Tears of the Sun

by Jennifer McCormack

  Chapter Eighteen

  TALON FOUND IT ironic that she would be confined to the Repentance Dormitory of the Vermillion Temple. Maybe it was the most appropriate place for her. After all that had happened during her travels in the Mainland, Talon felt that she should repent. Since being captured in Sonastra, her faith had been tested on numerous occasions, from questioning whether she was worthy enough to serve Astraeyu’s Will after her failure to seeing a Lythrillian woman blessed with Astraeyu’s Light.

  Perhaps this latest ordeal was yet another test, a way for Talon to prove her loyalty to Astraeyu. It was foolish of her to think that Jan would leave her in the dungeon to rot, after all the help Talon had provided. They were allies. Talon realized that now. Whatever happened with the Coruscalli, the Arbiters were with her in this to the end.

  Talon still wondered what Jan was doing in the dungeon so late at night. She supposed it didn’t really matter. Whatever Jan’s reasons were for being there, Talon was glad she appeared when she did. Jan had very likely saved her life, again, and for that Talon was forever grateful.

  The Repentance Dormitory was not such a bad place. It was certainly more comfortable than being chained to a wall in the dungeon. Talon was allowed to walk freely in the forgotten wing of the Temple, but she was under guard at all times. Either Rhys or Beatrix was present to keep watch over her. The Knight-Commander had stood guard since the night before, when Talon was moved to the Repentance Dormitory after the assassination attempt. Early that morning he was relieved of duty when Beatrix came to take over.

  The cat woman was friendlier than the Knight-Commander. Instead of merely standing guard like a stone sentinel, Beatrix engaged Talon in conversation to make the time pass more quickly.

  “I heard you had quite the night,” Beatrix said. She was sitting directly across from Talon, making it difficult to avoid looking into those eerily feline eyes.

  “Last night was eventful, yes.” Talon hoped Beatrix wouldn’t inquire as to all the details of the encounter with the assassin. Talon did not like recalling how outmatched she had felt, chained to the wall except for the hand she’d managed to free only moments before the assassin appeared.

  “The Grand Arbiter informs me that you handled yourself rather well, considering the circumstances.” Beatrix smiled, her whiskers laid back contentedly. “It seems we’ve had one adventure after another since coming to Kalvatin.”

  “Too many adventures, if you ask me.”

  “Is that why you were trying to escape?” Beatrix’s question caught Talon by surprise. When she made no reply, Beatrix added, “I never imagined you the sort to run away from danger.”

  “I wasn’t planning on running away.” Talon knew it was dangerous to speak so openly with Beatrix. For all she knew, Jan could have sent Beatrix to spy on her.

  “Where were you going, then?” Beatrix asked. “You are a fugitive in Kalvatin.”

  “What does it matter now? The safest place for me to be in Kalvatin is with the Arbiters.” Talon realized her words were true. If she had escaped and Morgsten got word of it, there would be no place for her to hide, and no Arbiters standing between her and the assassins Morgsten sent after her.

  “I didn’t mean to pry,” Beatrix said, in a softer tone. “I was only curious.”

  Talon wanted to ask Beatrix if she knew why Jan was in the dungeon so late at night, but she doubted Beatrix would tell. Jan probably suspected Talon of trying to escape and had come personally to check on her.

  Before Talon could say another word, she heard the sound of the doorknob turning. Beatrix raised her head, also startled. Rhys was not supposed to relieve Beatrix of guard duty for several hours more, and there were no others that knew of Talon’s relocation to the Repentance Dormitory.

  The door opened and Jan herself staggered in. Jan appeared weary, as though she’d had no sleep in days. Talon did not doubt it. Since the night of the masquerade, Jan was on high alert. Now that Talon’s life had also been targeted by an assassin, she understood Jan’s need to remain vigilant.

  “Arbiter Sterling,” Beatrix said, “I didn’t expect to see you here. Shouldn’t you be getting some rest?”

  “I couldn’t sleep,” Jan said. “Too much has happened. We can’t afford to let our guard down, not even for a minute.”

  “Morgsten is a formidable opponent,” Beatrix agreed.

  “I knew he would be before we ever departed for Kalvatin.” Jan’s eyes found Talon, and an unreadable expression settled over her features. “Beatrix, might I have a word alone with Talon? I will summon you once I am finished.”

  “Of course, take as long as you like.” Beatrix headed to the door leading to the dining room, obviously pleased to have some time to herself. Talon supposed she was not the most pleasant company, but after surviving an encounter with a lethal assassin only a few hours before, she was in no mood to engage in idle small talk.

  “We need to talk.” Jan motioned to the sofa and chair. Talon followed her suggestion and sat in the chair. “I wanted to have this discussion earlier, last night, in fact, but we both know how that turned out.”

  “Was that why you were in the dungeon?” Talon asked. “You came to speak with me?”

  Jan nodded. “This isn’t easy for me to say. Don’t take this the wrong way. It’s not that I don’t trust you, because I do, but I know you aren’t telling me everything about the Prophecy of Fire.”

  Talon met Jan’s gaze openly. It wasn’t surprising that Jan suspected her of keeping information from the Arbiters. Jan wasn’t as naïve as she appeared to be. It was wrong of Talon to ever treat her as though she was. This woman could be chosen by Astraeyu to defeat the Coruscalli and end the threat of the Firebringer. Talon needed to learn to trust Jan completely, but that was perhaps the most trying test of her faith. It had never been easy for Talon to rely on others. Even if the glowing scar on Jan’s chest was Astraeyu’s Light, Jan was still only a woman and capable of betrayal.

  “I must admit, Jan,” Talon began, “I do know more of the Prophecy of Fire than most. Those who serve Astraeyu’s Will are educated in all aspects of the Ancients, even folklore and mythology.”

  “Do you know what will happen if Morgsten achieves his goal?” Jan waited, but when Talon did not answer, she grew more insistent. “Come on, Talon, the world could be depending on what you tell me here today.”

  “Do you think this is easy for me? Knowledge of the Prophecy of Fire is rarely spoken of outside of Astraeyu’s Will, save for in rumors and legends.” Talon clenched her fist against the armrest of the chair.

  Jan placed a hand over her heart, over the glowing scar, and added, more softly, “Look at me, Talon. I’ve been marked by something, a form of magic that no one has seen before. You claim it is Astraeyu’s Light. Well, if that’s true, then am I not, in a way, a servant of Astraeyu?”

  Talon had not thought of it that way before. If Jan truly was Chosen, she deserved to know about the threat that hung over the world like a dark shroud.

  “You are right, Jan. I’ve been foolish to keep such crucial information from you. As you already know, the Prophecy of Fire speaks of the Firebringer, a mysterious construct of the Ancients said to be capable of destroying the world. What I haven’t told you is that the Prophecy also speaks on the consequences of unleashing the Firebringer. If the Coruscalli actually find the Firebringer and Morgsten activates it, this world will be burned to ash. According to the Prophecy that is the only way the world can be born anew. A new civilization will rise from the ashes.”

  “The Coruscalli,” Jan finished for her.

  Talon nodded. “The Coruscalli have always considered their beliefs to be the true ideals of Lyth. To them, everyone else is a heretic, undeserving to be called Lythrillian.”

  “Morgsten seeks to drive his enemies from the world using the Firebringer. He has been targeting the Arbiters this whole time.” Jan grew thoughtful for a moment. “If the Coruscalli believe their
values to be true Lythrillianism, why put so much stock in a prophecy of the Astraeyu Nouvins?”

  Talon shrugged. “Who can say for certain when the Coruscalli first heard of the Firebringer? All I know is that the Coruscalli have existed for centuries in secrecy, limiting its activities in the Mainland to avoid being discovered by the Arbiters. Records show that the Coruscalli have been present in Astraeyu Nouvi for the past five hundred years. During that time, Astraeyu’s Will has kept a close vigil on the cultists, driving them out of Astraeyu Nouvi when necessary, but they always come back. There is nowhere else in Lythril where they can escape the watchful eyes of the Arbitrary Order of Lyth.”

  “I can’t believe the Coruscalli have been lying in wait for centuries, devising a way to rid the world of the Arbiters.”

  “Just think,” Jan continued, “if we had formed an alliance with Astraeyu Nouvi instead of treating it as a land of mysticism and monsters, we might have known of the Coruscalli before they became so powerful.”

  Jan was right. Astraeyu’s Will would have gladly shared the information regarding the cult’s existence with the Four Kingdoms if the Mainlanders would only listen. The world of Lythril could accomplish much if the Mainlanders would accept the Astraeyu Nouvins as equals instead of trying to drive them away. With the threat of the Coruscalli actually finding the Firebringer increasing every day, it seemed unlikely they would get another chance to work together.

  “We can’t let Morgsten win,” Talon said. “Not only must we prevent the Coruscalli from obtaining the Firebringer, we must also keep Morgsten from turning the world against Astraeyu Nouvi. He would delight in seeing my people labeled as the true enemy, when most of them have little to no knowledge of the Prophecy of Fire.”

  “I won’t let that happen. I’ll stop the Coruscalli and I will do everything in my power to keep the Astraeyu Nouvins from suffering in Morgsten’s stead.” Jan smiled encouragingly and Talon could feel the sincerity in her words. Jan believed she could save the world from the Coruscalli’s nefarious plans, and in that moment Talon believed it too.

  Jan was an exceptional woman, loyal, brave, and beautiful. In the short time Talon had known Jan, she had come to love her. Talon realized that now. She wasn’t sure if it was appropriate to be having such feelings for Jan. She was a Mainlander woman, after all. Customs differed in the Mainland. Jan might even be offended that Talon would think of her in such a way. Aside from the romantic feelings, Talon was truly grateful to Jan for all that she had done. Talon wished she could express her gratitude to Jan, both for saving her life and for helping to restore her faith, but Talon had never been good at expressing her feelings. The best she could do was to trust Jan and to continue to offer advice on the Coruscalli.

  Chapter Nineteen

  JAN FELT CONFIDENT that even Talon could not escape from the Repentance Dormitory while Beatrix or Rhys was on guard. For some reason, Jan had the feeling that Talon no longer wanted to escape. Maybe it was the way in which she spoke of stopping the Coruscalli with such conviction that made Jan believe that Talon was finally on their side, wholeheartedly and without reservation.

  Since Jan had no more to say, she rose from the sofa and bid Talon a good afternoon.

  “Wait,” Talon called, her voice huskier than usual.

  Jan turned to face Talon. It was obvious that Talon had something more to say, but her uncertainty was nearly tangible. Talon shifted from one foot to the other a trace uneasily before finding the words she wanted to say.

  “I want to thank you, Jan, for saving my life, both in Sonastra and last night.”

  Shocked at Talon’s gratitude, Jan remained silent.

  “I also want to offer my sincerest apologies,” Talon continued. “When we first met, I must admit I had my doubts about trusting a Mainlander. Later, when you received that glowing scar, I wondered why Astraeyu would bless a woman of Lythrillian faith with Her Light instead of favoring one of the devout priestesses who spend their lives in prayer for such a blessing. Then, you arrested me when I assaulted Morgsten. That was when I went so far as to question my own faith. It seemed a cruel joke for Astraeyu to bestow Her gift upon a woman so intent on bringing about the downfall of one of Her servants.” Talon paused and drew a deep breath. “I was wrong to think those things. I now see that you have a noble heart, Arbiter Sterling. As I said before, Astraeyu makes no mistakes. I am honored to work with you, and with the Arbiters. Together, I believe we can put an end to the Coruscalli’s reign of terror.”

  “Thank you, it gives me strength to know that you trust me.”

  Jan hoped she didn’t stammer as she spoke, but it came as quite a shock to hear Talon say she placed so much confidence in her.

  Jan left the Repentance Dormitory shaken by all that Talon had said to her. The Firebringer was a means for Morgsten to cleanse the world of his enemies, most notably the Arbiters. Jan did not understand how a construct of such destructive power could obliterate so many while leaving survivors to carry on in the wake of its fiery retribution, but she did not want to wait around and find out how the Firebringer worked. It was a threat to all of Lythril and needed to be dealt with immediately. Jan only wished she knew how to deal with the Firebringer. It was unlike any adversary the Arbiters had faced before. Jan was glad Talon would be there to offer her assistance. She knew more of the Firebringer than any of the Arbiters.

  That was another thing that left Jan unnerved after her conversation with Talon. Before she became Grand Arbiter, she never imagined anyone would place so much faith in her. Now, she and a handful of her closest allies were the only ones that could save the world from the Firebringer.

  JAN ORDERED SECURITY to be doubled around the Vermillion Temple. After the attempt at Talon’s life, she wanted to take no chances. Someone in the Vermillion Temple was not what they appeared to be. Jan assigned guard duty in pairs, so if one Arbiter was a double agent it would make it more difficult for him or her to act without causing suspicion. It was a disturbing thought, imagining that one of the Arbiters was actually working for the Coruscalli, but no one was above suspicion. Few people outside of the Vermillion Temple knew of the incident with Morgsten. Even fewer knew that Talon was being held in the dungeons at the time of the assassination attempt. That meant that Morgsten almost certainly had someone working for him within the Arbiters, which would explain the assassin’s skills.

  Jan was beginning to feel that she had worn out her welcome in Kalvatin. That feeling was only further confirmed when Morgsten decided to pay another visit to the Vermillion Temple. Jan doubted Morgsten’s purpose was merely a social call. After the business with the assassin, she vowed to be more cautious about what she said to Morgsten.

  “Grand Arbiter,” Morgsten said when he saw Jan approaching. His expression was as maddeningly friendly and jovial as ever, but Jan knew it was all a façade. “I am glad to see you are well.”

  As with Morgsten’s previous visit, he had requested that they speak in private. Unlike before, Jan knew for certain that she could not rely on Talon rushing to her rescue if Morgsten decided to attack.

  “I’ve been managing well enough, under the circumstances,” Jan replied. She sat at her desk and began organizing some loose papers.

  “I heard that you had a rough night,” Morgsten said.

  Jan’s heart nearly stopped and she looked up from her papers. “I beg your pardon?”

  “Word is that someone decided to pay a visit to your Outlander guest.” Morgsten narrowed his eyes at her. “You were the one to turn them away, no?”

  No one outside of the Arbiters knew of the assassination attempt the night before, which only confirmed Jan’s suspicion that someone in the Vermillion Temple was working for Morgsten. Only four people witnessed the events in the dungeon: Jan, Talon, Rhys, and the assassin. It was no surprise that the assassin would report to Morgsten so punctually. Infiltrating the Arbiters and gaining access to the Temple’s dungeon was no easy task. This assassin was pr
obably receiving the highest pay of any of Morgsten’s spies. Jan suspected the assassin was Morgsten’s prized agent, someone with inside information on the Arbiters. If she ever learned the identity of this traitor, she would make sure he or she paid dearly for dishonoring the Arbiters with such a corrupt alliance.

  “You risked your own life to save that regrettable savage,” Morgsten continued. “It’s a shame, really. The world would have been much better off if the assassin had finished the job.”

  “In case you’re forgetting, the Black Talon saved my life.” Jan could not stand idly by while Morgsten continued to insult Talon.

  “Ah, yes,” Morgsten said, “that unfortunate business at the masquerade. I suppose even a wild animal can be trained to defend its master. Although from what I know of savage beasts, they can just as easily turn on that same master.”

  Jan was starting to lose her patience with Morgsten. She knew he was only trying to provoke her, trying to goad her into making some mistake that would reflect badly on the Arbiters. It was this knowledge alone that kept Jan from taking the bait.

  “We’ve lost one prisoner to an assassin already,” Jan said, ignoring Morgsten’s taunt by changing the subject. “I won’t lose another.” The determination with which she spoke succeeded in getting Morgsten’s attention. She was riled, and now he knew it.

  “I had nearly forgotten about the man who tried to murder you at the masquerade,” Morgsten said. “He was killed by an assassin, right here in the Vermillion Temple’s dungeon, wasn’t he? That must have been disappointing, losing a prisoner before you had the chance to interrogate him. Now you will never know who was behind the attempt at your life.”

  “We know enough.” Jan wished she hadn’t said it as soon as the words passed her lips.