Thornton
Alysana was to be their guide on the journey to the City of Two Brothers, Do’baradai, and she was certainly qualified to be so. Having spent most of her young life in G’hen, living just a half day’s journey from the Wastes of Khulakorum, she knew its secrets better than most. And, though she had left their protection when she was yet young, Alysana had insisted that she had spent enough time inside G’hen’s walls to know what dangers awaited them outside—and in.
“We will travel south from Ellenos until we reach G’hen,” Alysana announced. “From there, we can rest and resupply for our trek across the Wastes.”
The Wastes, Thornton thought. I don’t like the sound of that.
He tried to shake off the unpleasantness by watching the water below them as they made their way out of the First City. They were gliding along one of the many canals that crisscrossed the city like veins, on a small wooden boat with barely enough room to breathe.
“G’hen?” Kethras said to Alysana. The catlike Kienari was crouched near the rear of the boat, which held the five of them plus a helmsman whose sole job it was to ferry passengers from the heart of the city to the edge and back. “That is where you and your sister are from, if I’m not mistaken.”
“You are not mistaken, Kienari,” Alysana answered, a sly half smile on her lips. “Not much escapes you, I see. How is it that you came to know my sister?”
Kethras made a gurgled sound of laughter. “She knew mine,” he answered simply. Nodding to the large knife that hung from Alysana’s belt, he said, “And it looks like you did, as well.”
Alysana gasped, while the sound of flowing water filled the silence that swept around them. She blinked a few times and pulled out the well-sharpened blade, offering it hilt-first to Kethras. “Then this belongs to you,” she said in a voice scarcely above a whisper. “As does my life.”
Kethras waved it off. “Keep both,” he said. “I insist. My sister, Ynara, knew what she was doing when she left that knife with Mordha.”
Thornton, perplexed, had been watching the scene unfold in silence. “Kethras,” he asked, “what is she talking about?”
Alysana answered before the Kienari could. “When I was a little girl,” she began, “I was very sick and was meant to travel from G’hen to Ellenos to see the High Keeper. To say it did not go as planned is to grossly understate how wrong it went, as the man who promised to take us to Ellenos had other, darker plans.” She looked up at Thornton, and the young blacksmith could see the anger in her eyes at the retelling. “Pray that you never know what it is like to be made to do something against your will.”
“Ynara heard the cries of Alysana and Mordha,” Kethras interjected, “and made sure that the men who brought them about did not live to see another day.”
Alysana considered the knife she held in her hands, its blade still sharp despite its age. “And she left us with this as a reminder,” she said as she showed it to Thornton. “It is something I will never forget as long as I live—knife or no.”
She slid it back into its sheath and nodded a silent thanks to Kethras.
“Touching,” Dailus called out from the floor of the boat. He was lying on his side, his wrists tied together behind his back, and his arms were bound to his sides by thick ropes that ensured he would not be able to use any Shaping.
Alysana answered by kicking him in the ribs. “That is enough talking from you.”
It was enough to keep him quiet for the rest of the trip.
***
Their boat glided past the powerfully carved houses and buildings of Ellenos as they traversed the canal that led to the edge of the city. Thornton had been studying the vast networks of waterways that covered the mountain-borne city and had been fascinated by their existence and purpose. On their way out, he had spoken with the helmsman, who had explained the layout of the canals: a great circle of water surrounded the city, which served as the main hub, with routes cutting through running north–south and east–west. In addition to these routes were hundreds of smaller ones that served as byways for all the other citizens to utilize; the main routes, terminating in the heart of the city at the Temple of the Shaper, were generally reserved for official crafts transporting troops or supplies, and were mostly kept clear. This meant that one could traverse the city by boat in a matter of hours, perhaps half the time it would otherwise take on foot.
Thornton felt a stiff breeze drifting past him as they floated on, and breathed in the sweet-smelling air of the First City. He had to admit: Ellenos was certainly well designed. And though it was far from anything he’d ever known in his small village of Highglade, it somehow made him feel at home.
As they approached the edge of the city, and the Wheel of Ellenos, Thornton squinted, seeing a deep purple banner waving atop a spear protruding from the ground. A smile spread over his face when he recognized the figure of Endar Half-Eye standing beside it.
“I hope you weren’t thinking of leaving the city without saying a proper goodbye,” Endar boomed. He was still a ways off, but his voice carried so well that it sounded as though he were standing in the middle of the boat.
Thornton stood up and waved. “I tried,” he shouted, “but it looks like I can’t shake you.”
The big half-eye roared with laughter that whipped over the water.
Approaching the edge, the helmsman slowed the boat to a stop, and the party disembarked. Thornton was the first one off the boat, and he clasped the outstretched hand of the big man who commanded the whole of the Athrani Legion.
“The High Keeper tells me that you are off to Do’baradai,” Endar said. His face and tone were serious.
“We are,” answered Thornton.
“And him?” Endar asked, pointing his chin past Thornton at Dailus and eyeing him suspiciously.
“He’s coming with us.”
“Hm,” the big man grunted. “Whose idea was that?”
“The High Keeper’s,” Alysana answered indignantly. She stepped forward with self-assurance, planting her legs firmly on the dock where Endar stood, looking him right in the eye.
The commander crossed his arms but did not answer; his frown did most of the talking.
“I don’t like it either,” Thornton replied, turning back to look at the tied-up half-eye who was still on his side in the boat. “But it seems that none of us have much choice in the matter.”
Endar worked his palm over his face, rubbing his eyes in frustration. “If the High Keeper wills it,” he said with closed eyes, “then so it shall be.”
“So happy that you see it our way,” Dailus said from the boat. His head bobbed up and down with the gentle movement of the water in the canal, overlooking the edge of the great Athrani city.
Alysana took an exasperated breath and moved to the half-eye captive to help him to his feet, off the boat, and onto the dock.
“Thornton,” Endar said, grabbing his attention. “I’ve instructed my men to help you any way they can. They can accompany you as far south as Théas, but from there you will be on your own. I’ve left horses for each of you”—he glanced at Dailus—“though it appears I miscounted.”
“We’ll figure something out,” Thornton replied, once again clasping the hand and forearm of the commander. “And thank you. Any help we can get will be much appreciated.”
“It won’t be easy,” Endar warned. “You must understand this.” He was looking Thornton right in the eye while he continued gripping his forearm. Endar’s red-backed green eye, showing his half-human heritage, looked like a blazing sun that burned in the powerful stare of the man from Ellenos.
Thornton felt the gravity in his gaze and in his grip. He knew the commander of the legion would not say anything unless it was absolutely necessary, so he internalized the words and gave a nod that conveyed his understanding.
“He will have help,” Kethras said from behind Thornton. The lithe Kienari looked as determined as his words were, standing there with more knives than limbs, making sure to indicate to Endar that Thornton was safe.
“Good,” Endar replied. “I hope you find what you are looking for.”
Thornton nodded his head. “I hope so too.”
“Well, enough talk,” Endar said gruffly as he let go of Thornton’s gaze and arm. “The horses await you at the bottom of the wheel, along with as many men as I could spare. Now off with you,” he said as he turned his back, “before I change my mind about letting that traitor go.”
Alysana gathered up Dailus roughly, pushing him toward the great Wheel of Ellenos as they each took their place on the expansive platform that would take them to the base of the mountain.
From that height, overlooking the woods and plains below, Thornton could see for miles. All of that road between us and Théas, he thought, suddenly feeling the weight of the journey before them, and it’s not even halfway.
The wheel groaned as it began the long descent down the mountain.
***
The distant Athrani city was not yet visible beyond the horizon far to the south; from Ellenos to Théas it was about three days’ travel, and from Théas to G’hen it was three days more. The horses would let them make good time, and the armed escort would provide peace of mind.
But, looking back at Dailus once more, Thornton wondered just how much peace of mind he could truly have.