Star of Sakova fl-2

by Richard S. Tuttle

  The trio exited the inn and walked across the plaza towards the newly constructed platform. StarWind silently scanned the crowd and checked out each of the Sakovans looking to intercept Malafar. Lyra had ordered them to stop her father in any way possible if he was sighted, but the old mage had remained hidden.

  The crowd was thick and loud around the platform and StarWind had her hands full just keeping Lyra from being jostled. Beads of perspiration formed on her brow as she sought to protect her Star from accidental harm as well as recognition by the authorities.

  The Imperial Guard formed a human corridor at the rear of the platform that extended to the front of the Imperial Palace, but the other three sides were a teeming mass of people. Malafar could be anywhere.

  After a time the crowd grew even louder and Lyra rose to her toes to see what was happening.

  They are bringing the spies to the platform, Ferde explained. It will not be long now.

  I need to get closer, Lyra stated. I cannot see anything from here.

  StarWind bit her lip as she surveyed the crowd and shook her head. I don't see how you can get closer without being too obvious. People have been vying for good positions for hours and will cause a ruckus if you dart in front of them. We cannot afford that type of disturbance.

  I may be able to help, offered Mayor Ferde. I see an old friend towards the front. Let me go greet him and stand by him. The crowd may make a minor disturbance when I do, but it will quell quickly. After I am place for a while, slip over and stand right in front of me. I will not complain.

  StarWind nodded and watched the Mayor depart. She followed his progress and saw him move right up to the front. The crowd did indeed grow boisterous, but when he was recognized as a high government official, the crowd resignedly accepted it. The three spies were being brought up to the platform and StarWind grabbed Lyra's hand and led her forward. While everyone was watching the criminals climb the stairs, StarWind and Lyra slipped in front of Mayor Ferde.

  The Mayor leaned forward and whispered between their ears. There have been a lot of Sakovan spies captured this year.

  StarWind turned her head and whispered back, Those men are not Sakovan. Just another charade.

  Another rise in volume emanated from the crowd as the Katana's Council came out of the Palace and marched down the corridor of Imperial Guards. Half a dozen Imperial Guards preceded them up the stairs of the platform and another half a dozen trailed them.

  Is the Katana one of them? asked Lyra. I do not know what Alazar looks like.

  Not yet, whispered Ferde. He will make his own entrance.

  It was only moments after the Council was arranged on the platform when the horns sounded.

  He is coming now, the Mayor stated.

  StarWind watched as two dozen Monitors formed a protective square around the figure in the flowing white and gold robe as he marched down the corridor. The crowd unexpectedly dropped to their knees as the Katana mounted the steps of the platform. StarWind hurriedly sunk to her knees dragging Lyra with her, but not before she saw every one of her fellow Sakovans highlighted by being the only ones standing. She cursed inwardly for not minding the Omungan customs better, but nobody appeared to notice. She looked again and expelled her held breath as she saw that her cohorts had recovered quickly.

  Another blaring of horns preceded the call to rise and Alazar began to address the audience. His speech was clearly hateful as he lectured about the evils of the Sakovans and the threat they represent to peace. He was barely into the speech when the flash of lightning shot down out of the clear heavens and struck the Katana. Pandemonium reigned as the crowd screamed in unison and panicked.

  StarWind saw it all as if it was in slow motion, a second lasting minutes. Some people dropped to the ground and covered their heads. Others turned and tried to run away from the platform, only to be toppled by those behind them also pushing to flee. Screams were everywhere while people fell or stood dumbstruck and open-mouthed. Thunder boomed through the city as she scanned the crowd and sought out Malafar, but still she could not find him.

  The lightning struck again and StarWind watched the Imperial Guard looking around in confusion. The Monitors converged on Alazar and surrounded him with their bodies as a high-pitched whine filled the plaza. The pitch increased and people started screaming. A commotion on the platform drew StarWind's attention and she was aghast to see Alazar pushing his Monitors away from him as he scanned the crowd himself.

  Temiker suddenly appeared next to StarWind. He is using the same tactics as the last time, Malafar's brother declared. We will know his location when the Winter Wind comes. It is next.

  What can we do to stop him? StarWind asked frantically as her hands rose to her ears.

  The screaming of the crowd increased and people began to wriggle in pain as the pitch tore through them.

  I have a filter over us, Temiker explained as he drew her hands down. The sound will not harm us. The only thing I can think of to stop him is to shield the Katana. Should I?

  The howling wind came next, even as another bolt of lightning slammed into the Katana. StarWind watched in amazement as a frost blew across the platform creating thin ice on all it passed. She followed the path backwards and saw Malafar emerge, not from within the crowd, but from behind a pillar on the grounds of the Imperial Palace. Alazar saw him at the same time and the Katana's arm raised and pointed at the old mage.

  Temiker's eyes narrowed as he surveyed the platform. The Katana's shields are not shrinking, he stated. The ice is not adhering either. Alazar has had his shields increased. I am not sure that Malafar can even get through them this time.

  Everyone saw Malafar now and the Imperial Guards were rushing towards him even as Alazar unleashed his own magical attack. Rage formed on Malafar's face as he realized that the Katana's shields were not weakening.

  Malafar will have to divert energy to protect himself now, Temiker said as Alazar's fireballs started hitting his brother. Tell me what to do, little Star.

  The Imperial Guards were almost upon Malafar when Lyra spoke. Throw a protective physical shield around Malafar, she ordered. Keep it there no matter what happens. StarWind, gather our people and instruct them not to interfere. That goes for you double.

  StarWind started to object, but when she turned, Lyra was gone. She swiftly issued hands signals and spun around to make sure that her people were coming to her, but she could not see which way Lyra had gone. She was searching the panicked crowd for her Star when she heard Lyra's voice booming across the plaza.

  Stop! the girl demanded. Stop this madness.

  StarWind turned in shock to find her leader standing on the platform between Alazar and Malafar. The high-pitched whine ceased immediately and the lightning crackled to a halt, while Malafar's face contorted in confusion. The Imperial Guards whirled as their sword blows bounced off some invisible shield surrounding Malafar, but Alazar's eyes narrowed as he viewed the obstacle blocking the view of his enemy. StarWind yelled as she saw the power building in Alazar and knew he was going to remove that obstacle and continue his attack on Malafar.

  Lyra shook her head as she watched Alazar prepare to attack. She held her arms out to her sides and a blue cylinder appeared around her. It started at her feet and grew upward, stretching into the sky, turning transparent as it stretched. Alazar released his spell and a massive fireball streamed towards Lyra and slammed into the blue-tinged cylinder. The fireball did not bounce off of Lyra's shield, nor did it explode when it met the shield. It simply ceased to exist. In fury, Alazar cast another and another. His fireballs merely dissolved before reaching the young girl.

  StarWind glanced over at Malafar and saw the old mage standing in silence as the Imperial Guards continued to try to hack their way through the shield that Temiker was maintaining. His hands were at his sides and he bore a look of utter failure on his face. He appeared to neither notice nor care about the men attacking him. Alazar stepped to one side of the platform, so he could see past Lyr
a, and cast a fireball at the old mage. It erupted on Malafar's chest, throwing the Star's father to the ground in a crumpled heap. The flames went out immediately, but Malafar did not stir.

  Oh false Katana, boomed Lyra's voice as she turned to face Alazar once again. Oh assassin. Why do you seek to destroy the tool you used to kill the real Katana?

  The people of Okata were rising up from the ground now and they turned their attention to the platform. Lyra had not raised a hand against the Katana and the Imperial Guard and the Monitors appeared unsure of what to do. Alazar stared at Lyra with contempt, knowing his fireballs would not penetrate her shields.

  Guards, seize this traitorous daughter of an assassin, he shouted. This lowly being is Lyra, daughter of the Sakovan assassin Malafar. There shall be four executions today instead of three.

  Stop, boomed Lyra as the Monitors started towards her. Do not make the god Kaltara destroy this city to protect a man who would seize control by treachery. Let me speak my piece and then I will lower my shield to accept justice.

  The Monitors faltered and Alazar again ordered them to attack. You do not take orders from the young wench, he screamed. Seize her.

  The Monitors closed on Lyra and the Sakovans started towards the platform. Stop, Sakovans, came Lyra's whisper, the sound so close and intimate that StarWind whirled to see if someone else had spoken. I commanded you to your tasks. Obey me, the whisper continued.

  On the platform, the Monitors attacked Lyra. A sword struck the shield and the blade disappeared. The Monitor looked down at the hilt he held in his hand and shook his head as another Monitor swung another sword. Its blade also disappeared. A loud collective gasp emanated from the crowd, which had been watching the contest in absolute silence. A third Monitor attacked Lyra and disgustedly discarded his sword when the blade disappeared. In frustration he reached for Lyra and screamed in agony as his arm disappeared. His fellow Monitors swiftly grabbed him as he fell and dragged him away from Lyra. The remaining Monitors also backed away from the young girl in the blue cylinder.

  Lyra turned towards the front of the platform and gazed over the shocked crowd before her.

  The real assassin of your Katana stands before you today and he is not the one lying on the ground over there, she boomed as she pointed towards the still figure of Malafar. I am Lyra, daughter of Malafar and Rhodella of the Academy of Magic. It is my father who lies before you on the ground and he did indeed intend to kill Alazar today, but hear the truth of what I say. He came to kill a man who deserves to die, not a Katana, for this man who stands upon this platform in his flowing robe of gold and white is a false Katana. He is a murder and usurper of office. He is a despicable man who uses others to kill for him, whether they wish to or not. He drugged my father into killing the old Katana for him so that he might rule this nation.

  Alazar was wringing his hands in frustration as he tried to think of a way to kill Lyra before she could say more, but she appeared to be immune to magic attacks as well as physical attacks. His only option was to flee. He turned to run and Lyra spread her arms again. Another blue cylinder formed around Alazar's feet and rose towards the sky.

  Please stay and listen, oh false Katana, offered Lyra. The cylinder will protect you from all harm. I can not even attack you now if I wished to, which I do not.

  That is one spell I want to learn when we get back to StarCity, whispered Temiker. You must have LifeTender teach it to me.

  LifeTender knows no such spell, answered StarWind. I have never seen the likes of it until today. I do not understand where Lyra gets her power and her knowledge.

  No person knows, chirped MistyTrail. Ask Lyra and she will tell you, only Kaltara knows.

  The mage Malafar is…was my father, Lyra continued, but he was never Sakovan. I, however, am Sakovan. In fact, I am the Star of Sakova, leader of the Sakovan people and chosen by our god Kaltara. I swear to the people of Omunga that Sakova does not wish war with you. I swear by Kaltara that we have not attacked you. We have not burned your fields. We have not assassinated your Katana. I could do so today, but I will not. He is your false Katana and your problem to deal with.

  You speak lies, shouted Alazar. You scheme with your father to rule Omunga as well as Sakova. We shall hunt you down and exterminate you along with the rest of your savage Sakovans.

  You can never hurt me, Alazar, smiled Lyra as she turned to face the false Katana. I could remove this shield right now and you could do nothing to me for my god Kaltara will protect me. He protects me from evil and you are nothing if not evil. The shield is to protect me from your guards who are only doing their honest job when they follow your orders, because they know not that you are a false Katana.

  Then lower your shields, smirked Alazar. Let us see how well your god protects you.

  I could, smiled Lyra, but you will die if you attack me.

  You said you would not attack me, reminded Alazar. You said your god alone would protect you.

  As I say now, agreed Lyra. I have no need to attack you. I will take the body of my fallen father and leave your city. I leave your fate to the people of Okata.

  Lyra smiled as she heard the murmurs of acceptance ripple through the crowd. She only hoped that the Imperial Guard and Monitors would react the same as the crowd of citizens. If she guessed wrong, she would die. Using Lord Marak's spell, she wove an Air Tunnel to Alazar's ear.

  You do not have the power to kill me, oh false Katana, she whispered for his ear only. You will falter before you win. You are weak and the people here can see it.

  Drop these shields, Sakovan, Alazar shouted in rage. I defy your god and your people and I alone will strike you dead.

  You alone? she laughed. Against Kaltara? Thank the Heavens that you at least spare your men from God's death as they cannot legally attack me now as you have publicly forbidden them to do so. I do ask you not to attack me yourself though. Kaltara will forbid it.

  Hoping to God that the Omungans would honor the words of the false Katana, Lyra dropped both of the blue cylinders.

  Alazar sneered and immediately raised his arm to attack with a fireball. He must have been building his power while he waited for the shields to drop, Lyra realized. She stared at him as his face contorted with effort, but no fireball emerged. Murmurs ran through the crowd as well as the Monitors and Imperial Guard, but nobody moved towards her. That was fortunate as she had no physical defense and would easily be struck down.

  Gasps ran through the audience as Alazar strained to get his fireball off. Sweat poured down his face accentuating the rage it held. Alazar's body shook noticeably and his head tilted to one side. His knees weakened but not his rage. Within moments, Alazar collapsed to the floor of the platform. A Monitor stooped to help him up.

  He's dead, exclaimed the Monitor looking over at Lyra. The Katana is dead.

  One should not spit in the face of God, Lyra declared. I warned him that Kaltara would not allow him to harm me.

  Some of the Monitors scowled and headed toward Lyra. The Sakovans appeared ready to toss their leader's word away and storm the platform when one of the Katana's Council stepped forward.

  Hear me Omungans, he shouted and the Monitors halted. I am First Minister Larst. The Katana is dead. The executions for today are cancelled pending a review by the Katana's Council. In fact, every action of Alazar's reign will be reviewed. Until a new Katana is chosen, the Katana's Council will rule.

  The First Minister turned to Lyra. Lyra, Star of Sakova, he began. I give you safe passage back to Sakova and leave to take your father's body. I do hope that we may meet after you have taken care of your father and discuss the differences between our peoples in a peaceful manner. Are you agreeable?

  I am First Minister, nodded Lyra. I will send word to you when I return home and we can arrange a meeting. The Sakovan people look forward to a neighborly relationship with Omunga and believe that it will benefit both nations. I thank you for your offer of safe passage.

  As Lyra left the platform, Lars
t placed his hand on her shoulder to stop her. I really do wish to meet you, he whispered. Mayor Ferde has carried your cause to me in private. I will get some men to help with your father.

  I am grateful, First Minister, she smiled, but I think it better not to use the Omungan military for my personal needs. I am sure that I can find some people in the audience to help me with the body. I am truly grateful for your timely intervention and I too look forward to our meeting. Let us make it soon.

  She swiftly moved over to her father's body, the fatigue of battle falling quickly over her. Temiker was already there and lifting his brother into a cart that was nearby. As Lyra leaned over and kissed her father, Temiker handed a handful of coins to the cart's owner who was complaining about its use. Temiker turned and grabbed the tongue of the cart and started pulling it. A large giant-like man stepped up to Temiker.

  Let me help you with the cart, Sir, grinned Goral. Show me the way to your stable, Sir.

  The crowd parted to allow the cart to pass as the citizens stared at Lyra and her father's body. The crowd thinned as they crossed the plaza and rounded the side of the inn. By the time they reached the rear of the inn, HawkShadow stood with the horses. Quickly the Sakovans dispersed leaving Lyra and Temiker to proceed on their own with Malafar's body. Mayor Ferde arrived a moment later with six mounted Imperial guards.

  Your escort, he smiled looking at Lyra.

  Thank you Mayor Ferde, Lyra returned the smile, but I do not wish to trouble anyone. A guarantee of safe passage is all we need. An escort is hardly necessary.

  Temiker watched as Lyra crawled up on the cart and lay next to her father. She needs to be with him in private for a while, I think, Temiker explained to Mayor Ferde. I will go slow with her. Thank you for your kindness.

  Ferde nodded and smiled grimly. You must be the brother, he said. I see the resemblance. At least I know she is in caring hands. Travel safely.

  Temiker climbed up on the cart and headed for the gate. When he looked back, Lyra was already fast asleep with her arm over Malafar. He knew the spell drained her and drove on in silence.