Tears of the Sun

by Jennifer McCormack

  “I should have expected as much.” Talon already knew of Kalvatin’s obsession with mystic arts, and of its hatred for Astraeyu Nouvi. “It’s no surprise that such a nation would back the Coruscalli.”

  “We don’t know that Kalvatin as a nation is involved,” Jan reminded her rather pointedly. “I’m sure there are other Kalvats, in addition to Morgsten, who wish to see the Prophecy of Fire fulfilled, but there are innocents as well.”

  Talon wanted to tell Jan just how dangerous their situation could become if the Coruscalli found the Firebringer. The words were on the tip of her tongue. Only her vow to keep the information secret kept her from speaking aloud the warning that screamed throughout her mind.

  “We should tread carefully,” she said, biting back the words that threatened to tumble from her mouth.

  Jan nodded, and dismissed Talon from her office. As Talon strolled along the hall leading from Jan’s quarters, images played before her mind’s eyes, images of chaos and destruction that could have been prevented if only she had spoken her mind.

  TALON NEEDED TO speak to Jan in private. The information she planned to impart was critical to their mission but must remain confidential. She trusted Jan would do that. She set out to find Jan.

  As expected, Talon found Jan relaxing in the observatory that overlooked the courtyard. She had often seen Jan in the open room, or on the grand balcony that encircled nearly one third of Fort Solitude. Jan sat at one of the tables, her head bent over a rather ancient-looking book. As Talon approached, Jan raised her head slightly, questions burning in her brown eyes at Talon’s sudden appearance.

  “We need to talk,” Talon said. She glanced around the observatory and added, in a lower voice, “In private.”

  “I can arrange so that no one interrupts us.” Jan appeared hesitant as she spoke, like she wasn’t quite sure she wanted to be alone with Talon. Talon did not blame her. “If what you have to say can only be spoken in private, I know just the place. Follow me.”

  To Talon’s surprise, Jan led her to the stables. The stables of Fort Solitude were an impressive sight to behold, but Talon expected it would be so. This was the land of the fabled Horselords, after all. She had never seen so many horses in one place, all fine animals. Such magnificent creatures would be treasured in Astraeyu Nouvi, where it was more common to see the Garunti, a hardy beast that resembled a large bighorn sheep.

  Talon heard that horses were prized in Rider’s Vale, as well. If the condition of these stables was any indication, it was true. Still, Talon wondered what Jan could be planning by bringing her here. Certainly, there was little privacy to be found with all the grooms and stable hands tending to their daily tasks. One of the young women noticed Jan and paused in her routine to salute her.

  “Greetings, Grand Arbiter,” she said. “Are you ready for your afternoon ride?”

  “Yes,” Jan replied. “And I would like to have an additional mount readied for Talon.”

  So that was Jan’s plan. The groom glanced briefly at Talon, but she did not question Jan’s request. She promptly disappeared deeper within the stables.

  “Your afternoon ride?” Talon asked when the groom was gone. “Do you do this every day?”

  “Practice makes perfect,” Jan said. “Remember when I told you that it was all I could do to remain in the saddle? Well, it wouldn’t do to have a Grand Arbiter who could barely stay on her horse, especially one from Rider’s Vale. I would be a laughing stock across the Four Kingdoms.”

  “I see.” Talon was surprised that Jan would admit that she lacked the leadership qualities required of Grand Arbiter, but she admired Jan’s determination to remedy her shortcomings.

  Both women were quiet for the next several minutes, until the groom returned leading two horses. Immediately, Jan stepped forward.

  “Liam! How are you today?” Jan approached the bay horse and began rubbing his nose. She then reached into her pocket. “Would you like a carrot? Of course you would.”

  Talon watched the exchange with mild amusement. She noticed the gelding was the same horse that Jan always rode. The large white star on his forehead set him apart from the others. Talon directed her gaze to the second horse, a dappled gray cob that was presumably tacked up for her. The horse appeared sturdy and surefooted, the type that would be favored for Astraeyu Nouvi’s rugged terrain. Did Jan suspect this was the sort of horse Talon was accustomed to, or did she merely wish to lessen any chances that Talon might escape? It seemed unlikely that the cob could outrun Jan’s horse, or any of the horses usually ridden by the Arbiters, for that matter.

  Talon noticed that Jan was no longer talking to her horse. When she looked around, she saw that Jan was regarding her curiously.

  “You do know how to ride a horse, don’t you?” she asked Talon.

  “I have ridden a few, yes, although most of my experience in the saddle has been with Garunti.”

  “Grunty?” Jan appeared genuinely confused. Talon was not surprised. Garunti were native to Astraeyu Nouvi and practically unheard of in the southern kingdoms.

  “What an appropriate description for them.” Talon laughed. “Garunti are often stubborn and ill-tempered. They lack the beauty and majesty of horses, but Garunti are better suited to the climate of Astraeyu Nouvi.”

  “So these Garunti are sort of like mules, then?” Jan took the reins and began leading Liam out of the stables. Talon followed her example, and followed behind her with the gray cob.

  “Yes, I suppose they are similar, in temperament anyway.” Talon gave another laugh. “Except that Garunti have horns.”

  “They sound fierce.”

  “They aren’t so bad. Some of the well-trained Garunti are quite docile.”

  “Maybe I’ll get a chance to see a Garunti some day.” Jan had a faraway look in her eye as she spoke. Talon didn’t doubt Jan was imagining what life was like in Astraeyu Nouvi. “Well,” she said suddenly, her eyes focusing on Talon, “time to mount up. I know of a place not too far from here where we won’t be disturbed.”

  Talon mounted and followed Jan across the field of wildflowers she had seen from the Grand Balcony of Fort Solitude. The flowers’ many fragrances filled the air as they rode through the meadow toward the line of trees beyond. The landscape was beautiful and serene. It was almost possible for Talon to forget about the Coruscalli and their plan to destroy the world.

  When they reached the forest of conifers, Jan slowed Liam as she searched about for something. Talon watched, wondering if this was where Jan was leading her, after all. The forest was secluded and quiet, but the walls of Fort Solitude were still in sight. Furthermore, the thick trees made it difficult for Talon to spot any spies that could be lurking within the forest.

  “Ah, here it is,” Jan exclaimed. She pointed to a narrow path, whether it was created by people or animals, Talon could not tell. It was an old path, covered in pine needles and vines and indiscernible to all but those who knew where to look for it.

  Talon followed Jan as she picked her way carefully along the worn trail. The path weaved in and out between the trees, curved around the base of a high ridge, and then began winding its way upward along a rocky path. Talon wondered where Jan could be leading her when she saw it: a crumbled archway carved from the stone itself. Beyond the archway she could see a large open space, hidden from sight by the rocky ridge that surrounded it.

  “The former stronghold of the Arbitrary Order of Lyth,” Jan explained. “It was abandoned after the battle with Kalvatin and the Arbiters’ base was relocated to where Fort Solitude stands today.”

  A wise strategy, Talon concluded. Located in the middle of a wide open meadow as it was, Fort Solitude provided the Arbiters with a sweeping view of the surrounding land. They would see any enemy approaching from miles away and have time to prepare. She inspected again the high ridge surrounding the ruins. Such cover was sufficient at keeping the stronghold from sight of passers-by, but the natural walls would also c
ut off any means of escape in case of a siege.

  Jan seemed to be familiar with the ruins, but Talon supposed she would have visited the area many times. Jan was a scholar. Places like these ruins probably fascinated her. Talon watched as Jan rode ahead of her through the remains of the once grand fort. A guard tower still stood at the center, the structure leaning slightly after so many years of disuse. There were ruins similar to these littering the island of Astraeyu Nouvi, the remnants of the cities constructed by the advanced Ancients so long ago, perhaps even before the beginning of time. These ruins paled in comparison to the grandeur of the Ancient cities, but Talon respected the history held within the stone walls, nonetheless.

  Scorched markings could be seen on both the stone of the buildings and the ridge itself, evidence of magical fire. Jan said the ruins were abandoned after a battle with the Kalvat sorcerers. Given the damage the Four Kingdoms had suffered at the hands of mages over the years, Talon was beginning to understand the Mainlanders’ reservations toward the arcane.

  Upon reaching a corner of the courtyard sheltered by the blackened remains of petrified trees, Jan brought her horse to a stop and dismounted. Apparently they had reached their destination. Talon took a moment to scan her surroundings. The ruins were certainly isolated. It looked as though the place hadn’t been disturbed in years. Such a place could offer the privacy Talon sought. She dismounted the gray cob and sauntered over to join Jan beneath the shade of the trees.

  “This is certainly an out of the way place,” Talon said.

  “You said you wanted privacy.” Jan motioned to a low carved bench.

  Before sitting down, Talon noticed a crumbling structure situated among the dead trees. A fountain once adorned the peaceful grove, although now it only added to the eerie silence of the place.

  “I did request it, yes,” she said in response to Jan’s earlier statement. “I didn’t realize places like this existed, especially not so close to Fort Solitude.”

  “There are many places of wonder and mystery in Lythril,” Jan said. “These walls have protected many secrets throughout the centuries.”

  Talon took that as her cue to explain her insistence to have a private audience with Jan and cleared her throat. She then began speaking in a slow, uneven tone, her command of the common language prevalent throughout the southern kingdoms slipping in her hesitancy to reveal secrets she’d vowed to protect.

  “This isn’t easy for me. I made a promise.” After a moment, she mustered up the nerve to say what she’d come to say. “There is more to the Prophecy of Fire than you know. As an Astraeyu’s Talon, I made a vow not to disclose this information with anyone, but—” here she paused, averting her eyes from Jan’s questioning gaze “—under the circumstances, I think it would be in the best interests of everyone if I made a breach in my solemn oaths. But you mustn’t tell anyone else. This information could be used against my people if it falls into the wrong hands.”

  “It will not travel beyond these walls,” Jan said. Her voice sounded sincere. For some reason, Talon was inclined to believe her, even though she was warned not to trust the Mainlanders. From what Talon had seen so far, Jan was nothing like the stereotypical Mainlander spoken of in Astraeyu Nouvi.

  As Talon spoke of the Firebringer, of its origins and how it was the Ancient Astraeyu Nouvins who first created it, Jan did not seemed at all surprised. In fact, Talon would guess that Jan suspected all along that she knew more than she was letting on. Jan, after all, had less reason to believe Talon than Talon did to trust Jan. She was a Mainlander. She would never understand the ways of Astraeyu’s Will. But Talon suspected that Jan wanted to understand.

  When Talon finished speaking, she was not hit by the barrage of questions she expected. Instead, Jan merely sat quietly as she processed all the information Talon shared with her. It was a relief, Talon had to admit, to find a Mainlander woman sensible enough not to question Talon for keeping the information secret. Apparently Jan respected Astraeyu Nouvin culture enough not to press Talon for details she felt uncomfortable giving. Jan’s actions caused Talon to think more highly of her.

  “Well, I’m certainly glad you came to me with this information,” Jan said after a moment. “If what you say is true and the Ancients, your people’s ancestors, created the Firebringer, public knowledge of the Prophecy of Fire could have detrimental effects for your homeland.” She frowned, the expression looking strangely out of place on Jan’s usually cheerful countenance. “Bringing the world’s wrath to bear on Astraeyu Nouvi could even be Morgsten’s intention. From what I’ve heard of him, he is a conniving, manipulative man.”

  “Just let him try,” Talon challenged. The very idea that Morgsten wanted to implicate Astraeyu Nouvi in the Coruscalli’s scheming set her blood to boiling.

  “Easy, now,” Jan said soothingly. “We will do everything we can to prevent such a fate from coming to pass. Even if the Firebringer is a construct of Ancient technology, the people of modern day Astraeyu Nouvi had nothing to do with its invention. I dare say most don’t even know of its existence.”

  “You’re right,” Talon agreed. “The Firebringer is as much a mystery to the average Astraeyu Nouvin as it is to a Mainlander. So, what do you propose to do about Morgsten? If he suspects you know of his identity, he could become dangerous, and not just to the Arbiters. He is a problem that must be dealt with.” Talon paused, turned to face Jan, and made sure she had Jan’s undivided attention before continuing. “Let me go.”

  Jan glanced up from the broken flagstones she had been kicking at with the toe of her boot. “Pardon me?”

  “Let me go to Kalvatin,” Talon clarified. “I understand that, despite the power and influence the Arbiters hold—or perhaps because of it—there are limitations on what you can do in a situation such as this. I, however, have no such restrictions. I can deal with Morgsten without any of the repercussions the Arbiters face.”

  “I’m sure you could. However, I am afraid I can’t grant you permission to undertake such a quest. Having a dead Kalvat suddenly turn up under suspicious circumstances would not look good for the rest of Lythril, especially when that Kalvat has as much sway over the Board of Thaumaturgists as Morgsten.” Jan smiled, and in that instant she looked more like the woman Talon had come to know since their meeting in Sonastra. “I’m grateful for your help, but please trust me on this. You will get your chance at the Coruscalli, I promise. Now, shall we head back to Fort Solitude? We’ve been gone some time. Any longer and I fear Commander Garrison will have the bulk of the Arbiters out searching for us.”

  Talon and Jan mounted their horses and began the trip back to Fort Solitude. Talon did not understand why Jan would refuse her offer to render quick justice to their enemy, but she did not argue. Jan was the Grand Arbiter. As long Jan’s inaction did not jeopardize Talon’s mission, she would follow her orders.

  Chapter Eight

  JAN SENSED A change come over Fort Solitude. Since the discovery of the identity of the Coruscalli’s ringleader was made, the atmosphere at the keep had become solemn and tense. Everyone was on edge, including Jan. Knowing the name and face of their enemy and yet still being able to do nothing while her agents in Kalvatin risked their lives was infuriating. Rhys was busy preparing his soldiers for battle, should the need to march into Kalvatin arise, while Beatrix worked on perfecting spells to bolster the team’s defenses.

  Jan could think of nothing better than burying herself in her studies, just as she used to do in her days as an archivist. Rigorous work helped to take her mind off the imminent danger her agents faced in Kalvatin. Jan reviewed every detail they had gathered so far on the Coruscalli, mentally readying herself for what trials might come.

  There was only so much hard work could accomplish, however. Jan poured over every detail recorded on the Coruscalli numerous times, but she could uncover no crucial point that was previously overlooked. After a few days, the quiet solitude began to grate on Jan’s nerves. In spite of h
er efforts to remain calm and focused in these dire times, her long hours of perusing documents only served to make her restless.

  Jan decided to go for a stroll around the courtyard. It was a pleasant autumn day, but the serenity of the gardens did nothing to settle her nerves. Her efforts to steer her mind away from recent events were futile. Warmth blossomed at Jan’s chest and spread outward, causing her to pause in midstride. As she looked down at her chest, she noticed a faint luminescence emanating from within her. The glowing scar seemed to be brighter than it was only a few days before.

  Although thus far the scar had caused Jan no pain, she could not ignore the fact that it was there, and it was like nothing she had ever seen before. Talon claimed it was a blessing bestowed upon her by Astraeyu, but Jan wasn’t so sure. No one knew for certain what caused the light to shine from within her like a beacon. The phenomenon was previously unheard of, at least in the Four Kingdoms. Apparently the Astraeyu Nouvins knew something of it. Hadn’t Talon mentioned that many priestesses spent their lives in dedication to Astraeyu in hopes of receiving a similar blessing?

  Jan examined again the ghostly light that shone through her clothing and wondered if the scar was indeed a gift from a foreign deity. She placed her hand over it. The light seemed to pulse in time with the beating of her heart. The warmth from the light spread through her hand and a soothing wave of calm washed over her.

  Perhaps there was something to Talon’s theory. Jan had never felt such a sense of calm before in her life. Talon likely knew more of Astraeyu’s Light than she’d told Jan. Talon seemed to be full of secrets. Jan knew Talon would not keep information from her that could prove detrimental to the safety of Lythril, but she wondered what other secrets Talon might be holding.