Sunweaver

by Ryan W. Mueller

  Kadin felt overwhelmed with information as he tried in vain to understand all these revelations. It felt like something from a dream, not from his miserable life.

  "Are you saying I can't tell anyone that I'm a . . ."

  "You're right," Marell said. "Too dangerous. You can go as far as saying you're a Sunweaver. You'll be safe that way. Until we can figure out who's killing our Sunlords, and why, we can't risk losing you. Sunlord Zaren isn't getting any younger."

  "But can I help Faina as an ordinary Sunweaver?"

  Marell looked away, running a hand through his dark hair. "There's a problem there. You might be a Sunweaver, but you don't come from noble lineage. At best, you're a Sunweaver bastard, and you don't quite get the same privileges as other Sunweavers."

  "So I can't get him to let Faina go," Kadin said, his stomach sinking. What good was his new status if he couldn't help the people he cared about?

  "Unfortunately, no," Marell said, leaning on the wall in the dim shed. "And all we have against him is her word. The word of a Lightless slave doesn't count for much. Even the word of a Suncaster like me is not strong enough against a Sunweaver like Andric. I'm afraid there's nothing we can do for her."

  Kadin clenched his fists. "I refuse to accept that. I will get her out of here."

  "I don't mean to be harsh," Marell said. "But what makes her different from any other slave? There are countless people in the same situation. You can't help everyone."

  "She cares about me, and I care about her. I know I can't help everyone, but I can help her, and I'm going to stay here until I can do that." Kadin stopped for a few moments to think. "I want you to teach me how to use my Sunweaving so I can help her escape."

  Marell narrowed his eyes. "Are you sure that's what you want?"

  "Yes."

  "I might not be able to teach you," Marell said. "I know some of the theory behind Sunweaving, but I have no experience doing it myself."

  "I don't care. You're the only person I trust to help me right now."

  Marell looked away. "I'm not sure you've chosen the best person for your trust."

  Kadin didn't know why Marell would say that. What reason did Kadin have not to trust the man? He'd shown sympathy for the Lightless slaves, and he'd bothered to discover Kadin's secret.

  "I trust you," Kadin said. "Maybe I shouldn't, but I have no other choice."

  Marell paced around the small shed. "I still think you're being foolish here. You can escape this life. Do you want to keep being a slave?"

  "The work isn't so bad, and I can escape any time I want. But I'll never be able to live with myself if I abandon Faina." He hesitated. "I think there's more to her than what you see. Walin says she used to be a great thief in Illindel, but she ended up getting caught stealing some food. That doesn't fit."

  "No, it doesn't," Marell said. "But you might be looking for something where there isn't anything. You want to believe she's special, that you aren't making a grave mistake by staying here." He stopped pacing and stared at Kadin. "And you are making a grave mistake. Staying here and trying to free her is very dangerous. It's too much of a risk for you. I don't think you understand what it means to be a Sunlord. The fate of the world rests on your shoulders."

  Kadin understood what that meant, or at least he thought he did, but that didn't matter right now. "I don't care about the world," he said. "I care about Faina. The world has Sunlord Zaren. I'll become a Sunlord when the world needs me."

  Of course, he could feel that the sun was dying. Did the world need his help sooner than he thought?

  "You're being selfish and childish," Marell said, glaring at him. "Whether you like it or not, you have a duty now, and you need to fulfill that duty."

  Kadin couldn't keep the anger out of his voice. "So I should forget about Faina? Why should I try to save a world that lets someone do that to Faina with no consequences?"

  "Because the world isn't made only of people like Andric."

  "Seems like it to me," Kadin said.

  Marell gave him a sharp look. "You simply will not listen to reason. Perhaps I'll have to reveal that you're a Sunweaver."

  "I'll deny it. I'll pretend I can't do it."

  "And I can't get you to change your mind?"

  "I have to do this," Kadin said, wishing he felt as confident as his words. "Besides, where would I go as a Sunweaver? I have no family, and I can't reveal that I'm a Sunlord. Would anyone take me in? After all, you said that a Sunweaver bastard isn't the same."

  Marell sighed, leaning on the stone wall. "Yes, I did. In truth, I'm not sure where you'd go or who would take you in."

  "So there's no real disadvantage to staying here. It gives me more time to figure out where I'm going next, and it gives me the opportunity to save Faina. I have to take the chance."

  "All right," Marell said, shaking his head. "I'll try to train you."

  They left the shed, and Kadin returned to the cabin, pretending that nothing strange had happened. When Aren and Walin asked him what Marell had wanted, he deflected the question, saying only that Marell wanted to figure out if the Sunlamp issue was connected with Kadin.

  After dinner, Kadin left to speak to Faina. Her mood seemed better today, but he wasn't sure. Ever since she'd told him what Andric had done, she hadn't been herself. He needed to save her, to bring back the Faina he'd first met.

  "Did he do anything to you today?" he asked.

  "Not today. But he will again. I can tell."

  Kadin hated the defeat in her voice. "I'm going to get you out of this."

  "And how do you intend on doing that?" she said, giving him an impatient look.

  Kadin checked his surroundings and saw no one. After dinner, the plantation tended to be empty. Still, he kept his voice low. "Remember how I told you about the Sunlamps?"

  She nodded.

  "Well, after another went out today, Marell decided to test me. It might sound crazy, but I'm a Sunweaver. That's why they go out around me. I can cast Green and Purple."

  "That doesn't surprise me," she said. She looked as though she wanted to say something else, but then she bit her lower lip and turned away.

  "Don't you understand what this means, Faina? If I can do the right weaves, I can get you out of here. Marell agreed to train me and let me stay here to help you."

  "That's very kind of you," she said, "but you should think about yourself, Kadin. Don't keep suffering here for my sake. I can take care of myself."

  "You can't stop him from hurting you, but I can. Or I'll be able to once I've trained."

  "I don't need your protection, Kadin. I'm not some weakling."

  Kadin tried to keep the exasperation out of his voice. "All right. If you're capable of handling this yourself, why haven't you? I understand that you don't want me to suffer because of you, but I'm not suffering here. You were right about one thing. Life here is the best life I've ever had. It isn't for you, though. You can't deny that."

  "No, I can't," she said, staring off into space. "But anything you do to help me will get you in trouble. You're free to start a new life, a better life. Leave me behind."

  Why was she being so difficult? Why didn't anyone agree with Kadin?

  He fought against his anger. "I'm not leaving you behind. There's something special about you. I know it. You showed me sympathy when I was just some random boy you'd never seen. You cared. I'm not used to people caring about me."

  She walked a few steps away and shook her head as though waging an internal war. "There's nothing special about me. You're the special one, Kadin. Take advantage of that."

  "I am going to take advantage of it. I'm going to rescue you."

  "This isn't some stupid tale," she said. "I'm not some damsel in distress. This is real life, and it's harsh. It's brutal. Rescuing someone like me makes no difference." She looked at him with tears in her eyes. "I'm not the person you think I am. Save your heroism for someone who deserves it."

  She stomped off, back toward her cabin, leaving K
adin to stare after her and wonder what he'd done wrong. Why did she always have to act like she was such a terrible person? What had she done for which she couldn't forgive herself?

  Chapter 18: Betrayal

  Rella walked out of the leader's office, Kae following a step behind. Soren was waiting outside the door with a smile that turned her insides to water. Had he heard who she was?

  Kae gave him a sharp look. "What are you doing here, Soren?"

  Soren shrugged, and it didn't look natural. "Just waiting for you."

  And listening in on our conversation, Rella thought. If he knew her secret, he would surely tell someone. She didn't care if Kae and the others trusted him.

  "I don't know what to do now," Rella said, trying to distract herself from her suspicions. The stone door was thick after all. Perhaps Soren hadn't heard through it.

  "Take some time to rest," Kae said. "You don't have to figure everything out right now."

  Rella did need to rest. She had never traveled so far on foot, and her entire body ached so much she had the feeling she could sleep for days and still feel tired.

  Kae took a few moments to introduce Rella to other members of the Brotherhood, but all Rella could think about was Soren. She hoped she would remember these people's names later, but she doubted she would. Soon she found her way to a bed and closed her eyes.

  But she struggled to fall asleep. She couldn't dispel her suspicions about Soren. That smile had been unnerving, as though he was warning her. Would he turn her in?

  After a while, Rella fell asleep. She woke up the next day feeling better, but still exhausted. Out in the main stone chamber, she found Kae and Tharik sitting on cushioned stone chairs. Rella felt awkward as she approached them.

  "Are you feeling more rested this morning?" Kae asked, showing genuine concern.

  Rella felt the sudden urge to stay with these bandits. True, it would be a rough life, but what other options did she have? She had talents that could aid her in that occupation after all.

  "Somewhat rested," she said.

  "Something's bothering you," Tharik said.

  Should Rella reveal her concerns? She took a few deep breaths. "How much do you really trust Soren? I'm worried that he might have heard about who and what I am. And you have to admit he shows some sympathy toward Firelord Atarin."

  Kae ran a hand through her dark hair. "I can understand your suspicions, but Soren has never given us any reason not to trust him." She frowned. "I'll watch him, though."

  That didn't reassure Rella, for it sounded like an empty promise. "If he were to turn me in," she said, "whom would he contact."

  "The Fire Guard," Tharik said. "They're a lot like the Sun Guard where you come from. Because Firelord Atarin and Halarik's Chosen are in charge, they all owe their loyalty to him. You wouldn't want them to find out about you."

  Rella had the feeling they would. "Have you seen Soren today?"

  Kae glanced around the room. "Actually, I haven't. But you don't need to worry so much. It'll be all right."

  How could Rella not worry? She had to trust her intuition, and it had told her all along that Soren didn't like her and supported Firelord Atarin. There was no doubt what he'd do.

  "If he did tell them," Rella said, "what could I do to avoid them?"

  "Nothing, I'm afraid," Tharik said. "They're all talented Fireweavers. They might not have your natural talent, but they've trained their abilities much more than you have."

  "Could I hide?" Rella asked.

  "I don't think you'd do so well," Tharik said. "You're in new surroundings. You don't know anyone who would protect you apart from us and the Brotherhood, and the Brotherhood knows not to oppose the Fire Guard." He scratched at his red hair. "None of this should matter, though. Soren isn't going to say anything, even if he did hear who you are."

  "How can you be so certain?" Rella demanded, fighting down her anger. Yes, she was grateful for how they'd helped her, but how could they be so blind?

  "We can't be certain about anything," Kae said, "but Soren has never been a problem for us. We don't care about his political affiliation, and he doesn't care about ours."

  "Well, I think you're wrong about him," Rella said.

  "We could be," Tharik said. "No one can be right all the time. Not even you, Kae."

  "Perhaps," Kae said, but she didn't sound convinced. Rella wished she could find a way to change their minds before it was too late. Had Soren already told the Fire Guard?

  Rella spent the rest of the day in a state of heightened anxiety. She looked through the records, confirming that her mother was indeed Firelord Atarin's sister. By now, she felt numb to that revelation. It didn't matter that she was related to Atarin, or at least she told herself that.

  She felt like she should be doing something else, coming up with some plan to evade the Fire Guard if necessary. But Kae and Tharik were right. Where could Rella go?

  While she was reading in the archives, Andra entered the room, glancing around as though afraid someone might be watching her.

  "What's wrong?" Rella asked, wishing she could calm her churning stomach.

  Andra glanced around again, shuffling her feet. "I shouldn't tell you this. Soren told me not to. But he informed the Fire Guard about who you are. I'm not sure what I believe politically, but I know you shouldn't be forced to go to Haladel if you don't want to."

  "Thank you," Rella said, anxiety rushing through her like wildfire. She bolted to her feet, throwing aside an account of recent political movements in the Frozen Lands. There was so much information she didn't know, but now she wouldn't have time. Not yet at least.

  "You need to hurry," Andra said, her face pale.

  "Where can I go? I don't know anyone here. I feel so lost and overwhelmed." Rella hated to hear the panic and weakness in her voice. She'd never been that way before.

  "I'm not sure what you can do, but you have to get out of here. I'm afraid it might be too late already."

  "You tried," Rella said, putting a hand on Andra's shoulder. "I'll figure something out."

  She rushed out of the archives and across the Brotherhood's central room, not stopping to say goodbye to Kae and Tharik. She didn't have time.

  Before she could reach the exit, though, she came to a sudden stop. Between her and her destination stood five people in light chainmail and orange surcoats. The Fire Guard. Damn. She'd been too slow. Or had Andra waited to inform her until the Fire Guard showed up? Did Andra want to make Rella think she was on her side when in truth she wasn't?

  Rella's heart pounded, and she backed away. Was there another exit? It didn't seem the Fire Guards had seen her yet. She rushed to where Kae and Tharik were sitting, trying not to break into a run and attract suspicion.

  Rella glared at them. "Soren did inform the Fire Guard. Andra told me."

  "We need to get you out of here," Kae said, eyes wide.

  "It's too late for that." Rella pointed out the Fire Guards. "They're here."

  She tried to restrain her rising panic, but she saw no way out of this situation.

  "This building has only one entrance," Kae said. "Makes it easier to protect. And all the walls have been reinforced with Fireweaving so that you can't use a Yellow/Green weave to get out." She shook her head. "I'm sorry. We should have known."

  Rella felt on the verge of tears. "You mean there's nothing we can do?"

  "Maybe you can escape them later," Tharik said. But Rella could tell that he didn't believe that, and neither did she. She had to accept her fate. Perhaps training to be a Firelord wouldn't be so bad? Perhaps this Atarin wasn't as horrible as he sounded?

  She settled down in a chair, waiting for the inevitable. Two of the Fire Guards remained by the entrance, while the other three stepped farther into the chamber. One of them knocked on the stone door to Aram's office, ducked inside, then reemerged with Aram at his side.

  They walked to where Rella was sitting. She looked up, holding back tears.

  "Your name is Rella?"
said one of the Fire Guards, a woman.

  "Yes."

  "Your mother Dalina was Firelord Atarin's sister?"

  No point denying it. "Yes."

  "Then you'll have to come with us," the woman said. "For the sake of all the Frozen Lands, all potential Firelords must come to Haladel for training."

  "I won't resist," Rella said. It would serve no purpose.

  "Good," the woman said. "Please come with us."

  "May I gather the few belongings I have?" Rella asked. The female captain agreed, and Rella retrieved a few things under the supervision of another Fire Guard. She returned to the place where Kae and Tharik were sitting.

  "I'm sorry to see you go," Kae said, "but you'll find a way to make this work."

  "Maybe we'll even see each other again," Tharik said.

  But Rella couldn't believe either of these to be true. She had the feeling she was about to enter into a part of her life more difficult than anything up to this point.

  "Goodbye," Rella said. "I'll miss you after everything you did for me."

  Kae looked like she was almost in tears. Had she come to care that much for Rella in such a short time? Or was she upset about Soren's betrayal?

  "I'm sorry about Soren," Tharik said. "We should have seen it."

  "It's all right," Rella said, but she wished for a moment that she could hurt them. How could they have been so foolish? Soren's treachery should have been obvious to anyone.

  "Speaking of Soren," said a voice from off to her left. She turned to see Soren standing among the Fire Guards, smiling at her. How could he smile after what he'd done?

  "Why did you do this to me?" she demanded.

  "Because I believe in doing what's best for my people. Nothing personal. You're a potential Firelord. Firelord Atarin needs people like you." His smile grew wider. "Not to mention, there will be a nice reward for me when I bring him his niece."

  "I hate you," Rella said.

  "I'd expect nothing less."

  "It's time to go," said the Fire Guard captain.