by A J Park
Lady Shalyrie Almorin
The next morning Shalyrie and Kalleck walked through the city to the stables, and he stopped in front of the stall where his horse was. “We need to ride a little today,” he said.
Shalyrie took a step back. “No! I can’t.” She still remembered the pain she had felt. Then she felt Kalleck’s hands on her shoulders.
“Are you afraid?” he asked quietly.
She hung her head, unwilling to meet his eyes. “I didn’t want to tell you how much it hurt. It wasn’t your fault, or even Sinnar’s. We did what we had to do, and I don’t regret it. But I can’t do it again.”
“You saved my life,” he said. “I would be dead right now, sleeping in the earth. Hannal would be First Guardian, and there would be no one left in the city who could speak your language. But you saved me and I’m here. Do you trust me?”
Gradually, she looked up at him. His brown eyes were earnest. “I would never cause you harm.”
“I… I trust you,” she said. “I’m sorry I’m so afraid.”
“We can go slowly,” he said. “And we can stop to rest any time you want. It won’t be like before. I promise.”
“Promise?”
“Yes.”
She took a deep breath. He led Night Wind out and saddled him. His hands were sure and practiced. When he had finished, he looked at her. “Are you ready?”
She met his eyes and nodded.
“Put your foot here.” He pointed to the stirrup.
“Will he move?” she asked, looking up at the tall horse.
“He will stand,” Kalleck said firmly.
She put her foot in the stirrup and pulled herself up with her right arm—she wasn’t going to disturb her injured shoulder just when it was finally beginning to feel better. Then she was in the saddle. The horse stood as still as stone.
“Now, move your foot.”
She obeyed and he got on behind her. She felt much more secure with him there. He wouldn’t let anything happen to her. It was going to be all right. She was on the horse, and her legs hurt only a little bit.
“We will go slowly,” he promised. They left the stable and went out through the gates at a walk. The motion of the horse was gentle now, and it didn’t even hurt her shoulder. She took another deep breath and began to relax a little. “Does it hurt?” he asked.
“No,” she said, “I’m all right.”
“Good. And we can stop to rest any time or come back. I am only waiting for you to tell me.”
“Thank you, Kalleck.”
Somehow, he had convinced her to overcome her fears and get on a horse again. She tried to let go of the last of her worries. The day was beautiful and peaceful, and she wanted to be with Kalleck.
“Would you like to see the lake?” he asked.
“Yes. I want to see everything.”
They rode along a beautiful trail shaded by golden trees. The color was amazing. Shalyrie had never seen anything like it. Back on the island, the trees looked the same all year long. They came to the edge of the lake and looked out over the water. The day was still, and the water as calm as glass. Kalleck dismounted, then helped her down. They sat together on a fallen log, looking out over the water.
“It’s so beautiful,” she said.
“Yes,” he agreed.
They sat in silence for a while. “Will you take your gloves off?” she asked, hoping that the request wouldn’t bother him. He did as she asked, and she took his hand. It was the only part of him that she was regularly allowed to see. He had a scar on the back of his index finger. She traced it with her fingertips.
“What are you doing?” his voice sounded amused.
“Looking at your hand.”
“Why?”
“It’s all of you that I get to see…” she turned his hand over and traced the lines on his palm.
“Is that what you really want? To see me?” His voice sounded more intense. “Would you join my people if you could?”
“Join them?” she asked. Was it possible? To become one of them? Slowly, she looked up into his eyes. “Is there a way?”
“Yes,” he said. “But it’s not easy.”
Did he know already? She would do almost anything to join them. “Tell me,” she said, gripping his hand in both of hers.
“The Yalkur have been guardians of a secret for a thousand years. Every one of our people, as they become an adult, goes through a special ceremony and vows to protect that secret.”
“Does everyone keep their oath?”
“It is very rare for someone to break it. And if it is known that they have, our people are sworn to silence them as well as the person they told.”
“So they would kill a person who broke their oath or learned your secret?” she asked shocked.
“Yes, or imprison them. It’s not that we wish to be cruel, but we take our oaths very seriously.”
“And… to be one of your people, I would have to take this oath too?”
“Yes, but it would be your choice. No one will try to force you. You would do it of your own free will or not at all.”
“How do I know if it’s something I can keep?” she asked. “I’m not from here, and I can’t betray my own people.”
“You would not have to betray them. You would only have to swear to keep our secrets.”
“What kind of secret is it? Is there something wrong or shameful that you need to hide?”
His eyes looked shocked. “No, of course not. It is something special, beautiful and valuable that we have been charged with protecting.”
That didn’t sound so bad. But still… They killed you if you weren’t faithful. “Galenor thinks you are hiding a fortune in gold in this valley.”
“And what would Galenor do with our gold?”
“He would buy more power,” Shalyrie said honestly.
“Our treasure is much more important than any metal. And I know that swearing to protect it is a big responsibility. I would not speak of this at all if I didn’t think it was what you wanted. I’m not trying to frighten you or put pressure on you.”
“But I am frightened,” she admitted. “Wouldn’t you be, if I asked something like that of you?”
“Yes,” he agreed. “Maybe you would rather go back to your home and never have to worry about us again?”
Go home? Back to Almoria, with its white beaches and the soft rhythm of the waves lapping in and out. Uncle Telthan. She missed him. What would he think of all of this? It had always been her responsibility to help him. Her actions supported the crown. She and her brother had represented him on many occasions. That was what he’d brought them to Newport to do. And Galenor had asked her to stay longer. He had kissed her, and she had kissed him back. But he had been looking right at her when the man with the knife attacked her. Maybe he hadn’t known about the plot. But even if Galenor wasn’t in on it, he was near it, and she wouldn’t trust him again. She looked up at Kalleck.
“You asked me if I trusted you, and I do. Do you trust me?” she asked.
“Yes. You can tell from what we just talked about that even speaking of this requires great trust. You have already proved your loyalty.”
“Would taking your oath mean that I could never go back to my home?”
“You could go anywhere in the wide world and still be Yalkur,” he answered.
“Would I have to cover my face?”
“You’ve had your face covered all day,” he said. “Does it bother you so much?”
“I want to see your face.” The words were out. She’d said them almost without thinking. That was what she wanted. She didn’t care if people saw her, or even if every other Yalkur wore his mask forever. She wanted to see him.
“Is that truly what you want?” He sounded amazed.
Slowly, she nodded.
; Why did she want it so much? It made no sense. But she did want to see Kalleck’s face. She couldn’t help it.
“Then learn our ways,” Kalleck said. “I will show you our land, and you can decide if you choose to take the oath. It is serious, but not to be feared. Every one of our people is washed in the Sacred Lake and takes the oath when they turn fifteen. It is our custom to cover our faces, but you wouldn’t have to do that if you didn’t want to. There is a specific reason we have that tradition.”
“Can you tell me?”
“Every Yalkur wears a mark on their skin as a symbol of our oath. It is called an ‘atoh.’ In years past, it was always on our faces. We never willingly show the atoh to someone outside the oath.”
“A mark on your skin—like a tattoo or a scar?”
“Yes. It is something that holds deep meaning for us. It represents who we are as a people and our commitment to each other.”
“So if I become Yalkur, I would get one of these marks?”
“Yes, but women rarely choose to wear it on their faces. Even many men now wear the mark somewhere else on their body. You would have no need to veil yourself unless you chose to, as long as the atoh is covered.”
It was so much to take in. She could join his people if she chose, as long as she took an oath to be kept on pain of death. And they would tattoo a reminder of it on her skin.
Her thoughts went back to the Yalkur man in Newport. They had taken his mask away and made him a prisoner. She had looked into his face and seen a symbol. He’d covered it with his hand when he saw her looking at it. Now she understood why.
Kalleck reached out and took her hand. “I can only imagine what you must be thinking. I have learned as much as I could about your people, and I know there is nothing like this among you. It must all seem crazy.”
He stood up and pulled her to her feet. “Let’s ride a little more,” he said. “With your permission?”
“Yes,” she agreed.
They got back on the horse and for a while they were both silent. Shalyrie was thinking deeply about everything that Kalleck had just told her. Of course, she was tremendously curious about the Yalkur secret. What could it be? He’d said it was much more important than gold, something special and beautiful. And what would happen if she committed to keep their secret? She was not going to give her oath unless she meant it. Did she want to make that kind of commitment to the Yalkur? She was just here by chance, only visiting. Wasn’t she?
They rode for a while and then walked together under the trees, following the clear, flowing water. They sat side by side, watching the water. For a while, neither of them said anything.
Shalyrie took her boots off and bathed her feet in the cold water.
Kalleck laughed at her, but it felt wonderful. “You should try it.”
He refused at first, but then he took his own boots off and put his feet in the water beside hers. “It’s cold,” he observed.
“But it feels good,” she suggested.
“Yes, it feels good.”
Maybe it should have felt wrong to be sitting with someone who wouldn’t show her his face. What a strange custom it was. Even now that Kalleck had explained the reason, it still seemed odd to her. But in spite of that, she felt very comfortable with him. Maybe it was because they had been together through periods of terrible stress. They had seen life and death together. Times like that made you know a person better than twenty years of dances and parties and social occasions. He had seen her when she had nearly died from the arrow wound, and she had seen him paralyzed by the sea snake’s poison.
Finally, they got back on the horse together. Shalyrie said nothing about it. She loved having him so close, but he probably didn’t feel the same. She couldn’t be sure—he kept his feelings hidden—and she wasn’t ready to ask him directly.
The afternoon was fading when they got back. There were several messages waiting at the gate for Kalleck.
“You have to go to work?” she asked.
He nodded ruefully. “I’ll take you back to your room.”
Shalyrie wasn’t alone in her room for long. A girl in a purple dress came, bringing a tray of food. She was very obviously expecting a baby. Shalyrie didn’t recognize the eyes she could see above the edge of her veil. The girl didn’t look happy. She was staring hard at Shalyrie.
“Thank you,” Shalyrie said, nodding at the tray of food.
The girl didn’t move, still staring coldly at her. Finally, she spoke. “Do you know what it means when a woman wears this?” She touched the fabric of her dress.
“No,” Shalyrie said, beginning to feel even more uncomfortable. It was the first time she had seen a Yalkur wear anything but black.
“This color is for mourning. I wear it because my husband is lost. We fear that he is dead. I am Addia, now the widow of Tarkan, Second Leader of the Hunter Clan.”
Shalyrie’s stomach dropped. If this woman had lost her husband, the only reason she would have come here now was because she blamed Shalyrie and all her people for her loss. “I’m sorry,” Shalyrie said.
“Sorry?” the girl said venomously. “Sorry? Sea-folk killed our people, stole our land, and you’re sorry? You were in their city. Maybe you know where he is. If he’s alive there, you would know. Tell me!” Her voice was raised now, and she took a step nearer.
Shalyrie took a step back. “There were a few of your people there. I don’t know who they were. It’s possible he was one of them. We have sent a message to our king. He will come and free any of your people who are there.” Shalyrie hoped she had the words right. Addia looked even more upset.
“You have to help me find him,” she demanded. “It’s been four months since they took him. He wasn’t dead! He couldn’t be! They would have left him in the hills if he was dead. They never would have taken him unless he was still alive.”
“I will do all I can,” Shalyrie said. “There weren’t many of your people there.”
“You think he’s dead? Your people killed him, and now he’s gone, and he’s never coming back,” she yelled. She took another step toward Shalyrie, who backed up until she felt herself bump into a wall. The girl’s eyes looked glazed. What was she going to do?
The door opened, and one of the guards who had stood in the hall entered the room. He stepped between them. “It’s time to go, Addia,” he said quietly.
“No!” she yelled. “There’s no time. We have to find Tarkan before it’s too late!”
“Come on,” he said, taking her arm and attempting to guide her to the door.
She pushed him away. “Don’t touch me! You don’t understand. She was there! She can help us find him.”
Sinnar came in, and Shalyrie was so relieved that she went to him.
“You run to Sinnar looking for protection?” Addia laughed coldly. “He hates your people even more than I do.”
Shalyrie looked up at Sinnar.
“I’m sorry, Shalyrie. It will be all right,” he said. “Addia, come with me.”
“No! Maybe she knows where Tarkan is!”
“She doesn’t,” Sinnar said.
“Why are you helping her? Don’t you know they killed your brother? Why haven’t you killed her like every other one of the sea-folk you meet?”
“Addia. It wasn’t Shalyrie who killed Tar. She’s trying to help us. She saved Kalleck’s life.”
“But she’s one of them, why would you defend her?”
Sinnar didn’t argue with her any more. He went to her and put his hand on her shoulder. “Come on,” he said softly. “Come with me.”
“No. No!” she cried, still throwing his hand off. She was crying now, and Sinnar didn’t say anything else. He picked her up in his arms, ignoring her struggles and tearful protests.
Kellji came running in. She saw Sinnar holding Addia, and she looked at Shalyrie. “Are you all
right?” she asked. “What happened?”
“I heard Addia yelling, so I came in to check,” the guard said. “Sinnar got here just after that.”
“I’m all right,” Shalyrie said.
“I’m sorry, Shalyrie,” Sinnar said as he took Addia out the door. The guard followed him out.
Shalyrie collapsed into a chair, and Kellji sat beside her and took her hand. “You’re shaking,” Kellji said.
“I’m sorry,” Shalyrie said. “I didn’t know what to do or what to say to her. And I didn’t know what she was going to do. She must be so sad.”
“I’m sorry she got in here. I was on my way here, anyway, to tell you that High Priestess Allemi is coming to meet you.”
“Who?”
“High Priestess Allemi. She has been a member of the Council for many years. She is the spiritual leader of our people.”
“She wants to meet me? Why?”
“She is impressed by what you have done for our people.”
“Then she doesn’t feel about me…” Shalyrie paused. “Like Addia does?”
“Addia’s…” Kellji used a word that Shalyrie didn’t know.
Shalyrie looked back blankly.
Kellji pointed to her head. “She’s not good.”
Shalyrie understood now. The poor girl was unbalanced.
“Tarkan was Sinnar’s brother,” Kellji explained. “She hasn’t been well since we lost him.”
“When?”
“Four months,” Kellji said. “Purple.” Kellji explained, pointing to a patch of the vibrant color on one of the tapestries. “Our people wear purple when someone has died. Sinnar and Tarkan were always together. Since they were boys. When Tarkan didn’t come back, Addia couldn’t handle it.”
“And Sinnar never could either,” Shalyrie whispered. She remembered her first few hours with the Yalkur. He had demanded something of her. She hadn’t understood then, of course, but now she wondered if he’d been asking her about his brother.
Kellji gave Shalyrie’s hand a comforting squeeze. “Try to forget what she said. She doesn’t know you, and all she knows is that you’re one of the sea-folk. Sinnar will stay with her until she calms down.”
