What about me?
Leaning forward in her chair, she looked up at the people around her all nodding and shaking hands as the meeting seemed to be drawing to a close.
“What about me?” She asked indignantly. All eyes spun around in surprise and stared at her. They had probably forgotten she was even there, looking tiny in the oversized stone chair she was sitting in.
“One moment Shaya,” said Rowan holding up a finger. Shaya felt a burning in her stomach, she felt like grabbing him by that finger and dragging him across the table, but she didn’t.
“Thank you all,” said the prince as he shook the hands of everyone there. “We ride at dawn. Please tell your troops and ready them for the ride ahead, and for battle.”
Human hands, talon-like hands and boulder-sized furry hands, the soon to be king shook them all. Benjin shook his hand and turned to leave.
“A word please Benjin and you Shaya,” he said quickly. Shaya and her uncle exchanged confused glances and raised eyebrows. They waited as Avem and Avis shook Rowan’s hand vigorously with faint smiles and left with the two other Volanti dignitaries. Only Benjin, Shaya, Elle and the prince remained on the balcony.
“I need to speak with the both of you.”
“What about?” Shaya asked.
“We have a secret plan,” Elle said looking at Rowan “One I am against.”
“Ellesia please,” Rowan shot her an annoyed glare as if they had had the same argument a dozen times already.
“Apologies your highness” Elle muttered stiffly.
“Shaya, you know what Rakmar really wants, what he thinks I can do.”
“Yes,” Shaya wondered where this was going.
“Then you know I have to face him.”
There was a long pause. Shaya glanced up at Elle. Her jaw was clenched, and her arms were folded across her chest. She looked livid.
“I’ll be on horseback in the first wave forward. Once I am as close as I can get, I’ll leave the horse and cross the water to the Island as the battle on the shoreline acts as a diversion.”
“This is madness,” Benjin threw his hands into the air “I can see why you don’t approve Ellie.”
“Sir Greyborn please,” Rowan continued “I’m keeping this quiet as the others would just try to stop me.”
“Damn right,” Benjin shouted, before remembering who he was talking to “Your Highness.”
“But this needs to happen,” Rowan’s voice became quite loud and forceful. “Now I need Elle and you Benjin to stay on my flank, so my horse and I can make it to the shoreline.”
Benjin walked away rubbing his face with his hand and muttering to himself.
“And me?” Shaya asked.
“I need an archer on my horse, I can’t navigate a battlefield and shoot at the same time. The two of us are light enough that we’ll both fit on one of our royal steeds.”
“And when we reach the shoreline?” Shaya looked at him e. She was to be an archer and then what? Was she really going to be cast aside once she was no longer needed, after everything they had been through together?
“Shaya, I,” Rowan’s voice dropped to a near whisper, his eyes staring deep into hers. “I can’t ask you to come with me.”
“Because you know you don’t have to,” she didn’t blink, her words were calm and precise, she knew exactly what she was saying and what it might mean facing that monster again. “It’s not finished yet. We’ll finish it, together.”
Chapter Eighteen
Valour
Shaya’s eardrums ached, Benjin had burst into a fury. He hadn’t been happy that Shaya had agreed to go with Rowan to fight the banished God. He shouted things like Over my dead body, and Not a damn chance kido. In the end, he knew he had no way of talking her out of it. That didn’t mean he was alright with the idea though. They had spent an extra hour going over every scenario, every possibility. What if the way forward was blocked as they made their mad dash to the shore? What if one of them was felled by an archer, or a Krarg grabbed their horse? He wasn’t satisfied until every eventuality had been accounted for and resolved, and still, he wasn’t happy.
They had gone back to Myana’s house that afternoon. She had returned from her stall in Ki Town and told them of the desolate market. A passing merchant had told her about Bastion, so she had headed home. Shaya helped Myana cook tea, even though the Volanti had insisted it wasn’t necessary. Benjin had taken his sword and was practising in the street outside. Shaya checked up on him after a while. He had ripped off his bandages and was swinging his sword around. A parrying manoeuvre, a lunging attack, a fast hand switch and strike, all the moves he had been teaching her for years. Every now and again he rubbed his shoulder and cracked his neck while rotating his sore arm. His injury was clearly still hurting him, but Shaya knew that wouldn’t stop him from doing what he needed to do. She didn’t even bother telling him not to fight, she knew it wouldn’t make any difference, he was as stubborn as she was.
Myana was pleased that her parents had changed their minds. She told the young girl that she had attempted to reason with them about helping the prince days ago. It hadn’t gone down well. Even though Myana was a fully grown adult Volanti, apparently her parents had berated her so much that she had felt like a hatchling once again.
Shaya asked Myana why everyone had gotten so upset when Ortuskuss called her parents a crow. Myana nearly choked on the spoonful of food she was trying.
“He didn’t,” she looked stunned. “Never say that word to a Volanti, my dear, they’ll likely peck your eyes out. Nothing more insulting than being called, that.”
Shaya took a mental note to never call a Volanti a crow, she liked her eyes the way they were. Blue and un-pecked. Myana added a little more rock salt and tried her concoction again. It was ready. Shaya called Benjin inside. With a quiet grumble, he reluctantly obliged.
“Oh, you’re very quiet you two,” said Myana as they ate tea that night. Codd and moonfish with carrots, potatoes and cabbage. It didn’t taste very nice, but Shaya couldn’t tell if it was the fish she didn’t like, or it was her stomach doing backflips. Maybe a little bit of both.
“You will be careful you two won’t you?” Myana was a little on edge. The rumours of the darkness they faced had come thick and fast ever since soldiers from across the kingdom had started making camp at the base of the mountains. Such a force made everyone very worried. The nameless shadow from the history books had returned. No one really knew what to expect.
“We’ll be fine, don’t worry about us,” Shaya placed a soft hand on Myana’s claw while Benjin slurped down the last of his moonfish and wiped his moustache with a napkin.
“Very nice, thank you Myana,” he belched apologetically.
“Oh, you’re quite welcome Benjin, I’m just glad to see up and about,” Myana started clearing the plates.
They talked for a while, or at least Myana talked. Shaya sat and nodded and tried to make conversation, while Benjin lent back in his chair quietly wearing a grim expression. They had agreed to go and have a walk down to the Boaruss camp, Benjin had arranged it with Ortuskuss. Thanking Myana again Benjin and Shaya left and started their long walk down the mountain path. Benjin was oldy quiet, he was apparently still having trouble coming to terms with Shaya going to war. She didn’t blame him Shaya knew he loved her like his she was own daughter, and letting her step into danger was the last thing he wanted. Shaya wasn’t a fool and was very aware that she wasn’t a perfect fighter. There was still a lot for her to learn, but it was just something she had to do, which she thought Benjin respected.
“You keep close to me,” he suddenly blurted out when they were halfway down the mountain. “You keep your head down. Royal steeds are fast, we’ll make it to the shore in no time, you’ll see,” he wasn’t looking at her, he was staring straight ahead. “If my horse falls, you don’t stop, you carry on. You have a job to do.”
“Uncle Be-,” Shaya tried to speak before Benjin turned to her and stop
ped walking. He put a hand on her shoulder and knelt in front of her. It was only then that she saw the tears beneath his furrowed brow.
“I can’t stop you from doing this, I know I can’t. I’ll do what I can to keep you safe on the approach. But on that island, against him,” Benjin clenched his teeth and shook his head “I can’t protect you.”
“I know.”
He brushed a stray blonde hair out of Shaya’s eyes and tucked it behind her ear.
“You’re the only thing I have left in this world,” a tear ran down Benjin’s face and disappeared into his moustache. He sniffed “And I’m not going to lose you.”
Shaya didn’t even feel the tears streaming down her own face until a cold breeze nearly turned them into icicles on her cheeks.
“I love you very much kido,” Benjin pulled her close for a warm embrace.
“I love you too,” she hugged him tightly, and they stayed like that for a while, on the cold, snow-covered steps. Benjin’s mighty shoulders lurched as he tried to suppress the overwhelming urge to break down into howling tears. Shaya snuggled up against him, in his arms was the one place she still felt truly safe.
“Come on,” Benjin sniffled “I’ve got a surprise for you.”
Benjin wasn’t one to express his feelings. So of course, a minute after their tearful embrace, he was back to normal, as if nothing had happened. Cracking jokes, talking about the good old days and pretending that he hadn’t just broken down into soaking wet sobs. Shaya peered over the wall as they continued their decent. The camps seemed to be one huge sea of undulating colours and lights. The Tetran banners were emerald green, the Serran banners a deep purple and the Boaruss were a dark clay red. They all flapped in the breeze, as did the hundreds of torches that were alight around the multicoloured tents. The camp sat in a field of yellow. Shaya soon recognised the glowing sea of flowers, they were Sun Roots.
As they got closer, the sounds got louder. Some people were barking orders, others were shouting Yes sir. Someone somewhere was playing what sounded like a harpsichord and singing loudly.
No goblin, no Krarg nor troll,
Can withstand the might of us all.
Arrolyn in plight,
And we shall fight,
Tomorrow we ride into war.
It sounded as if he was making it up as he went along and the slurring of his words showed that he was a few ales down. Shaya was nearly knocked down by an armoured knight running passed with arm fulls of arrow filled quivers. There were people pulling carts of shields and sword, others handing them out. They walked by a few tents with chimneys billowing out black smoke, inside were raging fires, men and women and Boaruss were clanging away with huge mallets trying to straighten out freshly made steel swords.
“They won’t be pretty, but they’ll kill Krarg just the same,” one Boaruss shouted to another as she held up the still red-hot sword to the light.
They passed a group of humans, Volanti and Boaruss all laughing and joking.
“Go on, give it a go,” said the Boaruss as he handed everyone small clay cups. Everyone took a swig of the dark liquid inside. The humans instantly started gasping and choking as if they had just drunk molten metal. One of the Volanti was on all fours wheezing in a matter of seconds. The Boaruss laughed uproariously and poured the contents of his own cup down his throat.
“Delicious,” he shouted.
“Magma malt whiskey,” Benjin chuckled when he saw the look of repulsion on Shaya’s face. “Boaruss cook it in the same furnaces they use to make weapons, and serve it hot,” Shaya looked back and saw the unlucky drinkers pouring jugs of water down their throats as fast they could.
“Can I interest you in a mug full Greyborn?” asked a familiar voice. Ortuskuss was standing outside a large tent decorated in gold and burgundy, blazing torches all around. He was feeding and stroking the saurian Shaya had seen outside Song Bird Hall.
“I know better,” said Benjin with a smile as he shook hands with the giant. “Ortuskuss, I would like to properly introduce my niece, Shaya.”
“Pleased to meet you again,” Shaya said holding out her tiny hand. Ortuskuss gently shook it, and almost her whole arm with his massive palm.
“And you young one, but we have met before today. Your uncle had to bring you to the castle once when I was visiting. You must have only been a year old. I’ve never heard a baby make such a racket,” he laughed “Your uncle was red in the face. I gave you a stone horse I’d made for my son when he was young.”
“That was from you? I still have it on my windowsill back home.”
“And I still have the scar on the back of my head from where you threw it at me,” Benjin chuckled as he lovingly shoved the young girl.
“Did I?” Shaya asked shocked, but also a little amused.
Benjin knelt and pulled back a clump of greying brown hair on the back of his head. There it was, a very faint pink line that looked like a crescent moon poking out from beneath the hair.
“Oops,” Shaya giggled “I’m sure you deserved it though.”
“I bet he did,” Ortuskuss agreed with a gleeful smile.
“Well hopefully she doesn’t throw this latest present at me,” Benjin smiled “It’d hurt a damn sight more. Are they ready?”
“Just. Follow me.”
Ortuskuss patted the saurian on its beak and entered the tent with Benjin close behind. Shaya went to follow but stopped. The saurian stared at her and tilted its head from side to side. Shaya couldn’t help but reach out and stroke the massive animal’s long snout. It closed its eyes and made a low cooing sound like a pigeon. Shaya’s hand slid across smoothly to the saurian’s cheek, its skin was hard and warm. She chuckled to herself as she tickled under the saurian’s chin. It wobbled its head and cooed again loudly and opened its beak in a content smile.
“Shaya?” Benjin called.
“Coming,” Shaya shouted back.
With a lingering look at the saurian and a grin on her face, Shaya followed her uncle and the Boaruss inside. The tent was spacious, nothing but boxes piled on the floor. A stack of thick cooked ribs steamed on the small wooden table. Several jugs of various drinks sat next to the boar’s meal. Gold gleaming armour hung from the wooden ceiling supports. A huge chest piece and spiked shoulder pads. Resting against one of the tent walls stood a mighty hammer, black and gold and covered in tiny shimmering white stones.
“They should be cool by now,” Ortuskuss said as he gestured to something behind him.
Shaya looked confused and glanced at her uncle.
“Well go on then.”
Shaya walked passed the giant smiling Boaruss, butterflies were having a race inside her stomach. Behind him stood a wooden pillar that had been crudely carved into the rough outline of a person. Draped around it was something beautiful. A dark green tunic with shimmering silver around the collar and down the sleeves. There was black leather padding on the elbows and black bracers around the wrists. She could see something brightly glimmering underneath the clothing. She pulled back the green cloth. Under it was glistening silver chainmail woven into the fabric.
“Benjin told me as soon as the meeting was over to get my armourers to work,” Ortuskuss said proudly “They finished it about an hour ago.”
“It’s beautiful,” Shaya was in a trance. She couldn’t stop staring at her new garment. She touched every inch of it. The cloth was so soft yet strong.
“Are you going to try it on then?” Benjin asked, impatiently tapping his foot.
“Can I?” Shaya’s eyes snapped from her uncle to the Boaruss and back to her uncle.
“Of course,” Benjin smiled “Every soldier needs their armour.”
Shaya had never moved so fast. She untied her jacket, ripped it off and flung it on the floor. She grabbed her new armour and gently but quickly pulled it on over her cream coloured shirt. It was so light, she couldn’t believe it, it didn’t restrict her movements at all. She tapped herself on the arm, she couldn’t feel a thing. A pair of
black boots sat on the floor, complete with black and green greaves. She hopped on the spot as she hurriedly tore her old boots off. She kicked them across the tent and shoved her feet into her padded new boots.
“How does it feel?” Ortuskuss asked.
“Fits perfectly, thank you.”
“Fantastic. Well, while out armourers were making that, our blacksmith was making this.”
Shaya whirled around. The Boaruss leader was holding a long wooden box. He lifted the lid, and Shaya peered inside. Black leather wrapped around the handle, a single green gem embedded in the hilt. The sword was long and sharp, spotless and silver. The crossguard had intricate swirls carved across it, and another green gemstone sat in the centre. The blade had the slightest of curves to it, running up to the sharpest of tips. Shaya was speechless. Carefully she pulled out the brilliant sword from its box and began to examine every inch. It was still warm to the touch. Boaruss markings were engraved into the base of the blade, but Shaya didn’t read Boaruss.
“What does it mean?” she asked without taking her eyes off the sword.
“We Boaruss name our blades. A tradition that goes back to the early days of our people. We name them for their wielders. This blade’s name is Valour, named for your bravery and fearlessness little one.”
Shaya looked up at the two of them. She was so happy, proud and shocked all at once. For a few brief moments, what tomorrow might bring disappeared.
“Not many thirteen-year-old girls would go marching into battle for their kingdom,” said Benjin “And I couldn’t be more proud of you,” he handed her a shiny new black and silver scabbard complete with a green gem to match her sword. Smoothly her blade slid into the sheaf. She hugged her uncle once again. Then, to Ortuskuss’ surprise, she hugged him as well, thanking him repeatedly. He put a massive hand on her shoulder.
“You are welcome, little soldier.”
The great Boar poured himself and Benjin a mug of some foul-smelling alcohol, clonked them together and chugged their contents. Shaya heard all sorts of stories about her uncle in his younger years. It turned out that the two of them had been firm friends ever since King Leon had taken a battalion of men to help the Boaruss nearly thirty years ago. A monster had been attacking their mines. Benjin and Ortuskuss had found themselves back to back fighting off some of the Aracton’s vicious young it had spawned in the caves. Ortuskuss talked about Benjin and the Royal Guards defeat of Brogal the Goblin King. Benjin spoke of Ortuskuss’ battle with the Serpent Witch. Shaya just sat and listened intently, all the time stroking her new sword as it was a cat snoozing on her lap.
The Shattered Moon (A Divine Legacy Book 1) Page 30
