by B. H. Savage
“I know,” she finally said to him after letting out a sigh. “I’m sorry I snapped at you.”
“Do not worry about it,” Amadi replied. “But I have another bit of advice, if I may?”
“What is it?”
“Read the letter,” he said. “It will bring you some closure, at least from that aspect of your life.”
Amadi didn’t say another word, nor did he give Anye a chance to respond before he turned and walked back towards the cabin. She had been putting off reading it since it had been given to her, either out of fear that Lord Taggart was wrong in his statement about her father or how she would feel if he was right.
She pulled the rolled paper out of her pocket and stared at the string holding it closed. The ocean wind threatened to snatch it from her fingers, and she was tempted to let it. But whatever it was her father had to say to her he deserved to have it be read, not thrown away never to be seen again.
Anye pulled the string holding the paper rolled together, untying the knot and releasing it. The parchment bounced lightly as it uncurled, before she held the bottom with her other hand, and she began to read…
Anye, my daughter,
I hope this letter reaches you safely. I’ve heard of your disappearance from the castle, and because of my last words with you I assume you think me disappointed and furious that you fled from your punishment. I am not, but rather I am relieved that you are hopefully alive and well instead of hanging from a rope…or worse.
Do not worry about how I know where you are. King Justin has of course inquired if I had any hand in your escape and where you may have fled to, but I told him I did not know, and that is the truth. I sent this letter to Lord Taggart assuming you had traveled south. If you have indeed gone to Belrun, then he will make sure you receive this.
Your mother and siblings are well, and we all pray for your safety and good health.
Anye, I am sorry I did not believe your claims of innocence. I cannot excuse how I acted. I am your father and I never should have treated you that way. For that, I truly am sorry. I was blinded by foolish pride and refused to listen to you for all these years. I should have supported you, especially after what transpired in Hammerdrop…
Things are happening in the kingdom. King Justin has…changed, somehow. The castle gates have been sealed ever since your escape, opening only for those who have been summoned by his majesty. Your friend, Captain Sturmwind, has also been on the receiving end of our king’s newly discovered paranoia. He has been stripped of his rank, title, and had the link with his dragon severed on charges of conspiracy, He was sent to Toran alone to prove his loyalty to the crown. He came to me as he left on his mission to try and convince me of your innocence, of which he had no need by that point. I have not heard from him since, but he wishes you are safe as well, and bids you stay safe until you can return home.
If this letter has indeed reached your eyes, please give Lord Taggart my thanks. Again, my daughter, I am truly and deeply sorry. Be safe...
Love,
Your Father
Anye was in tears by the time she finished reading the letter. She knew what would be in it, but reading it was still reassuring. It had to have taken a significant amount of effort for her father to admit such things, especially Hammerdrop. The battle that took place at that small village in eastern Delrich was what claimed the life of her fiancé, and her father’s near immediate movement to see her married to someone else afterward was almost enough to completely destroy what remained their relationship. The fact that he admitted the error of his ways proved to her that he really did care.
The news confirming what was happening in Delrich was troubling, and she knew that Amador was at the center of it all. She still had the intention of returning and stopping whatever it was he had planned, but now she knew that she had to be especially careful about it.
Until that time, she indeed had the closure Amadi said she was searching for, and it was enough for now. The reassurance that her family didn’t despise her gave her more reason to fight on and return home. She still needed a plan, but just knowing she could eventually return home when the time was right was enough.
______
The presence of a powerful mage on board The Empress had at first troubled most of the crew, but Amadi quickly changed their minds when the sea’s wind had stopped blowing their sails. Amadi used his powers to summon a strong and steady gust of westerly wind to keep the ship moving. Anye knew he performed the task so they would arrive at their destination quickly, but Captain Bikke and his crew saw it as a tremendous and kind favor, as well as an incredible feat. Both Anye and the boy were treated almost as royalty after that for the duration of the voyage.
When they arrived at the Western Isles, Anye and Amadi immediately left for the main hub of the foreign city. The evening sun cast long shadows from its soft orange glow to the west. Their destination, the Sun’s Bed, was visible from the island, and even though it appeared as nothing more than a silhouette of rocks, the feeling Anye got when looking at it was that of dread. She couldn’t explain it, assuming it was simply her nerves being on edge.
The architecture on the island was vastly different than what either of the pair was accustomed to seeing. The roofs of each of the structures had been shingled in an odd layered pattern. Instead of coming down at straight angles for each of the corners, they were curved so the tips were pointed upward at the sky, similar to a hook. The walls looked to be made of some sort of rough clay substance, and at the center of the port city stood a large tower that looked like a stack of the smaller buildings instead of a singular structure.
“That must be our destination,” Amadi commented.
“The tower?”
“Yes.”
“Why the tower?”
“If rumors are to be believed, then the Sun's Bed is a forbidden place, which means we will need special permission from their leader to go there. Where do you think the leader resides?”
Anye laughed at the comment whether it was supposed to be funny or not. “Fair enough,” she replied.
As they walked through the streets of the port city, Anye noticed that they were being stared at almost constantly by the island’s citizens. She knew that visitors to the region were rare, but she had underestimated exactly how rare it seemed. She also doubted that any of them had ever seen someone from the Frontier as well, which made Amadi’s presence even more awkward.
Luckily the pair wasn’t given any trouble. Anyone who stood in their path quickly stepped out of the way before joining in the stares. Even the side conversations in their foreign language came to a halt as they approached the tower. The entire experience was unsettling for Anye, but Amadi didn’t seem fazed by it at all. Anye assumed that he was probably used to being treated that way due to experiencing similar treatment everywhere he went outside of his homeland.
The two front doors of the strange tower stood at least twenty feet tall, crafted out of iron with an engraving of a large serpent on each of the doors. To Anye it looked more like the symbol of a temple than the home of a reigning monarch or governing body. Two incredibly buff men dressed in robes identical to Anye's opponent from the tournament, Tao Long, stood at each of the doors staring at the two cautiously. Seeing this, the pair stopped their advance some distance away from to avoid any unintended provocation.
"Do you know any of these people's customs?" Anye whispered to Amadi.
"I was hoping you did, actually," he whispered back.
Anye thought for a moment what she should do. Training in foreign diplomacy had always bored her as a child, so when it came time for those lectures she had tended to either daydream or skip class. Now she wished she hadn't, but there were minor things she did remember and she hoped they would work. She stepped forward a step from Amadi and placed one of her hands over her stomach, bowed her head slightly, and then began to speak loud enough for the two apparent guards to hear her.
"Greetings. My name is Amy Karst," she shou
ted to them. "My companion and I seek an audience with your leaders."
The two native islanders exchanged glances at each other before looking back at Anye and Amadi, but neither of them said anything.
"Amadi, can’t you use your ability to connect to their minds and learn their language or something?" Anye asked.
"I can, but it requires tremendous concentration, remember?" he told her. "Doing so here would likely be viewed as a threat, especially if they can sense changes in magical energy. I can tell you for certain that these men would notice."
"You mean they’re like that monk from the tournament?" Anye asked. "Oh goodie…" She sighed and eventually looked back up at the pair before speaking again. Words either weren't working or being understood, so she thought showing physical intent might get their point across and took another step forward, although she hoped that they could understand her.
The single step definitely sparked a reaction in the two men, but it didn't appear to be the one Anye and Amadi had hoped for. Both men had placed a single foot forward and raised their arms defensively.
One of them shouted at her in some foreign language angrily, obviously showing that they would be aggressive if she proceeded further.
Anye was speechless. She had never heard the western people speak their native language before. "I don't understand," she shouted back. "Can you understand me?"
The man shouted back at her, again in his own strange words.
Anye felt his magic energy growing rapidly, as did Amadi. She gripped the handles on her swords as Amadi held his staff forward, summoning his own powers. She did not show the blade however, instead choosing to try words once more, hoping to avoid any bloodshed. "I do not wish to fight you, but we will defend ourselves!"
The other one shouted back at her before they yelled together and ran towards Anye and Amadi. Anye drew her blades and prepared herself for combat.
A third voice from within the tower bellowed a singular word during the warriors’ charge and the two guards stopped in their tracks. They spun, immediately placing their hands together and bowing low as the monstrous iron doors slowly swung open.
Anye stood mystified and confused. The sudden surge of magic from the two men had completely vanished at the sound of the third voice. Whoever it was that yelled at them must have been extremely important or powerful. Either option prompted her to stay on her guard.
Her assumption about the voice being powerful had been correct. From within the dark hall of the tower before her walked out the familiar frame and face of Tao Long, no longer dressed in the robes he had fought in, but now donning a much fancier set of clothes indicative of a teacher or leader of some sort.
Tao Long spoke to the two men loud enough for Anye and Amadi to hear regardless of the fact that they couldn’t understand. The two guards raised their heads and bowed again before retreating silently into the tower and out of sight, leaving Tao Long alone with Anye and Amadi.
"Amy Karst," he called to them. "And Amadi, of Qul’rah’s Azubuike tribe...I did not expect to see you again."
"Nor I, Tao Long," Anye shouted back to him.
"Please excuse my lack of etiquette, but for what reason are you here?" he asked suspiciously. "Our lands do not have visitors from the east often, and such visits are commonly not pleasant."
"We've come to travel to the Sun's Bed," Anye told him.
Tao Long narrowed his gaze as he stared at the woman, obviously concentrating hard on her and Amadi. Trust among foreigners was rare back in her home, and it seemed even worse on the islands.
Anye noticed what the man was doing and put her weapons away, signaling Amadi to relax himself as well. Acting defensive wouldn't gain them anything if they wished to avoid conflict. They needed to show that they meant no harm to the people of the islands if they wanted their cooperation.
Tao Long took note of her yield and nodded his head. "I see," he replied. "Please, enter our temple. We shall speak inside."
Tao Long turned around and walked towards the doors, but waited patiently for Anye and Amadi to accompany him before reentering the structure himself.
"Well that was unexpected," Anye said as they approached the doors.
"Yes," Amadi added. "I had hoped things would go smoothly with these people, but Tao Long was not foreseen. My uncle did not know much about him during the tournament. He will be pleased with this information."
Anye and Amadi tightened their lips as they entered earshot of the martial artist. They needed to watch their words carefully while in his presence until they trusted him and he fully trusted them. Hopefully it wouldn't take long, but it was hard to judge when dealing with a completely foreign race of people.
Another monk dressed in similar garments to the two men Anye and Amadi encountered before pushed the door closed behind the trio as they entered the large building. The interior design of the place was breathtaking. Statues of what Anye assumed were deities the islanders worshiped lined the walls surrounded by candles. An extremely ornate carpet decorated the floor with a crest unknown to Anye or Amadi; a circle with two serpents devouring each other by the tails forming another circle, surrounding a strange character of lines. Anye assumed the character was a symbol or word in westerner’s native language. Men with similar hair to Tao Long sparred all around them.
"Welcome to the Kirameku Shotō," Tao Long said as they walked past the training men.
"Excuse me?" Anye asked.
Tao Long laughed slightly. "In the words of your language, it means the Shimmering Islands. But from what I remember, your people mostly refer to my home as the Western Isles."
"Ah, yes," Anye replied. "I'm relieved to see you've recovered, by the way."
"The wounds you inflicted upon me at the tournament were not fatal, but I had exhausted my strength attempting to defeat you," Tao Long explained. "It was a…humbling experience, one which I desperately needed."
The three reentered silence as Tao Long led them up a large stairwell through several floors to where Anye had assumed was the uppermost level. She observed training similar to what occurred on the ground level in the first few floors, but after that the rest seemed to serve other purposes like meditation and resting.
Tao Long's personal quarters, at the top of the tower, was an exception to the rest of the structure. The room took up the entirety of the floor and had an area in the center dedicated to martial arts training, complete with straw-men and racks of various weapons. Based on his attire and the location of his residence, Anye assumed he was a master of all of them.
Tao Long also had a separate area that looked like it was used for meditation near his bed, and a large ornamented desk with a jar of ink and a quill. He led them to a pair of cushions on the floor and sat, prompting the other two to follow suit. "I apologize for needing to bring you to my personal quarters to speak, but your destination is forbidden to my people, and especially to outsiders. I could not risk any who have been learning your language to overhear. It would cause unneeded questions to arise."
"Your people?" Anye asked. "We weren't aware you were the leader of the islands."
"This island," Tao Long corrected. "I am the master of this dojo and temple, and as such I am one of the seven leaders of Kirameku Shotō. The other islands have their own martial arts schools and together we govern the people of our islands."
"I see. Please forgive my ignorance," Anye replied.
"Do not worry. We rarely venture away from our homes. It is common for your people to not know of our ways," Tao Long said. "But as I mentioned, your destination is forbidden. The thought of allowing anyone passage, especially foreigners, would be to defy the gods."
“Why is the Sun’s Bed forbidden?” Amadi inquired. “We have been told it is nothing but a desert wasteland.”
“You are correct, child of Qul’rah. It is a giant desert, which has served as the tomb for an army of demons since ancient times,” Tao Long explained. “Our people have been carrying on our ancestors’ charge of pr
otecting it for generations, so the demons may never return to our world.”
Anye scoffed at the explanation, but immediately saw the annoyance in her host’s eyes and changed her tone. “My apologies, Tao Long,” she said. “I simply find tales and ancient legends about demons and other such hellish armies to be a little farfetched.”
“People use the energies of our world to do remarkable things that extend beyond the limits of our bodies, Miss Karst. You yourself do this as well, if you recall,” Tao Long countered. “And yet you have a hard time believing in something of legend simply because it exists in legend?”
“I do not believe in such things as demons because history does not prove they do or did exist,” Anye replied.
Now it was Tao Long’s turn to laugh. “Books written by man can only date back so far. There is nothing I can do to convince you, but your friend appears to be another story.” Tao Long shifted his gaze towards Amadi, who had remained silent and somewhat rigid during their conversation. “You know of the ancient creatures, do you not?”
“I do.”
“Then you know why I cannot grant you passage,” Tao Long replied. “We are charged with protecting the Sun’s Bed so the horrors of the past may never return, and you wish me to simply let you go there and do as you will?”
“My Lord, we have simply been tasked with locating an artifact that is rumored to rest there,” Anye told him. “We have no intention of-”
“Regardless of your reasons, Miss Karst, the fact that you wish to disturb anything there at all is the problem,” Tao Long interrupted. “Even if your intentions are noble, your actions can lead to unexpected consequences. That is a risk my I cannot take.”
“Master Tao Long,” Amadi said as he got to his feet. “The horrors of the past are already returning. If we do not reach what we have come here to seek, you will not be able to stem the tide that will rise against your shores.”
