part0015

The drumming of fingers on stone echoed through the room as I sat at Shva’sika’s kitchen counter, my cheek resting on my other hand. Ken’ichi, Raikidan, and I had arrived at her house only to find her not there, with a note left for me.

Twenty minutes had passed, and my patience was growing thin. I could have let Raikidan read more if I’d known there wasn’t any rush.

Raikidan leaned against a wall in the living room, his arms crossed. In the same position, Ken’ichi leaned on a wall near him, the two unmoving. This display was the only thing keeping me from preparing an angry lecture for Shva’sika. I had patience for many things, but this kind of behavior from people didn’t fall into that bubble.

The front door flew open, and Shva’sika and Valene entered the house. Finally! I stood up, only to notice their subdued expressions. “What’s with the faces?”

Ken’ichi’s eyes widened. “Don’t tell me Maka’shi found out about the plan.”

Shva’sika let out a long sigh as her shoulders sagged. “I’m afraid so. I just spent the last twenty or so minutes arguing with her about it.”

I studied her. “Ken’ichi wouldn’t tell us this plan. Said it was best if you relayed it, but from what I can see, you won the battle, but at a heavy cost.”

She nodded, not able to meet my gaze. “Yes. I wanted to come up with an easy way for you to sneak into Dalatrend. I suspected you had some secret way in, but this would allow you to walk in the front gate, making it less risky.”

I realized what she was up to. Her needing to take Raikidan’s measurements made sense now. “You wanted to work it out, so we could disguise ourselves as shamans.”

Shva’sika nodded. “Since you’re a shaman in training, it wouldn’t be a disguise for you.” She glanced Raikidan’s way. “And he’s shown promise for Guard selections, so Ken’ichi agreed to a do a quick assessment to accept him as one in training or not. This will allow for him to also wear the clothes without causing any law issues. Dalatrend soldiers also believe only men can be Guards in our customs, so that thinking can work in our favor keeping you out of the spotlight.”

It was an excellent idea. Due to customs, not even soldiers could force a shaman to pull down the hook of their cloak to reveal their identities. It wasn’t that complicated of a disguise, but the cloaks obscured the face just enough for people to struggle with facial recognition. I’d seen it happen with something as simple as wearing goggles or a haircut, so a cloak would work just as well.

But there was one issue with her plan involving Raikidan as a Guard. “But shamans need a connection to the spiritual plane. There isn’t enough time to test for that.”

Valene giggled. “Guards are an exception. Many Guards with no spiritual connection have been trained in the different tribes, even this one.”

I nodded. “I didn’t realize that. That’s good to know. But this plan now comes with conditions if I’m guessing correctly.”

Shva’sika’s hands clenched into tight fists and Valene’s eyes lowered. “Yes. Maka’shi has made some… heavy demands. If the two of you accept this plan, you will be stripped of your shaman status.”

My eyes narrowed. Even I knew that wasn’t possible. She didn’t have the power to make such decisions. There had to be more to this.

“And… and you’re banned from ever stepping foot into this village again.”

Valene flinched and Ken’ichi’s arms fell to his sides, his eyes widening. “She can’t be serious.”

Shva’sika remained quiet. I could see her struggling to keep her composure.

“I agree to the terms.” The three of them stared at me with slacked jaws and wide eyes. I shrugged. “I knew she’d do that. You saw how she acted earlier. Even without this plan, she’d try to ban me from this place. This just gives her leverage.”

Valene’s eyes welled up. “How can you act like it’s not a big deal?”

“Because there’s nothing that can be done to fight it.” I sighed and shoved my hands into my pocket. “There comes a time where you learn to accept the bad with the good, no matter the ratio.” I chuckled. “You won’t die without me here. You’ll keep living your life and be happy.”

Tears streamed down her cheeks and she ran out of the house. Shva’sika sighed and Ken’ichi looked at me. “You could have been nicer.”

I shook my head. “There’s no nice way to handle that. She’s better off accepting the terms as they are than fighting a pointless battle.”

He crossed his arms and his lips spread into a line, but he didn’t have a comeback. I knew he didn’t like them any more than she did, but he also understood there were some terms that couldn’t be negotiated.

“There’s also one more term,” Shva’sika said. “But you don’t have to follow it because she can’t enforce it. Naturally we shamans are to appear neutral, especially with Dalatrend due to the pact we’ve signed. Maka’shi is determined to ensure this stays in place, and has forbidden you to use your attire after you arrive in the city. She’s forbade you to use it as some sort of cover while out and about. But most of us would rather see Zarda’s soul rendered into oblivion. This means, no one is going to stop you if you choose to walk around the city as one of us. You have a right to do so anyway, no matter what she says.”

She’s really trying to separate me from them. The only thing was, she couldn’t stop me from joining another tribe if I so desired, making the heavy weight of her demands far lighter than she’d want. Too bad for her, I’m too smart for that.

I nodded. “I’m still accepting the terms, as long as Raikidan also does.”

He shrugged. “I don’t see a reason not to if you have.”

Ken’ichi pushed away from the wall. “It’s settled, then. Raikidan, come with me so I can give you a crash course and assessment. We’ll return here for you to dress and rejoin Eira.”

The two left the house, leaving me with Shva’sika. Her downhearted expression spurred me to speed up this process. “So, what am I going to wear? I never went about designing special clothes for myself when I lived here.”

Her expression changed, lips sliding into a devious grin. “Oh, I’m well aware. I created something special for you.”

The shamans and druids of the land had a rather unique way of dressing, and each tribe had their own spin. But one thing that was similar, even for the cold North Tribe, was the lack of clothing involved. A knot formed in the pit of my stomach. “What did you do?”

Shva’sika hooked her arm in mine and pulled me up the stairs. “You’ll see.”

I followed, but I tried to be slow, my reluctance to trust her clear. She’s getting back at me for all those times I refused her outfits before. My actions amused her, and she continued to lead me to my torture chamber.

The body mirror reflected my image as I fussed with the “clothes” Shva’sika forced on me. My top was a thick strip of red cloth that wrapped around my breasts, though not thick enough to prevent an obnoxious amount of cleavage and underboob. No matter how much I fussed, I couldn’t fix that problem.

The top tied in the back like a corset and was lined on the top and bottom with gold metal. The bottom lining grew thicker in the center between my breasts, allowing for a carving of the West Tribe symbol.

Fastened around each arm with gold metal bands at the top were loose red cloth sleeves that had small cutouts on the underside by the metal bands. The end of each sleeve merged into a small triangle that attached to a golden ring and was slipped around my middle finger. Strapped to these arm pieces were two of my daggers.

My lip curled as I tugged on the thin cloth covering my lower half, my fingers grazing the exposed skin of my ass. My face flushed. “I can’t believe you put me in this repulsive thing.”

Shva’sika scoffed as she appeared behind me, in her hands gold chain sandals she wanted me to wear. “You’re such a prude.”

My face reddened more. “Sorry that I think I should be wearing something that’s more than bedroom appropriate for the more adventurous woman?”

“A little skin never hurt anyone.” Her eyes twinkled. “And they’d help you get a man finally.”

I rolled my eyes and fussed with my clothes some more. “Not on my to-do list.” She giggled and my face reddened when I realized she twisted that meaning. “This thong is giving me the worst wedgie of my life. I can’t believe I’m going to have to wear this for days. I don’t even see why you’re insisting I wear something like this. It’s not like anyone is going to see me in it with the cloak thankfully hiding me.”

Just then, the door to the room flew open, Ken’ichi’s words ringing out. “Raikidan, you can’t just barge in!”

I gasped as Raikidan walked in. He wore a red hooded vest with gold embroidery, the front open exposing his bare chest. Loose red pants covered his lower half, pinning to his legs near his ankles, and sandals, similar in design to the ones I still needed to put on, covered his feet.

“Get out!” I screeched as I shrunk back, wrapping my arms around my body.

Raikidan’s eyes widened, clearly not understanding my reaction. “Why are you yelling?”

Ken’ichi showed up in the room and reached for Raikidan’s arm. “I said you can’t—”

He stopped dead when he spotted me. My face burned the longer he stared, the heat reaching my ears.

My next words were articulated and laced with venom. “Get out. Now!”

Ken’ichi snapped out of his daze and pulled Raikidan out of the room. “Let’s go before she kills us.”

When the door closed, Shva’sika burst out laughing, sending the heat from my face flooding through my body. “That wasn’t funny…”

“Yes, it was.” She continued to laugh. “Oh, yes it was.”

My eyebrow twitched. “Give me my cloak.”

Shva’sika shook her head as she calmed herself. “You need to lighten up. It could have been worse. You could still be putting on your clothes.”

I desperately tried to shut out that mental image. “Don’t even go there.”

She grinned wickedly as she handed me my sandals. “What? Don’t you want those men’s eyes bugging out?”

“They wouldn’t have bugged out…”

She snickered as she grabbed two red sheer cloths. “Oh, don’t be like that. It was obvious with Ken’ichi, but even your new dragon Guard had his own subtle reaction.” She winked. “Means this outfit works just as I intended.”

My lips pressed into a thin line as I slipped my feet into my new shoes, refusing to continue this unwanted conversation. Instead, I focused on the new feeling these shoes brought. It’d been a while since I’d worn anything on my feet. I guessed it’d take me a few hours at least to get used to it.

While I had my focus on my feet, I made sure the daggers strapped to my legs were secure. I’d never worn them on bare skin before, so I wanted to be sure I wouldn’t lose them.

Shva’sika approached with the cloth, handing me the smaller of the two. Taking a look, I found it to be a veil designed to go over the mouth. This will help to throw off my appearance, even if the fabric can be seen through a bit. While I fitted the veil to my face, Shva’sika took the longer fabric and wrapped it around my waist, tying it off on one side at the hip. Oh, it’s a sarong. Even as a sheer fabric, I felt a little more covered.

My elven friend then retrieved the cloak I asked for earlier, allowing me to hide. I let out an audible sigh of relief when I clasped the cloak closed on my shoulder.

Shva’sika shook her head and then fussed with my hair. “I wish you’d just kept it down. I decorated it, so it’d look better that way.”

I looked at myself in the mirror. An elegant golden circlet, with an oval-shaped ruby fastened to the center, sat on my brow while leaves and feathers had been wrapped and twisted into my hair before being pulled back into my usual hairstyle. “I told you, with my hair color I need to keep it out of view as much as possible. In a city, I could pull it off as a dyed color, but out here… well, you tell me how many people you’ve met with my hair color.”

She sighed. “I get your point; I just wish you would wear your hair down more often.”

My mouth remained shut, memories of my past threatening to surface. I just prefer it up…

Her hand landed on my shoulder. “I should stop stalling you. We don’t need Raikidan barging in again out of impatience.”

My cheeks flushed and I grumbled to myself. He needed to learn the meaning of privacy, and quick. I was not going to tolerate such behavior as what he displayed earlier. Shva’sika led me through her house, taking her time to allow me to sear it into my memory. I hadn’t wanted to be banished from here, but there were things in life that were out of my control. And I’ve never been lucky enough to have what I want… Something always went wrong when I came close. I just hope this choice to fight Zarda isn’t what ends me.

The sound of the two Guards talking wisped past my ears. The two stopped when Shva’sika and I came to the top of the stairs. Raikidan’s expression remained impassive and Ken’ichi smiled, though I could tell it hurt him to. My decision weighed heavily on him.

“We’re ready to depart, if you two are,” Shva’sika announced when we reached the bottom of the stairs.

Ken’ichi nodded and followed her to the door. I glanced at Raikidan, who remained quiet and followed. He didn’t look at me, and it perplexed me. Probably for the best after what happened earlier.

Our small group walked the dirt path leading back to town. Upon arrival, a group of people had gathered by the Spiritual Crystal. I guessed them to be those who wanted to see me off. Our approach parted them, revealing Maka’shi standing next to the crystal, her expression neutral. For now.

The half-elf’s eyes darted from me to Raikidan when we stopped a few feet from her, and then her gaze fell on Ken’ichi. “What was the outcome for the assessment?”

“He passed the assessment well enough that I ended up giving him the full entrance test. He passed without issue.”

Her eyes darkened but focused on me. “You know of my terms, yes?”

I gave a curt nod. “And I accept them.”

“Very well.” She held her head high, a vindictive smile spreading across her lips. “I, Maka’shi, leader of the West Shaman Tribe, strip you of your rank as a Shaman of the Rising Sun, as with your shaman name.” She threw out her hand as if to emphasis her next words. “You are hereby banished from this village. Return, and you will be seen as an invader.”

The people around her gasped but she didn’t falter. “You are also never to contact anyone in this village, in any way, unless they have contacted you first with my express approval.”

The crowd murmured, their eyes darting between Maka’shi and me.

My lips spread into a thin line. I knew there was more than to what had been agreed with by Shva’sika.

Shva’sika’s eyes narrowed. “This is not what we discussed!”

Maka’shi held her ground. “This is my stipulation.”

“You can’t do this!” Shva’sika yelled. “You may be our leader, but you can’t do this!”

Maka’shi’s eyes hardened. “Per our customs, I was handed the mantle of leader of this tribe. It is my sworn duty to protect all who live here. I decide what is a threat to us, and will do what I must to remove it. This is my decree.”

Shva’sika went to argue more but I held up my hand to stop her. “I agree to the terms.”

Shva’sika gasped. “Laz… Why? This is—”

I held her gaze. “Don’t argue, please. It will only delay the inevitable.”

Maka’shi nodded, clearly pleased she’d won. “Say your goodbyes and leave. You still have a few hours before nightfall. That should be plenty of time to leave our lands.”

Shva’sika’s eyes burned into Maka’shi, her teeth nearly baring in her anger. “You will not get away with this.”

Maka’shi tilted her head, regarding Shva’sika’s threat. But in her arrogance, she brushed it off and looked at me. “Eira, if I catch wind of you using this disguise to gain foothold in your little rebellion, I will—”

“Will what?” A smirk spread across my lips. “You’ll leave your precious ‘sanctuary’ and find me? We both know that won’t happen. And you won’t find anyone to enforce your power, either.”

Her eyes glittered, knowing I was right. “Say your goodbyes and leave.”

She stepped back, but didn’t allow me to leave her sight. Several townsfolk said their farewells before Alena pushed through. She gave me a tight hug. “I’m going to miss you.”

“I’ll miss you too.” I pulled away. “Give Del’karo my regards and apologies for missing him.”

She tried to smile, her eyes giving away her sadness. “You know I will.”

A small hand tugged on my cloak. I looked down to see Sethal looking up at me with sad eyes. “You don’t really have to go forever, do you?”

I knelt down and patted him on the head. “I’m afraid so.”

He looked down at the ground. “I don’t want you to go.”

I kissed him on the forehead. “I know. But this just means you have to protect your mom extra hard with me gone. Can you do that for me?”

He looked up at me and nodded, steeling himself. “Of course!”

I patted him on the head again and stood up.

Sethal grabbed onto his mother’s clothes and gave Maka’shi a sidelong glance. “I don’t like her anymore, Momma.”

Alena rested her hand on her son’s head. “I know. I don’t, either.”

I noticed Maka’shi’s expression change to shock. I didn’t understand why. Could she possibly think no one would hate her for this decision?

Shva’sika and Daren approached, the latter carrying a leather bag. He held it out to me. “For ye, lass. Supplies for ye trip.”

“I also put some items of my own in it,” Shva’sika added.

I accepted the bag with a smile, but Raikidan took it from me and slung it over his shoulder. He didn’t look at me or give any quick explanation. I chose not to fuss. I wasn’t in the mood.

Daren’s lip quivered, the cheerful face that’d gotten me through some tough days gone. I never wanted to see that smile leave him, and as a last goodbye, I desperately wanted to see it one last time, searing it into my mind. He pulled me in for a tight hug. “Ye be careful. Dinnae be gettin’ yerself killed now, ye hear?”

Even though my arms couldn’t reach around his large size, I did my best to return his tight hug. “I’ll do my best.”

He let go only for Shva’sika to throw her arms around me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think she’d go beyond our agreed terms. Had I known, I would have come up with another idea.”

I held her close. “It’s not your fault. She would have done this without this plan. It’s why I accepted the terms still.” I pulled away and wiped away a single tear running down her cheek. “It’ll all work out. You’ll see.”

Ken’ichi came up to me and handed over a small, blue-and-black glowing orb to me. I accepted it with a raised brow. “A portal?”

“It’s about to die out, so can only transport you a few miles.” He smiled. “But I figured it’d help cut down the time required to walk. Probably best to use it once you leave the territory.”

I smiled. “Thanks.”

Looking around I frowned. Valene hadn’t come to say goodbye. She’s probably too upset. I decided, for her sake, that it would be best not to go and find her.

With a heavy heart, I waved and said my final farewell before leading Raikidan to the East road leading out of the village.

We made it halfway to the road when a female voice called out, “Wait! Laz, please wait.”

I turned to find Valene rushing toward us, tears staining her cheeks. I held out my arms and she crashed into me, the force pushing me back a few steps.

“Don’t go,” she begged. “Please don’t go.”

I kissed her on the head. “I’m sorry, but I have to.”

She shook her head and tightened her grip. “No, no you can’t. Please don’t leave me again.”

Her words pierced my heart like the sharpest knife. “I have to go, Valene. I can’t stay here. I’m sorry.”

“No, you can’t leave!”

I looked up, hoping to find someone who could assist me, to find Ken’ichi and Tesne running over to help. The two grabbed ahold of Valene and I proceeded to pry her off me. She fought us, screaming, crying… begging for me not to go. Each plea dug the emotional knife deeper.

Valene held out her arm, now pulled back too far to touch me. “You can’t! Don’t go!” Her tears splattered on the ground as I turned away. “Please… Momma…”

Pain I thought I’d never feel again tore through my chest. Why, Valene… why… I pulled my hood over my head and pushed it all away. Nothing could change this. Rebellion or no, Maka’shi would have banished me either way. And as an ordinary human, Valene couldn’t come with me. She’d be safe here, and only here for now.

Valene’s screams and pleas followed me as Raikidan and I disappeared into the woods. The sound of her falling to the ground and sobbing sat heavy on my shoulders. It eventually turned to words of malice as she tore into Maka’shi. No one stopped her.