by Anna Kashina
His gaze wavered as he looked down at her hand, still covering his. After hesitation he covered it with his own, gently caressing her skin.
She stiffened. This was a fatherly gesture, she told herself. She had just done a similar thing to comfort him. Except, she didn’t caress him like this, his touch trying to evoke a response, promising more. She didn’t love him, not the way he professed to her. She didn’t love him like a father, either, she realized. This man had dominated her life. He had made her the way she was – first training her as a top killer and bathing her in glory, then ordering her death when she dared to disobey him. And now, having gone through all that, she was finally free of him once and for all.
She watched his caressing hand, then glanced to his face again. Despite everything, she couldn’t stop feeling sorry for him. Her heart quivered at his wounded look as he saw the rejection in her eyes and dropped his hand away.
“Aghat Mai is capable all right,” Oden Lan said. “Too capable for his own good.”
Kara shook her head. “I hope you can resolve your feelings toward him, Aghat Oden Lan. The Guild still needs you, even if you are no longer in charge. And… you should feel nothing but pride at seeing how well Aghat Mai fits his new station. You must realize that, like me, he learned most of what he knows from you.”
Oden Lan looked at her searchingly.
“You are not telling me everything you feel toward him, are you?”
She looked away, angry at the color that crept into her cheeks. Why did he keep talking to her about her feelings?
“Whatever else I feel toward him, or anyone else, is irrelevant.”
Oden Lan’s lips twitched. “Is it?”
She sighed. “It is, for this conversation, Aghat. And you would instantly see it too, if only you could truly think of me purely as a father would. If you did, it would make things so much easier for everyone.”
His gaze wavered with deep feeling as he looked down on her.
“Why?”
She took a breath. “Because, this is the way I feel about you – as a father I never had – and it would never be otherwise.”
His lips twitched.
“I thought that boy took you away from me. And now, it looks like Mai has taken you away from him, hasn’t he?”
She shook her head. “It’s not like that, Aghat Oden Lan. No one took me away from you. You did it yourself. As for Mai – I would be dead many times over if it wasn’t for him. I’m sure you understand that something like this would create a bond not to be easily broken.” Except, I did break it. Just like that. She forced the thought away.
He nodded slowly.
“I heard he granted you freedom and full pardon.”
She tried to smile. “He was very generous. I am certain he felt a reward was warranted after I stood by him during his challenge, even though I am really the one who should be feeling grateful.”
“Is this the feeling you settled for? Gratitude?”
Her gaze wavered.
“He is the Majat Guildmaster. You should know better than anyone what this post entails. Would it ever be possible for me to feel anything else toward him?”
Oden Lan reached forward and once again covered her hand with his.
“I know how it feels,” he said. “And since I am not the Majat Guildmaster anymore, I am finding myself on another side of this scale. My feelings for you... Keeping them to myself has been tormenting me all these years, until it finally drove me mad. I know now that you would never be able to return them. I used to dream that you would, one day, despite the impossibility of it. But I understand now that this was never meant to be... In my desire to give you only the best, I’ve caused you much pain. I hope you can forgive me.”
Her lips trembled as she felt tears rising to her eyes.
“I forgive you, Aghat Oden Lan,” she said. “And in expressing the way I feel about you, I couldn’t possibly put it better than the way Aghat Mai said it to you at the tournament yesterday. You taught me many important things, and I will always be grateful to you for that. With the way you trained me, I couldn’t have possibly acted otherwise. You taught me to stand up for what I believe is right. I intend to do it every time, even if it costs me everything I hold dear.”
She let out a breath, her own words sinking in until she truly realized this was indeed how she felt. She and Mai shared this training, this belief, and they both learned it from this man. This was what drove her to agree to champion Kyth’s challenge, with full knowledge that it would destroy anything she had with Mai, aware of the terrible position she was putting him into. It hurt beyond measure to know that standing up for her beliefs would harm the man she cared for and sever their bond that she cherished so much. And yet, she also knew that Mai had given up more when he forfeited his life to save hers. If she were to die at the tournament tomorrow, she would die with full knowledge that she had done her duty. And that meant so much more than anything else.
She smiled as she held Oden Lan’s gaze, and he smiled back, gently patting her arm. It was truly a fatherly gesture this time, and it felt so comforting as she sat on the floor by his feet. For the first time Kara saw the man she had known him to be, ruthless in pursuing his beliefs, but also wise and experienced like no one else. He had taught everyone around him these high values. And now, even though his command had been ripped from his hands by a man less than half his age, these values remained, and would always be there for as long as their Guild stood.
“Thank you, Aghat Oden Lan,” she said. “Whatever happens to me, I will always be grateful to you for the part you played in my life.”
24
IMPASSE
Egey Bashi couldn’t stop swearing. He no longer felt bothered by the surprised glances of the people next to him as he took his seat at the head of the arena. Bloody hell. Important negotiations had to be conducted by adults, not by adolescents having too much trouble thinking with their heads.
It had been the wrong decision after all to bring Kara into the room. Egey Bashi had originally thought her presence might be calming to Mai, who obviously shared a deeper bond with her than anyone cared to see. But to have her march in as part of Kyth’s suite had been a mistake, and Egey Bashi held himself fully responsible for it. He could see how the outcome of the negotiations had been decided in a few short glances before the talking even began. Lady Celana’s famous knowledge of history and politics hadn’t helped either. And now, the dung was flying, and everyone without exception was on the receiving end of it.
He watched the spectators settle into their seats around the arena, and the ring of Jade archers take their places along its top. He had no idea who Mai was putting against Kara, but the presence of the Jades showed that he was not going to just throw the fight, as Egey Bashi had secretly hoped after he realized that the Guildmaster had no intention of reconsidering and resuming negotiations.
The order of things was somewhat different this time. The first horn blasts announced the arrival of the challenger and his champion. Kyth and Kara approached the arena side by side and exchanged a few words. Then the Prince was led to a seat at the end opposite the Guildmaster’s, and Kara proceeded alone, stopping in the center of the large oval space. She looked so small down there, her slim black-clad shape sharply contrasted by the gleam of the white sand.
Another horn blast announced the arrival of the Guildmaster and the defenders. Egey Bashi narrowed his eyes, watching the approaching Majat, a dozen men walking with fast strides. Mai was among them, but to Egey Bashi’s surprise he did not take his chair, but instead strode past it and into the arena. The Keeper’s skin prickled as he belatedly realized that Mai wasn’t wearing his cloak of station, and that another man wearing this cloak was taking the Guildmaster’s seat. With a sinking heart he recognized Master Abib.
Bloody hell.
The arena went deadly still as everyone watched Mai stride across and stop in front of Kara. Her eyes widened in surprise.
“You can’t f
ight in the Ultimate Challenge, Aghat Mai,” she said, her words ringing clearly over the silence. “You’re the Guildmaster.”
Mai drew his staff.
“I’m not,” he said. “I have renounced my post.”
He did not give her a chance to respond as he sprang into action, forcing her to draw her blades and defend. She had no time even to compose herself for the attack. Egey Bashi saw her stumble under his shower of brutal blows, and for a moment he feared the fight was going to be a very short one.
The Keeper watched, holding his breath. The action unraveling in the arena in front of him was far beyond anything he had ever seen. The fighters whirled so fast that their movements were difficult to trace, even in the blinding sunlight. Their skill, matched down to the impossible, made their deadly fight seem like a dance, so fascinating that Egey Bashi found it unthinkable to look away.
He knew that Mai had been trained as Kara’s shadow, a fighter who knew her exact style and weaknesses, and he could tell that Mai was using his knowledge to the full. Several times Kara wavered and lost her footing. Twice she had to scramble to avoid his blade, which was springing out of the tip of his staff and retreating without trace. So far she was holding her own, but Egey Bashi knew it was only a matter of time.
He knew that, while Diamonds channeled their entire passion into their fight, they were also trained to maintain a certain detachment, so that the fight did not get them emotionally invested enough to throw them off balance. Mai had clearly overstepped this boundary. He was fighting to win, and, by the looks of it, he had put his entire self on the line to achieve it. Egey Bashi realized that he was witnessing the full power this remarkable man was capable of – a sight one couldn’t forget in a hurry.
He could see that Kara realized it too. It was also obvious that, unlike Mai, her heart wasn’t truly in this fight. As she parried and dodged his blows, Egey Bashi saw her face set into the grim determination of a person who knew her doom was not far away.
All the audience were on their feet, gaping. The only people who seemingly kept their presence of mind were the Jades lining the top of the arena. They had their arrows resting on their bows, ready to fire. But it seemed that, no matter what orders they had received, even with their skill it would be difficult for them to find a gap.
Shaking off his stupor, Egey Bashi rushed forward through the rows to the Guildmaster’s seat.
“Master Abib! What the hell happened?”
The weapons keeper tore his eyes away from the arena and turned to Egey Bashi. His face held regret.
“Aghat Mai asked me to take over his post – with the strict understanding that this is a temporary measure until the challenge can be resolved.”
“And you agreed?”
Abib’s gaze wavered.
“Believe me, Magister,” he said. “I did everything I could to dissuade him. Aghat Mai can be very headstrong. He made it very clear to me that if I were to refuse this post he would find another man to take his place. Under the circumstances, I felt I may be doing the least damage by obliging him.”
“You have to stop the fight before it’s too late. We both know that, whoever wins, there is no possibility of a good outcome to this senseless battle.”
“I wish I could, Magister, believe me, but this is the Ultimate Challenge. It’s fought to the death.”
Egey Bashi’s thoughts raced. He forced himself to avoid looking, but the speed of the clashing sounds at the center of the arena told him the fight was at its height.
“Can you call a recess?”
“If warranted.”
“Let me talk to him, alone... And while I do, I hope to hell you can find something in your Code that would enable you to end this stalemate. I know how good you are at these things.”
Abib hesitated, then signaled. A horn rang clearly over the silent rows.
The fighters completed their movement on the same beat and sprang away from each other, coming to a standstill in one single step. Not for the first time Egey Bashi admired how the Diamonds could go so instantly from fast action to stillness.
Mai strode to them across the arena, his eyes flaring with anger. His hair was caked with sweat, his shirt ripped down the left arm to expose an oozing gash inside.
“This’d better be important, Master Abib,” he barked.
“Magister Egey Bashi needs to have a word with you, Aghat Mai.”
Mai spun toward Egey Bashi with a murderous look.
“You interrupted the fight to have a word with me?”
Egey Bashi took an inadvertent step back. He had never seen Mai so far over the edge. For once, he was glad of the presence of Abib and his men who could protect him if needed – or so he hoped. He had no idea what Mai was capable of in the heat of his battle rage.
“I’ve formally requested this recess from your Guildmaster, Aghat Mai,” he said slowly and distinctly, hoping that, despite evidence to the contrary, Mai could actually comprehend his words. “He deemed it warranted.”
Mai’s chest heaved as he steadied his breath. Egey Bashi was glad to see some reason return to his eyes.
“Magister Egey Bashi asked for a private conversation, Aghat Mai,” Abib said. “You may conduct it in the guard room over there.” He gestured toward a gateway that, as Egey Bashi knew, led to a small courtyard adjoining the arena.
Despite his best effort, he had to break into a trot to keep up with Mai’s purposeful stride. He secretly wondered if he should have asked for a Majat backup during the upcoming conversation, in case things got out of hand. The last thing he wanted was to find himself on the receiving end of one of Mai’s famous blows.
The guard room was bare, furnished with plain wooden tables and benches. Mai strode between them with the restless power of a caged tiger, pacing back and forth several times and finally coming to a halt a few steps away from the Magister. Egey Bashi had the feeling that Mai was trying to keep a distance to avoid the temptation of harming him. Used to nothing but calm composure from this man, Egey Bashi couldn’t stop staring.
“Forgive me for interrupting your fight, Aghat Mai,” he said. “I hoped to have a conversation that might help us all find a way to stop this challenge without any losses on either side. Seeing your resolve, I was not certain it would be possible if I waited any longer.”
Mai’s lips twitched. “You think I haven’t considered all other possible options, Magister?”
“You certainly gave us quite a surprise by appearing in the arena.”
Mai glared. “Bloody shame. Forgive me for being so damned inconsiderate of your feelings, Magister.”
Egey Bashi lifted his hands soothingly. “Please, Aghat Mai. I know that, deep inside, you are a reasonable man.”
“Is there a point you wish to make, Magister?”
“You need Prince Kythar’s alliance.”
“I repeat, Magister. Is there a bloody point?”
Egey Bashi edged back. A Majat backup was beginning to seem like a very good idea right now. The only consolation was that, had Mai indeed chosen to strike him down, he probably wouldn’t feel a thing. Given the options, it was definitely one of the better ways to go.
He took a breath. “The Kaddim infiltrated your Guild, Aghat Mai. For Shal Addim knows how long, a Kaddim Brother had been in charge of your shadow training, a post that made him nearly as important as the Guildmaster himself. And now, this man is out there, with knowledge of the exact fighting styles and weaknesses of every member of your Guild. Don’t you think action from the Majat against the Kaddim is warranted in response?”
“It is,” Mai said. “But not on Kyth’s terms.”
Egey Bashi narrowed his eyes. “It’s not about you and Kyth. You should know best that your disagreement with him, if you indeed even have any, cannot be decided in battle. Would you let your foolish rivalry drive you to destroy everything we’re fighting for and play right into the Kaddim’s hands? Would you put Kara’s life on the line to prove a point to him?”
&nb
sp; Mai’s gaze wavered. “Her life is not on the line. I have renounced my post to ensure it.”
“A bloody stupid thing to do, if you’ll forgive the expression. You would do best to resume your post as soon as you can. You were born for it, damn it.”
Mai’s chest heaved again, and Egey Bashi saw some of his normal self finally surface through the rage. It was a welcome sight, even though he was still a long way from feeling relieved.
“I see no way out of it now,” Mai said. “The Majat Guild must win this challenge. I will do everything I can to ensure it.”
“Even kill Kara?”
“I told you, Magister. I am not going to kill her. If you hadn’t interrupted the fight–”
“You think you can do your ‘viper’s kiss’ on her again?”
“I’ve done it before. Except now, I have more Jades to back me up.”
Egey Bashi shook his head. “How do you think it feels to her to receive a foot of steel in her chest? What if your blow goes bloody wrong this time? Even with your impressive backup, you cannot be sure, against an opponent of her skill.”
“What do you suggest, Magister?”
“Perhaps, if you can communicate to Kara your intentions to fight the Kaddim, she can be persuaded to surrender?”
Mai’s face darkened.
“She is doing it for Kyth. If she surrenders, he will think she betrayed him. I don’t want to put her into that position.”
“Perhaps you can at least give her a choice?”
Mai’s gaze stirred with such deep pain that Egey Bashi shivered.
“I am giving her a choice. I have been, all this time. Not that it’s any of your bloody business, Magister.”
Egey Bashi sighed. “I am impressed by your willingness to sacrifice everything to let her pursue her feelings for another man, but aren’t you taking it a bit too far?”
“Like I said, Magister, none of your bloody business.”
