Undeniable Vengeance

5. The Shulan's Words-1

The Shulan's Words

"What did Mikkellana want?"

"Nothing, Camissa."

Rahg rejoined Rhaven and Tobias, busy arguing with some Entirians because Tobias had suggested burning the bodies of the dead.

"Bodies cannot be burned." The Entirian in command seemed appalled by the thought.

Tobias shook his head and rubbed the white stubble on his chin. "I meant burn the Victas and Wolfen. Sethians too. No sense in wastin' hard sweat over them. You can bury the Sethians if you want, though I don’t know why you would.“

"They must all have a place in the ground. We will dig the graves. It is our honor."

"Your honor?"

"The tall Entirian bowed low. "It is the shame of the victors that they must bury the dead. In this way, it is hoped that the next battle will not be engaged so quickly."

Tobias mumbled as he walked toward Sunnara. "C'mon, lads. Let's get back to the city. I'm not diggin' graves for lizards."

Sunnara came into view over the next knoll, where a throng of people parted to show the way into the “City of the Sun.” Rahg felt tired, exhausted, even depressed, but the reception stirred his emotions—victory proved exhilarating. He smiled as the crowd's cheers grew to a deafening roar. He liked the feeling of victory; it made him feel good.

Aenaila tapped Darstan on the shoulder. "They are screaming for you, too, Darstan." Almost an afterthought, she turned to Wisp. "You too, Kender Darnell. You are as much the hero as the rest of them."

"I don't need to be a hero." Wisp's pace quickened, and his gaze shifted, searching every face in the crowd.

"Who are you searching for?” Darstan asked, “that little thief?"

"Don't say it with such disgust. You make me feel guilty."

Darstan finally put a smile on his face. "I think Wisp has grown attached to that little beggar, Aenaila. He can't get his mind off him."

"I don't care one way or the other for the beggar," Wisp said. "I just want to make sure he didn't get into too much trouble while we were gone. I won't shoulder the blame for his mischief."

The noise of the crowd came in waves as they neared the city. Tobias scooted up to take a position between Rahg and Darstan. "Magmar would have been proud of you lads. He always said you would be something special. Probably clawin' to get out of his grave right now at the thought of you havin' powers. But aside from that, he'd be proud."

Rahg smiled. “He used to come storming onto the porch when he was angry, hollering because some chore wasn't done. And he used to yell at those pigs..."

Darstan's voice drooped with sorrow. "I wish he could be here, Tobias. It sure would be nice to have him with us."

A skinny black-haired boy bolted from the grasp of an Entirian priest dressed in a white robe. He ran straight to Wisp.

"Master Kender! You are alive. Are you hurt? I prayed for your safety, Master Kender. You see, I am good luck for you. The gods have blessed you now that you have me."

Wisp disentangled his arms from the little beggar. “He grabbed him by the wrist. "I see you still have all your fingers. They must not be so strict here. I'm surprised."

The white-robed priest was close by Adju, and, as he came near, Adju ducked behind Wisp and clung to his garments even though blood coated them. "Do not let them near me, Master Kender. And do not believe what they say. They are full of lies, all of them. Their tongues do not recognize the truth."

Darstan roared. “I’ve never see anyone better suited to be a son of yours; his tongue is as quick as your knives. He even accuses a priest of lying. Are you certain you weren't in Khatara ten or twelve years ago?"

The priest stared at Wisp, frustration showing in his eyes. "I do not wish to be the bearer of bad news, especially as you are a guest in our land, but the young one has caused much trouble."

The priest heaved a sigh. "We watched him as you asked, but before the day grew warm, he escaped to try to join you on the battlefield. We captured him only to have him make good on two more escapes. Then when we locked him in the temple for safety, we discovered he had stolen from the sacred altar." The priest wore a look of disgust on his face. "He was brought before the shulan for punishment, but when we left the hall, we found that he had stolen the ring from the shulan's finger."

"Adju!"

The little thief let go of Wisp's cloak and stepped out from behind him to face the wrath of the priest. "I will take my punishment with them, Master Kender. You do not have to scold me. If they take a finger, I will have then learned." Adju heaved a heavy sigh. "Maru llam sarag."

"Speak up, you little thief. What does that nonsense mean?"

Camissa looked at Adju with sympathetic eyes. "Whatever the gods will," she said, then her eyes found Wisp. "It is an ancient Khataran saying. When someone faces an uncertain fate, they repeat this prayer hoping for mercy from the gods. I'm surprised that one so young is familiar with it; he must have had a hard life."

"Don't let him fool you with sad tales and sadder eyes, Camissa. He has practiced lies and stories so much he could compete with Tobias." Darstan's smile had almost returned to normal. "If he admits to being a liar, a beggar, and a thief, that you can believe. The first time we met, he stole my purse, then he tried again after we had already caught him. And when he finally knew he was captured, he lied about having to feed a sick mother, and sisters so hungry that death was knocking on their door."

Darstan had not laughed so much since his hand was lost. "And I believed him. If it hadn't been for Wisp, the little thief would have gotten away."

Camissa's eyes hardened under the truth. She held no place for thieves, even though her friend was one of the most notorious.

Adju burst into mock laughter. "Master Darstan enjoys telling tales, fine lady, but do not believe him. I will..."

Wisp grabbed Adju by the hair and yanked him back to his side. The priest had waited patiently for an answer. "I will see to his punishment. And rest assured, it will be nothing like what you had in mind."

"Make way for the shulan, High Lord of Entiria. Make way."

The noise of the crowd subsided, an angry wave to a ripple in a pond. The throng of people parted to let the shulan pass through. He wore a white robe and carried a walking staff in his right hand. The ring on his finger shone like the sun.

"We of Entiria offer our gratitude." He bowed respectfully to each of them, then settled a hardened gaze on Rahg. Rest well tonight, young warrior, we must speak in the morning."

"Speak of what? We're finished. The battle's done."

No smile lit the shulan's face. "This battle was won, it is true. But the war has not yet begun, Rahgnar Fal-Thera. It has not even begun."

Rahg stared out the window at the dismal gray sky. Seldom did the sun stay hidden in Sunnara, but this morning he was glad it had—a gray sky suited the day. It would not seem appropriate to have a sunny sky while so many lay dead on the hillside.

Rahg looked at Darstan, sitting on the side of the bed. "What did Mikkellana have to do with you losing your hand? I didn’t hear the whole story.“

"There's not much more to tell," Darstan said, his head hung low.

"Not much more to tell? I remember when you could spend half a day telling me about a fish you almost caught."

Darstan laughed. "I guess you're right, Ragh." After a short pause, he continued. "Wisp told you about Gregor, how we tried to save him from the Wolfen. While we chased them, Mikkellana appeared and ordered us to stop. I kept going after Gregor, and Takar grabbed me. That's when I found out I was stuck."

Darstan stared at the wall. "I panicked, Rahg. My hand went through the shield, but it wouldn't come out. Hundreds of Gnakas were coming, so Mikkellana ordered Takar to cut it off. I screamed when it happened. And then the Fire came. I don't remember much after that, but Wisp told me I killed them all." Darstan's gaze fell to the floor then back up again to Rahg. "What's wrong with us? How do we have powers? Why?"

"I don't know how or why, Darstan, but I think Aentarra and Mikkellana knew about it before we did."

"They know more than they tell. I'm certain of that." Darstan stood and stretched. "I could see your shield during the battle. It struck me as odd because I couldn't see the one in Sethia."

"Camissa said she couldn't see the Shield. I wonder why you could."

"I don't know, Rahg." They sat in silence for a moment, Darstan staring at nothing and Rahg pacing. "What are we going to do? Everything is so different now."

"The shera wants to see me this morning," Rahg said. "I'm sure everyone has a thousand plans for me, but I don't intend on letting him put a bit in my mouth and tug me around by the reins." Rahg plopped down in a chair next to the door. "They want me to kill the Messenger, whoever that might be. Just go kill somebody I don't even know."

"I'll help you, Rahg. And don't worry so much, we can do it. Besides, I'm sure Rhaven and Tobias will come. Perhaps Wisp." Darstan walked to the window and opened it, breathing fresh air. "I've come to like that thief. He has honor."

A pang of jealousy crept into Rahg's heart. He had seen how close Darstan and Wisp had grown, and it hurt a little.

A knock at the door interrupted them. "Come in," Rahg said.

Camissa opened the door and entered. "You look better, Rahg."

"I bathed."

"Yes, so did I."

Rahg smelled the scented oils in her honey hair, and saw the freshness in her face. Another stab of jealousy hit; a man had bathed her.

"They sent me to get you," Camissa said.

"I'll tell Aenaila," Darstan said, as he closed the door.

As soon as Rahg and Camissa were alone, she threw her arms around him. "I was so frightened. Afraid you would die." Tears ran from soft blue eyes.

Rahg nestled his head against her neck. "You worried me, too. When you went off into... whatever that place was. I didn't know what to do." Rahg won the fight with tears, but his eyes had reddened. "I'm just glad you're back." He stared into her eyes as he unfolded her arms, then he stopped, his lips moving toward hers. Just as they touched, Tobias burst through the door.

"Time to be getting’—” Tobias flushed and turned his head. "Sorry, lad." He rushed the apology and closed the door as he left.

Rahg and Camissa both laughed, then she grabbed him and finished the kiss they had started. "I think you had more than a kiss in mind, Rahg, but that will have to wait. It's time for us to go."

"I don't want to talk with those priests, Camissa."

"Come, Rahg, the shera is waiting." Camissa grabbed his arm.

He yanked his hand away. "Tell the shera to come here if he wants to talk with me."

"They are only trying to help."

"What they're trying to do, Camissa, is have me find and kill the Messenger because they believe he will free the evil one." Fear had secured a hold on Rahg.

"But the prophecies say—”

"The prophecies say many things. Who can decipher them? For all I know they could be telling me to kill someone who's good."

Camissa tried calming him, but he shook her off again.

"How do I even know if I can kill him? He's probably got powers." Rahg resumed his pacing. "Perhaps I won't. Maybe he'll kill me."

Tobias poked his head into the room. "What's takin' so long, lad?"

"He's worried, Tobias. Afraid—”

"I'm not afraid!" Rahg's face turned red and he glared at Camissa. "I never said—”

"Nothin' wrong with bein' afraid, lad. We were all scared at Twin Forks, and in Pomanda, and on that voyage here. I've been more afraid these past ten moons than I have all my life."