Dragonshade

by Aderyn Wood

  Rhast circled and flew back to her, landing on one of the branches and quorking softly.

  Rayna rubbed her eyes and looked again. Smoke spiralled up from the smoke hole. “Seems we have a visitor, Rhast.” Rayna moved her jaw from side to side. “But be they friend or foe?”

  She drew closer. Her garden beds were laden with fat vegetables ready for the pot. The light dusting of snow had covered everything, but no foot prints revealed themselves.

  She focussed on the cavern once more. The door was shut, as were the window shutters. No light or movement came from inside but that smoke spiralled ever upwards, and now that she thought of it an aroma of cooking wafted through the air. Her stomach growled and her mouth watered in response. She’d survived these past five days on nothing more than bramble berries and nuts she stole from the forest floor with only the chilled mountain stream water to wash them down. The thought of a hot meal made her weak at the knees.

  Snow began falling again and the cold seemed to seep its way into her very bones. Rayna paused and considered her options. Whoever now occupied her little dwelling was as likely a friend as they were an enemy. Perhaps some Halkan had lost their way and now took up sanctuary in her home.

  She sniffed. She’d little energy left, nowhere near enough to protect herself.

  She glanced at Rhast. “If I’m killed, get word to Mook, Rhast.” She moved forward, over the falling snow and to the door of her cavern. It opened before she could touch it to reveal a short figure with owl-like eyes, and skin as swarthy as the rock of her cavern walls.

  “Argut!” Rayna said, her mouth open.

  The little man of the mountain-folk gave her smile. “Greetings, Rayna ilt Corva.”

  “What... what are you doing here?”

  Argut opened the door wide and another mountain-folk came into view. Vargu. His hair was completely silver now. It still hung in wavy tendrils over his shoulder. His owl eyes were wide, and his skin slightly mottled as he looked at her, coming to life like dappled shade in various shades of greys and browns, like shaded rock.

  “Vargu?” Rayna said, her mouth slack with wonder. The last time she’d seen the saru was during her trance, and his shade-self had appeared younger than his flesh form.

  Vargu bowed his head. “Come in out of the cold, Rayna. There’s much to discuss.”

  She stepped inside, Rhast flapped past her, landing on his perch with a loud squawk. Rayna felt as though she could melt with the blissful warmth within. A pot of stew sat bubbling on the cook fire. Rayna glanced at it, before returning her gaze at the old saru of the mountain-folk.

  “The girl is not with you,” he said.

  Rayna slouched her shoulders. “No. She was taken.”

  Vargu nodded. “Much is now in motion, but we will bring her to Vulcan-Strom.”

  Rayna narrowed her eyes. “How?”

  Vargu swept his hand to the stew. “Argut will give us nourishment.”

  Argut stepped to the cook fire and began filling bowls with the hearty stew before placing them at Rayna’s small table.

  “We shall make our plans,” Vargu continued, his eyes even wider. “Yana must meet Argath, and soon. Together, they will save your people.”

  Part XX

  Azzuri

  Sommer

  Ninth year of King Amar-Sin’s reign

  5,846 years ago…

  Heduanna

  “Just a moment, Princess.” The old scribe Ashti bent his head to peer at the large clay cylinder.

  Heduanna stifled a yawn, wishing ‒ as she had infinite times before ‒ that Ashti would hurry up. Court was tedious enough as it was without waiting for the old scribe to find the right codes.

  Ri appeared at the entrance to the throne room and gave Heduanna a clear nod. It was the signal she’d been waiting for.

  She sat straight, her heart-rate increasing. “Court is adjourned,” she said.

  Ashti blinked up at her.

  The two merchants seeking justice did the same.

  Qisht stepped forward. “But, Princess, there are more awaiting your judgement outside.”

  Heduanna stood and stretched, before stepping down from the dais to the lapis lazuli floor of the throne room. “They must return for next session.”

  Qisht frowned. “But some of them have come all the way from neighbouring cities, as far as Urtuk. I promised them the royal court would hear them.” Qisht lowered his chin along with his voice. “Given the current situation there.”

  Heduanna groaned inwardly. Border disputes. How she loathed them more than any other. And Qisht was irritatingly right. Urtuk’s troubles were Azzuri’s troubles. They were an important leal support in the east. But Heduanna needed to speak with her brother before solving that particular conundrum so it would do well to wait in any case. “Well,” she turned to face Qisht. “Apologise and tell them they will be summoned for a private audience. Soon.” She snapped the orders, then strode from the room and took refuge in her father’s office where she took a moment to quench her thirst with a sip of wine and gather her thoughts.

  She felt more sympathy for her father with every new day. Not only was court as tedious as it was never-ending, but all the other responsibilities were a heavy load to bear as well. The endless reports from her Uncle-administrator’s various scribes. Reports on grain harvest, grain allocation, grain tax. A recent rise in thievery and drug-smuggling, which Qisht kept insinuating was a sign of a lack of faith in Heduanna’s capacity to rule. It was all too much for one person.

  She downed another mouthful of the wine. At least now her brother had returned. The news of the likely surrender of all Five Sisters to Urul was not welcome. But Hadanash had other duties to attend to here, namely, assuming the rule of the city. And she would gladly hand it to him. Temple lessons suddenly seemed an attractive alternative to sitting on the throne.

  Heduanna stepped from her father’s office and through the rooms of gold and silver, down the terrace steps until she reached the royal dock. Her father’s guards surrounded her as always, and she simply stood to wait.

  Hadanash’s galleys were well within sight, and the wait proved a short one. In a matter of moments Hadanash himself disembarked.

  Heduanna’s attention was distracted for a moment, as she watched the muscled thighs and tanned arms of the soldiers as they moored. But she soon turned her focus to the morose expression on her brother’s face.

  Heduanna touched the pouch that still contained the heir ring. Her father had given it in the strictest of confidence before he left. She longed to tell Hadanash about it, to absolve herself of that responsibility too.

  “Sister,” Hadanash said. His eyes were drawn and sunken.

  “We’ve lost them then? All five Sisters?”

  Hadanash gave her a grim stare. “It would appear so. Uncle-general Mutat has remained with a score of contingents. I’ll be sending a fresh score to replace them in another quarter-moon.” He stepped closer. “But they seemed to know our every move before we even know it ourselves. Either our enemies have an all-seeing seer, or Qisht is more powerful in his treachery than we thought.”

  Heduanna frowned as she glanced around them. The soldiers were leaving as soon as they disembarked. Off to the beer houses, or bath houses in the city. They would have a day or two to relax and recuperate before Hadanash would call upon them once more. The slaves were busy bringing off the soldiers’ weapons and other belongings. After, Uncle-admiral’s slaves would board to attend to any maintenance necessary to the galleys.

  Heduanna froze as she spotted a familiar figure disembarking. Kisha. Her hair had grown somewhat, and she wore gold on her ears and arms. She almost looked a noble, rather than the slave she was. Kisha’s eyes found Heduanna’s and a look of fear filled her, before she turned away and moved swiftly along the docks.

  Heduanna swallowed a lump in her throat and turned back to her brother. “Let’s not talk of it here, brother. Let’s dine tonight in my suite.”

  That eveni
ng, Heduanna barely had time to greet her brother and sit down to eat before Ri lingered at her reception room entrance.

  “What is it, Ri?” Heduanna asked.

  “Apologies, Princess. I told him you were dining with your brother-prince, but he insisted I interrupt you.”

  Heduanna swallowed her mouthful of wine. “You’re talking in riddles again. Who, Ri? Who insists?”

  “The desert seer, Princess. And the bard. They request an immediate audience with you. They’re on your terrace.”

  Hadanash raised a hand. “Tell them they’ll have to wait. I’ve important business with my sister.”

  “No,” Heduanna said. “I think we should see them, Had. Father always pauses his business to make time for the desert seer.”

  Hadanash shrugged as he picked a selection of delicacies from the platter that sat in the middle of Heduanna’s table. “As you wish.”

  “Send them in,” Heduanna said.

  A moment later, Heduanna took a sharp breath as old Zamug walked in, leaning heavily on his staff and followed by the bard. Enlil had grown even taller over the past year, he’d now be almost of a height with Danael. Her heart flared with the thought of her barbarian lover, and she bit down hard on her bottom lip until it hurt. The pain of his absence remained difficult to bear.

  Perhaps Enlil could offer a distraction. He’d certainly grown more handsome. She allowed her gaze to travel the length of his lean figure.

  “Keep your dignity, sister. I can feel your heat from here,” her brother said before taking a sip of wine.

  Heduanna scowled at him but it was too late to whisper a retort. Zamug and Enlil now bowed in front of them.

  “It is a great pleasure to have you back in our city, Zamug.” Her brother took the lead, and Heduanna couldn’t help feeling somewhat relieved by it. She would hand him all the power and responsibility he wanted now he was back home. “It is a shame that my father is not here to greet you, for he has always held your guidance in high esteem.”

  Zamug inclined his head. “It may well be, my prince, that your father will see me after all. For we will be staying until the next moon.”

  Heduanna edged forward on her seat. “Please sit, friends. May I offer you some refreshments?” She clicked a hand at Mirat who brought two more table settings and lay them on the table before her guests.

  “So, you believe my father will be here within the moon’s turn?” Hadanash asked.

  The seer looked at Hadanash then Heduanna with a glint of surprise in his eyes. “Quite sure. The omens have signaled. Phadite has not revealed this to you, Princess?”

  They all turned to look at Heduanna. Their questioning gazes like daggers to her heart. The old panic that the goddess had abandoned her filled her mind, but she quashed it as best she could and lifted her chin. “Of course,” she lied. “Though I wasn't sure as to when, exactly. I only know he will return soon.” And what of my lover, old man? Will he be with them?

  “I could have told you that, sister,” Hadanash replied with spite in his tone. “Your prophecies seem to have left you. Perhaps you are not meant to be a priestess after all. Perhaps that role should go to our fat brother as we all thought it should.” The prince looked at Zamug. “And as you yourself have foreseen, Zamug. Sargan has always been destined for the role of high priest. It is my intention to convince father that he should carry on that role.”

  Heduanna pursed her lips tight. The goddess may have abandoned her for now, but the one thing she knew beyond any doubt was that she was meant to be the next high priest after all. The dreams she’d had, after her lovemaking with Danael, had revealed as much. And now she wanted it more than she’d wanted anything. It was another reason she was glad for her brother’s return. Now that he could take over the rule of the city, she could return to the temple, and prepare for her role to come. “You know not of what you speak, brother. Leave the prophecies and omens to those who know. You may leave us.” She put a hand in the air in a dismissive way. An insult she knew, but one she intended

  Her brother’s eyes flashed and he opened his mouth to speak but she interrupted him. “I'm sure there are many matters that await your attention, now that you’ve returned. I will call on you anon to discuss that other matter.”

  Hadanash shut his mouth at that and glanced at Zamug. “Is there anything you require of me, Seer?”

  “It gladdens my heart to see you well, and returned to the city, Prince Hadanash, but truly, I came here to speak with the princess about godly matters and other magics.”

  Hadanash nodded, then gave Heduanna a glare before standing and leaving them.

  Once he had gone Zamug turned to Enlil and said, “Would you wait on the terrace, Enlil? I want a few words with the princess in private.”

  Enlil looked at the old seer, confusion spreading on his brow, but Zamug gave him a nod, and Enlil stood. “Princess,” the bard said as he bobbed his head and exited the room.

  “It must be very important if you won’t even allow Enlil to hear your news,” Heduanna said, suddenly nervous.

  Zamug only nodded, his eyes following the movements of Heduanna’s servant.

  “Mirat, leave us,” Heduanna said.

  They were finally alone and Zamug appeared to relax somewhat. He reclined on the chair and took a sip of the wine Mirat had just poured him.

  “Well, Zamug, what is it you wish to tell me?”

  Zamug patted his lips and focused on Heduanna. His dark eyes appeared as black discs in the dim light of the sconces. “Are you well, Princess?”

  Heduanna frowned. “Am I well? Is that what you wanted to know? Yes, I’m well.” Too well in fact.

  “I want to speak frankly with you, Princess, about your coming role as the high priestess. It will be challenging, and I hope you can set your people on the right path once more. Phadite is an ancient god, and a truly benevolent entity. She needs more faith from the people. Your people. My people. We mustn’t stray from our spirituality any more than we have already.”

  Heduanna frowned. “You seem to understand much about our goddess.”

  Zamug nodded. “I know much and more. For Phadite is merely a name given to an ancient force, more powerful than any other in Zraemia, and certainly more powerful than your enemy’s god, Zroaras. We know her as Gildug. The Mother.”

  Heduanna’s eyes widened. She’d read of Gildug in many a poem. She was a terrible, war-loving goddess who brought destruction and vengeance. Powerful, but so different to the love and peace Phadite valued.

  “I think it is time for you to come with me, Princess.”

  Heduanna stared at the seer. “Go with you?”

  “To the desert.”

  Heduanna sipped her wine. “You’ve mentioned this before. Tell me why I should go with you now.”

  “So that I may teach you things the priests do not know. Things that will help you to access the goddess, safely.”

  A stirring at the base of Heduanna’s skull gave her shivers and she knew intrinsically that she should go with this seer. Or was that his magic working a spell on her? And what of her father? What would he say? “I am not sure my father would allow it. Not at this time.”

  “That is why I am here. He will be back within the quarter-moon, and he will command you to leave with me when we return to the desert.”

  Yana

  Yana closed her eyes to savour the cut of meat. Goat, richly dressed. The Zraemians liked to cook just the way they did everything else. With exaggeration. The meat was good, but it wasn’t permitted to shine on its own merits, it had been dressed with spice and far too much salt.

  She glanced around as she chewed, taking in the opulence of the king’s dining hall, with its gilded panels and alabaster walls. She’d never even heard of alabaster before arriving here. Opulence, she repeated the word in her mind. It was a Zraemian word Sargan had taught her, and meant that of great riches. The whole of Zraemia seemed opulent after the simple rock rondhuses and plain furnishings of Estr Varg. Even
the longhus with its intricate wall rugs and the khanassa’s silver chalices used at weddings and festivals couldn’t compare to the most simple of buildings in Azzuri.

  It still took Yana’s breath away. She’d been here in Azzuri for a handful of days now and her mouth had barely closed for all the new sights she had to take in. She had her own room on the second level of the palace. A room nearly as big as her family’s rondhus, with a large bed that had a mattress stuffed with goose down and covered with fine linen sheets. She had the room all to herself with servants not more than shouting distance to attend her every whim. The king had even arranged for a slave to stand watch over her ducks when she was away from them.

  The slave’s name was Saraf. She was from a far away land called Tarzyshta. Her skin was as dark as iron bark, and her hair wound in tight curls, and she was fast becoming Yana’s first ever female friend.

  The ducks had been allocated their own section of the palace garden in which a special man-made stream had been diverted from the river. It was purely an ornamental design that served no other purposed than to feed the plants in the garden and to look good. More opulence.

  Yana had worried her ducks would muddy and spoil the ponds that it fed. But Sargan told her not to worry about that. He’d explained everything to Qisht, that strange-looking hus-thrall, who didn’t seem like a hus-thrall at all. Sargan told her Qisht approved of her ducks in the gardens, so all was well. In any case, the stream ran westwards, with the flow of the river, which flushed the gardens with new water daily.

  In half a day, a pair of slaves had built the duck enclosures, according to Yana’s specifications, and she now found herself to be the official duck breeder of Azzuri. A formal guest of King Amar-Sin.

  It was as though she now lived in a dream, not an unpleasant one. But the memory of losing Patch, and the fact that her stomach turned every time she thought of her Ma, and grandmother, not to mention the raw grief from her father’s death – all these things kept her well planted in the reality that she was a prisoner. If she could, she would abandon this meal, stand in the middle of all these people, and leave the palace to make her way back home, to be where she ought to be. With her mother, protecting her from Krasto.