by J. E. Klimov
He gulped. Had the wanted signs reached her? If she made the connection between him and his mother, she’d figure out he was the wanted Aeonian. He feared the Irellian’s love for gold and other lavish rewards would tip the scale in favor of turning him in. Exercising all restraint, Bence forced a neutral expression. Running his hand through his hair, his mind raced for a response. He could deny his ancestry and claim to be a regular Irellian. When his hand grazed his collarbone, he fingered the twine necklace. Isabel’s ring still hid from plain sight. It weighed heavier than usual, and it pulled his thoughts to Tulelo.
“I’m a citizen of Deran,” Bence blurted. He covered his mouth in alarm. He sealed his fate.
Maciji tapped her bejeweled nail against her lips. “The myth spoke of an Irellian girl who had been sold into slavery, but she was determined to make something of herself. Met she a disgraced Tuuli, and they set sail to an uncharted island. They say the country, your country, was filled with enchanted stones that granted the wearer powers. At first, Echidna had her goal within reach. She staged a war amongst various races that also migrated to Deran, but fell to two strangers. Her fate was sealed in an enchanted prison for all of time. A sad story. We tell it to all the children here to warn them of reckless dreams and ideals.”
“I presume you haven’t heard about the recent events in Deran?” Bence breathed heavily. He wanted to smack himself. Nothing went according to plan, and he wasn’t in the most amicable conversation with the head of the clan. His perfect future in Irelle cracked piece by piece.
Twirling her hair round and round with her index finger, Maciji remained silent. Bence swallowed, shifting his weight from one foot to another. She reached for ribbons by her tableside and tied her hair in a loose braid. She lifted a mirror and smiled.
“No. We don’t pay attention to the affairs of insignificant sovereignties.”
The clanging of her gold bangles distracted Bence. He never saw such an ornately dressed person in his life. She was such a vast contrast to Isabel and Ami. Gold bracelets stacked up to her elbows. A necklace, much like a spider’s web, cradled her neck. Her face was caked with makeup.
Isabel.
Deran didn’t seem insignificant to Bence. He once fought for control of that island, and some know-it-all brat wasn’t going to tell him otherwise.
“Did I upset you? You look as if your head is going to pop right off your shoulders.”
Fury chewed at him like a wild dog, but he held his tongue, fighting the temptation to throw diplomacy out the window. His interaction with the Irellians had not gone as expected. If he hadn’t come to Tulelo’s aid, he wouldn’t have been in this position. But Bence was catapulted into a tense negotiation with the head of an Irellian clan over a Dunya.
“Just release Tulelo, and we’ll be on our way.” His dreams of finding a comfortable, peaceful life finally shattered.
Maciji’s arm shot out and pointed at his necklace. “What’s that? A necklace made from twine?”
His hand crept toward his neck in hesitation. He wasn’t sure why, but his fingers trembled as he pulled the ring from beneath his tunic, but if this didn’t convince Maciji to release Tulelo, nothing will. “The Deranian seal.”
“Are you an ambassador of the Deranian royal family?”
“Of course,” Bence answered, tugging at his ear. “I’m a blood relative.”
“Then you must know about the war criminal that escaped your country? Ironically, he's supposedly Echidna’s offspring. Maybe you’re here looking for him?” Maciji tapped her fingertips together. “Or perhaps you are the war criminal.”
“I thought you said you don’t pay attention to insignificant countries?” His body temperature skyrocketed.
“I don’t, but a frightful creature landed in my territory bearing his scroll,” she said, reaching over to her table. Unfurling the parchment, she turned it around and showed Bence. “Come see for yourself.”
Casually wiping his forehead, Bence took a deep breath and leaned forward. It was a rough ink sketch of himself with the same text as the sign at the trading post. A drop of sweat landed on the parchment. The eyes were filled with green ink and hair colored blood-orange.
Bence could feel her eyes boring into him. Racing to assemble an explanation, he snatched the parchment, crumpled it up, and dropped it on the floor.
“That’s not me. The wanted man has the hair the color of fire and mine is black. I have no scar. Besides, that nose is way bigger than mine.” He crossed his arms and looked the other way.
“But, the criminal’s name is Bence. That’s not a common name. At least not to us. How in the world could there be two men named Bence?”
Avoiding her gaze, he scanned the room. “He is clearly an imposter. He took my name, the bastard.”
“Look at me,” she demanded.
Blood rushed like a waterfall in his ears as her gaze fell to where his scar would be.
Did the makeup come off? Can she tell that I tried to cover it up?
When her lids lowered, he cheered silently. After she finished her once-over, she grasped a lock of his hair and played with it.
“The Irellians are known for their make-up, but I am unaware of a dye able to hold in hair.” She paused, then sighed. “This is quite the conundrum. There’s a chance you are the wanted man from Deran, but you could also really be a royal sovereign. To tie a pretty little bow on this, you attacked my people during their hunt. That is punishable by death in this country…” She pounded the table with a closed fist. “My people are experiencing hard economic times, and interference from anyone is forbidden; however, I will withhold my judgment for now. For your fate and your pet’s. And until I reach my decision, I will have my sister attend to your wounds.”
She snapped her fingers and arms hooked beneath his arms and lugged him from the room. Maciji shrunk in the distance, and she winked before he exited underneath a massive archway and back outdoors.
“Let me go,” Bence growled, twisting his body. “I can walk.”
The guard sent him crashing onto the ground. With a groan, he pulled himself onto his feet and hobbled after the guard. They walked silently around a courtyard filled with white flowers. Miniature flags strung from one rooftop to another bearing the symbol of the lion’s paw flapped in the breeze. Birds trapped in gilded cages sung their songs, but it did nothing to lift his spirit. His blundering words and actions ruined his chance at the warm welcome he had dreamt of for weeks and concluded it would take serious smooth talking to get out of this situation alive.
As they approached a gazebo, the air grew thick with incense. The guard struck his spear against the ground and gestured Bence to enter. He glared at the emotionless guard, whose face was smattered in green. Bence walked up a couple of steps and entered the dome-shaped structure. Vines curled around the wood frame and more white flowers blossomed in bunches around it. The incense stifled Bence. He tugged his collar trying to find ways to open his airway.
“You must be the Dunya lover.” A nasally voice slithered into Bence’s ear.
Bence noticed a woman lying on a bed of pillows. Her curves resembled the swells of the ocean. She had thick blonde hair like her sister, but her eyes were the color of ash. She shifted upwards and pat her hand beside her.
“I am Ki. Please take a seat,” she said with hooded eyes.
The guard still remained outside. Bence sighed and did as Ki said. When he sat, Bence sank into the plush pillows, and he fought to sit up straight. Before he could open his mouth, Ki grabbed his chin and forced his neck to turn. She examined his eyes.
“Stay still now.” She poked and prodded until she made her way down to his calf.
Bence wanted to object, but the heavily perfumed air made his head spin. When she poked at his injury, he gasped. “Stop it!” His tongue felt loose and his words came out into a slur.
Ki sat up and traced her finger along his jaw line. “It’ll be such a pity if Maciji convicts you─ you’re a beautiful creature.�
�� She moved her fingers over his eyelids, closing them.
She guided him onto his back as Bence’s mind filled with fog.
“Just relax. When you wake up, you’ll feel like a brand new person.”
CHAPTER
21
Swaying like a reed caught in the changing tide, Isabel struggled to keep her eyes open. She hadn’t slept last night, so she left before dawn to reach Pekas Bay. The mysterious slayings started again after she had visited Hakan, and the body count was now up to twenty. The killer didn’t discriminate: Tuuli, Foti, Kai, Zingari, and human. Seeds of panic sprouted like a ravenous weed and paralyzed her country. Today, she decided to check in on the Kai. She slapped her cheeks a few times and told herself to remain focused.
* * *
“Well, what a pleasant surprise.” Dante leaned back on a wicker chair with arms folded.
Isabel shuffled her feet and scanned his room. Light stretched from the lone window, past a full size bed, to the corner where Dante sat. A vacant table stood on the opposite side with parchment and ink, but all were untouched except for a candle, melted down to the holder.
Clearing her throat, she said, “I’ll have more candles sent to you. Or maybe a lantern would be preferable?”
Dante drummed his fingers against the armrest. “That would be nice. I tend to stay up late in the night.” When he cocked his head, dirty blonde hair swept over his eyes. “This is the first time you visited me in some time. A dutiful wife would’ve stopped by more.”
“The incident that brought you here was a violent one, so I think the frequency of my visits are appropriate,” she said through gritted teeth. “And you’re doing just fine.”
His distended stomach stretched his off-white tunic and his face appeared rounder. He was well-groomed from his face, free from any stubble, to his manicured nails. “True. Things remain the same, except that I’m stuck in this vile room alone.”
When Dante shot up from his chair, Isabel took a step back. She reached for her sai. He seethed under furrowed brows.
“I did nothing wrong. Let me go.”
“You tried to strangle me,” Isabel said, tone as hard as stone.
“It was because you were disrespectful to Raiden. He saved my life. He is our advisor. He─”
A pair of footsteps clicked behind Isabel. “What’s going on here?”
Turning her head, her breath hitched. Raiden stood, hands in his pockets.
“Where are my guards? They should be stationed here… for safety reasons,” Isabel said.
Raiden snapped his fingers. “I dismissed them. Dante is no criminal. Of course, unless Dante isn’t playing nice?”
Whipping her head back toward Dante, Isabel studied his face. His frown disappeared and his eyes lit up. He straightened his posture and adjusted his collar.
“Good afternoon Raiden,” he said.
“Morning,” Raiden replied.
Returning his attention back to Isabel, Raiden cupped her shoulder and squeezed. He shot her a knowing look. “Everything alright?”
She bit her cheek. “Everything’s fine. Please let go.”
“Just making sure. Oh, and Queen Isabel, is there anything you need from Dante? This is usually the time we meet.”
“This early?” When she was greeted with silence, she continued, “I was just about to leave for Pekas.”
Raiden played with his stud earrings. “Don’t worry. Everything is under control.”
* * *
Finned paws poked from a watch tower. Isabel waved, praying that this meeting would be more successful that at Ogonia. The gilded gates swung open, exposing a vast beach.
White sands hugged the bay while palm trees poked out like fingers. A few stone cottages dotted the surrounding area. Waves lapped onto shore lazily. Isabel closed her eyes and inhaled the salty air.
“Queen Isabel!”
As she opened her eyes, Sachiel, leapt from the water. He landed on shore and shook his fur, spraying water everywhere. His coral bangles jingled pleasantly.
“How are you?” Isabel asked.
His long ears flopped over his head when he bowed. “I’m well. The Kai are happy to see you.”
As if he uttered a magic incantation, scores of Kai scurried from the stone huts or popped up from the ocean. Many waved. Others shook her hand. Some even leapt up for a hug.
“We miss you,” one Kai peeped, releasing her paws from around her.
“I’m always happy to see you all,” Isabel replied, fanning her now soaked tunic.
The Kai’s child poked from behind his mother’s hind legs. “Yeah, you’re better company than Four.”
“Hush now!” Sachiel whipped his tail around and glared at the child. “You don’t say something like that about our guest.”
“Where’s Four, anyway?” Isabel twirled around. Cranes flew about while crabs scuttled by her feet.
“He’s with Dover.” Sachiel pointed at the bay. “Dover doesn’t really resurface anymore.”
“I don’t blame him. Dover is, what, 274 years old now? At that age, and living through the Aeonian War, I understand.”
“So, you don’t mind traveling underwater to see him?”
“Of course I don’t. I have these, remember?” Isabel flexed her arm, and Kai’s Sapphire glowed.
“That’s our queen!” His thin whiskers twitched as he chuckled.
After saying good-bye to the group of Kai, she followed Sachiel to the shoreline. Removing her boots, she indulged in the sand squishing between her toes. When the sea water washed over her feet, she shivered. The temperature numbed her toes instantly. Even though the most southern part of Deran remain relatively mild during the winter, the ocean still dropped quite a few degrees.
Rolling up her slacks, she thought of the long swim ahead. Isabel waded in at a snail’s pace, trying to adapt to the frigid cold. When the water reached her waist, Isabel’s whole body shook. Sachiel dove underwater. She swung her arms forward and backward. Suck it up, girl. Isabel took a deep breath and dove head first.
When she opened her eyes, Isabel gasped. Swallowing sea water, she coughed continuously. Conjuring an air bubble with the help of Tuuli’s Opal and Kai’s Sapphire, she scolded herself for her forgetfulness. Her throat burned, but once she cleared her airways, she admired sapphires and pearls of different shades that embedded the walls. The intricate designs told the history of the Kai: stories of great harvests, ceremonies, and folk lore about fairies. The largest image was of a Kai with seven arms. The shimmering colors mesmerized her. The sheer magnitude of the artwork filled her with awe. During the war, when Dover had swapped Kai’s Sapphire with Foti’s Ruby to protect the talismans, Pekas Bay had seemed like a dried up pond.
Sachiel tugged at her arm. Isabel blushed and nodded. She swam behind, occasionally stealing glances at the mural. Everything was perfect, except for one thing. Straining her eyes, Isabel noticed the eye of the Kai with seven arms was missing. “Hey, Sachiel!” Her words echoed back at her in the bubble. “Oh, right,” she murmured.
She continued to paddle through the main channel. The further she went, the stronger the pins and needles sensation pricked her limbs. The ice-cold temperature chilled her down to the bone, and she was falling behind. As her teeth chattered, her mind raced for a solution.
Foti’s Ruby glowed as an afterthought. Heat surged up her arm, and the surrounding water slowly warmed. Huh. I didn’t even have to command it. Incredible!
As the feeling returned to her arms and legs, Isabel followed Sachiel around a barnacle infested corner. Tunnels branched off in all directions, all lined with kelp carpeting. A light shined from above, signifying their arrival at Dover’s residence. The air bubble popped when she broke the surface. She made large strokes with her arms until she reached the coral floor.
When she pulled herself onto the surface, her eyes landed on the bejeweled throne, inhabited by none other than Dover. He always kept his fur trimmed short, and today, he was decorated in so mu
ch pearl and shell jewelry that it seemed to outweigh him. Hundreds of candles sat in oyster shells around the room. Wringing the bottom of her tunic, she beamed.
“Good day, Dover. Nice to see you!”
“Oh? Who? I wasn’t expecting you. Was I?” He hopped off his throne and grabbed his cane. With a clack clack clack, he approached Isabel and bowed. Lines plagued Dover’s face, and his whiskers drooped, despite his smile.
“I informed you about her arrival yesterday and again this morning.” A tenor voice seeped from behind the throne.
Four stepped forth, grinning from ear to ear. His amber eyes shined, and his thick brown locks were pinned back.
“Four,” Isabel said. “You look better than when I saw you last.” Each word struggled to fall from her tongue. Her instincts kept nagging her to draw her sais. Just in case.
“Yes. I feel like a brand new person! Let me tell you, I think I’m the luckiest Healer alive! The Kai are just amazing creatures. They’re a pleasure to live with.” He bounded toward Isabel and shook her hand.
She pulled away and said, “That’s great.” Turning to Dover, she squatted down. “I stopped to make sure everything is okay.”
“Okay? Everything is okay. Yes. Yes, they are.” He turned and hobbled back to his seat, mumbling, “That poor Kai father... We buried him yesterday. Any word on the murderer?”
Isabel strained to hear every word. “No. Not yet. That’s why I’m making my rounds, seeking any leads.”
“You haven’t found the Aeonian?” Four interjected.
She shot him a steely glare. “I was speaking to Dover.”
Lifting his hands in surrender, Four backed away a few feet.
Rubbing his temples, Dover closed his eyes and said, “Four is correct.”
Sachiel stepped forward. “Dover, are you alright?”
“I’m elderly and suffered major injuries within the past year. It shouldn’t be unusual for me to be more exhausted as usual.”
