Auguries of Dawn

by Peyton Reynolds

With only a sharp command for Nathon to stay where he was, Oliveah bolted onto the field and rapidly closed in on the two men at its center.

  Quickly, she cast Taleb only the briefest of glances. Sprawled over the grass at her feet, with a deep gash in his head oozing blood, it was nevertheless clear that he was merely unconscious. He would awaken with a savage headache, no doubt, but such would prove an easy fix for the Healers.

  She neared Kale, who was now watching her curiously. He then appeared to interpret her presence here as concern for Taleb.

  “He will be fine,” he told her.

  “I know,” she replied. “I am a close friend of Madi’s, and she revealed to me your oath.”

  He took that in and nodded.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Devlin now approaching, coming from the royal seating. He was likely looking for an explanation to Taleb and Kale’s strange behavior, as was everyone within the forum, Oliveah included, but that would have to wait. She waved an impatient hand in the jester’s direction, making it clear she wanted him to keep his distance. Whether or not he would adhere to this, she did not know.

  “Madi’s in trouble,” she said, keeping her eyes on Kale.

  He appeared mildly interested. “How so?”

  “She read for the prince, and King DeSiva has now placed a price of two hundred gold on her head. I have made arrangements to oust her from the city, but with such a bounty on her life, I fear many assassins will follow.” She paused briefly. “I would ask that you go with her and act as her guard.”

  He looked surprised. “Why me?”

  “You just won the Challenge. Little fear your protection would prove lacking.” Actually, this was only one of the reasons. The other was something she should have realized days ago.

  Danetria Savannon had told Madi that some of the connections meant to happen during the week of Ardin’s Pride in Tyrell had been missed, and would instead connect here in Aralexia. Rydin Kale had been in both places, and remained the only unaccounted for thread so far as Oliveah could see. Devlin, Knoxx, Baiel, Sabian, Flynn Fajen—all had been in Tyrell, and all had now been drawn into this web. Somehow, she felt certain, Kale was also part of this—and truly, there would be none more fearsome to guard Madi as she and Sabian sought out the legendary Ruby Stone.

  Moreover, and strangely enough, she had come to this conclusion before Madi had relayed to her Kale’s promise not to kill Taleb, a revelation that had only reinforced her own thoughts. She’d not told Madi what she’d been thinking, though, stating only that she would be at the docks with this person when the time came.

  She observed Kale still regarding her silently.

  “You will be well compensated for this task,” she then went on, thinking that perhaps this was what he waited for.

  “Lady, I just won a prize of five hundred gold. What makes you think you can entice me in that fashion?”

  Oliveah frowned at him. “Not even if that sum is doubled?”

  This was a staggering amount of money. More than most people would ever see in a lifetime, in fact. But Oliveah was confident the Savannon coffers could offer it without trouble.

  Kale was now laughing softly. “And you have access to those sorts of funds?”

  “Madi does. She is a Savannon, you know.”

  He began nodding, still smiling. “I am aware of the woman’s lineage, yes.”

  Impatient, Oliveah shot a quick look over her shoulder. Devlin appeared to be giving her the time she needed, but the look he was aiming at her in return made it clear he wouldn’t be able to stall much longer.

  She looked back to Kale. “Will you do this?”

  He looked contemplative. “I trust you aim to get her free of Dhanen’Mar completely?”

  “Yes. Your destination will be Gaitlin.” This was information she’d just received from Sabian this morning. Gaitlin lay across the sea, on the western continent.

  “I’ve been there once,” he then replied, not giving any further elaboration. “For how long is this protection to last?”

  Oliveah paused, wording her response carefully.

  “There is an item Madi needs to retrieve from Gaitlin. The process may be dangerous, which is another reason why I find you a perfect fit for this errand. But once it's been collected, Madi will then need to return here to Dhanen’Mar. To Kohtala, to be exact.”

  He frowned faintly. “Destiny’s home city?”

  “That’s right. Bring her back safely, with the item, and you will receive your five hundred gold.”

  He continued to appear skeptical. “What is this item?”

  Oliveah did not want to get into that. “Madi will explain.”

  He shrugged again. “All right. Consider my sword yours.”

  She released a relieved breath and began to retreat, waving at the Healers on the sidelines to come and see to Taleb. “Be at the northern docks in an hour,” she called to Kale.

  “I expect to be arrested long before that,” he returned.

  Oliveah, still backing away, frowned at him. “You just won the Challenge! Fight your way out if you have to!”

  He grinned and tipped her a salute with his sword. “As the lady commands.”

  A pair of Healers had now reached Taleb. Considering they’d brought him back from the very brink of death the day before, she didn’t think it would be long before he was up and about. She stood back and watched the man and woman kneel down next to him.

  Devlin was now speaking to Kale, but she was no longer close enough to overhear their conversation. She imagined the jester was demanding some sort of answer to the bizarre finale of the Challenge, but Kale appeared to be stonewalling, simply shrugging and speaking in clipped, one-word answers. Finally Devlin turned away, clearly exasperated, and grabbed ahold of his arm.

  “Rydin Kale, this year’s champion!” he bellowed.

  The reactions of the crowd proved a mixed bag, which was unsurprising. Few liked to see a foreigner take the final prize, but it happened occasionally, and at the very least Kale had given them much entertainment this week. Consequently, there seemed to be an equal amount of cheers as there were hisses and boos.

  Kale was now demanding his gold, which was brought out to him by an escort of two knights. He took the sack, sketched a mockingly elegant bow in the direction of the king, and then started off the field.

  Devlin watched him go, and then glanced at Oliveah. Their shared look was fleeting, but bespoke of their collective victory here today. Through their combined efforts, Taleb, Nathon, and Madi all remained alive, with all soon to be safely away from Aralexia. Somehow, they had managed it.

  Looking away, Oliveah saw that Taleb was already stirring, his head wound fading under the powerful influence of the master Healers. She waited while they questioned him, asking things such as his name and what day it was. Satisfied with his responses, the Healers then began to back away, and she moved to kneel down next to him as he slowly rose into a sitting position.

  “Damn Kale, that sneaky bastard!” he exploded, glancing about. “Where is he?”

  “He’s already taken his gold and gone,” Oliveah said, eyeing him.

  Taleb muttered under his breath and made a move to get to his feet. She took hold of his arm to help, but he appeared steady as he straightened.

  “How’s your head?” she asked quickly.

  “Fine. It will be better once we’re free of this forum.”

  Oliveah kept quiet as they started away toward the exit. Nathon did not join them, as she’d warned him not to. She needed this time to talk to Taleb—a prospect made even worse by his obviously foul mood. But it was time, and the choice had been made for her—ironically the very thing she had once requested of Destiny.

  Neither spoke as they threaded their way through the marketplace and into the streets. A few blocks from the arena was a small park, and Oliveah steered them in this direction. At the center of the park sat a massive ston
e fountain, sculpted in the shape of a giant butterfly, and next to it a bench. She sank onto it gratefully, starting to feel the beginnings of panic. She truly did not wish to do this, and had no idea how to begin. Tortured, she floundered to find the right words.

  Taleb lowered himself next to her and looked over. “Don’t twist yourself up, Oliveah. I know you’re leaving with Nathon.”

  She took him in, her vision beginning to blur. The worst part of this was that she still could not say if this was the decision she’d be making had she not learned the deeper truth of Taleb here in Aralexia. And this was tearing a horrible wound in her.

  “Taleb, this is the way it has be,” she started, feeling one of her tears start to fall. “One day you will understand this, I promise you.” Oh, if she could only explain to him why. But the time for that would come soon enough, and it was unlikely she would be the bearer of such information. That task, she presumed, would fall to Devlin Alvik.

  “It’s because I’m leaving for Lutarre Keep, isn’t it?” he asked, not seeming to have heard her earlier comments.

  She was quiet a long moment, thinking. Would it be better for him if he thought this was the reason? And truly, it was not a lie, in a way. His time with the warlords would prove just the first step in his long-overdue journey.

  “In part,” she finally murmured, then looked to him seriously. “I believe it is time you saw to the Destiny you’ve always felt has been seeking you. And you need to be free to do that.”

  “I had hoped you would be a part of it, and not find it the very reason not to be.”

  “This is just the way it must be,” she said again, closing her eyes as two more tears fell.

  There was a long silence before he spoke again, getting to his feet as he did so.

  “You have made you choice, Oliveah, and I won’t sit here and guilt you for it. You know that I love you and only want your happiness, and if Nathon can provide this, then of course I wish all my blessings and good fortune upon you. And never doubt that I’ll be there should either of you ever have need of me.”

  She stared up at him, her tears flowing faster now, before rising and falling against him. He held her tightly for a time, and it took all of her willpower to finally pull away. But her responsibilities of this day were still far from over.

  “I have to get to the northern docks,” she managed, wiping the wetness from her cheeks.

  “Why?”

  Seeing no reason not to, she quickly explained that Madi now a price on her head, handed down by the very king himself, and how the situation had come about.

  Taleb was astounded. “Is this why you’ve been acting so oddly this week?”

  “For the most part,” she said, not holding his eyes.

  “All right, I’ll bring you to the docks and make sure she and Sabian get away safely.”

  She nodded and quickly led the way back into the streets, deciding she would leave out mention of Kale for now; it was questionable whether Taleb would be pleased to encounter him again so soon after their odd confrontation on the field. It remained on the tip of her tongue to seek an explanation for what had occurred there, but she found herself unwilling to risk darkening Taleb’s mood even more.

  With the majority of the populace enjoying the revelry of the Challenge’s end, the docks, Oliveah saw when they arrived, were almost deserted. She didn’t yet see Kale, but Sabian was precisely where he was supposed to be, awaiting her.

  She and Taleb drew up next to him.

  “Have Madi and Knoxx arrived yet?” she asked quietly.

  “Not so far as I’m aware,” Sabian replied.

  “You had no problem making the arrangements?”

  “None.” He gestured to a large vessel docked nearby. “I purchased fare for two upon this ship, which will take us to the coast in Fortunia.”

  “Two?” Taleb frowned. “I thought it was your plan to keep Madi hidden until they could change ships.”

  “It is,” Oliveah told him. “The second fare is for her guard.”

  “And who is that?”

  “That would be me.”

  All three turned as Kale drew up behind them. Oliveah braced for Taleb’s reaction.

  At first, he appeared bewildered. Then he rounded on her furiously.

  “You can’t be serious! Him? What are you thinking?”

  “I’m thinking he provides the best chance of keeping Madi and Sabian alive,” she snapped back, just as heatedly.

  Taleb looked back at her a moment, glanced at Kale, and then back to her again. “I really don’t think he is a good choice for this, Oliveah. He’s—”

  “Taleb, please!” she cut him off. “I’ve thought much on this, and he is the best choice. Just leave it be!”

  His expression turned hard, and the Jennite was now grinning at him in a manner Oliveah didn’t particularly understand.

  “Fine then,” Taleb said, backing up a step. “I did my best to warn you.”

  Kale suddenly pulled his sword and spun about. “Show yourself,” he commanded, seemingly into the stacks of crates waiting to be loaded onto a nearby ship.

  Oliveah and Taleb exchanged a startled glance, and then she looked back to see a tall, black-haired man move into view from between the stacks.

  “Callan!” Kale called, lowering his weapon. “Have you been in Aralexia all this week? Why did you not seek me out?”

  The man named Callan was stepping nearer. It quickly became obvious that he was also a Jennite, and she took in his medallions of Death and Commerce.

  “I meant to, but have been rather busy of late,” he grinned, stopping before Kale.

  Kale gave a dry laugh. “In this city, that does not surprise me.”

  “Fortunately, though, not so busy that I couldn’t make a very generous and early wager on you in the games. You’ve made me a tidy little fortune, my friend,” he laughed.

  This seemed to neither please nor bother Kale. “So what are you doing here at the docks? If I recall, you despise sea travel.”

  Callan shrugged. “Looking for a mark, actually. The crackpot king of this country is offering two hundred gold for some witch’s head. No one’s had eyes on her yet, so I figured she might try sneaking off by ship.”

  Kale’s sword was a blur of motion, suddenly extended and pressed to the side of the man’s throat.

  “Unfortunately for you,” he said, “I’ve been hired to protect that woman.”

  Callan’s hands rose, but, amazingly, he retained his poise. “Perhaps you should have let me finish, then,” he remarked humorlessly.

  “Speak,” Kale said, not lowering his weapon.

  Oliveah used this time to shoot Taleb a pointed look, which he didn’t appear to appreciate in the slightest.

  “As I was saying,” the man named Callan continued, “I’m here on orders to stop anyone trying to kill her. Relax, Rydin,” he smiled, “we are not on opposite sides of this.”

  Devlin, Oliveah realized. This man, Callan, must work for him. And if Devlin had sent him to halt the attempts of any assassins, chances were Callan was an assassin himself.

  Kale was now lowering his weapon.

  “I’m leaving with her,” he said, sheathing his sword. “But if you want to be helpful, go and keep an eye about the entrance.”

  “Certainly,” Callan replied. Turning back, he then vanished into the stacks as abruptly as he’d appeared.

  Oliveah was now aware of Sabian looking at Kale somewhat askance.

  “I imagine this will be interesting,” he murmured, seemingly to himself.

  She was about to ask him what he meant by that when a familiar voice suddenly sounded out from only paces away.

  “Oliveah, we’re here,” Madi said.

  Oliveah fought the urge to look about.

  “What is Rydin doing here?” the diviner’s voice then went on, sounding curious.

  “He’s your protection. Knoxx?”

  “Yes?” />
  “Any problems?”

  “No. Well, Baiel wasn’t happy at my refusal to let him come along, but he relented after I explained his presence would only bring unwanted attention,” the mage said.

  Oliveah nodded, agreeing. “All right then. Sabian, Rydin, prepare to board. Knoxx will bring Madi just behind you.”

  Realizing she’d not forewarned him that Madi would be invisible, nor made any mention of Sabian at all, Kale appeared to be taking the situation in stride. With a final, strange grin at Taleb, who glared warningly in return, he started for the ship. Sabian followed in his wake, murmuring to himself quietly.

  “Farewell Madi, and much luck. I will meet with you in Kohtala when you return.”

  “Good-bye Oliveah,” the diviner’s voice drifted back. “And thank you.”

  Oliveah watched Rydin and Sabian make their way up the plank and onto the ship, where they were met by the captain. It didn’t appear as though they had any trouble boarding, quickly disappearing from sight as they were taken below decks to be shown their quarters.

  Oliveah waited.

  It was nearly a full ten minutes before the voice of the mage came again.

  “She’s on board,” he reported.

  “Thank you, Knoxx,” she told him sincerely. “For all you have done this week.”

  There came a pause.

  “Certainly,” he then replied in an easy tone. “Good luck to you, Oliveah. And to you, Taleb.”

  “Good-bye, Knoxx,” she said.

  It was almost an hour before the ship carrying Madi, Sabian, and Rydin started away. Oliveah insisted on staying until it had vanished from sight, and once it had, she and Taleb started slowly back into the streets.

  After a block, she drew to a pause, unable to draw this out for even a moment more. The longer she remained in his presence, the harder it was becoming to face the thought of watching him go.

  He stopped beside her and took her in.

  “Go now, Taleb,” she said, forcing out the words. “Know that I love you, but you have to go.”

  “Hearing that doesn’t exactly make this easier.”

  “I know,” she said, dropping her head. “I’m sorry.”

  When no reply came after several moments, she opened her eyes and looked up. He was gone.

  The ache in her chest almost seemed to explode then, and she fought not to let her despair overtake her. Trembling in her grief, she started blindly away, wiping away errant tears as she headed for her inn.

  She continued to fight for control of herself with every step, knowing Nathon would be awaiting her at The Green Rose, where she would need to collect all of her own and Madi’s belongings before departing. After receiving word of the diviner’s safe escape, Nathon would then go to say his own farewells to Taleb and the warlords before he and Oliveah started for home.

  She tried to focus solely on her longing for the vineyard and the peace it promised, and this did go a long way in calming her. Finally rounding onto the block keeping her inn, her tears had dried and her limbs no longer trembled, although she suspected she would have to be very wary of where her thoughts were permitted to wander over the next few days, lest her distress reemerge. She drew in several deep, calming breaths, and kept on to the inn steadily.

  It was then she noticed the commotion that appeared to be going on all about it. A swarm of Justice officers were moving in and out of its front doors, while others kept back the small yet growing crowd. It seemed the officers were not allowing anyone to enter or leave the building.

  Oliveah stopped dead, staring ahead at this scene while her mind fought to find the meaning of it. Obviously, a serious crime had been committed here. Her body seemed to understand before she did, and she felt herself begin to tremble again.

  Where is Nathon?

  “NATHON!” she screamed.

  She felt arms suddenly grab her.

  “I’m here, Oliveah. I’m fine.”

  Her panicked gaze focused on him and she deflated with a mind-shattering relief. “What happened?” she demanded, glancing back to the inn. The crowd about it was growing as others came forth, seeking the same answer.

  When Nathon didn’t respond, she looked back at him. His expression chilled her.

  “Nathon, what happened?” she demanded again, her panic spiking anew.

  “Oliveah . . . .”

  “Tell me!”

  His eyes were pained, brimming with sympathy, as he did so. “Someone forced their way into yours and Madi’s room.”

  Her eyes widened. “An assassin?”

  “That would be my presumption.” He paused, his next words an obvious torment. “Reavis came upon whoever it was, probably thinking them a thief.”

  “Reavis?” she repeated stupidly.

  “He’s dead, Oliveah. I’m sorry.”

  All of the torment she’d been fighting this day finally broke through.

  Reavis? Dead?

  That just couldn’t be—none loved life more than Reavis, none deserved this fate less than him. And then came the crushing guilt, knowing she had devoted all her energies this week into protecting the lives of Taleb, and Nathon, and Madi, while barely even acknowledging the presence of this man who’d been one of her dearest friends, her musical partner, for more than seven years.

  But it was him who’d died, his life that had been taken, even though he’d had no connection at all to any of these secrets or plots she’d been trying so desperately to wade through. She had given no thought at all to his safety, and for that he was dead. She would never forgive herself, and knew in that instant that she was finished with any and all of this terrible, horrific business.

  Distantly, she realized she’d fallen to the ground, that Nathon was beside her, trying to break through her hysteria so she would speak to him.

  She reached out a hand and grabbed a hold of him, drawing herself to his chest.

  “What can I do, Oliveah?” he asked, holding her close.

  “Take me home, Nathon,” she sobbed, staring at the hideous scene before her. “Just take me home.”

  The

  Legends of Dhanen’Mar

  continues in:

  Volume 2

  Tides of Fortune