Kahenan sighed. “Yes, though it seems I can control the impulses better. I suppose due to years of meditation.”
“Why did you send me if you knew it would call to me?”
“Your father needed a wizard. He also needed with him someone he cared about deeply, a strong blood tie to hold him back from giving in completely to the heart. It is a powerful artifact, and I am not sure of all it can do. I fear that it could possess a man entirely.”
“Then that could have happened to me.”
“Indeed. But if anyone among us could withstand the heart, it is you, Sobei.”
“Me? But you are far more powerful than I am, master.”
Kahenan chuckled. “Knowledgeable? For now. But more powerful? Hardly, and I am old, too. That heart would burn through what life force I have left rather quickly. Too much power for an old man like me. And I do not have the natural strength of will that you do. I have boosted mine through years of study and meditation, but an old man has less to live for and is more likely to give up.”
Turesobei thought on what his grandfather said, but he didn't really believe him. “I don't think my will is that strong.”
“It is,” Iniru said. “You don't always use it, but when you're in danger, it kicks in.”
“I agree,” said Enashoma who'd been so quiet that Turesobei had forgotten her. “When you want something enough, it's impossible to distract you.”
“They are correct,” Kahenan said. “Your will is like iron. And your aspect is the opposite to that of the Storm Dragon's Heart. Your power is calm and centered, yet no less persistent.”
“I don't feel that way.”
“That is because you are a teenager. Your emotions rage and your identity wavers. This is natural.”
“Couldn't it respond to that?”
“Perhaps. All of this is a risk, Sobei. I am certain of very little.”
“We should never have freed the heart.”
“The heart wanted to be free, and I think its power has been growing over the years. It would have found someone else to free it eventually. Better now when we can try to keep it in check. At least that was my plan. I told King Ugara to send more people with Noboro, but he did not believe me.”
“I guess he does now,” Iniru said.
“All too well. And I fear the heart must be with the Gawo.”
“You can't detect it?” Turesobei said.
“Not at all. I have tried but the storm is so filled with kenja that my location spells have been ineffective. It is almost as if the heart, when it summons a storm, expands into the storm itself. But we will find it. We must, for King Ugara is going to gather the clan to ride against the Gawo.”
“Out in the storm?”
“What other choice do we have? They will not expect us and they cannot see us coming.”
“An army might could make it through the storm,” Iniru said, “but it would be hard and many lives would be lost along the way.”
“Yes, and we must hope that when they see us coming that Haisero cannot focus the heart's power against us without releasing the storm.”
“So if all this is planned,” Turesobei said, “what am I here for?”
“To scribe spells of protection against the storm's elements.”
“How many?”
“As many as you can.”
“I've never done one before.”
“I will show you. I am going to make more powerful ones to give the commanders, myself, King Ugara, Iniru, Onudaka, and you.”
“Why us? Are we going to go with the army?”
“I do not want you to, but I fear you must. If we capture the heart, you must take it, Sobei.”
“Why not someone who isn't a wizard, who won't be tempted to use it?”
“Because I think that Naruwakiru's heart will kill anyone who touches it who has not been called by it.”
“And you wouldn't dare risk it?”
“It would corrupt me or kill me, I am certain. You are the one destined to take the heart. I have known this since the moment it first called to me. You are the only one who could have the talent and willpower to wield it safely.”
“Should I go and scout ahead?” Iniru asked.
“No. We have scouts who know the Gawo out already.”
“I am certain that—”
“You are better than them? I have no doubt. But I need you to stay by Sobei's side, if you do not mind. I need you to protect him. In some ways he is powerful, in others he is quite vulnerable. And tonight, Shoma, I want you to stay here with them as well.”
Her face lit up with a broad smile. “Of course, Grandfather. What should I do?”
“Help Turesobei with whatever he asks. He must work hard, and if he overextends himself, you must care for him.”
“What will you be doing?” Enashoma asked.
“After I show Turesobei the spell and see that he is doing it right, I am going to sleep for a long time.”
“When is the army moving out?” Turesobei asked.
“Two days. They are preparing already.” Kahenan stood and yawned. “Now, let’s get to work.”
* * *
The spell of storm guarding was more intricate than most of the spells Turesobei knew already. It required several complex runes because it needed to guard against rain, hail, wind, and lightning. Obviously the spell couldn't fully protect anyone, but it could greatly improve their chances of surviving something like a nearby lightning strike, maybe even a small direct one. Of course, those Kahenan had drawn gave far more protection because his skill was greater.
When Turesobei had adequately drawn two, he took a break and ate dinner. Kahenan looked over them and pronounced them effective, if not perfect. “Good for first tries. Now, I am off to bed. When I wake I must work on a shielding charm that can dampen the storm in a small location.”
“Is that possible, master?”
“I think so, but I am not certain. If it works, it will not work for long. I have not the power to fully counter Naruwakiru's heart.”
“I can't imagine how Tepebono slew her in the first place if that's just her heart.”
“Tepebono was much like you, I think. Besides, love motivated him, and that is the most powerful force in the world.”
During his breaks, Turesobei chatted with Enashoma and Iniru. Enashoma marked sheets of paper with their grandmother’s magic brush and folded them into origami cranes and bats. She would then send the little paper creatures flying around the room. This entertainment wasn’t really aimed at Turesobei, who had seen it dozens of times, but at Iniru. Her delight in it irritated Turesobei for reasons he didn’t understand, but couldn’t control, either.
After Enashoma went to bed, Turesobei brought Lu Bei out. The fetch fluttered about, bickered with Iniru, and told Turesobei when he made scribing mistakes. Turesobei was somewhat relieved that he didn’t have the strength to keep Lu Bei in his fetch form for long.
It was late when Turesobei collapsed. He'd finished nine spells and could do no more. The last thing he saw was Iniru's smiling face, and his dreams that night were good despite the storm.
Chapter Forty-Five
During a lull in the storm's strength, Turesobei, Iniru, and Onudaka rode out with Grandfather Kahenan onto the military training grounds. Onudaka had joined Iniru as one of Turesobei's personal bodyguards. Being that important bothered Turesobei, though he knew he should get used to it. When he was High Wizard, he'd have bodyguards every time he left Ekaran.
Kahenan dismounted and paced twenty yards ahead. Using an iron rod engraved with runes, he drew a pentagram in the mud. At each of the star's five points he carved a lightning bolt sigil. Kahenan backed away and then crooned a complex incantation.
A jagged bolt of lightning struck down from the roiling black clouds above. Runes along the rod blared to life, glowing blue-silver then yellow-white. Lightning fired back into the clouds with an upstroke, back down, and then up again. With his kenja-sight Turesobei's trained eye could follow the st
rikes, despite their speed.
The connection ended with successive thunderclaps that shook the ground like an earthquake. Some of the denekon reared and panicked. Iniru cringed and clasped her hands over her ears. The iron shaft glowed white from the heat, but the runes held and the rod didn't melt. The lightning's power was contained. The hairs along Turesobei's arms stood out, though not so much as Iniru’s fur. All of them stared dumfounded.
Kahenan stumbled and Turesobei sprinted his denekon forward.
“I stored the energies,” Kahenan said, gasping for breath as he leaned against Turesobei. “You remember what happened…last time I developed my own spell?”
Turesobei shared a cautious smile with his master. Kahenan was well noted for his ability to perfect the spells of others, but he wasn't good at designing his own. The last time he had created a spell, the parchment he'd scribed it onto had burst into flames and sprayed ash into his face.
“Niru!” Turesobei shouted. “Ride in and tell them we're ready!”
Iniru returned moments later. “They're coming.”
“Are you sure you shouldn't rest first, master?”
“The rod won't hold the lightning long, Sobei. You know that. Stop worrying about me. If it kills me…well, I am old. It happens.”
Wearing thick gloves, Kahenan retrieved the iron rod and chanted. Slowly, a clear bubble formed around the rod and expanded to cover him. Within the bubble, rain fell and winds blew but with half as much strength as without. Kahenan continued to chant, with increasing intensity, as he used the captured energy.
With pride, Turesobei guessed that only a dozen wizards in Okoro could likely pull off such a grueling and complicated spell. He knew that it was far beyond him. Of course, with his age, Kahenan would need days, maybe even weeks of rest after this.
The storm-shield bubble expanded to cover Turesobei and his companions. As it passed over them, the only noticeable effects were a slight tingling across their skin followed by a decrease in wind and rainfall.
“It's just a summer rainstorm now,” Iniru commented.
“Aye,” said Onudaka, “I've marched through plenty of these in my lifetime. No big concern for a military unit. At least not as long as the bubble holds.”
That was Turesobei's biggest worry. It was also his duty in this mission. He had to prevent any other wizard from countering the bubble. To that end, two of the three adult Chonda wizards would be going along to help him.
Three rolling blasts from a trumpet heralded the attack force, and two hundred of the Chonda's best cavalry rode out into the storm-shield, which had expanded to its full diameter of one hundred paces. Armor and weaponry jingled and clattered under the soldiers' rain cloaks. Banners had been forsaken due to the winds. Only the trumpets would signal orders. Zaboko made up two-thirds of the force and some served as sergeants and captains. Even among the Chonda, all the higher-ranking officers were baojendari, and those officers had the best equipment available.
Hopefully the small strike force was large enough to make a solid surprise attack on the Gawo. They were leaving behind the mass of footmen and archers who composed the bulk of the Chonda army. Without denekon, moving through the storm would prove difficult, if not impossible.
Kahenan ceased his chanting, nodded appreciatively, and grinned weakly. “I did it well, Sobei.”
“That you did, Grandfather. I wasn't sure you could pull it off.”
Kahenan smirked at him. “Thanks for the confidence. I would like to see you try it.” Kahenan put his hand on Turesobei's denekon and said, “Be careful. Watch for counter-spells. Maintain the shield.”
“I will.”
“And be….” Kahenan started to swoon and Turesobei caught him. “Be very…cautious…with the heart.”
“I will. Now you need rest. Captain Eibana!”
The grim and silent baojendari captain of Kahenan's guardsmen hurried forward with two zaboko guards. “We'll get him back home, my lord.”
“See that servants are called to see to him, since I cannot.”
“Not necessary,” Kahenan complained as the captain lifted him into his mount's saddle.
Turesobei and Captain Eibana ignored him. “Captain, tell Enashoma to help you see to him. Also, my mother’s servants Shurada and Imi are trustworthy and may assist her if needed.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Kahenan was escorted away, and Turesobei hoped he would be all right. The column of troops gathered and Turesobei took up the lightning rod. The storm-shield bubble would go wherever he went.
Three trumpet blasts signaled them onward.
Turesobei, Iniru, and Onudaka rode near the center beside Prince Chien, who tugged at his mustache thoughtfully and said little. Iniru stayed close beside Turesobei at all times. She undertook her role as Turesobei's bodyguard earnestly, but he could tell that she would rather be out scouting for the enemy.
So far, none of the Chonda scouts had returned with word of the enemy. That wasn't a good sign, but they hoped it was only because the weather had slowed them down.
Prince Chien at last dropped his hand from his long, luxurious mustache and looked over at Turesobei. “This shield is quite impressive.”
“It is, my lord. Hopefully I'll be able to wield such power when my time comes.”
“According to the High Wizard, you shall far exceed him.”
“He's being too generous, my lord.”
“I daresay a grandfather is often biased about his grandchildren, but in this case I think he is correct. I expect you will accomplish great things for the Chonda.”
Turesobei noticed out of the corner of his eye that Iniru had fixed him with a piercing gaze. He muttered, “I'll do my best, Prince Chien.”
“I know you will. I am quite proud of you, Turesobei, for how you brought your father home and handled yourself when many would have lost hope. I will have no fear about the position of High Wizard when I become king.”
Turesobei dipped his head with embarrassment. “Thank you, my lord.”
“Watch yourself in the battle and call me if you are in danger.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Chien nodded and rode forward to speak with his officers. Turesobei turned to Iniru. “What?”
“I didn't say anything.”
“You were thinking something and eyeing me awfully hard.”
“Nothing.”
“Tell me!”
She shrugged. “The clan's future seems very dependent on you.”
“I am the High Wizard’s heir.”
“But you say you don't want to be.”
“I don't.”
“I'm not so sure from the way you act. You are proud to serve. You want to do your best for the clan.”
“Well, of course. What's wrong with that?”
“Nothing. I do the same for my clan. And I take my responsibilities seriously, too.”
“I always do my best, but that doesn't mean that I want this role.”
“You've got it anyway, though.”
“Niru, I really would rather run off with you than get stuck here forever. With Awasa on top of everything else.”
“You'd just slow me down. Besides, you like her.”
“I do not! And you could use a wizard.”
“Not one whose back I have to guard all the time.” She kept her voice even but Turesobei thought he saw sadness in her eyes. “And I've seen the way you look at her. You love her.”
I love you just as much, he thought. And I like you more. But he couldn't bring himself to say it. He muttered incoherent words and looked away.
She snatched up her reins and huffed, “You're safe enough right now, so I'm going to scout around the edges. I'll be back.”
When she had ridden off, Turesobei turned to Onudaka. “What am I supposed to say to her?”
“I don't know, lad. Maybe it would help if you told her how you feel.”
“But she must know already.”
“Do you know how she feels?”
“Kind of, I think. I mean sometimes, yeah, I know what she feels, but other times I don't know.”
“That's because she's not sure. There are many walls between you, and you both have strong ties to different places, different clans. Neither of you could know what the other really feels without saying so. And if she hears you, maybe she'll better know her own heart.”
“You think so?”
“Maybe.”
“She does like me though, doesn't she? I mean sometimes she resents me and gets irritated, but she does like me, right?”
“I'm sure she must. You know, perhaps it would be best if the two of you just tried to enjoy your time together and didn't worry about the future. Don't let the threat of the sun setting keep you from walking in the daylight.”
Chapter Forty-Six
Instead of thinking about Iniru and Awasa, Turesobei actually spent most of the ride contemplating his revenge against Haisero. The mark on his cheek burned strongly, reminding him of his duty. He also thought about the Storm Dragon's Heart and wondered why it couldn't simply be taken up by a net and not touched by anyone. Then it could be dumped out into the sea. He hadn't gathered the nerve to ask his grandfather. In part, he feared that the orb was affecting Kahenan without his knowing.
He also feared the same thing was happening to him. He believed the orb didn't control his actions, that it only called to him. But maybe it had gotten to him already and he just didn't know it. He didn't think so, but his only evidence to that effect was his desire to destroy it.
He looked to Onudaka riding beside him. “What are you going to do when you reach Sotenda?”
“Stop this madness if I can.”
“You don't intend to kill him, do you?”
“Not unless I must, lad. Not unless I must.”
* * *
The Chonda strike force stopped when it became too dark to ride and camped on a rocky, wooded hill. Rising waters had overtaken many valleys and low-lying areas, destroying bridges and roads, so they had traveled rough, high ground all the way.
Turesobei helped Onudaka pitch the tent they were going to share, then he ate with everyone else in the expansive galley tent. Few spoke. The weather held their spirits down.
Storm Phase Series: Books 1-3 Page 24
