The Path of Giants

by B. T. Narro

  “I’m sorry my father was a little rude to you,” Kataleya said to my relief.

  “Thank you. I wasn’t sure if it was something I’d done.”

  “I didn’t expect that he’d want you to address him as lord, otherwise I would’ve said something.”

  “Is there a reason he’s acting toward me this way?”

  “Yes.”

  She didn’t go on.

  “Are you going to tell me?”

  “I want to tell you that it’s best if I keep it to myself, but that will just make you want to hear it more.”

  She seemed to be asking a question, as she paused and looked at me.

  “Go ahead, Kat. I can handle whatever the reason.”

  “All right, but think of this as a warning that it might…cause problems you don’t want.”

  I was starting to second-guess my decision, but I was too curious to let it go.

  “Go ahead.”

  She walked over and shut the door. “I will get in trouble if my mother sees this shut, but that trouble wouldn’t be worse than if anyone heard what I’m about to say. Let me be brief, so I can open the door again.”

  She appeared nervous as she crossed her wrists while standing before me.

  “I have to explain something to you. I’ve always known the Chespars are powerful—”

  “The Chespars?” I interrupted.

  “The family of Trevor Chespar.”

  “Oh.”

  “They, along with my family, have the capability of gathering an army and even a few sorcerers. Additionally, each of our families has more coin than the king by a considerable amount right now. I grew up with my father telling me I would ruin the good relationship my family had with the Chespars if I was to marry anyone else.”

  “But Kataleya, I already told you that I’m over this. It’s fine.”

  “You wanted to know why my father is treating you this way.”

  “Oh,” I said again, realizing what she was implying. Something had happened between Kataleya and her father, probably recently, and it involved me. What had she said to him?

  “My father always said that our future is with the Chespars, but that was before Nykal led the rebellion and became king. After that, things changed a bit. My father thought Reuben might be a better match, a noble sorcerer of the king. I’m sure Reuben was told the same thing about me.”

  “He probably was, considering his early behavior.”

  “As you know, I wasn’t interested in Reuben but found myself attracted to you. Unfortunately, my father would never accept a marriage to you.”

  “Because we’re on the subject,” I interjected again, “I have to tell you that I still don’t really understand why that is.” This had been bothering me, as much as I had tried not to let it. “I’m a sorcerer to the king, and I don’t think it’s arrogant to say that I have great potential to be extremely valuable not only to him but to the kingdom.”

  “Of course that’s not arrogant. That’s the truth. In fact, that’s exactly what I was telling my father before you arrived. You see, Jon, I have been thinking about my future a lot these days. I have to make a decision because Trevor is likely to propose soon. I know I hurt you accidentally, and you have been getting over me, but I couldn’t completely let go. Not without knowing if the future could at least be possible. So I…” She paused. “In so many words, I brought up the idea to my father.”

  “I imagine he was furious with you.”

  She let out her breath as her shoulders slumped. “Yes. He doesn’t value you in the same way he values the Chespars. I want to apologize on his behalf. You don’t deserve this kind of treatment.”

  “It’s not your fault.” And you shouldn’t apologize for him, I decided not to say.

  “I wasn’t going to tell you any of this, but that was before I saw how my father treated you. You deserve to know the reason. It’s not your fault. If it’s anyone’s, it’s mine. I’m sorry.”

  I refused to believe it was Kataleya’s fault, but I could tell she was eager to finish this conversation and open the door. But first, there was something else bothering me that I had to get out.

  “There’s one thing I still don’t understand. What would’ve happened if your father had approved of a marriage to me?”

  She had a wry smile as she looked at me, speeding up my pulse. Damn, there was my attraction for her again as I imagined Kataleya opening her heart to me, and once again, her body.

  “Well,” she said. “I would’ve liked to see what might happen between us. I think that one day you will be something more than just a powerful noble, like Trevor is, and my father will have changed his mind about you.” She frowned. “But that is just a fantasy that I have to let go of. I was almost certain my father wouldn’t allow it, which is why I told you at the castle that we couldn’t be together.”

  She looked at me without saying anything else.

  “You’re right,” I said eventually.

  “About what?”

  “Telling me all this does cause problems. But.” I approached her. “I’m glad you did.”

  She still had her wrists intertwined as I wrapped my arms around her. She went supple for a moment, then slid her arms around my torso. I could feel her relax as she let out her breath. It felt so nice to hold her.

  “There’s no chance you’re going to go against your father, right?” I had to make sure before I let go of Kataleya completely.

  “I can’t fathom the thought. He’s my father and the lord of Livea. My entire future is in his hands.”

  “I understand.”

  Nobles lived differently from the rest of us. It was something my father had told me. Family and power was everything. I might not understand personally, but I believed Kataleya had thought this through and was making a choice she wouldn’t regret.

  I was concerned about one thing, however. Whitley Yorn seemed to have more trust in the Chespars than he did in Nykal.

  As soon as I let Kataleya go, she quickly walked over and opened the door.

  “Well, I hope you like the room,” she said.

  “Of course. It’s beautiful.”

  “It’s where my brother stayed when he lived here.”

  “I didn’t know you had a brother.”

  “Yes, he helps my father oversee this side of Lycast. He’s married with his own children in Tilly, where he’s the lord.”

  “So he’s a lot older?” I asked.

  “Just two years.”

  “Only two?”

  “I am the odd one for not being married yet, but I reckon it will be soon.” She sat on the bed.

  I remained standing.

  “I don’t think I ever told you that you were the other man, Jon,” she said softly. “Trevor and I have been trying to build a relationship for some time. It was put on hold for a little while, but he is pursuing me more aggressively now.” She made a bit of a face. “I don’t think aggressive is the right word, as I welcome it.”

  I thought about telling her she didn’t need to explain any of this, but I had a feeling she was doing it not to make me feel better but for herself. I let her continue without interruption.

  “He was here two days ago. I think he may have asked my father for permission to ask my hand in marriage.”

  I found myself wondering if they had spent the night together but decided I didn’t want to know.

  “I’m still not sure, though,” she said to my shock.

  “Oh?”

  Kataleya stood from the bed and went to the door. She looked out into the hall. Then she returned and sat on the bed again. I couldn’t tell if she expected me to sit next to her or not.

  In a quiet voice, she said, “We argued.”

  “About what?”

  “About why I ran off when we were all cursed to tell the truth.”

  “What did you say?”

  “Many things, but I’m not quite sure why I’m telling you all of this. I suppose I just feel the need to warn you. I do
think things will work out with Trevor, but they might not. I’m not asking you to wait for me. I would never do that. I just…I’m confused.” She stared at me for a long while. “I thought something might happen between you and the sheriff’s daughter in Granlo. She is very pretty, and the sheriff seemed excited about marrying her off to a sorcerer of the king.” Kataleya paused. “Really, nothing happened?”

  “Nothing did,” I confirmed.

  “Why is that?”

  “I don’t think you got to know her very well,” I told Kataleya honestly. “She’s not my type.”

  “Who is?”

  I could see what she was hinting at. She wanted me to help her with her confusion, but this was just getting me more confused. It was time to be straightforward.

  “May I shut the door?” I asked.

  She shook her head. “Just try to speak quietly for now.”

  “Kataleya,” I began. “I wanted to be with you.”

  “I know. I’m sorry for that.”

  I nodded. “The point is that I’ve come to accept that it’s not going to work out between us. You were right when you said that if things were different we might’ve made something beautiful together. But all this confusion of yours is just making me confused. I know you must be scared about marrying because you’re not much older than I am, and it would terrify me as well. However, I don’t believe I can help you. If there was no Trevor, and if your father accepted me, things would be different. But there is a Trevor. And your father thinks of me as low class. I think it’s best if we forget what happened.”

  “You’re right.” She looked down for a short time, then she began to nod. “Thank you. I know what I want now.”

  “What’s that?”

  She showed me a wry smile. I could tell she wasn’t going to answer me.

  “Can I ask you something else?” I tried.

  “Sure.”

  “Can you get the red diamond back from your father?”

  Her eyebrows lowered. “I’m not sure I can do that.”

  “It’s important,” I added. “I think I’m getting somewhere with Hadley.”

  Now her eyebrows lifted. “Why does it sound like you’re empathizing with the witch?”

  “I’m not sure what I feel yet, but I know I want to meet her. The only way I’m doing that is by convincing her to come here. And the only way I’m doing that is by finding some way to use that diamond, like I did before. I don’t think it was right of your father to take it. In fact, I don’t think your father was right to do a lot of things.”

  “But I can’t tell my father what to do.” She spoke as if she could never convince her father of anything. I hoped that wasn’t true.

  “Can you at least tell me where he would’ve put the diamond?”

  She leaned away from me and turned her head slightly to look at me from the side. “You’re not thinking about taking it without permission.”

  “I am if you’re not going to help me.”

  She stood up from the bed. “Jon, try to relax.”

  “I’m relaxed.”

  “You seem angry.”

  “I’m not angry. I just think it’s important.”

  Her mouth curled. “She’s a witch, a dteria user. I have never heard of one who is good, so I am inclined to agree with my father. I don’t think you should be using anything from her bag without knowing what it does. At least wait for my instructor to get back to us. Otherwise it might be dangerous.”

  “I can heal anything that might happen to me.”

  “That you know of. Perhaps this diamond is twisting your mind in some way that healing cannot help. It would explain why it seems like you care about this girl you have never met.”

  So that was coming through? Damn. “My mind is not twisted. I just think she could be valuable to us.”

  Kataleya seemed to be in thought as she put her knuckle over her mouth with her head down. “I’ll see what I can do, but do not expect the results you want. My father is not someone who changes his mind easily.”

  “Then perhaps it’s best if he doesn’t know.”

  Kataleya went to look out for anyone listening in the hall. She seemed satisfied when she came back.

  “I’ll see if I can get it for you if you promise not to do anything rash.”

  “I promise. Get it tonight, if possible. Before I sleep.”

  “I will.” She bit her lip.

  “It’s going to be fine,” I assured her.

  “It’s not that,” she said. “There’s something else I’m not looking forward to telling you.”

  I was past being surprised by anything she could say. “I’m sure it’s fine.”

  “No, it’s really not.”

  “All right, you’re starting to worry me,” I admitted.

  She nodded. “It’s about Koluk and my father.” Kataleya had a gloomy look. I was really starting to get nervous.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  “My father…was part of the reason the king did not send me to Koluk with the rest of the sorcerers. That city is very dangerous, even with all the dark mages gone who were loyal to Cason. My father always says the most dangerous criminal is the one with little left to lose, and that is the exact type of man Koluk has attracted for years now.”

  “I’m sure everyone will be fine,” I said, mostly to alleviate Kataleya’s worry, as I couldn’t be sure if it was true. “We’ll be seeing them soon enough at the castle.”

  She looked down. “I might not be going back.”

  “What?”

  She nodded. “This is what I’ve had the most trouble telling you. I might not be returning to the castle.”

  It took the air out of my lungs. I almost couldn’t believe that this was a real possibility, but she was serious.

  It’s not just a possibility. It’s likely, I realized as I looked into her eyes.

  “What about Rohaer?” I asked.

  “My father doesn’t condone me continuing to fight in a war.”

  “What about what you condone?” I asked with anger.

  She didn’t answer.

  I continued, “Would you really be able to stop? I wouldn’t, no matter who asked me to.”

  She nodded. “I do know that, Jon. It’s one of the things I like about you, but I’m not like you. I’m scared.”

  “You don’t think I feel fear?”

  A line formed across her forehead.

  “I’m terrified of our enemies,” I revealed. “I have so much fear that we might lose this fight against Rohaer that I’m willing to chase a witch halfway across Lycast if it means we might be able to use her. I have so much fear that I’m close to suggesting that you do stop fighting, just to make sure you are not killed, but then I remind myself what I’m fighting for—what all of us are fighting for. If Rohaer wins, then so does Valinox. So does dteria. I’ve seen firsthand what it does to people. I was nearly murdered by a man who killed someone from his own family. Remi was almost killed by Eden. More of us could have been murdered as well if she’d gotten away with it.”

  “I know what you’re saying is true, but there’s more to it than that.” She spoke softly, hardly looking up at me.

  “What do you think will happen to Lycast if we lose against Rohaer?”

  “No one knows for certain.”

  “The hell you don’t. Lycast will become a place where those with dteria prey on those without. It was already happening in Lycast before our king took control. I know you know this. Even after Nykal came to power, as we weeded out the dark mages, many people died while others lost everything to criminals.”

  “Jon, we could die in this war. None of us knew what we were getting into when we first met at the castle.”

  “Not even the king knew for certain what kind of danger we would face. Whether or not we were prepared is no excuse for discontinuing. The way I see it, yes, I might die fighting against Rohaer. But I’d rather die fighting than live in a world where we’ve lost, and I could’ve done somethi
ng.”

  Kataleya had her head tilted as she stared into my eyes. Soon she began to nod. “You’re right. I’m letting fear change my mind. My father was the one who told me that we should never let fear make our decisions for us. I hope he’ll understand when I tell him that I’m going back with you.”

  It irked me to hear her admit that her father still might not understand. If he was the one who gave her this lesson about fear, shouldn’t he understand better than anyone?

  Nevertheless, I was glad to hear she’d changed her mind.

  Part of me wished Rohaer’s troops would just come already and we could finally put an end to this, but I knew our kingdom was not ready yet. We would surely lose. That was the reason the demigod Failina was keeping the one road between the territories covered in a snowstorm. But according to her sister, Souriff, she wouldn’t be able to keep this up long past winter. We might only have a couple months left.

  I was suddenly very eager to finish my task here. I gave Kataleya a long look. She was beautiful and smart, and so many other things I valued, but I didn’t feel like there was room in my heart to hold feelings for her any longer. I couldn’t deal with it. It was time to finally let her go completely.

  I had a feeling that with all the distractions that would soon show up in my life, this wouldn’t be too hard.

  “I think the feast should be ready,” she commented.

  I smiled.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  I ate with just Kataleya and her mother. I spent most of the meal speaking with Kataleya about our experiences in the different towns. Her mother seemed well-traveled, often adding tidbits of interesting information about each place. Apparently, there was a serial murderer who wreaked havoc on three of the towns for a few years during King Oquin Calloum’s rule. He was later discovered to be a dteria sorcerer who used to be employed by Oquin before there had been a dispute between them. Rumors said this sorcerer had been promised a marriage to a noble, which was later taken away from him.

  It reminded me that there had been darker times than now, and that was why my father had decided to take our family north, away from all of this.

  I asked Mora if she’d heard any stories about my father. She only knew of one, and it was the same story Leon had told me, though Mora hadn’t known the name of this sorcerer who’d murdered the thieving dark mages who’d taken all of his coin. I was about to tell her that this man was now our instructor, and only because the current king had let Leon out of prison under the agreement he would teach us sorcery, but Kataleya gave me a look that stopped me from bringing it up.