Winter Mage Page 4

“Its nature is secret of course.”

  Chelka walked past Ordin’s other side. She glared at him and Tamina, like Edmath had never seen her do to a fellow Zelian. Her face showed anxiety and hatred in equal measure.

  “My husband may sound like he is joking, but what he says is true.” She raised the double-ringed striker she had drawn back in the restaurant. “Please don’t be rude, or I may be forced to do something about you.”

  Tamina Roshi threw her cloak over her shoulder, revealing piecemeal armor and padding beneath. A bandage had been fastened around her stomach where Edmath guessed his spell had hit her. Still, he knew he had felt the pain of a death. How could she be here? Tamina, very much alive, stared at Chelka heat and anger almost palpable around her.

  “As if you could fight us both, Squid Princess. I’ve heard about you and your little spells.”

  Chelka stopped walking. Tamina turned faced her, disgust written across her face. Ordin and Edmath continued on a few paces as if they had not noticed the two women facing off. Chelka smiled, tight-lipped.

  “I fear you underestimate me. After all, my husband defeated you once before.”

  Edmath turned back to face them. A battle here would be unfeasible, but he didn’t feel the strength to step in and stop Chelka, not today with thoughts of Beliu and his father so fresh.

  Ordin groaned.

  “Stop this, Tamina. We’ll get no help if you fight her now.”

  Tamina hung her head. Her hand slipped from the hilt of her sword and strands of red hair fell around her eyes. She didn’t make a sound, but turned and walked past Ordin and Edmath. Her footsteps were the only sound for a moment in the morning glare that filled the street. She had a warlike personality, one of pride and anger. Edmath turned to Chelka as she approached from his other side.

  She took a frustrated breath.

  “Well, Ed? Where do you think we should take them?”

  “The War Empress handles foreigners. I suppose she would be the best.”

  Chelka dropped her voice to a whisper.

  “You actually want to help them?”

  “We aren’t at war yet.” Edmath knew he shouldn’t have said it, not now, not with Chelka and Tamina at each other’s throats. The entire situation would be difficult if they encountered anyone who recognized either Roshi. What they needed was a little bit of discretion, a little bit of calm, and he could hope for a chance of avoiding war.

  The High Castle, seat of the War Empress, loomed over Edmath, Chelka, Brosk, and the two from Roshi as they drew near. The tall structure with its walls of polished umber-colored stone gleamed on the eastern side, even as it cast a long shadow to the west. Edmath drew in a deep breath and hoped Chelka would be able to call for an assembly.

  Seeing Tamina alive made him wonder about what else had happened after the battle at Niniar. What had happened to him? He turned to Chelka as they approached the open doors to the entrance hall that led into the castle itself. She folded her arms and her eyes moved to Tamina, who limped toward the doorway with Ordin’s help. Her eyes narrowed and she scowled.

  “Those two showed up at an inopportune time.”

  “Indeed.” Edmath dropped his voice to a whisper. “I doubt they know that, however.”

  Brosk crutched to Chelka’s other side.

  “Do you think the War Empress will want to deal with them personally?”

  “We’ll see.” Chelka’s scowl softened and she turned to Edmath. “Ed, your eyes, they changed again.”

  He frowned.

  “How so?”

  “They rippled,” Chelka said. “Like water in a pond, but black as the night sky.”

  Edmath grimaced.

  “I don’t know what is happening to me. Truly, no idea.”

  Ordin raised his head and turned toward the three of them. Chelka glared at him. Tamina matched the expression from the other side. Ordin coughed into his fist to clear his throat.

  “I think I know what you Saales are discussing.”

  “By all means, keep us in suspense,” Chelka said. “What do you have to say, Roshi?”

  “Your husband. I noticed his eyes back at the restaurant. When did they turn black?”

  Edmath turned to Ordin.

  “Immediately after the battle at Niniar.”

  Chelka’s scowl softened, but still, she frowned.

  “Ed.”

  Ordin bowed his head. “I thought that might the case. You see, no Saale can live for long with a protean sphere living inside them.”

  Edmath’s eyes widened. The dreams of blood and twisted flesh came back to him once again.

  “You mean to say I have one of those monsters within me?” He did not realize he had raised his voice until Chelka backed away a step and Ordin wilted visibly.

  The Crab Tribe man nodded.

  “I fear this is so.”

  “You fear?” Chelka snapped. “It isn’t you, but Edmath your people harmed this time. I have heard enough about the Crab Tribe’s practice of corporal punishment to know you are one of their kept royals.”

  Ordin’s lip twitched.

  “Kept or not. I mean to help your husband, Lady Benisar.”

  Edmath put a hand on Chelka’s arm.

  “Please, my dear.”

  Chelka set her jaw, but her breath came out in a sigh.

  “If you can help us, we may be able to assist in seeing you go back to Roshi alive.”

  “That was my hope.” Ordin bowed his head.

  Edmath glimpsed scars that ran from the back of Ordin’s head down the length of his spine. Chelka’s guess that Ordin had been disciplined and then kept, made sense. Obviously, Roshi discipline did not spare even royals the lash, especially if they were among that underclass. How old were those scars? Edmath shivered.

  Chelka turned to Brosk.

  “I will go inside and request an audience with her excellency. Brosk, can you watch from the rear while Edmath leads these two?” She tilted her head to Ordin and Tamina.

  Brosk shrugged.

  “I can handle that. I’m not completely helpless because of this crutch, you know. I’m very nearly healed.”

  “True. You whale folk are sturdy,” said Chelka.

  “More than true,” said Edmath. “I’ve always trusted you to watch our back.” He turned to Chelka. “Lead on, my dear.”

  They set Chelka’s plan into motion. She led the way through the wide entrance hall of the High Castle. Edmath followed, making sure Tamina and Ordin followed behind, but not letting either of them close enough to attack him before he could strike a tear. Brosk shifted into his whale tosh and brought up the rear, looking odd with his huge gray-skinned head and shoulders as massive as ever, but his whole form supported by the comparatively spindly wooden crutch held under his arm.

  Edmath wondered if what Brosk said about being almost healed was actually true. It was possible, with healers like Lady Haph who had helped restore Edmath’s broken hand present, if uncommon, in the city. Behind him, Edmath heard Tamina whisper something he could not make out, to Ordin. Ordin’s reply was equally inaudible.

  He looked over his shoulder.

  “Can you two possibly be planning to betray what trust we put in you?”

  Tamina glared at him.

  “We are not foolish enough to attempt anything when wounded and surrounded by Saales.”

  “You seemed eager enough, earlier,” said Edmath.

  “Fool. This isn’t like earlier.” Tamina pointed past him.

  Edmath turned and found Keve Zasha before him. The High Emperor’s young Saale stood beside a pillar not ten feet away. She must have transported herself here with her unique skills, but that left Edmath to wonder how she knew what was happening in secret within the High Castle. Could the High Emperor’s eyes be watching all of this?

  Keve turned toward him and the Roshi. Her eyes locked on Tamina. Edmath bowed his head to her. She smirked at him. “Do not bow
to me. I only act for the High Emperor.”

  “Lady Zasha.” Brosk approached closer. “How may we assist you?”

  “You may follow me into the castle hall. His Grace wishes to speak with you. All of you.”

  Tamina opened her mouth to speak, but Keve shook her head. Tamina froze, mouth half open. The High Emperor’s young Saale folded her arms.

  “He wants to ensure a war does not begin today.”

  Edmaths’ brow furrowed.

  “The last High Emperor went to war with Roshi more than once.”

  “His Grace, the current High Emperor has no desire to wage war.” Keve rolled her eyes. “Unlike everyone else, it would seem.”

  Edmath’s face flushed. He did not want war, but the Roshi had attacked Zel. If they were not repaid in kind, how else could the matter be settled? Sampheli Mierzon’s teachings about the creator returned to his mind, despite his anger. Temper is of no use in the end. Temper will only create harm. He took a deep breath. Keve turned and led him, Tamina, Ordin, and Brosk into the hall.

  Marnaia Hayel sat upon the burnished War Throne, hair long down her back, glimmering against her pale green gown. Her crown of antlers and gold gleamed atop her head. She nodded to Chelka as Edmath and the others followed Keve into the room. Edmath bowed to the War Empress.

  “Saales Benisar, Naopaor, and Zasha, my Saale has explained the presence of these Roshi. What I still do not understand is what brought them back to this city. Tamina of the Order of Roshi, your superior conspired with the Worm King in an attempt to kill the High Emperor and tear Zel asunder. How dare you return to this place.”

  Tamina raised her head, defiant. “I am here to settle my score with Edmath Benisar.”

  Ordin glanced at her from where he knelt and mouthed a few words.

  Tamina met the War Empress’s eyes.

  “And to settle for peace, as a representative of the Holy Minister Regent of Roshi.”

  “The Minister Regent?” Marnaia Hayel raised her eyebrows. “You two represent the highest minister in Roshi?”

  “Indeed.” Ordin rose to stand beside Tamina. “His Majesty, the Minister Regent, has disavowed Akalok Roshi’s support of the Worm King’s rebellion. The Order of Roshi agrees with him. The rulers of our lands wish to maintain the peace between our two nations.”

  “Peace has been fragile these past twenty years,” said Hayel. “But I would see it continue as well. We will wait to find out if the High Emperor agrees with me.” She turned to Keve Zasha. “Please, take my request of an audience to him, Saale Zasha.”

  Chelka stepped forward, drawing Edmath’s eyes to her. Here at the War Empress’s court, she walked with a bearing that befitted a princess of her tribe. She bowed to the War Empress.

  “These Roshi wish satisfaction against my husband.” She motioned to Edmath. “May I request Tamina be denied her wish to settle honor with Edmath?”

  “I have no doubt the High Emperor will agree Lord Benisar served us well this past summer. I will speak for your wish, Lady Benisar.”

  “Another duel would not suit him.” Keve Zasha giggled. She struck with a ridged striker made of one join bone. As magic poured from the fresh tear, evidenced by flickers of pale light, the High Emperor’s Saale vanished. Only the echo of her mirth remained behind her.

  Chelka glared at the place where Keve had stood, but said nothing. Hayel returned to her throne. Edmath rubbed at his eyes as if the gesture could drive the blackness from them.

  The High Emperor appeared in a flash of light, flanked by two Moth Tribe guardians, and with Keve Zasha at his back. The High Emperor’s Saale bowed her head and backed away from the white-haired old man who wore the Crown of Three. Chelka fell to one knee. Brosk bowed. Marnaia Hayel rose from her throne and bowed her head. Edmath knelt near Chelka. Ordin Yabar dropped to his knees, then bowed down to the floor, to Edmath’s surprise, offering full submission. Only Tamina remained at full height.

  Edmath frowned at the Roshi woman. She glared at High Emperor Vosraan Loi. The greatest emperor of Zel regarded Tamina with bored eyes. One of the guardians beside the emperor spoke,

  “Respect, Lady of Roshi. Bow.”

  “You are no ruler. I have no need to show you any deference.”

  “Stay your tongue, Roshi.” The War Empress stepped forward from her throne. “Or I will see it stayed.”

  Tamina gritted her teeth but bowed her head. Edmath breathed a sigh. He glanced at the High Emperor and found the man looking as bored as ever. The feathered wings of the Crown of Three were folded along the back of his white robe.

  “Finished.” The voice of the High Emperor sounded strangely soft after War Empress Hayel’s indignant outburst.

  Tamina did not look up at him.

  “I see your first year as an Imperial Saale continues to be interesting, Saale Benisar. Or should I say, Saale Donroi?” The High Emperor’s eyes twinkled. “Your eyes show trouble. Kassel Onoi’s protean spheres are still active in Zel. He remains to be exterminated.”

  “The coward fled before the battle of Niniar,” Tamina said.

  “Indeed. How could one nation win against the might of my generals?” The High Emperor actually smiled. “I would wager Rathuk Inani expected as much.”

  “How dare you speak the name of the Minister Regent,” Tamina shouted. Her hand flew to her sword. “Arrogant old fool.”

  The High Emperor turned toward her, a beaming smile on his face.

  “You are so young. You Roshi forget that Rathuk and I grew up together. He was my father’s prisoner for years prior to the last war. So soon the world forgets its history.”

  Edmath stared at the High Emperor. He had never known how close the nations had been before his birth. Vosraan Loi and Rathuk Inani had grown to rule their nations, but at one time they were only children. He held his breath as Tamina’s hand trembled on the grip of her sword. The moth guardians stepped between her and the High Emperor, swords in hand.

  Chelka gripped her stethian tight in one hand but remained on her knee. She seethed with fire like that she could conjure, but hidden within. Her eyes locked on Tamina. She waited Edmath knew, for an excuse to use the Saale weapon.

  Tamina averted her eyes, cheeks flushed. Slowly, she lowered her head.

  The High Emperor turned from Tamina to Ordin.

  “You will speak now, kept mage. And I will listen to what you have to say. Stand up.”

  Ordin obeyed the high emperor immediately, climbing from his prone position to his feet.

  “High Emperor of Zel, my masters sent me here to carry you our offer of a ceasefire. While I stand before you at the will of the Minister Regent, he requests these negotiations take place in Roshi.” He gulped. “His Holiness will entertain your representatives in the city of Dobinar, the nearest of our great cities to Zel.”

  The High Emperor smiled.

  “I like his idea. Rathuk always knew the way around his words. You must have a fine memory.”

  “I have been trained as a messenger,” said Ordin, “as well as a Dawkun.”

  “You are a fortunate man, despite everything.” The High Emperor turned his back on the Roshi. He looked up at Marnaia Hayel. “War Empress, see to the lodging of these two, and keep them under guard.”

  “Of course, your Grace.”

  Edmath closed his eyes and bowed his head. Peace might mean little, with this lethal affliction inside. He felt a steady but gentle hand on his shoulder. He opened his eyes. The High Emperor stood before where Edmath knelt beside Chelka. The wings of the Crown of Three spread as if to embrace both of them.

  “You,” said the High Emperor, “you two have brought this nation great honor in your short time as Imperial Saales. I will hear your request.”

  Edmath’s eyes widened. “What request?”

  His eyes twinkled.

  “I think you know, son of Sampheli Mierzon.”

  “I request you capture Kassel Onoi alive. Perhaps
he will be able to release me from this sphere.”

  “The corruption of Protean Spheres is lethal to Saales because of your closed bodily gates.” The High Emperor looked to Chelka. “I will send out my riders and use every augury to find Onoi, but you two must promise not to pursue him yourselves. I need you here assisting the Lower Emperors.”

  Edmath swallowed.

  “As you wish, your Grace.”

  Chelka glanced at him, then bowed her head.

  “As you command, High Emperor.”

  The High Emperor nodded to them, then turned. He walked back to his guards and Keve Zasha.

  “I return to the pyramid. I will reach you should I require your help.”

  Every head in the room bowed to the High Emperor as Keve Zasha took the hands of each of the guardians. The High Emperor placed his hand on her forehead and the four vanished into a blossom of magical light.

  Edmath rejoined the court of the Saale Emperor, where the loud chamberlain bellowed each day to the annoyance of the palace cats, while Haddishal Rumenha sat upon the throne and frowned down at the petitioners. When he left court later in the mornings, he went out into the gardens where he taught Saales trained from the under colleges how to create orpus trees that could talk.

  Haddishal Rumenha’s desire to see more of the moving plants had become clear with these new orders, though Edmath suspected Marnaia Hayel had ordered at least a few of them to assist in battle. Like Edmath, the under college Saales did not have the skill to channel the huge amounts of power required to grow orpus trees quickly so all of the trees had to be planted and infused with magic over time.

  Occasionally he would see other Saales he knew from Lexine Park walking in the gardens, but usually, he worked as the leader until his late lunch. In the mid-afternoon, he walked to the High Castle to meet with Chelka so they could share the meal in a restaurant near the palace. Though nerves flared when he thought of the protean sphere, the work and Chelka usually kept him busy enough he did not have much time to worry.

  At night he slept in his apartment in the Saale Palace or shared Chelka’s chamber on the third floor of the High Castle. Lazy as he was, he was annoyed Orpus Lengbyoi could not deliver him to one of the keep’s second-floor windows, because the High Castle was built as a fortress. Any windows that low were sliver-thin arrow slits. Part of him felt the stairs got higher each day, and another part wondered if that meant he was getting weaker.