"Akadian master?" Lucian repeated. "You mean then that she's loyal to Akadia? Is that the reason you left Ellia helpless before?" His anger was thinly veiled. I put a hand on his arm to calm him.
"It wasn't our place to stop the Akadians," Carceron said, "our Zuque did not condone it; and we do not act outside of their will. Besides… Leddy was convinced that the princess did not wish to be freed, though I disagreed with her."
Lucian spared a glance for me. I wasn't sure whether he was thinking of Cyric, or whether he'd realized that was who Carceron had been speaking of. Lucian had learned a little of Cyric after Gael had rescued me from Akadia, but only that he was a Lieutenant, that I'd saved his life, and that I considered him a friend. He did not even know his name, and if he'd guessed that I'd belonged to Cyric during my captivity, or that Cyric had been the one to bring me before the Echrian rulers, it had been on his own.
"Of course I wanted to be freed," I said sincerely, sorry that I felt I had to for Lucian's benefit.
Carceron gestured an open hand, as if to remind us that this was already his opinion. "Leddy's ideals serve her well, except in wartime. War leaves room for only justice, the deaths of men leave too great a shadow to be overlooked. Offense will call to punishment. Guilt will call to retribution. The granted ways allow for nothing else, and certainly those that serve the Constellations will allow for nothing else. It is already destined." He pointed at the walls of the chamber, the stars, which (as I knew well from Shaundakul) so often represented destiny.
"You spoke of this before," I said, attempting to keep my expression straight.
His eyes held mine with knowing; they were sapphire-blue, opposite to our surroundings. "I did," he responded simply.
"What about mercy?" I retorted, hardly meaning to. It earned me a surprised look from Lucian, but I was almost just as surprised I'd said it. I only knew that I wasn't thinking of countries as a whole, or even armies as a whole, but rather individual mistakes. "You speak of stars," I went on, more ardent, "And the Constellation Animals are connected to them. Well, don't the stars shine on the good and bad alike?"
"Just the same? Just as brightly?" Carceron followed. It didn't sound as if he were disagreeing with me; it also sounded once more as if his voice wasn't his own.
I hesitated, then I nodded confirmation.
Carceron's gaze slowly cleared. He smiled again, tipping his head casually. "The Zuque want to know if you've asked the others? And, if so, what was their response?"
I glanced down blinking my mind clear, then at Lucian, but only long enough to see that he was frowning. "You mean the other Constellation Animals?" I asked.
The fire-bird tipped its beak up. Carceron nodded.
"We went to see the Byakoans. We thought you would have heard of it. It was some time ago. They agreed to join the Warriors against the Akadians, and they already helped us to take back Selket. It was the only one of eastern kingdoms still occupied by Akadians, and very near to Byako's borders. Now it's only Karatel that the Akadians hold. Well, and Akadia of course."
"Was it the Baihu who agreed?" Carceron asked.
"You mean the White Tigers? Yes. I met with them myself. Master Lucian was there with me, he can account for my words. They were not reluctant to help, though they'd heard very little of the Constellation Animals. For them it was just one of their many myths. But they had learned of Akadia, and the war of course."
"The Baihu didn't know of us?" Carceron interrupted. His eyes were glazed again, while the red fire-bird had leaned in towards me.
"They knew of Echren and the Vermillion Birds," I said, "Just not as fellow Constellation Animals."
Carceron scoffed, perfectly reflecting the squawk of his fire-bird. Behind me there was a flush of wings. The golden bird had averted its gaze, its beak tipped in a manner that could only be described as indignant.
"They responded to what I told them, though. They fully believed the myths. As a Shaundakulian I should say that the dragons didn't know of the Constellation Animals either. At least…"
"At least as far as its young Princess knew. Certainly Savras Solidor had his secrets."
This seemed to be Carceron speaking again, though I wasn't sure how he could speak of my father so knowingly. I thought of watching my father disappear into smoke, the ability that I now possessed. It was an ability of my heritage, of the rulers of Shaundakul, and yet I had never been told of it. And this wasn't the first time I'd considered it was possible that he had known more than I'd ever been told. The truth of the Constellation Animals, for one.
"It was possible that he knew of them," I admitted.
Carceron smirked, as if he was certain of the answer himself.
"I'm sure in any case that my father, and the dragons, the Qinglong, would have agreed to join against Akadia, and the White Tigers have done the same. The fact that they didn't know of the Constellation Animals before only gives more weight to their support. And as for the Black Tortoises…"
"The Xuanwu."
"The Xuanwu," I amended. "We haven't gone to them yet. The only reason I didn't return to Echren first was because of how near Byako was to Selket, where we were already fighting." And near to Yanartas, though I didn't mention this out of habit. At one point it had been a secret. Now, I supposed, that was no longer a consideration.
Carceron cocked his head, as if listening to another voice. He smiled, lifting his brows. "You should have gone to the Xuanwu first," he said, "But perhaps you already know that?"
Lucian and I shared a look. Carceron didn't wait for us to confirm his words.
"The Zuque have reached their decision, then," he said, with a bit of an exhale. Both birds called at this, though Carceron went on naturally. "They will fight with you against Akadia."
Despite Carceron's prior confidence, I could hardly contain the relief this made me feel. I went on breathing again, the uncertainty that was almost always present beneath my composure waning. All this, though, before Carceron went on.
"But," he said, frowning a little.
It made me frown worse, while Lucian crossed his arms. "Only once you receive the approval of the other Constellation Animals," Carceron finished.
I looked from him to the fire-bird, my brow low.
"By that, you mean the Black Tortoises," Lucian said for me. "Because the White Tigers have already joined us, and the dragons…"
The fire-bird's eyes scanned me over, in a grim sort of way that made me want to tear up, though I could hardly tell why.
"Yes," Carceron confirmed, "The Black Tortoises of Genbu. If, once, they agree—because I'm sure they will—the Zuque, and we Echrian's will fight with you. With the Chimera," he added, growing a smile that reminded me of his previous excitement at the thought of war. He'd seemed disappointed at the stipulation from the Zuque, but perhaps it was enough for him that battle would come one way or the other. Still, I wasn't very assured by his words, because hadn't he been so confident that the Zuque would agree? They had, but only in a round-a-bout way. Now, if the Black Tortoises wouldn't join us, that would mean the loss of two Constellation Animals. And that could be the difference of everything.
"We didn't plan on any major attacks before we went to see the Black Tortoises anyways," Lucian said, obvious cheer in his voice, mingled with surprise. We shared only a smile now.
I looked back at Carceron. "We have your word then, to join us with the other animals. We can count on you to fight with us against Akadia?"
Carceron's blue eyes lit brightly. "My word means little," he replied. "Allow the Zuque to show you the way in which they pledge themselves." He raised his hand above his head and the maroon bird took off into the air. The golden bird, likewise, flew from its perch. Carceron stepped back. I took Lucian's arm and pulled him with me, towards Carceron. Then the three of us stood by to watch the display of light and fire.
#
I emerged from one of the smaller Echrian Inns at the edge of the city dressed in Warrior's garb of tight leather
and loose white linen. In my arms I held a satchel full of bright orange silk (the dress I'd worn to the Echrian Temple), also the gift I'd received from the Vermillion Birds. And on my belt rested my sword, bouncing to and fro as I descended the bright green hill.
My feet, even in my sturdy riding boots, tried to slip and skid thanks to the grass's dampness. Winter was nearing, autumn was ending especially cold, and while it hadn't yet started to snow, the ice around Echren melted where it was closest to the warmth of the ember-city, causing the hills around it to turn into misleadingly-colorful slippery slopes.
"Did they get something to eat?" I asked Lucian, who was a little ways down, next to Luffie and Arrin.
He nodded, and as I got closer, I saw the chimera munching on bits of meat and fruit. The two matched well, both one solid color (wings, fur, and all); only, Arrin was a vibrant gold typical to many chimera, while Luffie was dusky gold, almost grey when light wasn't shining on her. "The way Arrin tells it," Lucian went on, "Luffie nearly ate a pair of Vermillion Birds while we were meeting in the temple."
Luffie lifted her head, just long enough to snort her nose at Lucian, which made a puff of white in the cold air. After that, she sent me an image of herself chasing a handful of Echrian fire-birds above the city—what she deemed as perfectly reasonable behavior that they'd enjoyed as much as her.
"I'm glad you could entertain yourself," I said, setting my hand between her ears, "We were certainly in there longer than expected."
"Yes, well, I can hardly believe they agreed to help the Ghaundians," Lucian replied. "I was surprised enough when they said they would fight Akadia. Even though the Vermillion Birds are small, if they could help carry supplies over the pass, it could mean all the difference."
I nodded. These words were quite true. Since the war with Akadia, all of the eastern kingdoms were in distress, but Ghaund was farthest from Yanartas, and thus far we'd been able to do little to help them. Even with the armies pulled back, the Akadian presence in Karatel made trade difficult, and the goblins were still attacking Ghaund in periodic skirmishes. No matter what, the coming winter would be difficult for the Ghaundians, but help from Echren was wonderful news that Lucian and I would deliver on our way back to Yanartas.
This subject had taken up the largest part of our meeting with Carceron and the reason we'd been so long inside, but I hadn't forgotten our true purpose in coming to Echren, and the response the Zuque had given.
"I suppose I misjudged them in part," Lucian admitted, "though I still can't say that I understand their behavior." He shrugged his jacket tighter over his body, leaning back against Arrin. "I noticed Carceron said something to you before we left. Was it about the Constellation Animals?"
I hid a swallow, and immediately shook my head, but before I could reply a sharp wind rushed past us, drowning out any sound I could make with the crackling it drew from the city. Sparks danced up around the ember-wood, filling the sky with light. I shivered, but not from the cold. Luffie was watching me, reading the thoughts that had come at the mention of Carceron's words. I forced her off the subject, then answered Lucian. "Just a courtesy to Shaundakul. Nothing important."
"Hmm," he remarked. "Amazing what a difference your position makes to these Constellation Animals."
"You don't think Byako—"
He scoffed. "I was there, Ellia, remember? You won't fool me into believing they would have agreed otherwise. Though they seem keen enough to test their metal when given the chance…" By this he likely referred to the White Tigers' fancy for battling—greater than any Granted Animal I'd known of before them. The trick of his words, whether realized by him or not, that metal was the element of the White Tigers, wasn't lost on my myth-filled mind. Neither was the significance of the season belonging to the Black Tortoises, which seemed to be constantly taunting me.
"Do you think it will be enough?" I asked uncertainly, "The myths, I mean. When we go to Genbu?"
"Them, and you, they'll have to be," he replied.
I smiled. This was a rather positive response for Lucian. The two chimera had finished eating. Lucian picked up their empty sacks and stuffed them into his. Then he handed me the extra jacket he'd been holding.
"I wish we were going there now," I said honestly.
"Even I'd admit, it would be nice to be done with all this waiting," he said, holding out his hand for my satchel, which he tethered to the back of Arrin, "But the truth is, there's no reason to be in a rush. We have time now. All the time we need to be careful… The Akadians are the ones that should be in a frenzy."
"Only it doesn't seem as if they are, does it?"
"Well, they still have a lot of soldiers."
"More than the rest of the lands combined," I retorted. "Plus the chimera weapons."
"Those don't do any good for them so long as we don't use our fire-breath," he reminded me. Then he glanced at Arrin, as if his bonded friend must have had a specific opinion on the topic. But what chimera didn't? "Akadia may still be powerful, but at least for now, they're not harming the other kingdoms. And they're not going to increase their ranks, not while they're keeping their armies in the city."
"In other words, they're not doing anything," I followed.
Lucian narrowed. He let out a short breath. "That's a strange way to put it."
"Is it?" Another wind rushed by and the city flamed up once again with sparks. Luffie nudged her head against my leg, watching it as I was.
"Well, I'm sure Lox has some sort of plan," Lucian said, "We'll just have to hope ours plays out better than his. But for now, in any way that matters, I suppose you're right…"
I looked back to see Lucian had already mounted, and he shrugged when he finished his statement.
"He's not doing anything."
~ Chapter Two ~
CYRIC:
I swung my sword up and around in arc, landing it with my blade pointed to the ground. Sun glinted off the metal, half-blinding me and likely anyone else close by of which there were hundreds available. I was at the center of the largest cavern of the training grounds, surrounded by the larger part of a battalion, just one of the three I rotated between training these days.
Two men, Slark, and another Sergeant, Marx, mirrored my movements at either end of the cavern—since there was no way all the recruits would be able to see just me. When they did, the soldiers followed, arcing their swords up then down, in perfect synchronization. This was a new form Lox had us learning, something from the far east—even farther than Democedes. He was very exact about how many hours we spent on it each day, and we'd already gone three, on through the hottest part of the day. Even my grip on my sword was getting sloppy, so I wasn't surprised when in the midst of their next synchronized strike, I heard a cry from one of the soldiers.
I looked over my shoulder, my torso straining too much for the grade of work we'd been doing. I saw one of the men, hunched into the dirt, over his leg, the soldiers around him averting their eyes, likely for fear of punishment. I raised my sword high in the air. Slark shouted an order and in an instant, all of the soldiers had straightened to attention, their swords at their sides, a space of a foot or two between each of them.
The fallen soldier leaned on his sword and tried to stand, but before he could I took it from him. "Don't be an idiot," I said, helping him back to his knees. He tried to reply, but only hissed a wince. "What's hurt?" I asked, discarding his weapon. I'd already checked to find that it didn't have blood on it.
"I don't know," he finally managed, "my leg…" his voice cut out again. He pulled at the edge of his leather pants. I bent down beside him, expecting to find a sprained or broken ankle, but then I saw a grey mark around the rim of his boot. Almost as if his skin had been stained. My mind flashed to a different sort of leg, much wider and darker, not human; but now I wasn't sure the mark hadn't just been my eyes playing tricks on me.
I didn't check again to find out. I stood and waited for Slark—who'd already been headed our direction. Unlike most the
soldiers, he wasn't wearing upper body armor, or any shirt at all. His black hair had grown some, but his blue eyes made him stand out more than anything. Few in Akadia had eyes like that; they were something native to Shaundakul. Particularly Shaundakul nobility, like he'd once been.
He took in the scene very quickly, then called the nearest soldier—reading my intention, as he usually did. Only this time he was wrong. "No. He needs to go to Silos."
Slark blinked. "The Kanthian?" His face was skeptic; but that was all. Whether I made sense or not, he usually didn't make it a habit of questioning me.
"Go and take him," I ordered, knowing well that he was one of the only ones here that knew who or where Silos was, "And make sure he can walk before you come back." I picked up the injured soldier's sword, then made to return to the front of the men, but Slark stopped me first.
"Maybe you should go," he said. His hand was on my arm. I looked from it to him. "You've been here since dawn," he added. "And we still have the patrol tonight."
"Trying to take my place already?" I guessed with a half-smile. "Your promotion really must be going to your head."
"It's not just the patrol, Silos was asking after you anyways. Earlier today… I thought you may just as well take both trips at once."
He held out his hand for the extra sword. I spared a glance for the fallen soldier, who had managed to get himself to his feet, muttering something about feeling well enough to train.
I handed Slark the sword. "Run them back through the course after this. They should go another hour."
He nodded. Then he raised his arm, calling loud enough to address the cavern as he walked to the front of the group.
I tipped my head back to the injured soldier as I sheathed my own sword; the same one Lox had given me so long ago. "Can you walk on your own?" I asked him.
He got a nod off. I wasn't about to argue, when I didn't feel particularly capable of walking steadily myself. I had a knot in my gut. And I didn't want to admit that I'd been glad Slark had relieved me. There was something both worse and better about training; the better part included being preoccupied enough not to notice. When I stopped, though, that went away fast.
Fallen Kingdom (Fallen Trilogy book 2) Page 23
