by L. L. McNeil
Moroda nodded, finding herself immediately calmed by his words, and she hugged Eryn as they followed him. Kohl remained indifferent to both Sapora’s status and the fact Topeko had realised he was an Arillian despite hiding his wings under his travelling cloak. Moroda realised both Palom and Anahrik seemed to be in some discomfort, but she had no time to speak to either of them about it as they were hurried along.
The flutes and drums grew louder with every step, until Moroda felt the walls themselves were alive with the sound of music, and she felt her steps changing slightly to match the beat. She’d never experienced anything like it—she felt the music as heat, not unlike the warmth generated from Topeko—it was fire, flickering and dancing, rising and falling, and immersing itself into the very earth below her feet. Her eyes shone with it, and she felt the aches and pains of her journey slowly drift away. She felt the pain moving from her limbs down through her legs, into her feet and into the ground below.
‘Eryn, can you feel that?’ Moroda called to her sister.
‘It’s incredible! I hardly ache anymore!’ Eryn said, grinning broadly. ‘This is the Samolen magic indeed!’
Topeko laughed from somewhere ahead, ‘Of course it is! We start and end every day with our music. In the morning to refresh and energise us, and in the evening to remove the stresses and pains of the day. There is no truer way to be at peace.’
Though Moroda did not quite understand his words, she understood the idea behind it. She knew of the Samolen magic from her childhood, Palom spoke of their legendary weapons winning the war, Amarah spoke of their huge dragon stones powering the city, and she was now more eager than ever to learn. She knew the Samolen were great scholars and could use magic—yet she had never known how powerful it could be.
As they followed Topeko through the streets of Berel, Moroda tried to take in everything, but her eyes were beginning to droop as the aches of the journey left her. She tried to look for the instruments or the musicians themselves, but could see none; the large, wide streets, paved with sandy coloured brick, no doubt taken from the desert surrounding Berel, were empty.
Archways and bridges floated overhead, covered with lush green vines rimmed with gold. Lanterns hung from the archways at regular intervals, burning brightly and lighting the streets as they walked along. Square, flat-roofed buildings dotted their path, and she noticed every doorway had a lantern burning above it—some with the yellow flames she was familiar with, others with purple flames matching Topeko’s jewels, some green, some blue, some fierce red, while still others were silver. Too tired to ask, Moroda decided she would speak to the scholar in the morning, when she had more of her wits about her.
With the chill of the descending night cooling her skin, and her aches and pains removed, tiredness began to creep in, and Moroda felt overwhelmed, almost dizzy with exhaustion. The anxiety she felt at Sapora’s title being revealed had disappeared, too, and she thanked Rhea herself when Topeko stopped at a large, domed building only a few minutes’ walk from the hangar.
The building was elaborately draped with looping sashes of thick, purple fabric over the entrance and walls. ‘Here we will stay,’ Topeko said, pausing to ensure all of the party had followed him, before leading them inside. ‘My home is your home, Amarah. It is also home to her friends.’ He waved his hand to the others.
Sapora had also followed the group—Moroda thought he might have gone off to hide, as he had in Burian Forest—but she could see he looked angrier than she had seen him before, even during one of his arguments with Amarah. She thought he actually enjoyed riling the sky pirate, but this was a reveal not on his terms. Perhaps that was why he seemed so bitter about it.
She noticed once again Anahrik and Palom seemed particularly unhappy about the revelation. They kept close to her and Eryn, casting Sapora glances every so often, as if looking at him would answer the questions they thought internally. Moroda knew she should feel nervous, but the power of the Samolen magic was too much, and she had no energy left to worry.
‘Andel, please.’ Topeko called into the dark room once the party had entered. Barely a moment later, a child appeared; he couldn’t have been much older than eleven or twelve, and wore the same robes as Topeko. He had the brightest blue eyes Moroda had ever seen, with a shock of dark hair in contrast. Andel bore one small blue jewel under his right eye, and smiled broadly at the party. With a wave of his hands, the torches fastened to the walls burst into flame, lighting the large, circular room and providing warmth against the night chill.
‘Andel, please ensure each room is stocked. Amarah has returned, and she is with company.’ Topeko instructed. The child bowed to the scholar, before disappearing down the hallway he had emerged from. Moroda noticed his feet were bare under his flowing robes, but said nothing of it.
‘Thank you for your hospitality,’ Anahrik said, lowering his head in not quite a full bow—an imitation of the motion he had seen Topeko and Andel perform. ‘But to tell you the truth, I’m not happy with any of this. All this secrecy.’ His eyes rested on Kohl and Sapora as he spoke, before flicking over to Amarah.
‘About you, Kohl, and the dragons, what you’re not telling us…and you, Amarah—how in all of Linaria do you, a low-class sky thief, know a scholar of Ranski?’ He then rounded on Sapora, not in the least bit intimidated by the Varkain. ‘And how did we have a prince among us without realising?!’
‘You’re too ignorant to realise, Anahrik,’ Sapora responded coldly.
‘Too ignorant? You skulk about, criticizing us and throwing out your sly comments,’ he replied. ‘I’m keeping busy, scouting ahead and making myself useful. You and your kind bring nothing but fear and misery to Linaria. Even if you are a prince.’
Sapora narrowed his eyes at the Ittallan’s words. ‘I’d be very careful what you say, Anahrik.’ He unfolded his arms, letting his hands drop to his sides.
‘Hold your tongue, Sapora,’ Palom interjected, drawing his sword and pointing it at the Varkain. ‘You delight in causing conflict and misery. This is the second time I am stopping you from doing this.’
‘Ah, of course, Anahrik’s back-up from the great tiger,’ Sapora said, lowering his voice once again to a cool rasp. ‘Drawing your blade in a show of strength will do nothing to stop me from doing exactly as I wish, Palom. You won’t always be around to protect Anahrik. One day that young Ittallan will mouth off too much and I won’t be in such a forgiving mood.’
‘Please, this is a place of peace and rest,’ Topeko said, stepping between the Ittallan and the Varkain with raised hands. ‘Do not squabble. Your rooms are prepared. You will find food and drink there, and comfortable beds. There are no airships flying out this evening, and the desert is too dangerous to travel on foot at night. Do stay, there will be much to discuss, I think, in the morning.’
‘Thank you, sir,’ Morgen bowed, more deeply than Anahrik’s attempt, as he tried to calm the mood, turning to follow the young boy, Andel, as instructed.
‘Make sure you lock your door, Anahrik,’ Sapora grinned, flashing all his teeth in a pointed smile.
‘Don’t you dare,’ Palom growled, shaking as rage began to build.
‘I have the strength of my crown behind me, yet I have little need for it against an arrogant Ittallan like you,’ Sapora continued. ‘You rely too much on Palom’s strength to get you out of trouble.’ ‘Sapora!’ Palom lunged forward with his sword, no longer caring the Varkain was royalty.
Topeko had been ready to jump in between them when the fight broke out, but Sapora had already dodged the blow, and was stood behind Anahrik in half a heartbeat.
‘Get away from me you damned snake!’ Anahrik shouted, drawing a short dagger sheathed at his side and slashing at Sapora as quickly as he could. He hadn’t even seen him move.
‘There. Now you feel the fear, as you should. You are nothing but prey... Entertainment for me.’ Sapora hissed, pupils dilated.
Topeko raised his hand, and a breath of wind filled the room. It was c
ool and calming, and almost sent Moroda to sleep then and there. ‘I have once requested you cease. I will not do it again. Please, retire for the evening. My home is yours, as my honoured guests. Accept it and do not insult my offer.’
Amarah cackled. ‘Look what I’ve had to put up with, Topeko. I must be learning your patient ways to have not killed any of them so far.’
‘Oh, Amarah, you need not be so violent,’ Topeko shook his head, though he smiled. ‘Do follow Andel, he will show you to your rooms,’ he gestured to the hallway, where the child stood silently, patiently awaiting the others, unfazed by the aggression. ‘I will bring your things.’
Moroda sleepily followed the child’s steps, with Eryn close behind, stifling a yawn every second step. Andel stopped at a door varnished in pale blue, and gestured to the gold-ringed handle while looking at Moroda.
She reached forward and turned the handle, pushing the door open and revealing the room within. ‘For us?’ she asked the boy, who nodded in reply and bowed to her once again.
Moroda attempted to repeat the gesture as best she could, which seemed to permit Andel to leave—he skipped off down the corridor without so much as a hello or goodbye.
‘Eryn, look at this,’ Moroda called to her sister as the two entered the room. It had a low ceiling, lined with thick beams of wood to hold the fabric canopy above. Despite the fabric, the room was cool, with a washbasin and mirror and two large beds opposite. A large steel bathtub was in the far left corner, and a small wooden table sat in the centre of the room completed the furniture.
‘I really thought blood was about to be spilled.’ Eryn confessed, shaking her head.
Moroda sighed, and knew the Samolen magic had somehow calmed their tempers. She couldn’t bear the thought of what might have happened without it. She hadn’t realised how deeply the dislike between Ittallan and Varkain ran, and with Sapora a prince, no less. ‘I can’t thank Topeko enough for preventing that. I don’t know whether Sapora was just teasing, or if he was going to attack Anahrik.’
‘If he had, Palom would have killed him.’
‘I’m not so sure. I don’t think Palom would have caught him. He missed him just now.’ Moroda shuddered at the speed Sapora could move when he chose. None of them would stand a chance of escaping if he wanted to attack. She closed her eyes and tried to push the thought out of her head.
Eryn took off her cloak and boots, shaking her head all the while. ‘Well, we’re here now. This is what you wanted, isn’t it, Ro? To go to Berel? The sooner we get away from these people, the better. I knew this was going to be a bad idea.’
Their high, plush beds were fitted with white sheets trimmed with the same red fabric that seemed to fill the city, and Eryn wriggled into it.
Moroda was exhausted from both the trip and the Samolen magic. She had been scared when they were first warned of the Arillian scouts way back in Corhaven, and she had been uncomfortable on a number of occasions during their trip, but it was only then, stood in the entrance to Topeko’s home, that she realised how dangerous these people were, and wondered whether it would be worth it. Her sister’s words echoed in her mind, and she blamed herself for being naïve.
The troubling thoughts stayed with her as she got into the bed beside her sister. Sinking her head into the deep pillow and pulling the soft, warm duvet over her, she was asleep before she heard Eryn whisper goodnight.
Chapter Thirteen
When Moroda woke, she immediately wanted to return to sleep. Being awake meant she had to face Sapora and the others; sleeping allowed her to remain in the soft cosiness of the bed.
She could feel the heat of the room growing around her, and though the heavy fabric curtains blocked most of the desert sun, it emanated too much warmth to ignore. Moroda glanced at the other bed and found it empty, the sheets already made up. Confused, she sat up and found a handwritten note on the pillow.
Ro,
I woke earlier than you. Andel brought me down to breakfast. Come down when you’re ready, but I think he has a knack of knowing, so don’t be surprised if he’s already at the door.
Still haven’t got him to say anything.
Ryn
Smiling, Moroda dressed quickly, trying to push her fear of Sapora aside. Her mind swirled with memories of the confrontation between her companions the previous night, and she felt a flutter of icy panic in her chest as she remembered the fear she had felt last night. She closed her eyes and exhaled slowly. She was certain it wouldn’t have come to blows, but she could not ignore the anger and nervousness Palom and Anahrik showed towards Sapora. Especially now they knew he was a prince.
She dressed quickly, breakfast on her mind, and left the room in search of her sister and food. When she reached the main room, she saw a long wooden table had been laid out with benches either side. Her travelling companions sat, eating and talking, with Topeko wandering among them, serving food and drink.
‘Finally, you’re up!’ Eryn grinned, shimmying over on the bench to make room for her sister. ‘I thought for a moment we’d have to come and wake you! It’s almost midday.’
‘I slept that long?’ Moroda replied, looking along the table for Sapora.
‘None of us have been up very long, really. Something about their magic really takes it out of you,’ Morgen added, drinking deeply from his glass.
Black rice, bitter greens, and sweet, yellow tomatoes were piled high on her plate. The bowl beside her plate held grain with currants and mixed berries scattered in. Flat breads filled with dried fruits and covered with spices and oil sat next to every plate, and tall bottles of coloured glass stood between the dishes, the liquid within clear and sparkling.
‘Please, Moroda, help yourself. I have offered to show your company around our city today, as you have asked to learn more of Berel. It is hot and there is much walking, so you should eat.’ Topeko said, gesturing to her plate.
After struggling with rations on Khanna, the large meal was most welcome, and Moroda eagerly tucked in to her breakfast. She sat between Eryn and Morgen, who both seemed perfectly at home, and there was no sign of Sapora, so she relaxed. Eating quickly, she watched her other companions; Palom and Anahrik were on the other side of the table, deep in conversation with Amarah; Kohl, however, stood at the edge of the room, looking up at the full bookshelves which lined the walls.
She paused her breakfast to watch the Arillian who had, for the first time, removed both his cloak and hat. His wings sprouted from his shoulders, reaching almost to the floor, and the brown feathers grew in length and darkened closer to the tips.
Kohl ran his hand along the front of the bookshelf, his fingers barely touching the volumes stood before him. His fingertips left a light dusting of frost where they brushed the spines, and he withdrew his hand immediately.
‘Do not worry, my friend,’ Topeko said, remarking on Kohl’s reaction. ‘Those old tomes have been around for hundreds of years, enduring heat and dust and being moved around. They can withstand a little cold, too.’
The Arillian stared at him for a long moment, before nodding and stepping away, ruffling his wings slightly. Moroda tried not to stare—Kohl had kept his wings covered for their entire trip. Even when he flew, he wore his cloak. They all knew he was an Arillian, yet he kept himself covered. Moroda hadn’t understood that—Palom and Anahrik changed form on a whim. Why couldn’t Kohl be more open with who, and what, he was? She thought his wings were beautiful, and was jealous of the ability they gave him.
‘You carry a dragon’s stone. May I see it?’
Moroda glanced up as the scholar spoke again, still watching Kohl.
‘You may,’ Kohl said, after considering Topeko’s request another moment. He walked along the length of the table, past where Moroda sat, to where his cloak was folded, his hat resting on top. Reaching into the cloak pocket, Kohl withdrew the small jewel he had claimed from the dragon in Corhaven.
‘Ah yes, it was a young one,’ Topeko said, taking the stone from Kohl with both han
ds. He held it gently, brushing his fingers along the top of it. ‘Yes, very young, and not, I think, in complete control of its actions.’
‘I’ve never been chased by a dragon before,’ Amarah said, watching Topeko and Kohl with narrowed eyes. ‘I’ve shared the skies with them for years.’
‘No, I wouldn’t have thought so. No, this is that Arillian’s doing.’ Topeko frowned.
‘What Arillian? Kohl didn’t attack my ship.’
‘No, no, of course not,’ Topeko replied. ‘Another… a more powerful Arillian who was in Corhaven at the time. He leads a growing army. I feel the power of the dragons move across Linaria with him.’
Moroda’s half-finished plate was long forgotten, all her attention on the Samolen as he mentioned dragons.
Unprompted, Topeko continued, ‘He has the power of compulsion. A rare gift, not seen for many generations. Hypnotism, they used to call it. A way of coercing others to your way of thinking without violence. Aciel has skill with it. Skill enhanced with every dragon’s jewel he takes. This is a rare magic, and it is why his strength grows so quickly.’
‘That’s how he managed to take so many of the Imperial Guard at Niversai,’ Morgen said. ‘They’ll all be under his compulsion, too?’
‘Very likely. There are those who can fight it, of course. But when you are surrounded by warriors, I imagine you’d go along with your orders. Why risk your life otherwise? As you see, even dragons can succumb to it.’ He held the jewel up to the light.
‘Now you mention it, there were several small jewels in Rosecastle which disappeared during Aciel’s visit,’ Morgen said, looking skywards as he thought. ‘I always thought they were just jewels, nothing special about them. I was blamed for allowing their theft! They’re tiny, like smaller versions of the one Kohl has. If they were dragon stones... was that how he was able to control so many people that morning? The morning you stood up to him, Moroda?
