Tears of the Sun

by Jennifer McCormack

  “We’re almost there,” Rhys announced. “Our patrols have reported incidents in the nearby forest. If the Coruscalli has set up camp in this area, we should expect to see signs soon.”

  Jan kept an eye on the line of trees a short distance from the road, watching the shadows for the slightest movements. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves. The forest was filled with the sounds of nocturnal creatures, but other than that it was eerily quiet.

  “Stay alert.” Jan didn’t like how removed from civilization the area felt. It made her think that they were the ones being lured into a trap, not the Coruscalli.

  Talon lingered at the back of the group, her hand on the hilt of a sword as her golden eyes scanned the forest. If anyone was watching, they would see two points of light reflected in the dim moonlight, like the eyes of an animal.

  Talon’s presence among the group eased Jan’s nerves somewhat. Jan had no doubts that Talon could help even the odds if the Arbiters found themselves outnumbered. It was no surprise that Talon volunteered her services when Jan first brought forth her plan to lure the Coruscalli into a trap. After all, Talon had come to the Four Kingdoms to hunt the Coruscalli, if her tale was true. Jan had no reason to disbelieve that it was.

  Talon might be evasive when asked questions about her personal life and her homeland, but when it came to the Coruscalli, she had been most helpful in providing information to Jan’s investigation. In fact, Jan would go so far as to say that without Talon’s assistance there would have been no investigation. If the Sonastra guard had been allowed to execute Talon, the general populace would have been content to believe that an Outlander assassin was to blame for the attack on the Summit Palace and the Coruscalli would still be an unknown.

  In retrospect, Jan was glad she’d been stationed in Seawatch Tower outside of Sonastra when the catastrophe occurred. Any farther away and she might not have made it to the Sonastra jail in time to save Talon. Maybe things really did happen for a reason. Maybe it was no fluke, no stroke of misfortune that led to Jan’s promotion.

  A chill ran along her spine as the thought crossed her mind. The sensation caused her to raise a hand to her breast. Beneath the layers of clothing she imagined she could feel the power emanating from the glowing scar. What had Talon called it? Astraeyu’s Light? It still made no sense to Jan why she, a woman of Lythrillian faith, would be blessed by Astraeyu, but she could not deny that the scar seemed more than a mark left behind by the Ancient device.

  JAN AWOKE WITH a start, shaking herself awake as a shudder ran through her entire body. The night was not particularly cold. Nights in Rider’s Vale were usually mild at this time of year, and this night was no different. Something had jarred Jan from sleep. She saw nothing out of the ordinary. It was a relief to Jan that she woke when she did. She only settled down to rest her weary body from the hours of riding across rough terrain. She’d certainly had no intention of being lulled to sleep by the dancing flames of the campfire.

  Jan rose from her seat and stretched her arms over her head. Her entire body was sore and stiff from long hours in the saddle.

  Some Horselord I am, she thought wryly. As she scanned the camp a second time, she realized something was amiss. Talon left her position on an overhanging tree branch above the campsite. Jan checked again to be sure, but she saw no trace of Talon in the tree or anywhere else, for that matter.

  The tree stood at the edge of camp. If Talon had decided to sneak away in the dark, it would have been easy for her to elude the eyes of those standing watch by blending with the shadows of the forest. Jan gaped for a moment, shocked as the gravity of the situation hit her. How could Talon do this to her, after she so implicitly trusted her? Apparently her way of repaying Jan’s trust was to slip away as soon as her guard was down. Maybe there was a legitimate reason Talon had left her post, Jan rationalized. Perhaps she merely had to answer the call of nature. No one could fault her for wanting privacy for that.

  Convinced that Talon would be back soon, Jan wandered to the trunk of the large tree and waited. After several long minutes passed and there was still no sign of Talon, she grew anxious again.

  Her eyes followed the narrow deer path that led from the clearing. Jan gazed deeper into the forest beyond. Talon couldn’t have gone far. As someone who was unfamiliar with the territory and the terrain, Talon would have a difficult time reaching civilization without a map or a guide, and no Southerner would willingly provide such assistance to an Astraeyu Nouvin. Jan knew she could catch up to Talon, if she left immediately. She gave one last look to the camp before deciding it would be best if she set out alone. Too many people and Talon would easily hear their approach. As it was, Jan sounded like a herd of horses stampeding through the underbrush to her own ears. She could only hope that if Talon heard her, she didn’t mind being found.

  Jan was halfway up the rising slope overlooking the clearing when she heard the distinct sounds of shouting and the clang of metal against metal coming from the camp. When she turned around, she thought she caught a glimpse of firelight other than the fires lit around the camp. Torches? Before she could investigate further, a hand clamped over her mouth and she was pulled, rather roughly, into the bushes.

  “Try not to make so much noise.” At the sound of the clipped, staccato words, Jan relaxed and ceased her struggling. Talon released her hold and removed her hand from Jan’s mouth. “The Coruscalli are here,” she said, focusing her eyes toward the camp as Jan turned to regard her curiously.

  “Where did you go?” Jan demanded. Her voice came out as a whisper that sounded harsh even to her own ears.

  “I sensed the Coruscalli approaching,” Talon replied without looking at her. “I thought to move to higher ground, to gain a better vantage point of the battlefield while I waited for the Coruscalli to make its move.”

  “You sensed—”

  “Never mind the details,” Talon interrupted. “I knew your guards would likely be oblivious to the Coruscalli’s presence. The cultists use a form of magic first developed by the Ancients, magic that allows one to simply walk into enemy territory without being detected.”

  “Another cloaking spell?” Jan knew the Coruscalli had such magic. The Arbiters were trained to counter such spells, but detecting magic that was designed to conceal was not easy.

  Talon nodded. “It is beyond me how the Coruscalli managed to obtain such knowledge of Ancient magic, but it will doubtlessly make engaging them in combat more challenging.”

  “You could have warned us, you know.” Jan tried to keep the admonishing tone from her voice, but it wasn’t easy. She trusted Talon, trusted her enough to allow her free run of the camp. Apparently Talon did not trust her, or any of the Arbiters, enough to share a simple piece of information. When Talon glanced her way, Jan added, “About the Coruscalli approaching under the cover of magic. If you knew, you should have told me. We are not your enemies, Talon.”

  “I know.” Talon turned away from Jan as she spoke, fastening her attention on what was transpiring in the camp below. “It isn’t easy for me, being in the company of so many. I’ve never had allies.”

  “We should return to camp,” Jan said. She watched as her brave men and women fought against the Coruscalli, who by now had lost the element of surprise. Whatever enchantment the cloaking spell possessed, it appeared to be broken as soon as the Coruscalli made the first strike. There was little chance the Arbiters would be overrun by the Coruscalli, but Jan felt that as their leader she should be present among them.

  “Not that way,” Talon said as Jan began in the direction she came. Jan stopped and turned to face her. “The Coruscalli don’t know we are here. Might I suggest we use this fact to our advantage?”

  “What do you propose?”

  “Give me five minutes. I’ll flank the campsite, hopefully taking as many of the Coruscalli by surprise as I can before I am discovered.”

  Jan knew Talon could cut through a few cultists before they even realized she wa
s there. What was troubling was Talon’s suggestion that they should split up again so soon after Jan found her. Talon seemed to read Jan’s line of thought and smiled wryly. “Are you afraid I’ll try to run away once I am out of sight?” she asked. “I assure you, Jan, if I wanted to escape, I would have done so already.”

  Jan did not doubt Talon’s words. There had been numerous opportunities for Talon to escape since coming to Rider’s Vale. Now, with the Coruscalli so close and with them a chance to possibly redeem herself in the eyes of Astraeyu’s Will, Talon was not likely to run.

  “All right,” Jan said. “I’ll remain hidden while you flank the enemy. Just remember I’ll be watching, waiting for you to give the signal to move. Now go, and try to take at least one cultist alive.”

  Talon nodded and stepped into the deeper shadows, immediately disappearing from sight. Jan wondered how she could move through the underbrush without making a sound, clad in heavy boots and armor as she was. Jan gave a mental shrug and focused her attention on the scene at the camp. The Coruscalli cultists were still giving it their all, but even with their greater numbers they were outmatched by Rhys and his soldiers.

  A shadow tore free from the darkness at the edge of the light cast by the torches and shot across the clearing like an arrow. Two cultists were knocked off their feet as the shadow whipped past them. Jan squinted. The image of a bird of flame caught her eye, glinting in the torchlight like a beacon. Talon moved so swiftly, her movements difficult to track.

  It was hard for Jan to stay out of sight while her people risked their lives. She kept an eye out for any stray Coruscalli that might be lurking in the darkness of the forest as she edged closer to the camp. With all that was at stake, now was no time for her to walk into an ambush.

  Talon’s arrival on the battlefield helped to give the Arbiters the edge they needed over the Coruscalli. Once again, Jan was impressed by Talon’s swordplay skills. She moved about the camp with the grace and elegance of a dancer, only the dance in which she participated was lethal, a dance of blades. As if remembering her audience, Talon paused and looked over her shoulder, her eyes immediately finding the spot where Jan stood. Given the distance Jan was sure Talon could not have seen her, not enshrouded in shadow as she was. Nevertheless, Talon’s eyes gleamed like beacons of light as she met Jan’s gaze. She dipped her head in a slight nod, giving the signal Jan waited for.

  Jan drew her sword and rushed toward the clearing. She covered the distance in less time than she imagined, but by the time she arrived, most of the fighting was over. Talon and the Arbiters had the Coruscalli on the run. Only a few cultists remained behind, those individuals that were too injured to retreat. Abandoned by their fellows, the cultists surrendered without a fight.

  “Nice work, everyone,” Jan congratulated the Arbiters. She scanned her people and noted that there were only a few injuries among the Arbiters, and those were only minor ones. Talon stood a little ways off from the rest, cleaning her blades. Jan examined their prisoners. Four Coruscalli were huddled at the center of the camp, their hands and feet bound.

  “Shall we begin interrogating them, Grand Arbiter?” Rhys asked as he stepped up next to Jan.

  As Jan looked again at the captured cultists, she felt a stab of pity. “Now is as good a time as any,” she said. “For now, let’s limit the interrogation to questioning.” When Rhys turned to regard her, she said, “Torture should be a last resort.” No matter how despicable the Coruscalli might be, Jan didn’t like the idea of having these people’s blood on her hands. “Besides,” she added, “I think the cultists are ready to talk.” She motioned to where the four cultists sat, watching Talon with fearful eyes as she cleaned her black swords.

  “We should have Talon present for all of our interrogations.” Rhys laughed. Then his mirth disappeared just as quickly as he stepped forward until he was standing in front of the prisoners. He towered over them. “Who do you work for?” he demanded.

  The man closest to Rhys gave a shudder. “Please,” he said, “we only recently joined the Coruscalli. We know little of the identities of our superiors.”

  So these individuals were new recruits, likely fresh out of training. Jan suspected as much. A seasoned cultist would not be so eager to talk. There was little chance they would learn anything useful from their captives. She let her disappointment show and gave a loud sigh.

  “Where is your base of operations?” Jan asked. Rhys stepped aside to make space for her in front of the prisoners. “You’ve been harassing my Arbiters in these woods for some time. I assume your leaders have a base camp somewhere along the border.”

  “Y-yes,” the woman in front of Jan stammered. She glanced about at her fellows uncertainly. Obviously, the cultists would be entrusted to keep the location of their base camp secret. When the others said nothing, the woman continued. “What are you going to do with us? If we cooperate, will you let us live?”

  “I don’t see why not.” Jan certainly had no intention of executing these young men and women on the spot, not as long as they posed no threat to her or her Arbiters. Although she had little say in what happened to them once they were turned over to local authorities, she would do all she could to ensure they received a fair trial. “Are you fit enough to walk? Then show us the way to your camp.”

  The prisoners led Jan’s group along paths so narrow and overgrown they were barely visible by moonlight. The captives led the way through the dark, under the watchful eyes of Rhys and his soldiers. Jan walked a short distance behind them. Talon was behind her, her hand at her swords at every second. It was an intense journey. No one spoke for fear of giving away their position to the Coruscalli. Jan saw no sign of the enemy, but she felt sure there were eyes watching her, waiting for the right moment to strike.

  “Not to worry, Jan,” Talon said so softly Jan had to strain to hear her. “If this cell of Coruscalli is no greater in strength or numbers than what we’ve seen so far, they will pose no threat to us.”

  Jan said nothing, the stillness of the forest too deep for her to

  disturb. She only nodded to Talon.

  After what seemed like an entire night of winding through the dark wood, they came to a cave opening. The cave was set into the side of a hillock, mostly obscured by a thick blanketing of moss and lichen. From within, Jan could see the faint glow of torchlight and she knew the prisoners had not double-crossed them.

  “Looks like the Coruscalli haven’t abandoned this camp yet,” Rhys said.

  “Yes.” Jan motioned for two of the Arbiters to circle around and make certain there was no other exit from the cave. “It seems we are fortunate. Take the cultists alive if possible. If not, do what you must to defend yourselves.” Jan gave a nod to Rhys and Talon, and then drew her sword and crossed the threshold into the cave.

  The Coruscalli obviously were not expecting the Arbiters to track them back to their hideout. When Jan’s group entered the larger, dimly lit chamber, the cultists scattered in a disorganized manner. Many were still tending the wounded.

  Jan was pleased with the way the battle turned out. The Arbiters managed to take most of the cultists alive. Only a few who refused to surrender and chose to attack had to be cut down, but Jan supposed she should have expected as much. Whatever their reasons, the Coruscalli were bent on the ruination and destruction of the Arbiters. These individuals may only be raw recruits, but their training no doubt painted the Arbiters as ruthless villains to be feared and hated.

  “That’s the last of them,” Rhys said. He watched as his soldiers led two more cultists away. “What should we do now? It doesn’t appear as though any of these traitors is going to surrender information to us.”

  “Let’s have a look around,” Jan said.

  The cave contained many old tomes similar to the ones they found in the Labyrinthine Archipelago. Jan picked up one of the books. It was quite ancient, the cover faded so that it was impossible to read the title, and the pages barely held in place.
One such page fell free of its bindings and fluttered to the floor. On closer inspection, Jan saw that it was not a page from the old book, but an unfinished letter. The missive was addressed to Kalvatin. Its contents were most definitely intended to be kept confidential, for within the body of the letter several names were mentioned, names of those individuals who were backing the attacks on the Arbiters.

  “Never mind with the prisoners,” Jan said. “None of them can tell us more than what we can learn from this letter.”

  Jan continued to peruse the missive, reading each line carefully. Just as she expected, the names mentioned were of some rather wealthy and influential people across the Four Kingdoms. It was unnerving to learn that there were so many traitors in their midst.

  One name in particular stood out amongst the others: Morgsten. Morgsten was a powerful man in Kalvatin. Although he did not hold a seat on the Board of Thaumaturgists, he had much influence over its decisions as dean of the Institute of Thaumaturgy. Apparently Morgsten was overseer of the Coruscalli’s operations in Rider’s Vale. The letter was addressed to him, and there were many instances of deference throughout the missive.

  “Take a look at this,” Jan said. She held the letter to Rhys.

  After reading the letter in its entirety, he said, “Morgsten. We should have known a Kalvat was involved in all this.”

  “Not all Kalvats wish to see the end of the world, delivered through some archaic prophesy of the Ancients.”

  “True, but many of them believe that Kalvatin should be the capital of the Four Kingdoms, and that Lythril should be ruled by magic.” Rhys handed the letter back to Jan. “It’s no coincidence that a Kalvat is masterminding the plot against the Arbiters. Kalvatin has always resented the Arbitrary Order and its weight in governing the use of the arcane.”