The Corin Chronicles Volume I: The Light and the Dark (8 page)

“No? Then what is it that you seek, my lady?” asked Elwin. “The empty words of men who speak of prophecies that bear no significance? Would you really indulge words drawn from dreams?”

“So you do not believe in the Anointed One then?” Selena’s eyebrows raised as she spoke.

“Well, depending on where you go, you will hear a different version. Some say his sole purpose is the resurgence of Corin. Some say he will cleanse the universe, ridding it of all gods, even Auphora. My question is this, do we really want to stop believing in the God that saved us from an apocalypse?”

“But we do not really know what happened.” Selena stopped holding on to her son and faced Elwin directly. “We only know what our rulers tell us. Baran was my god. We do not know what drove him to the decisions he made, but now that he is gone, how can we be sure that Auphora will not do the same?”

“I’d advise you to keep your voice down, my lady. You could be beheaded if anyone hears you speaking of Auphora in that light.”

Selena slowly retreated, and her breathing became heavy. “Please accept my most sincere apologies,” she said. “I sometimes let my emotions get the better of me, and I should not. It has just been hard for everyone in Corin. For years we have been traveling through the Shallows, trying to get here. Many lives have been lost, including more than a few friends.”

“So what is it that you seek here?” asked Elwin again.

“I seek only one man and no other—the one who goes by the name of Kirinki. Kirinki Shamana.”

Elwin maintained his gaze on her for a few seconds and then diverted it to the boy. Slowly taking a few steps forward, he stopped in front of Selena. “And why is it that you seek Kirinki? How do you even know his name?”

“Please,” Selena said. A hint of worry crept into her voice. “I just need his assistance to secure safe passage to Goneca. That is all.”

“Goneca?” Elwin asked, edging closer. “So you wish to remain in Tyranis?”

Selena nodded.

“If it is transportation to Goneca you require, any one of the carriages could take you.” Elwin hardly blinked. “If it is private transportation you desire, it would not cost much to hire one or two men. But the services of Kirinki would come at a price. His companions are many, and they never travel without each other. His services are typically for those who require protection as well as transportation.” He edged even closer to Selena, gently putting his lips by her ear before whispering into it. “What are you hiding from? Surely you must know that Auphora’s troops will not harm a woman and her young child. Or do you protect another?”

“Please, I must speak to Kirinki.” Selena’s tone turned coarse. “My business with him is just that—my business.”

“Very well, then!” Elwin rapidly retreated and gave the boy a forced smile. “He resides in that tent.” He pointed to a very clean-looking tent encroached between two huts. “I hope you have adequate means to pay him, because Kirinki does not like strangers knowing of him without good reason.” Elwin started to walk toward the docks before fading out of sight.

Nervously, Selena approached the tent and flicked open the flap covering the entrance. The inside seemed surprisingly spacious. She saw a number of men huddled around a sheet of paper on the ground. At first glance, it looked like a map, but she could not entirely make it out. Seeing that there was no immediate danger, she gently led her son into the tent.

No one noticed her at first, so she quietly coughed. The eyes of all the men immediately shifted toward her. Still crouching, the men focused solely on her without saying a word. She wondered whether or not she should introduce herself, but instead she tried to identify Kirinki from among the six faces that looked up at her. The man on her immediate left seemed too stocky. The person next to him was a plump man with dimples. As she continued to examine them, she noticed that most of the men were quite large, but only one fit Kirinki’s description. The man remained close to the others but not directly in their midst. He had a slimmer face with soft features. His shiny, long locks and easy smile hinted at a gentle persona. His cloak also seemed to be made of softer materials than of those around him. That he was also the only person smiling made her look in his direction as she began to speak.

“Apologies for disturbing you all,” she said. “My name is Selena Simpa, and I seek a man by the name of Kirinki Shamana.” She surprised herself with the tone of authority that accompanied her words.

The men continued looking at her, occasionally exchanging glances with each other. The fair-haired man lost his smile, and a scowl started to emerge. Unsure of what to say in that moment, Selena held on tighter to her son’s hand. “Again, I apologize if I am interrupting, but I was told that Kirinki resides here,” she continued. “If I was misinformed, please tell me where I can find him, and I will be on my way.”

“What business do you have with Kirinki?” asked the plump man. None of the other men had moved.

“I need his services to get to Goneca. I am prepared to pay.”

The fair-haired man finally spoke up. “But if it is Goneca you need to get to, why don’t you take one of the many carriages going there? It will be much cheaper than going with Kirinki.”

“I will pay handsomely for Kirinki’s services,” Selena said firmly. “Besides, it is only in him I trust.”

Her words brought a bemused expression from everyone inside the tent, and the stocky man to her left started to approach her. “And what do you know of Kirinki?” he asked.

“I know nothing of him. But as I traveled through the Shallows, from Corin to Tyranis, his name gave me hope.” She walked closer toward the men, still holding on to her child. “I watched men, women, and children fall to their deaths whilst on the back of a Kalkarat, but even when in the darkest place, his name made the impossible seem possible.”

“But why?” asked the fair-haired man, who also started to approach. “Why would the thought of a man you have never met give you such hope?” He moved his gaze to a corner of the tent inhabited by nobody. “The Kalkarat are truly great creatures,” he spoke almost to himself. “Once regarded as the greatest predators in any land, they now provide transportation through the Shallows to different worlds. Fierce in appearance, wings the size of at least two men—they are really one of the most remarkable creatures in Auphora’s universe.

“For years they can fly, without even the hint of an incident. But once they become hungry, it all changes. For they must feed, and then the hunt begins. And when they do find their prey, the calm shatters. They fly high and low until their hunger is no more.” He returned his gaze to Selena. “The mere fact that you are here means that you survived its fury at times of hunger, but I’m guessing some were not so lucky. Is it one of these people who told you of my name?”

Selena sighed loudly. She had suspected that he was the man she sought. “Yes, yes,” she said, almost shouting. “But she did not die because our transporters needed to feed. I met her as we boarded our second Kalkarat. She was so full of love and compassion, and with her dying words, she spoke much of you and told me that only you could protect us. Her name was Genevieve.”

All eyes in the tent immediately turned to Kirinki, who seemed frozen to the spot where he stood. Flicking the back of his hair, he returned to his original sitting position, looking toward the ground. Finally, he asked, “How exactly did she die?”

Selena stirred worriedly, feeling every eye upon her. “We came under heavy attack whilst inside the Shallows,” she started. “Our Kalkarat sustained heavy injuries but still flew. We survived wave upon wave of attacks, and the Kalkarats started to fight back, and hope slowly returned. But something happened then. We were attacked by the Noboros.” Selena noticed the eyes of the men widen. “There were three of them, and they seemed bent on killing. Some of the Kalkarats fell to the fury of their flames, but ours escaped. Yet in the midst of the battle, many sustained great injuries, and several died. Genevieve was among them.” Releasing the grip on her son, Selena walked toward Kirinki, sparing glances at the other men. “Is it fair to say that you loved her?”

Kirinki stayed in the same position for a short while, tears slowly forming in his eyes. Forcefully, he wiped his face and stood to his feet. “There can be no talk here about love,” he said harshly. “The Battle of Corin might be over, but we are still at war.” Looking at Selena, he spoke in a softer tone. “You still have not told me why you need my protection. Genevieve knows what it is that I do, and she would never suggest my services unless you were in grave danger.”

“I would prefer not to get into the details of my predicament,” said Selena. “But I can only stress that it is imperative that I get to Goneca as soon as possible. I am willing to pay whatever amount you require.” Selena pulled out a pouch and laid it on the ground. “Everything there is yours, if only you will help us.”

Although only half open, the immense glow coming from within the purse caught the men unaware, and they could only stare in awe. Rushing down on his knees, the plump man opened it completely and, along with every other man in the tent, looked on in disbelief at the amount of diamonds, rubies, and gold that lay in front of him. “By the gods,” he said. “There is enough here to enrich a country.” He looked at Selena. “How is it that such a slender, simple woman as you, travels with so much wealth?” He rose to his feet with a bewildered look on his face.

“That is of no importance,” Selena replied sharply. “I fear for the life and safety of my son. Corin is still at war, even if Auphora insists otherwise. I am happy to sacrifice my life if the time is right, but my son must live.”

“And why is it that you protect him as you do?” asked Kirinki. “As he stands there, you even protect his identity with the veil that covers his face. He has not spoken a single word, yet surely he is at the age where speech should come naturally.” He walked toward the boy, who seemed to be trembling. “What is your name, son?”

Frantically, the boy ran toward his mother and held on to her hand. She gently eased him behind her and spared a glance at Kirinki, along with everyone else in the tent. “His name is Siroco,” she said. “How I choose to dress him is of no concern to you, and neither is why I choose to protect him.” The earlier authority started to creep into her voice once more. “All I ask is that you provide us safe passage and protection for our journey, and after we arrive in Goneca, and I will pay you handsomely.”

“And what makes you think we will not just take all of your jewels right now and send you on your way?” said the plump man aggressively.

“Because I am a man of honor,” interrupted Kirinki. “And Genevieve trusted her enough to tell her about me.” He turned around to face the rest of the men. “While I am alive,” he continued, “no one touches her or her son.” He returned his gaze to Selena. “I will take you through the forest and across the River Kinetic, and when we get to Goneca, I and my men shall stay with you until the danger has passed.”

At that moment, the stocky man shot forward and grabbed Kirinki’s hand, looking into his eyes as if trying to understand why he was so quick to indulge a woman he had never met before with such ridiculous demands. “But why would we do that?” he asked. “Taking them to Goneca is a reasonable request, with the right payment, but staying in Goneca until the danger passes? No one knows when that will be. And while we are there, good work will go to another. She does not have enough diamonds or rubies to ask for that.”

“Please understand me, Samma,” said Kirinki. “I will only accept the woman’s diamonds because I too need to make a living, but my services to her are not bound by how much she offers me. If Genevieve gave her my name, I will do everything in my power to ensure that she remains safe.”

Samma opened his mouth to speak but was promptly interrupted by Kirinki. “That is all I choose to say on the matter. You have my decision.” He made his way to the entrance of the tent and stepped outside.

After a moment, looking at the other men became uncomfortable for Selena. It was obvious that they disagreed with Kirinki in regards to taking them to Goneca, but he was clearly their leader. Minutes passed before the tent entrance flicked open to reveal Kirinki returning with a tall, slender woman close behind. Selena noticed that she was dressed in very lightweight clothing. Her eyes were large, as were her lips, and the smile she carried with her seemed to ease the tension Selena had previously sensed in Siroco.

“Lady Selena, this is Gertrude, and she will lead you to your tent,” Kirinki said. “We leave at first light tomorrow.”

“Your kindness will never be forgotten, Master Kirinki.” Selena lunged forward and gave the fair-haired man a hug before exiting with her son and Gertrude.

Refusing to meet the hard stares from his men, Kirinki swiftly left the tent and continued to walk deeper into the village, before retiring into a larger tent that resided on the edge, isolated from the others.

2.2

L
EAVING
C
ALCARA

T
he cool, morning breeze outside Calcara felt soothing, and the silence did not bring the eeriness Selena had felt for most of her journey through the Shallows. The vast tunnel of the portal had filled her with fear, and sometimes a feeling of hyperventilation. The longer she had spent inside the bright, red atmosphere of the Shallows, the more it affected her psyche, and the more she had to convince herself that the artificial air was safe to breathe. In time, the taste of insects and dead plants had become a luxury. It was the only food she remembered eating during her journey. The occasional screams emitted from the Kalkarat, which flew through the silence, were her sole reminder that she was actually still alive. But even the burning rocks that scalded her feet as they boarded different transporters did nothing to deter her from the hope of emerging through the seemingly endless path.