“Excuse me,” Talon said, stepping out from the narrow alleyway. “I overheard your conversation. You mentioned seeing other foreigners in the area besides my companions.”
The three people stared with their mouths hanging open upon seeing Talon’s armor. Realization showed on their faces and they snapped to attention, each standing as rigid as a statue as they saluted her.
“There has been a large group of foreigners in the area lately,” the first woman replied. “I noticed them while I was out hunting for game in the mountains.”
“Did you attempt to approach them?” Talon asked.
“No,” the woman said. “From the looks of it, I’d say the foreigners didn’t want to be seen. I watched them for awhile, staying out of sight.”
“What were the Mainlanders doing?”
“I couldn’t say for certain. I wasn’t foolish enough to get too close. They are armed to the teeth, whoever they are.” The woman thought for a minute, and added, “They appeared to be gathering firewood when I saw them. I don’t know why Mainlanders would be camped in these mountains.”
“I saw them, too,” the man said. “They are an unusual lot, dressed all in bright red and orange, the colors of fire. Some of them were wearing long, flowing garments. They stood out like beacons against the snow and rock of the mountains, yet they went about their activities quietly, as though they didn’t want to draw attention to their location.”
Red clothes, weapons, the mysterious foreigners must be the Coruscalli. Talon focused her gaze on the mountains towering beyond Dalengard. “Whereabouts did you see these Mainlanders?” she asked.
“Near the foot of Rahs Kitan,” the woman said. “I usually avoid the area, but on that day I happened to venture closer to the cursed mountain than I ever have before.”
“That’s where I saw them, as well,” the man agreed. “Do you have any idea why Mainlanders would be in the Wildlands?”
Talon was too startled at what the woman had said to respond. Rahs Kitan was from an archaic dialect of the Astraeyu Nouvin language. Translated, it meant roughly “the bringer of fire.” Talon was now certain that they had come to the right place.
Rahs Kitan was obviously the name of a volcano. Talon wondered why the townsfolk would regard this particular mountain as cursed. Citizens of Dalengard were sure to have witnessed many volcanic eruptions. Talon did not think they were so backward that they believed a curse had anything to do with it.
“Why do you refer to Rahs Kitan as the cursed mountain?” Talon asked.
The man and two women looked at each other before answering, fear shining in their eyes.
“Strange things happen near Rahs Kitan,” the woman said. “Many hunters have ventured into the area only to never be seen again.”
“Living in these mountains is dangerous,” Talon said. “The hunters could have simply slipped and fallen to their deaths in the valleys far below.”
“No bodies were ever found,” the second woman said. “Not only are there the disappearances, but there are also the lights.” She shivered. “They appear sometimes in the night sky, bright enough to light up Dalengard like daylight.” The woman seemed to be terrified of the lights she mentioned. Too terrified to say any more, so her friend continued the conversation.
“The lights have been worse since the Mainlanders have been in the mountains,” the woman said, “as have the sounds.”
“What sort of sounds?” Talon asked.
“Deep, rumbling noises,” the woman replied, putting an arm around her trembling friend to comfort her. “Sometimes it is loud enough to rattle the teeth in your head.”
The rumbling was not so unusual. Talon had heard of tremors heralding the eruption of volcanoes, but the lights were suspicious. The only light she knew to come from a volcano was fire, and that was usually not enough to light up the night sky. It sounded like magic was involved. Whether it was the Coruscalli’s magic or something else entirely Talon was unsure.
“Has Rahs Kitan always played host to these strange lights and sounds?” Talon asked.
“For as long as I can remember,” the woman said. “There have been stories of the cursed mountain for generations.”
Then the Coruscalli couldn’t be entirely to blame, Talon thought. If it was not the Coruscalli’s magic causing the lights and tremors, there was only one other thing it could be. There was an Ancient ruin somewhere in the mountains, its arcane devices still intact and functional after all these centuries. That would also explain why the Coruscalli would set up camp in the area.
“I’ll look into the matter of these foreigners,” Talon said. “Thank you for your time.” There was little time to waste. If the Coruscalli was in the area, she needed to inform Jan as soon as possible, before the cultists had the chance to learn that the Arbiters were so close.
Chapter Twenty-three
JAN HAD NEVER felt more out of her element than she did in Dalengard. No amount of research on Astraeyu Nouvi and its people could have prepared Jan for the actual experience. She wondered how Talon had adapted so well to the Four Kingdoms during her adventures with the Arbiters.
Talon had disappeared shortly after reserving rooms in the local inn. Jan was not worried. Talon probably had a perfectly legitimate reason for setting out alone. If Talon wanted to betray them, she could have done so long before now. This was Talon’s homeland. She could move more easily through the people of Dalengard without the added presence of a Mainlander to confuse and intimidate the townsfolk. If Talon learned anything useful, she would report back immediately. This was, after all, as much her mission as it was anyone’s.
Even as Jan thought about Talon, she thought she heard footsteps softly on the stairs outside her room. In another instant there was a light tap at her door, followed by the sound of Talon’s low voice.
“Jan, I have something important to tell you.”
She opened the door and gestured for Talon to come in.
“I was right,” Talon began without preamble. “The residents of Dalengard are on edge, but not entirely because of our unexpected arrival. It seems we’re not the first visitors Dalengard has had recently. Other foreigners have been spotted in the mountains east of here. Mainlanders dressed in shades of red and orange have made camp somewhere near the foot of Rahs Kitan, a mountain believed to be cursed by the locals.”
“It sounds like the Coruscalli.”
“It must be the Coruscalli.” Talon paced the room restlessly as she spoke. “Something else the villagers told me has me unnerved. Rahs Kitan is widely known in this region as the cursed mountain, but it has nothing to do with it being a volcano. From what I’ve heard, I would say there is a ruin there, an Ancient ruin with at least a few operational arcane devices.”
“Do you think that is what the Coruscalli are after?”
“The Coruscalli are after the Firebringer,” Talon replied, “but I fear the cult’s presence has caused some sort of disturbance. The villagers said the strange lights and tremors that originate from Rahs Kitan have increased since the foreigners’ arrival. I worry that the Coruscalli have already gained entry to the ruins and is using magic in an attempt to unlock whatever secrets the ruins might hold. The mountain’s name itself causes me unease. Rahs Kitan means ‘bringer of fire’ in Astraeyu Nouvin.”
“That can’t be mere coincidence. We should move as quickly as possible, then,” Jan said. “If the Coruscalli learn that we are here, they might try to flee.”
“I doubt that. If the townsfolk are right, the Coruscalli has maintained a presence in these mountains for some time already.”
“Then they would have had plenty of time to fortify their location.” Jan considered their options. The isolation of the area could work in the Arbiters’ favor. The Coruscalli would have nowhere to run when cornered. However, that also meant the cultists were more likely to put up a fight. Jan had complete confidence in her Arbiters, but she could not shake the unpleasant suspicion
that one of them might be a double agent. If that was the case and the assassin was still among them, he or she would probably choose the most inopportune time to strike.
“Have there been any leads on the assassin?” Jan asked.
“I’m afraid not.” Talon paused in her pacing and turned to face Jan. “That is another reason why we must proceed with caution. If the assassin is among us, he or she will be all too eager to report our activities to the Coruscalli. I suggest you keep our plans secret, revealing the details only to your inner circle.”
“That’s a good idea. Now that we’re so close to the Coruscalli, we can’t afford to be careless. Space is limited,” she said. “Sharing rooms might prevent the assassin from trying anything at the inn, but all the same, I think we should be careful about who we assign to each room.”
Jan outlined in her mind how she should pair up her Arbiters. Beatrix and Rhys were her most trusted advisors. They should certainly be near Jan, if not sharing the same room with her. The thought gave Jan a start. Who should she assign to room with her? As Talon said, she should keep only those in her inner circle close. Talon was as trustworthy as anyone, and she was also a force to be reckoned with. Jan would feel safe with her by her side.
“If I might make a suggestion,” Talon began, a trace nervously.
Jan blushed. Why did it always seem that Talon could almost read her thoughts?
“Rhys and Beatrix are entirely trustworthy,” Talon continued. “Either would make a suitable roommate, and also a formidable opponent should the assassin make another attempt at your life.”
“Actually,” Jan said, “I was thinking you would be the perfect choice for my roommate. You’ve saved my life before. I know for a fact you are a capable bodyguard. That is unless you have any objections to the arrangement.”
“No, of course not,” Talon stammered. “I hadn’t mentioned it yet, but I would prefer to remain close to you, Jan. In fact I am honored that you trust me enough for this privilege. I will protect you with my life, I swear it.” Talon bowed her head and clasped her fist over her heart reverently.
Unsure how to respond, Jan remained silent. It was too much, to not only hold the fate of the world in her hands, but also the respect of such a charming and remarkable woman.
JAN WAS NERVOUS. Talon would be sleeping in the same room as her. Jan had to remind herself that there was nothing unusual about two women sharing a room, especially when space at the inn was limited.
One thing was troubling Jan, however. There was only one bed, a fact she failed to notice until after she made arrangements. Try as she might, she still felt attraction toward Talon, and the thought of sharing a bed with her was making Jan crazy. What if she should roll over during the night and touch Talon in an inappropriate way? By the time Talon returned from her tour of Dalengard, Jan was a nervous wreck.
“Did you learn anything else about the Coruscalli?” Jan tried to sound casual, like nothing was bothering her.
“The townsfolk are terrified of their red-clad visitors,” Talon said. “They believe the cultists are using powerful magic that has strengthened the curse around Rahs Kitan. Maybe we will be fortunate enough to witness for ourselves the tremors and bright lights reported in the sky over the mountain. Then I might be able to confirm whether my suspicions regarding Ancient technology are true.”
Talon turned around and surveyed the room. Her gaze landed on the bed and quickly jumped to Jan’s face, where it lingered for several seconds before flickering to the floor.
“You can have the bed,” she said. “The floor is more than enough to suit me.”
“I couldn’t ask you to sleep on the floor,” Jan protested.
“You don’t have to.” Talon appeared surprised at the abruptness of her voice. She cleared her throat and continued more softly, “It’s far better than sleeping on the cold, hard ground. I’ve had the pleasure of sleeping outside during an Astraeyu Nouvin winter on numerous occasions. At least here there is a roof over my head.”
Jan did not want Talon to think she was more deserving of the bed simply because she was Grand Arbiter. Jan thought of herself as being the same as anyone. Talon was her equal. All this deference was starting to wear on Jan’s nerves.
“You take the bed,” Jan said. “I’ll sleep on the floor. Or I could make do with a spare blanket in the armchair. I’ve slept that way many times during my long nights working in the archives. I don’t mind, really.”
Talon regarded Jan thoughtfully for a long moment. Then she smiled. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m afraid I can not accept. I am your guest. I wouldn’t want to impose on your hospitality.”
Jan could see that arguing with Talon would get her nowhere. It looked like the bed was hers, at least for now. She did not want to appear ungrateful for Talon’s sacrifice, but it was difficult to sleep that night, knowing that Talon was only a short distance away.
THE NEXT MORNING Talon left early to speak with the town guards. If she could convince the guards of the danger the Coruscalli posed to Dalengard, the Arbiters would have more numbers on their side. Meanwhile, Jan was left to tend to other matters. Even if Dalengard would not help them, they would have to set out to stop the Coruscalli soon.
Talon returned shortly before noon, a triumphant smile across her face.
“Fortune has decided to favor us,” she said. “Not only has the town guard agreed to support us, but the hunters and trackers living in Dalengard have also expressed an interest in driving the hostile foreigners from the region. There is one condition. They would like to speak with the leader of the Arbitrary Order of Lyth.”
“They want to speak with me?” Jan was surprised. She thought her title meant nothing now that they were far beyond the borders of the Four Kingdoms.
“They want to confirm that you are indeed the Grand Arbiter, traveled from afar to help defend their fair village from this new threat. They know nothing of the true danger the Coruscalli poses,” Talon added. “These people see them as a threat to their peaceful community. They are unaware the Coruscalli threaten the safety of the entire world.”
“What should I tell them?” Jan asked. She had no idea what the Astraeyu Nouvins wanted to hear from her. “Will they even be able to understand me? I realize not every Astraeyu Nouvin speaks the common language of Lythril as well as you.”
“I will provide translation for those who do not understand. Just reassure them that the Mainlanders will not harm them now that the Arbiters are here,” Talon said. “Dalengard is frightened of what the Coruscalli’s magic might awaken within the cursed mountain. They want only to know that they are not alone in this fight. Please, Jan, it will mean a lot to these people.”
How could Jan refuse? “I’ll do it,” Jan said.
About a half an hour later, with the eyes of everyone in Dalengard on her, she wondered what difference her word to help these people would make, especially if the Coruscalli managed to reach the Firebringer first.
Jan cleared her throat and took a step toward the gathered crowd. Talon stood off to the side, ready to translate Jan’s speech for those who did not speak Lythrillian. She glanced at Jan and gave an approving nod.
“People of Dalengard, I am January Sterling, Grand Arbiter of the Arbitrary Order of Lyth.” Jan was startled at the round of applause her words inspired. When the noise faded away, she continued. “I am aware of the strangers in your midst, Mainlanders who might wish to cause you harm. Your lives hold value to me. I know in the past the Four Kingdoms and Astraeyu Nouvi haven’t been allies, but I hope to change that. I care about the safety of everyone in the world of Lythril, including Astraeyu Nouvi. As Grand Arbiter, I vow to protect everyone. These Mainlanders are dangerous people, and I will do everything in my power to remove them from the area before thay can become a real threat.”
Another round of applause and cheering followed Jan’s speech. It would never cease to amaze her just how much weight the title of Grand Arbiter ca
rried, even in Astraeyu Nouvi. As the crowd dispersed, Talon approached her.
“Thank you for doing this,” she said. “You will never know how much relief you have given these people just by promising to help.”
“I’m glad,” Jan said, realizing she did not understand how her word could inspire so much hope. She stood with Talon and watched as the citizens of Dalengard went about making preparations to assist them in tracking the Coruscalli.
SOME OF THE tension between Jan and Talon had eased by the second night. Perhaps it was because Jan had helped Talon’s people simply by promising to offer her assistance in removing the Coruscalli, but Talon no longer seemed as uptight and reserved around Jan. Talon spoke in great lengths of their success at persuading the Dalengard trackers and hunters to help them.
“They know these mountains better than anyone,” she said as she spread the pallet on the floor next to the bed. “With their help, we should be able to locate the Coruscalli in no time.”
“It’s amazing how excited the people of Dalengard were to hear that the Arbiters are staying at their local inn,” Jan said. “I never imagined that the Arbitrary Order of Lyth’s influence would extend all the way to Astraeyu Nouvi.”
“I was surprised, as well. When I revealed that I was traveling with the Grand Arbiter, I expected to be met with unease and reservation from the locals.” Talon sat up on the pallet, leaning against her knees as she spoke. “When they asked to meet you, to hear from your own lips that you are indeed the Grand Arbiter, I was as shocked as anyone. These rustic types are cut off from the rest of the world, even more isolated than Astraeyu Nouvi in general. To learn that they were familiar with the Arbitrary Order of Lyth was a shock in itself.”
“It’s comforting to know that so many have so much faith in me,” Jan said, “and a little frightening, too. I’m not used to having people look up to me. I don’t know what I will do if I let them down. If the Coruscalli wins...”
Tears of the Sun Page 26
