Dances of Deception: A Legends of Tivara Story (The Dragon Songs Saga Book 3)
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This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and events are either fictitious or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locations, organizations, or persons, alive or dead, is entirely coincidental and unintended.
Copyright © 2016 by JC Kang
http://www.jckang.info
jc.kang.author@gmail.com
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this work or portions thereof in any way whatsoever except as provided by law. For permission, questions, or contact information, see www.jckang.info.
Maps by Laura Kang
Cover Art by Cha Cha Wang:
http://schumy330.deviantart.com/
Cover Layout by Emily Jose:
http://emilyjose.carbonmade.com
Fonts: Cinzel, by Natanael Gama
First Edition: September 2016
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
True Colors of Betrayal (Legends of Tivara, Daughter of the Dragon Throne, #3)
Map of the Nothori Northwest | and Kanin Wilds
Who’s Who in True Colors of Betrayal
Prologue: | Scars from the Past
Value of a Dragonfly’s Life
CHAPTER 2: | The Games We Play
CHAPTER 3: | Plant Expectations, | Reap Disappointment
CHAPTER 4: | Heart of a Princess
CHAPTER 5: | Things That Go Bump | In The Night
CHAPTER 6: | Plots Unraveled
CHAPTER 7: | Princesses Unraveled
CHAPTER 8: | A Losing Game
CHAPTER 9: | Rogues’ Gallery
CHAPTER 10: | Battle of Wills
CHAPTER 11: | Change of Fortune
CHAPTER 12: | Distractions
CHAPTER 13: | Symphony of the Gods
Chapter 14 | Plans Never Survive | First Contact With The Enemy
CHAPTER 15: | Bait and Switch
CHAPTER 16: | Demands Unmet
CHAPTER 17: | Price of Insolence
CHAPTER 18: | Escape Plans
CHAPTER 19: | The Dance of Swords
CHAPTER 20: | Escape from Iksuvius
CHAPTER 21: | Personality Clashes
CHAPTER 22: | Unexpected Visitors
CHAPTER 23: | A Chance Meeting
CHAPTER 24: | More Unexpected Visitors
CHAPTER 25: | The Resonance of the Universe
CHAPTER 26: | Rude Awakenings
CHAPTER 27: | Last Details
CHAPTER 28: | A Journey of a Thousand Li Begins With Trouble
CHAPTER 29: | Sacrifices
CHAPTER 30 | A Bitter Homecoming
CHAPTER 31: | Off the Beaten Path
CHAPTER 32: | Confrontations
CHAPTER 33: | First Consul No More
Orc Gods and Flaming Chariots
CHAPTER 35: | End of the Highway
CHAPTER 36: | Into the Wilds
CHAPTER 37: | Hill Ogres in the East
CHAPTER 38: | Rescue with Red Hair
Mixed Feelings
CHAPTER 40: | Pursuit
CHAPTER 41: | Opportunities
CHAPTER 42: | Little Friends
CHAPTER 43: | Village Life
CHAPTER 44: | Wrestling
CHAPTER 45: | Obligations
CHAPTER 46: | Rude Awakening
CHAPTER 47: | Dilemmas
CHAPTER 48: | Clear and Present Danger
CHAPTER 49: | War on Two Fronts, Part 2
CHAPTER 50: | War on Two Fronts, Part 1
CHAPTER 51: | Hope and Fear
CHAPTER 52: | Wild Turkey Island
CHAPTER 53: | Impossible Mission
CHAPTER 54: | Realizations and Confessions
CHAPTER 55: | Confrontations
CHAPTER 56: | Farewell
Epilogue
Appendix
Celestial Bodies
Time
Human Ethnicities
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Dedicated to Yuki, Kristina, and Nina, the joys of my life. Thank you for putting up with my writing.
Map of Tivaralan
Map of Cathay
Map of the Nothori Northwest and Kanin Wilds
Who’s Who in True Colors of Betrayal
Kaiya’s Retainers:
Chen Xin Captain of Kaiya’s imperial guard detail
Han Meiling Kaiya’s handmaiden and decoy
Li Wei Imperial guard
Ma Jun Imperial guard
Xu Zhan Imperial guard
Zhao Yue Imperial guard
Zheng Jiawei General of the imperial guard
Black Lotus Moquan
Cheng Newest member of the Iksuvius cell
Shun Moquan
Old Tong Eldest member of the Iksuvius cell
Yan Jie Kaiya’s half-elf bodyguard
Zheng Tian Head of the Iksuvius cell
Zu Moquan
Hua Embassy Staff in Iksuvius
Wu Liming Ambassador
Zhu Trade officer
Teleri
Geros Bovyan First Consul
Marius di Bovyan General
Thieros Bovyanthas Ambassador
Feiying Black Lotus defector, head of the Nightblades
Dignitaries in Iksuvius
Arvydas King of Lietuvi
Ausra Queen of Iksuvi
Evydas King of Iksuvi
Gunvydas King of Rotuvi
Manuwaya Ambassador from Kanin
Pyramid Quest
Cyrus Estazadeh Akolyte from Selastya
Brehane Aksumi Mystic
Sameer Vikram Paladin knight
Fleet madaeri guide
Eldaeri Nations
Aelward Corivar Prince of Tarkoth
Ciro Marine
Thielas Starsong Elf ranger
Alaena Vardamcar Princess of Serikoth
Keril Ranger
Markel Ranger
Rami Ranger
Maki Tribe
Hati Chief’s son
Kona Young warrior
Kosa Young warrior
Lahi Village beauty, Yuha’s sister
Lana Yuha’s sister, shaman
Nadi Yuha’s daughter
Noki Refugee
Nuwa Chief
Yuha Shaman
Waka Yuha’s son
Prologue:
Scars from the Past
Sweat rolled off Zheng Tian’s forehead and stung his eyes as he fumbled with the tiny key.
“H-H-Hurry up, Tian!” Kai-Long hissed.
Tian’s hands trembled even more than his companion’s voice. The loose robes and pants usually afforded ample mobility, but now seemed as restricting as a silkworm’s cocoon.
He shot a panicked glance out the circular window, where his friend stood on lookout. Beyond, two men wearing dark blue robes hurried down the garden path.
Kai-Long’s shoulders quivered. “Come on! We’re dead if they catch us!”
“Shut up! I can’t focus.” Tian took a deep breath and eyed the rectangular golden lock. It taunted him as it dangled between the double doors of the eldarwood armoire. Everyone knew Dwarves forged the sharpest blades and strongest armor, but who knew they could also make such intricate locks?
And in truth, it hadn’t been that difficult to unlock the first time he opened the armor cabinet. Now his fingers had minds of their own. He again tried to ease the spindly key into the hole, praying to all his ancestors. If they would please, please just let him open this lock, he’d place incense at their altars every day, both morning and—
Be
hind him, the training hall doors crashed open. Tian’s heart leaped into his throat, and he stumbled backward, his legs tangling in the mess of armor pieces strewn at his feet. He tumbled onto his behind. Face hot from panic and embarrassment, he looked up.
The two imperial guards approached, marching in unison across the worn wooden floors. Etched into their burnished breastplates, a five-clawed dragon—the symbol of the ruling Tianzi—glowered down at him. Already racing, ten-year-old Tian’s heart now hammered like a drum at a New Year’s Lion Dance. His stomach twisted in knots.
“What are you doing, Young Lord Zheng?” Though lanky with a boyish face, the newly minted imperial guard Chen Xin still radiated intimidation.
Cowering, Tian whipped the key behind his back. “I-I...nothing...”
Chen Xin leaned down and clamped Tian’s concealed wrist in an eagle’s grip. The guard dragged him to his feet, revealing the key in the same motion. He looked from Tian’s hand to the lock. “Silly boy. This is the wrong key.”
How had that happened? Tian shrugged with a sheepish smile. “Oh, what do you know...”
Chen Xin’s jaw tightened. His comrade’s shoulders shook as he tried to swallow a laugh.
Behind the guards at the door to the master’s study, thirteen-year-old Peng Kai-Long scowled at him. He held up the correct key and mouthed, Get them out of here.
The guards followed Tian’s gaze back towards Kai-Long. The boy stood there gaping, key out for everyone to see. The older guard gestured him to come, and Kai-Long’s head sank as he moped over. Chen Xin swiped the key away.
“What are you doing in the swordmaster’s armoire? Trying on his armor?” Chen Xin scowled as he looked at the mess on the floor, and then began fiddling with the lock.
Oh, no. Tian tried to open his mouth to say something, but his tongue refused to move. He had been clenching his teeth. What had seemed like a harmless joke three hours ago might now have serious consequences. If the guard opened that chest, even Father wouldn’t be able to save him from banishment, or even death.
His mind raced for a good answer until he caught sight of the hanging scroll with the character for calm. The magic imbued in its tranquil script rippled over him, slowing his heart and cooling the heat in his head. “No, no, the master. He ordered us to oil his armor. We were just putting it back. We can take care of—”
The lock yielded in Chen Xin’s hands with a whispering click.
Oh, no.
The armoire doors swung open, revealing an eight-year-old girl standing as motionless as a statue. She wore the same cotton robes as Tian and Kai-Long, suitable for martial training. Her typically porcelain complexion blanched into an ashen pallor. Her fists squeezed so tightly her knuckles whitened, and her brown eyes, too large for her head, stared straight forward, unblinking.
“Dian-xia!” both imperial guards boomed in unison, using the formal address for an imperial princess. They sank to their right knees, right fists to the floor.
The princess steadied herself on the armoire wall and took a tentative step out, limbs stiff as the corpses that the bronze-skinned Southerners embalmed. After having spent a few hours in the equivalent of a coffin, all of her delicate grace seemed lost. Chen Xin rose and hurried over to support her, while the other guard fixed his glinting glare on the two boys.
Tian and Kai-Long both dropped to their knees and placed their foreheads to the ground, hands splayed in front of them.
“Forgive us, Dian-xia!” Tian’s own voice sounded wrong to him, almost a squeak.
“Us? It’s not my fault, it was your idea!” Kai-Long peered over, expression almost mirthful.
“Liar,” Tian muttered under his breath. It had been Kai-Long’s idea, but there was no use protesting. He was the Tianzi’s favorite nephew and would escape blame.
The princess’ catatonic expression remained unchanged for a few seconds before her eyes welled up with tears.
“I’m sorry, Kaiya. It was just a stupid prank.” Tian sobbed as Chen Xin grabbed him by the collar and hauled him to his feet. Was he crying because he faced certain, and possibly severe, punishment? Or because he’d hurt his best friend—and if he admitted it, his love? He’d spent almost half his life with her, learning archery, swordsmanship, literature, and the other educational foundations of the noble houses.
Stumbling to keep up as Chen Xin dragged him along, Tian craned his neck to catch one last glimpse of the girl who’d promised to marry him. Kaiya was now weeping inconsolably, while her cousin Kai-Long comforted her with reassuring pats on the head.
He didn’t want this to be his last image of the princess. Would she only remember him as the one who locked her in an armoire? Servants scurried past him, obscuring his view of her. Attention forward, Tian shuddered as Chen Xin prodded him through the grounds of Sun-Moon Palace for his inevitable audience with the Tianzi himself. The other guard ran ahead.
All Tian could do was count, like he always did: His paces. His breaths. The number of flowering fruit trees.
Tian climbed the one hundred and sixty-eight white stone steps to the entrance of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The final step, the knee-high spirit-tripping threshold, took the last of his strength. Inside the cavernous room, eighty-eight gold-lacquered columns vaulted upwards to support a tile ceiling mosaic of circling dragons.
Inebriated by the cloying incense hanging in the air, Tian stumbled down an aisle between ninety-two seated ministers in blue robes. His footsteps clicked on the white marble floors, faltering as he came to a bloodwood dais carved with countless auspicious symbols of bats and lotuses.
Two thrones loomed above him. One was chiseled from a gigantic chunk of jade to resemble a coiled dragon; the other was gold, worked to resemble a resting phoenix. Seated on the larger jade throne was a man of middling years, dressed in yellow robes with blue-and-red dragon heads on the breast and sleeves.
The Tianzi.
Tian gulped. Despite spending much of his time at the palace, he’d never seen Kaiya’s father, the man who would pass sentence on him.
His gaze strayed to the Broken Sword, borne by the commander of the imperial guard, who stood behind the Tianzi. Maybe they’d use it to behead him, or run him through; or maybe order him to cut his own throat.
Tian threw himself to his knees, nearly knocking himself unconscious as his forehead hit the ground. He knew his history well: three centuries before, the first Tianzi had executed five generations of an entire family over a child’s mischief.
“Raise your head, boy.”
Despite Tian’s fear, the man’s tone of command compelled him to rise into a kneel. He stared downward, keeping his eyes averted from the Tianzi.
“You convinced the princess to hide from her guards, and then locked her in an armoire for three phase-hours of the iridescent moon. What have you to say in your defense?”
Tian’s words stuck in his throat. He opened and closed his mouth, but only a squeak came out.
“Huang-Shang,” a new voice from behind said, using the formal address for the Tianzi. “May I speak?”
“You may.”
“Young Lord Zheng, face me.” The same voice now came from the opposite side of the room.
What? Tian shifted his position and looked in the direction of the voice. He found only pitying stares. No one acknowledged him. He turned again, back in the direction from which the voice had initially originated.
A minister with one knee down, fist to the floor, gazed back at him with dark eyes that seemed to be looking into his mind. “You were counting the number of guards on your way in, weren’t you? It’s okay, answer freely.”
Tian nodded. He had counted them. Counting was a compulsive habit with little use.
“How many?”
“Thirty-six,” Tian said.
“On your way to the Hall of Supreme Harmony, did anything seem out of the ordinary?”
These questions had nothing to do with the princess. Why was he asking? “There was an enormous palanqui
n. With wheels. Borne by large horses instead of porters.”
“And?”
“The door was dark green. With a nine-pointed star of silver.”
The minister’s lips twitched. “As you entered the hall, who was standing where you are now?”
“A barbarian from the East.”
“Where in the East?” The minister was smiling now.
Where? How was he supposed to know? Just as he was about to shake his head, he remembered his heraldry lessons. Tian swept his gaze towards the area he thought the man’s voice had come from the second time.
A teenage boy with a slim build and sharp features looked back at him. Unlike the honey-colored skin and black hair of the Hua, this boy had an olive skin tone and a long brown mane. And although he wore silken court robes, the wen emblem on his chest was the same foreign-looking star he had seen on the palanquin.
He was an Eldaeri human, part of a tribe that had mingled with elves thousands of years before. The circlet indicated nobility, and the crest belonged to the Kingdom of Tarkoth. “He is a prince of Tarkoth.”
“Crown Prince Elrayn, to be exact.” The Tianzi nodded a fraction. “Impressive.”
“Huang-Shang,” the minister said. “With your permission, allow me to decide his sentence and administer the punishment.”
Fear had partially given way to curiosity, and Tian now spoke with no thought to his predicament. “Will I see the princess? Before my punishment?”
The minister shook his head. “No. Where I am taking you, you might never see her again.”
CHAPTER 1:
Value of a Dragonfly’s Life
Zheng Tian knew many ways to kill the smuggler, but none to ease his own conscience.
A column of sun streamed in from the dusty warehouse’s skylight, reflecting off his target’s seventeen glittering rings. All it would take was a signal to assassinate him and his two bejeweled henchmen.
Hold the dragonfly with care, eight-year-old Princess Kaiya’s voice chimed in his head, quoting an old Hua proverb. For even their fleeting lives have value.
What was the value of a man’s life?
Now twenty-one, Tian banished memories of the gentle girl to the recesses of his mind. Time to focus on the most distasteful of his duties. Just eleven feet away, the olive-skinned Estomari merchant walked from crate to crate, checking items off a cargo manifest and barking orders.