by A D Lombardo
An instant kinship to Albey struck Kai. This picturesque town was built on the edge of Baden Lake, pressed into the valley below the expansive Katori Mountains. Homes engulfed in greenery; their reflections rippled across the glassy water below. Two ships sat in the harbor with a few men scurrying about.
“Kempery-man Albey, your town is charming. I look forward to spending the summer here.”
“Prince Kai, call me Zayne, if you please. I believe we’ve known each other long enough.” He grinned. “Not to mention, my mother may find it too formal.”
The name ‘Zayne’ felt strange on Kai’s tongue. “In private, you may call me Kai. For your mother, I am happy to keep things informal. Titles do not make the man.”
Together, Kai and Albey continued. They watched Captain Wallis and his men scramble to meet them. Scattered about the town, Kai watched the Diu soldiers interview villagers. They were preparing for his visit as they had done last summer in Chenowith, after his first trip to Hamrin and the battle for his life, they took no chances.
Both groups gathered in the town square.
Kai admired a detailed carving. From a distance he had thought it was a tree. However, upon closer inspection, he realized the trunk had the face of a woman carved into the base, eyes closed with a demure smile. Taking another look, he decided the design made the branches look like hair caught in the wind.
Surrounded by his own men and joined by Captain Wallis’s group, they were a sizable force. Kai peered around the square. He was relieved to see clean cobblestone streets, filled with happy, healthy people and the occasional horse-drawn cart. The buildings were large, with black roofs and faded yellow or pink weatherboarding. A few others were built of gray stone.
Listening to Kempery-man Dresnor receive the report from Captain Wallis, Kai brought his eyes down to street level. Bystanders gawked at their group and whispered. Three young ladies giggled and waved at him. An old man sipped tea; a dog sat at his feet.
Having come by ship straight from Diu City to ensure no secrets lay in wait for the prince and his entourage, Wallis and his men dominated the town. Their silver armor gleamed in the afternoon sun, a welcome sight for everyone in his group. Fresh able men ready to protect the prince.
Before they entered the Albey Estate, Dresnor pulled everyone aside. “I advise everyone to take advantage of the next few days to rest. Wallis’s men are willing to stay ten full days before returning to Diu. Make the most of this extra time to recover. We are all road-weary, and I need you sharp. Spend some of your time learning the streets and meeting people. Speak to Wallis’s men to learn what you can before they depart.” Excitement lit up the faces of the men. This was good news. Free time was more than they expected.
Dresnor shifted his weight to one side. “Captain Wallis will secure the grounds and patrol the town. Relish these next few days, but I need not tell you how to conduct yourselves.” He fired a stern glare at his men.
“Albey, Drew, and Redmond, once Wallis and his men depart, you three have the estate unless Kai goes into town. We have fifteen men this trip, not counting Haygan and Marduk. This trip should prove uneventful and pleasant; however, keep your wits about you. I don’t want any surprises.” His tone remained firm, his eyes serious.
“Prince Kai, should you wish to leave the estate grounds at any time, you’re with one of us. I trust Wallis and his men, but you are in my care, not his. Clear?” Dresnor raised his eyebrow. “I suppose Shiva and Smoke count if you take a run,” he added.
“Crystal clear, Dresnor,” Kai acknowledged.
His group rode through the gates of the estate. Their surprise arrival meant nobody waited outside to greet the prince. Kai preferred the simple entry. Dresnor and Drew hung back to speak with Captain Wallis. Everyone else entered the estate grounds following Kempery-man Albey to the stables. Leaving the horses with the groomsman, they made their way to the main house.
The Albey Estate was made of gray stone with some sections painted white. Like everything else in the town, white seemed to be the prominent color. The overall structure was reminiscent of an old castle, only smaller. One end had a tall castle tower, and the other a structure built entirely of glass. Nearly half of the building was covered in green vines.
After a formal greeting with the family, Kai and his group had the opportunity to freshen their attire before joining the Albey family for dinner in the banquet hall. Another room painted entirely white. Do they not have any other colors? He wanted to ask but feared it would be rude.
Duke Lars Albey was an older, heavyset man, and his wife, Lady Emma, was noticeably younger. Her light brown hair had only the faintest hints of gray, and her eyes were a unique ice-blue. Kai learned that their eldest, Kinnon, was traveling and was expected back soon. Their other two children, Brianna and Kempery-man Zayne, were both the spitting image of their father. They had black curly hair and green eyes, although the Duke’s hair was streaked with gray, revealing his seniority.
The old man seemed kind enough, but Kai got a sense of laziness on the old man’s part. When it came to helping the town grow, he had no real interest. Kai listened to Lars say, “I’ve done enough work in my life. It is time to enjoy my golden years. Besides, the townspeople need to make way for themselves. When Kinnon, my son, returns, I want him to start managing the town.”
“How long have you been the duke of Albey, Lord Lars?” Kai asked.
“Ten years, this winter, after my father passed away. He lived an unusually long life. I was humbly honored to accept the position, but it was never my ambition to govern. They really do not need my leadership. The town seems more than capable of running itself.”
Being a duke was an honor, yet Lars was disinterested. This news surprised Kai. Outside of security, Lars let everything run as his father, the previous duke, had arranged. Kai was thankful to hear Lars maintained a hand in ensuring that the city guards kept the peace, but it was disappointing to discover the rest.
The best Kai could tell, Lars had no real knowledge about the inner workings of the town. Nor did he care to learn. Like Dresnor had once said, if they pay the taxes to the kingdom, they were left to run themselves.
Conversations continued late into the night. The more he learned, the less he wished to know. There were many challenges left unaddressed about town. Clearly, Kai had his work cut out for him on this trip. While he liked the small-town feel, it sounded more like a fading, dying town. This was not what he wanted to do. He was beginning to resent his duty as a prince.
It was near midnight when Kai climbed into the bed at the Albey Estate. He looked around at the simple yet elegant furnishings of his room. Smoke slept peacefully near the door on an oval rug; his massive body overflowed onto the wide plank black walnut flooring that matched the ceiling’s exposed beams. Three walls were stark white, while the exterior wall was made of multi-colored stone.
◆◆◆
After a good night’s rest, Kai hopped out of bed and looked around his room. Behind the desk, he marveled at the red velvet paisley covered window seat below the diamond-shaped windowpanes. While appealing, the metal dividers and the wavy glass made it difficult to get a clear view. He opened three of the large windows and caught a fresh morning breeze blowing through the hills.
His view was simple: rows and rows of apple trees. White, sun-kissed blossoms coiled around the branches like clumps of cotton. The apple trees made him think of Rayna and their many walks through the Diu palace orchard. At this hour, he knew she would be awake, busy making bread in the bakehouse. It had only been a little over a week, and he missed her dearly.
Disinterested in his obligations, Kai pondered how he would manage an entire summer trapped here. Nothing about this trip was what Kai wanted. His mission was to connect with his people and report back on the condition of their lives and help make improvements where he could. How could he not help his people?
Like it or not, he would do his duty. The place to start—get to know the servants. He nee
ded to learn about the men and women who worked in the estate. Then he could venture around the town and any surrounding farms. Their stories would tell him more than those in charge.
The backbone of every home was the kitchen. Gossip and rumors would spring from the kitchen and the laundry. He would need to start there.
Circling down the spiral stairwell, he entered a long hallway. Past the dining hall, Kai found the kitchen. Although it was early, the kitchen smelled of freshly baked bread. From the doorway, he watched the hustle and bustle of the servants.
Quickly identifying the woman in charge, he studied her. His sight told him she was part-Katori, as were several people he’d seen through the estate and town. Prin, as they called her, was a quiet woman compared to Lizzie. In fact, she said very little as she stepped from station to station, tasting or inspecting their work. All the ladies had their hair pulled back into a neat bun and wore pale-yellow dresses with white aprons tied at the waist.
The older woman’s hair was snow-white and much like any good cook, according to Lizzie; she was a bit lumpy in the middle. Never trust a cook that won’t eat her own food, Lizzie would say. Seemingly satisfied with their progress, Prin crossed the kitchen to greet him. Smiling, she gestured toward the long table at the center.
In the softest voice imaginable, she said, “Have a seat, Your Highness. My name is Prin. You honor me with your visit to the kitchen. How may I serve you today?” She squinted slightly, studying him.
Kai nodded to her and took a seat, wondering what she hoped to discern. “Thank you. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Prin. I wanted to see the backbone of the Albey Estate. The nature of the staff tells me more about the estate than its Lord and Lady. I look forward to meeting people in the village later today.”
She smiled at him and then glanced over to a girl separating freshly baked bread rolls. With a nod, the girl stopped, found a plate, cut a roll in half and smeared one side with a dark purple preserve and light orange jam on the other. She smiled and passed the plate to the next girl who placed two slices of thick roasted ham on the plate, before handing it to Prin.
Prin stepped forward and offered Kai the plate. “I would be happy if you tried our blackberry and orange preserves. They are both made right here at the estate by my girls.” She bowed her head ever so slightly.
Her gentle smile set Kai at ease. “Thank you, it would be my pleasure, Prin.” He accepted the plate. “I am sure it will be difficult to choose a favorite.” As he bit into the roll smeared with the orange preserve, he was delighted. Nothing could be better, he thought. Then he tried the blackberry preserve. His eyes lit up, and he smiled more and more with each bite. “I guess I was wrong. The orange was wonderful, but the blackberry was divine. Thank you.”
She grinned and nodded. A tall old man entered the back of the kitchen, approached her, and slid his hand around her back. “Good morning, my dear. Have you taken in a new boy?” he asked, hugging her softly.
Before she could answer, Kempery-man Albey entered the kitchen. “Good morning, Prin, Leo. I see Prince Kai has found his way to you. You’re in good hands here, Kai. Prin makes the best preserves. Her secret is the sweetener. She makes them from the honey Leo harvests from the hives along the back of the estate.”
Kempery-man Albey pulled up a chair next to Kai just as Prin offered Kai a plate of eggs and bacon. Albey’s plate had his rolls smeared with blackberry preserves.
Leo bowed in embarrassment. “My apologies, Your Highness. I had no idea I was addressing…”
Kai raised his hand to stop the kind man. “Please. I am a man like any other.” He rubbed at the stubble across his chin. “I know Diu etiquette requires formality, but then we are not in Diu, are we? Please, call me Kai.” He pulled out the seat next to him. “Sit, eat with us.”
Leo nodded and took the offered chair. “Well…Kai, it is a pleasure to have you with us. Any friend of Zayne’s is a friend of mine.” Prin handed her husband a plate and turned back to her assistants.
“Zayne, I see you clearly have a well-known favorite.” Kai noticed both pieces of Kempery-man Albey’s bread were slathered with blackberry preserves. “Prin, you should ship your preserves to Diu. I know they would be famous. The honey, too. We don’t get much honey.” He took another bite and savored the fruity flavor.
Prin blushed at his comments and continued her work. Leo, equally reserved, tilted his head to the side. “You really think they would buy our honey? In the big city of Diu? I would think they have everything in your city.”
“We certainly have access to a great many things, but local honey is not currently on our list. It is shipped in from Nebea from time to time. If you were to ship it across the lake, I could certainly see a benefit to both of us.”
This was the first time in three years where he had spent actual alone time with Kempery-man Albey. The man always kept to himself. A quiet soul. Albey laughed. Only ten years his senior, Zayne Albey was one of the youngest Kempery-man in the history of the King’s Champions. Kai had been his first charge.
Curly black hair mopped about his head, and his short stubbly beard gave him a rugged yet mature look. “Kai, you are always working the angles to help someone,” Albey observed. “You are a good man. You will make a fine king someday. I am most fortunate to be in your service.”
“Kind of you to say, Zayne. I find it easy to help people. Besides, more honey in Diu means more honey for me,” he joked, hoping to lighten the mood.
Chapter 14
Haygan’s Warning
“Sorry I am late. Breakfast with Kempery-man Albey ran long.” Kai called through the trees to Haygan. Smoke sprang from the underbrush to greet Kai with a playful jump.
“I did not mind waiting,” Haygan answered. “I knew you’d be here when you were able. We have much to discuss before I leave. Hike with me along the Conha River. I will guide you to the first of three great waterfalls and the edge of the Zabranen Forest. From there you will need to return to Albey on your own. I must get word home about Ryker and Simone. I can only hope the news about your mother will stir the elders into action.”
“Wait. No. I want to go with you. Mariana is my mother.” Kai demanded.
“I will not argue with you, Kai. You know they will not let me bring you across. It is bad enough I must also hunt down these four rogue Katori who tried to wipe you off the hillside. I have no idea who they were. You know the storm and water surge was not natural.”
Part of Kai was thankful his uncle would get news home, and part of him resented his own inability to travel to Katori. Kai followed his uncle, grumbling under his breath. The terrain started out simple–short grasses and a few scraggly trees. The farther they walked, however, the thicker the brush became. In their silence, Kai listened to the rush of the water flowing from the Katori Mountains down the Conha River. On the ground, he noticed animal tracks large and small from creatures seeking water and food from the river.
Half-listening to Haygan lecture him about the mistake of sending his magic into the hills and drawing unwanted attention, he thought of Liam. The young man would have reached Albey three days earlier. He imagined the young man had faced his challenges and completed his Conhaspriga, his rite of passage. Surely, Liam must have traveled along this very river. Kai wondered what the rites of passage entailed and what it meant to have a gift. Three gifts came to mind: Beastmaster, Kodama, Stoneking, and some ability to affect the weather. Were there other gifts? He knew his mother and Simone could both turn into dragons, and Sabastian was an eagle.
Kendra and Haygan kept too many secrets. How different his life would be if his mother were with him. She would have told him everything, he was sure of it. While they walked, he fantasized about his mother taking him home to Katori. How they would be welcomed. Details Kendra had shared painted a magnificent picture of their marble city amongst mammoth bodhima trees he’d only seen in sketches. The endless natural rivers and pools threaded throughout the city.
“Haygan. Ca
n I ask you about…?” He hesitated, stepping around a bent tree limb.
Afraid to say the words, Kai bit his lip. He feared being rejected—or lied to. Would his newly christened uncle answer all his questions now? He swallowed hard and took a chance. “The name of this river—Conha. What does it have to do with the Conhaspriga?”
Haygan cocked his head around to glance at Kai. A small smirk bloomed out of the corner of his mouth. “Clever boy. Where did you learn about the Katori rite of passage?”
“A friend.”
Before Haygan could respond, Kai asked more. “If my mother were here with me, would she keep secrets? Or would she have taught me about the Conhaspriga?”
There in the middle of the forest, Kai saw something he could have only hoped for: his uncle’s expression showed agreement. “She would have been training you, Half-Light or not. How in Alenga’s name did you learn about Conhaspriga?”
“A boy I met three days ago before we left Chenowith. I was in the forest with the alpha pack. A young man named Liam came upon us. He was bound for Albey, returning after his year abroad visiting the outside world. He was about to complete his Conhaspriga. For all I know, he is in the hills here right now.”
The ground shook beneath their feet. A low rumble. Haygan smiled. “Maybe.”
Kai was confused by the sound but waited for his uncle’s response.
“Correct,” Haygan continued, “the rite of passage got its name from the river. Youth are given a choice. When they turn sixteen, they may leave Katori and travel the world. Most choose to stay and meditate in silence for a year. When they reach seventeen, the mountain calls all Katori. It is different for everyone. Some feel a gentle pull at their soul, while others get sick with a fever. I believe the harder the mountain grabs at your spirit, the stronger the power within you.”
“Liam mentioned a fever,” Kai stared at Haygan, thrilled he was willing to share more information. “He did not appear sick. Did you travel the world?”