Mikoto and the Reaver Village (Amaranthine Saga Book 4)

by Forthright

  With a happy little croon, Zisa said, “You are lovely.”

  “And you are distracting. I’m supposed to be finding Sinder. Any chance you know where I should look?”

  Nodding toward his little house, Zisa said, “He is resting.”

  “Really? He shouldn’t have needed more sleep.”

  “Timur captured him and will not let him roam.”

  Ginkgo pricked his ears and smiled. “My kind of challenge. I’m going to steal Damsel back.”

  “Should I let you?”

  That was an interesting idea. “Could you stop me?”

  Zisa’s smile turned sly. “Anyone under my branches is at my mercy.”

  “He’ll thank me,” promised Ginkgo. “Trust me.”

  “I will allow it. For your brother’s sake.”

  “Do you know everything that happens under your branches?”

  With a finger to his lips, Zisa whispered, “Usually.”

  Easing out of the tree’s embrace, Ginkgo jogged to the house and let himself in. From within the circle of Timur’s arms, Sinder reached pleadingly. With a jaunty salute and a sound-dampening sigil, Ginkgo crouched beside Fend, whose tail lashed the floor in silent annoyance.

  “Work with me, Fend,” Ginkgo bargained. “I get Damsel. You get your usual spot.”

  The big feline rose and stretched lazily.

  Ginkgo used a bit of foxish finesse to deepen Timur’s sleep, then lifted his arm. Sinder slipped free and minced toward the door, giving Fend a wide berth. The panther hissed softly, then sprang onto the bed, inserting himself into the vacancy at Timur’s side.

  Even before Ginkgo had them tucked in, Timur had burrowed into his partner’s fur. Ginkgo’s grateful bow was lost on Fend, who turned his back on the rest of the world in a feline snub.

  Back outside, Ginkgo drew up short at the sight of Sinder in Zisa’s arms.

  “I’m fine,” Sinder sighed. “And I know why I’m fine. Thank you for sheltering us.”

  “Good dragon,” crooned Zisa “Brave boy.”

  “Up for a bit of a puzzle?” asked Ginkgo. “Kyrie’s waiting on us.”

  Sinder took a gratefully receptive posture. “I’m yours until the dawn patrol.”

  “Wait.” Zisa’s head turned. “Mikoto is coming.”

  Ginkgo angled his ears toward the trail. Sure enough, the slow, soft tread of boots approached. Moments later, Mikoto lifted an arm, left the path, and cut their way. Zisa abandoned Sinder in order to welcome the headman with characteristic affection. Which was clearly mutual.

  With a gurgle of laughter, Zisa stole Noble from Mikoto’s pocket and skipped to Waaseyaa’s door.

  “Hello,” Mikoto greeted in a low voice.

  “Couldn’t sleep?” asked Ginkgo.

  “Not really.” He shrugged awkwardly. “Am I intruding?”

  Ginkgo hooked his arm. “Kyrie’s waiting on us, and you’re welcome. Did you know there’s a Kith shelter just over there?”

  “Yes.” With a faint smile, Mikoto remarked, “I did not realize you were acquainted with Transcendence.”

  “Who now?” His ears went cockeyed.

  Sinder interrupted to grumble, “Well, I didn’t know this was here. Why are there so many barriers around a barn?”

  “I know, right?” said Ginkgo, pulling open the door.

  “It is a wolvish custom,” said Mikoto. “Glint and Radiance supported her decision to go into seclusion.”

  “You mean Snow?” Ginkgo turned to Sinder. “The Kith in here knows you’re coming. Best I can tell, she doesn’t mind.”

  “About Snow.” Mikoto touched his shoulder. “Did Radiance tell you she is Kith?”

  The question confused him. “She introduced her. How else would I know her name?”

  “Nickname,” gently corrected the headman. “Radiance has a playful manner. She finds misunderstandings like this amusing.”

  “I’m sorry?” Ginkgo didn’t like the direction Mikoto seemed to be going. His ears drooped.

  Mikoto took the lead and offered his palms to the white dog. “May I enlighten our guests?”

  Snow’s gaze locked with Ginkgo’s, and she dipped her head.

  “I am pleased to introduce Transcendence Starmark, who is chief of Wardenclave’s security team. They are often referred to as the Demon Dogs of Denholm. Transcendence has been in seclusion since the death of her bondmate last winter.”

  “You’re a traditionalist?” asked Sinder, who’d lowered himself into a passive crouch just inside the entrance.

  Mikoto hesitated, but Snow—who Ginkgo really needed to think of as Transcendence—made a sharp gesture with her muzzle.

  “This was her choice, but also a necessity.” Mikoto’s whole posture radiated respect. “The chief’s bondmate Path was a Kith of the Starmark clan.”

  FORTY-FIVE

  By Your Deeds

  Now that he had a name, Mikoto had sort of hoped that Sinder could call out to the whisper of wind that was suddenly, achingly missing. The stillness was unnerving. An absence he’d always associated with the end of summer. It had always meant that Lupe was gone from Wardenclave. Except now he knew that he’d lost touch with his imp.

  The lonesomeness left him empty, breathless, but Kyrie needed Sinder. Something about an assessment.

  “Why me?” asked Sinder, looking between the Mettlebright brothers.

  Ginkgo’s tail puffed and settled. “Because you won’t ask unnecessary questions.”

  Sinder made one of those pretty little fluting sounds that reminded Mikoto of the avian clans. Finally, the dragon said, “I’m willing, so long as you don’t ask how I came to my conclusions.”

  The boy, who was usually really reserved, all but abased himself.

  Lowering himself carefully to one knee, Sinder touched Kyrie’s hair. “Hey, kid. I get that this is important to you, and I’ll give it my best shot. But I doubt I can tell you anything your family hasn’t already figured out.”

  “But you are a dragon,” said Kyrie.

  “So’s your friend Lapis.”

  Kyrie caught the hem of Sinder’s sleeve. “He is like Mother. He loves me too well to see anything but the best.”

  Sinder’s lips quirked. “For all his scholarly pursuits, he’s certainly a romantic. Fine, then. I won’t ask a bunch of questions. More than words, I need deeds.”

  As the boy eagerly presented his palms, Mikoto began to wonder if he was intruding on something private. He edged away, trying to fade into the background. And out the door.

  “Mikoto, stay,” said Sinder.

  Of course he’d stay. Why would he leave? Not when Sinder wanted him.

  Ginkgo thwapped the dragon’s shoulder. “Don’t do that!”

  Sinder swore and hurried to pat Mikoto’s face. “My bad. I get careless with friends because they’re mostly immune. Sorry.”

  “I did not notice,” admitted Mikoto.

  “Even worse.” Sinder turned to Kyrie. “Help me work with him? I know there aren’t any dragons in Wardenclave, but leaving a world leader vulnerable is just asking for trouble.”

  “I am willing.” Kyrie jumped to his feet. “It is one of my responsibilities at home.”

  Mikoto inclined his head and answered in Japanese. “I am in your hands.”

  Kyrie slipped to his side, went up on tiptoe, and asked, “Why are you alone?”

  “Noble is with Zisa.”

  He shook his head and whispered, “Did you send her away?”

  “She is missing,” Mikoto admitted, surprised by the tremor in his tone.

  The boy cocked an ear toward the window, then the door. Patting Mikoto’s hand, he solemnly said, “Trust me.”

  And he wanted to. So much. But not because the half-dragon was trying to sway him. Perhaps it was a case of having no other choice. Mikoto took a receptive stance and cleared his throat.

  Mercifully, Kyrie interpreted this in a positive light.

  “I’ll need to see him in action,” Sin
der was saying. “How much leeway will you give me?”

  “Whatever you need,” said Ginkgo.

  Sinder frowned at the sky. “Could he join the rookies for maneuvers?”

  Ginkgo gestured for his younger brother to speak for himself. Kyrie asked, “Why, please?”

  “Because you’re eager, and it’s next. And it doesn’t really matter where we start. I’ll need to see you in different settings. All I know so far is that you have a way with barriers.” He pointed in the vicinity of the boy’s shoulder. “And that you have a way with crystals.”

  Kyrie loosened the ties on the yukata that must have been his sleep clothes. Pulling free one arm, he displayed an armband set with pale crystals—lavender, blue, and green.

  “Personal wards?” asked Sinder.

  “Not precisely.” Kyrie shyly admitted, “I passed every test. I do not require safeguards, but … if I did not keep these crystals close, they would miss me.”

  Sinder’s incredulity came out in a soft whistle. “Crystal adept?”

  “Quite the charmer,” confirmed Ginkgo.

  “Well, then. I propose a practical test. The battlers in these mountains are trying to work out how to track a dragon. And catch one. See if you can outdo them. Chase after me. I want to see how you fare with tracking. Bonus points if you can show off a bit of sigilcraft on the fly.”

  Ginkgo raised a hand. “Aren’t you worried all those rookies will get between you?”

  “I could stay with him,” offered Mikoto.

  Kyrie turned his wrist gratefully, but he said, “You would not be able to keep up.”

  “Not a bad idea to have friends to fall back on,” countered Sinder. “How about we pair Mikoto with Timur. They’ll do well enough. And Kyrie can run with Torloo.”

  Mikoto didn’t recognize the name, but Kyrie flushed with pleasure. “He is my friend.”

  Ginkgo hesitated and turned to Transcendence, who’d been listening closely to every word. “What do you think? I’d feel better with one of your people on hand. Just in case.”

  The white dog nosed his shirt, nipped his ear, and huffed.

  A sharp rap sounded on the door. With a murmured apology, one of the guards let himself inside. Mikoto was a little surprised to see Glint and Radiance’s youngest son.

  “Da?” Kyrie blurted, only to dissemble. “You look like Ever’s da.”

  “Well met! My name is Reveille Starmark. You must be Ever’s good friend Kyrie.”

  The boy quickly presented his palms.

  Ginkgo waved a casual greeting. “The resemblance is uncanny.”

  “You’re not the first to mention it.” Reveille met Kyrie’s palms and smiled faintly. “May I consider your mistake a compliment?”

  Kyrie blushed to the tips of ears. “Please, do! I love Ever’s da almost as much as my own.”

  “Then trust should come easy and linger long.” He took a conspiratorial tone. “I was whelped after my eldest brother left Wardenclave, so I don’t really know him. I’m a little jealous.”

  “Come and visit?” the boy suggested.

  “Maybe someday. But let us concern ourselves with this day.” With a jaunty flick of fingers toward Transcendence, he said, “Since my aunt cannot run with you herself, I will share your path.”

  FORTY-SIX

  Practically Family

  Lilya woke to Gregor’s finger in her nose. His delight when she opened her eyes was contagious, and she was still smiling when she lugged her freshly dressed nephew into the kitchen.

  “Good morning,” murmured Waaseyaa, who was setting breakfast on the table. He had Rifflet tangled in his hair and Noble bouncing around his ankles, trying to reach the little dragon. Yet the man seemed pleased to have their company.

  Ginkgo strolled through the door and laughed. “Which one of you wants my help most?”

  “’Ko!” called Gregor, reaching eagerly.

  So Ginkgo swooped in to pluck up Gregor, freeing Lilya to rescue Waaseyaa from Rifflet’s antics.

  Not until they sat to eat did Lilya ask, “Where’s Kyrie?”

  “With Sinder. I’ve already made his excuses to the morning instructors.” Ginkgo casually added, “You can stay back, too. If you want.”

  Lilya smiled. It was good timing. “May I visit Glint?”

  “Something important come up?” Ginkgo asked, inviting her to say more.

  “Yes.”

  He waggled his ears at her and said, “Best take care of it, then.”

  Lilya wondered how much Ginkgo already knew. For once, she hoped it was everything, because that meant he had no complaints. Stuffing the last of her breakfast into her mouth, she stepped into her boots and hurried away.

  The morning was overcast, with more wind than usual. The ordinary weather-making kind, not Kyrie’s secret-telling kind. Maybe it was going to rain? With half an eye on the sky, she jogged up the long stairway to the Starmark’s back door and let herself in. Only to stare in astonishment at the sight before her.

  Lyre, Lute, and Lore weren’t alone. From under the tumble of pillows and puppies, white fur showed. A furred foot that was more like a paw. A clawed hand covered in fur. Shaggy white hair falling across a face that was almost familiar.

  He had to be a crosser. Yes, there was his tail. She barely ever saw adult crossers besides Ginkgo. One or two on television. This one was completely relaxed, despite her intrusion. He had to know she was there. Was he trying not to wake the pups?

  “Hello?” she said softly.

  His tail gave a twitch and a thump, and one eye opened. “How polite. If you prefer, we can pretend you didn’t see me.”

  Lilya knelt and reached out to tug Lore’s ear. “Why?”

  As the puppies roused and wriggled excitedly, the crosser rolled onto his side, propping his head on his fist. He had wolf’s ears, which were taller and narrower than Ginkgo’s fox ears, and his eyes were copper. She’d never heard of another Starmark crosser.

  He said, “I make people nervous.”

  “Not me.” Lilya hauled Lyre into her lap and giggled at the face-washing that earned her. “Crossers are almost my whole family. May I know your name?”

  “Rude of me. Most people run before we get to a proper greeting.” He offered his hands, which had smooth, callused skin on the palms but thick fur on their backs, his wrists, and all the way up his arms, disappearing under the sleeves of a loose T-shirt with HUSH-HUSH printed across the chest. “My name is Moon-kin Ambervelte. I’m here to visit my sisters, more or less.”

  “Ambervelte is a wolf pack.”

  “And I’m a wolf. My pack has close ties to Wardenclave. I’m Radiance’s big brother.”

  Suddenly, Lilya realized why he’d looked familiar. “You look like Uncle Laud!”

  “Understandable, since Laud is my nephew. One of Radiance’s boys. Which means you must be Ever’s friend. The beacon.” He hesitated, nose twitching, ears cocking. “Only I can’t tell. Why can’t I tell?”

  “Wards and things.” Lilya proudly pointed out, “Papka and Uncle Argent are the best.”

  He reached out, then pulled back his hand.

  She made it easier on him by crawling closer. “Do you want to sniffen me?”

  Moon grinned sheepishly. “You don’t mind?”

  “No. I’m used to it. Stately House has close ties to the Elderbough pack, and wolves spend a lot of time sorting out scents.” She wasn’t little anymore, but wolves were big and strong. Plenty of lap space. “Kyrie and I usually end up sitting on Roo-nii’s lap. He’s Naroo-soh.”

  Without a fuss, he gathered her close. “Friends call me Moon. Why are these pups referring to you as Angel?”

  So she told him about Radiance’s prank.

  And he told her other stories of mischief from Radiance’s childhood. “My father entrusted her to me even though I was little more than a pup myself.”

  Lilya caught on. “You’re like Quen for Ever.”

  “And Laud for Quen.” Moon’s tail sway
ed contentedly. “I am both Radiance’s brother and foster parent. And long, long ago, I was Glint’s first friend.”

  She recalled her errand then. “I came to talk to Glint.”

  “He’s meeting with someone. The first of many dignitaries who’ll be arriving for the Dichotomy Day ceremonies. I was able to escort him part of the way.” Moon asked, “Want me to summon him?”

  Before Lilya could protest, Moon whistled a piercing note.

  An instant later, Glint hastened into the room, concern fading into a warm smile. “Angel,” he said, sounding relieved. He sank to his knee. “You came back?”

  Did he think she wouldn’t?

  She was still trying to figure out how to reassure him when Glint’s guest strolled into view … and struck a thoughtful pose. Lilya guessed they did look a little strange. With Moon for her throne and Glint on one knee before them, like she was some kind of queen.

  But Lapis had always been willing to play along, no matter how silly the rules of the games she and Kyrie made up. So he swept across the room and settled gracefully beside Glint, offering a bejeweled hand with all the grandeur of a fairy tale prince.

  Sapphire eyes sparkling, he drawled, “Hello, sealed girl.”

  FORTY-SEVEN

  Likeness

  Reveille escorted Kyrie through dense forest, skirting two mountains before slowing to stroll into a clearing ringed by camouflaged tents. Battlers and Kith alike noted their arrival, and Kyrie eased closer to Reveille, hiding in his shadow.

  Lifting his arm to shoot a quizzical glance, Reveille asked, “Nervous?”

  Kyrie chose a different word. “Wary.”

  “No use hiding behind me.”

  “Perhaps.” Improbable as it sounded, even passing a few paces from their seats around three cookfires, most of the battlers wouldn’t notice him. It was a useful trick. One his father had strongly suggested he keep quiet.

  There were limits, of course. And proof of them stepped out of a netting-draped canopy.