She lifted the Crescent sword again.
"I have with me Umbrea, another of Benfaaro's loyal followers, who has served him long as his eyes on the Prime Continent!"
Another cheer rose from the savages.
From the corner of her eye, Adalginza saw Kalos stiffen. Umbrea, who until now had managed to stay hidden, hesitantly stumbled up the stairway to stand by Adalginza's side.
"Umbrea!" It was Swiala's horrified exclamation.
Her servant, Umbrea, averted her eyes from those of the Crescent Houses who watched from below.
"I greet you, Talan," Adalginza said, as the rebel ship pulled up to the side of the captain's ship. "But I now demand that you not harm those who are on board."
"You demand?"
At his questioning and offended look, she answered quickly.
"We will transport them to the island, and I will explain there."
***
As the savages boarded the ship and took charge of the prisoners, Adalginza surprised even herself at how smoothly she assumed the role of leader. She gave orders calmly, and her followers obeyed without question.
She harshly addressed one savage who grasped Lady Sagawea's arm too roughly.
"Stop! This woman is with child. You will treat her with consideration."
Talan, however, looked increasingly displeased and seemed eager to reassert his authority among his own warriors.
"Benfaaro has decreed that Adalginza and I will be wed," Talan reminded all who were in earshot. "At that time, I will be given the power Of The Blood as her husband."
"But I am Of The Blood now," Adalginza contradicted him. "And I am the one with power."
The menacing look Talan gave her in answer promised that she would be sorry after they were wed. When he assumed her power, he very likely would beat her into submission.
But that was another day.
Adalginza now moved easily among the savages, who treated her as though she were revered. A few even took her hand, and kissed it.
"I have heard of you through Umbrea."
One man whispered this to her, as he bent over her hand.
"That the woman of The Prophecy now walks among us has caused great rejoicing. Please know that we have watched over Calasta, as you instructed."
"You have my deepest thanks."
Again, Adalginza was shocked at how widely she was known. And now she realized that it was Umbrea and probably many others who had been working clandestinely in support of her.
"Bruna tried to harm the child." His eyes darted around to make sure Talan was a good distance away. "She placed poison in her food, even upon the day of Calasta's arrival. Your supporters want you to know we saved the heir Of The Blood, as was our sacred duty. We know, also, that Talan is Bruna's lover. Have no doubt of our loyalty to you here. We serve with willing hearts."
Adalginza nodded, her confidence growing. Perhaps in some odd way the moon gods intended what was happening here.
Once they reached the island, however, Adalginza had to avert her eyes as she stepped over the ravished bodies of the Crescent knights and civilians who had once lived in the ruined settlement.
Great, black swarms of flies had moved in to clean up the gore.
Behind her, she heard gagging interspersed with sobs from Lady Sagawea. Polyper now physically supported her as the prisoners were herded into a building that served as a trading post.
Kalos bore a look of exaggerated composure as he walked, looking neither to the right nor the left. In the far distance, warriors led the Golden and other sturmons that had been removed during scavenging of the Crescent House ship.
Once the prisoners were inside the building, Adalginza ordered Talan and the eight savages accompanying her to step back toward the entryway with her, guarding her, while she gave her final orders.
In her right hand, she still held the captain's Crescent sword.
"We will leave the prisoners here. Alive. And unharmed," she announced. "Then we will make our escape before the fleeing Crescent House ships reach the frontier post and report what has happened here. We must leave at once to warn Benfaaro. As you have seen, they have brought weapons that can destroy us all."
"We leave no survivors." Talan protested angrily. "Benfaaro has ordered death for all Crescent House invaders!"
"There will be no deaths among these people," Adalginza said simply.
"Why?"
She regarded the group of prisoners, most who looked worn out and defeated. But relieved.
"My word alone should be enough. But because you have fought hard for this prize, I will explain."
She regarded each warrior in turn. "It is because most who stand here are my friends."
"Benfaaro's orders must be followed," Talan said threateningly. "Otherwise, everyone here will be cursed."
The savages stirred uncomfortably, while Adalginza walked over to Lady Swiala and touched the woman's arm.
"Listen well. This woman is my grandmother. She is my blood."
Her eyes rested briefly on Kalos, who simply stared straight ahead.
"And others here have my heart, my love, and my devotion."
The savages looked at each other, murmuring in confusion. How could there be a blood tie between their leader and someone from a hated Crescent House?
Adalginza held up her hand to silence them.
"Look upon the older woman with the indigo eyes, and see for yourself if I lie."
The savages in the room looked from Adalginza to Swiala and back again. They were indisputably older and younger versions of the same image, as though peering at each other through a mirror in time.
"She is my grandmother, as you can plainly see. And a good woman, even if she is from a Crescent House. If you slay her, you slay one of my blood. This is forbidden under all our laws. So it is under my authority that we make these exceptions to Benfaaro's orders. Is that understood?"
If her tribesmen comprehended nothing else in her words, they at least understood the blood bond. Most in the room nodded their acquiescence. Talan, however, looked as though he were about to chew off his bottom lip.
"Benfaaro will not be pleased when I report this."
"It is I who make the decision. And it is I who will face my brother's displeasure."
"He said you were weak," Talan said mockingly. Then he visibly relaxed. "And this proves it. Very well. Have your way for now. But I am the strong one. And after hearing of what you have done here today, Benfaaro will gladly take from you and give to me the power Of The Blood after we are wed."
"Perhaps."
Adalginza could not muster the courage to look again at the prisoners, so she instead turned her back and made her way to the door.
"Adalginza. Before you go..."
His quiet voice stopped her. But still she could not turn to face Kalos. He spoke her name as though it were damned.
"Remember my promise, Adalginza. I know you better than you think. I know your ways. I know where you will hide. I know where you will sleep. I will find you when you least expect it. You will always wonder when death will visit you. And be assured that for you and your people death now wears my face."
Talan turned savagely on his heel, to pull out a dagger from a sheath in the side of his leggings.
"I will kill that one, at least. The one with the mouth."
"No!"
Adalginza squeezed her hand onto Talan's wrist, physically forcing him to lower the dagger. Then she turned and glared at the captain.
"You wanted to know who I am? This is who I am! And I want nothing of yours."
She flung the Crescent sword in the captain's direction, watching only long enough to see it clang to the floor and slide to a halt in front of him.
"Your Golden will be left for you," she announced curtly.
Then, she turned on her heel.
The savages parted, making way for her, as she swept out of the room.
15
Flames spewed high into the air from th
e massive teepee of branches built in the center of ceremonial grounds.
Thousands of men and women dressed in traditional snakeskin garb surrounded the flames, their hands held high in both supplication and honor to the most Sacred Night of the Ten Full Moons.
The occasion occurred only once every seventeen full seasons. In tribal lore, it meant the dawning of a new era and the birth of the next generation.
It was a time of change, and of fear of change.
Adalginza sat alone on a log that had been cleanly severed on both ends to make a seat for the fireside. As she peered upward, sparks of fire drifted endlessly into the brilliantly lit night sky.
She was dressed in an ornate, ceremonial wedding robe crafted from finely woven, soft fibers of the henniera plant grown by the Tribe of Rivers in the far eastern frontier province.
Colorful, intricately beaded patterns were woven into the fabric to create detailed scenes from the lives of twelve other women Of The Blood privileged to have worn the robe on their wedding nights. Of course, these women were long dead.
One image showed a thin, frail woman using a stone to grind grain. Another woman from a different era danced a ceremonial dance in firelight. Another played the lute. And yet another sat astride a sturmon, while the tenth crescent moon hovered overhead.
The woman on the sturmon was Adalginza's real mother. The woman she had never known.
A tear rolled down Adalginza's cheek as she reached down to finger the fabric. Then she gazed up at the Tenth Moon that that looked so odd in its full glory.
The orb was so much more distant and smaller than the rest, hanging back in the sky and all alone as if showing disdain for its brother and sister moons.
"Auntie? Are you all right?"
Calasta had melted, unnoticed, from the night to stand directly beside her. Adalginza quickly reached up to wipe the moisture from her cheek.
"Of course. How are you doing, child?"
Calasta reached down to squeeze her aunt's hand in sympathy.
"I tried again to talk to my father tonight. To tell him the truth of what happened to me at the Place of the Circles before I lost my memories. He refused to listen to my words. He said you had tampered with my mind while I was with you on the Prime Continent."
Adalginza swallowed hard, and nodded. "Benfaaro never forgave me for taking you away. And for allowing him to believe you were dead."
Calasta assumed a somber expression that now made her appear more woman than child.
"You should be the one to rule after my father is gone. Not Talan. He is a power hungry, cruel man. Many in the tribes believe this as well. I overhear them talking."
Adalginza glanced around nervously.
"Say nothing of this sort in front of others, especially following the wedding. Talan will be granted the power Of The Blood by Benfaaro's decree. He will be obeyed. And I fear even more for your safety if you speak too boldly."
"I fear for your safety, Auntie. You know Talan will abuse you. He will shame you, because Father will allow it."
"It matters not."
"But it does matter! When I reach eighteen, I shall take over rule immediately. I will release you from your wedding vows. And you shall be free."
Adalginza studied the child's determined face, wondering if after all this time Calasta truly understood the implications of what was at stake.
If this child died without growing up to produce an heir, there would be no more future leaders Of The Blood to maintain peace among the tribes. All would be lost.
And so it was that enduring Talan's cruelty was the only way Adalginza could remain in the village to watch over Benfaaro's child. At least she wasn't alone in her task. She had the help of Umbrea and other loyal followers.
Adalginza also knew many ways to spy on Talan and Bruna to learn their secrets. She was, after all, an expert in such matters.
"Do not fret," Adalginza said. "Benfaaro believes he is protecting me — and all people of the tribes — by uniting me with the strength of Talan."
Calasta sat down beside Adalginza. She propped her head on her chin, looking now like the child she was.
"Father would have given you the power Of The Blood if only you had not released the prisoners on Faradera Island last season."
"Do you think I was wrong?"
She sighed. "Since that time, your Captain Kalos has taken many lives with his horrible weapons."
"You did not answer my question."
Calasta sighed again, even more heavily. Her dark brows furrowed in deep thought before she answered.
"After living at the abodes of Captain Kalos and Lady Swiala, I have learned to know those of the Crescent Houses as — well — people."
"Do you not think this is the answer for peace?"
"We are far apart, those people and ours. Not only in distance. But in ways. This makes us enemies."
Adalginza watched the hypnotic writhing of her tribesmen, dancing around the ceremonial bonfire to the accompaniment of distant, hollow drums.
She smiled sadly at Calasta. "Captain Kalos kept you safe, even knowing you were Benfaaro's daughter. Is this the act of an enemy?"
Calasta, too, watched the dancers.
"I remember Luzicos, the Crescent knight who saved me. He was very concerned when he found me bleeding. And yet I was a stranger."
"You know what happened to Luzicos at the Mountain of Treasures?"
"Yes. Father told me. I tried to tell him that Luzicos saved my life, but he would not believe me."
"So who is your friend? And who is your enemy?"
"I am very confused." Calasta gave Adalginza an almost tortured look. "I guess this is why Father told me never to talk to you."
Calasta then quickly looked around to see if anyone was watching them.
"Is this why you have avoided me all this time?" Adalginza asked gently.
"You were already in trouble with Father. I did not want to cause you even more trouble." Calasta frowned. "Auntie Adalginza, I have something I need to ask you. Did Mother poison Father?"
"No. He is genuinely ill."
"I will miss him when he is gone."
Calasta then gazed up at Adalginza with wide, tearful eyes.
"I keep seeing Mother's face, the way she looked before she struck me at the Place of the Crosses. If only she had known. I would have given her anything she wanted — even all the power — if she could have just loved me."
Adalginza took Calasta into her arms, holding close the child whose small body now heaved with sobs.
***
By tradition, those Of The Blood were always married on a night when the Tenth Moon was full.
That the other nine moons also beamed bright and fully swollen in the sky was seen as an omen, indicating that the gods approved of the union of Adalginza to the great and fearless warrior, Talan.
Many among her people now accepted that Talan's ferocity coupled with the power Of The Blood was needed to fend off the relentless assaults of Captain Kalos, who kept pushing farther and farther into the frontier — sometimes, wiping out entire villages.
Adalginza stood waiting on the upraised wooden platform, her silhouette barely visible in the flickering light of red coals left by the bonfire.
By her side was the pale ghost of Benfaaro, wearing the ceremonial sword of the Tribe of the Circles. In his thinness, he looked these days more like a corpse than a living man. On the other side of Benfaaro was Bruna, whose expression of triumph was unmistakable.
Dawn was about to break, and the first feeble rays of a newborn sun struggled to outshine the last of the stars. The remaining full moons still left in the sky began to dim.
Only the leaders of the tribes were present for the final ceremony, considered too sacred for the masses to witness.
At one time, thirteen chiefs would have formed a semicircle in front of the platform. Now, there were only six. Two had been unable to travel, preoccupied as they were with skirmishes with the Crescent knights in their own
home provinces.
Five of the missing chiefs had been killed, along with many of their people. Though some had tried to surrender, the Crescent knights had given them no opportunity to do so.
On either side of the war, no one spoke of a truce or peace.
When the Crescent knights attacked a tribal village, revenge was immediately taken upon a Crescent House settlement or coastal cities of the Prime Continent itself.
Bruna herself often was behind orders, sent in the name of Benfaaro, that escalated atrocities committed during the acts of aggression.
As Adalginza had predicted at the Prime Congress so long ago, one of the weapons created by the High Command of the Crescent Houses was eventually captured. After much study, the savages were able to duplicate the acid formula and create their own launchers.
Each assault led to another and yet another, until the frontier and portions of the Prime Continent and Crescent House Islands were smeared with blood and gore.
No one on either side could now live without looking in terror over a shoulder.
The Crescent knights made deep inroads into the frontier. But Benfaaro's armada on the seas grew in both size and stealth — attacking the islands, and gaining footholds on the edges of the Prime Continent.
It was difficult at times to know who was winning, for — at least in Adalginza's view — all people of both the Crescent Houses and the frontier tribes were on the verge of total annihilation.
If Kalos now chose to release the plague as a last desperate act, she knew all would die. One verse of The Prophecy had, in fact, foretold these events:
Fools who had no ears to hear believed that death could win the world.
"Step forward, beloved sister."
Benfaaro's voice held true affection as he held out his hand.
Adalginza realized with a start it was the first time he had spoken kindly to her since she had first arrived at the village a season ago, right after she released the prisoners.
She lifted her head and took her brother's hand. They both took a few steps forward. And then Benfaaro left her side to walk a few more steps to the front.
Ten Crescent Moons (Moonquest) Page 30
