by A J Park
“She is resting. We are still tending her carefully.”
Olthorin sighed in relief.
“I learned from Shalyrie that you are a member of the king’s family. What is your name?”
“I am Olthorin Almorin,” he replied. “Will you tell me who you are?”
“Kalleck.”
“Thank you for helping my sister, Kalleck.”
“I sent a message back to your commander, informing him that I am willing to release you. I asked for enough time for your sister to recover before she made the journey. He refused.” Kalleck held out the rolled parchment.
Olthorin took it and read it, his face darkening as he scanned the message.
Kalleck said, “He threatens us in the name of the King of Almoria. Your uncle. You are close to the king. Did you order the attack on our people? Your soldiers destroyed that village, killed defenseless people. Not fighting men, but simple farmers who were never a threat to anyone.”
“No! I did not order anyone to attack. All I saw was your men attacking us on the bridge. And Shalyrie was nearly killed. How could you do that to her? You saw the pain she was in.”
“We did attack the bridge. What you say is true,” Kalleck said. “We have attacked it many times before. We have been trying to stop them from completing it and to capture the leader of your soldiers. Through careful observation and the information I had, we know who he is. We hoped that if we stopped him, it would protect our people. My men did not intentionally harm Shalyrie. They were trying to stop him. The only reason they attacked that day was because he was there. We have never seen any women there before. Never. Only soldiers.”
“You took us captive,” Olthorin said. “You threatened to kill her. I saw your blade at her throat.”
“There was no other way to stop the killing!” Kalleck exclaimed. “She would have asked, even begged, them to stop, but they would not have listened to her. There was nothing else I could do.”
“I understand,” Olthorin replied. “The king doesn’t intend to start a war with your people. He’s far away on his ship across the ocean, and he only knows what he’s been told. They told us the land was empty, unclaimed, with only a few wandering nomads in the hills. We were never told there had been fighting.”
“He didn’t tell you that they attacked our villages and that, when we sent men to defend them, there was a battle?”
Olthorin stared back at him in horror. “No.”
“He didn’t tell you that they slaughtered many of our people and kept some of them as slaves? If you didn’t want to fight, why did your king send them here to invade the lands of my people?”
Olthorin looked back at him. “The king didn’t send them to invade. They told him there was no one living here. Almoria has many colonies. There is limited space on our island and our people sail to many lands. If we find unclaimed lands that suit us, we begin colonies.”
“And your king does not care if he builds cities on top of battlefields? That his soldiers kill whoever they wish along the way?”
Olthorin took a long deep breath. “He does care,” he said firmly. “He would never knowingly allow them to build a colony in an area claimed by others.” “Claimed by others?” Kalleck asked in disbelief. “My people have dwelt in the land by the harbor for a thousand years. Your people landed here and attacked them without provocation. We were only trying to defend our people.”
Olthorin was looking back at him incredulously. “You are telling me that your people had villages and towns where the city of Newport is now? That Almorian soldiers attacked them?”
“Yes, they did,” Kalleck said. “And now they have covered every trace of what was once there.”
“Galenor told me that your people lived far out in the hills, that they built no cities or even buildings of any kind.”
“No buildings? Look around you,” Kalleck said furiously, gesturing to the walls around them.
Olthorin looked at the stone walls and columns, the tapestries on the walls, the carving on the doors and beams and furniture. “And where am I now?” he asked.
“This is the Hidden City of the Yalkur,” Kalleck said. “We are a very private people, and we do not permit outsiders to see our city. But that does not mean we have no skill in building. How could they say that when all the best stonework in Newport was done by Yalkur hands?”
Kalleck felt himself getting more and more angry as he spoke. The injustice of it all was unbearable. He couldn’t stand still, so he paced back and forth. Finally, he stopped, facing Olthorin. “We are here. This is our land, and I will not stand by and watch him destroy my people! Do you understand me?”
“I understand you,” Olthorin said, meeting his eyes. “I will do what I can to help you. Galenor and the others were not honest with us. They lied to us, to the king. If you will release us, we will go back to the king and tell him everything. He will remove the leaders of Newport and command the soldiers to leave your people alone.”
Kalleck felt a glimmer of hope penetrate his anger. Was it possible? Was there hope of stopping this war? He was First Guardian, and he was responsible for every single Yalkur who died in battle. “You would do that?” he asked.
It seemed too good to be true. Kalleck had feared that there was no solution for him—that his people would be overrun or driven away into the hills, the Sacred Waters would be desecrated, and the Yalkur who swore to protect them would be gone and forgotten.
Olthorin still met his eyes steadily. “I will do it,” he said firmly. “It’s the right thing to do.”
But, of course, it wouldn’t be so simple. “They won’t give up so easily,” Kalleck said. “Their leader is determined to have our land. Just look at how hard he’s worked on that cursed bridge. No matter how many times we’ve attacked it or destroyed their work by night, they still keep building. And now look how easily and quickly he can have an army on my land.”
“He has to obey the king’s command,” Olthorin protested.
“Does he? I wouldn’t trust him to obey.”
“If he doesn’t obey, the king has the power to stop him,” Olthorin said.
“Will you tell the king the truth?”
“I will,” Olthorin promised.
Kalleck took a long slow breath, turning it over in his mind. In the end, he decided that he believed Olthorin. “Then we will ride back and meet your people,” Kalleck said. “I will release you unharmed. I will release Shalyrie. We have six days left. It will take us more than a day to get there. So we will ride in four days’ time.”
“What about Shalyrie?” Olthorin asked. “She’s not ready to travel. Will she be well enough by then?”
“You saw how she was. She is better now, but traveling will cause her great pain,” Kalleck said. “I asked them for more time, but they would not agree to it. Four days is all we have.”
“I need to see Shalyrie. Will you let me see her, please?”
How could Kalleck refuse the request when Olthorin had just agreed to help him? “I will take you to her. Outsiders are not permitted to see our city. Will you submit willingly to having your eyes covered?”
“Yes.”
Kalleck replaced the blindfold and led Olthorin from the room. The two guards followed silently.
As they left the room, a loud voice hailed them. “First Guardian Kalleck!”
Kalleck stopped and drew in a deep breath. He hated that voice. The speaker came to face him, wearing the ceremonial headdress of a priest, and his collar was decorated with feathers.
“How may I assist you, Farak?” Kalleck asked. He knew it was his duty to be polite, but he would have preferred to tell Farak exactly what he thought of him.
“So, the rumors are true,” Farak said, looking at Olthorin. “You have brought sea-folk into our city.”
“Of course,” Kalleck said smoothly. “It was
crucial to protect the lives of our people.”
“Sea-folk are not permitted in the Hidden City!” Farak protested.
“We do not allow them to see the city,” Kalleck said, pointing to Olthorin’s blindfold. “And our people are safer having them here. The Council has a plan. With their approval, we will carry it out. I’m sorry you’re not a member of the Council. If you were, you would be involved with the details. High Priestess Allemi will keep you and the others of your order informed.”
Farak drew himself up. “Just because the High Priestess is your mother does not relieve you of your oaths and obligations to our traditions. You are charged with leading us, First Guardian Kalleck. It is your duty to kill them all.”
“No,” Kalleck said. “My duty is to protect the Yalkur.”
“If you won’t do it, then I will,” Farak said, drawing a knife. Stepping menacingly forward, he raised the knife blade and pressed it against Olthorin’s neck.
“Stop!” Kalleck ordered, seizing his hand. “We need him alive. Our people need him alive. Leave him alone or you will answer to the Council!”
“How can you be First Guardian when you love the fish-eaters?” Farak snarled. “This isn’t over. I will bring this matter before High Priestess Allemi. Our people will not stand for it.” He turned on his heel and stalked away.
Still blindfolded, Olthorin let out a long breath. “Thank you,” he said. “I may not understand what he said, but I know what a knife blade feels like.”
“He’s a fool,” Kalleck said, “but dangerous. I won’t let him kill you. I promised to return you unharmed.” He led Olthorin through the doors and across the hall. “Stairs,” Kalleck warned, leading him up to the room where she was lodging. Once inside, Kalleck uncovered his eyes.
Olthorin ran to the bedside. “Ree!”
She woke, looked up at her brother, and smiled. Kalleck could see the smile lighting her face and the joy in her eyes, but he was an outsider, his own feelings and expressions masked, observing an emotion not intended for him. He looked away. He could hear them talking, asking each other how they were.
“You saved her life,” Olthorin said, turning to Kalleck.
“And yet, even though we did not intend to, we caused her injury in the first place,” Kalleck said. “She is a victim of a war that you weren’t even told was happening.” He turned to Shalyrie. “Since their leader has demanded that we meet him in six days, we will ride out in four. I know that you’re not ready to travel, but there is nothing more I can do about that. We need to meet him on time.”
She took a deep breath and a look of determination was on her face. “If I’m not there, he will attack again. I won’t let that happen.”
“Me neither,” Olthorin said. “When we get there, we will command them with the king’s authority to withdraw their men. When that has been done, we can find a way to begin negotiations,” Olthorin said.
“I agree,” Kalleck said. He looked at Shalyrie. “Rest while you can.”
“May I stay here with my sister until then?” Olthorin asked.
Since they had both promised to help his people, the least he could do was make sure their stay was comfortable. “As you wish,” Kalleck agreed. “But do not attempt to leave this room. Outsiders are forbidden in our city, as you learned a little while ago.”
Olthorin’s hand went to the small cut on his neck. “I will do as you say,” he said.
CHAPTER 6
Lady Shalyrie Almorin
Shalyrie rested and ate. She was growing stronger. She could stand and walk around the room a little. It was so good not to be alone in this strange place. Someone had brought them a cot, extra blankets and pillows. With these, Olthorin had made himself comfortable near the hearth. They had been given food at regular intervals.
A girl came in, bringing hot water. A black veil covered her face, except for her eyes, which smiled when she looked at Shalyrie. The girl started as she noticed Olthorin. Shalyrie could tell she was afraid of him.
She put her hand on the girl’s arm. “He’s my brother,” she said, looking into her eyes. “He would never hurt you.”
The girl couldn’t understand the words, of course, but seemed to understand the meaning. She went out and came back, bringing a large washtub.
Shalyrie looked at her brother. “I hope this means a bath,” she said. “I’ve never been so dirty in my whole life.”
The girl in the black veil pointed to Olthorin and then to the door.
He got to his feet, quickly understanding. “I’ll give you some privacy, Ree.” The girl opened the door and spoke to one of the guards outside, then she beckoned to Olthorin and he went out.
The Yalkur girl helped Shalyrie wash. “Thank you!” Shalyrie said fervently, even though she knew the girl wouldn’t understand. But she replied in her own language and her voice was familiar. “You were here before,” Shalyrie said. “You helped me that first night.”
The girl looked back at her, not understanding, but Shalyrie smiled at her. She saw the answering smile in the girl’s beautiful dark eyes. It made Shalyrie wonder what had happened to Lorelei. Had she survived the bridge? Where was she now? Was she alright?
The Yalkur girl helped Shalyrie into a clean nightdress—black, of course, like all the clothes here, but it still felt amazing to be clean and to put on fresh clothes.
Olthorin reappeared, now dressed in black also, his hair wet. He looked at Shalyrie. “I feel better. How about you?”
“Better,” she agreed. “I wonder whose clothes we’re borrowing.”
They sat facing each other in the chairs by the fireplace. “This wasn’t quite what we were expecting from our trip, was it?” Olthorin observed.
“Not really,” Shalyrie agreed. “This simple diplomatic trip has certainly turned out to be the most intense one of our lives. How could we imagine negotiating with a people we didn’t even know existed?”
“I spoke with Kalleck,” Olthorin said. “He told me that the Almorians attacked them. There was a battle at Newport, back before the city was built.”
“Maybe it’s true. Remember the man they said was crazy? I don’t think he was. He only wanted to escape. I think all the horsemen in the city are captives. They didn’t willingly join our people. They are kept there by force. I asked Karrah, the girl they assigned to wait on me, about it and she wouldn’t answer. She was terrified, as if someone had threatened her into silence.” She looked at her brother. “What are we going to do? Nothing we’ve seen is anything like what they told us. We saw what Galenor’s men were doing to the people of that village. There has to be some way to stop what’s going on.”
“I agree,” Olthorin said. “The king would never have supported building the colony if he had known. And after seeing what’s happening, I believe Kalleck. I think he had a good reason to attack that bridge. I’m sorry, Ree. I wouldn’t have taken you there if I had known.”
“It’s not your fault,” she said. “Why didn’t Galenor warn us?”
“I don’t know,” Olthorin said. “When we get back, I’ll ask him. I’m not sure how he plans to explain all this. He must have known that the king would not allow him to do these things. Almoria has rules about building colonies!”
“But he must have known that,” Shalyrie said. “Is he trying to hide it from the king?”
“Maybe. Whatever they are doing, we need to find out. They can’t continue. These horsemen seem to be decent people. They haven’t even hurt us, except for the arrow, of course,” he said, looking at her. “They could have killed us on the bridge. They could have left you, and you would have died without their help. They’re obviously not the bloodthirsty savages Galenor said they were.”
Days slipped by as Shalyrie rested. Each time she awoke, she found Olthorin pacing the room. Their conversations were occupied with thoughts about their uncle and what his reaction would b
e to recent events, as well as what they had discovered about Newport thus far. Olthorin certainly had plans to discuss with the governor how the colony was being led.
Sooner than she believed possible, their time was up. Shalyrie was still healing, but was eager to return to their people.
“We have to leave in the morning, Ree,” Olthorin said as they shared an evening meal. His face was concerned. “Do you think you can make it?”
“I have to,” she said with a sigh. “But I’m sure it won’t feel good.”
“Just hold on until we get there,” he said. “Then we can go home.”
Home. It sounded good. White beaches, the palace with marble floors, kind people who would bring her anything she asked for. Uncle Telthan. No more horses. No more fighting. No people who refused to show their faces. No more arrows, ever.
Kalleck, Son of Gallidack, First Guardian of the Yalkur
Kalleck sat alone in the Hall of Guardians. The long room was silent. The last of the assignments had been made and the clan chiefs had gone to prepare their people. Each clan would provide a company of men, armed for battle and ready to ride at first light. Hopefully, they wouldn’t have to fight, but it was too risky to ride out with only a few men. Anything could go wrong. He had to be prepared, in case it was a trap.
He heard footsteps and looked up to see Second Guardian Hannal and his wife, Kallia. They were among his oldest and closest friends. He and Hannal had been friends as boys. He had always been able to rely on Hannal for anything—so much so that when the Council had asked Kalleck to become First Guardian, Kalleck had asked Hannal to serve with him. And Hannal had come. He had left the high green meadows of the Aranak Valley and brought his wife and children to the Hidden City with him. Kalleck knew they would rather have stayed. So would he. Tonight, their faces looked grave. “Are you riding in the morning?” Hannal asked.
“Yes.”
“Where will you meet the sea-folk?”
“At Thell. Each clan is sending a company. So there will be plenty of men, if… if it goes badly.”
