Ashes And Spirit (Book 3) (20 page)

Kellinar’s eyes widened, and Maleena knew from the grief-stricken look on his face that he saw the possible futures she’d seen in the lake. After a stretch of time he slowly sank into a chair, elbows propped on his knees and face in his hands.

She gave him a moment to recover from the shock before saying, “You see now that it makes no difference whether or not I use the weave. I die either way. One choice leaves all of you dying with me; the other sees the Guardians intact and gives my daughter and my bondmate a future. I don’t throw myself on a sword because of some perfect, self-sacrificing reason. I wish I could be so noble.” Maleena stared at her hands for a moment. “Honestly if I saw any other way, even if it saw many people killed, I would likely take it. I have no wish to take myself and Nydara to Maiadar.”

Kellinar raised his face from his hands. “How did you survive even viewing that?”

“It wasn’t easy.” She gave him a small, sad smile.

His eyes met hers and in them she saw all of the grief she hoped the weave would spare. “I understand now.” He swallowed hard and blinked rapidly, rubbing his hands over his face. “I don’t like it, but I understand. You are a better person than I am if you can pull it off. I’m not sure I could even begin a weave like that knowing the outcome. But if it works, that was…some sight.”

She nodded, knowing exactly how he felt. “I will be able to create the weave because of Emmaleen. She is what drives me in this. As much as I love all of you, including Mckale, I’ve found another besides Nydara I’m willing to die for. Thankfully, Nydara feels the same as I do.”

Kellinar stared at the floor. “It’s strange to see the ending so many times, all of the possible paths. At least now I don’t have to wonder if the world will survive the Shadow Riders.” He looked up and tears swam in his eyes. “I just have to see it coming and know I’m going to lose a good friend and have to watch another good friend go through losing a bondmate.”

“In war, everyone loses something. I’m merely choosing what I wish to lose.”

He nodded and was silent for a long time, his expression pensive. Finally he sighed and rubbed his hands over his face. “Your mention of choosing reminds me. I have a message for you from the Fates.”

Maleena shook her head, still amazed that Kellinar and Taela had met the Fates even if they couldn’t remember a lot of it. “What message?”

“The incomplete weave breeds the darkness. When the sun sets on bloody snow and the shadows touch your hands, accept it else the world will be destroyed by darkness.”
Kellinar gave her a puzzled look. “Does that make any sense to you?”

Maleena frowned as she repeated the message in her mind. She took a moment to examine the weave as Taela had seen it. It looked complete to her. If it was complete, how could it be incomplete? “No. I have no idea what it means.”

“I suppose it’s one of those ‘when the time is right’ Emallya type things. It appears the Fates seem to enjoy talking in circles as much as she did.” He sighed in exasperation.

“It would seem so.” Maleena chuckled though her mind kept turning the message over trying to understand it.

K
irynn unbuckled the catcher strap and tossed it up on the saddle. The people of Welan poured out to meet them, the early sun creating long shadows that rippled over the grass. Watching them, she reached for the emotions she had shut down at Trilene. Basc had set her reconnection back and left her struggling again.

As usual, little Lenya was the first to reach them on her short legs. “Did you bring it, Kirynn? Did you bring it?”

“Did I bring what?” Kirynn feigned confusion while Vaddoc chuckled.

“My zahri.” Lenya’s expression became uncertain, and she stopped her headlong rush.

Kirynn pretended to think. “Your zahri? Hmm, wasn’t there something about a Lenya-sized zahri, Vaddoc?”

“I think there was.” He nodded.

“Oh yes, I seem to remember now.” She turned and pulled a small replica of her own zahri from the ties on Syrakynn’s saddle. “Is this what you’re wanting?”

Lenya squealed in delight and clapped her pudgy hands together. “Mama, lookee what Kirynn brought me!”

Anly eyed the small weapon warily. “Are you sure that is a good idea?”

“The blades on the ends can’t hold an edge for anything.” Kirynn snorted. “Even in Boromar, she would be too young for a real weapon.”

Lenya tugged at her pant leg. “Will you show me?”

“Of course, little one.” Kirynn glanced at Vaddoc. “Go speak with Medar and find out if there are any issues that need to be handled.” She knelt next to Lenya. “You hold it like this,” she said, placing the miniature weapon in Lenya’s hands. The action thawed more of the emotions inside Kirynn’s heart, and she welcomed it. Even though she wasn’t back to normal, it felt good to feel.

Kirynn stood as Lenya’s older sister approached. “I brought yours as well, Tenyi.”

The girl, on the verge of becoming a woman, paused, her quiet hazel eyes conveying more emotion than her expression. “I wasn’t sure if you would remember.”

“I never forget.” Kirynn untied the second zahri from Syrakynn’s saddle. The sun flashed off the twelve-inch blades that tipped either end of the long weapon. She leveled a stern look at Tenyi. “Unlike Lenya’s zahri, this one is functional. The blades are made from the best metal Galdrilene has to offer. It is superior to the blades your Border Guards carry in quality, craftsmanship, and its ability to hold a sharp edge. This zahri must be in your control at all times. The blades will not differentiate between friend or foe. It’s up to you to handle it properly. You will treat this weapon with the respect it deserves at all times.”

Tenyi stood a little straighter. “I will honor your teaching and treat this weapon appropriately.” Her mother looked worried but remained silent.

Syrakynn and Namir raised their voices in welcome as another Slide spun open and a red dragon came through. Younger than and not quite as large as Syrakynn, Tanis was still impressive. The red landed in the tall grass and rumbled a greeting at everyone.

Marcaius, his rider, removed the safety straps and leaped down. With quick movements, he released the catcher strap and tossed it up on the dragon’s back then untied his zahri from the saddle.

“Nice of you to finally join us,” Kirynn called.

He jogged over to where she stood, his long, red, Boromari braid swinging behind him. “Tanis took some extra time fixing the image of this place in his mind. This is the longest Slide we’ve made.” Marcaius glanced at the two younger girls, each holding a zahri. “Teaching, are we?”

“They both want to learn. I was just getting ready to show how to properly hold the weapon, and then walk through some basic moves.” She gestured to the two girls. “This is Tenyi and her younger sister, Lenya. Girls, this is Marcaius. His dragon, Tanis, has just mastered Sliding, so you will be seeing more of him.”

Tenyi smiled at him in her quiet way.

Lenya beamed, her smile lighting up her face. “I am going to be like Kirynn.”

Marcaius grinned. “And so you shall be, young warrior.” He glanced at Kirynn. “Mind if I join in?”

“Not at all. You show Tenyi how to hold it while I show Lenya.” She knelt next to the young girl again and gently moved Lenya’s little hands on the weapon. “You want to place your hands a little farther apart like this.”

Lenya’s expression was one of total concentration as Kirynn walked her slowly through two or three different holds and instructed her on proper handling. Tenyi too paid close attention to Marcaius. The girls were like sponges soaking up the information.

After the girls were comfortable holding the weapons, they took them through some rudimentary maneuvers. Moving slow and careful, they showed them how to block basic blows. Though Tenyi was much quicker to pick up the instruction than Lenya, the younger girl still showed obvious joy.

Over an hour later, Lenya wandered away with her little zahri to play with the dragons. Kirynn smiled as she watched her go, impressed that the four-year-old had enough attention span to last an hour.

Tenyi wasn’t ready to quit though, so Kirynn and Marcaius went back to instructing her. The older girl had a natural grace about her and as she became more comfortable, her movements became more fluid. Though not ready to go beyond the basic movements or spar, she still showed an aptitude with the weapon.

Another hour later, Kirynn stopped the lesson. “That’s enough for today. You practice what you learned, and we’ll work with you again tomorrow.”

Tenyi sighed but nodded. “Yes, Di’shan.” Disappointment flashed briefly in her eyes.

“We can make the lesson longer tomorrow if you wish,” Marcaius said.

Her face lit up. “Thank you.” She glanced between them. “I’ve never seen you use the zahri. What is it like to use it for real?”

Kirynn smiled. “Would you like us to show you? Marcaius and I can spar for a little bit to demonstrate how it looks when used by experienced fighters.”

Tenyi nodded. “Oh yes, if you don’t mind.”

Marcaius shook his head and chuckled as he moved out into the grass, his blue eyes flashing. “This should be interesting.”

“Why is that?” Tenyi frowned.

“Marcaius was one of my age-mates during my years of training in Boromar.” Kirynn flashed the girl a smile. “A sparring match between us has never yielded a winner. Before he was called, I would have taken him. Now that he’s a rider too, we’re back to square one.”

Kirynn followed Marcaius a short distance and set her feet.

“Should I call for Miya to bring Serena? Or perhaps Vasa could bring Nolan,”
Syrakynn sent.

“No, we probably won’t injure each other too badly.”
Kirynn turned her attention to Marcaius. “Whenever you’re ready.”

She met him the moment he moved, the blades of her zahri flashing through the air. He shifted in time with her, attacking and defending, their weapons a blur. Like dancers, they moved around each other, neither able to get the upper hand.

The idea of simple sparring blew away with the cool breeze. Her competitive nature rose as she battled Marcaius. By the serious look in his blue eyes, it wasn’t just sparring for him anymore either. Blood ran from several small cuts on Kirynn, but she gave as good as she got. Competitors first, friends second, Kirynn went after him with more determination and speed than she’d ever used against Vaddoc. Unlike Vaddoc, Marcaius met her move for move. The solid wood pole of her zahri slammed him in the jaw, a second later his smashed into her ribs.

Her attempts to sweep his feet from under him while attacking with her zahri were met with air, just as he was unable to do the same to her. She did manage to land a kick in his stomach. He retaliated by whacking her upside the head with his foot before she could block him. The heavy sparring went on until they both stood with their hands braced against their knees, gasping for air. Kirynn had no idea how much time had passed, but given the extended endurance of a Dragon Rider, it must have been quite a while.

The silence around them was broken by clapping. Kirynn straightened and looked toward the sound. The entire village of Welan had gathered at some point. Vaddoc strolled up to them with a smile on his face. “That was truly impressive. Are you both all right, or do I need to have a healer Slide here?”