Legacy of the Blood (The Threshold Trilogy) (3 page)

“But the monarchy—” began one of the counselors.

“The monarchy will survive,” cut off Adesina. “As you mentioned
earlier, there are many worthy candidates. However, I intend for King L’iam to
have a long and prosperous reign.”

“There is more than the monarchy to consider,” inserted the oldest
of the advisors. “You are the Threshold Child, and the people know it. You are
meant to lead the L’avan to our golden age of prosperity. Will you take away
your people’s faith as well as their security?”

Ravi spoke for the first time since the meeting began. “The
prophecy of the Threshold Child says nothing about a golden age. It promises
that we will be led back to the path of our true purpose, and that will happen
one way or another. If the queen is the Threshold Child, she will be the one to
lead. If she is not, then the true Threshold Child will take that place. It is
not for us to make the prophecy happen.”

“But, the people—” sputtered the old man.

“The people trust me,” stated Adesina simply, “and you should,
too. I have given them a purpose during my absence, and I will rely on all of
you to keep their focus on accomplishing all that they can. They will not be
afraid if they feel they are building our future.”

“What will you do?” asked E’nes quietly.

She sighed and leaned forward. “It seems to me that we have few
options. I will talk to Ri’sel and find out where they were when King L’iam was
captured. I will go to that location and see if I can pick up the trail. Ravi
can help me to track them.”

“Surely you will take a party with you, your Majesty.” It was half
question, half statement.

“I have agreed to take two soldiers with me,” she replied.

“Only two?”

“But, your Majesty—”

“I really must object.”

The queen held up a hand and waited for silence.

“I know that you all find such a small force worrisome. Please
believe me when I say that it is for the best. A small group will travel faster
and attract less attention. Also, I do not plan on engaging the enemy directly.
All I want to do is free King L’iam and return home.”

There was a thoughtful silence as the counselors considered the
queen’s words. Adesina could see by their expressions that they were trying to
think up convincing arguments of why she should stay or why she should take a
small army.

“Which soldiers will you be taking with you, your Majesty?”

She glanced at her brother. “E’nes has offered to choose them for
me.”

He cleared his throat. “I will ask Than’os and Mar’sal to
accompany her. They are free to refuse, of course, but I do not think that they
will. They are both very intelligent and excellent warriors. I firmly believe
that they are the best candidates for this mission to free our king.”

Adesina was relieved that she approved of his decision. She had
trained both men personally, and she had worked with them before. She trusted
them, and she would be glad to have their assistance on this mission.

“How much time will this mission require, your Majesty?”

Adesina frowned thoughtfully. “A lot of that depends on what type
of force kidnapped the king. We will be at least a week’s distance behind, and
that is a considerable disadvantage. If they are a larger group, they will move
slower and we can catch up without too many problems. If they are a small
group, it will be much more difficult. I would assume that it will take at
least two or three months. Quite possibly more.”

One of the younger advisors spoke haltingly, as if reluctant to
bring up his concern. “How will we know if your mission has…failed?”

Communication was always the most difficult part of any journey.
Adesina wasn’t sure how to solve such a problem.

“The Rashad,” answered Ravi.

The queen turned to her guardian. “What do you mean?”

“I will ask that a Rashad be sent to this settlement, and we can
communicate through our Dreams. I can also communicate with our leader in
Yavar, so all of the L’avan will know how the mission is progressing.”

Adesina smiled broadly. “That is a wonderful idea, Ravi. Then we
can also know how things are going here in the settlement.” She got to her feet
and everyone followed her suit. “We shall set out tomorrow morning, as soon as
supplies can be gathered. With any luck, King L’iam will be home again before
the autumn.”

“If you wish to save your king, you will need my aid,” said a deep
voice from the entrance of the tent.

All eyes whipped to the figures that had gone unnoticed until that
moment. Both newcomers wore black cloaks with the cowls drawn. One appeared to
be female, due to the short stature and slight build. The other was clearly
male, with broad shoulders and a sword strapped to his back.

“Who are you?” demanded Adesina.

The male figure reached up and drew back his cowl to shed light
upon his face. She immediately recognized the dark, serious eyes and handsome
features of the man before her. Thousands of memories flashed through her mind,
and all of the emotions that accompanied those recollections sent her heart
racing.

His was a face that she knew well—a face she had never imagined to
see again.

She felt her chest tighten in a mixture of anger and regret, and
it took her several moments to find her voice.

“Kendan.”

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.