by Claire Frank
Isley flicked her eyes to the side. “Quiet. I can’t ask him that.”
General Gwinele’s eyes widened again but Horadrus’s face remained still. “Peace, General. You do not see what I see. She is an unexpected answer to a long-pondered quandary.”
“Yes, Eminence.”
“Halthas is not yours,” Isley said.
“Not yet, but it will not take long,” he said. “Every kingdom falls before me. Halthas will be no different.”
Isley bit her lip in frustration. She wasn’t getting the answers she needed and seemed no closer to convincing them to free her. “Why am I here?”
“Merely for investigation,” he said. “It is important to understand your enemy, and Nihil’s failure let too many of you loose on the world. That was not the intended outcome.”
“What do you know about Nihil?” Isley asked.
“Enough,” the Emperor said. “His work suited my purposes, for a time. But he was never to lose control of his subjects. That was an unforgiveable mistake.”
“Nihil is dead,” she said.
“All the better for him. His usefulness to me was only temporary. But now that I see you, I realize you are far more intriguing than I anticipated. Alzor did well in finding you. He will have to be rewarded,” he said as he looked at General Gwinele.
“What do you want from me?” Isley asked.
Horadrus leaned forward. “It is not so much you that I want, as the child you carry.”
5. IMARA
The wind rushed past Cecily’s face, burning her cheeks and numbing the tip of her nose. She wore her fur-lined coat with the hood drawn up over her head, but the chill of the air cut through her clothes as she stood on the deck of the Imaran river vessel. The boat was both deeper and wider than she’d first realized when she had been standing at the pier in East Haven. Its sweeping lines came to a point at both bow and stern and there were seats, four on each side, where the Imarans sat to row. The front half was open to the sky, but the back half was covered, creating a spacious cabin. The walls and roof were wood, and thick cloths rolled up at the openings that could be dropped down to enclose the cabin from the cold. A hearthstone kept it comfortable and Cecily had found it a pleasant enough journey, even if it was somewhat unnerving to watch the Imarans row continuously for days on end.
Rogan had arranged for the Imaran escort, who had picked them up in East Haven. The Imarans treated the king with respect, if not deference, and Rogan spent quite a bit of time talking with them as they rowed. He and Daro also spent long hours speaking together, with both Rogan and Alastair asking detailed questions about Imaran customs.
It was the afternoon of the fifth day, and the Imarans had told them their destination was near. Docks and buildings appeared on the bank of the wide river, with a sprawl of activity at the water’s edge. Their guides maneuvered the boat up to a large dock, where other Imarans helped secure the vessel with thick coils of rope. Hoisting their packs, they all disembarked onto the smooth wood. Daro grabbed Cecily’s arm as she swayed and nearly stumbled, finding the solid ground unfamiliar after their days on the water.
Falling in step with Daro, Cecily tucked her hand into his arm as she glanced around. Imarans looked up from their tasks as the group walked past, and she wondered what sort of a stir their visit would cause. Although she’d spent time with Balsam and Ara, she realized as she watched the faces of the onlookers that, like Rogan and Alastair, there was a great deal about these people she did not know. In Halthas, she was accustomed to everything from the intricacies of court manners to the language of the tradesmen at the docks. Imara was something quite different, and she hoped her ignorance wouldn’t cause her to make any missteps.
“This is just the river village,” Daro said as they walked. “They do a lot of their work here, but the center of Imara is farther in.”
Daro led the way, with Alastair and Mira flanking Rogan behind them. Up close, the trees were larger than they had seemed from the boat, their dizzying height and the girth of their trunks slightly disorienting. Despite the cold air, the forest felt alive, carpeted with moss and thick with bursts of green. Their feet crunched on the pine needles strewn across the forest floor, and Cecily had to lean into Daro occasionally to keep from wobbling. The sun dipped low and, as the light faded, she began to wonder if they’d have to travel far through the forest in the dark. It was not a comforting thought.
After they’d gone about a mile, the roar of waterfalls grew and the trees opened. A tall stone cliff rose above the landscape, stretching to either side as far as the eye could see, peppered with hundreds of tiny points of glowing light. Even in the dimness, Cecily could see pillars carved into the rock and she realized the illuminations were windows. Waterfalls spilled into a large lake, sparkling with reflected light, and a curved bridge arced its way across, leading to an opening in the cliff face.
Daro stopped and they all stood for a moment, gazing at the sight. “This is Imara,” he said, his voice soft.
“I don’t know what I expected,” Alastair said, “but it wasn’t this.”
With a smile, Daro urged them on toward the bridge. His excitement was infectious, and Cecily looked around with awe. Halthas was known as the City of Wonders, but this place had a beauty all its own.
On the far side of the bridge, a group of Imarans waited. Word of their arrival must have traveled ahead of them, and Cecily recognized Balsam among the men and women gathered.
She and Daro dropped back, allowing Rogan to approach. He stepped up to the group, with Alastair and Mira slightly behind, as the Imarans bowed low in Halthian fashion.
“King Rogan of Halthas,” Balsam said, with a formal quality to his speech. “I am Balsam fe’Abrecan. It is my great honor to welcome you to Imara.”
“Thank you, Balsam fe’Abrecan,” Rogan said. “It is an honor to be welcomed by your people.”
Balsam glanced past Rogan and caught Cecily’s eye, giving her a quick smile before continuing. “We have made accommodations ready for all our guests. My companions will show you the way.” He stepped aside and held out his hand, gesturing for them to continue on into the Imaran city.
“Your kind reception is appreciated,” Rogan said. Flanked by Alastair and Mira, he followed the small group of Imarans through the archway and quickly disappeared from sight.
Balsam turned back to Daro and Cecily. “The pleasure is great at seeing you again, Daro fe’Einar,” he said as he shook Daro’s hand. He reached out to Cecily and clasped her hand, swallowing it with his larger one. “Cecily, I have much joy at seeing you here as well. It was not known to me that you would both be accompanying your king, but it is a welcome surprise. It has been too long.”
“It has been,” Daro said. “I trust Leah is well?”
“My aewe grows more beautiful with each passing day,” Balsam said. “We still have some time to wait before our child arrives, but she is quite well.”
Cecily forced a smile, stifling a sudden pang of jealousy over Leah’s pregnancy. “I’m glad to hear that. I look forward to meeting her.”
“She will be most pleased to meet you as well,” Balsam said. “May I walk with you to your dwelling?”
“Of course,” Daro said.
Balsam led them up the wide spiral walkway. Corridors branched off at each level, leading deeper into the Imaran city. It was unlike anything Cecily had ever seen. She knew Halthian Shapers could do amazing work, but there was an organic feel to this place that made it seem as if the Imarans must have found it, already formed by some force of nature. Although they were underground, the expansive ceilings and soft illumination made it feel open and airy. Other Imarans passed as they walked, some turning to look at the newcomers. She wondered what they must think of the sudden arrival of Halthians in their home. It wasn’t a typical occurrence.
“The journey was pleasant?” Balsam asked.
“As pleasant as being on a boat for days can be,” Daro said and Cecily smiled. Daro had been rest
less, insisting on taking turns at the oars with the other Imarans for much of the journey. She didn’t think he had slept much.
“I have looked forward to your visit, Cecily,” Balsam said. “Is Imara much like what you imagined it would be?”
Cecily glanced up at the ceiling and realized there were tubes of flowing water above them, shining with reflected light. “Daro told me so much, but there’s really nothing like seeing it with my own eyes.”
“Balsam,” Daro said, his voice tentative. “How are the other Halthians?”
“The altered Wielders,” Balsam said. “They will be grateful to be seeing you, I expect. They have done well. We see much progress in them.”
“You have been able to help them?” Daro asked.
“More than was expected,” Balsam said. “They do not have Imaran Sight, but they are no longer like most Halthians. They are more open, with a sense of the energy of life that is aiding them in learning to control it. Ara has dedicated her time to working with them, and most of them have achieved much. I do not expect they will be a danger any longer.”
“Most of them have achieved much,” Cecily said. “But not all?”
“There is one who struggles with more than just the energy he carries,” Balsam said. “But there is no need for concern. He is well-kept and will not pose a problem to any of our guests.”
“That’s good to hear,” Daro said.
Cecily’s hand strayed to the scar above her eye. Her forehead bore a thin line where Pathius had frozen the poisoned scratch of another altered Wielder. Balsam’s implication that she wouldn’t see Pathius was comforting, although she had to admit she was curious about him as well.
They walked down a corridor with doors on each side, and occasional openings in the ceiling that reached all the way to the open air above. Her fur-lined coat kept her overly warm now that they were out of the chill. She was grateful when they stopped in front of a door and Daro led them in.
Balsam paused in the doorway. “I will leave you to the comfort of home after your journey.”
Cecily smiled a goodbye, feeling weariness creep over her. She hadn’t slept much on the ride downriver, and it seemed to be catching up with her.
Daro took her pack and set it down, then gestured to the open space. “Well, this is my home here, I suppose. It was my father’s.”
The trickle of water sounded from open pipes on one wall. Daro had explained how fresh water was fed to every Imaran dwelling, and she watched it drip into a ceramic basin. “This place is beautiful,” she said, looking around. A tall table stood to one side with stools tucked beneath it. Large cushions were placed in the corners, and near the pipes were open shelves and countertops. It had a coziness to it, a familiarity that surprised her.
Daro took in a deep breath. “There’s something about being here again, with you. It feels right, somehow.” He slid his hands around her waist and pulled her close.
Cecily relaxed into his warmth. “Rest, perhaps? I feel as if we’re both tired.”
“Sorry,” he said. “I didn’t rest on the way here, really. I need to remember that affects you too.”
In the months since he’d returned from Imara, they had discovered their bond had grown and changed a great deal. Perhaps their increased awareness of it allowed them to take advantage of its gifts, or perhaps Daro’s augmentations enhanced the connection. Whatever the reason, they continually discovered new ways in which it worked.
He led her back to a small room with a bed piled with blankets, and she removed her cloak and boots. Although she still had the faint sensation of moving as if they were on the water, she sank into the softness of the mattress. Tucking her head against Daro’s shoulder, she fell into a comfortable sleep.
***
The sound of insistent knocking woke Cecily from a deep sleep. Forcing her eyes open, she looked around the dark room. Daro slept next to her, his breathing steady. For a moment she thought she had imagined the sound, and she turned over, letting her eyes drift closed again.
A knock came again and her eyes flew open. Her limbs were heavy with fatigue as she nudged Daro awake, and reluctantly sat up.
“I think someone is knocking,” she said, pushing against Daro’s shoulder as his eyes closed again.
“What?”
“Someone is here.” She glanced around the room, taking a deep breath to banish the sleep from her mind. Was it morning?
Daro rolled over as another knock rang out from the front of the dwelling. “Okay,” he said, muttering under his breath as he rose and ran his hands up and down his face.
She followed him out to the front door, rubbing her eyes and blinking hard. Daro opened the door; Balsam stood in the hallway outside.
“Ah, I must apologize,” Balsam said as soon as the door opened. “I expected you would be resting, but I have been asked to summon you. King Rogan is meeting with the Raeswa, and he wishes for Daro to join him.”
“The Raeswa?” Daro said, blinking hard as if he was having trouble keeping his eyes open. “Is it morning?”
“Midmorning, yes,” Balsam said, and Cecily felt a twinge of embarrassment for having slept so late.
“Is it?” Daro asked. “I feel like I just went to sleep. I suppose I didn’t rest enough on the journey downriver.”
“That does make a difference,” Balsam said. “I am sorry to have woken you. I’ll leave you now to ready yourselves. You know your way to the gathering place?”
Daro nodded.
“Good,” Balsam said. “They will see you there shortly.”
As Balsam turned to leave, Daro shut the door. With a yawn, he stretched his arms above his head and shuffled back toward the bedchamber. Cecily followed, covering her mouth as she tried to stifle a yawn of her own.
He sat on the bed and fell back into the bedclothes, his eyes closed.
“I don’t think we can go to sleep now,” Cecily said, although she very much wanted to. Daro could go long stretches of time without rest, using his ability to Augment himself to put off sleep. But it came at a cost, and Cecily was affected through their bond, feeling his fatigue.
Daro mumbled something unintelligible as she sat down on the bed next to him.
“I’m tired too, but Rogan needs you when he meets with the Raeswa.”
“Rogan will be fine,” Daro said.
“That may be true, but he asked us to come here for a reason.”
Daro opened his eyes and propped himself up on his elbows. “Rogan asked me every conceivable question about Imara on the journey upriver. I told him everything I know. And the Raeswa speak Halthian, so they don’t need me to translate. Even if they did, I’d be a terrible translator. I can barely speak Imaran.”
Cecily laughed. “You seem to speak Imaran quite well, although I don’t know if you realize it when you’re speaking it.”
His brows drew down. “Really? Regardless, I don’t see why Rogan needs me there.”
“I don’t think that’s the point. He may be your friend, but he’s still your king. Are you going to ignore his summons?”
He sank back down onto the bed and closed his eyes. “Yes.”
Cecily sighed. “We can’t go back to bed.”
With a grunt, Daro rose, and Cecily stood while he shoved his boots on his feet. “I don’t know when I’ll be back,” he said as he stalked out to the front room.
“Daro,” she said as she followed him.
He stopped and turned to look at her. “Listen, I know this isn’t your fault, but this isn’t what I pictured. This place means something to me, and I wanted to be able to show it to you. Instead I have to spend my day with Rogan and the Raeswa, and they probably don’t need me there.”
“Even if they can communicate on their own, your insights might be helpful,” Cecily said.
“They have matters to discuss that aren’t my concern,” Daro said. “Or shouldn’t be. I don’t see why I need to be involved.”
“You don’t want to be involved,” she
said.
“And why should I?”
“Because things aren’t going to stop happening simply because we ignore them. Whether you agree with Rogan’s reasons or not, he’s here to forge a new relationship with Imara. You have a chance to be a part of that. How many people have that opportunity? Most live their entire lives reacting to events over which they have no control. Whether we like it or not, you and I can help shape things.”
“Who am I to take on such a task? I’m a half-Imaran merchant guard turned craftsman.”
“You’re also a war hero, and arguably one of the five most powerful Wielders in Halthas.”
“That isn’t¬—”
“Your fault? No, it isn’t, but that doesn’t change who you are.” She closed her mouth and looked away. It was so hard to understand Daro’s reluctance. “You’re the only one who lives in both of these worlds,” she said after a pause. “Rogan needs you.”
Daro took a deep breath. “I know. I’ll go. But don’t expect me to enjoy this.”
She sighed again as he kissed her forehead before leaving. The door clicked shut behind him, and she pressed a hand to her temple. Her fatigue was slow to retreat, and concern for Daro warred with frustration at his unwillingness to participate. Shaking her head, Cecily wondered if all Imaran men were so stubborn.
6. ENTRUSTED TO YOU
Daro made his way through the corridors to the gathering place, pushing aside his weariness. Cecily’s first visit to Imara should have been pleasant, a chance for him to show her the place of his birth. Instead, it had become a diplomatic affair. Rogan would want to discuss border agreements and formal alliances, and Daro was hardly qualified to speak on such matters.
The two men standing outside the entrance to the gathering place nodded to him as he passed. Low voices drifted down the passage as he approached the open-air room where he had been brought before the Raeswa on his first visit to Imara.
As he walked through the archway, he found Mira standing just inside. The center benches were occupied by the ageless men and women of the Raeswa, and several more seats had been moved close, two of them occupied by Rogan and Alastair. The rest of the room was empty, absent the audience that had attended the first time Daro had been there.
