Valverna

by A Clarkson

  Seeming to understand Ira’s sudden flash of anxiety, Francis reassured Ira with a smile. "Do not worry yourself Little Raven, I have no interest in taking my pound of flesh over a few pieces of gold. I enjoyed your company."

  Hesitantly, Ira relaxed enough to lower her daggers.

  "If they comfort you, please keep them raised, but I would inspect your friend's injuries if you will permit me?"

  Ira wanted to refuse. She didn't know this person, she didn’t know if she could trust anyone right now. Worse of all she was terrified of placing Margo in greater harm than she already had. But a quick glance at Margo showed Ira that they had little choice. They urgently needed help, and Ira simply couldn't lift her by herself, she was too weak and injured from the fight.

  Silently praying that she wasn’t making a terrible mistake, Ira reluctantly nodded, and Francis quickly moved to Margo's side.

  Chapter 19

  The Dragon Eye

  Francis led Ira to a small doorway in an alley only a few blocks from the clothing store. She was hesitant to enter, but with Francis carrying Margo’s body inside, Ira saw no choice but to follow.

  The door revealed a small room equipped with a cot, a desk and an armchair situated in front of a cosy fire.

  Francis laid Margo on the cot, and quickly started to tend to her wounds. Ira helped where she could, but when Francis saw the state of her own injuries, ushered her away and handed her a roll of clean bandages with instructions to fix herself first.

  They worked silently for a few moments, the fire helping to warm Ira’s cool body and soothe her shaking hands. The adrenaline from the fight was slowly beginning to fade, and the pain across her body was coming back in full.

  “Why have you been following me?” Ira finally asked after what felt like an eternity of silence. Seeing Francis again made Ira realise that she had spied her bright red hair a few times in the past week. Ira never felt threatened, always sensing curiosity rather than aggression.

  “I haven’t been following you. I have been following the Brotherhood,” Francis said gruffly. “You should be careful with showing that in public, you draw too much attention to yourself,” she added with a gesture toward Ira’s chest.

  “My amulet?” she looked down to her hand, and noticed that she was absently fiddling with her necklace. Something she knew she often did when lost in thought.

  “Don’t you know what that stone is?” Francis asked incredulously.

  “No,” she paused, thinking back, “I’ve always owned it. I assumed it was an imperfect emerald of some kind. I’ve never seen another stone with black flecks.” That wasn’t true, she realised suddenly. Magnus was given one on their journey to Drisden. Everything had been so hectic since then Ira had completely forgotten.

  Francis shook her head, “It is not an emerald, and it is not imperfect. That is a dragon eye.”

  Ira frowned, “I’ve never heard of a dragon eye.”

  “Then you are in worse danger than I feared,” she said solemnly, rubbing a hand over her face.

  Ira was taken aback. She assumed that the attack tonight was connected to the murders, but Francis seemed to be suggesting Ira was targeted for another reason.

  Seeing the confusion on her face, Francis asked, “Have you ever heard of the Brotherhood?”

  Ira knew very little about the Brotherhood. From what she could remember of Clarisse’s lessons years ago, they were one of the more militant churches to have formed after the Drought. They followed a leader named Alto, who they believed to have some kind of mystical power. Ira couldn’t remember anything particularly dangerous about the Brotherhood, and wondered why Francis would see them as a threat.

  “I wasn’t always from the mountains,” Francis explained. “I grew up along the coast, close to the ruins of the old cities. That region never settled after the Drought, there were too many people and too few resources. Every week it felt like a new gang lord moved in to claim control of our community. When the Brotherhood first arrived we celebrated. We heard stories of Alto’s prophecies, and his ability to know the secrets of others. We believed that he was a divine vessel, and that he would free us from the endless violence.”

  Francis shook her head as though still reveling in amazement. “They were strict in their dealings, doling out harsh punishments for the kinds of theft that had become so commonplace. But overall they were fair, always making sure that everyone had enough food or medicine.”

  “That all changed when the dragon eyes were found,” she said as a dark look crossed her face. “A cavern was found filled with stones so dark green they appeared almost black. They were beautiful, and people began to wonder what this new discovery meant. Valverna had just announced the amazing capabilities of the rybrum, and the world was desperately on the hunt for the next big thing that would get back what we had lost.”

  “All of a sudden the Brotherhood seized control of the cavern, saying that Alto had seen a vision that the green stones were evil and demanded that all dragon eyes be surrendered.”

  “At first people agreed. They trusted in Alto’s leadership, and the stones were peacefully turned in and destroyed before the Brotherhood collapsed the cavern. But as more and more stones began to appear, first in other caves, then randomly on the beaches among rocky outcrops, the Brotherhood became stricter, their rules and punishments harsher than before. Alto’s sermons became mandatory, and absence was punished with a public beating that left you bedridden for days. When others began to have visions as well, people began to wonder if the stones were responsible, and rather than turning them in, they began to collect them in secret.”

  “Alto declared that he saw another vision, that the stones were bringing an evil energy to the land that needed to be eradicated. Not only did they need to be destroyed, but anyone who touched them needed to be cleansed of the stone’s toxic energy. The Brotherhood began to move into the villages, claiming that it was to protect us from the danger of the stones. First they would set up an office, where villagers could surrender a stone, or be tested for any residual toxicity. Then they started offering rewards for turning-in others they believed were in possession of a dragon eye. If the accused didn’t produce a stone, the Brotherhood would search their home. As more and more people refused to hand over the stones, the Brotherhood became more violent. They started by tying people up in town squares for days at a time. This escalated to public beatings that would only end when a stone was found. Finally they began executing those who wouldn’t, or sometimes couldn’t, produce a stone. It didn’t matter if you really had a dragon eye, being accused of hiding one became a death sentence,” Francis said with a sad shake of her head.

  “That’s when the raids began. The Brotherhood would arrive in a town in the middle of the night and force the whole village from their homes. If a stone was found, the whole family would be publicly put to death and the village destroyed. People were desperate to do anything to protect themselves and neighbours quickly began to turn on each other.”

  Ira gasped, hardly believing what she was hearing. But the haunted look on Francis’ face said more than words ever could.

  “My family fled,” she continued. “We moved to the mountains in the hope of escaping the purge. That was where I encountered the Ravens, a group of people who discovered the Dragon Eyes decades ago.”

  Ira had never heard of the Ravens, but this was the name Francis called her, a Little Raven.

  “The Ravens discovered that the stones absorb information from their surroundings, like some kind of sponge constantly sucking up everything they see or hear.”

  Francis’ description gave Ira the irrational sensation that the stone suddenly suctioned onto her skin like slug sucker. The image caused shivers to run down her spine, and she tried discretely to lift the amulet from her chest.

  “There were some among the Ravens who have learned how to imbue and extract information from the dragon eyes, who are now able to use the stones as some kind of external memory devi
ce. Anyone who bares a stone can see some of the information it holds, almost like an echo, or feedback, but with the right tools, any information the stone is exposed to, may be withdrawn and observed.”

  “Can you read the stones?” Ira asked, excitement building in her chest. Would she finally be able to get the answers to where she came from? This amulet had been with her since she was born, if Francis could extract the knowledge it gathered since then, Ira may be able to learn who her family were, and how she ended up at the orphanage in Valverna.

  Shaking her head sadly Francis explained, “I am not a Raven, and they have become weary of teaching their knowledge to outsiders since Alto turned on them.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “The Brotherhood has expanded into the mountains and have been trying to wipe out the Ravens for the past twenty years. Alto lived there for a time, before he founded the Brotherhood. That was where he learned to read the stones, and why he is able to have his so-called prophecies,” Francis said bitterly. “Now almost all the villages have been occupied and he is slowly destroying all knowledge of the stones.”

  “So why don't you just expose him?” Ira asked. “Call him out on the lie.”

  “It's so far past that,” Francis said bitterly. “People have stopped caring that he rose to power as a prophet. All that matters now is that he is in power, and has built an army through the Brotherhood who will do his bidding. People out there are so crushed, having watched so many loved ones be tortured or killed. They have lost all hope, and now simply focus on surviving.”

  “And you think that is where my stone came from?” she asked softly. “Do you think that's where I'm from? That my parents are in the west?”

  “You certainly have the look of a Raven with your jet black hair. I assumed you were, given you also have a dragon eye. I don’t think I’ve ever met a Raven this far from the mountains though.” Looking at Ira speculatively Francis asked, “You had the stone at an orphanage you said?”

  At Ira’s nod Francis continued, “Then I would guess you were smuggled out before the borders closed twenty years ago.” Shaking her head she continued, “It is unusual though. To give you a stone but not teach you how to use it. Whoever left you was practically painting a target on your back and not preparing you for what would come.”

  “But I have always had this amulet and I have never been attacked before. Are you sure this is a dragon eye?”

  “I know it is. My family worked as blacksmiths for many generations, and during the raids my father would help others hide dragon eyes in items so they could be smuggled to the mountains. Like swords,” she tilted her head toward Ira, “and necklaces.” The bitterness rang clearly in her voice.

  “What happened to him?” she asked softly, dreading what Francis would say. Her fingers moving instinctively to clasp her amulet.

  “The Brotherhood decided to make an example of him. They claimed that any caught trying to hide the stones should be left to God’s mercy. So they dragged him into the old ruins and strung him up naked from the tallest building by his feet. He died after two days. His face was all swollen and grotesque. We asked for his body back, so that we could bury him properly, but the Brotherhood refused.” Francis turned back to stare vacantly at the fire. “He was still hanging there when we fled.”

  “But why? What is so special about these stones that you would risk your lives to keep them?”

  “It isn’t about the stones anymore. At least not to most people. The Brotherhood is growing more powerful everyday, and they are pushing further east. The Ravens may have been the original targets, but Alto doesn’t care about that anymore. He just wants land and power.”

  “And that is who attacked me tonight? How did they even know I was coming? I only decided for myself a few moments before we left.”

  “I’ve been following this squadron for a few months now. I believe they are working with someone in the Citadel. They move around Valverna without issue and have been set up on that high street for the past few nights, so they have certainly been waiting for someone. If not you, I’m not sure. But you are certainly on their radar.”

  “I appreciate you stepping in by the way,” Ira said with heavy sarcasm. “I could have used a hand in there.”

  “I couldn’t help you,” Francis said, without even trying to sound apologetic. “There are too many people who need to hear about what I have seen here in Valverna. The Brotherhood are growing bolder and they need to be stopped. If I had intervened to help you, and ended up killed, or worse, captured?” Francis shook her head sadly, “So many people would be in danger by carelessness like that. I can’t risk it.” Looking back to Ira she said sadly, “Sorry Little Raven, but when it comes to fighting, you’re on your own. All I can offer is a bit of medical assistance, and information.”

  ***

  “There were rules Ira!” Magnus shouted, slamming the door behind him.

  Magnus and his men showed up shortly after Francis finished her tale. Ira still had so many questions about the Ravens, and whether her parents were still in the mountains, but when Magnus and his men arrived, she decided her questions would have to wait. They bashed on the door so loudly Ira was surprised it didn’t come down from the force.

  It looked like Adrian had made good on his promise to not come storming into a fight, and instead headed straight to the barge to alert Magnus that Ira was in danger.

  Magnus was furious. After checking that her injuries weren’t life threatening he ordered her onto his horse for the ride back to the barge. She suggested that she would be fine on a rickshaw. A comment that caused Magnus' eyes to bulge with so much frustration that Ira changed her mind and capitulated.

  If she was honest, riding double with Magnus was much faster than hailing a rickshaw. And if she hadn’t been in so much pain, she may have enjoyed the feeling of his arm holding her tight. May have even leaned into his hold a little further.

  She was happy she hadn’t done either of those things when he began berating her the moment they descended into the belly of the barge.

  “I followed your damn rules!” she seethed between clenched teeth. “I didn’t go out looking for the murderer alone, I went to go back to the cottage. And I took Margo with me!”

  “And nearly got her killed!” He rubbed his forehead in frustration. “I thought I was clear that you weren’t to go out exploring in the middle of the night.” He looked at her accusingly. “You deliberately mistook my request, and snuck out. You knew I wouldn’t let you go.”

  “So what? I’m your prisoner now? Not allowed to move without your approval?”

  Magnus looked as though he wanted to strangle her, but managed to heave a sigh and squeeze out, “No. You are not my prisoner.” He rubbed his head in frustration again, before adding sadly, “But I also can’t trust you.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “You’re out,” he said, the heat from his words now gone. “You’re off this investigation.”

  “What!?” Ira exploded, as she advanced to where he was still leaning against the door. “You’re going to just kick me out because some arseholes attacked Margo and me for no reason?”

  “Not Margo and you, just you. And not for no reason! They were after you Ira! Jesus! You could have been killed!” he said fiercely, grabbing her face and crushing his mouth to hers. The pain in her leg and shoulder were forgotten as the intensity of his kiss washed all other sensations away. Ira returned the kiss with equal passion, their teeth and tongues fighting for control. Ira grabbed at his hair tearing at the strands, desperate to destroy his perpetually well groomed exterior.

  Clamping his hands around her waist he twisted them and slammed her back against the door.

  Ira was still pumped full of adrenaline from the fight, and Magnus' anger was just fueling the fire within her. This was exactly what she wanted. This heat, this anger, this aggression. She needed this so badly.

  Her body ached for his touch in all the places a woman’s body
should. Pining for him as though he were the very air she breathed.

  She pressed herself against him more firmly and raked her hands down his back in search of something to grab onto. Her nails dug in, searching for skin, desperate to pierce his flesh. She needed more, she needed him to obliterate everything else. Wipe all other thoughts from her mind.

  A knock on the door brought reality slamming back into her.

  Magnus’ eye flashed as he pulled back and practically growled, “What?”

  “I still need to check Ira’s injuries,” came Lee’s calm response.

  The interruption was all Ira needed to come back to her senses, the pain flooding through her body once again. It seemed almost more painful than before, as though her body was punishing her for her momentary loss of common sense.

  She suddenly recalled what he said, and Ira felt like a bucket of ice water washed through her.

  “You knew? You knew people were after me and you didn’t tell me?” she breathed.

  Was she truly to blame for Margo’s near fatal injuries. Had that ambush been waiting for her? Francis said that the Brotherhood were waiting there for a few days, so Ira assumed they were waiting for another, and had simply taken advantage of the opportunity to grab Ira too. But if Magnus thought someone was after her, did Ira really put Margo at risk?

  Sighing heavily Magnus gave her waist one last firm squeeze, before dropping his hands. He seemed to collect himself, moving toward his desk and taking a seat before he calmly continued. “Nothing. It doesn’t matter.”