Chapter 21

Iri handed him the now-dry black fang on a leather cord, which he tied around his neck and concealed within his clothing. “This charm is taken from the yochan, a mountain beast known for its ability to blend with its surroundings. For you, it will have a similar effect. I’ve made it so that those who look upon you will see what they expect to see. The charm suggests that you belong, for them.”

Never touched it through his tunic. “This is a marvellous thing. How can I repay you?”

“Meeting Ayuni is its own reward,” she said. “And before you try to argue, let me warn you of its limitations. Truly powerful monks like Brother Hiruso will see through it immediately, unlike regular people or common monks. But the further you are from the already familiar, the less potent the fang will be no matter who you face.”

“And by that do you mean, the already familiar for Kiymako?”

“Yes. For instance, if you continue to dress as you are now, if you carry our weapons, eat our food, speak Kiyma and travel with Muka and Ayuni, you will seem Kiymako to those you meet. The sense of belonging will even extent to Muka and Ayuni if you are close.”

“But if I were alone and say, speaking Marlosi, it would lose its potency?”

“In the right – or wrong – circumstances, even your accent may be enough to give you away, so keep everything I have told you in mind.”

“I plan to stick close to Muka and Ayuni, believe me.”

The rear door opened and Ayuni and Muka entered, their arms laden with pink wildflowers of some sort, which they’d gathered for their host. Ayuni’s hair had changed from black to a golden brown. A sharp change, and hopefully enough to help confuse those who would be watching for them. Even Muka had made some effort to disguise himself, cutting and then shaving his greying hair close.

Iri wished them well, but took Muka’s arm as they started out. “There’s one more thing I want to ask you, Muka.”

He nodded, then looked to Never. “I won’t be far behind.”

“Right.”

Outside, Never and Ayuni started along the path that ran beside the stream. The sun was high overhead, a pleasant warmth, alleviated somewhat by a light breeze crossing the stream. Ahead, the fields were full of people heading back to eat, their robes a little shorter and more colourful here. Never kept his pace even – it was a fine time to test his charm.

As the people passed, few gave him a second look except to offer a greeting. Ayuni answered and he nodded with a smile.

Impressive indeed.

“Where are we headed next?” Never asked as the farmers thinned out.

“Still east. We’ll eventually reach the Yalinamo Forest.”

“Which lies beneath Cesanha?”

“Yes. I remember we stopped there on our journey down the mountain, it seemed such a large place to me as a child.” She frowned. “My village was much smaller but I think there was still a Temple at least, or a large building in any event, only I don’t think it was an inn. There was a river too.”

“That’s a start,” Never said. “And once we climb the mountain and find the village, that’s where we’ll find your mother?”

She smiled up at Never and a sense of the familiar struck him. Her smile reminded him of Snow’s – only Ayuni’s smile was far more open. Somehow, despite the trials she’d been through her expression lacked Snow’s bitterness. “I’m hoping she is still there, yes. And worry not; I believe I will be able to recall the way when the time comes.”

“But you’re not sure.”

“For so long now I have lived in a world of steel and stone, peering through bars or temple windows. A world of blades and vials...”

Never met her gaze. “I will stop him if he comes for you.”

“He will.”

“Then let’s put him to work,” Never said. “He can cross the entire land and if he climbs the mountain, we’ll cast him back down.”

Thudding footsteps from their back trail neared. Never turned but it was only Muka approaching.

“Everything well?” Never asked.

“Yes. Iri simply wanted to give me something for the pain,” he said. “And a warning.”

Never slowed. “Are we in danger here?”

“No. And she hesitated to worry us, for she is not certain. But as rudama she feels something stirring across the land.”

“Something?”

“She fears the Three Hammers have been unleashed.”

Ayuni gasped.

Never came to a halt. “That sounds unpleasant. And by your reaction, Ayuni, can I assume they’re worse than Hiruso?”

“Perhaps not worse. But they are the temple’s finest assassins. It is said they have not failed even once.”

“I look forward to disappointing them,” Never said.

Muka frowned. “Wanatek has long worried about their attention; he was sure we would be the Three’s next target.”

“Why would Brother Hiruso send them now?” Never asked. “Is he simply arrogant, assigning a task that is beneath him to some underlings?”

“I’m not sure,” Ayuni said. “One of the monks who tended to me was talking of Brother Hiruso some weeks ago. He said the Master was busy searching for some great relic of power, that he was near to its discovery.”

“More wonderful news,” Never said.

Muka shrugged. “Whatever his purpose, we now have the Hammers to contend with. We must be extra watchful, for they will find us. It is only a matter of time.”

“Can we stop them?” Never asked.

“Their lunai is strong, lesser than Hiruso but they are three.”

“As are we. Your lunai is strong, I am Amouni and so is Ayuni. We can match them, can we not?” Never asked.

“If we are not surprised, I would hope so.”

They continued on, heading for a crest where the road sloped up. Beyond, the eastern road stretched on through more farmland, but beyond it in turn, at the limits of his vision, a slight haze seemed to conceal a more barren terrain. The Cesanha Mountains were still too far to even catch a hint of, but they were closing slowly.

When evening fell, they’d reached a roadside inn surrounded by a large bamboo enclosure. Within, the snort and stamp of horses seemed to leap over the walls. “Somewhere for merchants to corral themselves?” Never asked.

Muka pointed to the stalls. “I see two different traders, one is on Temple business. See the Phoenix and the trunk of the red pine on the saddles? The trader is returning east, or on their way to the capital.”

“Another opportunity to test our disguises then,” Never said.

Muka nodded as he led them through the doors and into a busy common room. Few heads turned, though a group nearest the windows paid them some attention. “I spot two monks, though they are dressed more casually,” Ayuni said as they took their own table.

“So far no alarm bells,” Never said.

The conversation in the room seemed to centre around the condition of the roads and some ‘commotion over at Takbisu’ though no-one had the truth of it. Once they had drinks – a fruity wine – and meals placed before them, Never lowered his voice a little.

“Ayuni, I wanted to ask about your mother. And our father,” he said after a moment of hesitation. On the surface, Ayuni seemed at ease, seemed that she was dealing with her long imprisonment and sudden freedom well enough. But if she wasn’t, and asking such questions was simply going to reopen old wounds, he’d just as soon keep his mouth shut.

“I’ll tell you what I can, of course.”

“Thank you.” He sighed. How to explain his fear without alluding to Father’s particular evil? “Ayuni, do you think we have any more siblings?”

She frowned. “Mother only mentioned two brothers as far as I remember.”

“And did she explain anything of your heritage? As Amouni?”

“Yes. The supposedly mythical race that once ruled all the lands; their blood ran in your father’s veins and now mine. He told me how important I was and how some would wish me harm; which is why he left me in the care of the Temple.”

“Didn’t he trust your mother?”

Ayuni shook her head, a look of sadness on her face. “I wish I knew. I seem to remember Mother arguing with Father on the day we left but more than that I see her smiling at me. Hear her tell me that she would see me again.”

“Let’s prove her right then,” Never said. A promise was right behind the words but he left it unspoken this time. What if he couldn’t deliver? For all his Amouni blood, Brother Hiruso had certainly wiped the stones with him. And now, he had the Hammers to deal with in addition to half the population of Kiymako.

“What of your mother?” Ayuni asked.

“Betrayed also. Long ago.”

Her expression softened. “You can’t remember much either?”

“Not nearly enough. Sometimes, I think I can recall the words to a lullaby she used to hum. Among others, I have one memory of her tickling Snow when we were young, chasing him around the house.”

Ayuni swallowed. “Did Father...”

A curse broke the din of conversation.

Two men seated in the corner of the room were arguing, a game of some sort arranged before them. “I have not cheated, not once,” one said, hands raised. Rather than an expression of outrage, the young man appeared sad. Weary, even.

The other fellow swayed to his feet, flinging an arm out. “I was watching.” He blinked, several times. His other hand was clenching and unclenching. “And I saw it, I’m sure it was you. You’ve got too many hands. I know it.”

One of the men from the Temple stood, crossed the floor and hauled the fellow across to an empty seat at their own table. The angry gambler was muttering to himself but seemed inclined to sit. More, he now appeared a little unwell. Perhaps not unsurprising.

“I think now would be a fine time to seek our beds,” Muka said.

Ayuni nodded.

Their rooms lay on the ground floor, set at the rear of the kitchen. Both were clean and well-appointed with bed, shelving, basin and mirror. The innkeeper apologised for only having two rooms, but Ayuni assured him it was fine.

“Thank you, My Lady. Please call upon me if you require anything,” he said as he left.

“We can take this room if you wish, Ayuni,” Never said. He moved to the window, opening the curtains to check on the lock. While there was no specific danger yet, there were still monks within the inn. The closer an eye he could keep on her the better.

Muka cleared his throat.

Ayuni blinked as she opened her mouth to speak, obviously at a loss for words. “This may sound odd, since I spent so much time alone in the temples, but that was not my choice, you see...”

“We understand,” Muka said gently.

“Thank you, both. And you, Never. I know you want to watch over me,” she said.

He cleared his throat. “Oh, well, that’s what brothers do best.”

Once she was gone he sat on the bed and began unlacing his boots, shaking his head as he worked. “I am a complete fool.”

“No, you are right to worry,” Muka said.

“I should have known she’d want some peace. Should have realised that even though we share blood, I am a stranger to her.”

Muka put a hand on Never’s shoulder. “Perhaps no stranger, Never. And do not fear, we sleep in shifts.”

Never nodded.