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Chapter Three: The Tracker
Adesina paced the length of her tent, her eyes fixed on her boots.
Her mind swarmed with a dozen different emotions, and she didn’t know which one
was the strongest.
She felt anger at the audacity of this man to walk back into her
life as if he had a right to be there. She was vividly reminded of the pain of
Kendan’s betrayal. She felt sorrow for all that had been stolen by the Shimat
and by those loyal to the organization. Also, she was confused by the strength
of all of her emotions. After all, she had believed that she had put her past
behind her.
Kendan and the other cloaked figure remained by the entrance, and
Ravi sat to the side. All of the queen’s counselors had exited the tent moments
before at their monarch’s command.
Kendan looked as though he wanted to say something, but he knew it
would be best to wait until Adesina was ready. He felt it best not to rush his
former pupil.
Several minutes passed before Adesina felt calm enough speak.
“What are you doing here, Kendan?”
He cleared his throat quietly and spoke in a reasonable tone. “I
told you, I want to help you find your king.”
“Why would you want to do that?” she shot back acidly.
There was a brief pause before he replied, and his eyes were full
of meaning. “Not everything you know about me is a lie, Adesina.”
She stiffened. “The Shimat perception of truth is always
convenient to their purposes.”
He flinched at her hate-filled words, but he said nothing in
return.
Adesina stopped pacing and faced the man before her. “So, how
would rescuing my husband benefit
you?” She emphasized the word, gauging his response.
Kendan didn’t even flicker an eyelid. He had heard reports of her
marriage less than a week after it had taken place. “From a very young age I
have known more about the Shimat organization than most of its members. My aunt
has trained me with the intention that I will someday—far in the future, of
course—take her place as Sharifal. I have not always felt easy with the
knowledge I have been given, and my misgivings have grown significantly over
the past several years.”
There was a hesitant pause and Adesina stared at him, hardly
believing her ears.
The Shimat organization taught its members unquestioning loyalty
from childhood. It was almost unheard of for there to be dissenters—Adesina
herself being the only example that readily came to mind.
The young queen urged Kendan on. “What are you saying?”
He took a deep breath before continuing. “I am saying that I can
no longer be a part of the Shimat.”
Adesina was speechless. She stood frozen in place, unable to
decide how to react.
Kendan passed a hand over his eyes and his other fist clenched in
growing agitation. “My aunt kept telling me that changes were about to be made,
and that I would help shape the future of the Shimat. I thought that I could
turn it into the kind of organization that we tell the students it is.” He
shook his head. “I know now that such changes will never take place. My aunt
was using me, just as she uses everyone else.”
The tent was silent. No one knew what to say after such a momentous
declaration.
Ravi was the first to recover. “Does the Sharifal know that you
have broken with them?”
Adesina’s former teacher gave a small smile. “No. The members of
that organization do not treat traitors kindly, and I have no desire to lose my
life.”
The queen’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Then how do we know we
can trust what you say?”
“My aunt will know soon enough that I am not returning to her
service.” He gestured to the figure standing next to him, “I have taken their
Tracker without permission. Once that is discovered, they will know.”
Adesina and Ravi looked at the person with questioning
expressions, and Kendan gave a short command in a language that the queen
didn’t understand.
The Tracker reached up and pulled back her cowl, exposing an exotic
face. Her light tan skin had golden undertones, and she had almond-shaped eyes.
Her shining black hair was in a long braid that rested on her slender shoulder.
Her face was delicate, but her expression was stony and cold. Her brown eyes
were fixed on the ground, and she refused to acknowledge the existence of the
others in the tent.
“This is Maizah,” introduced Kendan. “She is the Tracker for the
Shimat.”
“What does that mean?” asked Adesina.
“She can track down magic-users,” he replied simply.
Surprisingly, Ravi was the one to give a detailed explanation.
“She has a very rudimentary ability to connect to her vyala, and she senses a sympathy in those who can do the same.
Someone with your abilities would shine like a beacon to her, Ma’eve.”
Kendan studied the Rashad with a curious expression on his face.
He had only met Ravi briefly five years ago—during the rescue mission at the
Shimat fortress—and he was very interested in learning more about Adesina’s
guardian. “How do you know about her?”
Ravi gave him a level, measuring stare. “The eyes of my people see
more than what is immediately apparent.”
Adesina smothered the urge to smile as Kendan began to shift
uncomfortably. She kept her voice brisk and cool. “Tell me, Maizah, why do you
wish to aid me in my search?”
The young woman was silent.
“She cannot answer you,” said Kendan quietly.
The queen repeated the question in the Shimat language, but there
was still no response.
“I did not mean that she does not understand the common tongue.
She cannot answer you because she cannot speak. She is mute.”
“How convenient that she cannot corroborate your story.” Her words
dripped with sarcasm.
His expression darkened. “Why not use your magic to read her
mind?” he quipped.
Adesina knew he wasn’t serious, but it brought an idea into her
thoughts. “Very well.”
She connected to her vyala
and focused on the part of her mind that turned her vision a light green.
Adesina was unique among her people in that she could use every type of
gift—which outsiders called magic—instead of just one or two. Her usually
purple eyes swirled with a light metallic green, indicating that she was now
able to sense the intentions and emotions of those around her.
She purposefully avoided Kendan—something deep within her warned
that she was not prepared to face what she would find there—and turned all of
her attention to the young woman standing next to him. Maizah didn’t move, but
she stiffened as she sensed a surge of magical ability.
Adesina spoke gently. “Do not be afraid, Maizah. I mean you no
harm.”
The haze of orange that surrounded the Tracker’s core flared with
anxiety. She didn’t believe her.
“I was once a Shimat, but I left that way of life years ago. Now I
strive to live a life of peace.”
Tendrils of yellowish green crept through the orange. She was
cautious, but curious to learn more.
“Six years ago I met a man who taught me the truth about my
history. He showed me the value of kindness and honesty and trust. I learned
that I could be so much more than a weapon or a tool of fear.”
The orange aura around Maizah’s core faded to a sorrowful grey.
She knew all too much about being used for the purposes of others.
“That man saved my life. Or, rather, he gave me back my life.”
Adesina paused to study the exotic face before her. There was no hint of
emotion, but she could see past the habitual mask of indifference. “That man
has been taken by my enemies. If I cannot find a way to rescue him, he will
meet a fate worse than death.”
The grey turned to a firm brown, showing determination.
The young queen smiled. “Will you help me find him?”
Maizah gave a single nod, and Kendan looked amazed.
“I have never seen her respond beyond obeying a command.”
“Have you ever even tried to truly communicate with her?” asked
Ravi.
Kendan did not answer, but he looked distinctly uncomfortable.
Adesina turned to face her former teacher, and her purple and gold eyes took on
a determined gleam.
“Very well. You may come with us to rescue my husband, but listen
to me carefully. I do not trust you, nor do my people. If there is even the
slightest sign that you are betraying us, I will personally see to it that you
never have another opportunity.”
He saw the dangerous expression on her face, and he knew that she
was not exaggerating. Still, he gave a sardonic smile. “I do not doubt it.”
Her head dipped a fraction of an inch towards her guardian, and
Ravi nodded in return. “I will show you to your quarters for the night, and I
will stay with you until we leave in the morning.”
The Shimat looked uneasy. “I do not feel that is necessary.”
“But we do,” was the short reply.
Maizah followed without question, and the three of them left the
young queen on her own. However, she didn’t remain in her solitude for long.
News of her imminent departure had spread throughout the camp, and
there were many people who had requests or concerns to bring to her before she
left. She sent a message for K’eb and E’nes to join her, and the three of them
spent the next several hours going over rations and military support and
assignments for the construction of the settlement.
There were many L’avan that came to her tent to wish her well on
her journey and give her a parting gift. Most of the gifts were of food or
other useful supplies, since there was so little in the camp that could be
spared. Every single well-wisher insisted that their offering was insignificant
and that they could easily spare it. Adesina knew better, and her heart swelled
with gratitude for their sacrifice.
She spent the last few hours before dawn preparing for the
journey. She was glad that Ravi wasn’t there to scold her about pressing
herself too hard. She wouldn’t have been able to sleep even if she had tried.
Cor’a appeared before first light with a hearty breakfast and news
that her horse was ready. Adesina ate what she could, but her worry made
everything taste like sand. Her maid started to pull out a travelling gown for
her to wear, but Adesina raised a hand to stop the young woman.
The queen had been putting off changing her clothes because she
knew what she had to do, and she dreaded it.
She walked over to her trunk and opened it slowly. Wrapped in a
cloth at the very bottom were the black garments of her Shimat uniform. Her
chest constricted at the sight of them, as if they embodied everything that
tainted her former life.
Adesina chided herself silently.
They were only clothes, and they were the most practical choice
for the task that was before her.
She did not allow Cor’a to help her dress, feeling as though it
was a burden that she had to take of her own accord.
The black leather vest—which served as a light armor—fit more
snugly than she remembered, but everything else felt the same. The knee-high
boots were still supple and soundless; the black gloves still seemed like part
of her skin rather than a hindrance to her dexterity. Instead of donning the
black blouse that was worn underneath the vest, though, she substituted a white
one. It made her feel better about wearing the uniform that represented her
enemies.
Adesina held the soft tube of cloth that served as a hood and the
long scarf that was usually wrapped around it. She had no intention of wearing
the Shimat mask, but she wondered if she should take it with her anyway. The
white blouse she wore would make stealth extremely difficult—if not
impossible—so why bother hiding her face?
She tossed the scarf and hood back into the trunk, and pulled out
her dark riding cloak. She trusted Cor’a to be discreet, but she didn’t want
anyone else seeing her wear the clothing of the Shimat. Adesina had made this
choice because she knew she couldn’t do all that would be necessary on this
mission while wearing a dress, and she didn’t own any other suitable trousers.
The L’avan all knew of her past, though, and it wouldn’t do for them to assume
she was reverting to her former self.
Adesina gave her young maid’s hand a squeeze in thanks and
farewell, and then she stepped out into the chill morning air. Summer was
approaching, but the pre-dawn still felt very much like spring. The early rays
of light were appearing on the horizon, and it looked like the day would be
warm and fair.
Most of the L’avan were standing silently by the entrances to
their tents, watching their young queen depart from the settlement. There was
no fanfare, no ceremony, but they all wanted to see her off as she went to
restore their hopes for the future.
Her companions were waiting for her at the edge of the settlement.
Mar’sal and Than’os were speaking quietly to E’nes, and Ravi kept his place at
Kendan’s side. Maizah was already sitting on her horse, waiting patiently to
depart.
Adesina noted with a glance that her own grey mare was nowhere to
be seen. She paused in shock when she recognized the glossy black stallion with
a white star on his forehead.
“Torith!”
It was the horse that L’iam had given her after her first visit to
Yavar, the capital city of Pevothem. Adesina had been forced to leave him behind
during the escape from the Shimat fortress five years ago.
She moved forward to touch his face, and he nuzzled her hand in
greeting. Adesina was pleased that he remembered her after such a short time
together. “How did you get here?” she asked the horse with a smile.
“I brought him with me,” answered Kendan. “The Shimat who were
guarding the gate when you were last at the fortress told me that you had
ridden up on him, and I could see that he was no ordinary stallion. I claimed
him as my own after things quieted down, and I promised him that I would return
him to you.”
The smile faded from her face as she turned to her former teacher.
“Thank you.”
“That is not all,” Kendan continued. “There is one more thing that
I claimed that night, and I promised myself to return it to you.”
He unbuckled the sword that was strapped to his back, and he
offered it to her with a hesitant expression on his face.
Adesina knew what it was immediately. She stared at the sword for
several moments, uncertain if she wanted it or not. Finally, she accepted it
and held it gently. It was still as perfectly balanced as she remembered, and
it still felt like it belonged in her hands. The simple sheath bore the image
of a diving falcon—the codename by which she had been known as a Shimat. The
young queen drew the blade and studied the exquisite workmanship and the
intricate designs that had been etched along its slender length.
It was her Blood Sword. The weapon that had been infused with a
few drops of her own blood, and given to her upon her graduation from Shimat
training.
Kendan could see the conflict on her face. “Zadok learned to be a
blacksmith in a land across the sea. He said that it was common practice to
make Blood Weapons, and that it was believed that it created a bond of loyalty
between a warrior and his weapon. The Shimat may have forged your sword, but it
only belongs to you.”
Adesina nodded slowly and replaced it in its sheath. “Again, thank
you.”
He shook his head and turned away, as if denying his worthiness of
her gratitude.
E’nes approached his younger sister with tears in his eyes. He
embraced her gently and whispered into her hair, “I almost cannot bear to see
you go. Who will protect you and keep you out of trouble?”
She smiled as she hugged him back. There had been a time when she
could not imagine having a brother, but now she could not imagine being without
him. E’nes had become a steadying and strengthening force in her life, and she
already missed him fiercely.
“Ravi will keep an extra eye on me on your behalf.”
He gave a small laugh. “I suppose he will.”
Adesina looked up at her brother’s loving face and her heart was
filled with warmth. “Thank you for taking care of me, E’nes. I would have been
lost without you.”
“That sounds too much like a final goodbye,” he said with a frown.
“Is that not what one says when leaving?”
“No. We shall say farewell until we meet again.”
She chuckled at his insistence. “Very well. Farewell until we meet
again.”
E’nes nodded in satisfaction. “Do not do anything foolish, little
sister.”
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