by Cully Mack
Mirah glanced at Zeev’s wrinkled brow as they returned to their sparring.
When they were a distance away Nate said, ‘You never cease to astound me. Air?’ he questioned, in disbelief.
In answer, she sent cooling draft to alleviate his moistened brow.
‘You did well to disguise it. Zeev you can trust. I’ll explain to him later but you must be careful, there’s few you can trust around here.’
Footsteps crossing the courtyard took Nate’s attention as one of his guardsmen marched towards them.
‘Shemyaza has requested your presence,’ he said.
Nate dismissed the man. ‘This can’t be good,’ he said, brushing the sand from his clothes. He glanced at the chasm and hesitated.
‘Just go. Galia will be here soon. We’ve got into a routine of listening to the Fallen Star every morning.’ She leaned on her staff, letting it take her weight.
‘The what?’
‘He’s a singer.’
‘Never heard of him. Is he any good?’
She swooned at the memory of his healing melodies. ‘There are no words to describe him.’
‘If he’s competition, maybe I should check him out?’
Wicked images of Nate squeezed between the crowds of women flashed through her mind. ‘Maybe you should.’
He busied himself contemplating for a moment before saying, ‘I have to go. Shemyaza doesn’t tolerate waiting.’ He brushed his hand against hers before leaving.
❊
They rushed through the awakening city whilst listening to The Fallen Star’s voice as it crescendoed over the ridge of the Diatheatre. The only remaining spaces were on the back row. Mirah sat between Galia and Neviah and shut her eyes.
She could hear the rocks crying out in silence, see the wind bowing in reverence and sense the deep spring waters beneath her lifting their attention.
His voice, the sound in which galaxies were made, pitched into an explosion within her heart. She felt the shackles releasing, her doubts and fears fading under the embrace of the Fallen Star’s graceful harmony. She became lost in the space between ending and beginning. When she opened her eyes, all the women sat silent, and the Fallen Star’s robes swished as he was leaving the arena.
‘He sends fire through my veins,’ Neviah said, ‘purging everything that existed before.’
‘I know,’ Mirah agreed.
She closed her eyes and remembered the heat coursing through her body when Nate kissed her and how his hand brushed against her skin through the backless dress as they traversed the tunnels to her room.
On reaching her door, he’d guided her back against the wall and leaned his arm above her head. In the torchlight, she’d witnessed the passion and desire in his ice-blue eyes. With no hesitation he’d tilted her head, leaned and crushed his capturing lips on hers.
He’d pressed his tongue against her lips and as she’d parted her mouth to receive him, his tongue delved in exploring. He’d savoured every moment, sliding his other hand down the curve of her waist, stopping over her hips, caressing and coaxing her shivers.
The heat of his body compressed against her made her flush. She’d turned away to catch her breath. Mirah, he’d whispered and as he breathed her name, she’d closed her eyes and surrendered.
‘You look different?’ Neviah observed.
‘I’ve seen that look,’ Galia said, revelation dawning. ‘He’s kissed you.’
Neviah’s head swung up for confirmation. ‘What was it like?’
Whatever motive peeked Neviah’s interest had nothing to do with Nate. She tugged on her braid, conflicted about wanting to know about kissing and hating the man who had offered it. Somehow she needed to convince Neviah that he wasn’t the monster she thought him to be.
‘It was like the stars descended from the heavens, and though I couldn’t see them, I sensed every star tingling against my skin. If he hadn’t held me, I’m sure dizziness would have sent me plunging to my death down the mountain shaft.’
‘He kissed you in pitch blackness inside the shaft?’ Neviah asked. ‘How romantic.’
‘Romantic indeed. Nate is full of surprises,’ Galia said. ‘When Esha finds out she is going to burst into flames.’
‘Why should Esha care?’ Mirah asked.
‘Open your eyes Mirah. His body is the image of toned perfection, sculpted over years of loyal service. He’s the Captain of Shemyaza’s forces. Everyone except Bishnor and his followers adore him, would lay down their lives for him without question, though he’d never ask. Every woman in this city wants those cool blue eyes upon them and Esha had his gaze once but then lost it.’
‘They were together?’
‘It was a long time ago. I shouldn’t have said anything. Even though she’d deny it, I know she regrets him slipping from her grasp.’
‘Did he love her?’
‘What they had was not love.’
They strolled back through the city and Mirah pondered over what Galia had told her. It was naïve of her to think Nate hadn’t been with women. He was older and hadn’t lived a life as sheltered as hers. What did this mean for her, for them?
She hadn’t considered his expectations or where they might lead. Did he even realise she was a virgin? Maybe she should tell him, give him a chance to escape, to find someone more experienced.
Lost in her thoughts she stumbled into the back of a stranger and shunted him forwards.
‘I’m sorry,’ she said, reaching her arms out to stop him falling.
A flaring of dark purple robes swished as he regained his balance. It was the Fallen Star.
‘And what pray tell is causing you such a distraction?’
Except for his silk robe, he wore the same tasselled fringe skirt and sandals that men of higher status wore and his hair and beard were oiled in the same way but he didn’t belong. An enigma though she couldn’t fathom out why.
Up close secrets simmered in his light hazel eyes but before she discerned them he blinked and locked them away. He gave a sympathetic smile and waited for her to respond.
‘You sound nothing like you do when you sing.’
He let out a low laugh and deeper smile lines spread across his skin. She would have thought him old but those eyes and the secrets they held betrayed a glimpse infinite youth.
‘No one before has been brave enough to mention that.’
‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause offence?’
‘No offence taken. In fact, it’s rather refreshing. What is your name?’
‘Mirah.’
‘Mirah from Barakel?’
‘You’ve heard of me?’ she asked in surprise.
‘I have my ways, as I assume you have yours?’
‘I don’t understand?’
He lifted a worn wrinkled hand as if to brush away her question.
‘Don’t worry yourself with those thoughts you were entertaining. Everything has a reason, in its own time and right season. And besides, you’re more dignified than I ever imagined. There is no one, not even Esha who can compare.’ He stepped into the crowd and disappeared. Mirah stood, mouth open wide, gaping.
Neviah pushed through the throng of people, holding out a shawl she’d purchased. ‘Come, they have others,’ she said, gripping her arm. ‘What’s wrong with you, you look like you’ve just seen Nate dancing with Shayla?’
Neviah dragged her over to a cart. The seller thrust an arraignment of coloured shawls with pineapple shaped tassels at her. To stop his urging, she picked one and handed over a piece of silver. Thoughts tumbled through her mind. She needed to get away, she needed space and time to process them.
She found Galia running her slender fingers over lavender coloured silk fabric.
‘Do you mind if we don’t train today? There’s something I need to do.’
Galia eyed her with suspicion. ‘Would you like me to find you later?’
‘I’ll make my own way back. If that’s all right?’
Galia made her promise
not to drift over the timber bridge into the west side of the city, saying some of the clientele visiting the drinking and pleasure houses were less than desirable, and then agreed.
She purchased a pear from another vendor and meandered through the city in search of a quieter place to sit. The empire Shemyaza was building looked wonderful. And even more so were the people as she passed by them.
Acknowledging reverent smiles, even a few salutes reminded her she dressed in her Taphas wear. She realised the people here were grateful for their protection.
A little boy, no more than eight, with curly brown hair sprinted over and placed a small wooden carving in her hand. He bowed, said something in a language she didn’t recognise then skipped away.
She opened her hand to see a little wolf which reminded her of Nuri which led on to thoughts of Gabe. She wished he was her and hoped that wherever he’d gone, he kept safe.
As much as the people accepted her, she couldn’t shift the feeling of being watched. She glanced to the mountain. Against its blue skin, the openings in its rock face looked like a multitude of eyes. She quickened her pace until obscured by the nearest building.
Her feet crunched over pine needles on the way to the lake. Instead of creating an ice path, she circled around it. After finding a shady spot under a withered conifer she sat and ate her pear.
She contemplated her meeting with the Fallen Star. How had he perceived her hidden thoughts and known she came from Barakel? Who was he? His cryptic message about times and seasons and reasons hinted at something like destiny. Was destiny possible? Was everything part of some cosmic plan?
She refused to entertain the idea. If events were foretold, then whoever foretold them would have known the fate of Barakel and could have done something to prevent it.
But how had the Fallen Star known what she was thinking? She considered if he had the power to read their minds and wondered if he did so whilst singing. If he did, then he could know the deepest innermost parts of her, possibly better than she understood herself. She felt torn between wanting to know more about him or avoiding him altogether.
In the end, she resigned herself to the fact he didn’t appear dangerous and had shown her nothing other than compassion.
Confusion taking its toll, she lay on the grass covered in pine needles and watched small clouds crossing the sky. She took in their shapings, a bird, a bridge and a butterfly. Her eyes grew heavy, and she dozed.
When she roused, dusk had settled over the lake making the waters dark with soft silver ripples. The sky, the colour of purpura dye speckled with faint shining orbs. The breeze, warm and pure nestled around her and birds chirped as they settled in their nests in for night.
She found Nate resting his forearms over his knees sitting beside her.
‘I became worried when you never returned with the others.’
She propped herself up on her elbow. ‘How did you find me?’
‘Just a gut feeling?’
‘What, no magic wielding powers of your own?’
‘No, but I have other hidden talents,’ he said, teasing her.
‘Are you flirting with me?’
‘Maybe. Would you like me to?’ he asked tilting his head.
‘I’d like to see your style.’
Mirah couldn’t believe what she’d said. One minute she was fretting over her own inexperience and now she challenged him to what exactly she had no idea.
He took off his coat, folded it into a makeshift pillow and lay beside her. ‘It’s all right if you want to gaze over my body. I’m sure you must be finding it difficult to tear your eyes away.’
‘I hadn’t noticed,’ she lied.
‘Really? Maybe I should take off my shirt?’ He made to sit up and reached over his shoulders, gripping his shirt.
‘That’s unnecessary. I get the picture, very well.’
He sniggered in victory and lay back down. ‘I make you nervous?’ he asked with concern.
‘It’s not that, it’s just—’
‘Are you worried about Esha? Galia told me she’d told you. I intended to explain to you myself. Our relationship, if you can call it that, was a long time ago. I was young, foolish and believe me, I got my fingers burnt.’
‘It’s not Esha, well not totally. It’s just that, I’ve never… well, you know what I mean.’
‘Ah, well I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t tempted but it’s a bit soon don’t you think?’
Relief washed over her.
‘And besides, I’m sure when temptation gets the better of you, you’ll find a way to let me know.’
‘You sound pretty confident about that.’
He laughed with genuine amusement and reached into a small pack. ‘I thought you might be hungry.’ He passed her a raisin flat cake. ‘I stole them from Sumer.’
They watched the purpura coloured sky give way to darker purple streaks.
Nate, reached around her shoulder, drawing her closer. ‘I’d rather not spoil this but there’s something you need to know. Shemyaza is promoting Bishnor to Chieftain. He’ll be leading Zamani’s old war band from now on.’
‘Isn’t that better for you? I noticed you two don’t get along.’
‘We don’t. It’s a long story but in my youth, I blamed him for my mother’s death. I’m not proud of my behaviour. The way I acted towards him was cruel.
I took advantage of every opportunity to belittle him and make him look foolish. He grew up despising me. Shemyaza’s other sons watched on, thinking my ridicule would shape him and make him stronger. The truth is, I’m in part responsible for the monster he has become.
In later years he’s become suspicious of my intentions. He’s still under my command but I won’t be able to keep him near me or intervene and manoeuvre him around some of Shemyaza’s orders. With him off leading his own war band, it will be impossible to reign in any devastation he plans.’
Nate pulled on a strand of grass and twiddled it between his finger and thumb. ‘He has a point to prove. Becoming a Chieftain, it wouldn’t surprise me if one day he makes a challenge for my command. I thought you should know in case you—’
‘Decided you weren’t worth the risk? If you thought that, then you don’t know me very well.’
‘You need to understand, if it ever came to it, if he killed me, in our culture, he’d have the right as the victor to take everything dearest to me. I don’t mean to sound presumptuous but you need to know.’
‘Well then, if it comes to that, don’t die.’
He dropped the grass strand and selected another one. ‘There’s more. Shemyaza is hosting a tournament to celebrate Bishnor’s promotion. It will involve Wielders against Wielders.’
‘Will I have to fight?’
‘No. It’s a display of the Taphas and the powers they wield. As long as you don’t reveal your other abilities, you’ll be fine.’
‘Well, in that case, you’ll be pleased to know, I have my abilities under my firm control.’
‘I gathered from the ruse you played this morning. Nice tactics, though you could have warned me.’
‘And miss the joy of seeing you fall flat on your butt. No way. Galia had me practising for weeks. She will be disappointed she missed it.’
‘Well, it’s time I sought my revenge,’ he said, leaning over and pinning her down on the ground. ‘Didn’t see that coming, did you?’
She was about to say no when he kissed her.
❊ 18 ❊
Shemyaza insisted that the four gods who’d descended on the mountain with him, were to attend Bishnor’s promotion to Chieftain. One god who Nate called Buzur resided beyond the Salmu Sea.
According to Nate, hot plains and lapis lazuli mines filled his empire. The wealth of which adorned the lapis boundary wall of Mount Hermonial. A recent attack on the Buzur’s mines had delayed Shemyaza’s plans for the ceremony.
In the days ahead of the tournament, Mirah saw no sign of the gods. The single testament to anything unusual were the
cartloads of Sikaru, a favoured blend of beer. After delivery, workers wheeled heavy loaded wagons across the courtyard and they disappeared into the bowels of the mountain.
The ceremony was supposed to go ahead the next day and every time she’d asked Nate when the gods would be arriving, he’d chuckled and said, wait and see.
The thought of performing in a tournament intimidated her but competing under the watchful gaze of five gods, she found terrifying. Her one consolation, she’d had over a month to prepare. A month of taunting Nate in their sparring and spending most evenings with Galia, Arella and Neviah in the Taphas Cavern. Nate presumed she’d be paired against a Fire Wielder and had insisted Neviah and her train together. To her credit, Neviah never grumbled. She saw it as an opportunity to rise above Shayla.
In wielding fire against water they were equal. Neviah melted the onslaught of ice shards and spears hurled through the air and in turn, she quenched fiery bombs Neviah fired back.
She never dared to use her other abilities. Not that she didn’t trust Neviah with her secrets but Neviah accusing her of being different still lingered in the back of her mind along with Nate’s insistence that no one else should know.
They’d been in the Taphas cavern wielding for some time when Nate arrived.
‘Do you mind if I steal her away? Seeing as tonight might be the last night of our lives?’
Galia chortled. ‘Not if you intend to terrorise the poor girl with your pathetic attempt at humour.’
‘I need to go anyway,’ Neviah said. ‘There’s something I need to do.’ She collected a cloak which Mirah assumed was Zeev’s and left.
‘So you’re both leaving us here stranded?’ Arella pouted.
His mouth twitched, giving away his straight face as he replied, ‘There’s plenty of tasks in preparation for tomorrow if you want me to give you orders?’
‘Now that’s funny.’ Galia laughed, backing across the cavern beckoning Arella with her hand. ‘We’re going to the harbour, maybe we’ll see you there.’
The evening warmth and desert sand clung in the northeast breeze creating a foggy sienna colouring in the sky. It made everything feel compact.
