by Bridie Blake
“No! It’s not fair!” She screamed at the sky, because that’s where she assumed the Goddess was. “I did this for you, and you just keep taking! Leandra! Chennai! Rando! Not him! It’s not fair!”
Otto grabbed her and held her firmly against his chest. “It’s all right. Please. It’s all right.”
“It’s not all right!” She pushed him away. “How can you say that?”
“I chose my death,” he explained. “I chose to die so others could live. That you must understand.”
She stared at him, her tears falling freely now.
“You made the same decision,” he said. “I know you did. You may be able to fool others, but I know you best.”
“I’m my father’s daughter,” she whimpered.
“And I couldn’t be prouder of you.”
“I should be dead,” she whispered. “I had nothing left.”
Hamalia gripped her hand. “You had someone else on your side.” She reached out and placed her hand on Tempani’s stomach.
Tempani’s eyes rested on her stomach. “I’m pregnant?”
“You’re going to be a wonderful mother,” said Otto. “My only regret is not being there to see it.”
She threw her arms around him and cried into his shoulder. “We wasted so many years.”
Otto pulled Hamalia into their embrace. “We love you and Chae more than life itself. You remember that.”
She nodded and sniffed as she let them go. She waved as she took one last look at them.
—
The wind rushed past her as she flew through the air. She forced her eyes open and shrieked when she saw the clouds brushing past her face.
I’m taking you to your niska. Aidis spoke to her. Tempani relaxed as she clung to Aidis. She’ll fix you.
“No,” Tempani said. “I’m fine. Take me back to my people.”
But if you die I’ll have to wait for someone new to play with.
“I’m not dying,” she insisted. “Take me back.”
As you wish.
Aidis turned around and flew back towards the city. They slowly descended and dropped below the clouds.
I’d prefer to keep you out of range of any arrows.
“Surely the sight of you will scare any remaining enemies away.” She could see the palace in the distance. “Take me there.”
They flew slowly, and she was able to get her first glimpse of the devastation. Homes were ruined, roads covered with debris and broken bodies. Those still able to move were pulling the dead to the side, a herd of centaurs assisting.
The chapel lay untouched, and the injured had assembled there. She saw Dahlia running around, barking orders at her team. She wanted to tell Aidis to drop her here so she could help, but she knew she would be more of a hindrance than anything. Her Power was tapped dry, her body weak from her fight.
One of the Kalaowin tribes battled fiercely against a pack of Wyverns. Seeing them, Aidis swerved towards them, fire streaming from her mouth. Her cousins darted away quickly, and the tribe sank to the ground in relief.
They’ve had enough battle for one day.
“I guess we’ll be fighting unknown creatures now the enchantments are gone.”
You will learn not to kill what you don’t understand.
The palace had suffered considerable damage. Sections of the main wall had been blown away, leaving gaping holes in the grounds. The wing that housed the training rooms and the kitchens were on fire. The stables nothing more than a pile of wood. It would take years to rebuild the kingdom.
Aidis landed gently in the gardens, and she slid off her back.
I won’t be far.
Tempani stroked her neck and planted a kiss on her. “Thank you.”
Your kingdom awaits.
Tempani shook her head. They had done it. The Kamaris and Kalaowins had fought together and won. Hallam and Ricton were dead, and Tempani and Nic would rule.
Nic. Was he alive? She had to find him. She ran through the gardens, and crashed into Bhatia as she rounded the corner.
“Where did you go?” She shrieked. “I came to, and you had disappeared. Zadi is going crazy. They had to sedate her.”
“It’s a long story,” she said and gripped Bhatia’s hand. “Where’s Nic?”
“I don’t know. I’ve been too busy looking for you to account for anyone else.”
Tempani sighed and squeezed her hand. “I’m sorry for worrying you.”
“I wasn’t worried,” she snapped. “I just didn’t want to be blamed if anything happened to you.”
She nodded. “Of course.”
They walked together slowly, their feet dragging from exhaustion.
“Thank you for giving me Hallam.”
“You deserved your revenge.”
Bhatia nodded curtly. “Wonder what he did to be guarded so heavily.”
Tempani followed Bhatia’s gaze and frowned at the young man who stood with ten swords pointed at him. His eyes were red, his face drawn. Tempani made a move to him. If he was dangerous enough to have that many guarding him she needed to know what he’d done.
“Sir Madoc’s orders,” a soldier responded when she asked. “We’re to watch him.”
“What did he do?”
“Sir Madoc wouldn’t tell us. Just said to stay here and watch him.”
There was something so despairing about the prisoner’s eyes that Tempani felt her heart go out to him. “Let him sit and fetch him some water.”
“He refused. Said he don’t want nothing.”
“What’s your name soldier?” She asked the prisoner.
“I ain’t no soldier.” The sadness in his voice echoed through her, and she shivered.
She pushed through the men and gripped his chin, forcing him to look down at her. “Tell me your name.”
“Adler, my lady.” His voice trembled as he looked into her eyes. “Please kill me.”
“If my commander believed you worth killing, he would have done it,” she explained. “He has given the order for your guard. I must trust his judgment.” She turned back to his guard. “Get him some water and make him drink it. I won’t have someone die from thirst.”
She motioned for Bhatia to follow her. She would find Madoc and ask him what was going on. But first she had to find her husband.
The injured were being moved by carts into the city. She was relieved when she saw Nika was among those helping move them. She didn’t know how she’d cope if she’d lost him too. She wondered how many lives had been lost in this. They would make a record of this. Each person, friend and foe, would be accounted for.
Bhatia tapped Tempani’s shoulder. “Nic,” she said.
Tempani turned and despite the devastation and the pain and the exhaustion she found herself smiling when she saw him. He was bloodied and limping, dragging his sword behind him, but he was alive. She called out his name and moved towards him.
He waved at her and broke into a run, his face a picture of relief. He was almost within arm’s reach when he stopped, his mouth opening in shock. She watched him, confused, and then he fell at her feet, a dagger embedded in his shoulder. She screamed as her heart skipped a beat, and a fresh wave of energy rushed through her. She sent a blast after the assailant as he tried to flee. The soldier of the King’s Guard was killed instantly.
EPILOGUE
Tempani’s hands shook as they rested on her growing belly. She took a deep breath, hoping to calm her nerves. Outside she heard murmurings. Excited voices as they filed into the palace grounds.
She knew Madoc would be down there. Her commander, and leader of the newly formed Royal Guard would be keeping order as the people of the city gathered. She found out Otto had died protecting an injured Madoc, as he lay bleeding in the dirt. He had not taken the death of his former mentor well, and Tempani knew he would carry the loss with him forever.
The Parliament had wanted her to hold the ceremony inside. To avoid trouble. But she had insisted on holding it outside. She wanted all of her people to at
tend, not just the nobility.
She’d wanted to hold it earlier so the Kalaowins could attend but she, and the people of the kingdom, and not been ready for the celebration.
Most of the Kalaowins had now returned to their tribes, but some had chosen to stay in the city, joining Madoc’s ranks or attending the university or working alongside the commoners to rebuild their homes. There were still skirmishes between the races, but the hatred and fear that had long existed had been abated. There were still some hot blooded Kamaris who made life very difficult for the Kalaowins and vice versa, but Tempani knew it would be a long journey to unite them. The unrest wouldn’t end when Hallam died.
They tried to adapt to life with creatures that they’d heard of only in tales or dreamt of only in their nightmares. The Parliament worked tirelessly on learning all they could about each species and how to co-exist with them. Aidis was a great help on this. Her knowledge was beyond all expectations.
Zadi shuffled behind her, her right hand resting on her sword. The stump that was now her left arm was a constant reminder of the battle with Hallam and Ricton. So too was the absence of the man who normally stood on Tempani’s other side.
She hadn’t been able to bring herself to replace Rando yet. She knew she had to, but she couldn’t bear the thought of it just yet. It was too much.
Gone too were Yuta, Keer and Helio. Xanthir too had perished as he fought alongside the Raiders. Lindow had returned from hiding to fight and had lost his life. Tempani found it difficult to visit the manor now that his friendly face wasn’t there to greet her.
Her niski had survived the battle but his heartache over losing his second child had taken its toll, and he’d passed away from a heart attack two months later. Her niska had refused her offer of a room at the palace and had taken her tribe back to the mountains. She promised she’d be back for the birth of her great-grandchild though.
Chae had survived. Barely. Dahlia, now trainee to the Chief Healer, couldn’t fix all the damage that had been done, and he’d never be able to walk again. He had told her that for him, that was a fate worse than death. He was in a dark place at the moment, and she wasn’t able to reach him. Dahlia’s support to him was unwavering despite his ending their relationship. She kept telling Tempani that they would find their way back to one another.
She often wondered if those who had survived the physical pain would ever move on from the emotional scars. She figured only time would tell.
“I have three groups patrolling the grounds. They’ll see anything the Guard miss,” Bhatia said when she walked in.
She had appointed Bhatia as the head of a new outfit of female fighters, the Shiasa’s Ladies. She’d had no doubt that Bhatia would be a great leader and an asset to them. The problem was that she didn’t feel the need to keep others abreast of what she was up to. Madoc was supposed to be in charge of her, but she ignored his rules. The only person Bhatia would take orders from was Tempani. Her loyalty to her was unwavering.
“Thank you.” Tempani smiled at her.
“Are you ready?” Darby came through the door behind Bhatia, his eyes shining with joy as he kissed Tempani’s cheek.
She smiled at Darby, forever her guide and now her most trusted advisor.
Tempani’s heart hurt for Darby. Not only had he lost Wimarc, a bad king but a friend to him nonetheless, but then Mother Chennai and Otto. She knew he’d never get over the last two. Just like she never would.
“Is he coming?”
“I tried.” He shrugged and patted her hand when he saw the disappointment on her face. “Tryphena tried. He just won’t listen.”
She swallowed the lump that always formed in her throat when she thought of Teddy. It was becoming harder to hold onto the faith she had that the man he’d once been would come back to them.
She reached down and patted Tilaw’s head and then nodded at Darby. “I’m ready.”
The crowd below broke into applause as Darby stepped onto the balcony. She followed behind him and grinned as the cheers erupted.
She looked down at the faces that had gathered before her, and if her heart could burst from pride, it would have at that moment. The Kamaris and Kalaowins stood together in celebration. Elik and his herd amongst them. A griffin soared overhead. This is what she had fought for.
She glanced into the sea of faces and let her eyes fall on Nika. Her cousin watched her, pride in his eyes. Wrapped in his arms were Thara and Tempani’s godson, Ilya. Beside them stood Keane and Indiro, dressed in the uniform of the Royal Guard.
Leela and the manor staff smiled and waved as they stood around Chae, who sat in a small wagon with Dahlia at his side.
Darby stepped towards the crowd, holding her crown high up in the air to show them.
She gazed at it fondly and smiled as her eyes fell on the jewel. She had insisted that it be incorporated into her crown and it now sat at the front of it, surrounded by diamonds. The Kalaowin jewel in the Kamari crown. She never thought she’d see the day it happened
Her heart thumped in her chest as he rested it on her head.
“I present to you, Tempani of Lenthir. Your Shiasa,” he cried. “And Nicolass of Lenthir, your king.”
She stepped forward, Nic moving in unison behind her. She reached back, gripped his hand and pulled him to her side. From this day on, they were equals.
The roar was deafening as the bells from the chapel chimed and rang across the ground. She glanced up as a shadow passed over them. Aidis had arrived.
They moved towards the crowd and walked slowly down the steps. They met Madoc at the bottom and smiled as he crossed his arms over his chest and bowed. With him, Zadi and Dagan ahead of them, they walked amongst their people.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Writing The Jewel of Kamara was a long and sometimes emotionally draining process. And I couldn’t have done it without some very special people.
To mum and dad for for being the most supportive parents I could ever wish for. I couldn’t have done this without you.
To my siblings and in-laws - Tim, Andrew, Simon, Suellen, Luella, Verity, David, Sam, Katherine, Tanya, Erica, Matt & Michael. Your encouragement gave me the confidence to finish it. And to my bevy of nieces and nephews, who just make my world a better place.
A special thank you to Verity, who was honest in her feedback. You weren’t afraid to tell me if you didn’t like a character or if something didn’t make sense. It helped a great deal, even if I was silently cursing you during my re-writes!
I am very blessed to have such an amazing family.
To Tess, who read it in its earliest stages and had to listen as I bounced countless ideas off her. You know these characters as well I do! Your feedback and critiques were always helpful, even though they all ended with requests for more Teddy.
To my friends for giving me much needed breaks from the world of Kamara. You kept me from going insane.
I had conflicted feelings about finishing this book. I was a little sad after I finished Tempani’s story. It was like I had lost a friend. So much of my time had been spent thinking of how she would react to things and what she would say or think in certain situations.
But on the other hand I now get to invite you all into her world and hopefully you’ll fall in love with her as much I have. And as long as the world of Delthenon exists, so will she.
Coming Soon
The Thief of Lenora
