Pawns (The Wielders of Arantha Book 1)

by Patrick Hodges

  Susarra nodded, but her scowl remained.

  Kelia continued, “All of it is connected, of this I am sure. Centuries ago, Arantha set the Ixtrayu upon a path, a path we have followed every day since. She has watched over us and kept us safe from the machinations of men who would seek to either destroy us or put us back in chains. I simply cannot believe that, after eight hundred years and countless Sojourns, Arantha would put us on a new path that will ultimately lead to our extinction. I refuse to believe that. I pray you don't either.”

  Susarra's face remained blank. “No, Protectress.”

  Kelia exhaled. “Regarding Nyla's behavior … I offer my sincerest apologies, Susarra. I can assure you, she will be punished for her actions. It will not happen again.”

  “See that it doesn't,” she said, sounding unconvinced.

  “Is there anything else?” Katura asked.

  “Only to say that if my next consultation with the Stone reveals a course of action, I will summon you all again. Until then, this conclave is adjourned. Sleep soundly, my friends.”

  The three women rose, bowing their heads. “Sleep soundly, Protectress,” they said in unison.

  Kelia watched as the Council silently filed out of the room. She remained behind, however, turning to face the window. A slight wind had picked up, a cool breeze that gently caressed her cheek. Staring up at the sky, she could swear she saw Onara's face staring down at her.

  “Give me strength, Mother,” she whispered. Then she, too, exited the Council Chamber.

  * * *

  After taking an invigorating and much-needed bath at the cistern, Kelia entered her home to find Liana stoking the fire, sending wisps of smoke up through the vent in the ceiling. She also detected the unmistakable scent of nipa wood, which she guessed Liana was burning to cover up the noxious smell of mud and chava dung.

  Liana looked up, and Kelia met her gaze. Her aunt looked exhausted. She, Lyala, and the entire gathering party had returned two hours before, and Talya was taken straight to the Room of Healing.

  “I spoke with Lyala a few minutes ago,” Kelia said. “She tells me Talya will be fine.”

  Liana just nodded. “Thank Arantha.”

  “How is her mother dealing with it?”

  “Hathi's as well as can be expected, I guess. She's been by Talya's side the entire time.” Liana gave the slightest of smiles. “Probably driving Lyala crazy by now. I don't know how many times Katura wanted to throw me out of the Room of Healing whenever Hathi was injured.”

  Kelia glanced around. Next to the door of Nyla's room, she spotted her daughter's boots, which looked scrubbed clean of most of the mud that caked them earlier. “Is Nyla in her room?”

  “Yes,” said Liana. “I know you told her to come here and stay here, but that mud you threw her in was just … foul, so I took her down to the cistern with a clean robe. The water was warm, but at least she's clean now. Yadra was kind enough to bring your evening meal here.” She pointed at a tray of food and drink on the rim of the fire pit, which still held one portion of kova steak, an array of vegetables and a small loaf of holm-grain bread.

  The smell of the freshly-baked bread filled the room, causing Kelia's stomach to rumble. She strode forward, picked up the bread and took a large bite. “Thank you, ama,” Kelia said between chews. “If you need some time tomorrow afternoon to go see her, I will understand. I will be consulting the Stone right after breakfast.”

  “Oh,” Liana said. “You told the Council about what you saw, then?”

  “Yes. I also managed to persuade Susarra to let me handle Nyla's discipline.” Kelia flumped into the nearest chair. “I assume Nyla's not too happy with the way I punished her in front of the tribe.”

  Liana moved to the other chair and sat down. “She's not your biggest supporter right now, if that's what you're asking.”

  Kelia idly tapped the armrest, chewing on her bottom lip. “You've helped see one daughter and two granddaughters through adolescence, Liana. How would you handle this? I don't remember Yadra or Talya ever being this much trouble.”

  “I suppose not, but they didn't have Wielding abilities. They weren't the daughter of the Protectress.” She leaned forward. “They weren't the one destined to be the next leader of the Ixtrayu.”

  “I understand that, but, again, how would you handle this? If I go in there breathing fire, I may only succeed in pushing her further away.”

  Liana thought for a moment. “You said you were able to persuade Susarra to see things your way?”

  “Yes. For the moment, anyway.”

  “I don't imagine you did that by breathing fire at her.”

  Finally, realization dawned, and a smile curled the corners of Kelia's mouth. “No, I just got her to see things from my point of view.”

  “Well, there you go.” Liana stood up. “Nima, one does not have to look far to see your mother in you.” She stretched her back, yawned, and circled the fire pit to stand at Kelia's side. “Seems even thirty years after my lessons, there are still things I can teach you. Sleep soundly, nima.” She leaned down and planted a kiss on the side of her niece's head.

  “Sleep soundly, ama,” Kelia said, and Liana disappeared into her bedroom.

  After finishing her long-overdue evening meal, Kelia made her way into Nyla's room. She was sitting on her bed of lyrax pelts, her back against the far wall, reading a scroll from Kelia's study by the light of several kova-tallow candles that surrounded her. She looked up as her mother entered. “Hello, Mama,” she said with noticeable regret.

  “Hello, duma,” Kelia said, hoping the familial greeting would convey her calmer state.

  “I … I heard what happened to cousin Talya. Is she all right?”

  “Yes. It's a good thing the lyrax was already wounded, or her injuries might have been a lot worse.”

  “I thought lyraxes only came out at night?”

  “For the most part, they do. But according to Hathi, this one had a broken forepaw. It probably couldn't get back to its lair.”

  “Did they kill it?”

  “Yes, they brought it back with them. Runa and Aarna have already harvested the beast for its pelt, meat and bones.”

  Nyla nodded, returning her attention to the scroll on her lap.

  Kelia removed her shoes and sat down next to her daughter, crossing her legs in front of her. “What are you reading?”

  “Some of your notes about the Stone. About what it was like for you the first time Grandmother let you touch it.”

  “Ah, yes. She prepared me for months for my first consultation. She made me read every word in the library on the subject of First Consultations until I could recite them in my sleep. Let me tell you, Nyla, reading about it and experiencing it are two vastly different things.”

  “Did it hurt?”

  “Oh, my, yes,” Kelia said, reliving the painful memory. “The Stone was dim at first, but after a few moments, the light within it grew to such a blinding intensity that I had to shut my eyes. And after that, it felt like I pulled a red-hot coal from the fire with my bare hands. I remember screaming my lungs out.”

  “And then?” Nyla asked, suddenly curious.

  “Imagine every memory you've ever had in your life just … flash through your mind in the blink of an eye. Images poured through me, so fast that I couldn't even make out a single one. It was all too much for me to comprehend, so much power that I couldn't even begin to control. Thank Arantha your grandmother was there to calm my mind. She lent me some of her power before the experience overwhelmed me. I don't remember anything after that. I woke up two days later in the Room of Healing.”

  Nyla gasped. “Two days?”

  “That's right. I tried to remember some of the things I saw, but it was all a blur. I did feel something, though …”

  Nyla turned her body to face her mother. “What?”

  “I'm not sure how to describe it. It felt like my mind had been … expanded. Like a door had been opened, and Arantha herself had allo
wed me to pass through it. From that point on, I took my training a lot more seriously. And every consultation after that became less and less overwhelming. While it's true Mother's ability to interpret her visions was far greater than mine will ever be, I accepted that shortcoming. So did she.”

  Kelia put a comforting arm around her daughter. “I know you're upset that I haven't let you have your first consultation yet, but you must understand that I do that for your protection. Your elemental abilities are much stronger than mine were at your age, and, frankly, that scares me a little.”

  Nyla's eyes narrowed. “Really?”

  Kelia had to fight back tears. She had spent the last thirteen years trying to protect Nyla from her own nightmarish concerns. “Yes, Nyla. I believe you have the potential to become the most powerful Wielder in the history of the Ixtrayu. Maybe even more powerful than Soraya herself.”

  “The first Protectress? The one who freed the Ixtrayu from the slavers?”

  “That's right,” Kelia said, smiling. “Looks like you've been paying attention to Liana after all.”

  Nyla's face reddened. “Some of it is actually pretty interesting.”

  “Glad you think so.”

  She met her mother's eyes again. “So … what's going to happen to me?”

  Kelia bowed her head. “Susarra wants you to be sent into the desert in the morning, blindfolded, shoeless, and hands bound. I was forced to agree.”

  “What?” Pure horror crossed Nyla's face, and she scooted away from her mother, knocking one of the candles over. A second later, the flame touched the corner of the scroll she'd been reading, and the parchment began to smoke.

  Reacting quickly, Kelia waved her hands, creating a small gust of air that snuffed out the flame before it could grow. She looked to see Nyla, her face ghostly white, backed up into the corner of her room. Her eyes were wide with terror as she blubbered, “Please, Mama! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! It won't happen again! Please don't send me into the desert!” She buried her face in her hands, sobbing.

  After a few moments, Kelia said softly, “Nyla?”

  Nyla looked up, her eyes thick with tears.

  Kelia let out a short guffaw. “I'm kidding.”

  Nyla's face scrunched up in puzzlement, and then she realized she'd been pranked. By her own mother.

  “Oooooooh!” she screamed. Grimacing, Nyla reached down at her feet, grabbed one of her spare shoes and flung it at her mother. Kelia easily deflected it, sending it flying against the near wall. “That was not funny!”

  Kelia stood up, continuing to chuckle under her breath. “If you say so.”

  Finally, a smile seeped onto Nyla's face, and she began to laugh as well.

  Kelia strode forward, gathering her daughter into a warm hug. “Nyla, I may be Protectress, but there is no one on Elystra that I love more than you.” They met each other's gaze as they parted. “Your abilities are a gift from Arantha. An incredible, divine gift. They are not toys to be used for your amusement. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, Mama,” she said. “So what's my punishment?”

  “Outside of your lessons and your training, you will spend three hours a day helping out in the fields. Starting tomorrow, you will be assisting Yarji with watering duty.”

  Nyla exhaled in relief. “For how long?”

  “Until I say otherwise.” She moved towards the doorway. “Treat this as a learning experience, Nyla. Yarji is extremely adept at controlling water. You could learn a lot from her. Plus, she's very fond of you.”

  “Thank you, mama,” Nyla said. “You really scared me with that 'sent into the desert' thing.”

  Kelia gave a wicked grin. “Thank Arantha your grandmother's not here. I got it much, much worse when I pranked Councilor Preela.”

  Nyla's mouth fell open. “What did you –”

  “Sleep soundly, duma.” Kelia winked at her, and quickly left the room.

  Chapter Thirteen

  T hanks to Sen's healing abilities as well as his own, Mizar's headache had dulled enough for him to get a few hours' sleep. Come morning, his face was still sore from where it smacked the floor of the Crystal Cavern.

  As he made his way through the courtyard of Castle Randar, his dark brown eyes drifted skyward, where an array of storm clouds inched closer. This was not unusual for this time of year in the north, but there was an unexpected chill in the air, so he pulled the hood attached to his thick, black High Mage cloak up over his head, enjoying its warmth.

  A large set of wooden double-doors loomed before him, as did two rather large guards standing sentinel on either side of it.

  Both were clad in leather armor. The Daradian emblem of a great bird, its wings stretching across the horizon of the land, was emblazoned on their shoulders. Both held axes at their sides and wore longswords sheathed in scabbards. They eyed Mizar as he approached, bowing their heads respectfully. With merely a nod of acknowledgment, he strode past them, into the castle.

  Mizar walked into a vast hall where the King, the Queen, and their court feasted. He noticed many of the chairs lining the long tables were empty, remembering the monthly governors' council meeting had been adjourned the previous week. He clasped his hands together, realizing his timing was perfect: his request was best heard by as few ears as possible.

  In a room that could seat thirty, Mizar counted eight people enjoying their meal. At the head of the room was the table designated for King Aridor, Queen Belena, and their four children. The seats belonging to the King and Queen's oldest sons, Warran and Agedor, were vacant.

  Sitting in the center was Aridor himself. He was a broad-shouldered man with black hair, steel-gray eyes and a short yet distinctive beard that tapered to a point three inches below his chin. A smile crossed his face as he saw his High Mage approach.

  “Mizar!” Aridor said, dabbing his face with a cloth. “I did not expect to see you today!” He turned around, waving at a nearby servant. “Fetch the High Mage a plate!”

  Mizar held up his hand, staying the servant before he could scuttle out of the room. “No thank you, Your Highness. This morning, your inestimable cooks provided me with a breakfast so large I may not eat again for a week.”

  Aridor laughed. “As you wish. It is good to see you, old friend.”

  “You as well, Your Highnesses.” Mizar bowed politely to Queen Belena and the rest of the royal family.

  “Mizar,” the Queen said in a rich, stately voice, “what's wrong?”

  “Highness?”

  “Your gait is heavy, and your face is creased with worry. Something troubles you.”

  Mizar nodded in admiration. Though the Queen wielded little or no power beyond the walls of the castle, she was still a woman of intelligence and perception, a winsome beauty with fair skin, long brown hair done up in an elegant chignon, and an aquiline nose. She was a staunch supporter of every decision Aridor made during his reign, and she was also the architect of some of the trade negotiations Darad was embroiled in since her marriage to Aridor, an event that corresponded exactly with his coronation. “You see much, Your Highness. I am here to make a request.”

  Aridor picked up his flagon of honey mead. “What is it?”

  Mizar stepped forward, stopping when only the long dining table stood between him and Aridor. “I would like to ask permission to access the Forbidden Knowledge.”

  Aridor's eyes went wide, his flagon stopping halfway between the table and his lips. He returned his drink to the table and leaned back in his chair.

  Mizar looked around. The Queen was suddenly occupied with their youngest son Lehr, who was playing with the hem of her dress underneath the table. Next to them, their sixteen-year-old daughter, Tyah, was paying even less attention. The rest of the room's occupants, mostly Daradian military leaders, were too far away, though a couple of them were eyeing him warily.

  He turned his attention back to Aridor, who rose from his chair. He leaned over to say a few words into Belena's ear, followed by a kiss on her cheek, before gest
uring for Mizar to follow him through a door on the side of the room. “Walk with me,” he said.

  Mizar strolled alongside the King down a long open-air corridor that eventually became a covered bridge overlooking the main courtyard. Merych stables ran down both sides of the enclosure. At the far end was a set of fifteen-foot-high wooden doors, further fortified by a metal portcullis. Above those, patrolling the battlements, two guards kept watch.

  Aridor stopped at the halfway point of the bridge, affixing Mizar with an authoritative stare. “Before I consider your request, I would have you explain the vision that befell you yesterday.”

  Mizar blinked. “You know of that? I went straight to my chambers afterward. I did not inform anyone.”

  A sly grin appeared on Aridor's face. “Nothing happens in this castle that I don't know about. I know you had a consultation yesterday morning. Numerous guards reported your apprentice searching high and low for you, and the soldiers stationed outside the Cavern entrance informed me that you did not look at all well when you left its confines. It was not difficult to discern what had transpired.”

  Mizar bowed his head. Not for the first time, he had discounted his liege's deductive abilities. “It was … disturbing, to say the least. What I remember of it, that is. The crystals conducted more power into my mind than ever before, even more than my first consultation. I was unprepared for its ferocity. It rendered me unconscious for most of the day. Without Sen's healing abilities, I would likely still be flat on my back in my bed.”

  “It was that powerful?” Aridor took a step forward, examining Mizar's face and apparently noticing the strain that Belena noted.

  “Yes, sire. I've searched my memories, but there is little I remember clearly.”

  Aridor took a step back, placing his hands on the sill of one of the arched windows looking out over the courtyard. “Tell me what you do remember.”