An Elegy of Heroes

by K. S. Villoso

  Remembering something Kefier had taught her once about vantage points, Sume picked a tree to climb. It was not the sort of thing she had done often as a child—trees in Akki were either stunted things or palm trees—and she was glad she had chosen to switch her comfortable trousers for heavy, woolen ones. She opted for the first branch instead of trying to make it all the way to the top. There, she paused. She saw no sign of Arn or the griffon anywhere.

  She was on her way down when she saw a figure emerge from the trees. Her initial panic gave way to relief a moment later; it was Ryia with a bundle in her arms. She clambered off the tree and rushed out to meet her.

  “Sang Kaggawa,” Ryia said, greeting her with a bow. “I apologize for not arriving sooner. My sisters kept me preoccupied. I was still able to relay a message to your associates.”

  “I know,” she replied. “Thank you for that. They’re already here.”

  “They’re already…” Ryia blinked at her. “The Dageian, I suppose. I’ve been told they have abilities.”

  “I guess you don’t want to learn the details.”

  She shook her head. “The priestesses would burn my ears for that. Sang Kaggawa, I told Ran. I think after your talk with her, she was more inclined to believe me. She wants to see him tonight. She’ll try to get a chance to sneak away.”

  “And Princess Roa?”

  “Her Highness Ran will...decide for us if she needs to know or not.” She wrung her hands together. “How is he?”

  Sume gestured to her to follow her back to the cave. Enosh and Sapphire were back from the chasm and were standing next to the gibbering prince. “He is a little worse than he was when you arrived, isn’t he?” Enosh asked, as Sume came up within earshot.

  “What do you mean?”

  Enosh tapped his ear. “Perhaps you don’t hear it as clearly as I do, not having been as close to it as I have.”

  “A thing I would not be proud of, if it were me,” Sapphire muttered.

  Enosh smirked. “It’s responding to the presence of others. It is too deep into the prince right now to bother with anyone else from this distance, but it knows you’re all here. You are one of his sisters, I assume?” He glanced at Ryia and bowed. “Enosh Tar’elian-Gorent, at your service. I knew your brother when he visited my lands in Agantuan Island in Gorent.”

  “You are a nobleman?” Ryia asked, returning the bow.

  “The word does not carry the same weight back in my homeland as here. I must say, though, that your Kagtar is as impressive as your beauty.” Sume shot him a look, which he effectively ignored.

  She didn’t respond to the praise. “My brother must have mentioned you. I recall.” She turned to Rysaran. “What do you mean it is responding to our presence?”

  “Judging from the—conditions around here—I think you haven’t been staying here for very long, have you not?”

  She flushed. “I couldn’t. My sisters—”

  “It is not a judgement, Beloved Princess, merely an observation. Sume had spent at least a night here, perhaps more—the first time anyone other than Rysaran has been close to the creature. It desires...variety...when it comes to its prey.” He gave a grim smile. “Knowing that it has options has made it eager to suck as much life out of the prince as fast it can in order to move on. It is impressive that he has held on this long, but it won’t last.”

  “What do you mean by that?”

  “How do I put this lightly?”

  “He means to say that it won’t be long before the creature consumes the prince’s soul. He is too far gone,” Sapphire broke in. “A fate worse than death. Our studies have narrowed this down to mean one of two things: either his soul stays inside the creature, where it will witness the pain and suffering of each and every one of its creature’s victims for all of time, or he is obliterated from the world. Not returned, as we think would occur, but gone—no remnants, no connections to others. You will never be with him again, even after your own death.”

  “Thank you, oh eloquent speaker,” Enosh said. “As she said, it is not a thing we want to happen.”

  Ryia’s face had gone pale while listening to Sapphire’s words, but she remained composed. “And there is no cure for this?” she asked. “Could we not simply extract my brother away from this thing?”

  “I do not advise that, either,” Enosh said. “Once the creature’s taint is on him, distance no longer matters. His mind will be broken even more than it is now. True—it could save him from being consumed directly—he will not be able to throw himself into the beast’s jaws, as it has been trying to get him to do the past three years, so he will technically be alive. He will, however, be its puppet. I’ve seen it happen before. We’ve killed these men before we can find out what else it’s capable of doing to them.”

  “Kefier said that he heard it ordering Gaven to attack him,” Sume said.

  Enosh’s jaw tightened. “I was just thinking of that. Gaven broke within a matter of months, and he was barely in the thing’s presence for more than a few hours at a time. When he attacked Sume’s nephew, he himself was leaking with the taint. This was enough to drag half of the boy into the agan stream and...”

  “She doesn’t want to know that,” Sume whispered. “Jin-Sayeng law. Speaking of the agan is…”

  “I’ve forgotten we’re still in this backwater hellhole,” Enosh grumbled. “Forgive me, Your Highness. You do understand what we are trying to say?”

  “That this is very bad for him, yes,” Ryia said. Her eyes flickered. “Does he have until tonight, at least? Our sister, Ran, wants to see him.”

  “I think we can still arrange that. I can try to go back, draw up some spells to block the creature’s assault, even if just for a time.”

  “Risking your life in the process,” Sapphire said.

  Enosh snorted. “I’ve had years of rest. I think I’ll be fine.”

  “Years of lack of practice, you mean.”

  “I thought I handled Giggles pretty well back there. Even you can admit that.”

  Sume held up a hand. “I’m sorry. I know I’m a little slow, but what happens after tonight?”

  “Isn’t it obvious?” Ryia said, a note of irritation on her voice. “They’re telling us we have no choice. Rysaran must be killed before sunrise.”

  Sume had seen plenty of painful things in the twenty-seven years since she had been alive.

  She had seen her dead mother’s body swinging from the rafters in their home, though she did not linger to see her face; her only recollection of that moment were the red leaves embroidered on the edges of her mother’s dress. She had also seen her father break down when she told him the news, his face contorting in a mixture of rage and grief, not realizing that in that exact moment, he would be just as lost to her forever.

  She had seen her father sleeping in his own urine along the side of the road with a moth-eaten scroll for a blanket, offered by some kind-enough soul.

  She had seen her brother leave on a ship, and his brother’s wife force herself not to cry when they received news of his death, and her nephew Dai sink to theft.

  All these things pale in comparison to the sight of the two women speaking to their mad brother for the last time.

  “What bothers you, my lady?” Enosh asked, his soothing voice breaking the silence. They were too far away to disturb the princesses.

  “I don’t know if it’s because of what they have to do,” she replied, “or the fact that they are trying so hard to remain proper despite everything.”

  Her words seemed to amuse him. “You want them to start bawling?”

  “Well, yes,” Sume said. “Why would that be so wrong? They are saying goodbye, are they not? Let them hold him in their arms, remind him he is loved. And he is—you can see that in their eyes—only they’re just so…”

  “Not everyone is as open to their feelings as you are.”

  “I’m going to ignore the backhanded remark...”

  “It isn’t one.”

&nb
sp; “...and say that’s ridiculous.” She kicked at the dirt in front of her. “These royals and their pride. You know my mother was one?”

  “I know.”

  Sume sniffed. “Right. Because you have to know everything before everyone else does. I’m sorry. I’m just upset.” She glanced back at the three figures. They were sitting just outside the cave around a fire. “We still haven’t decided how it will be done.”

  “Kill him, you mean?”

  She wanted to berate him for being so direct, but she was too exhausted to argue. She nodded instead.

  Enosh turned towards the princesses. “I thought one of them would.”

  “You can’t ask them to do that. Killing the Dragonlord? If anyone finds out, they can be tried for treason and executed themselves. No one would believe any of this.”

  “Hello, Sapphire. Fancy trying your hand at offing royalty?” Enosh said, glancing behind him.

  “No, thank you. That’s your forte,” Sapphire drawled.

  He snorted. “I guess she’s right. I’m wanted in Gaspar for doing the exact same thing, anyway. Would make for an excellent conversation-starter: Hey there. I killed two kings, what have you done with your life?”

  “This isn’t a joke, you know,” Sume said.

  He scratched his head. “I’m sorry. Let me try again. I can do it.”

  Sume gazed out into the darkness, thinking. “No,” she murmured, after some time. “You shouldn’t. It’s…the princesses will witness it and decide to take you prisoner for the deed, after all.”

  “Nothing that hasn’t happened before,” Enosh pointed out.

  “Except this time, I will not be instigating your escape,” Sapphire added. “You will need to gain the sympathies of another highly-skilled, Dageian-educated mage.”

  “Like I can find someone as easy on the eyes as you are. And why not? I thought you were fond of me.”

  “One can only break a cat out of a milk crate so many times before deciding that the cat is stupid.”

  “A foreigner won’t stand a chance in Jin-Sayeng court,” Sume said. “The royal clans will see you dead before you’ve had a chance to defend yourself. How will you help Rosha, then?”

  Enosh patted her hand. “You’re overthinking this.”

  “I’m not,” Sume replied. “You know I’m not.” She looked at Rysaran, whose face had assumed a softer expression since Enosh had set up the spells. “I’ll do it,” she said.

  Enosh drew a deep breath. “You’re sure?” he asked. “That first kill...it changes you, you know.”

  Sume thought of standing over Arn in that barn. There you were, dagger in your hands, no one watching, and you couldn’t even try. The griffon was only an excuse; the truth was that she didn’t have the courage then. How was she supposed to save her daughter if she continued down that road?

  She swallowed. “History will be kinder to him, knowing his life ended in the hands of a Jinsein.” She saw Ryia turn to her and nod once. Without another word, she pulled the dagger out of her belt and walked up to them.

  “Let it be quick, Kaggawa,” Ran said, walking away from the fire.

  Sume bowed, unsheathing the dagger. She looked at Rysaran, who was staring at the crackling embers. He had been unable to talk since the evening. What was it that Sapphire said? Too far gone. She thought of his easy smiles and stories, how they used to take long walks in the palace garden, talking about things most people don’t think about. Politics, and philosophy, and things like how people needed love and how he thought Kibouri didn’t teach enough of it.

  Look at your daughter, he had told her once, during one of the many times she took the child to the palace to visit. See how her laughter makes you feel. If I could take that feeling and give it to people, I would not need a dragon, I think.

  “Wings and fire into the sky, Beloved Lord,” Sume said out loud, repeating an old Ikessar farewell. She placed her hand on Rysaran’s shoulder and slid the dagger into his heart.

  ACT TWO

  The girl named herself as Soshain. Clearly, she is Gorenten, but her skin is lighter than mine and her eyes are a deep blue-grey, like the sea before a storm. I tried to mention it to her, but she seems ashamed of it, so I did not press any further.

  Her Gorenten is poor. She speaks the Kag languages better, so I think...even if she does not tell me...that she was born here. I will try to find out more in the coming days.

  Soshain took me to the market. Baidh is so different from Gorent—the idea of so many cities and people in one island is still confusing to me. She laughed when I sputtered after drinking ale. I told her we do not have this drink in Gorent. At least, I think I told her. I may have been a little incoherent after the fact.

  Duke Lahrin is a tense teacher, but very knowledgeable. I am hoping I have exceeded his initial expectations. I know he still thinks Gorenten are incapable of higher learning, that we are little more than monkeys swinging from the trees. I’ll show him.

  Soshain is fascinated by my studies, but thinks them dull. She prefers to talk about old stories and strange places.

  I am fascinated by her eyes and hair.

  The baby is starting to move! I have never felt anything like this before. Soshain wants to name it Sky. I have to find a way to dissuade her. She can be incredibly stubborn if she puts her mind to it, but I will not have a Prince of Gorent named after a Port Greenleaf tavern.

  Tairne arrived in port today, unexpectedly. Soshain knows about her, but I think Tairne the story and Tairne the person are two different things in her head. I have to stop them from killing each other.

  By Ab, I am not ready for this.

  Tairne is also pregnant…

  Tairne gave birth. The child is stillborn. A girl. Lahrin allowed me to bury her out in the garden, as befitting for a Gorenten princess. Tairne is weak. She still does not want to talk to me. I don’t blame her.

  The midwife couldn’t stop Tairne’s bleeding. She passed this morning. I don’t…

  Second day of Soshain’s labour. The baby will not come out. I have not slept in four days.

  Praise Ab! The child, my son, is healthy. We have named him Enosh. Soshain thinks he looks like me. She wants the next one to look like her. If my love can speak so clearly after all of this, surely she is well. Lahrin is happy for my little family, and dotes on little Enosh.

  We are heading back to Gorent tomorrow. Soshain and I have agreed to tell people that Enosh is Tairne’s son. They are harmless words that will ensure that Enosh is fully accepted as my heir. I do not even know if I will be allowed to marry his mother. Worries for another day...today, it does not matter.

  -Various entries spread out over a year from a journal signed by an M. Tar’elian

  The unprecedented announcement of Princess Roa, Dragonlord Reshiro’s Firstborn, that she was claiming her dead brother’s throne, sent shockwaves throughout the kingdom. It is true that people had guessed at the possibility, but to hear it spoken was to acknowledge an omen of dark times ahead.

  Like clockwork, the other announcements came. For debasing Jin-Sayeng morals and tradition, Warlord Yeshin of Oren-yaro openly declared war against the Ikessar clan. He was joined by Warlord of Lushai of Bara. Their first joint effort was an attack on Shirrokaru, where Regent Ryabei was captured and summarily executed. The foreigner, Magister Ichi rok Sagar, escaped, allowing Warlord Yeshin to occupy the Dragonlord’s Palace without opposition.

  -Memoirs from the First War of the Wolves

  Autumn before winter,

  Winter before spring.

  Dead blossoms fall

  Where they must.

  -Rysaran aren dar Ikessar

  Chapter One

  If Enosh had his way, he wouldn’t have gone to Kalthekar right before the turn of winter in Jin-Sayeng, sweating inside his leathers while forcing down half-rancid plum wine and greasy pig intestine dumplings. The setting did not sit well with the baggage he left behind in Sutan, especially one that involved a black-haired, opinionated
woman who dared speak to him of home.

  Actually, if Enosh had had his way from the beginning, Jaeth’s Eye would have remained a friendly, manageable beast that did not insist in getting itself lost, and Enosh would be somewhere in Western Dageis, fostering relations with merchants and patricians there. Featherbeds and women would be in order, in addition to the convenience of running water and transportation that didn’t involve having to ride the horses.

  But he had learned, over the years, that much of the world lacked the good sense he possessed and that the easiest way to avoid frustration was to accept things. Accept the incompetence that came with requiring others to do the dirty work for you. Accept the ingratitude of the powerful and the short-sightedness of the common folk. Sume had accused him of being a cynic, but in his opinion, he was merely learning tolerance. He was getting quite good at it, too. In another decade they would probably start studying his philosophy while carving remarkably flattering statues of him.

  “Has anyone ever told you,” Sapphire said in her characteristic drawl, “how disturbing it is when you grin to yourself?”

  “I am amused by those dancers,” Enosh retorted, glancing at the half-dressed women on the stage. He had only just noticed them. “And I prefer the word macabre. It’s more brooding. Handsome.” He flashed her a smile.

  “You would think so,” she grumbled.

  “You don’t find me handsome, Sapphire?”

  “Because heavens forbid we talk about anything but you, your charisma, or your women when we’re passing time.”

  “So you agree I have charisma…”

  She gave a disgusted sound in the back of her throat and flagged a passing server for more wine.

  Somebody coughed behind them. “Is this a bad time?”

  “Seeing as I never get anywhere with this lovely woman, no.” Enosh turned around to face a lanky girl, tall and with freckles dotted along a row along her cheeks and nose. He gave a warm smile. “That said…”