Legacy of the Blood (The Threshold Trilogy)

by Callie Kanno

  The four Rashad behind Rance muttered their agreement.

  “We were all training this morning,” answered Ravi. “Rajan said we could take a break.”

  Rance’s icy blue eyes narrowed. “Do you feel you have the luxury of taking breaks?” he asked in a dangerous tone.

  Ravi steeled himself for what he knew was coming. “Your father knows best. If he suggests time away from studies, then I will follow his counsel.”

  “My father is weak,” spat Rance. “He is only leader because of the color of his fur.”

  Ravi flared in anger. “Rajan is a great leader. He is wise and kind and strong.”

  A nasty smile spread across the other’s face. “Well, then as his heir, you need to cultivate those traits as well. Let us begin with strength.”

  All of the other Rashad backed away, leaving Rance and Ravi in the center of a rough circle.

  “I do not wish to fight,” said Ravi quietly.

  “Ha!” exploded Rance’s wrathful voice. “You are not able to fight me. You do not have the strength or skill to even try.”

  Without warning, the adult Rashad lunged at the youth and sunk his teeth into the scruff of Ravi’s neck. Rance forced him to the ground with his paws, growling ferally.

  Ravi struggled to get back to his feet, but he was smaller and weaker than his foe. All he could do was snarl in return.

  “Rance,” stammered one of the young onlookers, “please do not hurt him. We are sorry for wasting time when we should be training.”

  Rance released Ravi’s neck, but he continued to bear the youth to the ground. “Look at your future leader,” he crowed. “He is a disgrace to all Rashad, is he not? Is he not?!”

  “Yes, Rance,” murmured all of Ravi’s friends.

  The adults laughed raucously and turned to walk away.

  Those that remained stared at the ground in disgrace while Ravi got to his feet and shook himself free of dirt and grass.

  “Ravi, I…” began one of the young Rashad, but he fell silent with shame.

  Ravi scowled after Rance, and Adesina could feel his anger and his embarrassment. There was something else that she could sense in his heart, although less strongly—pity. After a moment he shook his head. “I do not blame you for agreeing. Let us go home and resume our training.”

  ***

  It was the day that Ravi was to be acknowledged as an adult by the Rashad—his second birthday.

  The second birthday was always an important one for a Rashad, but this day was special to the entire race. Ravi was now an adult, and he could be formally declared to be the successor of Rajan.

  There was a great gathering in the hills of the Rashad Grasslands, where Rajan would make his ceremonial announcement. The two black-coated felines stood on a rise, where they could be seen by all. Adesina shared in Ravi’s nervousness, and she longed to reach out and comfort him.

  “My beloved people,” began Rajan, “this is a joyful occasion for all of us. It is a day for which we have long waited, and now it is finally here.”

  The listening Rashad roared in unison, showing their support and happiness.

  The aged leader took a step to the side and declared in a loud voice, “I present to you Ravi, son of Riordan and Rabia, my successor as leader of-”

  “I challenge this decision!”

  All heads whipped around to stare at the source of the interruption.

  Rance stood behind the crowd, supported by a group of a dozen other Rashad. His head was raised proudly, and his eyes gleamed with a desire for violence.

  Rajan’s expression was infinitely sad and weary. “You cannot challenge this, my son. Ravi was born to be my heir.”

  “Not so,” sneered Rance. “It is an ancient law that gives any the right to challenge the choice of successor.”

  “It may be an ancient law,” allowed Rajan, “but it has never been implemented. All worthy Rashad honor the choice of the Creator.”

  The gentle emphasis in his father’s words caused Rance to snarl in rage. “I am worthy. I could be the greatest leader the Rashad have ever seen, but you are all blinded by this mindless tradition. Only fools would pledge their loyalty to this weakling.”

  The pity that Ravi felt for his rival had grown since he was younger, and the anger had almost completely faded away. Adesina sensed that he was frustrated, though. He could not understand why Rance would persist in acting this way.

  “I said I challenge you, Ravi,” roared Rance. “What is your answer, coward?”

  Ravi’s pride prickled, and he responded in a clear voice. “I accept.”

  “Ravi, no!”

  Rabia and Riordan were both stricken with fear. Rance was well known for his skills as a warrior. Rajan said nothing, but his eyes were overflowing with sorrow.

  Ravi walked down the hill and into the circle that had formed for the two combatants. Rance’s supporters were all part of the inner ring, and Ravi knew that he would need to be wary of them. They were not above interfering with the fight in order to give their leader an advantage.

  Rance and Ravi circled each other slowly.

  “Are you prepared to die, cub?” rasped Rance.

  “You have been away for a long time,” pointed out Ravi. “I am no longer a helpless child for you to bully.”

  “Some things never change.”

  Rance lunged at Ravi, but the younger Rashad neatly sidestepped the attack.

  “So true, Rance,” he said. “Perhaps you should have considered that before challenging me.”

  “Why is that?” hissed the older feline.

  “The ancient law allows for a challenge to be issued, but it does not say that the victor automatically becomes the next leader of the Rashad. Even if you win here today, your father will never choose you to succeed him.”

  Rance shrieked in rage and dove at his opponent.

  Ravi crouched defensively and allowed his attacker to advance. At the last moment, he shifted out of the way and raked his claws across Rance’s hindquarters.

  The first blood had been drawn.

  The two Rashad bit and clawed at each other viciously, roaring in pain and in anger. Rance was now in his middle years, and he did not have the same amount of energy as Ravi. The younger male knew this, and he purposefully prolonged the fight in order to tire his opponent.

  Conversely, Rance knew that Ravi was inexperienced and impulsive. He fought in a manner to infuriate the youth, hoping that he would make a fatal mistake.

  “You have never been good enough for this role,” hissed Rance. “You know that you will fail, and you will be the downfall of the entire Rashad race.”

  “That is not true,” contradicted Ravi.

  “Even your family knows that it is true. Your parents may show you support, but they do not believe in you. Think of how your own brother treats you.”

  Ravi could not deny that Ruvim was one of his greatest critics. Nothing seemed to please him, no matter how hard Ravi worked.

  “You are a failure before you even begin.”

  “Silence!”

  “You name will be a stain on your entire family’s clan.”

  “SILENCE!”

  Ravi locked his teeth around Rance’s neck in an effort to stop his mocking words. Adesina was overcome with the waves of emotion that flowed through her future guardian—fury at Rance’s never-ending violence and troublemaking, shame that his own brother had no faith in him, fear that others were right to doubt him…

  Ravi froze as his mind became more clear.

  He could taste blood in his mouth, and Rance had ceased to struggle. He quickly released his jaw and backed away, staring in horror at what he had done.

  Rance’s throat had been crushed, and he was bleeding profusely. He was unable to breathe, and his eyes were already starting to cloud over.

  “No,” whispered Ravi. “What have I done?”

  A challenge between Rashad meant bringing your opponent into submission. It never meant death.

&n
bsp; He looked around at the faces of the onlookers, and their expressions were rigid with shock. Riordan and Rabia stared down at their son as if he were a stranger in their eyes.

  Rajan appeared next to Ravi, but his gaze was locked on his dying child.

  “Rajan,” panted Ravi, “I did not mean…”

  “Go,” the leader said quietly. “Go to the mountains and cleanse your soul. I will come to you when it is time for you to return to our people.”

  The young Rashad did not question the decision. He gladly ran from the crowds of horrified witnesses. He did not feel the burning muscles in his legs, nor the searing of his lungs. He only knew that he must flee.

  Ravi had been running for more than a league when he stumbled and fell to the ground. Instead of getting back on his feet, he remained where he lay.

  With a heartbroken sob, he buried his face in the grass and wept.

  Chapter Forty-one: Upward Path

  Adesina was dumbfounded.

  There was no other way to describe what she was feeling. She had assumed that Ravi had led a peaceful life filled with philosophical contemplation. He had always seemed so calm and so steady.

  Yet his past was proving to be more tumultuous than she could have imagined.

  It made her feel closer to him. He, too, knew the cost and the pain of taking a life. He knew what it was like to be an outsider, and he knew what it felt like to bear the burden of others’ expectations.

  Adesina wondered what else she would find in the hidden corners of his mind.

  She delved deeper.

  ***

  Ravi had been alone in the mountains of Pevothem for just over a month. He still could not shake the shadow that had settled over his heart.

  He had killed Rance.

  No, that had not been his intention, but it had happened all the same.

  Rajan had told Ravi to come to the mountains and cleanse his soul, but the young Rashad did not know how. Instead, he found himself replaying the events of that unspeakable night over and over in his mind.

  He felt tainted—forever defiled and unworthy of the company of others.

  “Ravi, my son,” called a familiar voice from behind.

  He turned around and saw Rajan approaching him.

  Ravi burned with shame at the sight of his leader, and he could hardly bear to be called by such an endearing term. His eyes dropped to the ground, and he crouched in a position of utter submission.

  “Revered leader.”

  Rajan’s eyes were saddened at he beheld his heir. “I see you have not been able to cleanse yourself of what happened.”

  “I…I have tried, revered leader. Truly, I have.”

  Rajan laid down next to Ravi, so close that their sides were touching. It was a gesture of friendship and trust.

  “I know you have, my son. I can see your struggles in your eyes.”

  “I know why you have come,” said Ravi, “but I cannot return with you.”

  Rajan cocked his head to the side. “Why is that?”

  “I…” There was a hitch in Ravi’s voice, and he paused before going on. “I am not worthy to live among the Rashad. I deserve to be exiled.”

  “Exiled?” repeated Rajan in surprise. “You have not been exiled, Ravi. Where did you get such an idea?”

  It was Ravi’s turn to be startled. “You told me to leave—to come here and to stay until I am free from the stain of my actions.”

  Rajan chuckled, but it bore a hint of sadness. “My son, I did not ask you to come here as a punishment. I asked you to come here so you would have time to heal. You have experienced something profoundly tragic, and it takes time and reflection to move past such pain.”

  The younger Rashad could barely believe what he was hearing. “You…you do not blame me for killing Rance?”

  “I know you, Ravi. You truly are a son of mine. I would no more think you capable of such intentional violence than your gentle mother.”

  Ravi immediately thought of his sweet and loving mother, who had never so much as raised her voice in anger. Yes, it was almost impossible to imagine her purposefully harming another creature.

  “I am not like her,” he murmured. “She is pure, while I am sullied.”

  “Do you think she has never made a mistake?” asked Rajan. “Do you think that there is anyone who is without regret? When I was your age, I made just as many rash decisions and tragic mistakes.”

  “I doubt you ever killed someone,” said Ravi with self-loathing.

  “No,” admitted Rajan, “but I caused great harm to my dearest friend.”

  This caught the attention of the younger male.

  The leader proceeded to explain. “It used to be a common pastime for my friends and I to go swimming in the ocean. We did this by jumping from the lowest cliffs we could find and then climbing back to shore.”

  The borders of the Rashad grasslands and Pevothem that touched the ocean consisted only of steep and rocky cliffs. There were no beaches and no easy access points that led to the water.

  “My friends and I would often tease each other into reckless behavior. One day I goaded my oldest friend to jump from a cliff that was much higher than the others we frequented. He broke his back, and almost drowned before we could rescue him.”

  Rajan recounted the tale frankly.

  “My friend forgave me with an open heart, but I could not forgive myself. I was tormented by the sight of him, and I soon became reclusive and distant from the rest of the Rashad. I was so certain that they were all judging me for my part in that terrible event. It took me a long time to realize the truth of the matter.”

  “What truth is that?” asked Ravi.

  “That no one judged me at all. They pitied me, they loved me, they longed to give me comfort. I could not accept it because I could not forgive myself. I could not believe that the Rashad would willingly welcome me into their hearts. It took me years to discover that I was wrong.”

  Ravi stared at the grass between his paws. He also felt that self-condemnation and that terrible isolation.

  Rajan continued softly, “It is time for you to come home, back into the hearts of those who love you and miss you. It is time for you to forgive yourself.”

  “I…I cannot…” was the strangled reply.

  “We have all made choices that we regret—some more important than others—but we cannot allow that regret to define who we are. We must allow ourselves to learn and to grow. None of us are now what we will eventually be—but if we begin on the correct path, we change into the person we are meant to become.”

  Adesina felt a swell of emotion as the wise Rashad leader spoke. She recalled Ravi giving her the same words of comfort when she learned the truth about the Shimat order and her own role in it.

  She could now feel the same spark of hope deep within Ravi’s young heart that she had experienced all those years ago.

  “It is time to come home,” repeated Rajan.

  Ravi nodded with tears in his eyes. “Yes, let us go home.”

  ***

  Still within Ravi’s mind, Adesina recognized her father’s home in Yavar, the capital of Pevothem. Adesina’s parents, Me’shan and E’rian, sat in comfortable chairs next to the fireplace, while a child version of E’nes wrestled with a yellow-furred Rashad. Ravi was seated next to E’rian, and she rested her hand on his back in a familiar gesture.

  “I am glad that you are home again,” E’rian said with sincerity. “We all missed you very much.”

  Ravi’s expression was still haunted by the tragedy of recent months, but he did his best to smile. “I missed you as well.”

  “We went to the Reader today,” E’rian said with pride. “It seems that our little Ma’eve has a dava as well as E’nes.”

  Adesina smiled fondly at the statement. A dava was the L’avan equivalent of a soulmate—the person with whom you are most compatible and ultimately meant to love.

  “Really?” responded Ravi. “That is rather unusual. Only about one in
ten L’avan children have a dava, correct?”

  Me’shan inclined his head. “Yes, but I think you will be even more surprised by the match.”

  “Prince L’iam,” exclaimed E’rian with a laugh. She placed a hand on her rounded belly and grinned. “Our daughter is betrothed to a prince!”

  Ravi was indeed surprised. “The families of L’aslo and Ed’mon have not had such direct ties in a long time.”

  E’rian continued to speak to her protruding abdomen. “She is meant to do great things, I just know it.”

  “Well,” said Ravi with exaggerated patience, “he is only a second royal son. It is not as though he is the crown prince. How much influence can the wife of a second royal son have?”

  E’rian knew that he was teasing her, but she took the bait anyway. “One does not need a title to make a difference.”

  “Then, why does it matter that she is betrothed to a prince?”

  She made a small noise of exasperation. “It does not, I suppose, in regard to her ability to influence others for good. However, that will not change my excitement that my daughter will someday marry into the royal family.”

  Ravi refused to give up his jest. “Perhaps it is best that she is only betrothed to a second son. Can you imagine a daughter of yours becoming queen? Disaster!”

  “Ma’eve would make a wonderful leader,” insisted E’rian. “The Reader said that she was strong and had a great capacity to love.”

  The Rashad wrestling with young E’nes shot Ravi a disapproving glance. “You should not tease E’rian so, brother.”

  Me’shan and Ravi chuckled together, and eventually E’rian joined them.

  “Well, at the very least, she will not want for anything,” concluded the young mother. “King L’unn and Queen Ta’mala were quite pleased with the match. The betrothal will be formally announced after Ma’eve is born.”

  “When will that be?” inquired Ravi.

  “This spring,” answered Me’shan with obvious anticipation.

  “I hope you will not defer you next visit until then,” said E’rian to Ravi with a hint of reprimand.

  “I will not,” promised Ravi with a smile. “Perhaps I will come again in a couple of days. My mother is still resting after the birth of my younger sister, and she likes to have her sons near.”