Sakovan and found nothing. Lyra realized that she had tuned out RavenWing and StarWind and they were looking at her curiously.

  “Lyra,” RavenWing said, “let us end this session for now. Go and rest and digest what we have spoken of and we will talk again later. You have no need to fear for your safety or that of your companions. As long as they do not try to leave the city, no harm will come to them. I think we may find a more permanent solution somehow. We have but to take the time to consider it fully. Go rest.”

  Lyra nodded and rose to leave. StarWind started to follow, but RavenWing halted her. “Have somebody show Lyra the way to her room. I need to discuss some matter with you.”

  StarWind opened the door and hailed Jostin, who was passing by. She instructed the red-haired boy to escort Lyra back to her room, giving him instructions as to which room Lyra was staying in. StarWind then returned to RavenWing’s office.

  “I couldn’t have imagined that Lyra was Sakovan,” StarWind declared. “The name Rhodella sits in the back of my mind, but I cannot attach a person to it. Who was she?”

  “You may remember her as WinterWind,” sighed RavenWing. “Her loss is a tragedy.”

  “WinterWind,” StarWind repeated with awe. “LoneBadger's mother? And we almost killed her daughter. Do you think she will stay with us?”

  “I do not know,” RavenWing answered. “I imagine that she has much to think about. I need you to find out about this Master Malafar and contact her Uncle Temiker. Be vague about Lyra being here in the Sakova and how you came into such knowledge of the kidnapping of his brother. And keep tabs on his travels. I want to know where he is at any given time. We may need him to convince Lyra to stay with us.”

  “From what MistyTrail said,” StarWind stated, “Lyra’s magic knowledge is far from complete. She reported that while Lyra’s fireb
all spell was very powerful, she lacked the control of it, even accounting for the interference of the Ring.”

  “True,” RavenWing mused, “but WinterWind had instructed her to seek out Temiker’s training. She must have known that Lyra’s training was incomplete. It has been a long time since she left. I will have to read the files on her to be sure I have my thoughts correct.”

  “I could use a refresher too,” admitted StarWind, “but I certainly remember LoneBadger. That was a coup I can easily remember and a defeat that stung harshly. I doubt that Lyra knows any of this. I wonder how she will take the truth when we finally tell her.”

  “I suggest that we feed her slowly,” cautioned RavenWing. “Too much of a shock and we will lose her. I refuse to let WinterWind’s life pass without benefit for the Sakovans. She gave so much for her people.”

  StarWind nodded and changed the subject. “We still have the assassins from Alamar to worry about. There will probably be forty in one group this time and that is not something to be taken lightly. Have you given thought to a mobilization?”

  “I have given it thought,” conceded RavenWing as he walked to the wall map. “We don’t have confirmation yet on where they are. I would prefer a small group as we have done previously and HawkShadow agrees. A large group would ensure losses to our people.”

  “Perhaps,” argued StarWind, “but these are not mere soldiers to be toyed with. I think HawkShadow got lucky with the first group and we risk losing a small elite group if we are seriously outnumbered.”

  “I take it you fear that the group will split up?” quizzed RavenWing.

  “Yes,” answered StarWind. “They are not tracking Lyra this time. I think they will spread out to cover a very large area and try to intercept her before she leaves the Sakova. Our own people could get caught between segments of the group and be annihilated.

  “Your fears are valid,” agreed the Sakovan leader. “I will talk with HawkShadow again about this, but the ultimate decision is his. I respect his ability to control the boarder areas. If they get past him, I will go with a mobilization.”

  StarWind nodded and started to leave.

  “One more item,” recalled RavenWing. “Lyra’s account mentioned a man named Klaarg. The name is familiar to me, but I cannot place it. I want you to research your files and see what you come up with. Also send out a contact bulletin. I want your operatives to be on the lookout for him. Nothing overt, but mark it as high priority.”

  “I will see to it,” assured StarWind. “I think I should check in on Lyra as soon as I get these other things under way. When do you want to see her next?”

  “You seem to have developed her trust well,” smiled RavenWing. “You feed her slowly and whenever you feel the need for me to be involved further, just schedule it. I will always be available for you. I am posting a pair of guards at the tunnel, so you may let the boys have free reign of the city. If they try to escape, we will have a problem, but if they do not, it will ease Lyra’s fears for their safety.”

  StarWind nodded and let herself out of RavenWing’s office.

  Chapter 15

  Alazar

  The tall man’s footsteps echoed off the fine marble floor as he strode purposely down the long corridor. His eyes did not deviate from the ornate gilded doors at the end of the corridor. He was not distracted by the marble pedestals, which lined the hallway, nor the exquisite busts of previous Katanas, which sat upon them. The past held no interest for the man as his long crimson robe swayed in rhythm with his long stride. The future, the man smiled, that is what was important in life, only the future mattered.

  The crimson-clad guards posted at the gilded doors straightened stiffly as the man approached. They each reached swiftly to open the doors leading to his inner sanctum, careful not to let their eyes rest upon the thin scar, which ran between the robed man’s left eye and ear. Guards had been dismissed for merely seeming to notice the dark man’s blemish and dismissal from the Crimson Guard was dangerous to one’s health.

  First Minister of Omunga, Alazar, swept through the doors without the merest indication of the guards' presence and the doors closed quietly behind him with a soft click. The office of the First Minister was large and lavishly appointed, befitting his position as the right-hand of the Holy Katana. A visitor would be immediately impressed with the walls, which were lined with books from floor to ceiling, and conclude that the First Minister was an avid reader and a learned man. Indeed, Alazar thirsted for information and not just the type of information contained in books.

  Alazar strode past the numerous couches, tables, and upholstered chairs to the large well-polished wooden desk as the far end of the room. He adroitly flipped the safety mechanism hidden within the ornate carvings of one of the legs of the desk and sat down. Sliding open one of the drawers of the desk, Alazar withdrew a gleaming crystal set within a highly polished square of blue-gray metal and placed it on the desk. The First Minister’s right hand strayed to his black goatee as his black eyes gazed into the crystal. Images flashed in the crystal while the fingers of Alazar’s left hand tapped impatiently on the rich desktop. A sneer spread across his thin face as the images ceased and Alazar return the crystal to the safety of its compartment.

  The First Minister glanced briefly at the pile of official forms placed in the center of his desk and pushed them to one side. He had no time for the trivialities of legal dealings right now. Now it was time for a bold move. Past time, he thought irritably as he glared at the gems embedded in the fireplace. Suddenly, one of the rubies embedded in the fireplace began to glow softly and Alazar rose and walked over to one of the bookcases built into the wall of his office. He maneuvered his long thin hand deep into the shelves and flipped a release lever allowing a section of the bookcase to swivel open.

  Alazar tapped his foot impatiently as a tall robust man dressed in black entered the room. “You are late,” Alazar snarled.

  “Only a few moments,” the visitor replied brushing his bushy black hair away from his eyes. “A member of the Monitors was loitering in the area of the secret entrance. I thought a few moments of your time was worth the security of secrecy.”

  Alazar turned swiftly and huffed his way back to his desk and sat down. “What results do you have for me?” he demanded.

  “Temiker must have been warned,” the visitor began. “He left his home in the middle of the night and slipped out of the city. I have men tracking him and I am sure we will have him soon.”

  “Soon?” Alazar snorted. “Soon? I will not stand for incompetence, Klaarg. Your men bungled the raid on the Academy and killed Malafar’s wife. You have let his fool daughter escape and your men are running all over the country trying to capture her. Now you report that an old man has escaped your highly trained assassins? Unbelievable. Why has it taken so long to get the report on Temiker back to me?”

  “My men had trouble picking up his trail,” Klaarg admitted. “They thought it better to hold off reporting until they could assure me that they were within days of capturing him. He may be old, but Temiker is a crafty one. He somehow managed to leave south of the city, only to have my men pick up his trail well north of the city. They are not sure how he managed it, but they are finally on his tail now.”

  “And the daughter, Lyra?” Alazar demanded. “How soon will we have her?’

  Klaarg sighed and slumped into one of the richly upholstered chairs across the desk from the First Minister. “I am worried about that one,” Klaarg reported, shaking his head slowly. “She has two boys from the Academy with her. I still don’t know how she managed to escape the attack, but they made it to Gatong before we picked up their trail again. I put out a report on her to the Imperial Guard as the slayer of the Academy and they are hunting for her as well. Unable to traverse the road safely, she entered the Sakova. We may never see her again.”

  “The two boys with her, do we know about them?” Alazar questioned. “Can we use their parents to achieve our goals?”

  “
No,” Klaarg shook his head. “We know who they are, but there is little that benefits us in that knowledge. One is an orphan and the other was thrown out of his home by his father after an argument years ago. The parents will be no help.”

  “Have you sent your men into the Sakova after her?” questioned the First Minister.

  “Of course,” nodded Klaarg. “I have forty men trailing her and another forty waiting at the other end near Alamar. She will not get across the Sakova.”

  “And suppose she does not intend to cross the Sakova?” queried Alazar. “Have you thought that maybe her destination is StarCity? Will your men attack the Sakovan stronghold to retrieve her?”

  “Attack StarCity?” laughed Klaarg and immediately adopted a frown when he saw the displeasure on Alazar’s face. “Nobody knows where StarCity is. Besides my men are assassins, not an army. I did not even like sending them into the Sakova, but you were insistent that we capture the girl, but they are not equipped to attack the stronghold even if we could find it.”

  “At least you know your limitations,” Alazar sighed. “I have spent years going over every account of penetration into the Sakova and I think I have a fair idea where StarCity is. Your men would never survive, at least not yet.”

  “What do you mean not yet?” the assassin inquired. “Do you have a plan?”