by Callie Kanno
“If there was no hope for you, why are you still here?” pointed out Sitara. “Your spirits would have journeyed on to the realm of the dead if you were truly gone.”
An Aurym nodded. “Lose not thy faith, brothers and sisters! The Ancients knew all when we Immortals were born. Our purpose doth remain.”
“Our fight with Cha-sak continues,” cautioned Sitara. “It may be a long time before this conflict comes to an end, and we need as many allies as possible. Are you willing to join us in this war against Darkness?”
Several of the white figures shifted restlessly.
“Our hearts are willing,” said the silhouette of a Serraf, “but we are limited in this form.”
The outline of a Petre nodded. “We cannot roam with the freedom of those who have physical bodies. We are restricted to places where the old vyala exists.”
“The descendants of thy sisters revived this forest,” explained an Aurym. “Hence, we traveled hither.”
“So you can only provide defense for this forest,” concluded Sitara, feeling slightly disappointed.
The Aurym figure spread its arms in a gesture of apology. “All here assembled wish to do more. Alas, it cannot be.”
Sitara nodded. “It is enough. We did not anticipate such a gift, and we are grateful for the security you provide.”
The Aurym inched closer. “Thou didst say that a Laithur accompanied thee hence from the Threshold.”
“Yes,” acknowledged Sitara.
“It hath been centuries since any of demonkind hath taken any action for good. Dost thou think that the Laithur might return to the Light?”
Sitara’s brow furrowed thoughtfully. “It is hard to know that for certain. Ruon is proud and stubborn. He embarked on this journey reluctantly. He does not currently believe that Adesina is the one appointed to lead us.”
“Did he not swear allegiance?” asked a small figure sitting on the shoulder of a Petre.
“He did,” answered Sitara, “but with much doubt in his heart. Even now he resists us at every turn.”
“I would not be surprised if he betrays you and allies himself with Cha-sak,” said a tall, thin silhouette with a bitter voice. “Demons cannot be trusted.”
Sitara could not truthfully say that she didn’t have reservations. She considered her words carefully for a moment.
“It is said that the Threshold Child will return us to our true purpose,” Sitara reasoned, “and I believe Adesina to be the Threshold Child. If anyone can gain the confidence of a demon, she can.”
“We hope you are right,” a Petre said gravely. “If the Laithur joins Cha-sak, this war will be over before it begins.”
Chapter Thirteen: Rescue
Adesina felt her heart warm with joy when she opened her eyes in the morning and saw L’iam lying next to her. His breathing was slow and even, and she knew that he was still sleeping.
The young queen gently removed herself from the bedding and dressed in her former Shimat uniform. The black leather vest served as light armor, and the rest of the black ensemble was simple and functional. She made a mental note to have a new outfit made. The Shimat uniform would serve well when fighting, but Adesina didn’t like the idea of wearing the same uniform as her enemies.
Dawn was only just breaking as Adesina exited the tent. Cooking fires were being stoked and sleepy movements could be seen throughout the refugee camp. Ravi was waiting patiently for her a short distance away from the tent’s opening.
Silent greetings passed between them through their Joining. Adesina could feel through their connection that, although Ravi had spent the previous evening with his family and friends, he was back to focusing on the upcoming conflict.
Adesina and Ravi walked down the low hill to the camp below, greeting the L’avan they passed along the way. They soon arrived at the tent of Adesina’s brother, where her sister-in-law was preparing some hot porridge.
Wren’na was in the last stage of her pregnancy, and her face bore signs of weariness. Even so, she gave Adesina and her companion a glowing smile when they approached.
“Good morning!”
“Good morning, Wren’na,” replied Adesina. “How are you feeling?”
Wren’na gave a light laugh and rubbed a hand over her swollen abdomen. “As well as one can expect with this child feeling the need to dance all night.”
Adesina took a seat on a log by the fire. “Have you been to a Reader? Do you know the child’s gender and if he or she has a dava?”
When Adesina had first heard of the idea behind a dava, she had been extremely skeptical. A Reader was a L’avan with an unusually strong gift for sensing a person’s spirit. They could reveal the gender of an unborn child, as well as things such as potential skill in certain subjects or personality traits. A Reader could also pair two L’avan together in a sort of unofficial betrothal. A dava was not exactly a soul-mate, but it was someone that was especially compatible with the child being Read.
Only about one in ten L’avan children had a dava, and they always were given the choice whether to marry the one matched to them or not. However, it was rare for a L’avan to choose to not marry their dava—even if they had never met, as in the case of E’nes and Wren’na.
Adesina had not believed in such a match working, but that was before she really gotten to know L’iam. He was her dava, and no one could be more perfect for her.
Wren’na picked up a long wooden spoon and stirred the contents of the pot over the fire. “We were planning to go to a Reader, but there just has not been much spare time. We will probably just take the child to a Reader after it is born. In a way, it is fun not knowing. The gender will be a surprise.”
“Do either of your other children have a dava?” Adesina realized she had never asked.
Wren’na shook her head. “No, neither En’ver nor R’egina have davas, but it is not uncommon for only a single child in a family to have one. In fact, it is more unusual to see more than one child in a family have a dava.”
“Like myself and E’nes,” said Adesina.
Wren’na straightened from bending over the fire and rubbed her lower back. “You know,” she said thoughtfully, “I knew a family with five children, and each of them had a dava. And, of course, I have known several families where none of the children had a dava.”
E’nes emerged from the tent, carrying his two-year-old daughter and followed closely by his four-year-old son.
“Good morning, Ravi. Good morning, Adesina,” he said happily. “Should you not be with your husband on your first day back?”
The young queen waved a hand casually. “He is sleeping. He needs the rest.”
“That is not to say that I am not pleased to see you,” reassured her brother. “I just assumed that you would be busy.”
“Where is the snake man?” asked En’ver loudly.
Ravi snorted and Adesina did her best to suppress a grin. “Ruon is not a snake man, En’ver. He is a Laithur.”
The young boy shrugged. “He looks like a snake man.”
Wren’na’s expression was distinctly uncomfortable. “Please do not call him that, En’ver. It is not polite.”
“Ruon and the others will join us when they awaken,” promised Adesina to her nephew.
A disturbance at the edge of the camp brought Adesina around. A young teenage boy was running in the direction of the king’s tent. She moved to intercept him, and he saw her with relief on his face.
“Your Majesty, I was told to stand guard at the border of the Thieves’ Forest and to report anything unusual.”
Adesina nodded. “What did you see?”
“There was a group of refugees traveling past. Not coming here, mind you, just going by…”
“What happened?” urged Adesina more insistently.
The teenage boy pointed back the way he had come. “Marauders are approaching the refugees, and it looks like there will be trouble.”
K’eb appeared at Adesina’s side, ready to receive her
instructions.
“Have my horse saddled and round up any Protectors who are available to come fight.”
K’eb hurried off, and Adesina ran lightly up the hill to the tent with Ravi at her heels.
L’iam was getting dressed when his wife entered. “What is happening?”
Adesina explained as she strapped her Blood Sword to her back. L’iam asked no more questions, but gathered up his own sword. They exited the tent together and surveyed the gathering L’avan warriors.
By the time both of the royal horses were brought, more than a dozen Protectors had responded to the queen’s call. More were coming, but Adesina sent word that their current numbers should suffice.
Adesina’s horse, Torith, was waiting for her. She greeted the black stallion warmly, pleased that he had been brought back from the desert of Zonne. Adesina quickly mounted and heeled the horse forward.
The well-trained steed recognized the atmosphere and was ready to carry his mistress into the fray. Ravi took his customary place at Adesina’s side, keeping up with the pace easily.
Adesina and L’iam rode side by side, leading the L’avan Protectors to the rescue of the refugees. She always remembered that her husband was the king, but he never treated her as anything other than an equal.
The soldiers galloped through the thin strip of the woods that were not haunted by the spirits of Immortals, which had been marked as path lined with white stones by the L’avan. When they arrived on the other side, they could see the struggle in the distance.
The refugees numbered close to a hundred, but there were only three wagons and five horses. The men held various farming tools, brandishing them like weapons, while the women and children huddled behind them.
A gang of about thirty ruffians bore down on them on horseback, their rusty and mismatched blades raised with the intent to kill.
Adesina’s vyala lashed out before she had the conscious thought to use it. It did not act of its own accord, as it had when she had been fighting it, but it anticipated her desires and leapt into action.
A flash of light exploded in the path of the marauders, causing them to slow to a stop as they shielded their eyes. Adesina’s magically enhanced voice rang out for all to hear.
“Cease your attack and depart in peace,” she commanded. “All who come here as refugees are under the protection of the L’avan. Your unlawful actions will not be tolerated.”
This gave the L’avan enough time to close in on the other two groups. They formed a protective line between the refugees and the would-be attackers.
An incredibly dirty man at the front of the ruffians studied the newcomers with apprehension, his eyes especially lingering on Ravi. But when he saw that he and his fellows outnumbered the L’avan, his expression changed to disdain.
“This ain’t your business. Move along or we will kill ye’all, every one.”
“No, you will not,” replied L’iam pleasantly. “This land has been claimed by the L’avan, and all who travel here must abide by our laws.”
“Who are the Leven?” drawled a filthy woman riding an emaciated nag.
“We are the L’avan,” answered Adesina, “and you shall not harm these people. Leave now.”
“Or what?” sneered the ragged leader.
“Or you shall regret your decision for the small remainder of your life,” Adesina’s voice lowered to a tone that was deadly in its calm.
L’iam’s eyes flickered to his wife and Adesina felt a twinge of hesitation. It was not easy to overcome the training she had received as a Shimat, and she still found herself reverting to their violent tactics from time to time. Normally, the L’avan didn’t like using intimidation or force to get what they wanted. Adesina, on the other hand, knew instinctively when talking would be no use and skipped that step altogether.
L’iam had always supported Adesina in the past, even when he felt she had been too hasty in a decision. She knew that she had his support in this conflict as well, but she wanted to make sure that she was not being reckless.
A few mutters arose from the gang of marauders, and they looked uneasy. The leader turned on them in ire. “What? Ye think we cannut take them? We have more’n two to their one.”
The reminder of their superior numbers heartened the ruffians and they readied their weapons once more.
“We will’no leave here, woman,” said the leader in an arrogant voice. “My fellow tradesmen might’ve left that there forest, but this area still belongs to us. And as price for yer lip, we gon’ take yer pretty horses and weapons.”
“D’elan,” L’iam said to the Protector who was just behind him, “shield the refugees.”
The L’avan soldier acknowledged his orders and moved into place. The refugees had watched the exchange with fearful expressions, huddling close together. They did not seem any more trusting of the L’avan than they were of the marauders.
The gang’s leader narrowed his eyes and raised his rusty sword. “Let’s get ’em, lads.”
With a raucous cry, the group surged toward the waiting L’avan.
Adesina drew her Blood Sword, Falcon. Her vyala rose up within her without needing to be summoned, and the slender blade of her sword burst into magical flames.
During her fight with a demon near the Threshold, Adesina had discovered that her sword could act as a conduit for her power. The first time it had happened by accident, and she hadn’t tried to replicate the result since then.
This time, it happened as soon as her sword was drawn. Almost as if that fight on the Threshold had changed Falcon permanently.
L’iam stared at her sword in amazement, and Adesina guessed that the other L’avan were doing the same. She gave her husband small smile and urged Torith onward.
Most of the marauders drew their horses up sharply when they saw Adesina’s flaming sword. Fear was clear in their eyes, and some of them turned and fled. Even the leader stared in momentary terror, but then he clenched his jaw and raised his rusty sword a little higher. “C’mon, ye cowards! Everyone knows that magic-users talk big but run away in a fight.”
The other ruffians were made bold by his words, and they rushed forward recklessly.
Adesina vaguely heard L’iam issuing orders to the L’avan soldiers behind her, but her mind was filled with the rushing flow of her vyala. It would have been easy to lose herself in the hypnotizing power, but Ravi’s mind kept her safely anchored.
Even so, everything around her seemed to slow, and she felt strangely detached from the situation.
Adesina raised Falcon to meet the oncoming sword of the leader. The flames surrounding her blade formed into wings as she brought the sword down in a powerful blow. The air whistled with the speed of the sword’s movement, and it almost sounded like a falcon’s cry.
There was a flash of light as her sword made contact, and her enemy’s rusty blade exploded into dust.
His face turned deathly white beneath the filth, his eyes wild with fear. In an act of desperation, he drew the dagger sheathed at his waist and tried to plunge it into her raised arm.
Adesina’s vyala acted without her needing to give it conscious instruction. It hardened her skin against the blow and filled her arm with the same energy that resided in Falcon, causing the marauder’s dagger to turn to dust as well.
This was too much for the ruffian, and he wheeled his horse around and fled in the opposite direction.
The clang of swords reached Adesina’s ears, and she saw the Protectors engaged in fighting the other troublemakers. Even without Adesina’s show of power, the other L’avan were meeting their opponents with ease.
Adesina turned Torith to meet another enemy, much with the same result. Her vyala swept before her, acting in anticipation of her desires. She hardly had to use her sword at all. Her very presence caused her enemies to flee.
In another moment, the would-be robbers were all riding away as fast as their horses could take them.
Adesina reined Torith to a stop, breathing hard an
d struggling to bring her vyala back to a normal level. Once again, she used Ravi’s mind to anchor herself. Her vyala became more manageable, and Adesina was able to ease control.
L’iam rode up to her side, staring at Falcon, which now glinted harmlessly in the sunlight. “I have never seen anything like that,” he declared. “Is it because you are a Serraf?”
Adesina slowly shook her head. “No, it happened before I crossed over the Threshold. I think it is because this sword was forged with some of my blood in it.”
L’iam’s eyes brightened with understanding. “Yes, that makes sense. It became a talisman through blood magic. I wonder what else it is capable of doing.”
Adesina shrugged uncomfortably. “I am certain we shall find out before this is over.”
L’iam noticed his wife’s discomfort and reached over to squeeze her hand. “Let us go see to the refugees.”
They dismounted and approached the group of frightened travelers on foot, wishing to seem as unthreatening as possible. As they drew nearer, the refugees raised their farming tools and tried to appear menacing.
“Do not come any closer, magic-users,” warned a man in the front. “We have nothing of value for you to take. Please leave us be.”
Adesina frowned. The man looked strangely familiar.
“We do not wish to take anything from you,” soothed L’iam. “We just wish to be certain that no one is injured. You are free to leave at any time.”
“Why did you help us?” asked the man, lowering his pitchfork slightly.
L’iam pointed toward the forest. “We have a camp on the other side of those woods. We offer protection to any who might wish it. We have helped others who are fleeing the Scepter of Cha-sak, and we ask for little in return—only that you do your part in caring for the camp and others. Those who wish to lend their skills to our endeavor are appreciated, but it is not a requirement for those who join us.”
Adesina suddenly realized where she had seen the man before. “Your name is Ston,” she blurted out.
Several of the men behind Ston murmured, and he paled slightly. “Do not use your magic on me. My mind is my own.”
