by Khalid Uddin
He grinned toothily. “Now you can go back. I’ll pack up my things, wait a few minutes, and then I’ll leave.” She put her head against his shoulder. “And when I see you again, I’ll be all yours.” Baltaszar hugged her tightly and then kissed her hand as she walked away. She turned and smiled once she got to the door, then blew him a kiss before she walked away.
He shut the door and locked it, then gathered his things. I guess I finally made a decision about Yas. Right? Does that mean that I’m finally over her now? Baltaszar sighed. What if the feelings return when I see her? He mumbled to himself, “I suppose I’ll find out when I get there.”
Baltaszar looked out the window. No one. He climbed out and dropped to the ground below. The impact was a little harder than he expected, but he was sure the pain in his ankle would go away. His back still ached a bit from his fight with Desmond. Stop being a pansy. Baltaszar crept to his horse, untied it and mounted quickly, then rode away into the night as fast as he could. He had a more important mission to worry about than Marlowe’s.
Chapter 21
Rage
From The Book of Orijin, Verse Three Hundred Eighteen
We have nourished you with emotions so that you may live fruitful lives. Only by mastering your emotions will your lives find success.
Seven months before Baltaszar would not have been able to make such a clandestine journey so easily. His second attempt to cross the river had been infinitely more successful, especially since he’d heated the water around him as he swam so that no poisonous snakes could bite him. All he had to do once across was to create a big enough fire to dry himself quickly, and it was as if he’d never stepped foot into the water. He’d traveled another two days since crossing and luckily the snow had only started a few hours ago. Baltaszar missed the wool cloak that he used to have, but at least Marlowe had provided him with a grey wool coat. No one at the House ever had to worry about clothes. Baltaszar always wondered where they came from, but always forgot to ask.
The edge of the Never lay a few minutes away, he could already see the clearing because of the fireball that floated in the air a few yards ahead of him, even in the steady snowfall. It had been what he’d practiced the most in his time at the House. He loved to flick his wrists and make fireballs appear. Most of the time, he would release them right away. The fireballs came in handy during his late night escapades with his friends. I hope they forgive me for leaving them. I’ve already pissed them off once in a big way.
He stepped out of the forest and into the calmness of a sleeping Haedon. Baltaszar had worked the plan over in his mind repeatedly since he left Vandenar. Speak to Oran Von. See what is left of home. Speak to Yasaman. Now I just have to go through with the plan. Especially the last part.
Baltaszar wanted most to see Yas again, yet it was the last thing he wanted. He needed answers from Von more than anything and he needed the element of surprise. Baltaszar released his manifestation and walked on in darkness. The midnight streets were just as familiar as they had been seven months ago, despite the accumulating snow. Oran Von lived on the northern end of the village, on the other side of Haedon Square. Baltaszar would avoid the Square at all costs. He’d been unsure of what emotions would arise if he went back there and he could not risk those emotions overwhelming his confidence. Who knows when I’ll have another opportunity to do this? He drove all thoughts of his father, for the time being, to the furthest reaches of his mind.
Despite the snow no lanterns were lit at this time of night. If the snow persisted so aggressively his footprints would be gone by the time his business in Haedon was finished. Von. Home. Yas. Leave. And back to Anahi in plenty of time. It all sounds so easy. If I’m lucky, Bo will be hiding here, too. I can sneak him back with me and find a safe place for him. Maybe even in Vandenar. Baltaszar chuckled at the thought of Bo’az eating an elephant steak.
He walked on through the calmness of the snowfall until the northern half of Haedon was in sight. He had seen Oran Von’s house a handful of times, on those few occasions when he’d joined his father on an errand. He walked down the road leading to Von’s house. He wondered if Von’s guards would be outside at this time of night, and in this weather. After his father’s death, Baltaszar couldn’t imagine any other disturbances in Haedon that would cause a threat to Von.
“No guards,” he mumbled to himself. Baltaszar had never actually been inside the house. He chose the closest window. Though Von had once been a tall man, the windows were not unusually high. He pried a pane open as quietly as he could. Good thing I had so much practice with Yas’ window!
Baltaszar hoisted himself up and scaled the window. He hit the floor with a loud squeak and slipped onto his back. Bloody snow!
A deep voice boomed. “What! Who is there?” Its owner was unmistakable.
Baltaszar scrambled to get up. “Tell me this isn’t his bedroom,” he sighed. With a hushed voice, Baltaszar hurriedly pleaded, “Please don’t be afraid. It is Baltaszar Kontez. I mean you no harm. I only want to speak with you. I have questions about my father and I know you have answers.”
A heavy knock came at the door. Von answered in the dark, “I am fine! Just some unexpected company, but I am quite fine! Make a pot of tea for me, then bring it in when it is ready!” Von lit a lantern and Baltaszar could finally see. He hobbled over to a chair by the wall and invited Baltaszar to sit next to him. As old as Von was, he hadn’t really aged since Baltaszar had last seen him. “You look different,” Von said. “Filled out. Have you finally gone to the House of Darian?” He asked the question with a smile.
“Yes, sir.”
“And since you made it all the way there you obviously had at least one stop into the City of the Fallen. Oh Orijin, I hate that name. That would be the only reason for you to have questions. You have figured out who I am.”
“I have, Master Von. Or should I say, Vitticus Khou.”
Von smiled genuinely. “Ha, nobody has called me that in a long, long time. I’d almost forgotten that name, myself.”
“Why are you not afraid of me?” Baltaszar was almost offended that he had been able to sit down and talk with Von so easily.
“I stopped worrying about death the night your father died. The night I allowed him to die.”
“What’s that?” Baltaszar gulped. Von wasn’t supposed to be this open about things.
“I never wanted your father to die, dear boy. It was his idea. I only agreed to go along with it because I grew so exhausted arguing with him. Surely you remember me coming to your farm over the years? Before his confinement?” Baltaszar nodded. “He always asked for you and Bo’az to leave us because he knew I wanted to argue about telling you.”
“Telling me what?”
“The truth, boy! The truth! He lied to you about that black line! He knew what it was! He came to Haedon because of it! You had that line from the time you were a little boy, the same night your mother disappeared. It scared the shit out of him.”
Baltaszar’s focus did not waver as a hulking man came in with a teapot and two cups. He set them down on a table next to Von, filled both cups and handed one to each of them. “Look, Zin Marlowe told me as soon as I got to the House of Darian that my father was a liar. At least he sacrificed himself to save me. I love my father, more than anyone could ever know, but at the moment I have mixed feelings about how he handled my life. I know my mother was abducted. I know why he came here. What I don’t know is, why was it so important to hide me here? Why didn’t he go looking for my mother? Is there any chance that my mother is still alive? Marlowe teased me with information when I first met him and then barely spoke to me again.”
“Shortly after your mother vanished your father went to the Tower of the Blind. He hoped to find out if he would ever see your mother again. Hoped for clues on how to find her. He received a different prophecy and I doubt it had anything to do with your mother.”
“What was it?”
“I have no idea. He never shared it. But it scar
ed him so much that he brought you and Bo’az here. I imagine he thought he could get the better of the prophecy by hiding you here for your whole life.”
“So why could you not go to the Tower and ask for the same prophecy?”
“That is not how it works. The Augurs will never share a prophecy that has to do with someone else. Prophecies are private. Sacred.”
“Fine. My mother, though. Is there any hope that she is alive?”
Von sighed. “I suppose I could not give you a definite answer. But realistically, I would say no, Baltaszar. She has been gone for almost your whole lifetime. If she was abducted, fourteen years is a long time to keep someone prisoner. I do not believe that Raya abandoned you, Bo’az, and Joakwin. Though I never actually met your mother, her family was well-known throughout Galicea and southern Mireya. They were upstanding people. Good character. Your mother and her brother, your uncle, were not known to be any different. In my opinion she was taken. I would imagine by an agent of Jahmash. It wasn’t King Edmund’s way to kidnap Descendants.”
“Why didn’t my father try to look for her? Or was he too afraid to do that, as well?” Baltaszar felt tense. For seventeen years his father had been the greatest man he knew. And it turned out that the man he knew was a lie.
“I can only imagine how you must feel about him, especially to find it all out from someone else. But hold your judgment for now. There was much good in Joakwin. Asarei searched for your mother because Joakwin refused to leave you and Bo’az for even a moment. For years Asarei searched Ashur and beyond. Not a soul had heard of or seen your mother. It was as if she had vanished from existence. Given her manifestation, she might have the ability to do just that. But even then, she would have returned to you at some point if she was alive.”
Her manifestation? “What was it? Marlowe never got around to telling me.”
“It was something rather remarkable. She was able to travel to the Three Rings and back. I imagine that was why she was abducted. It is an attractive thing for a great many people to be able to interact with the dead.”
Baltaszar steeled himself for a moment. If he let himself go, the conversation would have made him more emotional than he wanted in front of Von. He changed the subject quickly. “Who is this ‘Asarei’ that you speak of? Marlowe mentioned him as well.”
Von nodded. “Asarei was a Maven at the House a long time ago, though he was not much older than your parents. He was one of very few Taurani to leave his people for the House. Once Edmund took the throne in Cerysia and deemed Descendants criminals, Marlowe decided that the House would abandon all violent acts. That meant that Descendants could no longer learn combat, nor could they use their manifestations to attack. I am sure you know those rules well. However, Asarei vehemently opposed this decision. Once it became clear that Marlowe would not change his mind, Asarei left. Many rumors circulated that he left to start his own version of the House of Darian.”
“We could use a man like that at the House. People are still upset about that rule. We do certain things in secret, though.”
“I do not blame you. I have my…connections…to the rest of Ashur. There is a growing fear that Jahmash’s return is not far off. You would do well to learn how to attack. Discreetly, of course.”
Baltaszar suddenly realized that they’d been talking for quite a while. He looked outside to see the sky was still black and dotted with white snowflakes. “I came here expecting more tension. I still have to decide how I feel about my father, but I don’t think that will be sorted out for some time. I was hoping to see my house again before I leave Haedon. Will I have trouble if I go there?”
“Ah. That clears up that argument.”
Baltaszar looked at him sideways. “What do you mean?”
“The night after your father died someone returned to your house. However, once the people of Haedon found out someone was in there, they stormed your farm and set everything on fire. In the darkness of the night nobody could be sure of whether it was you or Bo’az there. Now it is clear that it was Bo’az. However, he was with three men who took him into the forest. They killed and hurt many of our people who tried to follow. In fairness, our people were trying to do the same to them. From the descriptions I was given of these three strangers, I believe one of them was Rhadames Slade, an old friend of mine and your father’s.”
“I met him. The same night that my father died. He was the one who told me to go to the House of Darian.”
“If Slade is with Bo’az then he is safe. But as I said, there is nothing left where your house and farm once were. Having put on the charade of wanting to sentence your father, I could not refuse those who insisted on destroying and clearing the property. I apologize, lad.”
“I do not blame you. I just hoped to see it, for old time’s sake I guess. I should be going. I should be far from Haedon by the time the sun is up.”
“I wish only the best for you, Baltaszar. I hope you accomplish great things at the House. I would strongly suggest, if you have the time, go to the Tower and see if that prophecy had anything to do with you. It only makes sense that it was about you or Bo’az. At least find out. If I catch wind of anything pertaining to Bo’az, I will have my connections contact you at the House.” Baltaszar rose and shook Von’s hand heartily. He was about to climb the window when Von stopped him. “Dear boy, why not just go out through the door? It would prove much easier.” Baltaszar reddened and walked to the bedroom door.
“Thank you. This was more helpful than you know.”
***
Baltaszar had been surprised at how easy it had been to get in and speak to Von, as well as get the answers he’d wanted. He was almost disappointed that Von hadn’t argued or put up a fight. Darkness still prevailed, though Baltaszar speculated he had about two hours until dawn. Yasaman’s farm was within sight. It’s been almost a year; she’ll be so happy to see me again. Right?
Baltaszar could see Yas’ home clearly enough to discern a flicker of light through one window. He lifted his knees high as he stepped through the snow to the house and peeked in a window. Yas’ house was only one level and he could see the door to her room. A portly woman exited Yas’ door and Baltaszar stifled a gasp. That can’t be her. A new maid, maybe? The woman walked toward the kitchen and Baltaszar turned to circle around to Yas’ own window. If he could avoid confrontation with Yas’ parents or anyone else, things would go smoothly. As he took a step, one of the floor boards of the porch groaned loudly, causing Baltaszar to freeze. Footsteps immediately bounded to the front door of the house as Baltaszar froze where he stood.
The door flung open and the rotund silhouette in the doorway proved much too large to be Yas or her mother. “Who’s there? I can see you! Answer me now or there will be a knife in your belly!” There was no hesitation in the woman’s voice. Baltaszar pulled his hood down and raised his hands high as he stepped cautiously toward her.
“I am Baltaszar Kontez. I used to live in Haedon and am…an acquaintance…of Yasaman’s.” He continued to step slowly toward the woman, arms still raised. “I have not seen her in nearly a year and simply wished to speak to her. I trust you are a maid or nurse here?”
The large woman nodded a confirmation. “Do you not realize that it is the middle of the night, fool?”
“I do. But I am not welcome in this town any longer. I am not welcome by Yasaman’s parents, either. I only came so that I could see her again; I did not want to bother anyone else. Please let me speak to her and I promise that I will not cause any trouble.” Baltaszar could have charred the woman in seconds. It was humorous how, several months ago, he too would have thought that holding a knife to a complete stranger meant power over him.
A taller woman, Yasaman’s mother, stood behind the knife-wielding one and whispered something to her. “Very well. You may come in.”
Baltaszar entered the house and Yasaman’s mother grabbed him by his coat. “I am only allowing you in my house because I fear your family’s black magic and do not
want it to burn down. Have your words with my daughter and then leave. I do not want your magic anywhere near this place. Do you understand me?”
Baltaszar nodded. “Lady Adin, I understand. I know that you and Master Adin do not like me, but I…” Yasaman’s mother broke into tears and ran off before Baltaszar could finish his attempt at a truce. Baltaszar turned to the other woman, “What did I say?”
“I would think you would know, fool. Master Adin died eight months ago chasing after you and Yasaman.”
“What? I…I was not with Yas eight months ago. She stopped speaking to me about two months before I left.”
“It was definitely you. She was at your home and you both ran off with your friends in the middle of the night into the forest. One of your friends cut his head off as Isaan tried to take Yasaman back.”
“I promise you, I left without having seen Yasaman for at least two…oh. Oh no. Bo’az.” That’s what Von was talking about. “Bloody Bo’az. I need to see her. I need to speak to her now. NOW.” Baltaszar didn’t wait for the woman to agree. He walked to Yasaman’s door, swung it open, and saw her lying in her bed with her back to the door. “Yas?” Baltaszar sat on the bed and touched her shoulder. “Yas, it’s me. It’s Tasz.” Only after looking her over did Baltaszar realize that Yasaman lay under several blankets and that bandages encased her head. He turned to the other woman, “What’s wrong with her? Is she sick?”
“Yes and no. Although, given your history, it is better that this conversation only involves the two of you. She is well enough to speak to you. Wake her gently and allow her to get her bearings. Be quick, though. She needs her rest.” The portly woman exited the room and shut the door.
Baltaszar squeezed Yas’ shoulder and shook her gently. He leaned to her ear and whispered, “Yas, wake up. It’s Tasz.” After a moment, Yasaman grunted and turned her head to Baltaszar, opening her eyes. She blinked a few times and looked at him incredulously.