The Courier's Code

by T. S. Valmond

  “Rest dear friend,” she told him silently.

  “Thank you for coming, Rasha. Please tell us what happened to our Luduru.” Lu’s father sat down with his mother and waited.

  Rasha cleared her throat. This was the part she wasn’t looking forward to recounting. She didn’t want to talk about her friend’s belly being sliced open by the talons of a bird-man. How he died slowly enough to have last words. It made her stomach churn to think of how painful it must have been. Instead, she focused on Lu’s heroism.

  “He died saving the life of another. He could do no less or no more with his life. It happened upon completion of our last delivery. We found the kingdom of Adalu under attack by beasts of the north.”

  Lu’s mother smothered a gasp, her large ears twitching with concern.

  “They killed the king and queen, the prince, and all the princesses there for The Choosing.”

  “That’s horrendous.”

  “Yes, a war with the beasts has begun. Lu leapt in front of a friend, saving them but losing his own life in exchange.” Rasha let her eyes drop to the floor. She couldn’t reveal the identity of Chiza and keep her secret. Maybe they would assume she was the friend. “You should know his last thoughts were of you.”

  “He was a loyal and good friend to you,” his father said, patting her on the back and wiping a tear from his face. His wife blew her nose in a handkerchief and nodded in agreement.

  Rasha had tears of her own falling that she had to wipe away. She didn’t have to say any more about it. They’d heard enough. His mother put Lu’s things aside and returned to the hearth where she’d been preparing a meal.

  “You’ll stay the night. Dinner will be ready in just ten more minutes,” she said.

  “I guess we’ll put your beasts in the barn. Does your domestic do well with other domestics?”

  “I don’t know. Temi belonged to Lu. He’s fine with my mount, though. They can share a stall.”

  Lu’s father didn’t seem at all surprised by this knowledge and went to attend to the animals. Lu’s sister remained in her room. She didn’t come out for the meal or anything else. This also didn’t surprise her parents. They were familiar with her moods and with something this big it was to be expected.

  “She doesn’t do well with change,” Lu’s father said.

  “She adored Lu, admired him, more than she’s willing to admit,” Lu’s mother added.

  “I’ll be off at dawn in the morning. I have much to attend to back in Adalu. Thank you so much for the meal.”

  “Thank you for coming yourself. I know it must have been tempting to just send a message link or a messenger,” Lu’s father said.

  “No, I respected Lu, and cared for him. I would never do his family the disservice of sending a message. This was something I had to do as much for myself as for you.”

  “The loft is yours. Sleep well,” he said.

  41

  When Jak returned to the palace, it was as if he’d never left, all signs of the attack gone. The servants had cleared away the damage. It felt as if there’d been no atrocity here. He left his pack in the foyer and continued to the council chambers.

  The chamber room and large oval table were empty. The guard let him in and promised to recall the councilmen. They entered one at a time, all noting his presence, including Xeku. He glanced at Jak before joining the rest of the council around the table.

  Surprisingly, the Karmirian, Gungbe lifted his staff to begin the meeting. Jak didn’t understand why they’d be starting without Rasha.

  “Thank you all for joining me in the council chambers today. I’m here to give you my answer. Is the princess not here?”

  “No, she is away on urgent business. Please, don’t keep us in suspense. What is your answer,” Gungbe asked with his hands raised.

  Jak nodded and took a step forward.

  “I will stay and fight as Prince Jak Ostari Ameenu alongside Princess Rasha.”

  The council pounded their staffs on the stone floor in applause.

  “Well done, Prince Jak. We welcome you, and are delighted you will be staying with us. There is much you need to learn about life here in the palace and your duties. We will, of course, allow you to rest from your journey and begin your extensive training tomorrow. Xeku, can you see to the other candidates and Prince Bashir?”

  Xeku gave him a slow nod.

  “Thank you all, this council is adjourned.”

  The group filed out but Jak remained with hands on the oval table. Xeku approached him.

  “The conflict with the beasts against the ten kingdoms is imminent. I’m pleased you returned. Princess Rasha will need you at her side to defeat them.”

  Jak didn’t respond.

  “Is the other matter resolved?”

  “No, not yet,” Jak said through his teeth.

  “We’ll keep that between us for now then.” Xeku lowered his voice and asked, “How’s your mother?”

  “Let’s be clear about something. While I’m here, never ask me about my mother.”

  His father nodded once. Jak turned on his heel and left the room.

  42

  Rasha prepared to leave at dawn as she’d said. Lu’s mother had eyes red-rimmed from crying and still woke early enough to prepare some bread to take with her.

  “You didn’t have to.” Rasha put a hand on the older woman’s hand.

  Lu’s mother smiled and squeezed her hand in return.

  “I want to.” She wrapped the food and tucked it into a large handkerchief. She gave it to Rasha, who nodded and accepted the hug that came along with it.

  “He didn’t sleep. I’m sorry he can’t be here to see you off,” she’d said of Lu’s father.

  The night had been difficult for Rasha, too. Lu’s old room seemed filled with his energy and smell. His small desk was as he’d left it, mid-project. There were gadgets strewn about in various stages of repair. She found herself half-awake most of the night, her dreams filled with memories of him.

  “I understand. I’ll collect my beasts and be on my way before the weather gets any colder,” Rasha said.

  “Safe journey, and don’t forget us.”

  “I never could. Thank you.” Rasha turned and walked out to the stables.

  Temi yawned as she opened the stall and readied her mount.

  “Oh please, you’ve slept enough. Let’s go,” he told him. He gave her a lopsided look as if he couldn’t comprehend her.

  “You understand, let’s go.”

  She didn’t make it far from the house when Temi turned and growled. Someone was running after them. They had big ears and big eyes, with long black hair. It was Lu’s sister Ladi. Her eyes were as red-rimmed as her mother’s.

  “What do you want?”

  “I’m coming with you.” Temi sniffed at her, suspicious. Without taking her eyes off of Rasha she held up a hand for Temi to smell.

  “No, you’re not.” Rasha turned away from her.

  “Yes, I am. I’m taking my brother’s place at your side. You and I both know it’s my fault he took that fetch. He wouldn’t let me go with him. Now he’s gone and got himself killed.”

  “Because he knew better than to be dragging you around. You’re untrained and unqualified. You can’t just make yourself a courier. Besides, I won’t be doing any courier assignments myself.”

  “Whatever my brother would have been responsible for, I’m willing to do. I’m almost as skilled as he was and I have a reputation for getting things that others can’t get. You’ll need me, I guarantee it.”

  “I don’t need you.”

  “I’m coming with you,” Ladi said she plopped along after her.

  “And your parents? Haven’t they lost enough? Shouldn’t you be trying to figure out a way to help them?”

  “This is the most honest job I know. They know I’m coming with you.”

  Rasha looked back at the house and frowned. The last thing she wanted was a kid running around after her.

  �
��I’m the same age you were when you started as a courier,” Ladi said as if reading her mind.

  Rasha sighed. She had the same stubborn streak too.

  “Where are we going?” Ladi asked when they stopped at a small inn.

  “There’s something I’ve got to do.”

  Ladi was quiet. She seemed torn between fascination and confusion.

  Rasha entered the inn and found a table in the middle of the bar. She sat down and waited. Ladi looked around, taking in the dark furnishings and the poor lighting. This time of day people were either taking a late midday or early evening meal. The tables inside were peppered with tradesmen from all corners of the realm.

  “Well, if it isn’t the purple courier with the big fat secret.” Silae sauntered in. “It’s too early for drinks, girls.”

  “Not for the kind of drink we’re here for.” Rasha looked at Silae, her face serious.

  Silae must have taken in Rasha’s eyes and face before looking at Ladi and figuring out her relation.

  “Oh no, he didn’t.”

  Rasha didn’t have to confirm it as her eyes filled again. They did that these days. She was getting used to it.

  “Oh, Rash.” Silae sat down next to her. “I’m so sorry.”

  Rasha let Silae take her hand. Then she stood up and went to the bar. She spoke to the barkeep and grabbed a bottle and three short glasses. She brought them to the table where Rasha and Ladi sat. Ladi watched her, eyes wide, as the barmaid poured the glasses for them.

  Then Silae let out a cry that made the hairs on Rasha’s skin stand straight up. The cry turned into a song about lost friends, lost loves and lost family. Tears streaming down her face, she held her notes and her voice never wavered, through the last heart-wrenching note. The entire bar was enraptured with her beautiful and sad song. Her voice died away and no one spoke for a full minute.

  “To Luduru Moren, one of the best of the couriers we know. May your last delivery bring you peace.” Rasha’s voice was shaky with emotion.

  “May your last delivery bring you peace,” Silae repeated, the rest of the bar joining in.

  Ladi let the tears fall as she watched a bar full of strangers honor her brother. Then, as one, the entire room lifted their glasses and poured them out on the floor.

  * * *

  They were riding together when they reached the palace. Ladi whistled at the sight of the building. Then her eyes landed on the figure on the steps. A man stood there, hair blowing in the wind and a long sword at his side. Both of them climbed down and Temi bounded to Jak and rubbed his head against him in greeting. Jak reached down automatically.

  “Not bad,” Ladi said. Rasha wasn’t sure if she meant the palace or the man.

  “Go inside, I have something to do.”

  Ladi walked past Jak, looking him up and down. “I’m sure you do.”

  “You’re back.” Rasha couldn’t seem to take her eyes off of him.

  “Yes.”

  “You left without a word.”

  “I had something that I needed to see to, personally.” Jak held out his hands to her.

  Rasha wanted to rush into them but held back. No, it wouldn’t be that easy. She had learned not to be so free with her heart while he was gone.

  “Look, I’m just as nervous about this new role as you are, but I stayed,” she said.

  “You’re right. I’m not so good with the staying part, but for you I could learn to be,” Jak said with a wink.

  “Not good enough,” Rasha said raising her voice an octave. “It’s not just about you and me anymore. We’ve got ten kingdoms to answer to. I need to know you’re going to stand with me for them regardless of this.” Rasha said waving a finger between them.

  Jak stepped closer. He wrapped his arms around hers. She struggled, but he forced her to look him in the eye. “I promise I’ll stand with you, Rasha, until the end. You’re the one they need, but we’ll get through this together.”

  She saw the truth in his eyes when he said it and nodded.

  Jak released her so they could start up the stairs. When they reached the doors, he turned to her.

  “Oh, and this thing between us,” he said, imitating her finger motion. “It might have something to do with this.” He leaned down and kissed her until she melted against him. When he peeled himself away from her, he could barely catch his breath.

  “We better go inside. We’ve got a lot to do.” She took him by the hand and they walked up the stairs together. Jak pulled her to a stop and looked down at her, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

  “Okay, but first, who’s the green girl?”

  WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  You don’t have to wait long to find out if the beasts from the north overtake the ten kingdoms of Bolaji. I’m serious. Go get yours today.

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  Acknowledgments

  This project would never have seen the light of day if it wasn’t for my amazing team. I couldn’t do this without the love and support of my family, friends, and four-year-old pup.

  A huge thanks goes to my editors Ellen Campbell and Emily Gibbons that made this book readable and polished.

  Let me also thank my new readers, for taking a chance on this story that burned in me until it had to be told. Like most stories, it has no beginning or end. I hope you’ll enjoy this series and more from me.

  About the Author

  T.S. Valmond the science fiction and fantasy author out of Philadelphia is currently residing in Central America in an undisclosed location. One can never be too careful when exposing the secrets of powerful governments, worlds, and illegal aliens.

  To learn more visit:

  TSValmond.com