Mariana's Secret

by A D Lombardo

  Kinnon gently cupped the side of Petra’s face. He paused to look into her eyes. “I love you, my dear, you’ve made me the happiest man in the world.” Then he gently kissed her lips.

  With the ceremony concluded, each person took a lantern from under the tree and followed the couple through town. They then released them out onto the lake, spreading the joy of their union.

  Kai stood at the water's edge, watching the cluster of lights scattered across the lake in the morning mist.

  “Beautiful, isn’t it?” a voice whispered.

  “Yes, it is.” Kai turned to see Haygan standing beside him.

  “It was a beautiful ceremony. I doubt anyone knows, but the ceremony was similar to our Katori weddings. Albey was originally Katori land before we all moved behind the mountains. People would be surprised if they really knew where all their traditions started.”

  “When did you get back?” Kai asked. “Tell me, how was your trip? You were gone all summer. I’ve been busy with the changes in Albey, but that did not keep me from worrying about you. I thought maybe they would not let you return.”

  Haygan faced the water, his hands tucked into his pockets. “It was good to be home and difficult to leave Simone. Ryker is alive and well. It’s all good news.”

  Kai asked with a clenched jaw. “How is this good news? What about my mother? Knowing she’s alive and now missing, I can’t go a day without thinking of her. How do we find her now?” Regretting his tone, Kai pressed his lips together. “I know you were worried about Simone and Ryker. I don’t mean to discount their contribution…”

  Haygan faced Kai. “Ryker is very disappointed in his failure, but I promise you, he will not give up. Mariana will be difficult to find in an animal form, but manta rays migrate and stay near the coastline near the Mystic Islands.”

  “And how exactly do they know what animal form she has taken? Sounds like a guess.”

  “I only know what they told me. I do know it was one of the forms your mother practiced. But I suppose it could be a guess. Lucca—my father, your grandfather—said he sent people to watch the coast around the Mystic Islands. But if you want to help, we need her necklace. You will have to find a way to steal it.” Haygan eyed a passerby.

  “Steal from my father?” Kai shook his head. “There is no way he will part with it, and stealing it will be nearly impossible. He keeps it in a lockbox in his study. That is when he isn’t carrying it around in his vest pocket.”

  “I never said it would be easy.” A smirk curled Haygan’s mouth. “Although, it’s the perfect test for all those skills Riome has been teaching you. We need her crystal. Consider it. I will accept your decision.” Haygan raised an eyebrow.

  Kai pondered his uncle’s words. In truth, he knew stealing the necklace would be easy. Sneaking into his father’s study in the dead of night would be simple. Not only did he know where his father kept the key; he could pick the lock in seconds. Even if he had to lift it out of his father’s pocket, he was not worried.

  “It’s not about the challenge getting it. It’s about stealing from my father. Taking something so precious. You think giving it to Lucca would matter? I need to think about this.” Kai shook his head. Hurting his father to save his mother seemed counterintuitive, but he was more than willing to do anything for her. Giving it over to Lucca, now that was another matter.

  Haygan took a breath. “I understand. Either way, it will work out. We know more now than we ever did. Now I think we should join the others. I don’t know about you, but I would like some cake.” Haygan smirked, pulling Kai along.

  The more Kai considered the request, the more he wanted to keep the necklace himself. Why let them have it? He pondered the possibility of searching and rescuing her. No, he did not trust the Katori people. They certainly did not trust him. No, he would need to do this himself.

  ◆◆◆

  The next afternoon turned out to be swelteringly hot. Kai and Shane sat on the shore of Baden Lake in the midday sun. Glancing at Shane, he asked. “What do you say? One more race to see who can swim the farthest?”

  They both had incredible speed and stamina on land and in the water. Testing each other seemed almost pointless. But it gave them something to do. “Sure,” Shane agreed. “I almost beat you last time. I’m going to miss this when we get home.”

  The two boys waded into the water, then dove under. Shane rose up first. Kai came to the surface a few seconds later. They swam with exceptional speed. Bodies straight, legs extended, briskly kicking. They pulled through the water with curved elbows high.

  The real question was not who would tire, but who would want to turn back first. Who wanted to win more? On a vast lake that took eight-to-ten hours to cross by sailboat, they had room to challenge each other.

  Kai kept his breathing relaxed. He took a deep breath through his nose between strokes. At the same time, he gleaned Shane’s location. He knew they were evenly matched. For now, he kept pace with his friend. Palms turned downward, he pulled rhythmically through the water.

  Stroke after stroke, he imagined himself pulling ahead. Still, Shane kept even. He focused on his technique, making each movement count. Inch by inch, Kai kicked a little bit harder.

  Focused on the far side of the lake, Kai took short, quick breaths. He pulled his arms through the water faster. Slowly he pulled into the lead. With the extra distance, he slowed his movements and held his pace. Just a few more strokes, he told himself. He knew how far Shane was willing to swim.

  It wasn’t long after, he heard Shane. “Kai, stop. We’ve gone too far. We should turn back.”

  Kai stopped. The water ahead of them offered no view of the other shore. Behind them, Albey was a burry distant stretch of shoreline. He heard echoes of children laughing and playing on the beach. Kai turned around and they both began the long swim back. Keeping an eye on Shane, they made easy work of the return trip.

  Panting, they both crawled up onshore and lay in the grass. “How?” Shane asked, between breaths. “How do you always beat me? We stay together most of the way, then you pull out ahead, and I can never catch you.”

  Relaxing, Kai looked up at the clear blue sky. “You really want to know?”

  “Of course.”

  “My only chance is to swim like I am aiming for the other side. I have no intention of turning back. I have often thought of swimming all the way across. For no more than a few strokes I push and stretch a little more, and I pull ahead of you. Then I can relax into a normal stroke. Swim at the same tempo. By pulling ahead of you and staying there, I get into your head. From that moment on you begin to question and doubt. Wondering if I am better. Then you think about the swim back. You wonder if we have gone too far this time. That is why I win. You are trying to beat me; I am trying to beat the lake.” He sat up and looked down the shore at Smoke splashing along the beach.

  “Hmmm,” Shane replied. “I never thought of it like that.”

  ◆◆◆

  Wrapping up the summer could not happen fast enough. While he was well-received by the people, all he could do was fret over where he’d rather be. The morning of their departure, Kai was a buddle of adrenaline. He led his group through the countryside at a wicked pace. Each stop felt like an eternity. Although everyone else was anxious to get home, he could tell they were set on edge by his constant prodding.

  Near the Chenowith gatehouse, Albert stood with arms crossed, talking with two women. One of them turned in their direction. Kai instantly recognized Riome. Her long hair flowed freely down her back, and she was wearing a brown leather vest over a white shirt and olive-colored pants.

  Well, at least she’s not wearing black, he thought—a pleasant change. The other woman’s features were similar to Riome’s. If he didn’t already know Riome’s history, one would mistake them for sisters. The woman’s eyes carried depth and wisdom, but her appearance was deceiving. Kai could not help himself, and he gleaned her spirit. The light betrayed her—she was Katori.

 
He slid from his saddle, and Dresnor and Drew quickly joined him. “Albert, good to see you again. Looks like we will not be staying the night in Chenowith” The two friends clasped hands.

  “Riome,” Kai nodded. “What are you doing here?” He studied her face.

  Composed, she held her chin high and offered a bow. “Your Highness, I come with news.” From her pocket, she pulled a letter and handed it to Dresnor. “We sailed all night. I was told to deliver this letter to Dresnor and escort you across the lake. I have Diu soldiers waiting on the Grand Duke’s ship. We need to depart immediately.”

  Dresnor cracked the Master General’s seal and read the letter. “Drew, Redmon, Albey, Haygan, Shane and Marduk, you are with the Prince and me on the first boat. The rest of you will stay behind with the horses; you will return to Diu on the next ship. Cazier wants us home quickly.” He pointed toward the pier.

  ◆◆◆

  Once they were underway crossing Baden Lake, Kai approached Riome and the older woman. “Riome, will you introduce me to your...” he hesitated. “Your mother? I am guessing, of course, but you are the spitting image of each other. One would say, maybe an older sister, but then you have no sister—that I know of.”

  Riome smiled and nodded. “Mother, this is Prince Kai, Mariana’s son. Kai, this is Yulia, my mother.” She softly touched her mother’s arm.

  Yulia shared her daughter’s dark green eyes and auburn hair. She had not one gray strand to be found. Her long thick hair was braided into three sections and tied at the bottom, halfway down her back. Her navy leather vest crisscrossed in front and hung about her hips. A braided black leather belt was synched around her waist with various pouches, a dagger, and a short blade. Her white blouse billowed around her arms and her black pants were tucked into rugged black boots. The most important thing Kai noticed was a silver necklace with a teardrop crystal with a swirl of deep purple mixed with lavender.

  Yulia bowed. “Your Highness, it is a pleasure to meet you. I have heard so much about you from my daughter. She speaks very highly of you. Let us hope you live up to the reputation. Please excuse me, I have matters to attend to.” After another short bow, she stepped to the stern of the ship.

  “So, Cazier sent you to collect me?” Kai eyed Riome. “Why the rush? We would have been home in a week.”

  While he waited for her reply, he glanced at Yulia. Riome’s mother took a meditative state at the stern. Eyes closed, she pressed her hands together at her chest and bowed forward. Eyes open, she reached down and pulled at invisible air about her feet. She rolled it about her chest in a ball, then she threw the air upward.

  Kai felt the wind stir and toss his hair about. He turned away from Riome to study Yulia’s movements. They reminded him of Riome’s meditation movements. Next, she pulled the air from one side, rolled the wind in her hands and pushed it towards the sails. Momentarily, he closed his eyes and accessed his sight. Yulia's wispy spirit energy floated on the stern of the ship. Flowing power gathered around her. Waves of magic rolled in her direction. Then he opened his eyes and saw her natural form. Her spirit's energy and physical form overlapped.

  Yulia’s hands collected elements of life energy. Rolled within her hands they became wind, which she directed at the sails. He noticed the wind stir and the sails billowed. Suddenly he felt the ship’s speed increase. All the signs were there—Yulia was a Weathervane.

  “Things must be serious if Cazier sent you and your mother. Can you explain to me how she is…out in the open in front of everyone?” He nodded to Yulia and then up to the sails.

  Riome looked at her mother. “The others only see her meditation. The wind stirs about the entire ship. They think nothing of her exercises. Yet, you see her purpose. Interesting.” She squinted her eyes, studying him.

  Concern struck him. He had said too much. Did Riome know about his gifts? He had to think quickly. “Isn’t it obvious? Her moments coincided with the wind’s velocity. My mother was Katori, you know. They have many secrets, and I know a few. Seems she is doing the same mediation movements you taught me. I am guessing she was your teacher.” Sailors walked by them, eyeing Riome with the prince.

  Kai stepped away from the railing. He was desperate to learn why she had been sent, so he changed the subject. “What was in the letter from Cazier? Why are you both here?”

  “My mother came to Cazier,” Riome whispered. “She warned of ships spotted north of the Mystic Islands. She saw them.”

  “Who are they and what do they want?” Kai questioned.

  “They are Caroco ships, not seen here in these parts in many years. In all my travels I have never been to Caroco. Caroco is on the far side of the world. Mother said we will know them by their flag, a black star on a field of red.”

  As the words escaped her mouth, he instantly linked his dream to these mysterious ships. The red flag he knew, but the black symbol in the middle was obstructed. Surely they are one and the same, he thought. His face went pale, and his heart quickened at the news. Kai wondered how long he had before he would find himself in the water beside two Caroco ships. Not to mention, he had no idea why he would be there.

  “What is it, Kai? What’s wrong?” Riome grabbed his arm and delicately pressed two fingers into his wrist. “Your heart is racing. What do you know?” She turned to look at her mother, still about her work, hastening their travels. “She said they are men we should fear, but she won’t tell me who they are or why we should be afraid. She spoke privately with Cazier.”

  Nothing could have prepared him for this news. The Katori were concerned about the Caroco people. They did not fear anything, yet it would seem they did. Why? Kai shook his head in disbelief.

  Putting distance between them, Kai slowly pulled his hand away. “It’s nothing, just something I saw in a dream. Or at least I thought I saw them. Two ships. It doesn’t matter. It was only a flash of the flag, nothing more.” He stepped away from her. This could only mean his dream was real. Whatever they wanted could not be good. If they were spotted sailing around the Mystic Islands, they were close—and coming soon. Worry filled his eyes, and he looked back at her.

  Pensive, Riome returned the look but did not question him further. The rest of the trip she sat near her mother with her eyes closed. Kai imagined Cazier’s letter told very little, and Dresnor would know little more than the story Riome had shared. He would need to speak with his father or the Master General.

  ◆◆◆

  When his group reached the Diu pier, horses were waiting. They mounted up quickly, all but Riome and Yulia, who walked away in the opposite direction. More secrets, Kai thought. His group rode hard through the city, and the Diu city bells rang in celebration as they came through the gatehouse. Prince Galloway had returned.

  There was something about coming home. The smells of the city, the bright white palace high in the distance, the interlaced gardens throughout the city, the familiar faces within the palace grounds. And the people he cared about most. It had taken only six hours to cross the lake with Yulia’s assistance. Two hours less than usual.

  Once everyone settled in, he tried to find out more details about the mysterious ships. All Cazier and his father would tell him was that these warships had not been seen in these parts for over a decade. Their arrival might mean nothing, but they did not want to take any chances. Katori had sent the warning, and their word was more than good enough for Iver. If nothing comes of it over the next few weeks, security would go back to normal. He knew they were keeping something from him; he just didn’t know what.

  The more important thing keeping Kai guessing was why Yulia has such influence over his cousin? Who was she to him, that she would warn Diu or that he would consider her information worthy of his attention?

  He hated not knowing more, but there was nothing more to tell. He had to wait until his vision played itself out. Since they were back early, he desperately wanted to find Rayna. Even though everyone in the city knew he was back, he needed to tell her. He wanted to see
her.

  Gleaning, he searched the grounds for Rayna. First the bakehouse, then the gardens and even the laundry. She was not with her parents or Julia. Where could she be? he wondered. That is, until he saw Rayna walking across the courtyard. She approached him with a shy smile on her face and an open hand. He took her hand, and they silently stood in the early evening light. “I can’t stay outside,” she said, glancing over her shoulder towards her parent’s home. “They are waiting for me.”

  “I know, but at least I got to see you. Maybe I can see you again tomorrow. Security is strict right now, but they hope things will relax in a few weeks.”

  “Is there cause for concern?”

  “No, everything is fine. Just precautionary. Foreign ships spotted northeast of here.” He assured her.

  “I look forward to seeing you tomorrow if you’re free.” She squeezed his hand and bumped her shoulder into his. “Goodnight, Kai.”

  “Goodnight, Rayna.” He clung to her hand as she slowly walked away until their arms were outstretched, and she pulled her hand through his fingertips. Once she ducked inside her home, he returned to the palace.

  Chapter 17

  Rayna’s Persistence

  Kai had been planning this day for weeks. Concern over the foreign ships had faded. He was finally free to leave the city and get some alone time with Rayna. And it looked like the perfect day. The sun was shining, there was a warm breeze coming from the south, and Lizzie had prepared them a basket lunch to take to the lake.

  Smoke and Shiva both lay in the shade nearby, and three guards stood at a respectful distance. While they ate, he kept the conversation light. He thought about the words of advice from his uncle. Haygan believed she should know all the secrets he’d share with Kai in Albey. She would need to make her choice, same as Kai.

  Kai opened his eyes. “I sometimes wonder what my life would be like if my mother were still with me. Without my mother to guide me I have had to learn in other ways.” He cleared his throat.