“Nerído Xipilé, of the House of Xipilé, will you comply with our laws and offer yourself to this woman, solely, reverently, and worshipfully?”
We held our gaze and he said without hesitation, “I will.”
I looked at the Healer again. “Halíka Alíanka Dacomé, of the House of Dacomé, will you comply with the Xipilé laws and offer yourself solely, trustingly, and without prejudice?”
“I will.”
“And so, everyone here has heard your answers and bears witness to this union. You may now exchange the wedding crystal, the sacred sign of your royal union.”
On the table in front were the two crystals, their chain links draped upwards on display.
Healer Jzan handed a knife to Nerído. “Nerído Xipilé, you may now take the blood oath.”
With the knife, Nerído cut his middle finger until blood oozed to the surface. Healer Jzan picked up the first crystal and pulled open the lid at the top as Nerído squeezed his blood into the middle. Once it was full, Nerído sealed it with a single burn shot from his finger.
The crystal was now whole and would be given to me.
He held the cream-coloured stone in one hand and mine in the other. His glow was getting more intense and his eyes had finally changed from blue to red. The happiness that radiated from him had me in awe.
He stared into my eyes and spoke out loud. His gaze was so deep, it was almost possible to forget that anyone else was with us.
“Halíka Dacomé, please accept this token of our union. It signifies not only my love, but also my unparalleled devotion to you. To the end of my life, I will take care of you, through our good days and through our bad days, even if we suffer the blight of toil, sickness, bitterness, and hatred, as is the custom of my people. This token carries my blood, a part of me that will always remain with you.”
He closed his eyes and a small tear fell down his cheek as he held the chain over my head and fastened it around my shoulders. I reached for the crystal and held it in my palm. The sides were still warm from the sealing of the lid, but it dazzled and sparkled in the light of the moons.
Now it was my turn. Thankfully, the words were almost the same for me this time. Healer Jzan handed me the crystal chain and I held it for a moment. This was it. This last gesture would be the most important one of our ceremony. Only this part would mean that our union was lawful.
The knife was in my hand and I cut a small incision in my left middle finger and watched the droplets fill the crystal. Healer Jzan put the stopper in the top and Nerído sealed it with a touch.
I grabbed his hand and looked into his eyes. I had to stop myself from stroking his cheek, but my hand stayed holding his.
“Nerído Xipilé, please accept this token of our union. It signifies not only my love but also my unparalleled devotion to you. To the end of my life, I will take care of you, through our goods days and through our bad days, even if we suffer the blight of toil, sickness, bitterness, and hatred. This token carries my blood, a part of me that will always remain with you.”
He leaned down so I could secure the fastener without standing on tiptoes. Once it was in place, he pressed it into his chest, over his heart, and grinned at me.
Healer Jzan continued. “Those of you present here and now have seen these two people exchange their bloodlines and you have been witness to its meaning. This union has been carried out under Xipilé law. As Halíka Dacomé has now joined the Xipilé clan by marriage, this union cannot be dissolved or rendered annulled by the Dacomé House. This union is now and ever will be binding to the end of your days. You may now kiss each other in front of your witnesses to prove your commitment to this union.”
“About time,” whispered Nerído. I giggled.
I looked back at Avíra, who held a handkerchief alternately to one eye or the other. Sanátu wasn’t without tear streaks down his face, and Jerik bobbed up and down on the spot in excitement. Orelían sobbed into a green kerchief and smiled through her crying with Cary leaning on her shoulder sniffling. Zaquinto barked and panted.
Healer Jzan packed up his papers, and all that remained was him.
Nerí reached forward and put his hands around my shoulders. “I love you,” he whispered and brought his face close to mine. He was waiting for me to say it.
“I love you too,” I said without pause. The words that I’d had so much trouble with for all of my life seemed to flow from my lips so naturally.
He kissed me for the first time as my husband, holding me tighter as he kissed me harder and with full devotion. I could never tire of his affections that made me feel wholly and fully like a woman. After all, it was who I now was. His wife.
Chapter 10 - The Plan
“This is what I suggest.” I leaned over the battle chart table surrounded by the captains. The military academy’s set-up was identical to that of the War Room, but as that one was out of bounds, this was our only option. “The Primords are going to come from this direction, head on from across the plain and up through the Outer City ahead of the 1st Corridor. Agreed?”
Larník and Orthían nodded. The others I could see were waiting for the next part. “Then they’ll gradually filter around each side of the Arc and try to enter the Inner City through the open corridors. So, if we have a recon ship here to the left and one here to the right, this will prevent them entering the last three corridors, leaving all the soldiers inside fully able to concentrate on the other five.
“Once the ships have pushed back the Primords into one group near the 8th, 1st, and 2nd Corridors, the ships can close in from either side and pick off the horde as a whole. The third recon ship can wait in the mountains until the majority have crossed the plain’s edge and come from behind. This way we will have the Primords bunched into one tight group. We attack from three sides, move them in, and kill them all.”
Captain Perayan pointed to the border of the Minor and the plain behind. “How will we attack the others near the back? There’ll be too many of them.”
“Good point,” I said. “We still have the main ship to skirt around the plain and take on the majority of outsiders with sonic waves. The waves will blind them and puncture their ear drums, killing them instantly. It will be nothing but a mass grave by the time the waves have finished. So, what does everyone think?”
“For once, I see a light,” Larník trumpeted. “It’s a good plan. As long as it works, it’s a good plan.”
“Orthían?”
He nodded as well. “If the ships are killing the Primords in one bunch near the top three corridors, we’ll have Primords running in all directions. But they’ll be scared. We can fight them with the soldiers we have. It’ll work.”
“Perayan?”
“Aye, it’ll work. What about the Primords who stay hidden inside the Outer City? You’ll not find them unless you go on foot.”
“Yes, I will. Leave them to me,” I said confidently. My fingers grasped at my crystal. I enjoyed the smooth feeling against my skin.
Someone coughed, breaking my thought, while someone else laughed. Orelían had not been slow in spreading the news to the other captains and lower-ranking officers about my midnight ceremony.
“Sorry,” I laughed. My cheeks burned from the impromptu thought of my new husband’s soft skin.
“It’s all right, my lady,” Orthían said jovially. “We all know how traumatic married life can be.”
Larník sniggered good-heartedly, easing any tension in the room.
“My lady,” said Orelían, “any sign of the Primords yet?”
Closing my eyes, I stretched out my power, out of the Inner City and towards the plains. Before, it had been so easy to feel the black shadows that encroached on our land. Today, though, there were no shadows at all.
It made me uneasy.
“Nothing, Orelían.”
“Well, that’s something. At least it’ll give the artisans a few more hours on the barricades,” Larník said.
“Good point,” Orthían added.
“Okay, captains, all soldiers are to be ready for inspection in one hour. All weapons oiled and polished. We close the gates to the town in three hours. After that, nobody goes in or out. Orelían, is the sentry guard still doing regular shifts inside the palace?”
“Yes, my lady. The shift changed thirty minutes ago. The duty men standing guard now are fresh and ready for anything.”
“Has the king eaten?”
“Yes, my lady. He has been furnished with food.”
“Good.”
“My lady?”
“Yes, Perayan.”
“What if they don’t return?”
“Arfron Uhnok is still within the palace. He’s led the Primords since before I joined the army. He is the one who’s responsible for turning their warped minds into the savages they are today. Believe me, they’ll come,” I said quietly, checking the battle chart again.
“Halíka Dacomé?”
“Orthían, speak,” I commanded.
“When you say to leave the Minor in your hands, what will you do?”
I looked up and saw their faces. The most determined and loyal people, all of whom had been at my side for such a time.
“Captains, I’m going to use my magic, and I’m going to kill them all.”
Nobody moved. Orthían looked like he’d just been shot in the gut, Larník, like someone had stamped on his toe. In fact, everyone displayed expressions of alarm or astonishment.
Perayan finally put his head in his hands and then looked at me through his fingers. “Oh no, Halíka Dacomé, you’re going to break the Edict, aren’t you?”
“Yes, Perayan,” I bravely grinned at them all. “I’m going to break the Edict.”
The Primords still hadn’t entered my visions. My senses reached out time and again, but I felt nothing that resembled the black vileness that I’d become accustomed to seeing.
Once the soldiers’ inspection had been completed, I ordered them to their barracks to rest but to be ready at a moment’s notice. We all needed time to recover after the stress of the last few days.
Avíra was busy teaching some of the young nobility girls her fan dance in the gardens. Sanátu was exercising in the military workout rooms, practising with his long swords. Jerik had caught the eye of one of the miller’s daughters last evening and had arranged to meet her again.
Nerído and I spent time in his room getting to know each other better.
Everyone was tense, waiting for the cry when Primords would show on the horizon. The barricades were now mended and a line of sentry guards had been placed at each annex observation tower to report any movement from the Outer City.
For now, there was nothing to do.
I got up and walked over to the window. The bright sunlight shone across the city, leaving a pale veil that surrounded every building. It was so beautiful from up here.
Nerído came to me and wrapped me with his sheet. I leaned against him as he draped his arms over my shoulders and pulled me against his bare chest. We marvelled at the tranquillity the day had brought so far. The quietness was all-consuming.
“If I have a girl, I want to call her Alíanka, after my mother,” I whispered.
He smiled against my ear. “Halíka, we’re going to have more than one girl, and a few boys too, I hope.”
“So you’re the Seer now, are you?”
“No,” he laughed. “I want lots and lots of children. I want to give them a better childhood than we had. We can teach them how to climb and swim and play. Have fun. And they’ll all be beautiful, just like their mother.”
“I’d like that.” I patted his arm resting across my chest.
Then it came.
I grabbed at Nerído as I crashed down to the floor but he didn’t catch me in time. My eyelids flickered as the seizures took hold. My body wracked and shook and there was nothing he could do except wait for it to end.
The black had returned. But this time, it was heavier. It could only mean one thing. They were armed with swords or knives still, but this time there weren’t hundreds or thousands of them—there were millions.
My visions returned after.
I saw them killed by the sonic beams, I watched the ground receive the waves as they fell on top of one another, wave after wave, destroyed to the brink. The soil received their blood and soaked it in until nothing but black remained.
Then I was high in the air, flying like a sparrow hawk. The air tugged at my arms as I flew, pulled at my hair and my clothes, but the sensation of real freedom was like nothing I had ever envisaged. I was light as a feather as I buffeted on the thermals, soaring higher and higher. I saw the ground and the death that lay upon it. The death that lay waiting for me.
“Jerik? What are you doing here?”
“I figured that as you were so pleased with my performance the last time out, I could stay at the 1st, Hally,” he grinned, reaching the top of the observation tower. “Can I stay, please?”
“Why are you so stubborn?” I shook my head, smiling. “All right, you can stay, but be careful.”
He whooped in joy and hugged me, which felt peculiar with the soldiers watching. “Thank you, thank you! You’re the best sister ever!”
“No, I’m your only sister,” I said pointedly.
The loud rumbling began and the ground shook under our feet as Nerído’s ship took off from behind the palace. Nerído, Avíra, and Sanátu stood with me and watched its ascent.
Nerído’s men flew the three recon ships. They undocked quickly and separated in their different directions to the edge of the plain beyond the Minor to wait. The main vessel hovered over the palace dome and ascended higher, its grey metallic cylinder soon disappeared over the crest of the mountains.
Avíra and Sanátu stood beside me, their weapons ready, Sanátu with his two long, slightly curved swords and Avíra with her scythes.
Nerído sharpened his knives with a stone one last time, not out of necessity but just to keep his hands busy. He’d tied his jet-black hair back over his ears into a short tail at the back. His lips were pursed, determined, and he looked more ready for this fight than any of us.
We’d only been able to have one last hurried kiss before grabbing our clothes and running to the battle stations.
“And don’t forget,” he’d whispered as we ran to the corridor, “I love you, wife.”
“And I love you too, husband.” I hadn’t the courage to say it out aloud as he had, but I thought I was making good progress with the expression of my feelings. Cary hadn’t shut up about how I’d called her “lovely” and continued to remind me at every opportunity.
“So, Hally, are you sure you’ll be safe here when you do your magic trick?” Jerik asked.
I grinned. Orelían must’ve told him. “I’ll be safe. The ships will deal with the majority of them and I’ll just have to deal with the dregs left behind in the city. It shouldn’t be too difficult.”
“Want me to stay up here with you?”
I paused. “You know what, Jerik? I’d like that very much. You can watch my back.”
“Sounds good to me,” he replied.
The plan started out simply. Avíra was to go to the 2nd Corridor, Sanátu to the 8th, while Nerído would fight in the 1st with Captain Orthían. Up here on the observation tower, I would wait until the right moment and begin emptying the Minor of Primords using my magic. Secretly, I was glad that Jerik had wanted to stay up here. The magic I would use against the Primords would be intense, but he’d also be kept safe from the gift as it flowed from my body. If he could remain alert and report on which way the war was going, I’d be free to concentrate my efforts without any mistakes.
“Halíka, they’re almost halfway across the plain. Shouldn’t be much longer,” Sanátu said.
While we waited, I thought and paced, reconsidering my thoughts just like a Skeptic would do. Using my magic was dangerous, but what if we four all used our different magics and combined them?
“Avíra?” I asked. �
�Would you be able to thin the air once they’ve reached the city? It might give us an advantage if they can’t breathe so well. Make them lightheaded.”
“I’ve thought of that. The only problem is the ship beyond the plain relies on air to cool their engine systems. If the chemical levels aren’t right, it could upset the mechanics,” she said, looking at Nerído for backup.
“Not necessarily. If you concentrated on the air below the ship, it could always draw in what’s above to cool. They only need to flick a switch and change engines,” he said. “I’ll speak to them now.”
He closed his eyes and his lips moved with silent words. “It’s arranged. Avíra, let me know when you manipulate the air and I’ll pass on the message.”
She nodded and stroked her hands in preparation.
Sanátu contemplated something, his hand under his chin, his elbow locked to his side. “You know, I could reduce the water levels in their bodies, dehydrate them. I’ve been practising at home.”
I shook my head. “No. When I work my magic around the Outer City, I’ll need your help. My magic works easier if I can activate other elements. If you can provide me with a mist as I move around the city, I can detect them quicker. The … aroma … and the top layer of their skin will be covered in dust from the desert. As most of the Minor is rubble and ruins, they’ll blend in too much and it’ll be harder to find them.”
“Okay, I can do that. What about me going to the 2nd?”
“I’ve changed my mind. I think you’ll all be much more useful up here with me. Unless you want to fight?”
“Halíka, why are you changing the plan?” Nerído said bluntly, his eyes narrowed.
I studied him cautiously. “All my life I’ve been told that my magic can’t be used in warfare because of this Edict. I’m going to break it now by using my magic, so why not use all of our magics together? We could be four times more powerful and get the job done quicker. If you want to, I mean. If you’d rather be down there, then just say so.”
The Battle for Arcanon Major (The Lost Dacomé Files) Page 9