by Astrid Amara
It was almost as though Darvad wrote that for Keshan alone, softening the blow of abandoning Jandu with a plea to help thousands of Suya, Chaya and even Jegora.
One by one, the lords of Marhavad stepped forward and bowed before Darvad, taking the oath to serve him in accordance with his specifications. Darvad’s closest allies were the first in line; Tarek Amia, lord of Dragewan; Firdaus Trinat, lord of Chandamar; and Druv Majeo, lord of Pagdesh.
Keshan remained sitting, thinking. He was more than willing to take an oath and break it if need be. That was part of his character. He would not be pinned down by vows. But it bothered him that so many other men who he knew would die before breaking an oath stood and swore their obedience without hesitation.
The lords formed a queue. The room grew noisy once more. Iyestar stood and stretched. “Will you take the oath with me?” he asked Keshan.
“You are the lord of Tiwari, not me,” Keshan said.
“I want Darvad to see your loyalty.”
Keshan joined him in line. He hummed a small tune to himself as they waited. Each lord prostrated himself, took the oath, and was dubbed by Darvad’s sword. The line moved slowly.
“You heard the oaths, didn’t you?” Iyestar whispered.
“I have ears.”
“And the one about helping the Parans.”
Keshan shrugged.
Iyestar stealthily grabbed a hold of Keshan’s arm and squeezed. “You must abide it. You—”
“—Don’t worry. If you need me to take the oath with you, fine, I’ll take the oath. But I will still do what is right, dictated by my heart, not by Darvad or by you or by anyone other than God.”
Iyestar hissed into Keshan’s ear. “This is serious, Keshan. I don’t want you breaking this vow. In any case, I don’t know why you would want to. Yudar gambled his people and his own brothers away.”
“I have no interest in helping Yudar,” Keshan whispered back. “You know very well I’d only help Jandu, and—”
“No.” Iyestar jerked him out of line. Keshan let himself be dragged to the corner of the room. Iyestar glared down at him, his voice low and dangerous. “This is the end of your affair. Do you hear me? You will not interfere.”
“It is not Jandu’s fault that—”
“Listen to me, brother, and listen closely.” Iyestar’s voice barely controlled his anger. “I am taking the King’s oath on behalf of all our people, you included. You will forget the Parans. They will endure their penance and return in three years, and then you can do whatever it is you wish with our cousin. But until then, you are not to see him. You are not to help him. You are not to even think about him, is that understood?”
“Iyestar, I am merely asking you to question—”
“My word is final!” Iyestar hissed through clenched teeth. “By God, do I have to find one of our cousins who has the power to curse to bring you in line? I will do it, I swear. Aunt Umia promised me that she would use her shartic curse on anyone if I asked her to.”
“Will she curse me with the power to read minds?” Keshan asked, hoping levity would raise his brother from his rage.
Iyestar glared. “I’m serious. If I have to make her remove your ability to walk, or talk, or leave my sight, I will do so. Don’t push me.”
Keshan opened his mouth to reply but Iyestar was already gone, bristling as he stomped to join the line of lords once more.
He watched Iyestar bow low before Darvad. Iyestar spoke the oath clearly and carefully, and when it was over, he reached down and touched Darvad’s feet. Darvad leaned down to help Iyestar stand, and then hugged him, his smile wide and honest.
“Iyestar, old friend, it is good to see you again.” Darvad whispered something in Iyestar’s ear, and the two laughed.
By the end of the oath-taking, it was clear which lords had not made it to the ceremony. Lord Kadal of Marshav sent a messenger begging the King’s forgiveness and claiming illness. Lord Sahdin of Jezza sent a similar message.
Once the lords completed the oath-taking, they milled about the room, looking yearningly towards the garden where a feast awaited them. But Darvad held them back, begging their indulgence. He whispered something to an attendant, and a minute later, Royal Priest Onshu appeared, dressed in flowing violet-colored robes, his knotted hair thick with henna, his face marked with the tattoos of the Draya caste.
“My loyal lords,” Darvad said, holding his hands out. He motioned for everyone to remain. “I would like to bring High Priest Onshu to the dais, along with my dearest friend.” Darvad turned to Tarek and smiled. “Tarek? Come here please.”
Tarek approached the dais with a self-conscious air.
“As God’s representative here in our world,” Darvad said, “I have the power to grant a rebirth to those souls worthy of blessing our noble Triya race. I have asked Draya Onshu to perform the rebirth ceremony for Tarek Amia, lord of Dragewan, to raise him to full Triya status.”
Although many expected this, it still seemed to surprise some in the assembly. Tarek’s eyes looked glassy with emotion as he stepped forward and bowed low before the priest.
Onshu prayed and washed Tarek’s hair with holy water. He then rubbed sandalwood paste on Tarek’s forehead. Tarek held out his hands and the priest lined them with henna markings. And then, in the boldest statement of all, Priest Onshu knelt before Tarek himself, hands on Tarek’s feet.
“I grant you the power to protect my caste, o Triya, and trust you use the gift God has given you wisely.”
Tarek could barely speak. “Thank you, Draya.” The two made the sign of peace to each other, and then Onshu left.
Darvad had tears in his eyes. He and Tarek embraced, and the room broke out into applause. Keshan clapped along with them. He smiled, grateful that Darvad had chosen to do this. Of course he truly hoped that one day such gestures would be meaningless—that Suya or Triya, each man would be treated the same. But for the time being, it was as noble and equal gesture as the current laws allowed, and Keshan was proud of Darvad for it.
Darvad turned to face the lords once more, arm tight around Tarek’s shoulder. “Let all men here know that Lord Tarek Amia of Dragewan is fully Triya, to be accorded all rights and honors as such. In addition, I now take this opportunity to appoint Tarek as Royal Judge for this throne, to bring justice to our kingdom, and to oversee my laws in the way only a man as noble and pure of heart as Tarek can.”
Keshan felt momentarily winded. Shock flooded him, then anger. The position of Royal Judge was the most powerful in all the nation after the King, and Darvad had promised it to Keshan himself.
Keshan quickly concealed his anger. He clapped with the rest of the lords, who looked as stunned as he. Tarek was still a good choice, Keshan reassured himself. No one would be more sympathetic to the plight of the lower classes than a man who had suffered inequity himself. And Keshan hoped Tarek would be receptive to his ideas.
“I have kept you waiting long enough!” Darvad laughed. “Please join me for a feast to celebrate the occasion!” He gestured towards the garden, and immediately the men pushed their way towards the food and wine.
Keshan took his time leaving the throne room. Outside, the sun was setting, and the wind picked up. Keshan wrapped his harafa tighter around his torso, scanning for Tarek.
Even though it was Darvad’s ceremony, Tarek was the man of the hour, and Keshan wasn’t alone in his desire to speak with him. He made brief eye contact, and Tarek swiftly disengaged himself and came to Keshan’s side.
They exchanged the sign of peace, and Keshan smiled.
“Congratulations, Lord Tarek.”
“I hope you are not disappointed,” Tarek said.
“Me? Upset?” Keshan smiled. “I’m delighted! I can’t think of anyone who will be a fairer judge than you. And if you need any assistance from me, you know I will provide it.” Keshan squeezed Tarek’s shoulder. “You have to do all the hard work now—I get to simply pass you my recommendations.”
“And I w
ill treat them with the gravity they deserve,” Tarek said solemnly.
And unlike any of the other sycophantic court Triya, Keshan believed him.
“We will change this world, Tarek. You, me, and Darvad.”
Tarek nodded, and gave Keshan a proud smile.
“I look forward to it.”
Characters
Abiyar Lokesh: Third and youngest son of Indarel Lokesh, Lord of Afadi.
Ajani Alamar: Wife of Keshan Adaru
Anant Sarkumar: Commander in the Dragewan army
Azari: Pseudonym of Suraya Paria while hiding in Afadi
Baldur Tanaraf: Lord of the State of Penemar
Bandruban: Prophet of the Shentari faith
Baram Param: Second son of King Shandarvan by his first wife Kari;brother of Yudar and Jandu; husband of Suraya Paria
Bir Soridashen: Lord of the State of Jagu Mali
Bodan: Pseudonym of Baram Paran while hiding in Afadi
Chezek: Keshan Adaru’s charioteer and servant
Darvad Uru:Son of King Shandarvan by his second wife Farashi; half-brother of Yudar, Baram, and Jandu
Druv Majeo: Lord of the State of Pagdesh
Esalas: Pseudonym of Yudar Paran while hiding in Afadi
Eshau: Abiyar Lokesh’s weapons master
Farashi Uru: Second wife of King Shandarvan; mother of Darvad Uru
Firdaus Trinat: Lord of the State of Chandamar; brother of Hanu; father of Ishad
Hanu Trinat: Chandamar Ambassador in the State of Afadi;Firdaus’s brother
Harami: Prophet of the Shentari faith
Indarel Lokesh: Lord of the State of Afadi; husband of Shali Amain; father of Ramad, Parik, Vaisha, and Abiyar
Inaud Adaru: Uncle of Iyestar and Keshan Adaru
Ishad Trinat: Lord of the State of Chandamar; son of Firdaus
Iyestar Adaru: Lord of the State of Tiwari; brother of Keshan Adaru
Janali: Pseudonym of Jandu Paran while hiding in Afadi
Jandu Paran: Third son of King Shandarvan by his first wide Kari; youngest brother of Yudar and Baram; husband of Suraya Paria
Kadal Kardef: Lord of the State of Marshav
Kari Paran: First wife of King Shandarvan; mother of Yudar, Baram, and Jandu
Keshan Adaru: Younger brother of Iyestar Adaru, Lord of Tiwari; husband of Ajani Alamar; cousin of the Parans
Koraz: Yashva demon of the forest
Laiu: Tarek Amia’s servant
Lazro Arundan: Son of Tamarus Arundan; friend of Keshan Adaru
Linaz: Mother of Lord Iyestar and Keshan Adaru
Mazar Hamdi: Regent of Marhavad; weapons master to the princes of Marhavad
Mendraz: King of the Yashvas
Nadaru Paria: Lord of the State of Karuna; father of Rishak and Suraya
Ohendru: Chaya soldier in the Uru army
Olan Osasu: Lord of the State of Bandari
Onshu: High priest of Marhavad
Parik Lokesh: Second son of Indarel Lokesh, Lord of Afadi
Ramad Lokesh: Eldest son of Indarel Lokesh, Lord of Afadi
Rani: Servant in the Afadi palace; Janali’s roommate
Rishak Paria: Son of Nadaru Paria, Lord of Karuna; brother of Suraya; brother-in-law of the Parans
Sadeshar: Prophet of the Shentari faith
Sahdin Ori: Lord of the State of Jezza
Satish: Tarek Amia’s charioteer
Shali Amain: Wife of Indarel Lokesh, Lord of Afadi; mother of Ramad, Parik, Vaisha and Abiyar
Shandarvan: Former King of Marhavad; father of Darvad Uru, and Yudar, Baram, and Jandu Paran
Suraya Paria: Daughter of Nadaru Paria, Lord of Karuna; sister of Rishak; wife of Yudar, Baram, and Jandu Paran
Taivo: Prophet of the Shentari faith
Tamarus Arundan: Chaya spiritual leader and friend of Keshan Adaru
Tarek Amia: Lord of the State of Dragewan
Tarhandi: Prophet of the Shentari faith
Umia: Yashva demon consort of Mendraz, King of the Yashvas; aunt of Iyestar and Keshan Adaru
Vaisha Lokesh: Daughter of Indarel, Lord of Afadi
Warash: Chaya soldier in the Uru army
Yudar Paran: First son of King Shandarvan by his first wife Kari; brother of Jandu and Baram; husband of Suraya Paria; Royal Judge
Zandi: Yashva demon and Jandu’s bow
Glossary of Terms
Adri Mountain: Mountain in Pagdesh: location of holy retreat
Ajadusharta: Magical weapon; repels other weapons
Alazsharta: Magical weapon; knocks enemy unconscious
Ashari Forest: Forest outside Prasta; home to Yashva demon Koraz
Barunazsharta: Magical weapon; brilliant light
Chaya: Unskilled labor and servant caste of Marhavad; lowest caste
Dejaru: Long piece of cloth worn by men, either secured under a belt and sash and made into loose trousers, or tucked loosely and left long like a sarong
Draya: Priestly caste of Marhavad; second-highest caste
Fazsharta: Magical weapon; arrow with endless range
Hafedsharta: Magical weapon; freezes opponent
Harafa: Long piece of cloth worn either as a scarf or wrapped across the upper torso
Hedravan tree: Magical Yashva tree that grows in the Ashari Forest
Jegora: Untouchable caste of Marhavad; casteless
Korazsharta: Magical weapon; spear of unfailing accuracy
Manarisharta: Magical weapon; burst of electricity
Pezarisharta: Magical weapon; sets fire to the sky
Prasta: Capitol city of Marhavad
Rajiwasharta: Magical weapon; creates a sucking vortex
Rebo: Three stringed musical instrument
Sharta: Magical weapon; form of a Yashva demon in the human world
Shentari: Primary religion of Marhavad
Suya: Merchant and skilled labor caste of Marhavad; third-highest caste
Tarhisharta: Magical weapon; explosive wall of force
Terashu Field: Traditional battleground of Marvad kings
Triya: Warrior and king caste of Marhavad; highest caste
Tunufisharta: Magical weapon; burns any individual to ash
Yashva: Immortal demon from the Yashva Kingdom
Zahari: a blouse and long piece of fabric wrapped around the body to form a woman’s dress
Zandisharta: Magical weapon; any instrument or tool of metal
Acknowledgments
First I would like to thank Nicole and Dawn Kimberling for their constant encouragement, plot-storming, editing, and endless patience as I rewrote this story a dozen times. I would also like to thank Maxx for letting me ignore him for weeks on end. Lastly, I want to thank my parents, who always believed I could write an epic novel. It’s just too bad I’ll never let them read this one.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Characters
Glossary of Terms
Acknowledgments
the
Archer’s Heart
the
Archer’s Heart
by
Astrid Amara
Part II
Blind Eye Books
blindeyebooks.com
The Archer’s Heart
by Astrid Amara
Published by:
Blind Eye Books
1141 Grant Street
Bellingham, Washington 98225
blindeyebooks.com
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced
i
n any manner without written permission of the publisher, except
for the purpose of reviews.
Edited by Nicole Kimberling
Cover art, illustrations. and maps by Dawn Kimberling
Proofreading by Tenea D. Johnson
This book is a work of fiction and as such all characters and situations
are fictional. Any resemblances to actual people, places or events are
coincidental.
First edition September 2008
Copright © 2008 Astrid Amara
Printed in the United States of America
ISBN 978-0-9789861-3-1
Library of Congress Control Number: 2008922267
This book is dedicated to Angus.
Marhavad
Chapter 19
YUDAR, ALONE, SHOULDERED THE BURDEN OF FINDING THEIR home. He believed he should be the one to suffer for their embarrassing exile. Jandu followed, asking no questions, offering no opinions. He was still too angry to speak to Yudar, too shocked by the turn of events.
Every step they took from Prasta further solidified the precariousness of their situation. In the back of Jandu’s mind, the true gravity of their situation still hadn’t set in. But as they hid from travelers and plunged deeper into the untamed countryside, the stark realties of exile became more and more apparent.
Yudar chose a spot far removed from civilization, in the foothills of the great northern Ekavi mountain range. Jandu, Baram and Suraya followed him up a trail tangled with vines past a small village. The trail was mostly used by pilgrims and ascetics to visit a remote holy retreat on the side of Mount Adri. The pilgrim’s trail wound uphill for a day and a half before it reached the retreat and a large, placid lake that was frequented by cranes.
On the opposite end of the lake, they found a small, flat clearing in the thick of the forest, where ripe and bursting foliage drooped, thick-bowed and full of fruit, over the banks of the water. On one side of their new home, Jandu could see the smooth lake surface and the mountains beyond. On the other side was a steep drop down into a gorge cloaked by verdant palms. Trees clung to the cliffs with roots stretched across the rocks like talons. Merely looking down into the valley gave Jandu vertigo.
