"It was not courage. I had to get through to him. My life is nothing if I cannot reach these children and others. My life is my example. I refuse to live in the world that was given to me, but in the world I am attempting to create."
"Like with Gaeatyra when you risked her stabbing you if she found you not clean enough."
"Yes, like Gaeatyra. Only then I was weary of spirit. Anksha tried to make me promise never to do it again, but I couldn't and I told her so. It appears that I have now won him over as I did Gaeatyra and the Taladrim."
"Be careful, my brother."
"I will. Judging from the way he wavers, someone besides myself has gained his confidence. Someone who does not wish me to teach him. Someone who would use him as a weapon against me."
Nevin pulled at his scarred upper lip. I have noticed the way he seems torn."
"Then it wasn't just me?"
"No. It is either one of the other children or one of the blood-slaves or both."
"Jingen?"
"If it's Jingen, then it's Disharyl."
"Disharyl primes her son and her son primes Stygean. It makes sense. Jingen never argues with anyone. Stygean argues with everyone."
"All the more reason not to trust Jingen."
Isranon considered that. I cannot keep holding Jingen back from his earned rewards. Not in light of what happened."
"Keep your enemies closer than your friends, Nevin growled softly. Let me train Jingen with Stygean and judge them by each other."
"Then I will make the same offer to Jingen, but I will give it to Stygean first. I have refused consistently to meet with Disharyl privately. She throws herself at me."
Nevin raised a woolly eyebrow. Even if my taste ran to females, I would not wish to find that one in my bed."
Isranon chuckled softly. The Sanguine Rose was calling him into sleep and he could not hold much longer against it. Tomorrow then. More talk tomorrow. His father is dead. And that is enough punishing of him."
"He caused it himself."
"He knows.... I am certain he knows. Then Isranon drifted into sleep.
* * * *
"Stygean?"
The boy glanced from his father's body when he heard his name called and saw Nainee. Go away. I want to be alone with him."
"We need to prepare his body for burning. The camp must move on."
Stygean's face screwed up in an effort to stop his tears and he pressed the heels of his palms into his eyes. The kindness in her voice made him wince. How can you stand to look at me? I was passion-dancing you like the vampires!"
"To be nibari is to understand the masters and their needs. And no you weren't. There was no vampiric obsession in what you were doing. You singled me out because you were angry. The rebuke was gently given, but she would not grant him a way out in this conversation.
"I assume there are others outside? Stygean lowered his hands from his eyes and straightened from laying across his father's body.
Nainee nodded. I would not have come alone after what you did to me and Dawnreturning."
Fresh tears rushed into Stygean's eyes. I'm sorry."
"You should be. Especially since your father would still be alive had you not injured Dawnreturning. He was keeping Liuthan alive, which was more than you deserved."
Stygean winced. Does everyone know?"
Nainee shook head her. Only the commanders and their aides. However, everyone saw Dawnreturning carried from your tent and he has not been moving about the camp, so I assume that would lead people to suspect. After all, Randilyn's scream carried a long way."
Stygean began to cry and Nainee wrapped her arms around him. Come on, I didn't come here to argue with you. Dawnreturning wishes to see you."
Haig, Olin, and Daree were waiting outside. More than enough to have subdued a grown sa'necari, much less one sa'necari stripling. Stygean felt their eyes upon him and pressed himself against Nainee, inexplicably comforted by the nibari's presence. He could almost taste their condemnation and only the fact that he had lost his father as a result of his actions mitigated their desire for vengeance. By their own laws they would have been within their rights to kill him for stabbing their liege-lord. Yet as he considered it, he wondered what really held them back. He imagined being drained to death by Haig or having his heart torn from his living body by the lycans.
"Are they going to kill me? Stygean asked in a small voice as they crossed the camp to the center where Isranon's tent and wagons lay.
"It was discussed, Nainee replied. It was also suggested that if you're old enough to prey upon others, then you're old enough to become a blood-slave."
The specter of being taken by Anksha sent a shiver up his spine. What are they going to do with me?"
"Nothing."
That startled Stygean. What do you mean nothing?"
"Lord Dawnreturning refuses to allow it."
"Why?"
"You will have to ask him."
Anksha was in the wagon when Nainee and Stygean climbed in. She bared her fangs at the boy, which made his stomach tighten. The mage lay on the bed, looking pale and worn. Anksha straightened the coverlet, drawing it up to Isranon's chin with a pat that made him smilewhich suggested he did not intend to leave it there long. Stygean could not entirely grasp how he could have hurt him that badly.
"Leave us alone please, Isranon said.
Nainee left and Anksha followed reluctantly. She growled at Stygean, Don't touch him. Don't touch him. Hurt him again and you'll end like your father."
Stygean paled.
"Anksha! Isranon said sharply and she left. Come here, Stygean. I'm sorry about your father."
Stygean sat on the folding stool by the bed and nodded. It's my fault. Blind vengeance is not the way."
"Nor is blind pacifism."
Stygean swallowed and nodded. His eyes leaked around the edges. Isranon touched the tears gently, then twisted abruptly onto his side, grimacing.
"What is it? What's wrong? Stygean cried out, frightened that he was about to lose Dawnreturning also.
"The medicinehalf a measure. In the drawer, he added as Stygean spun around looking for the bottle.
Stygean found the preserving bottle and read the label automatically: Sanguine Rose. Then he poured a measure into a glass and tilted Isranon's head up to drink it. I am sorry. I am so hell-assed sorry, he said as the shifting of Isranon's body exposed his chest. There were old scars and bandages across his chest, stomach, and arms. How?"
Isranon closed his eyes and spoke softly, as if from a distance; trying to relax while the drugs and troll's blood took effect. The old wounds re-create themselves whenever they can. I was able to block most of it. That's another reason I was knocked too far down to save your father."
Stygean saw that Isranon was even more scarred than his father had been at the end. He reached before he could stop himself and touched an ugly scar on Isranon's shoulder, where it looked as if someone or something with fangs had nearly bitten a piece from him. Anksha?"
"No. The sa'necari that ambushed me. Some of those scars go back to when I was your age."
"My age.... Stygean blinked, trying to get his mind around that. He had believed himself ill-treated, but it began to seem like nothing before what Isranon had experienced.
"I am going to tell you about my life. But first, I want to say this. Prove yourself to me, and I will take the collar off and make you my apprentice."
"Apprentice? Stygean gasped. After what I did to you?"
"Yes. Now listen. I'm dying. Only a few know it. But I intend to teach you everything I know while I still can. You must learn fast and you must learn well."
Stygean felt as if his heart was being ripped from his chest. Isn't there a cure?"
Isranon grasped Stygean's hands. Mortgiefan. I refuse to live at that price, which is why Kalirion was willing to choose me as his mage-paladin. He prophesied at the time I pledged to him, that I would not live to see my children grown."
Stygean swallowed back a f
resh bout of sobbing and his voice cracked. How long?"
"I have, at most, a handful of years leftif that."
"The divinator spells?"
"You know about them?"
Stygean nodded. Randilyn said so. When you collapsed I put my wrist in your mouth to revive you...."
"Only the Sanguine Rose heals my injuries and repairs the damage the embedded spells cause. Although your blood would be food, it would never be medicine."
"But isn't there a way to fix it?"
"No. Only a lifemage can heal me. And a master at that, Isranon said. I am the only master. The other five are in Rowanhart. Even if they could help me, they would never do so. I am sa'necari."
"But that's wrong, Stygean protested.
"There are many injustices in the world, Stygean. But that is no reason to add to them. Besides, what people believe of me is not as important as what I believe of people. I believe that others deserve my help and compassion."
"I understand."
"Now let me tell you my story while I have the strength to. Then I must rest again. When we finish, send Anksha or Nevin back. Isranon began to tell Stygean his tale and for the first time the boy actually listened.
* * * *
"So you really stuck him? Jingen asked nonchalantly, sitting in the tent he shared with Stygean. I suspected so when I saw him carried out of here. Why didn't you tell me?"
"I'm not proud of it, Stygean told the younger boy.
"Have you lost your stomach for vengeance, Stygean? Have they finally cowed you? I'm going to grow up to be a real sa'necari, not a make-believe one like Dawnreturning. It's a shame you didn't manage to kill him. Jingen drew his own hellblade from its hiding place in his pack and played with it. I have made my blade my own. It didn't want a new owner, but I forced my will on it."
The blades were made by capturing a soul inside it in the rites. Some times the blades resisted passing into the hands of someone who was not of the lineage of their creators. But there were ways to overcome that. Jingen had been feeding the blade his own blood every day since it came into his possession, and now it was his.
"I don't want to talk about it, Stygean replied, walking away from him toward the tent flap.
Jingen put his blade away and followed Stygean to the entrance. But you're the one kept us all hot to do it. You can't just walk away now."
"I can if I want to."
"No, you can't, Jingen snarled. And you'll tell no one about my blade either."
"I'm not a snitch. Stygean's brow furrowed. Use it and you'll deal with me."
"Oh, right. Like you're any threat? Jingen fluttered his hands and made a disparaging noise. You were an ass not to kill the Renunciate and then to let them just take yours. Cross me, and I'll rite you, Stygean."
Stygean felt suddenly ill, his sphincter tightened at the thought of having Jingen's cock up his ass and a blade in his ribs. His people were just as Isranon had said. Then his old defiance reared up. Try it, Stygean snarled. Just try it."
"I won't try. I'll just do it."
"Bastard. Stygean punched Jingen in the face, sending him into the dirt, and then darted out and ran.
"I will, Stygean! Jingen rubbed his face, glowering. You hear me, I will!"
Stygean did not stop running until he had reached Amiri and Randilyn's wagon. He composed himself, straightened his tunic, and waited. Randilyn emerged from the wagon and regarded him.
"Are you ready, Stygean?"
He nodded. Randilyn stayed close to him and held his hand as they walked across the camp to a large meadow where a pyre had been built. His father lay atop the pile of brush, clothed in one of Isranon's best robes with a sword in his folded hands. She took Stygean up to the pyre and stayed with him. He kissed his father's forehead, cheeks, and lips in formal farewell and then stepped back.
Nevin stood nearby to give a small eulogy. Stygean knew they were doing this for him, rather than for his lost father. He met Nevin's eyes and found a warm forgiveness there that comforted him.
"This day, Nevin began. This day we return the body of Liuthan Loosestrife to the earth and his spirit to the gods that made it. I will not pretend that Liuthan was a good mon...."
A roar of disparagement rippled through the ranks of onlookers, making Stygean uncomfortable. Randilyn's hand closed on his shoulder and she squeezed gently. He looked up and she smiled at him. Stygean sucked in a breath and continued to listen to Nevin, focusing his attention away from the crowds.
"Liuthan was sa'necari. He practiced the rites; he took lives out of appetite and for pleasure. I am not here to say that it was not so, Nevin said. However, even the worst of myn sometimes have redeeming qualities. Liuthan loved his wife, Chinisi, and his son, Stygean. And they loved him. After his wife died.... Nevin waited for the noise to die down again and lifted his hands to indicate the watchers should be silent. No one needed to be reminded that Anksha had killed and eaten Stygean's mother. He encouraged his son to follow the enlightened ways of our Lord Dawnreturning. On his deathbed, Liuthan asked his son to swear allegiance to Dawnreturning, and the boy did so. Out of respect for this kindness, out of consideration for his ability to love, I ask that the gods have mercy upon the soul of Liuthan Loosestrife."
Silence settled as Nevin finished. He gestured and a torch was placed in Stygean's hands. The boy circled the pyre, setting it ablaze. Randilyn walked with him. As the flames roared up, the smith, who had placed the slave collar around Stygean's neck late last spring, came forward with a large set of pliers.
The smith glanced from Stygean to Nevin; and Nevin nodded. Open your tunic and stand very still, the smith said.
Stygean wondered what this meant while unbuttoning his collar and tunic. Randilyn pulled the tunic open wide, settling it around Stygean's shoulders. He saw tears in her eyes and tried to read her expression, a mixture of joy, concern, and sorrow. The smith slid the pliers under Stygean's iron collar and broke the links holding it in place. Stygean's eyes watered, realizing what had happened. The collar slipped away from his neck. He caught it wordlessly and stared at it in his hands.
"This day, Stygean, you are free, said Nevin, then he raised his voice like the lawgiver he had been and the battle clan chieftain he now was to make the proclamation. Let it be known, from this day forward, Stygean Loosestrife, son of Liuthan and Chinisi Loosestrife, is a free mon. Stygean Loosestrife, do you now accept the position of apprentice with Lord Dawnreturning?"
A glow of victory mingled with the sorrow in Stygean's face and he smiled through his tears. Yes I do. I pledge my life, my gifts, and all my heart to Lord Dawnreturning in full faith."
The lycans cheered and that forced a grudging applause from the other watchers. Stygean knew he still had far to go to earn their trust, but he was determined to do so.
"Then this day you are a man, Stygean, Nevin decreed.
"Thank you."
Randilyn hugged him and he leaned into the embrace. I am glad that there is some happiness amidst your sorrows, Stygean, she said.
THE END
* * *
Visit www.renebooks.com for information on additional titles by this and other authors.
Janrae Frank Dark - [Dark Brothers of the Light 08] - Blood Hope Page 16