Bastial Sentinels (The Rhythm of Rivalry: Book 5)

by Narro, B. T.

  The moment he noticed the evesal, he realized he couldn’t remember any attacks during the night. Was I in such a deep sleep that I didn’t awake? Or could it be that…

  Even in his own mind, he couldn’t finish the thought. He wasn’t ready to truly consider the possibility.

  Jek lifted his shirt. “These bandages…?”

  Kalli seemed to understand what he was asking. “We put those on when you arrived yesterday.” She looked at Sannil, her voice as hard as steel as it grew loud and serious. “And I haven’t changed them or added any new bandages.”

  “I haven’t either,” Sannil said. His smile spread slowly. “We saw no attacks the whole time you slept. Did you have any nightmares?”

  Jek burst into tears. He’d wished for this moment for so long, it felt like he’d transcended into a new world. Overwhelmed with joy, he could do nothing but weep louder, covering his eyes with his palms. Quickly, his father and sister embraced him from both sides, crying with him.

  Chapter 47:

  CLEVE

  When Cleve returned to the palace, he didn’t need to ask if news from the north had reached them yet. From the cheer evident on everyone’s faces, it was clear all the desmarls were dead.

  They heard the news officially from Raymess after he summoned Cleve to his throne room. Although only Cleve’s presence was requested, Reela and Vithos came along, and Raymess said nothing of it. Jek and Micah were already in the room. Around Jek’s wrists was the evesal, though its leaves were trimmed, leaving only the bare vine. Cleve inspected it as Jek came close and offered his hand. The plant turned out to be around both of his wrists, hardly looking different than thick bracelets. The vines’ ends seemed to have come together, forming a full circle.

  “It works,” Jek said, his tone making it seem as if he was holding back tears. “I haven’t had any attacks.”

  Reela couldn’t wait long enough for Jek to stop shaking Cleve’s hand. She threw her arms around him. “I’m so happy! I know how much you’ve suffered.”

  Jek let go of Cleve’s hand to hug her. “Thank you, Reela. And thank you, Cleve. Forever I’ll be in your debt. I mean that. Forever.”

  “So it works just having it around your wrists?” Cleve asked.

  Jek lifted the legs of his pants one at a time to show the evesal vines wrapped around his ankles as well. “I’ve done some testing. I only need one bracelet or anklet to stop the nightmares, but for now I’m keeping four on me at all times.”

  Raymess and Micah seemed to be done with whatever they’d been discussing. Wearing a crown, and seated upon his throne, the King smiled at Jek. “Yes, my top mage has been cured without losing his ability to manipulate Sartious Energy. We appreciate your assistance.” The formality in his tone was a stark contrast to Cleve’s memories of him shouting at Klaiya at Lake Mercy, reminding Cleve that he still didn’t know what Raymess had planned for Fatholl. “And I wish to thank you personally for coming back here. You weren’t required to do so. Yet you did anyway.” His smile widened, revealing his teeth. “We would like to know if you, Reela, and Vithos have decided what you’re doing next. There’s certainly room in our army for the three of you.”

  Just the word “army” made Cleve want to cringe. He contained his face, but he couldn’t keep his mouth shut. “I hope you’re not planning to go back to war.” He felt Reela tug on his shirt. His tone was too disrespectful.

  “I’m sorry,” Reela apologized for him. “What Cleve meant was—”

  “I know what he meant.” Raymess flapped his hand at her. Then he pointed at Cleve. “There’s no need to worry. There will be no more war. I’m offering access to the Bastial crater to our neighboring territories, and I’m recalling my own miners. Presoren, Waywen, and Zav can mine the last of the Bastial steel. I hope they don’t fight over it.”

  “That’s very generous of you.” Reela spoke with sickening sweetness. It was obvious to Cleve that she was exaggerating the King’s benevolence, but Raymess smiled genuinely at the compliment. “And we appreciate the offer to join your army,” she continued, “but Cleve and my brother and I decided just this morning that we’ll be sailing back to Ovira.”

  Cleve had told Reela of his interest in staying in Goldram to play shotmarl. Word of his marksmanship had spread among those fighting the desmarls, and while staying at an inn on their return trip from Presoren, he was introduced to Goldram’s shotmarl team. His name, they already knew. The rumors of his accuracy, they didn’t believe. The next day, during a break from riding, they watched him shoot and went through some casual shotmarl play. It wasn’t long before they were inviting him to train with them when they got back to Goldram.

  But Reela had worried when Cleve told her of this. She’d turned eighteen during their time in Greenedge. For Reela, it was the first time she remembered having a birthday away from Effie, Steffen, and her mother. Steffen also had a birthday during this time apart.

  “I miss them,” she said. “It doesn’t feel right staying here now that we have the option of returning…but I do understand the opportunity to play shotmarl is hard to pass up. Nothing like that exists in Ovira.” Painfully, she went on after a breath. “If you must stay here, then I will, too.”

  “I was just going to train with them for a few days,” Cleve said. “There’s a chance they might not even want me on their team.”

  Reela had laughed, shaking her head. “Of course they will. That’s why I’m worried. Once they offer you a contract, it’s going to be harder to leave. I’ve been here long enough to know what kind of money and fame comes with the sport.”

  “Then I won’t do it. We’ll return to Ovira.”

  “You must be certain about this decision. I’ll forever feel guilty if you regret this choice.”

  “I could never regret going back to see my uncle, Effie, Steffen, and Alex.” Cleve had laughed as he thought of the Krepp. “I’d even like to see Zoke again.”

  Reela had nodded with excitement. “I was thinking we could go with Fatholl, Klaiya, and the other Elves. They’re leaving soon after we get back to The Nest, and Klaiya said we’re welcome on their ship.”

  “Aren’t they going to Merejic, though? It’s on the other end of the continent from Kyrro.”

  “They are, but remember that we’re going back with horses,” she said. “Ovira is small compared to Greenedge. It’ll take less time to ride from Merejic to Kyrro than it took to ride from Presoren to Goldram. And it would be better if we went to Merejic first. Fatholl means to live in the forest where his ancestors took up residence, but the Krepps are living there now. Vithos can speak their language. We might be able to prevent a battle.”

  Cleve had sighed, knowing Reela was right. This was the best plan. But he’d convinced himself that once the war ended in Ovira, and after he went to Greenedge to prevent war from spreading to his homeland, he’d be through with such monumental challenges.

  “You don’t want to?” Reela asked.

  “It doesn’t matter, because we need to anyway. It’s the right thing to do.”

  “But I’m still curious how you feel.”

  “I suppose I was looking forward to going home with you and relaxing.”

  She’d put her palm on his stomach. He knew she liked the bulge of his muscles. “There will be plenty of time for relaxing later. And think of the stories we’ll have for our kids.”

  Cleve had choked at that. “Kids?”

  “Not soon, of course, but yes…kids. The world isn’t going to stop needing saving when we’re older.”

  “I don’t think that’s the reason most people have children.”

  “It should be.”

  When she’d kissed him, he’d felt his heart flutter. There was something in that kiss that brought him back to the first time their lips had touched, in the dungeons below Kyrro’s castle. His body flushed with heat. He put his hand on her back, holding her firmly and letting out his passion with his mouth and tongue. Her hands had come to his face, her breathi
ng heavy, her tongue playing with his.

  He could tell she felt the same way as he did when she’d put her hand on his chest and laid her head on his shoulder with a sigh.

  “No amount of money or fame from shotmarl could ever make me feel the way you make me feel,” he told her. “I don’t want to stay. I’m sure of it.”

  Strangely, Cleve had realized he was sad this would be the first time he would be sailing without Mmzaza captaining the ship.

  “I’m sorry to hear you’ll be leaving,” Raymess said now, taking Cleve out of his musings and putting him back in the throne room. “You’re welcome at the palace anytime you wish to return.”

  Jek cleared his throat. “I would like to ask everyone’s assistance with something. How long before you leave, Reela?”

  “We must start our trip to the docks in two days.”

  “Good, this is happening tomorrow.” Jek went on to describe his plan. From the cadence of his voice, he couldn’t seem to contain his excitement.

  It stirred no emotions for Cleve or Vithos, but Reela held her hands together and grinned as if she was about to start clapping at any moment. Raymess and Micah formed smiles just like Reela’s.

  When everyone understood their role—Cleve’s was simply to be at the right place at the right time—they all exchanged handshakes and words of gratitude. They left the throne room together, Micah walking toward the palace exit to satisfy his task, and Raymess finding Vala for his.

  Cleve never would’ve guessed from first meeting him, but Jek knew how to command. He’d done well leading them into battle against the desmarls, and he knew how to organize and delegate a task that had nothing to do with fighting. Any vulnerability Cleve was used to seeing in him was instantly gone the moment he took charge.

  Cleve spent the rest of the day doing just what he’d thought he’d be doing after this was all over. Relaxing. He dueled and easily defeated royal guards who accepted his challenge, shot some arrows with Jessend, bathed, then ate an exquisite, five-course dinner with the Takary family. Reela and Vithos were there, too, of course, as was Micah, though Jek was missing. Cleve figured he was busy carrying out some part of his plan.

  After dinner, Reela asked if she could speak to Jessend. As Cleve watched them walk down the hall arm in arm, he knew Reela planned to apologize. He also knew they would be good friends by the time they finished speaking, though it saddened him when he wondered if they would ever see each other again after tomorrow.

  His gloom worsened as he wondered the same thing about Jek.

  “Cleve?” a familiar voice inquired. He turned to find Gerace. She was blushing. “Forgive me for asking. I know it isn’t my place. But I’ve heard that you’re going back to Ovira soon?”

  “The day after tomorrow.”

  Her feet fidgeted. “I spoke with my father today. He says you were considering training with his shotmarl team, but you changed your mind. If you don’t mind telling me, I’m curious why.”

  Cleve had forgotten that her father was a defensive swordsman on Goldram’s shotmarl team. He didn’t know her father by name, but he figured he knew who the man was as he recalled one of the players who seemed to know more about Cleve than the others on the team. As he wondered how to answer her, she continued.

  “I think you would make a good shotmarl archer. I’ve seen…watched...you’re very skilled with a bow.” Her face burned red. “It’s a rare opportunity to be invited to train with them.”

  “Thank you, Gerace. But I can’t stay even though I want to.”

  “But why? Sorry.” She shook her head. “It’s not my place to ask. Excuse me.” She started to hurry past him, but he stepped in front of her.

  “Wait, it’s fine. I’m leaving because Reela, Vithos, and I have family and friends back in Ovira—friends just like Jek, Jessend, Lisanda and you.”

  “Me?”

  “Aren’t we friends?”

  “I…we are,” she said with a confident nod of her head.

  “So don’t worry about what questions you have for me.”

  “Then…does Reela’s height have anything to do with why you’re with her instead of Jessend?” she blurted.

  Cleve looked behind him to find that the hallway was empty. “The way I feel about Reela has no relation to Jessend or any other woman.”

  Gerace looked confused. “It doesn’t matter that Reela is more beautiful and taller than most women?”

  Cleve began to understand. It wasn’t so much that Gerace was curious about Cleve’s emotions, but her own instead. The girl didn’t know why she felt a certain way about a boy. “Do you have feelings for someone?” he asked. “It’s hard to understand the way we feel the first time we like someone.”

  “I’ve been kissed by two boys!” She seemed insistent, as if Cleve not believing her would be devastating.

  “I see,” he said.

  “They’re both very handsome.”

  “I’m sure they are.” Now he was back to being completely confused. He waited for a clue as to what she really wanted to know.

  “But…we didn’t stay together. I don’t know why.”

  So that was it. Regret. She’d been hurt by one of those boys, maybe both of them. He wasn't sure what she needed from him, though.

  “Why are you asking me about Reela?”

  “Because I thought you might be able to tell me why you like Reela instead of Jessend. It would help me understand…” She fell silent.

  “Understand what?”

  “Why sometimes we feel a certain way about someone who doesn’t feel the same way about us. I’m short like Jessend. At first I wasn’t worried, because I see many short woman married to handsome men. Lisanda is even shorter than I am, yet Jek loves her. But the boys I’ve liked…they’re with taller girls now, sometimes not as pretty. I thought you could explain…because you could’ve married Jessend but chose Reela instead.”

  “Reela wasn’t a choice.”

  “She wasn’t?”

  “No. A choice means there was deliberation and a decision, but with Reela there was just a feeling. No logic, no reasoning. Height didn’t matter. Don’t ever worry that you’re too short. And just because you find a boy to be handsome doesn’t mean he appears that way to you for all the right reasons. More often than not, the relationship won’t lead to love.”

  “But why?” She seemed ready to curse the world for being unfair.

  “That’s just the way it is. Sometimes we know within a few moments of meeting someone that there’s a connection. Sometimes it takes longer. And sometimes one person develops feelings while the other doesn’t. Didn’t Jek and Lisanda despise each other at first?”

  “They did.”

  “If they can turn hatred into love, then there’s no way a man can be incapable of loving you because of your height. If I’ve learned anything from psychics, it’s that our preferences can change on a whim. They’re easily overpowered by love or hatred. You might like rich men until you meet a few who annoy you. You might like tall men until you fall in love with a short one.”

  “You always make me feel better! It’s one of the reasons I wish you were staying.” She went up on her toes and kissed his cheek, then ran off.

  The next day, Cleve rode with Reela and Vithos to where they needed to be for Jek’s plan. They were told to come out of The Nest through the southern wall, then turn east and ride into the forest, following the tallest mountain they could see until they reached it.

  As they came to the mountain and the trees opened, Reela gasped. “I didn’t expect this from Jek.”

  Neither had Cleve. Thirty people, who Jek must’ve hired, were just leaving. One was a child who was throwing one last royal blue ribbon over a tree limb, making the total somewhere around a hundred, if not two hundred. Below the cascading blue ribbons were red decorative ropes tied from tree to tree, almost creating the appearance of a suspended bridge connecting the trees to each other.

  Tables adorned with formal black cloths were set
in rows facing a wooden stage so large that Cleve wondered how it had been brought here. Two men and women stood upon it, testing their instruments. The sound they made was like an introduction, quick plucks of strings, puffs of air through brass, and sporadic beats of a drum.

  A carriage arrived, and out jumped six women. They scattered, bringing trays of food to each table as one stayed near the horses and screamed orders.

  There were four other people standing about and chatting idly like Cleve, Reela, and Vithos. Cleve recognized none of them. A man of stunted growth stood beside someone twice his height. And a strong-looking woman stood beside a man who appeared to her father.

  Cleve heard more horses behind him. He turned to find that these people he did recognize.

  “Who’s that with Calvon?” Reela asked.

  “Oster, the man I told you about who was with the skunks.”

  “Oh. I’m glad to see them together.”

  Cleve was as well.

  “It’s good to see you all again,” Calvon said as he dismounted. “Reela and Vithos, this is Oster.”

  They shook the man’s hand. Cleve smiled when it was his turn. “It’s good to see you again.”

  “Thank you for helping me escape that losing battle,” Oster said. “Calvon told me what happened after.”

  “Anyone in my position would’ve done the same. Thank you for the food you gave us the night before.”

  “It was hardly anything.”

  “It helped,” Calvon said. He turned to Cleve. “I met Oster again when we fought the desmarls to the north. They made me an officer.”

  “Congratulations,” Cleve said. “Do you know if there’s a possibility Zav will go to war with the other territories?”

  Calvon’s eyes shifted to Oster. “Only if they have plans to attack us.”

  Oster laughed. “That’s exactly our mentality as well.”

  “What about Peter?” Cleve asked.

  “I don’t know where he’s been,” Calvon said. “When we got back from killing the desmarls, he disappeared.”