The Archer's Heart

by Astrid Amara

  “That’s not entirely true,” Keshan said, the first time he spoke that morning. “Half of the ministers in Tiwari opposed the idea.”

  “But you convinced them,” Ajani said.

  Keshan shrugged. “No, they felt compelled to go since my brother agreed with me.”

  Yudar nodded. “It was a wise decision, Adaru. Unconventional, but wise.”

  Keshan laughed. “Iyestar was so angry at me! For weeks he said history would call us cowards for running from the skirmishes with the Jagu Malians. But I thought, who cares? Better history calls us cowards and there be a Tiwari people than to all die out as noble corpses. If war can be avoided, it should be, at all costs.”

  “It’s just another example of how practically you see the world,” Ajani said, patting her husband’s shoulder. “You defied tradition and changed the rules. It is what we all love about you.”

  An uncomfortable silence hovered as Jandu and Baram looked to Yudar for a response. Yudar did not love Keshan’s tradition-defying antics, and apparently everyone except Ajani knew it.

  Keshan smoothed over the comment with a shrug. “Time will show whether or not it was a smart decision. Regardless, Tiwari now has a stunning new capital on the coast. It really is a sight to see.” Keshan looked to Jandu pointedly.

  The sun rose high across the river bank, and the full morning heat was upon them all. Jandu immediately began to sweat.

  “Just because the Triya have rules for war does not mean that we should seek war,” Yudar said. He nodded to Keshan. “And it is this that I admire about you, Adaru. Even the Prophet Bandruban recognized that war is an undertaking to be engaged in only at the closure of all other avenues of reason.” Yudar had that tone that Jandu dreaded, the lecturing tone. Jandu rested his face against his palm and slowly shoved a ripe tomato into his mouth.

  Yudar went on lecturing on the subject of war and bored the table senseless as he recited his favorite passages from the Book of Taivo. Suraya seemed to sense that the minds of her guests were wandering, and leaned over to whisper something in Yudar’s ear.

  Yudar’s speech ended immediately.

  “If you will excuse me,” Yudar said, a pink tinge coloring his cheeks. He stepped away from the table. “I promised to look over some household expenses with Suraya.” The two of them linked arms and fled the balcony with record haste.

  Keshan smirked as they left. Baram didn’t seem to notice, busy with his fourth helping of pancakes.

  “It is hotter than fresh blood out here,” Baram commented between bites of food.

  “We should go swimming.” Keshan looked directly at Jandu as he said it. Jandu’s heartbeat quickened.

  “That’s a great idea,” Jandu said. “I know just the spot.”

  “Oh, let’s go, it will be fun!” Ajani cried.

  Jandu speared his pancake with a knife.

  “You can’t, Ajani,” Keshan said quietly. He rested his hand on the top of her hair. “Remember? You promised Suraya that you would accompany her to the cloth market. I overheard her discussing how much she is looking forward to it.”

  “Yes.” Ajani frowned. “I suppose I did promise.”

  Keshan smiled. “Trust me, you are missing nothing. I’m sure I’ll end up having to rescue Jandu anyway. What kind of swimmer can he be with such long legs?”

  “Hey!” Jandu scowled. “I’m an incredible swimmer.”

  Baram burped. “You can’t even dog-paddle Jandu.”

  “Shut up. Don’t listen to him, Keshan. Let’s leave him behind.” Jandu stood. Hopefully, if they took their time getting to the water, Jandu would summon enough nerves to jump in.

  Servants packed a lunch basket for them and prepared a chariot. They traveled along the northern path of the royal grounds towards the Ashari Forest. Now that Jandu finally had Keshan alone, he was nervous, and said little along the way. Keshan made small talk, discussing the different plants and animals they passed by. As they both gripped the central pole of the chariot car, Keshan’s fingers accidentally brushed against Jandu’s, and the sensation was strong enough to burn through the core of Jandu’s body. The chariot bounced over the rutted dirt trail along the river, and Jandu found himself looking forward to the bumpier patches, places where he could reach for the pole and touch Keshan’s hand instead.

  Jandu stopped the charioteer near the location of his confrontation with Koraz. The charioteer laid out blankets. As soon as he finished unharnessing the team of horses, Jandu sent the charioteer home, promising that he and Keshan would take good care of the team and their car. The charioteer was new, obviously proud of his position, and appeared reticent in leaving the two Triyas alone with his prized responsibility while he walked the long distance in the midday heat.

  By the time the charioteer finally left, the sun was at its zenith, and the air stopped moving altogether. It sat upon Jandu like a burning ember.

  Keshan leaned back on the blankets by the water’s edge and grabbed a cracker. “The Yaru always reminds me of my childhood. I grew up playing in this river.”

  “Then let’s praise it by getting in it,” Jandu said, throwing caution aside. The temptation of the cool water was greater than his fear of drowning. He stripped off his vest, took off his jewelry, and lastly, removed his dejaru.

  Jandu slowly waded until the lazy current lapped at his waist. Turning, he saw Keshan running naked toward the water. Keshan dove in headfirst, plunging recklessly and hooting as he emerged for air. “It’s so cold!” he cried, delighted.

  Jandu waded up to his neck and then slowly swam with his head out of the water. Keshan came up behind him and placed his wet hands on Jandu’s shoulders.

  “Are you truly a bad swimmer?” Keshan asked.

  “Let’s just say I’m not the best swimmer.” Jandu turned and smiled at him.

  “So I shouldn’t dunk you?”

  “Not if you don’t want me to hit you again.” As soon as he said the words, he wanted them back. How could he have mentioned such a sore topic?

  But Keshan just laughed, and ran his hand down Jandu’s arm.

  Jandu’s heart raced. My God, was Keshan going to kiss him? Here? In the middle of the river?

  Keshan brought his arm down on the water’s surface, sending a sheet of water straight at Jandu’s face. Then, grinning, he lunged backward, out of Jandu’s reach. Jandu launched himself at Keshan, catching the other man around the waist and dragging him underwater. Suddenly aware that their naked bodies moved together, Jandu released him. Keshan gained his feet, sputtering, pushing wet hair back from his face.

  “I was sure I could escape you,” Keshan said. “I must still be feeling my injury.”

  Jandu shrugged. “No one is perfect, not even you.”

  Jandu climbed up the bank and collapsed back on the blankets. Now the sun felt marvelous, heating his cooled skin. He leaned back and closed his eyes.

  “I think you are,” Keshan said. “Well, other than being full of yourself and too conservative.” He collapsed beside Jandu, wincing slightly as the movement pulled at his stitches.

  Jandu snorted. “And you’re too much of a troublemaker.”

  “I haven’t even started making trouble yet.” Keshan smirked. “And speaking of trouble, what’s that Draya doing in your private forest? Does he belong to the royal household?”

  Jandu looked to the direction of the palace. A man approached them, wearing the traditional purple robes and long unkempt hairstyle of a priest. But Jandu did not recognize him. His face seemed sunken and waxy.

  “I don’t think so.” Jandu retied his dejaru and pulled on his vest and jewelry. The metal of his bangles burned in the bright heat, but he didn’t want to appear unclothed before a priest.

  Jandu furtively watched Keshan dress as well. Keshan’s body was sleek and dark, and Jandu felt a deep, pleasant ache through his groin at the sight of him.

  Keshan tied his trousers and pulled on his vest. As the Draya approached, Keshan’s eyes suddenly narrowed. Ja
ndu followed Keshan’s gaze to the priest. For a flicker of a second, the image of the priest faltered. It shuddered in and out of Jandu’s vision. He blinked as the priest grew blurry.

  “I don’t think this is a priest,” Keshan said in a hushed tone. He took a step back.

  “Blessings to you both.” The priest’s voice was jagged and harsh, and heavily accented. “Yashva Keshan, I need your service.”

  Keshan knelt. “My lord, how may we help you?”

  Jandu stared at the priest, whose torso took on a bluish radiant tone. Blue flame burst out in a halo around his head.

  “Kneel down,” Keshan hissed. “This is Mendraz, King of the Yashvas.”

  Jandu dropped to his knees and bowed his head. His mind reeled. He had only met a few Yashvas before, and none had been on fire. The Yashva king radiated no heat, only light. Jandu chanced a glance up at Mendraz’s face, and quickly looked back down at the dry soil. The king had yellow spiraling irises. Looking into them gave Jandu vertigo.

  “I am sick, and need help,” Mendraz said, his voice booming above Jandu like thunder. “I must consume the sacred Hedravan tree which grows in this forest. I sent Zandi to fetch it for me but she was unable to defeat Koraz.”

  Keshan lifted his head and brought his palms together in supplication. “I am sure Prince Jandu can get you whatever you need.” Keshan stared pointedly at Jandu.

  Jandu lifted his head. “Of course, your highness! You may take whatever you need.”

  “Every time I attempt to consume the Hedravan, Koraz extinguishes my blaze with rain.”

  “I could recite the Korazsharta,” Jandu blurted. It worked before.

  Mendraz’s melting face seemed to almost smile. “Yes, I have heard of the mortal who outsmarted Koraz. You have become legendary amongst our people. But such trickery will not work a second time. Koraz has allies in the Yashva world that will protect the forest. I need you to help me as I feed.”

  “Of course, my lord. We are yours to command.” Keshan bowed low once more.

  Mendraz’s fire curled forth in bulging rolls of pale blue flame. “Keep my fire burning. Do not let it go out.”

  “How exactly are we supposed to stop the rain from falling?” Jandu shouted above the roar of the flame. Already dark clouds formed over their heads and the summer air turned cold.

  Beside him, Keshan broke out in a wicked grin. “Maybe you should just help King Mendraz start a bigger fire.”

  “What?”

  “Koraz won’t stop one tree from burning when the whole forest is on fire.” Keshan overturned the picnic basket and extracted a jar of olive oil. “Give me an arrow!”

  Jandu complied and Keshan dipped the tip of the arrow into the oil. Then with a word Keshan set the arrowhead alight.

  “Fire at the grass,” Keshan instructed.

  “This is insane!” Jandu bellowed. “I can’t burn down my own forest.”

  “Trust me! ”

  Jandu loosed the blazing arrow. Where it slammed into the undergrowth spires of white-hot flames shot up. Keshan ignited arrow after arrow and Jandu fired in a wide perimeter. Sparks and fire ignited the tinder-dry wood. Smoke rolled outwards in black clouds and the trees crackled as they were engulfed in shooting flames. Deer shot from the brush in panicked herds.

  The sky opened up and rain pounded down on Jandu. In the distance he saw Mendraz’s flame weaken. Jandu aimed an oil-soaked arrow at the tree and fired. The arrow pierced through the sky, whistling, then sank into the tree’s trunk, igniting the bark.

  Keshan handed him another arrow. The end of the shaft burned white-hot and steamed in the rain. Jandu shot another volley into the forest.

  “We’re running out of arrows,” Jandu shouted, reaching into the nearly empty quiver on his back.

  “Just keep shooting!” Keshan shouted back. The clouds intensified above them, swirling unnaturally, the rain falling as thick as a waterfall. The force of it drove Jandu to his knees.

  Suddenly King Mendraz’s blue flames shot high into the sky, piercing the dark clouds and searing them away to vapor. The rain instantly stopped, and steam hovered over the darkened landscape.

  Jandu dragged in a deep breath and staggered to his feet. Keshan put his arm around him as they watched the forest burn. Mendraz’s flames licked even higher. The forest was consumed. The world itself seemed to burn. Sparks danced in the air like mosquitoes, circling above Keshan and Jandu’s heads.

  Jandu and Keshan quickly dried in the heat of the nearby blaze.

  “Step back from the fire, I’m afraid you’ll get burned,” Keshan told Jandu, motioning him further away. They departed the hot noise of the conflagration and made their way back down to the river’s edge. They watched King Mendraz devour tree after tree. The sun set and the world became illuminated by eerie flickering light. Keshan checked on the horses and Jandu gathered their scattered belongings back into the car of the chariot. Jandu’s arms ached, but he felt happier than he had his entire life. This was what he was meant to do. This was who he was. Fighting beside Keshan, with a magical bow, defending the king of the Yashvas. How much better could life be?

  Jandu heard footsteps behind him and whirled at the intruder.

  Mendraz stood before them, huge and magnificent.

  Mendraz’s face remained blurred. His body shimmered in and out of focus, dark brown one minute, and blue the next. His eyes were impossible to focus upon, spiraling inwards. He wore the fine gold and silver of any king, but like Zandi, this metal seemed to swim, it phosphoresced and shifted as if liquid.

  Jandu and Keshan immediately knelt before him.

  “In gratitude for your assistance, please accept a gift.” Mendraz didn’t move. But he whispered a series of words, too quickly for Jandu to understand. And before him there appeared a quiver of arrows.

  Jandu continued to kneel, eyeing the quiver expectantly.

  “It is inexhaustible,” Mendraz explained. “So you will never again fear you’ve run out of arrows.”

  Jandu itched to reach out and grab the quiver. Instead he bowed his head. “Thank you, my lord.”

  “And for you, Keshan,” Mendraz said. “I grant you use of my chariot. Repeat after me and you may summon the chariot at your will.”

  Mendraz recited a complex string of commands. Before Jandu and Keshan, a gold lacquered chariot coalesced from the air, opulent with precious gems, its thick iron wheels covered in Yashva symbols.

  Keshan repeated the complicated string of Yashva sounds. Jandu looked up, admiring the golden glow of Keshan’s skin in the flickering light of the forest embers. When Keshan finished the sharta, the chariot disappeared once more.

  “I accept this gift with honor, my lord,” Keshan said.

  Mendraz’s body radiated blue light. He offered them a peace sign, and then vanished from their sight.

  The forest ruins smoldered. Only blackened roots and branches remained. A gust of wind shot hot sparks from the forest floor, filling the sky with dancing red lights.

  Jandu looked at Keshan shyly. He lifted the inexhaustible quiver.

  “I can’t believe he gave me this.” The pliant soft leather quiver was densely packed with arrows. He pulled one out, admiring their elegant fletching. To his surprise, his initials were already carved into each shaft.

  “You deserve it,” Keshan said. His voice had gotten husky. “You fought magnificently today.”

  “And you.” Jandu put Zandi and the quiver down on a rock and turned to Keshan.

  The winds died down, and ashes no longer blew everywhere. All the animals and demons had disappeared. It was finally just them—alone in the small fragment of forest left to the world.

  Jandu could smell Keshan, his earthy, coconut smell, mixed with the sharp tang of burning wood. Keshan placed his hands on Jandu’s arms, pulling Jandu closer.

  Jandu’s pulse beat faster. Keshan’s touch brought a sleepy, rich fire throughout his body, like he had just downed several strong glasses of wine. Touching Keshan w
as inebriating.

  The sky was completely dark. In the distance, Jandu heard a cockatoo calling its lover.

  “When I look at you, I want you with such a longing that it drives all reason from my mind.” Keshan’s eyes were deep and languid. As Keshan pulled the two of their bodies together, a flare of pure longing burst through him.

  “What are you doing?” Jandu whispered. Pleasure spread like warm oil from his hips where they made contact with Keshan’s, down his legs, pooling in his groin.

  Keshan leaned towards Jandu’s face, and kissed him softly on the forehead.

  “Expressing my love.” Keshan kissed Jandu’s left cheek, and then his right cheek. Jandu stood frozen, paralyzed between fear and desire.

  Keshan leaned in and kissed Jandu on the lips. Jandu’s eyes widened in surprise as Keshan pushed his lips harder against Jandu’s, and then slipped his tongue into Jandu’s mouth.

  Keshan’s tongue thrust deeper and Jandu moaned. He plunged his tongue inside, wanting to swallow Keshan whole. The feeling of pressing himself into Keshan’s hot mouth sped the heady waves of liquid desire through his body.

  This was not like kissing women. This was unlike any other kiss he ever experienced. It was like he was melting. He filled Keshan’s soft mouth, feeling the hot explosion shake through him.

  Keshan ground his hips against Jandu. Jandu’s fear resurfaced. He worried what Keshan would think when he felt Jandu’s erection. But then Jandu noticed Keshan’s own hardness against his thigh, hot and thick, demanding attention.

  “Don’t worry,” Keshan whispered, as if reading Jandu’s mind. Keshan planted kisses along Jandu’s chest, sliding down his torso, until he knelt before Jandu.

  The wind picked up again, sending Keshan’s jet black hair flying around his face. Keshan looked radiant and inhuman. Sparks danced through the air behind him.

  Jandu’s whole body shook as Keshan pressed his hands against Jandu’s erection. Keshan undid Jandu’s dejaru, pulled out his cock and wrapped his lips around Jandu. Shock flooded Jandu, and then embarrassment, and then all emotions but pleasure disappeared. Keshan teased the tip of Jandu’s cock with his tongue, hot fingers gently massaging Jandu’s testicles, each touch sending a thousand spasms of pleasure through Jandu’s groin and up his spine. Jandu moaned aloud, unable to help himself.