Jinaari caught sight of his foe as he rounded a corner. The Fallen man’s hand was pressed to his side and his leg dragged along the floor. “Why not stop? I’m going to catch you,” he called out. Honestly, he didn’t expect the man to give up that easily. But he had to give him the option.
The man glanced back, a sneer on his face. “I’m not going anywhere.”
The hair on Jinaari’s arm rose. Directly behind the man, the air began to shimmer and swirl as a portal opened up. Damn it! Jinaari sprinted, intent on grabbing him before he could escape. He tackled him, the momentum pushing them both through the gateway.
They landed with a thud on the ground. Rolling to his left, Jinaari looked at his prey. He was unconscious but breathing. A dozen young men came running, swords drawn. Blinking, Jinaari sat up and took stock of his surroundings. He knew this place well. Too well.
It was the training arena at his chapterhouse back in Dragonspire. That ruled out the Fallen man from casting it. Who did, then? And why here? “I’m fine,” he waived off the closest initiate. “This one should be taken to the infirmary. Keep him restrained and under guard at all times.” Standing, he sheathed his sword and watched them carry off the Fallen man.
“Sir?” a small voice called.
Looking down, he addressed the small child. “Where’s the Commander?”
“In his chamber, Sir. He said you should go there as soon as you arrived.” The boy ran off before Jinaari could ask another question.
This didn’t make sense! Why would Drakkus bring him back here? He had a mission. Storming through the stone hallway, he kept his anger in check. I should be there, with them! Not here! Drakkus, you’d better have a good reason!
Torches flickered wildly in their sconces as he strode past. Strange. The chapterhouse shouldn’t be deserted. Outside of the courtyard, though, he’d not seen another soul.
The commander’s door, situated at the end of the corridor, stood slightly ajar. Another warning sign; Drakkus never left it that way. Either it was open, or it was shut. Jinaari slowed down, one hand easing his sword from its scabbard. He steadied his breathing and stopped, listening before moving forward.
“Althir. Come in. We’ve been waiting for you.” A voice, commanding in a way that couldn’t be disobeyed, came from the room.
Jinaari put away his weapon but kept a hand on the hilt. The voice was familiar, but he couldn’t place it. He’d heard it before, but where?
It wasn’t Drakkus. He knew that much.
Stopping in the doorway, his gaze was drawn to the fireplace to the left. The logs burned with an unnatural yellow hue. Three chairs sat in front of it, the center one unoccupied. A pair of cloaked figures sat in the other two.
“Sit,” the figure on the right commanded, pointing to the empty chair. “We have much to discuss.”
“I mean no disrespect, but I have a task that needs completing. I need to know why I’ve been summoned, and by who, before I’ll enter. Or you can just send me back where I was.”
The figure on the right rose, hands moving the hood off his head as he turned. “I summoned you because it is my right, Althir.”
Jinaari’s eyes grew wide, and he dropped to a knee. “My Lord Garret. I am yours to command.”
“Then get your ass in this chair as I told you to do.” The God commanded, irritation evident in his voice.
Without hesitation, Jinaari moved into the room and sat down. He kept his focus on the fire in front of him and not the cloaked figures. If Garret’s here, the odds that the other was Keroys, or another God, were high.
“We have a problem, Althir. My brother has a priestess. One that you’ve met.” Garret began.
“Thia?”
“Don’t interrupt.” Garret snapped. “But yes. Thia herself is not the problem. Rather, it’s her parentage.”
“My daughter has come to the attention of Lolc Aon.” Keroys’s deep voice was tinged with sadness. “I grew complacent. When Thia was raised to priestess, I thought it would help by personally accepting her vows. The blessing I gave alerted our sister to Thia’s potential. She knew, eventually, I would send Thia out into the world. Lolc Aon would use her skills to the detriment of all. The surface world as you know it would not survive such an invasion.”
Jinaari couldn’t help the low whistle that escaped his lips. “I know Thia. She detests that part of her heritage. You have nothing to fear, My Lord. She would not willingly go to Byd Cudd. Her devotion to you is absolute.”
“The problem isn’t that she’d do so willingly, but that Lolc Aon would manipulate her into doing so under the guise of saving others. Thia has a good heart. Too good, I fear.” Keroys sighed. “Can you tell me that Thia would not sacrifice her life, her soul, if she felt it was for the greater good?”
Jinaari stared at the fire. Keroys was right. Thia would do exactly that.
Garret spoke up. “Lolc Aon has commanded all her followers to bring Thia to Byd Cudd to be converted to the Scorpion Queen’s service. One attempt has already been made, as you know.”
“If this is the case, then send me back!” Jinaari insisted. “I cannot protect her from here! What of Drogon? Adam figured out what the cloud’s doing. It’s got to be stopped before it spreads across all of Avoch. Why bring me here to talk when I should be there, fulfilling my vows? The task you yourself gave me?”
“The group is well suited for the task at hand. I sent Potiri to guard them for now.”
“Alesso? He hates the Fallen! He’s already attacked Thia once!”
“Thia has a purpose, Althir,” Keroys said. “She doesn’t know what it is, not yet, but she needs to start on that path. Potiri is necessary for her to begin her journey.”
Garret sighed. “I also threatened to end his life if he so much as allows her to stub a toe. I need you to learn additional skills. To defeat Lolc Aon will not be easy. I will not let you fail, Althir. Stay here. Training will be provided. When you are ready, I will send you back.”
“How long will I be here?”
“That depends on how fast you learn.”
Jinaari shook his head. “I do not like this. I should be there.”
“I don’t care if you like it or not, Althir. Your choice is simple. Stay and take the training I require of you or leave my service.” Garret’s voice cut through any resistance Jinaari still held onto.
Lowering his head, he replied, “Let’s get on with this.”
The Gods rose, and he followed quickly. “Drakkus will get you started in the morning. Get some sleep. You’re going to need it when you meet your training partner.”
Jinaari nodded, realizing he was being dismissed. “May I ask who it’ll be?”
“His name’s Aust. You brought him with you. Drakkus will explain the rules and the consequences if he doesn’t abide by them.”
“The Fallen that I was chasing? Why him?”
“Two reasons. One, his race doesn’t fight the same as you do. You have to learn how your foe moves in order to defeat them.”
Jinaari headed to the door. Resting his hand on the latch, he looked back at his God. “What’s the second reason?”
“We need information that he can provide. You can’t kill him, Althir. Not yet. But making him talk is allowed.”
He pushed the latch down and opened the door. The hallway was still deserted. A wave of exhaustion hit him as he walked toward his room. He fished the key out of a small pouch he kept under his armor. Inserting it into the lock, he whispered the password that deactivated the magical wards.
This may be home, but Alesso lived here as well. And Jinaari’s family connections made the ward prudent.
The room was cool. Simply furnished, it suited him. His bed beckoned, and he knew there were enough blankets in the chest at the foot that he could forego a fire tonight. First things first, though. He walked to the armor stand. He removed the shield from his back, placing it against the wall. Unbuckling his belt, he left the sword in the scabbard and laid it across the table, then shrugged off his pack. With deliberate movements, he removed the armor, reverently placing each piece on the form. The breastplate was covered with gouges. First from the pipe and then keeping Thia from falling into the pit. They weren’t deep and could be buffed out. I’ll take it to Henry tomorrow. The blacksmith had made it originally, at his mother’s request, and would be the best one to repair it.
He finished and walked over to the bed. Sitting on the edge, he pulled off his boots and placed them near the trunk. Quickly, he pulled out two more thick, wool blankets and draped them across the bed. They’re in a maze, and the cold’s going to seep through the blankets while they sleep. And I’m here, comfortable. This doesn’t make sense.
He climbed under the blankets and passed a hand over his weary eyes. I have to do what I do best. Train. Learn. And get back there before Alesso screws everything up.
* * *
Jinaari spun, ducking underneath the blunted axe, and swept the legs out from underneath his opponent. The man grunted as his body hit the stone floor. With a smooth motion, he positioned the tip of his sword at the creature’s throat. “Do you yield?”
Hatred glared back at him, but the Fallen nodded. Jinaari moved the weapon aside but didn’t relax. “Take a break,” Drakkus commanded. “You’re slowing down, Althir. He almost had you that time.”
Jinaari crossed to the barrel of water that sat in the corner and splashed some on his face. “You’ve had us sparring for over an hour, Drakkus. Even you’d be tired by now.”
“My kin will not let up simply so you can rest, paladin.” The man’s words were full of contempt. “We are many. There’s only one of you. Eventually, we will overwhelm you. Herasta’s daughter will be rescued. You can’t hide her forever. Lolc Aon will have her prize.”
Jinaari clenched his jaw, refusing to respond to the taunt. He rested his hands on the windowsill, looking out to the courtyard below. Despite what Garret and Keroys told him, he still wanted to be with his companions. That’s where he should be, where he’d be of use. Not stuck in a small room, sparring.
“The Gods are not without compassion, Althir. They sent help to your friends. Thia will be kept safe.” Drakkus stood next to him, keeping his voice low.
“For how long? I know you trained Alesso, same as me, but he’s not your best. He’s got too many prejudices.”
“Agreed. He’s not who I would’ve sent. In my opinion, the last person to be guarding Thia is someone who cannot see beyond her lineage. But that’s not what Garret wanted, and we all serve him.” He tapped the back of Jinaari’s shoulder, “I was there when Garret made his wishes clear. He imposed broad constrictions on him and spelled out the consequences.”
Jinaari blinked, “He’s under a geas, then?”
Drakkus nodded. “Potiri won’t risk breaking it. He knows what’ll happen to him if he lets anything happen to Thia.”
A dry laugh came from behind them. Jinaari turned, glaring.
“You sent Alesso Potiri? My kin will not hesitate to slaughter him to get to my sister. He might as well escort her to Lolc Aon’s temple now. We do not fear him.” He secured his white hair into a ponytail, snickering.
Turning, Jinaari looked at him, his eyes narrowed, “What do you mean, ‘sister’?”
Aust leaned against the wall, his arms crossed against his chest, “What do you think that word means?” His lilac eyes stared at him. “Are you so dense you cannot see what’s right in front of you? There’s only four of us that have this color,” he pointed to his face, “in all of Byd Cudd. Herasta has birthed a dozen children in Lolc Aon’s name. Three of us take after our mother and bear the favor of Lolc Aon.”
“I’ve never heard of a God Marking so many in a generation,” Jinaari said.
“It’s not a true Mark. We aren’t bestowed with abilities like a Son or Daughter of hers would be. But it lets all Fallen know not to move against us, lest the Scorpion Queen’s wrath descend on them. In that alone, Thia will be granted safe passage.” He grinned. “Her return to the city will be celebrated. Lolc Aon has been planning the ceremony for almost a decade. Colonies we abandoned are alive again, full of both Fallen and Barren, with one purpose: find Thia and bring her home. Her ascension will result in many children born. Every woman will take as many men as they can find into their bed, hoping to bear one that will rise up and take Thia’s place one day. Before the day is done, my sister will lose all of what she is now and embrace what Lolc Aon requires of her. Perhaps she’ll even bless me with the opportunity to lay with her.”
Jinaari lunged at him, one hand circling his throat, and slammed him hard against the stone wall. For the first time, he saw fear flicker in his eyes. “You’ll be dead before that happens. I guarantee it.”
Aust laughed. “Try it.”
“Althir. Stand down.” Drakkus commanded.
Releasing his grip, Jinaari took a step back. He’d heard the stories about life among the Fallen and knew what Aust said to be true. The damage that would do to her soul made him cringe.
“What’s wrong?” Aust mocked him. “Are you afraid that she might like that life? She’s Fallen. Even she can’t deny that forever. It’s in her blood.”
Without hesitating, Jinaari turned. His right fist connected hard with the other man’s jaw, sending him to the floor. A thin trickle of blood ran from the corner of his mouth. “Blood isn’t all that makes a person who they are,” he said. He glanced at Drakkus. “I need some air.” Without another word, he threw open the door and stormed out.
The parapet surrounded the chapterhouse. He kept a scowl on his face as he passed the guards, guaranteeing they’d give him an open path. There was one small tower at the southeast corner. From there, he could see the palace. A constant reminder of what his life would be if he hadn’t chosen this one instead. The one that always loomed over him as what may still come to pass. What Aust had described . . . that wasn’t Thia. He knew that. It’d only been a week or so since they’d met, but he knew her well enough to be certain about that.
“That was one hell of a punch,” Drakkus said.
Jinaari didn’t turn around. The royal banner, a blue eagle against a yellow field, flew above the city. “Is that what you had in mind?”
“More or less. He’s confused, which is good. He knows he said too much, but he thinks he has the advantage. I was impressed. I honestly thought he’d gotten under your skin.”
Jinaari smiled, “Not even close.” Believe me, he thought. The last thing he wanted was for his commander to learn it hadn’t all been an act. The idea of leaving Thia to the fate Aust described turned his stomach.
The commander came closer, leaning against the stone wall next to him. “You broke his jaw.”
“Good,” he said. “Has there been any news?”
“Of Adam and the rest? No, nothing’s reached me yet. The cloud is still over Tanisal, but it’s stopped growing. They’ve at least got Drogon’s attention.”
Jinaari felt the frustration rise. A small pebble rested on the rock near him. Picking it up, he threw it into the forest below them. “I should be there,” he muttered. “I just got her to trust me, Drakkus. There’s no way she’ll trust Alesso. If Garret hadn’t put the geas on him, he’d kill her at the first chance he got.”
“That’s why he did it, Althir. Potiri needs to learn not to judge someone based on how they look. By forcing him to keep Thia safe, he’ll realize that. I hope.”
Turning his head, he snorted. “You hope? You have more faith in Alesso than I do.”
Drakkus grinned, “That’s why I’m the commander and you’re not, Althir. The world isn’t always black and white. Sometimes hope is the best thing you have.” His eyes narrowed, and Jinaari followed his gaze. “That’s not right.” He pointed toward the castle. The banner was slowly being taken down. “Did your mother send you word about any change in the royal progress?”
“No,” he said. “I haven’t heard from her in months.”
“Come on,” Drakkus tapped his arm. “If they’re heading out, I’ll need your help getting the detachment ready. If they aren’t, you might be needed elsewhere.”
Jinaari took one more look at the palace, then followed Drakkus down the stairs. Whatever was going on, it wasn’t good. Drakkus said that hope was all you had sometimes, he thought. I hope Adam’s keeping them safe. If that banner doesn’t go back up, I may be here even longer than Garret planned.