NightWind

by Sara Kincaid

  The Kaldarians, too, were part of the greater country of Mantinea. But they had always been ambitious, reaching beyond their borders. In the century before the depletion of the spark, the Kaldarians had been fierce allies of all of their fellow city-states. But, after the great Battle of Habibi where Mystics on both sides of the battlefield overextended their powers and the spark, their world had been on the brink of disaster. A great rift in the earth appeared after a terrible explosion, rendering much of Verdlan a chemical wasteland and forever dividing Mantinea from the Northlands.

  The spark waning, fewer Mystics appeared and the great airships were abandoned because they simply didn’t have enough spark left to power them. Without the airships, Mantinea lost all contact with lands beyond their borders. It was only when the Mystics of Burga designed a new way of flight that anyone in Mantinea was able to taste the thermals of the wind once again.

  Mantineans had always thirsted for the sky and the wind. Tales of gallant airship captains pervaded their past, up until that last epic battle between Commander Vitus Croy of the Mantinean Grand Military and Delia Skytte of the Northlands which occurred more than a century ago. The two had been fierce allies and lovers on the ground. But a rift grew between them and they took to the skies, their respective fleets on their heels and Mystics in tow. They clashed like thunder and ships fell from above in shatters of sparks that plunged to the ground like shooting stars.

  The waning light gleamed off of the metal buttons of Rina’s jacket. As the sun disappeared, a deep panic set in, tying her chest into knots. Eli. What if they were too late? The unspoken urgency of their mission curled around them all like the smoke from Bransen’s pipe.

  Shadows lengthened and melded together until the world around them was black. Bransen veered off the road and into a copse of bamboo weeds, refusing to light his lantern. Rina kept her hands extended to avoid running into trees or other objects. As if sensing the question on her tongue, Bransen took the pipe from between his teeth and puffed a long curl of sweet smoke. “We’re being followed. Best to not light any beacons tonight.”

  Eldon and Jarem immediately drew their weapons. “Followed? And you’re just telling us now?”

  Bransen tapped his pipe against his teeth. “You didn’t notice? They’ve been following us almost since we left. Must have sighted us out in the countryside.”

  Rina bit her lip, scolding herself for her own lack of awareness. She’d been thinking too much of Eli and not about what was going on around them. “I’ll take first watch,” Halay offered. Rina could hear the rustle of her sister’s hair as if she were untying the braid and then refastening it, her fingers swift and sure in the darkness.

  As she was about to offer to join her sister on first watch, Bransen unexpectedly broke in. “I’ll join you.” The black night hid Rina’s surprise. But, she settled down against a few bamboo trunks, resisted the temptation to slip off her boots and closed her eyes.

  Later, Rina sat up alone, keeping watch over her sleeping companions. Her eyes followed the slow bob of a lantern in the distance as their followers kept up their trek through the night. Whether or not they were Burgans or Kaldarians, it was clear by their movement that they were focused on finding Rina and her comrades. By the time Rina switched places with Eldon and Jarem, the light of their pursuers had been extinguished, the urgency of capture or confrontation forgotten in the seductive call of rest.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Eli

  The iron-gray sky cast a long, full shadow across Bear Palace, placing the oxblood flag in darkness. The axe and bear claw flapped proudly above the stone facade. Beneath the flag, smooth walls carved from the mountain itself surrounded the palace like the coils of a snake. A long narrow path, carved deep into the heart of the range, led straight to the wall. People bobbed along, crowding the guard station ahead. There was nowhere else to go.

  Not long after the Kaldarians and the kidnapped Mystics crossed the border into Rosson, they’d been met by another band of warriors and shoved bodily into carts led by silver horses. Their hoofs sounded like flint on steel as they trotted at a quick pace across the countryside to Kaldar.

  Eira and Moriyo snored softly, pressed up against the corners of their cage. Eli envied their rest. He’d been unable to close his eyes since watching Rina tumble from the sky. Every time he did, he’d see her crashing into the ground. With effort, he turned his thoughts to something else. She had to be okay. He couldn’t imagine it any other way.

  Moriyo’s long, gray ponytail bobbed in time with their movement. The cart took a bumpy bit of the path and finally jarred his head against the solid steel bars. The old man roused from his sleep, wiping his mouth and blinking into the slate gray light. He rubbed his mostly bald head and took in the high peaks of the palace and sniffed, unimpressed. “Well, finally here I see. Regent Opher better have a good explanation for all this.”

  Zaid and Eli exchanged glances before Zaid responded. “I’m not sure the Regent is in the position to explain himself to anyone, Master Moriyo.” He’d pulled the long sleeves of his tunic up over his hands, his long legs sticking out from beneath torn pants.

  The old man rubbed at a greenish sunspot on his skin and harrumphed in answer.

  Their cart paused momentarily as they reached the guard station and Eli stared at a beady-eyed soldier swathed in red, a large sword at his waist. The horses jerked forward, leading them into the black tunnel beyond the gate. Behind them, the gray daylight became a silvery disk of white and Eli thought of the blinding reflection of brass lacquer on Rina’s wings as she pitched face-first into the earth.

  Inside the palace, the Mystics were released from their cage and their bonds removed. Eli stretched his limbs and rubbed absently at the raw skin on his wrists. The inner walls of the palace were solid stone and covered with ancient spark light sconces created when the Mystics were far more numerous and employed in a variety of industries. They filled the room with their otherworldly silver glow. Servants hurried by, their feet soft with practiced steps against the slick floors.

  “Master Moriyo,” an older woman with a river of gray hair, round cheeks and a pointed chin called, her voice echoing across the monstrous hall. Swathed in red, corseted silk, the woman’s soft waist was stuffed tightly into her outfit. Around her shoulders and neck looped a gold sash lined with white ermine fur. As she approached, she bowed deeply.

  “Thea, what is the meaning of this nonsense? Kidnapping us from Mt. Yama. You’re going to have the entire council after you before long.” Moriyo jabbed his cane accusingly at the middle-aged woman and her gray eyes softened with emotion.

  “Please accept the Regent’s sincerest apologies, Masters. Once you have rested, I will explain all as Regent Opher bids. For now, please allow me to escort you to your quarters where you can bathe and recover from your journey.” Zaid and Eli exchanged surprised glances.

  The Mystics followed Thea through the palace and their guide pointed out portraits and rooms as they walked. “Just down that hallway is where Regent Opher’s quarters are.” The hall was dark save for a few spark lights in the corners. While much of the castle floors were filled with thick carpeting, this hallway was bare.

  Thea continued through to a large sitting room with a great window filled with panes of red glass, together forming the emblem of the bear, the symbol of Kaldar. Unlit candles and dimmed spark lights filled the tables. Some tables were set with plates, glasses and cutlery. The red glass cast a bloody glow across the room. “Are you preparing for a celebration?” Eli ran his fingers along the back of a chair as they passed.

  Thea paused and looked around the room, her face folded into a frown. But it was quickly smoothed over. “Yes. The Regent is planning a large celebration.” Her pace quickened and the party sped up to keep in her shadow.

  Finally, their guide paused before a large oak door and after acknowledging the guard who stood beside it, she guid
ed them inside. The room was dark and surrounded by a glowing ring of dimmed spark lights. With a flick of her wrist, Thea brought the dimmed lights to life and they twinkled from crystal sconces on the wall. Eli felt a pang of jealousy at her easy control. “This is your home for now. The Regent hopes you will enjoy your time in Kaldar. He wishes to meet with you as soon as you’ve had a chance to rest and dine.” Thea clasped her hands in front of her, eying each of them. “I will leave you. When I return, we’ll get down to business. If you need anything, please ring for a servant. We want you to be comfortable.”

  In a whisper of silk, she was gone. The Mystics stood in silence as shadows flitted across the stone walls. Four beds were made up in the corners of the room. In the center, sat an ornate maple table and six chairs. Tapestries sewn with red and silver thread depicted the illustrious airship captain, Vitus Croy and his sleek warship, the Ursa M. Eli shook his head. Even after a century of waning power, directly caused by the Battle of the Habibi Gulf, the Kaldarians still worshipped their greatest captain.

  Free of travel dust and clothed in fresh tunics, the Mystics sat around the large table. Eli’s thick hair hung boyishly around his ears and he rubbed his newly trimmed beard. Though she’d promised to return, Thea had not emerged. A shy servant knocked on the door and rolled in a tray laden with fruits, vegetables, warm, nutty bread and a bottle of wine. She set about her work quietly and then left them with a hasty bow. Moriyo sniffed disdainfully at his wine. “I don’t trust any of this,” he grumbled under his breath.

  “Moriyo,” Eira scolded as she swirled the liquid in a crystal goblet. “You’re being difficult.”

  “I sit here staring at that blasted tapestry glorifying that wasteful scoundrel, Vitus. He’s the reason we’re in this mess. Kidnapping Mystics indeed.”

  “Yes we were kidnapped, Master Moriyo,” interjected Zaid. He ran his thumb over the lip of the glass. “But we certainly aren’t being treated like prisoners.”

  Eli tore a piece of bread for the steaming loaf and munched gratefully on the nutty crust. His mind was filled with thoughts of Rina. He took a shaky breath and tried to focus. “Master Zaid, is right. What do we know?”

  Zaid held up one long finger. “We were kidnapped.”

  “But we aren’t being held in a prison. And we’re being given kind hospitality,” Eira added. Her sky-blue irises were almost completely lost in her dilated pupils. Zaid held up a second finger.

  “Which means we aren’t likely being held for leverage,” Eli put in. Zaid put up another finger.

  “Regent Arayna will send troops after us,” Eira nodded matter-of-factly.

  “Are you certain of that?” Moriyo grumbled, finally taking a cautious sip of his wine. “Raze Uxton wants nothing to do with us. Ever since Tevin failed and Arayna’s eyes went gold, he’s wanted us out. Even went so far as to try to get the new Regent overthrown.”

  Eli wiped the crumbs carefully from his fingers. Rina shut down the coup. He remembered it well. At first, she’d supported Raze. But when she witnessed Raze leading a group of soldiers in harassing a Mystic, Eli, she’d changed her mind, coming to his defense.

  “All the more reason for Arayna to come after us.” Zaid held up a fourth finger. “But who will she send and how long will we be stuck here?”

  The table grew quiet. Their first choice would have been Rina. But they all saw her tumble from the sky, Eli’s name on her lips as she hurtled to the ground. Eira placed a hand on his shoulder. “Have faith. Nia protects her because she protects us.”

  Eli nodded, his eye shut tight. “Yes, Master.” He took a deep breath and raised his head.

  A knock at the door interrupted them. After a brief pause, the door opened and Thea sashayed in. A ringlet of gray had escaped the swirling up do held on the crown of her head with crystal-tipped pins. Her eyes were red and swollen, but her smile was bold. “I hope you’re feeling a bit recovered. The Regent is most anxious to see you.”

  Thea led them out into the great hall to Regent Opher’s private quarters, a room surrounded by grim guards and bolts of red fabric curling down from the stark stone walls. The Regent stood in the center of the room, his back to them. From behind, they could see his spiky hair, cut at varying lengths into choppy layers, alternating red and deep black dye. The longest layer of hair hung in thick strands of red down to the center of his back.

  The Mystics approached cautiously, stopping a respectful few feet away from the leader of Kaldar. “Regent Opher.” Thea stepped forward, her heels clicking against the wide flagstones beneath her feet, the sound dissipating as she moved to the lush carpet. The Regent didn’t move, continuing to stare at whatever captured his interest on the opposing wall. “Sir,” Thea called again, a little louder this time. She licked dry lips.

  The Regent seemed to rouse himself, giving a small shake of his head. He spun around to face them, the pinched look melting away into a welcoming smile that didn’t quite reach his deep-set green eyes. “Welcome, friends.”

  They stood in an awkward silence until Thea came to the Regent’s aid. “Why don’t we all take a seat? Our guests must still be tired from their journey.”

  “Indeed. Please, sit.”

  The Burgans complied, arranging themselves in ornamental chairs carved from dark wood and upholstered in red and silver. “Now just what is the meaning of you kidnapping us, sir?” Irritated, Moriyo was not one to mince words and they all watched as Thea flinched.

  The Regent cleared his throat and clasped his hands on the table, leaning toward them with earnest. His face was narrow and pinched with the burden of ruling his people. His skin was like cream and the red of his vest brought out pale undertones that lent him an effeminate air. “I hope you will believe me when I tell you that we acted out of desperation in bringing you here. The Mystics are fading and so is the spark. Thea here,” he gestured grandly at Kaldar’s solitary Mystic, “has been hard at work tracing through the histories of Nia as well as Vitus Croy and Delia Skytte, whom we know to be the cause of the Habibi Gulf just to our north. I am here to beg you for your assistance.”

  Eira crossed her arms in front of her bony chest. “What is it you require of us that was not granted to you by the high council?”

  Opher spread his palms wide. “So you see plainly why I brought you here in the manner I did. The council did deny my request. But only because they were afraid. For them, the benefit didn’t outweigh the risk.”

  “We need your help in getting to the Northlands, Masters,” Thea interjected.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Rina

  SEVEN YEARS AGO

  As the recruits neared the end of their training, their superior officers began to talk about the recognition ceremony held by the Regent to welcome them into the ranks of the Burgan military. Recruits would receive official battle gear and dress uniforms and then be presented to the citizens of Burga. The Regent served as master of ceremonies.

  Commander Dax worked them like animals and more than one recruit stumbled on the staircases in the fortress. Training increased to twice a day and eventually, the recruits were relieved of other duties such as meal preparation and clean-up.

  By the time Rina reached her bunk at night, her legs were weak and eyes half-closed. Despite her exhaustion, she would lie awake, waiting until her comrades were deeply asleep before stealing off into the night to see Raze. Then, just before first light, she’d return to her bunk.

  Rina barely had time to slip off her shoes and under the covers before Commander Dax strode into the barracks. “Wake up, recruits! Strap on your boots. It’s time to run.” Like her fellow soldiers, Rina climbed out of bed, bleary-eyed and sore. She’d grown used to dressing in the same room as men. Boots buttoned and uniform in place, Rina stood at attention near her bunk. “Looking a little tired there, recruit. Better get used to it. You have more training to go after this lot is finished.” Soldiers luck
y enough to be welcomed into the ranks of the Aviators faced another several weeks of rigorous training to prepare them for their flight test.

  Rina stared straight ahead, holding her position. “Yes, sir.” Dax snapped his fingers and the troops fell in line and walked out into the sunlight. As soon as their feet hit the grass, the troops broke into a steady trot.

  Rina and Malik brought up the rear of the lines of runners, their feet and breathing in sync. “It’s too bad you aren’t joining the Aviators.”

  Malik shook his head. “No way.”

  “No? Not even to stay with me?”

  “Sorry.”

  “Why not?

  “Scared of heights. I’ve no interest in throwing myself off of mountains and windowsills. You all might be the most respected bunch in Burga. But, you’re a bunch of loons if you ask me.” He grinned.

  Rina laughed and nudged Malik with her shoulder before sobering. “I’m going to miss seeing you every day, though.”

  “I’ll miss you too.” Malik’s face darkened. “FireStorm will look out for you I expect.”

  Rina hesitated as they began striding up a flight of stairs. She knew Malik didn’t approve of her liaison with Raze and she’d had a hunch that his disapproval had more to do with his opinion of Raze than of the propriety of their relationship. As long as she was a recruit, the military wouldn’t approve of their relationship. Once she became a full-fledged Aviator, there would be fewer qualms about it. She hoped. “What do you mean by that?”

  “Are you sure you want to know?”

  “Malik, you’re my friend. Please.”

  As they trotted up another flight of stairs, their conversation stalled. They’d run across the grounds of Eagle Palace, loping under the magnificent spray from fountains that lined either side of the path through the inner gardens. These gardens were Rina’s favorite. The fountains, which were powered by the spark and once cared for by Mystics, arced water overhead. Rina felt like she was running through a tunnel of water. On that hot morning, she wished the fountains would malfunction and drench them all. The sun was low in the sky, but steam rose from the earth from the previous night’s rain.