by A J Park
“You are obsessed with her! You prove it more every moment. It’s disgusting!” Farak yelled.
Kalleck’s leg would not move as it should have. It was clumsy and slow, and he felt constantly off-balance. Normally, he would have been able to beat Farak easily. He should be able to beat him. He couldn’t afford to lose now.
Pursuing his advantage, Farak threw Kalleck backward onto his weakened leg. He felt himself falling. He could no longer reach Shalyrie, and he saw Farak turn back to her.
No! Farak would have time to strike her before Kalleck could stop him. No! He had to get there in time. He scrambled desperately toward them. Farak’s blade was falling. No… Shalyrie!
Out of nowhere, another blade blocked it. Sinnar.
Sinnar quickly pushed Farak back away from the girl. Kalleck let out a long breath in relief. He reached her side. She was alive.
Farak was facing Sinnar. “Guardian Sinnar, you hate the sea-folk more than anyone. You’ve killed as many of them as you can. But that’s the second time you’ve stopped me from killing her. Do you wish to kill her yourself?”
“Leave. Her. Alone,” Sinnar said. “If you touch her again, I will kill you. In fact…” With a flick of his sword, Sinnar knocked Farak’s blade from his hand and placed the point of his sword against Farak’s throat. “I should kill you now.”
“Our laws protect me! You can’t—”
Several of Farak’s followers drew their swords and moved toward Sinnar.
“If any of you move, I’ll kill him and, when I’m done with him, I’ll kill the rest of you.” He glared at them, daring them to attack. “I am sworn to protect the First Guardian.” He turned back to Farak. “We can review the law tomorrow. You won’t raise any objections if you’re dead. You would try to kill the First Guardian?” He applied pressure with the point of his sword and a small trickle of blood ran down Farak’s neck.
“It was a duel of honor. He drew steel first!” Farak protested furiously.
“There is no honor in sneaking in here at this hour with a dozen men behind you,” Sinnar said, contemptuously.
“I am within our law!” Farak insisted. “He drew steel first!”
“And I am Clan Chief of the Hunters. The final judgment over any duel of honor is mine. There is no honor here. If you wish to challenge Kalleck, then come to the Hall of Guardians in two weeks. You will have your duel then, if you want it. Unless…” He pushed his sword a little deeper. “We find you guilty of attacking our leader.” Sinnar turned to Kalleck. “Well?”
Kalleck didn’t answer immediately. He was bending over Shalyrie. She was still on the floor, with one hand holding her face. He helped her sit up.
“May I see it?” he asked.
She took her hand away. Her cheekbone was already starting to swell. “Anywhere else?” She shook her head. “Can you stand?” He helped her to her feet, and she clung to him.
“I’m waiting for your decision,” Sinnar said. “Can I kill him? Please?” There was longing in his voice. Farak’s eyes looked terrified.
Kalleck stared at Farak. It would be so easy. All he had to do was nod and Sinnar would kill Farak. The temptation was almost irresistible.
Finally, he said, “Don’t kill him now, but lock him up. Lock all of them up.” He took a step closer to Farak, and he felt Shalyrie’s arms tighten around him. “I warn you, Farak, if you ever touch her again, I will kill you myself.”
Sinnar nodded at his men, and they disarmed Farak’s followers and took them away. For another long moment, Sinnar left his blade at Farak’s throat. Then, abruptly, he lowered the blade and punched Farak in the face, knocking him to the floor. “Now, you can feel what she is feeling. Enjoy it,” Sinnar said in disgust. His last three men seized Farak and dragged him out of the room.
Kalleck put his arms around Shalyrie. “It’s all right now,” he said. “He’s gone.”
“I thought he was going to kill you,” Shalyrie said.
He held her close. “You should not have put yourself in danger trying to save me,” he said.
“But he was about to kill you,” she protested.
“You’re right. I’m sorry. The whole thing is my fault. If it hadn’t been for Sinnar…”
“Thank you,” Kalleck said in Yalkur. “That was a little too close.”
“A little? Are you crazy?” Sinnar exclaimed. “Is she all right? Did he hurt her?”
“Why did you stop Farak?” Kalleck asked in surprise. “Not so long ago, you were ready to kill her yourself. I thought you hated her.”
Sinnar looked down at Shalyrie and then stared back at him. “No,” he said finally. “Not after I saw what she went through to save your life. And when I came through the door just now, I saw her grab Farak’s arm to save you. She may be one of the fish-eaters, but she’s loyal to you.” He came closer and put a hand on her shoulder. “Shalyrie?”
She hugged him. “Thank you, Sinnar!” she said in Yalkur.
“I owed you because you saved Kalleck from the poison. You didn’t give up, even though it hurt,” Sinnar said, looking down at her.
She didn’t understand all the words in Yalkur, so she looked at Kalleck to translate. He repeated what Sinnar had said.
“She’s stronger than she looks,” Sinnar said to Kalleck.
Kalleck was astounded. Sinnar was complimenting Shalyrie? His mind flashed back to the night when Sinnar had looked down at her with loathing and told Kalleck to kill her.
“You said you would hate them forever because of your brother,” Kalleck said.
Sinnar shifted his feet and took a deep breath. “I know,” he said. “But maybe I was wrong. They can’t be all bad. Not if any more of them are like her.”
“We need to make peace with them,” Kalleck said. “Will you help me?”
“I thought it was impossible. I thought you were insane.” Sinnar looked down at Shalyrie again. “But maybe it can be done.”
“I know it won’t be easy. But if there’s any chance of it, we have to find a way. For our people.”
Sinnar nodded. “For our people.” He was looking at Shalyrie again, at the swelling on her face. “I will send Kern to tend to that. He’s already awake,” he said. “And I will leave a heavy guard outside.”
“Thanks.”
“Why are you trying to fight when you couldn’t get out of bed two days ago?” Sinnar asked.
“I… wasn’t ready. I let him surprise me,” Kalleck replied in disgust. “How did you know he was here?”
“Healer Kern was up checking on someone. He noticed guards missing and came to me. I came as fast as I could. I know we aren’t supposed to kill a priest, but for Farak, we could make an exception,” he said, then turned, chuckling as he left the room.
Kalleck and Shalyrie were alone again, almost as if the whole thing had never happened. But it had. She was clearly hurting, and his leg was sore and aching. He offered Shalyrie his arm. “You should lie down.”
She allowed him to assist her into bed, and he sat down in the chair at her side. She took a deep breath. “I’m glad you’re safe,” she said.
“And how are you doing?”
She looked back at him without saying anything.
“I know it hurts,” he said finally. “Kern will bring something to help it.”
“What did Sinnar say?” she asked.
“He… said you were strong. It’s not easy to impress Sinnar.”
“He really is your friend,” she said. “At first, I didn’t believe it. He was so angry and I thought that he was only waiting for a chance to kill me. But he’s different now. He saved my life, and he didn’t have to. I hope… that he doesn’t hate me anymore.”
Kern came in grumbling. “What is it now? It’s the middle of the night. Why is there fighting here? Can’t you let an old man sleep? What happened?”
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Kalleck sighed. “I’m sorry, Kern. Farak and his men came in here to try to get rid of me.”
“Are you hurt?”
“No, it’s Shalyrie.”
“Why did you let this happen? Did I not just tell you to guard her?” Kern asked in profound annoyance.
It was true. Kalleck had intended to keep her safe and he’d failed. He’d let her be hurt again.
“Well, get out of the way and let me see her,” Kern ordered, taking Kalleck’s place beside her bed. “Bring that lantern closer.”
Kalleck held the light so the healer could see the injury to her face.
“Is there more?” Kern demanded.
“No, no,” Kalleck assured him. “Just that.”
“Fill this with water,” Kern ordered, handing him a bowl.
Kalleck took the bowl and slipped out of the room. He went down the hall to his own room and filled the bowl with water from the Sacred Spring. It would heal and strengthen her. She wouldn’t see it and she wouldn’t know about it.
When he came back, Kern had finished examining the injury and was digging through his bag. “Hurry up, bring it here,” he ordered.
Kalleck gave him the water.
Kern mixed several things into it, and then moistened a cloth with it and applied it to Shalyrie’s cheek. After a few moments, he traded the cloth for a fresh one and put the first back in the water.
After a while, she sighed and said, “Thank you, Kern.”
He patted her hand and gave the bowl to Kalleck. “Keep applying this until she is more comfortable. I’m going back to bed. Make sure nothing else happens tonight.”
“Thank you,” Kalleck said as Kern stalked out. The old man might be grumpy, but he was the best healer in the city.
Shalyrie had closed her eyes. Good. She needed the rest. “Sleep,” he murmured. He kept applying the cool cloths until she was soundly asleep.
A few moments later, she gasped and looked around, terrified.
“What is it?”
“I’m sorry,” she said, looking down. “I was afraid you had gone and that I heard him coming back.”
“It’s all right,” he said, trying to soothe her.
“I’m so afraid of him. He won’t give up.”
“He’s locked up now,” Kalleck said. “Rest. I will keep you safe.”
She settled back again and closed her eyes. Gradually, her breathing deepened.
The remainder of the night passed quickly. Kalleck dozed in the chair and, when the sun came up, he stirred. Shalyrie was still sleeping. He stared at the dark bruises blossoming on her face. Looking at them made Kalleck angry. If Farak ever harmed her again, Kalleck would kill him. Just because he was a priest did not give him the right to condemn Shalyrie to injury and death simply because she was one of the sea-folk.
How could he hurt her? She had never harmed anyone. He took a deep breath and let his anger subside. Farak was locked up now, and the room was quiet. Kalleck’s eyes followed the graceful line of her neck. Her skin looked so soft.
She slept peacefully, unaware of his gaze. Would she be upset if she knew he was watching her? Maybe he should leave, but he didn’t want to.
He heard the door and turned to see Sinnar. His friend came silently to stand beside him. He looked down at the sleeping girl, and then he looked hard at Kalleck. “Now you’re staring at her as she sleeps?”
“Quiet, don’t wake her,” Kalleck hissed. He got up and went out on the balcony. Sinnar followed him.
Sinnar took off his mask and looked at Kalleck. “You and I have known each other for a long time. Don’t try to lie to me. I see the way you look at her. You want her.”
Kalleck sighed. “You know me as well as anyone. And you know what’s happening to our people right now. It doesn’t matter if I want her. I have a duty to our people, one that I cannot abandon. And she is one of them.”
“You don’t see her as an enemy.”
“Of course, not. You saw what happened with Farak. She has already proved that she is faithful.”
“If she’s already willing to give her life to the Yalkur, you should make her one of us.”
“Can we do that? Do you think the Council would accept it? Would our people accept her? Would you?”
Sinnar was silent for a long moment, thinking about it. Then he said, “Yes. I would. And I think the others would too if they understood what she has done for us, and what it has cost her. I’ve heard of people joining the Yalkur before. I don’t think it has been done often, but it has happened. Anyone who is washed in the Sacred Lake and takes our oaths can become Yalkur. And if she is one of us, she would be just like any other Yalkur girl, and you would be free to see if she wants you too.”
Kalleck sighed. “You know how it is, Sinnar. I’m First Guardian. We have to protect our people. We have to stop the fighting if we can. It might be impossible, and I’ll probably die trying to do it. Anyway, how would it look to the people if I loved one of their enemies?”
“She’s not our enemy. Those who help us work for peace are our closest friends.”
Kalleck walked into the first council meeting since his illness. The weakness was passing and he only had a slight limp now. They all stood, and Hannal said, “Welcome back.” The others greeted him warmly. He looked around the table. They were all there: his mother, High Priestess Allemi, smiling at him; the clan chiefs; and Hannal and Sinnar.
“Thank you all for your support during my illness,” Kalleck said. “I have recovered, and we will continue to work for the safety of our people. We’ve been moving all our people back within the Akur Valley for protection. They would have no chance of defense in small isolated groups. Has each clan completed this move?”
“Yes, First Guardian,” they each confirmed. Kalleck looked to Sinnar.
“The Hunter Clan is hard to gather,” Sinnar said. “We have spoken to them all and most of them have come, but we are still waiting on a few.” Sinnar looked at Hannal. “Your relatives in the west have not come yet.”
“I’ll send another message,” Hannal said. “We have not heard of any attacks in the west yet. In the meantime, we’ve kept a heavy watch on the valley and, so far, the sea-folk have not attempted to enter it.”
“From all reports, I think they are preparing a large assault,” Sinnar said. “I want to move more men to the rim of the valley. We might have very little warning when they come. There will not be much time to gather ourselves. We need a larger force there now.”
“I agree,” Kalleck said. “I want each clan to prepare three companies, and another three to relieve them. Each group can spend five days on duty, and then five days off. Each clan will make sure their own companies have provisions, weapons and horses.”
The clan leaders all agreed.
“We will defend ourselves and our homes,” Kalleck said. “If they attack us, we have no other choice. But our real hope lies in making peace with them.”
There was a general exclamation of disbelief.
“How can we possibly make peace with them?” asked Ammur, Chief of the Iron Clan.
Before Kalleck could answer, High Priestess Allemi spoke. “Our people have always tried to remain peaceful,” she said, looking around at the council members. “It has always been our way to keep our oaths and traditions, to protect the Sacred Waters, to defend them and ourselves, but never to attack our neighbors. But this will not be the first time we’ve had to defend ourselves. Our records remember other conflicts, other battles fought by the Yalkur. We must defend who we are as a people. But battle and war are not our way, and if there is anything we can do to prevent war, I believe we should seek peace.”
There was a long silence after she spoke.
“But, Priestess,” Ammur protested, “How?”
“Our First Guardian has already put a plan in motion,” Alle
mi said looking at Kalleck. “Have you heard any news from the men you sent out?”
“Not yet,” Kalleck said. “I sent the heir to the Almorian throne as a messenger. He is trying to reach the sea-king. He needs to get to him without being captured by our enemies in Newport. If he can get to the king, he will have the power to stop the others.”
“And what will you do if he fails?” asked Ammur.
“We will go forward with our plans for defense. We must,” Kalleck said. “And if they fail to reach the king, I will go.”
“You would go to the sea-king?” Ammur said in disbelief. “But that’s impossible.”
Even Allemi protested to that part of the plan. “They would kill you!”
“Not if we have the girl, the king’s niece, with us.”
“Didn’t they already try to kill her? It makes no sense for you to do this,” Hannal said.
Kalleck shook his head. “No. It’s the only thing we can do if the others fail. And I am the only one who can do it. I have studied their language and prepared for years so that I might be able to protect our people. There is no one else.”
“And what about the girl? Does she realize how dangerous that journey would be?” Allemi asked.
“She’s not one of our people. Can you trust her? Will she be faithful?” Ammur asked.
“Yes,” Kalleck responded to both questions.
“I will speak for her,” Sinnar said. All of the others looked at him in astonishment.
“But you hate the sea-folk,” Ammur said. “You’ve tried to kill as many of them as you can.”
“Yes,” Sinnar said. “So you know that I mean what I say.” Silence fell. Sinnar had their undivided attention now. “We took her as a captive from the bridge. She had been shot with one of our arrows. She was with us when the sea-folk attacked the farmers in the village of Thell. Those were her people. She was captive and badly hurt. She could have run back to them and escaped. Instead, she stopped one of the soldiers as he was about to kill one of our people. She found a cure for Kalleck when the sea-folk poisoned him. She didn’t have to help us, and she suffered greatly to do it. She has already proved her faithfulness to the Yalkur.”
