Tears of the Sun

by Jennifer McCormack

  “Don’t even talk like that,” Talon interjected firmly. “If Rahs Kitan houses an Ancient ruin as I suspect, it will take much more than force to gain access. Few people know this, but Ancient ruins are typically protected by traps and safeguards put in place by the Ancients to limit access to their secrets and knowledge. Even fewer are trained in the proper way to disarm such devices.”

  “The Astraeyu’s Talons,” Jan said.

  Talon nodded, and said, “Everyone within Astraeyu’s Will has been trained in the knowledge of the Ancients, or at least what we know of it. Even after all these centuries of research, many secrets still remain. But it is our duty to protect that knowledge, to keep it from the hands of our enemies, and for that purpose we are educated in the workings of Ancient devices.”

  “We don’t know how long the Coruscalli have been here,” Jan reminded Talon. “The cultists could become impatient and use magic to destroy the traps, if they cannot disarm them.”

  “The Ancients were prepared for that eventuality, as well.” Talon smiled. “If anyone attempts to remove the safeguards without properly disarming them, it will likely cost them their lives.”

  Jan grew thoughtful at Talon’s words. She hoped Talon knew as much about these Ancient devices as she claimed. From what Talon told her, one mistake would be enough to cause dire consequences.

  “I speculate the rumbling and lights the villagers have witnessed are the results of failed attempts to disarm the traps,” Talon said.

  “The repercussions can be felt from such a distance?” Jan asked. She wondered just what sort of traps they would encounter in the ruins.

  “The Ancients were thorough in the fortification of their cities,” Talon replied. “The safeguards were meant to stop intruders in their tracks. I think it is highly possible that one could witness the aftermath of the Coruscalli’s failure from as far away as Dalengard. This mountain, Rahs Kitan, is known to the locals as the cursed mountain. Maybe that is what really happened to the local hunters that ventured too close. They were not the victims of a curse, as some believe, but instead the victims of the Ancient ruins.”

  “How many more lives will the ruins claim, I wonder, before we leave here?”

  “Are you worried?” Talon laughed. Then her expression became serious. “You have sound reason to be. Across Astraeyu Nouvi, the ruins left by the Ancients have claimed countless lives throughout the ages, but mostly the lives of the unwary. I will get us inside the ruin safely, I promise.”

  “If anyone can safely bypass deadly Ancient traps, it’s you.” Jan smiled down at Talon affectionately. “You’re amazing.” The words were past her lips before she could stop them. Jan held her breath as she waited for Talon to respond, afraid that Talon would misinterpret the meaning behind her compliment.

  “I appreciate your confidence in me,” Talon said after what felt like an eternity, “but I wonder if I deserve it. It seems like I’ve done nothing but cause trouble for you since the day we met.”

  Jan slid from the bed and joined Talon on the floor. “You speak as though you are a burden to the Arbiters. Don’t forget that you have saved my life on more than one occasion.”

  “I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.” Talon lowered her gaze. Jan suspected she was about to withdraw into her standoffish behavior again and panicked. It was never her intention to make Talon feel uncomfortable. She merely wanted to express her gratitude for all the help Talon had given.

  Before Talon had the chance to retreat into silence, Jan mustered up the courage to do something more daring than facing a hundred Coruscalli: she kissed Talon. To Jan’s surprise, Talon reciprocated, taking Jan into her arms. She held tightly to Jan as she kissed her, crushing Jan against her chest. The kiss lasted for several minutes, after which Talon pulled away. She still held Jan as she stared deep into her eyes. Her red-gold eyes blazed with question. In response, Jan leaned forward and kissed Talon again, more softly this time.

  “You don’t know how long I’ve dreamed of doing that,” she said once the kiss was over.

  Talon smiled and pulled Jan closer. “I’ve longed to do the same thing, but I was unsure how you felt about me. I was uncertain how you would view such feelings. The Mainland is not Astraeyu Nouvi. I saw how uncomfortable you were when I told you the story of Astraeyu and Lyth being lovers. Are you sure you’re all right with this?”

  Jan thought of the general populace’s reaction should the news ever get out that the Grand Arbiter was romantically involved with a woman, and a woman from Astraeyu Nouvi at that. This was not about what the Four Kingdoms wanted. This was what Jan’s heart desired. Jan snuggled closer to Talon, laying her head on her shoulder.

  “This is exactly what I want,” she said.

  Talon kissed Jan again, lowering her to the pallet gently. For a while Jan lay there, looking up at Talon. Talon’s eyes sparkled like golden fire in the low light. Intense, but there was warmth there now. Jan reached up and put her hand on Talon’s cheek. Talon was so courageous, so free, and yet she was loyal to her friends. She was the most wonderful woman Jan ever met. She pulled Talon in for another kiss. Talon’s weight pressed against Jan. She was warm and solid. Her body felt like a statue wrapped in silk beneath Jan’s touch. Jan’s questing hands made contact with the line of buttons on Talon’s shirt. She tried to unfasten them, her fingers trembling so badly that she tore one of the buttons from the shirt. Talon’s steady hands helped her. Within minutes their discarded clothes were scattered about the room.

  Jan took a moment to admire Talon’s body. Her muscles were sharply defined, like they were chiseled in stone. Her caramel skin was covered in scars from past battles. It was the body of a warrior. Talon was the most beautiful woman Jan had ever seen. She placed her hand on Talon’s chest, between her small, firm breasts, and slowly trailed her fingers along her abdomen. Talon was trembling now, but Jan didn’t think she was afraid. She saw her own passion reflected in Talon’s eyes and knew that, like her, Talon could hardly contain that passion.

  The moment felt so right, like it was meant to be. Jan wished the night could go on forever.

  Chapter Twenty-four

  TALON KISSED JAN so roughly she was sure there would be evidence of their lovemaking the next morning. Right now it didn’t matter. Her world consisted of only her and Jan. Talon wanted so badly to tell Jan how she felt before, but she was afraid. She could hardly believe that Jan was with her now. She was so enthralled by the passion shared between them that nothing else mattered. Not the Coruscalli, not the Firebringer. There was only Jan.

  Talon rolled over on her back and pulled Jan on top of her. Her hand was still wedged between Jan’s legs. The shift in position pushed Talon’s fingers deeper into Jan. Talon ran her other hand along Jan’s stomach. She felt Jan tense as she flexed her fingers inside of her. Jan’s movements became more insistent. She rocked her body back and forth and forced Talon’s fingers to plunge deeper. Talon used her free hand to caress Jan. She stroked one breast and then focused her attention on the other. That was when a flash of light caught her eye.

  The glowing scar on Jan’s chest reacted to Talon’s touch. As Talon traced it with her fingers, it glowed brighter. The light followed her fingertips and gave off warmth that spread through Talon’s body. It made her feel calm and strong, like there was nothing she and Jan couldn’t handle. Astraeyu was with them, and Lyth, too. Talon could feel their presence. She felt the strength of the two deities every time she touched Jan. The softness of Jan’s skin was exquisite. She was lovely, her creamy skin aglow in the soft light. Jan was the loveliest creature Talon had ever seen. She wondered what such a fine woman could see in someone like her. The thought drove Talon to do all she could to please Jan, to live up to her expectations. Talon tensed as Jan’s body went rigid and she cried out. Jan remained on top of Talon for a moment longer and then slid off to the pallet next to her.

  Talon put her arm around Jan. She wanted to say
something

  to Jan about what this meant to her, but feared that she would only make a fool of herself. For a long while, they both were silent.

  “I didn’t dare dream that something like this would happen,” she said. Jan raised up on her elbow. “I’ve been drawn to you since the moment we first met,” Talon continued. “Something about you set alight a flame in my soul. I couldn’t place what it was, until now.”

  “Astraeyu’s Light,” Jan said. She examined the light emanating from the mark and pulled the blanket higher on her chest.

  “That’s not it,” Talon said. At the sound of her voice, Jan raised her head. “Astraeyu has given you her blessing, there’s no doubt about that, but you hadn’t yet been touched by Astraeyu when I first saw you. I think what first attracted me is your compassion. You could have left me to my fate in that Sonastra jail. Instead, you made me your ally. At first I didn’t understand you. There was a time when I thought you were weak as a leader. Now I see that it’s your compassion that makes you strong. For the first time in years, I feel like a real person instead of Astraeyu’s hand of justice. It is because you care, Jan.”

  Tears formed at the corners of Jan’s eyes.

  “You are a saint, Jan,” Talon said. She kissed Jan and wiped away her tears. Jan settled down next to Talon and soon drifted off to sleep. Talon watched over her for a while, but it wasn’t long before her eyelids grew heavy.

  WHEN THE SUN rose the next morning, Jan was still entangled in Talon’s arms. Talon could hardly believe what happened the night before. She looked at her hands, the same hands that held and caressed Jan. Those hands had taken so many lives, wrought so much destruction. Talon never imagined her hands were capable of such tender actions.

  Jan stirred next to her. Talon wrapped her arms around her, cradling Jan’s head against her chest. In a short while the hunt for the Coruscalli would begin and this moment of peace would be over. Already, Talon could hear the sounds of Dalengard awakening with the dawn. The hunters and sentries would be gathering soon. For now, she would enjoy the serenity of her time with Jan. Less than an hour later, Talon stood ready, clad in her traditional armor. For her, the search for the Coruscalli could not begin soon enough. Talon was ready to put an end to the cult’s plans once and for all. Jan was also prepared for the day ahead. She was dressed in her Arbiter uniform. Jan joined Talon by the mirror. Together, they made an intimidating pair. Jan looped her arm through Talon’s and leaned into her side. Talon could think of no better way to begin this momentous battle than with the only woman she ever loved by her side.

  “The Coruscalli will pay,” Jan said. She sighed and Talon knew something was troubling her. “We are going to win this, aren’t we?”

  “As you said, the Coruscalli will answer for their crimes.” Talon put her arm around Jan’s shoulders. “We will be the victors in this battle. We have Astraeyu on our side, as well as Lyth.”

  “What makes you say that?” Jan looked from the mirror to Talon’s eyes.

  “The two goddesses brought us together. I wouldn’t have believed it before, but now I know it to be the truth. Ever since I first met you, I’ve felt compelled to help you, almost as though I was being guided by an unseen force.”

  “Is that why you chose to stay around?” Jan said jokingly. “Because Astraeyu wouldn’t allow you to leave?”

  “I have other reasons for wanting to remain with the Arbiters,” Talon replied, taking Jan in her arms and turning her to face her. “Although at first I had no reason to trust you, no reason to want to assist a group of Mainlanders, it soon became evident that you were no ordinary Mainlander. Astraeyu does not favor just anyone with her blessing. After our adventures in the Labyrinthine Archipelago, I knew I could not simply walk away.”

  “You still believe this scar to be Astraeyu’s Light?”

  “Now more than ever.” Talon ran her fingers along the edge of where the glowing scar would be beneath Jan’s uniform. She recalled the night before, when the light seemed to respond to her touch. Even through the layers of clothing Jan wore, Talon could feel the warmth teasing her fingertips. “You will be the one to stop the Coruscalli. Astraeyu makes no mistakes.” Still seeing doubt in Jan’s eyes, Talon leaned forward until their lips touched. As she brushed her lips lightly over Jan’s, she heard a knock at the door.

  The Dalengard patrol was waiting for them. It was time to go.

  TALON WAS GRATEFUL to the hunters, trackers, and sentries of Dalengard for their assistance. The Garunti were well fed and rested before they set out on their journey, courtesy of the Dalengard stables. The rugged and often perilous terrain of the volcanic region was remote and highly unexplored, but the residents of Dalengard knew the area as well as they knew their backyards.

  “This is the area,” the hunter said as they came upon a clearing in the forest. “I saw the strangely dressed foreigners here not two days before you arrived in Dalengard,” she said to Talon. “I dared not get too close. The Mainlanders appeared as though they did not want their presence to be known.”

  Talon noticed the people of Dalengard were deferring to her as the leader of the group instead of Jan. Surprisingly Jan did not appear to be the least offended. In fact, she seemed relieved to have someone else take the lead for a while.

  The Arbiters watched as the trackers sifted through the dirt and dried leaves, searching for evidence of the Coruscalli’s passing. In a matter of moments, they had discovered something.

  “Here,” a young man announced. He pointed to the ground in front of him. “The dirt is softer here. Someone has come through this area recently, several people by the looks of it.”

  Jan knelt to investigate closer. Talon joined her, studying the churned dirt with intense scrutiny.

  “I can almost make out the imprint of a boot,” Jan said. “It looks to be heading in that direction.” She motioned to the rise in the terrain.

  “That is most likely, your worship,” the female hunter said. “Staying on that path will eventually bring you to Rahs Kitan.” Talon saw how the hunter’s eyes darted back and forth as she spoke of the supposedly cursed mountain. It was almost as though she feared to even speak of the mountain, like it was a living entity and could hear her words.

  “We should get moving, then.” Talon stood up and brushed the dirt from her hands. “It would be best if we locate the foreigners’ camp before nightfall.” She did not want to give the hunters the chance to lose their nerve. They had agreed to accompany the Arbiters as far as the base of Rahs Kitan itself but given the fear and superstition with which Dalengard regarded the mountain, Talon worried that at least a few of the trackers were having a change of heart.

  The Coruscalli had done an excellent job of covering its tracks. Evidence that anyone had been through the area recently was few and far between, and even then it was only discernible to those who were searching for it. The trackers were highly skilled at what they did, combing the wilderness and finding the slightest clue of human occupation, even a blade of grass that was bent irregularly. Meanwhile, the impressive height of Rahs Kitan was growing on the horizon. The mountain seemed to reach to the very heavens, its summit shrouded by a veil of clouds.

  “We’ll reach the base of Rahs Kitan shortly,” the hunter announced. Talon noticed the growing unease among their companions from Dalengard and did not wish to make the kind people suffer any more than necessary.

  “We appreciate all the help you’ve given us,” Talon said. “Without you, we wouldn’t have been able to get this far in so little time, but I think the Arbiters and I can handle the rest of it on our own.”

  The hunters and sentries looked surprised.

  “Talon is right, of course,” Jan said. “We can never thank you enough for all that you’ve risked by bringing us this far, but it would be wrong for us to demand that you go any farther.”

  “Thank you, Grand Arbiter,” the captain of the sentries said. Talon could hear the relief in his voice
. “We will wait here for your return.”

  After expressing their gratitude once again, the Arbiters parted ways with their Dalengard allies. The afternoon sun beat down on them as they rode along the narrow path leading through the valley, past hot springs and half-frozen lakes, toward the mysterious and foreboding Rahs Kitan.

  STEAM ROSE FROM the hot springs, shrouding the valley in a thick blanket of mist. To Talon, it seemed to add a layer of mystery and danger to the already precarious situation. Rahs Kitan was an impressive mountain, towering above the surrounding peaks. Something about the mountain seemed unnatural. Talon could not quite put a name to it, but she was beginning to understand why the locals feared and shunned Rahs Kitan. The closer they got to the mountain, the more a sense of unease settled over her. It felt as though they were being watched, which was entirely possible considering the Coruscalli was likely in the area.

  Talon felt that they were being monitored by something other than the Coruscalli. It took her some time to realize she felt this sensation before, during her training as an Astraeyu’s Talon. Ancient magic was very much present in the area, which likely meant that there was an Ancient ruin with still functioning technology nearby. Talon resisted the urge to spur her Garunti ahead and fixed her gaze on the mysterious mountain towering before them.

  As the Arbiters neared Rahs Kitan, she realized at least part of it was not formed by nature. From the highest irregular peak of the surrounding rock to the ground below, half of Rahs Kitan was clearly architecture of Ancient design. But what was the structure’s purpose? Of all the ruins Talon had visited during her training, she had never seen one such as this.

  It was far larger than any of the other ruins she had seen, towering into the heavens and reaching farther than the mountain it was partially encased in, yet it was not as grand and elegant in design as many of the Ancient cities were. In fact, the design of this particular structure was rather plain and without ornamentation. Was it a monument of sorts? If so, what was it constructed to commemorate? Talon could hardly wait to have a closer look, but as excited as she was about making such a discovery, she was also apprehensive. This ruin appeared to be much older than the already discovered Ancient cities. Whatever secrets they uncovered within could very well change history as the Astraeyu Nouvins knew it.