Next to Princess Daria stood Jasmine’s friend and Daria’s new husband, Khan, his arm touching his wife’s. He was bareheaded, and his black hair had grown from the short cut he’d had before and was pulled back in a stubby tail. He’d donned the green uniform worn by Daria and her soldiers. Like with hers, the sun burnished the gold braid around his sleeves and collar. She liked Khan’s new look—different, fitting for this world. The couple stood firm on the deck, comfortable with the rocking of the ship after days at sea.
Jasmine wished she could relax and enjoy the beautiful day, sailing on an old-fashioned wooden ship over a turquoise ocean under a lavender sky. She wanted to bask in the happiness she felt about finding Khan and seeing his joy in his marriage. Most of all, she longed to savor a honeymoon with her new husband. Thinking about their passion last night made heat creep into her cheeks.
Today should be a cause for celebration. She and Indaran had just married, the Evil God’s prisoners were free, and her husband had reunited with the sister he thought dead in the sack of Seagem.
But once outside of Ontarem’s waters, instead of continuing to sail to safety, Indaran had ordered the ship to come about. He planned for them to return to help the nomads in their battle against Ontarem. The other ships pulled beside them, lowered the sails and waited, swaying on the ocean. The clack and ting of rigging came to Jasmine over the breeze.
Daria clapped her hand on Indaran’s shoulder. “So, brother, you’re heading us back into the Evil One’s den.” She didn’t sound particularly concerned about the danger.
Jasmine wondered if the princess was really as calm as she seemed, or if she, too, had a knot in her stomach about their return to Ontarem’s land.
“We can’t go back to Penutar,” Indaran replied. “That would be foolish, indeed. There might be a place along the shore where the captain can drop us off and any who want to go with us.”
Jasmine looked up at her beloved. “There is. Roe-al pointed out a spot where the Che-da-wah go. He described it as a small bay. The nomads have seen ships anchor there before, so the water must be safe from rocks. It’s in Arvintor’s territory, so I hope He can protect us from being caught in the tow as Ontarem attempts to force us to His city.”
Khan leaned toward Jasmine. “First, I think since we aren’t familiar with Roe-al, the Che-da-wah, Arvintor, or Ontarem, perhaps you should fill Daria and me in on your adventures. We need all the information possible to strategize the best way to evade the Evil God.”
Indaran uncrossed his arms and dropped one across Jasmine’s shoulders. “I, too, would hear them. There hasn’t been time in the last week for you to give me many details.
Jasmine went down on one knee, sketching an invisible map on the wooden deck with her forefinger. “This is Exonlah, a beautiful forest, where the statue of the God Arvintor, twin brother to Ontarem, was bound. This—” she drew a larger circle “—is the plain, Drayleth, where the nomads live. For generations, they have remained out of Ontarem’s influence. And, on the other side of Drayleth, this—” she tapped the deck “—is Penutar. Here, the people are poor, fearful, and pitifully thin from overwork and being drained by the God. But they are fierce defenders of the Evil One.”
Daria fiddled with the end of her long blond braid. “I’d never heard of Ontarem before we came here. Nor, of the Goddess Withea.” She exchanged a private smile with Khan. “Until She saved my life a few weeks ago. Now there’s another Deity. How many unknown Gods haunt Kimtair?”
Jasmine stood. “Arvintor says there are only six.”
“That’s a relief.” Daria flipped her braid over her shoulder. “We won’t have any more unexpected Deities meddling in our lives.”
Jasmine heartily agreed. “Centuries ago, Arvintor sent His people to safety across the sea.”
Daria gave a sharp intake of breath. “To settle in Seagem?”
Jasmine nodded. “But in so doing, Arvintor lost his power, and Ontarem bound Him.”
Daria grimaced. “There are only hints about this in the ancient records in the library. The myths of the forgotten lands.” She waved a go on gesture to Jasmine.
“When Withea sent me here, to Louat, She healed me. Not totally…but enough. What should be nightmare memories and emotions…” Jasmine shook her head. “Withea made everything Amir did to me feel like those experiences faded into the past, not happened a few days before.”
A look of pain crossed Khan’s face. “I’m sorry, Jasmine. I thought you’d be safe in England from my brother.”
Jasmine gave a little shake of her head, trying to toss off the memories, and continued. “I gave Arvintor some of my energy, enough to communicate with Him and come up with a plan, then I set off to walk to Ontarem’s city. A nomad, Roe-al, captured me and took me to his camp. At first the nomads, the Che-da-wah, thought I was a pawn of the Evil One. They were going to kill me. I escaped. They followed me and found Arvintor. Then they knew I was telling the truth. The clans all traveled to Exonleah and gave homage and power to Arvintor.”
“You have been busy,” Khan said. “You’ve only been in Kimtair a few weeks.” He paused to think. “Not even that.”
Jasmine looked from Khan to Daria and raised her eyebrows. “You’ve been busy, too.”
Indaran tightened his arm around Jasmine’s shoulders to get her attention. “We’ll hear their story later. Finish your tale first, dearling.”
“I’d had a dream of Indaran lying captive in the temple.”
“So did I!” Daria interjected.
Jasmine smiled at Indaran’s sister. “I felt a connection with him and knew I had to rescue him. So I set off to the city. The nomads prepared for the war they knew would come as soon as Ontarem realized Arvintor had regained His power. The nomads now follow the good God and sustain His power, even while they battle with Ontarem’s troops.”
Daria frowned. “Can’t they keep each other busy?”
Jasmine shook her head. “Ontarem is still much stronger. He presides over a big city and wrests power from His people, to the point of killing some. The nomads are four small tribes. Also, Arvintor won’t drain them to the point of depletion or even death. Because Ontarem is more ruthless, He’ll always be stronger.”
Daria looked from Khan to Indaran to Jasmine. “Seagem’s royal family and our mates from Earth make a very powerful combination. The four of us and our followers could swing the balance in Arvintor’s favor.”
Indaran looked down at Jasmine, his brows pulled together. “Earth?”
Khan laughed, “Another long story. Let Jasmine finish.”
Jasmine told them about her journey, with some interjections from Indaran. When their story finished, Khan and Daria shared what had happened to them. At the end of the second tale, the four stood in silence, absorbing all they’d heard.
“As I see it, this is what we need to do.” Indaran ticked off the list on his fingers. “We need to get our people home to Seagem. We need to help the nomads win their battle against Ontarem’s soldiers. We need to give Arvintor power to withstand his brother. We must find Yadarius and set Him free, and we need to bind Ontarem. When all is safe, we need to rebuild Seagem.”
“That’s all?” Khan joked.
“I’m sure I’ve left out a few other minor things.” Indaran echoed Khan’s light tone.
“You can’t take the slaves back to a ruined city,” Jasmine objected. “They need healing.”
“We’ll send them to Ocean’s Glory,” Indaran said.
Daria shook her head. “They won’t like that. You don’t understand, Indaran, because you didn’t experience the battle. But for our people, Ocean’s Glory is the enemy. Thaddis made it so by his betrayal of our trust.”
Indaran let out a slow exhale. “I know the facts—what Thaddis, once a beloved friend and foster brother, did. But there’s a part of me that can’t believe it, no matter how heavily grief weighs on me.” He fisted his hands in front of his body. “And another part of me wants to strangle him f
or slaying my family, killing and enslaving my people, sacking our city.”
Daria dropped her hand over Indaran’s fist. “I claim first right of battle, brother.”
“I will not stand behind my sister.”
Khan patted Daria’s arm. “It’s a good thing Withea took care of Thaddis for you.” He winked at Jasmine. “We don’t have time for sibling squabbles.”
Daria let out a frustrated breath and shot a pointed look at her brother. “You and Thaddis were always evenly matched.”
“I’m younger than him now.”
Daria swatted his arm. “Yes, but you’ve also spent those years on a slab. Thaddis didn’t let his kingly duties interfere with his weapons practice.”
Khan pulled Daria next to his side, a silent reminder for her to return to the problem of Ontarem.
Daria wrinkled her nose at her husband, then flashed him a you’re right smile. “I’ll tell our people about Withea. They’ll trust my words. They need to hear that Thaddis is vanquished, and the citizens of Ocean’s Glory have turned their backs on Besolet and are once again our allies.”
Indaran relaxed his hands. “That’s news our people will be glad to hear.”
“Councilor Ogan is going to strip the jewels from Besolet’s temple and recompense families in Ocean’s Glory who lost family members in the war,” Daria informed them. “Not that any amount of money can make up for a life. The rest will finance the rebuilding of Seagem. He’ll help our people get settled.”
The ship surged through a big wave, and Jasmine grabbed the rail for stability. “Your people are going to need to heal,” she cautioned. “Both physically and from the trauma.”
Daria nodded in agreement. “Once the people have rested and recovered, bonded with Withea, they can return home or go to Zacatlan for further healing. Although they need to be aware that there still isn’t a God for Seagem. If the reavers retain the knowledge of the shoals protecting the harbor, they could invade the city again. Perhaps Guinheld and Withea can combine their power and protect them. As for those who go with us—”
Indaran interrupted. “Ocean’s Glory can send soldiers to accompany the people home to Seagem and stay and guard them.”
Daria shot him a don’t interrupt me look.
He gave her a rueful glance. “Sorry, little bird. I forget you’re grown up.”
Daria grinned, and then blinked back sudden tears. Placing a hand on her breast, she shook her head. “You calling me that took me right back to our childhood. I remember our last conversation.” She straightened and her eyes flashed. “Don’t you dare start calling me big bird!”
Everyone laughed as Daria obviously intended. Then she sobered. “I’ve brought seventy-five soldiers from Ocean’s Glory. Twenty archers and fifty-five swordsmen.”
Indaran followed her back to the subject at hand. “We’ll need a plan before we even consider returning.”
Daria gave Jasmine a thoughtful look. “You say the Che-da-wah are fighting?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” Daria nodded. “Then my soldiers will add to their ranks. We must kill as many of Ontarem’s people as possible. Each death will weaken Him.”
“They’re like a grains of sand,” Indaran said with a shake of his head.
“Many grains of sand still make a beach,” Khan said cryptically.
Daria nodded, her expression hardening. “We’ll whittle away His beach.”
“No!” Jasmine slashed the air with her hand. “Well, yes. Whittle away, but not through death. Ontarem has his tentacles in each of his citizens, many whom are good people, whom I’ve promised to help. They are controlled. But we,” she placed her hand on Indaran’s arm, “Can sever them. Set them free. We need to capture, not kill.”
“I don’t think that will be enough.” Khan spoke up. “Judging by your story, even without their spiritual chains, these people have been brought up from birth to give all their focus and loyalty to Ontarem. I don’t think the news that He is draining them will be enough to turn most of His people against Him. They’ll be like abused women who won’t leave their husbands. They’ll need counselors and time, neither of which we have.”
Jasmine gave him a resolute look. “Then Arvintor will make them follow Him.”
“If Arvintor takes them over, doesn’t that make Him as bad as Ontarem?” Khan asked, spreading his hands, palms up.
“I have felt Arvintor, Khan. You haven’t.” Jasmine’s voice sharpened. “He won’t take them over. He’ll just heal them. Love them. That will be enough to make them loyal to Him.”
Indaran stepped in to side with Jasmine. “Archpriestess Anza, Jasmine, and I worked together with Arvintor to sever Ontarem’s connections to one of the captive’s babies. That was when we were in the heart of Ontarem’s territory. I think one of us alone in Arvintor’s land would be enough to break the Evil One’s shackles on a person.”
Jasmine looked thoughtful. “Three of Seagem’s priests and priestesses still alive, including Archpriestess Anza. Perhaps they also have enough strength…Anza certainly does.”
“One will have to return with the ships,” Daria said in a firm voice. “Our people will need the comfort and guidance of a priest or priestess whom they know.”
Indaran cleared his throat and looked at Jasmine. “I want you to leave with them.”
Daria nodded with a decisive set to her chin. “Khan, too. Neither of you have skill with swords.”
Jasmine stiffened in protest. “No!” She and Khan spoke as one.
Indaran took Jasmine’s hand. “Give us the peace of mind of knowing you are safe.”
Jasmine squeezed his hand. “I’m not leaving you. And, you’ll need me to heal,” she said in a firm tone.
Khan touched Daria’s chin. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily, habibti.” He made his voice light. “I’m sticking by your side, and that’s final.”
“You’re being stubborn,” Daria argued with a jerk of her head.
“Yes. And so are you. You’d have to toss us overboard, and since we desert people can’t swim, I don’t see you doing that.” Khan grinned. “You’re stuck with us.”
“Well.” Daria looked at the others. “No sense in arguing.” She grasped both hands around a rectangular gold case dangling from a thick necklace she wore. A shell hung from a thinner chain around her neck.
“I agree,” Indaran said. “We must plan for our return to Louat, or we’ll end up captured. We escaped because Arvintor and Withea temporarily disabled Ontarem. But I’m sure He’s back to normal now, or at least has enough power to sense us. Once we sail into His waters, He’ll have us back in His control.” He looked down at Jasmine and ran a hand along her arm. “Can you connect with Arvintor at this distance?”
“I don’t know.”
Daria slipped her hand into Khan’s. “We’ll all aid you.”
“We’ll need Arvintor to give us enough protection to keep from being taken over,” Jasmine said. “What else?”
Indaran pinched the bridge of his nose. “Ontarem will still sense us and send His soldiers to the place where we disembark. The Che-da-wah will need to beat them to us. But Ontarem won’t give us up easily. There’s going to be a battle.”
~ ~ ~
As the Stingfish ship carrying Pasinae to exile—as she thought of it—entered the harbor at Triangle One, she emerged from her cabin, clad in one of her favorite crimson dresses. Fingering the heavy pearl of power, today hanging on a long silveral necklace, she kept her eyes averted from the crew scurrying about the deck, lowering the sails and doing whatever else sailors did to anchor the ship. Instead, she looked over the rail at the island belonging to the Stingfish, the strongest of the four seadog clans.
The fog that usually swirled around the islands had lifted, probably because Ontarem couldn’t spare the extra energy to hide the presence of Yadarius. Two other ships rode at anchor in the bay. Closer to land, Pasinae saw several rowboats and barges anchored in the shallower water.
/> The humid air pressed down on her, filled with the scent of saltwater and growing things. She raised her gaze to the peak of the volcano, stark against the gray sky, the sides covered with verdant foliage. Black buildings built of lava rock stair-stepped down the flanks of the mountain, all the way to the water. Pasinae eyed the high wall separating the living quarters of the slaves captured over many generations, their population recently swelled with the citizens of Seagem, and wondered if she should cull them, sending some to Penutar to fuel Ontarem.
Then because Pasinae still felt miffed with the God, she decided not to. The slaves brought here lacked the strong power Ontarem needed anyway.
Daria. Her mind ground on the name. She still seethed that the princess had escaped her net because of Withea. If only I’d known… The refrain, thought so often it must have worn grooves in her brain, circled through her mind. Pasinae shrugged, casting off recriminations.
Focus on future plans, she told herself, starting with capturing Indaran and Daria. The problem was she didn’t have any idea how to do that. But hopefully she and Nabric could devise something. He’d always been the best of the three of them when it came to strategizing and solving problems.
From this angle, Pasinae couldn’t see the other two islands, nor the lights from the crystals set near the peaks of each volcano, which beamed into the ocean between the three, forming a cage for Yadarius, SeaGod. But she could feel their power pulsing in the air, a ragged beat not unlike Ontarem’s. Of course the rhythm would be similar given that the God still controlled the energy connecting the crystals. The pearl resting between her breasts hummed to the crystals’ vibrations.
Captain Smartic approached. He was a tall, bulky man with a hooked nose and teeth sharpened to points. He’d removed the fur vest and armor worn by the crew in colder waters, and the sunlight shone on his bare chest, glistening on the dark skin, and glittering over the pile of gold necklaces around his neck and the hoops in his ears.
Harvest of Dreams (The Gods' Dream Trilogy) Page 4
