The Nivaka Chronicles Boxed Set

by Leslie E Heath

  “Thank you.” Kiri took the tray and set it on the small table near the bed. She took a large muffin and turned back to Serik. “I don’t know what we’d do without you.”

  He had enjoyed helping care for the newest addition to the family and smiled at the compliment. He’d served the mayor’s family since just after Eddrick learned to walk, and often spoke of staying until the babe was a father himself. Kiri would laugh and say that it was a little ambitious to plan that far ahead, since he was already quite old, though he didn’t think she knew his exact age. Serik thought his white hair and stooped posture made him look older than he was. His hair had turned white while he was still a young lad, and he’d injured his back a few years later, but he was still quick on his feet and skilled with his hands. He bent to turn down the covers on the bed.

  While he worked, Eddrick asked, “Serik, what do you make of these rumors of unrest I keep hearing from the West? Don’t you have people in the mountains out there?”

  “I do have family in the mountains, sir, but I haven’t heard from them in several months.” Serik shrugged and hummed softly to himself as he continued his work.

  They had spoken of the skirmishes before, and he knew the mayor didn’t expect any trouble in their secluded little corner of the world. He thought Eddrick probably felt it was his duty to know what was happening beyond the boundaries of the Tsari Forest. Azalin was a large land, with every type of landscape and climate, and many small disputes had come and gone between areas and factions over the years. This one would be no different.

  The mayor took a few pieces of fruit from the tray and strolled toward the window of their chamber. The sun was finally setting, and he had always loved the view of the town in the twilight when people lit candles and lamps, and the village glowed with light and activity. It had been a glorious day. It had been only the mayor’s second time back among the council since the birth of his son. A great feast, with mountains of food, flowing drink, joyful music and plenty of dancing had followed the meeting and naming ceremony.

  Eddrick suddenly exclaimed, “What is going on out there?”

  In the instant he reached the window, a loud, rhythmic pounding shook the floor. Each thunderous sound rattled the entire structure. Serik and Kiri ran to join the mayor at the window. Outside, chaos was breaking out. Townsfolk were using whatever weapons they could find, mostly ancient display swords, and were fighting against a large number of heavily armed strangers. As they watched, one of the swords broke in half, and the man wielding it went down on his knees before the intruder.

  Just at that moment, the housekeeper came running into the chamber, shouting, “We’re under attack! They’re trying to break down the front door, and it won’t hold much longer.” She handed a leather bag to the new father and started passing him clothes to put in it.

  “You have to get out of here!”

  With panic in his eyes, Eddrick turned to the servant. “You have to take Aibek out of the village. Save him!” He handed the bag to Serik. “Take him to my brother and his wife in Xona. They won’t turn you away.”

  “But… sir, shouldn’t I stay and help defend Nivaka?”

  It was difficult to hear over the noise of hundreds of booted feet marching on the boardwalk mingled with the sound of villagers shouting and fighting for their homes and lives. The rhythmic pounding had stopped briefly but started up again, this time louder than before.

  “You can be more help by saving my son.” Eddrick reached for his grandfather’s broadsword where it was mounted on the wall. The panic had vanished from his face; in its place was a steely resolve.

  An army of servants rushed into the room and silently carried out the cradle and infant clothes, and Serik realized the housekeeper had left the room. They removed every sign that an infant lived there.

  Kiri tearfully kissed her baby’s cheek, hugged him close for a brief moment then bundled him into several blankets. She then placed him in the knapsack so he wouldn’t be visible and retrieved a large leather purse from the wardrobe and put it in the bag beside the baby. She handed the entire bundle to Serik.

  “You have to save him. There’s enough coin here to purchase the supplies you need once you’re out of the forest. Do whatever you must, but keep him safe.”

  Serik nodded, then quietly slipped out the servants’ entrance just as the main door exploded into a thousand pieces. The noise was deafening, and he knew he had to move quickly if they were going to escape from Nivaka. His ragged breathing sounded to him like trumpets in the unnatural silence of the service hall.

  He moved swiftly to the private entrance in the mayor’s courtyard to get out of the city and onto the perilous ground below. As he hurried quietly from the building, trying to keep to the shadows, he couldn’t help but notice that the townsfolk were losing. Many had surrendered and were being led down the wooden boardwalks toward the village center where just a few hours before they had celebrated the birth and naming of their next mayor.

  As the servant made his way down the ladder with the infant sleeping quietly in the bag on his back, he wondered how he could accomplish the task he had been given. He had no food, no supplies, and no milk for the baby. He only had a small fishing kit, a few blankets, and the purse Kiri had stashed in the knapsack. Serik thought of the desperation on the young mother’s face when she'd handed him the bundle and knew he'd have to figure it out.

  He took a deep breath, looked around in the dimness of the forest and racked his brain for a plan. There were several villages and towns between the northern border of the forest and the river city of Kainga. He could find someone who would sell him a goat to milk for the baby, or possibly a wet nurse who would be willing to make the journey with them to Xona.

  He froze and realized there was still one major problem to be dealt with before he could worry about a plan to feed the child. The sun was setting, and he feared they would escape the clutches of the army only to land in a battle with their enemies on the ground. Panic again clutched at his throat when he heard a twig snap in the woods to his right. He waited for an eternal moment, expecting to see an enemy soldier or an army of elves and dwarves. When neither appeared, he decided the only chance was to try bargaining with the ground folk, so he walked straight toward their village. He didn’t get very far in the darkening woods before the anticipated group of warrior elves appeared before him on the trail. He held up both hands and asked to speak to their leaders on an urgent matter. They nodded silently, turned, and led him through the forest to their village.

  They took him through an underground tunnel to a cavernous room with a long table in the middle. At one end sat a small person with bright yellow-blond hair and slightly pointed ears. He was dressed in the browns and greens of the forest and wore a sword on his back.

  “May I please speak, sir? I have distressing news for you,” Serik whispered. When the king nodded, he continued, “Nivaka is under attack, and I have the task of attempting to save Mayor Eddrick's only child. I fear the villagers have no chance against this army.”

  Serik bowed his head and waited to hear his fate, fighting the urge to weep. His friends above were likely dead, but he had no time to grieve. He wouldn’t make it out of the forest without the assistance of the king; the warriors would destroy him even if he were able to escape this room.

  The elf king spoke slowly, apparently weighing the gravity of the situation.

  “You know I have the utmost respect for Eddrick, mainly because he has done so much to prevent skirmishes between the elfin people and the villagers.” He waited until Serik looked up before he continued. “If I help you, what guarantee do I have about the kind of man this child will grow to be?”

  “I promise you that the child will be raised to be a leader equal to his father, and will return and bring peace back to our home. I plan to take him to Eddrick’s brother, and I have no doubt he will be as fine a man as his father.”

  The leader stood and paced the long room, then replied, “An army
has been cutting down Shadow trees at the edge of the forest, and has fought my people several times.” He took a deep breath. “I’m afraid this is the same army that has attacked Nivaka tonight. I fear what will happen to the Tsari under the rule of such an enemy.”

  They agreed that the mayor’s child was the forest’s best hope for a long-term victory, and his elves helped them out of the forest. Serik made it unmolested to the edge of the forest with an escort of elfin warriors.

  * * *

  Serik had stood and begun pacing as he told the story, but returned to his chair and stared into the fire as he finished the tale.

  “We stopped at a farm for the night, and the farmer’s wife gave me milk to feed you. She said we could buy a goat to milk once we made it past the river. The next day we crossed into Kainga, gathered supplies, and set off for Xona.”

  Aibek thought the frail old man had shrunk even more during his tale. He now looked as if a slight breeze would blow him away into dust.

  Serik continued, “I had never been to the city, but I had memorized your uncle and aunt's address from your father’s correspondence. The journey was uneventful after that, and the rest you already know. Your family welcomed us gladly, and were happy to raise you as their own.” The old man looked directly at the mayor. “So you see, there’s a great deal of difference between that terrible night and the all-out battle you’re expecting. Your parents weren't expecting trouble and were unprepared for the attack. This time, you have the advantage of preparation, and I have no doubt this battle will have a much different outcome.”

  After he had spoken, Serik fell silent. He had never told the entire story before this moment, and tears flowed freely down his leathery cheeks.

  Neither man spoke for a long while until the old man stood and headed for the door. “I’ll leave you to get some rest. Your uncle and I made sure you have the skills you need. Sleep well.” The latch clicked softly, and the mayor sat alone in the quiet.

  Aibek remained in his seat for a long while, considering everything that had happened during the day. It was impossible to believe that only one day had passed. Had he really talked to his father’s spirit? How had he never heard the story of the night they escaped Nivaka before tonight? Why had he never asked? He sat and stared into the fire for what felt like hours, asking himself questions that had no answers.

  Finally, exhaustion started to close his eyes, and he got up from his chair and burrowed into the blankets on the bed.

  He slept fitfully, dreaming of ghosts, elves, dwarves, and invasions as his waking thoughts continued to plague him in his slumber. He woke well before the dawn and dressed, but stayed in his rooms until his friends joined him for their morning routine.

  * * *

  Eddrick burst through the door to their private space and grabbed his wife in a huge hug. He shouted beside her ear. “I talked to him! He saw me, and we talked!”

  Kiri winced and hugged him back before she stepped away. “Who saw you? What are you talking about?”

  A huge grin spread across Eddrick’s face. “Aibek! I talked to Aibek! It was incredible. He was just sitting in our bedroom, and he relaxed his mind enough to hear me.” He struggled to keep his voice below a shout as the excitement threatened to consume him.

  “Really? He heard you? That’s wonderful! Do you think it was a one-time thing, or can I talk to him, too? When are you going to try again? I’m going with you.” She asked all of her questions at once without giving him a chance to respond.

  Her husband took a deep breath, held it for a few seconds, then exhaled slowly, slightly calmer. “He was in our room, just staring at the walls. I think he’ll be more open to talking to us now. He even said he saw you in his room the night of the storm. He was so happy to see me that he nearly cried. I know I did after he’d left with his friends.”

  Kiri cradled her husband’s face in her hands and smiled. “I can’t believe I let you go without me.”

  “Next time, we’ll go together.”

  They stood like that for a long time, laughing, hugging, and celebrating together.

  * * *

  You’re awfully quiet this morning, sir. Is something wrong?”

  “No, Serik, nothing’s wrong, exactly.” Aibek continued to stare out the window at the growing light. “I need to talk to Valasa this morning before the meeting. He was supposed to question the prisoner yesterday, and I never got a chance to ask him about it.”

  Faruz set down his mug of famanc. “What is there to ask? We caught her trying to clean a bloody knife less than an hour after Alija's attack. She’s obviously guilty.”

  Aibek shook his head. “I’m not so sure. Wouldn’t she have some blood on her dress if she’d stabbed someone? I only saw stains on her sleeve, which could be from holding the knife. Could she have been trying to dispose of the weapon to help the real attacker?”

  Faruz frowned. “Hmm. I didn’t look at her gown, but you could be right. Do you know if Alija saw anything?”

  “No, he said he was walking toward the buffet for dessert when he felt the attack. He was at the edge of the crowd, but there were a lot of people around. Anyone could have done it. I think I’ll go downstairs. Maybe Valasa’s awake by now.”

  Serik broke in, but hesitantly. “Before you go, there’s something else you should consider.”

  Aibek waited impatiently for his friend to complete the thought, but Serik just continued to sip his drink. “What else is there?”

  “I’m not sure it’s connected, but have you noticed how strangely Ahren has been behaving recently?”

  Aibek laughed. “When isn’t that girl acting weird? Besides, have you seen the way she looks at Alija? She hates me, but she all but worships him. I don’t think she had anything to do with this.” He stood and set his empty mug on the tray next to Serik, then left the room and went in search of the religious leader.

  16

  Decisions

  A light shone under the door of Valasa’s private workroom. Aibek hovered uncertainly nearby.

  Should I knock?

  Valasa only went in that room when he wanted to work undisturbed. Aibek turned to leave but stopped when he heard an unexpected voice inside the room. Alija was there with Valasa. That made sense. The healer kept all his medical supplies in his workroom. Aibek knocked firmly on the heavy door.

  After a moment, Valasa opened the door and smiled. He waved Aibek in, then closed the door behind him. Aibek glanced around, taking in the heavily laden shelves and stacks of papers piled on various tables. To his right, Alija laid face-down on one table, his wound exposed to the harsh light of several lamps. A neat line of sutures held the skin together.

  “How does it look?” Alija glanced up and saw his friend staring.

  Aibek answered honestly. “It looks good. There’s no redness or signs of infection, so it should heal well. Valasa did an excellent job closing it.”

  Valasa added, “There’s no drainage from the wound, either, and very little bleeding. As long as no fever sets in, you should be back to normal in a couple of weeks.”

  The healer moved back to Alija’s side and smeared salve over the exposed wound before he covered it with a clean dressing. He wound a cloth around Alija’s chest to hold the bandage in place.

  “That’s good to hear,” Alija ground out through clenched teeth as he worked himself into a sitting position.

  Valasa helped the wounded man off the table. “Today will be the worst of the soreness. You’ll need to take it easy and let yourself heal.”

  Once Alija was standing, Valasa turned his attention to Aibek, who was inspecting the titles of the books on the nearest shelf. “Now, what can I do for you this morning?”

  Aibek glanced at Alija. “Were you able to question the prisoner yesterday, as you had planned? Did you learn anything useful?”

  “The girl insists she’s innocent, but she can’t—or won’t—explain how she came to possess the knife and why it was covered in blood.”

&nb
sp; Aibek barked out a humorless laugh. “That’s not surprising. Of course, she won’t confess. What do you think? Is she guilty? Or is she helping the one who is?”

  Valasa remained quiet as he replaced his medical supplies neatly into the bag on the table, then removed the soiled bandages to a basket near the door. Finally, he looked up and met Aibek’s gaze. “I think it may be too soon to say. She definitely knows more than she’s saying. The girl took her time thinking through her answers yesterday.”

  Alija broke in. “Is it true she works for the washhouse? She may have been involved in poisoning our linens.”

  Aibek cocked his head and considered his friend. Where had he gotten that bit of information? It made sense that her first attempt would involve linens if she worked in the laundry.

  Valasa lifted the basket of soiled rags in one hand and gestured for the younger men to precede him through the door. He waited patiently while Alija moved gingerly into the den, then said, “We need more information. I plan to ask her friends, family, and neighbors about her behavior lately. Maybe something has changed recently.”

  Aibek paused in the den and glanced through the large windows. The sun was already bright on the front of the house. He’d be late for the meeting. Oh, well. At least he’d have Alija with him. The two friends moved up the stairs toward the sitting room, frequently stopping for the wounded man to rest from the exertion.

  * * *

  Aibek strolled into the sitting room and looked around. Everyone was already there, including Valasa. The healer must have used the servants’ stairs. Since they'd planned the morning’s meeting, Ayja had arranged trays of muffins, cookies, and drinks arranged on a small buffet near the door.

  The mayor began the day determined to observe his new friends and listen to their ideas and input, rather than trying to take charge and possibly miss something important. They knew this area and these people far better than he did and would be better able to gauge the villagers’ responses to the final plan.