The Knife's Edge (25 page)

“Are you sure it still exists?” Mura asked.

“What still exists?” Gray said.

“The Shining City,” Karil replied.

Omni whipped out his sword and drew lines in the dirt. “The road leads north, between valleys, and at last to a range of mountains. From there, the road to the Shining City is treacherous. It is icy with steep falls, and much of it has been worn with time, but if you can make it to the mountain’s peak, you may find a safe haven,” he said, stabbing his sword at the summit of the drawing upon the tallest mountain.

“Where will we part?” Mura asked.

Dared, the ever-silent Ronin answered, “Not far ahead, there’s a fork in the road. There we can lead the Kage astray.”

“You can’t leave,” Ayva said suddenly.

Darius shook his head, and lowered his heated voice, “They just nearly killed you! You still want them around?”

Ayva’s fists gripped her split riding skirt. “What will we do without them? You know as well as I, the Ronin are the only thing between us and the Kage.”

“Not the only thing,” Omni answered, looking to him. Gray felt the hot weight of eyes. Luckily Maris spoke, attracting their attention.

“I will stay as well,” Maris said abruptly. Gray watched tremors of surprise pass among the other Ronin’s faces, but most of all he watched Omni. In that moment, a thousand emotions passed between Omni and Maris, far too complex and subtle for Gray to decipher, but then it was gone and Gray wondered if he was seeing things.

“So be it,” Omni said at last. “You will stay and keep them safe, fulfilling my promise, and we will ride to face the Kage, once and for all. “

“That is all I ever asked,” Seth said with a fierce light in his eyes.

“I think it was always meant to come to this,” Baro said, gazing to his brothers.

Dared and the others echoed the sentiment.

“As long as the blade does not meet the hands of the Kage, than we have succeeded in our mission,” Omni declared.

The matter settled, the Ronin mounted their steeds and turned north, and the villagers followed. Gray took his reins from Darius quietly.

“Are you all right?” Darius asked.

Gray merely nodded, too overwhelmed for words.

“What was that you did?” Ayva asked.

“I’m not sure,” he answered truthfully. “I just saw you being hurt, and it happened.”

“Well, whatever it was, thank you,” Ayva said sincerely.

“You’re welcome,” he said with a smile.

“And what about me?” Darius huffed, “I think I might have had some part in—”

Ayva reached up, cutting Darius off. The rogue recoiled as if about to be slapped. Instead, she grabbed his head in both hands and gave his cheek a hard kiss. “Thank you,” she said, pulling away with a coy smile.

Darius cleared his throat. “Of course, I mean… it was nothing.” Gray felt a sting of jealousy. Mostly though his mind was consumed with thoughts of what he had just done.

Fael’wyn’s reins twisted in his hand. He wasn’t sure what to think. He had seen the looks of the Ronin. They had looked to him as if he was one of them. The thought was too much to handle and he shoved it aside. After a stretch of riding, they came before the two paths Dared had mentioned.

Gray slowed Fael’wyn to a halt and looked down both as far as he could. One path veered left, into small thickets of vinewoods and nettlebranches. The other path veered right, towards the Shining Mountains where the frozen blue caps never melted. Mura had told Gray that one of the Great Kingdoms still lurked in those mountains, but other rumors said that the Shining City had fallen long ago. Between the two paths, Death’s Gate loomed in the distance—huge stone gates nestled between the giant Burai Mountains.

“So, a hidden city is in those mountains?” Darius asked skeptically.

“That’s what they said,” Ayva said, still sounding afraid.

The rogue laughed sardonically. “Well, let’s just hope the Ronin are the only ones who know about this hidden kingdom.”

“And if the Kage do know about it?” she asked.

“They will finish what they started,” Gray answered morbidly. “They’ll destroy the rest of Daerval and us along with it.”

“Dice, way to lighten the mood,” Darius grumbled.

“Then we flee to Farhaven,” Ayva said, looking up hopefully.

“And how do we get through the Gates?” he replied as he clutched the pendant beneath his shirt. It was strangely warm against his chest once again.

“I don’t know,” she said, then insisted, “But there has to be a way.”

Suddenly the sound of voices drew his attention. He rode to the head of the train and Ayva and Darius followed. As he approached, he saw a circle had formed.

“What’s going on?” Ayva whispered.

Gray shrugged, and saw the Ronin sat upon their mounts in an arc, while the villagers, Karil and the others completed the other half. Omni dismounted suddenly, and strode forth. He stopped in the center of the large circle and beckoned to Gray. Curious, he obeyed. Ayva shot him a curious look, but he ignored it and approached.

Omni stood patiently, his cloak with its symbol of a golden sun wavering.

He stopped before Omni, feeling the pressure of eyes.

“This is where we part ways,” the Ronin said in a voice just loud enough that only he could hear.

“Why are you telling me?” he said uncertainly.

“Because you are now their leader.”

“Me?” he questioned, until Omni’s stare made him swallow. “No offense, but there must be a mistake. What about Karil?” he asked, looking over his shoulder at her. She sat regally upon her white mare beside Rydel. He looked back, “Even Mura is a better choice than me.”

Omni shook his head, “None of them hold the sword. The blade chose you, and you alone.”

“But I don’t even know why I was chosen.”

“Nor I, but Morrowil does. Trust the sword. More importantly, trust yourself Gray. You were born to lead. They will all listen to you. However, you must believe it first, or no one else will.”

“What if I don’t want to lead? What if I say no?” he asked hesitantly.

“We cannot deny our fate or our destiny. And yours is to lead. From here on, you are on your own until you make it to the Shining City.”

“And even if this hidden city does exist, what then?” he asked. “The Kage will just return—if they can’t be stopped now, no one will ever be safe.”

Omni placed a hand upon his shoulder. “You are wise to question the future. Sometimes, however, we must do what we can, until we can do what we must.”

He shook his head. He didn’t know a thing about leading, and somehow he was expected to guide the villagers to safety?

I will help, a voice said.

He froze. Kirin. Turning, he closed his eyes. Get out of my head, he ordered. I am no longer you.

Ah, but I am you.

Gray felt his mind tearing, fear rising from the voice’s sudden intrusion. You will not decide my fate.

I can help…

I don’t want your help!

We can lead them, Kirin insisted.

“No!” he shouted, silencing the voice at last.

He was afraid of losing himself to the voice… afraid to be overtaken and then be nothing more. Just as Kirin was lost to himself, couldn’t the reverse happen? He shivered and looked back to Omni. Luckily, it all had happened in a moment, but the Ronin looked confused by the sudden outburst.

“You will deny your fate?” Omni asked.

“I would lead, but not if this path is simply one of death and misery.”

“Enough,” Omni said and gripped his collar. He pulled Gray close, whispering in his ear as all watched, “Listen closely. That blade on your back is more important than you, than us, than anything. You fear for their lives, but they are trivial in comparison. And if we stay, it is only a matter of time until the Kage overtake us. Once they do, they will kill everyone, including you. And once they pry the blade from your dead hands, all will be lost. They cannot possess the sword.”

“But why me?” he asked, pulling the blade from his back, “I still don’t understand! Shouldn’t it have chosen you? You’re a Ronin.”

Omni shook his head. “The blade was once Kail’s, our leader. Believe me when I tell you, that sword would only choose a powerful and righteous owner and it chose you. But all that matters is that you alone can carry it, and so you must.

“If it’s any consolation, I was there the day Kail was given Morrowil. Initially, he rejected the blade, fearing the responsibility and doubting his role as well—perhaps Morrowil admires a reluctant leader as opposed to a willing tyrant.”

The mention of Kail sent a tremor in Gray. Omni was right, yet to be in that man’s footsteps… He gripped the sword, both honored and afraid of its choice. Morrowil was his.

He met Omni’s gaze at last. “What would you have me do?”

“For now, get the villagers to the Shining City,” Omni instructed. “Once we have led the Kage away, we shall meet you. Until then, be vigilant. And most importantly, guard the sword with your life.”

Gray gripped the blade, and then looked to the villagers, including Ayva, Darius and Mura. “I will do all I can to prevent the sword from falling into the hands of the Kage, but know I cannot choose the blade over a life.”

“That is your call. Though I fear that choice might be forced upon you before the end.” Omni’s cloth mask wrinkled in a smile. The first he had ever seen from the man. “Good luck, Gray.”

Baro replaced him. The big man grasped his forearm, engulfing it in one mighty grip. “I knew you were an interesting one. Till’ next we meet,” the man rumbled, a grin splitting his red bearded face. He turned, showing his cloak with its insignia of a black and white blade, joining his brothers.

Gray looked to the Ronin, each giving a slight nod of farewell.

Hiron spoke, “Our time was short, and I wonder if this is how it was always meant to be, but meeting you seems no coincidence. I have a feeling we shall meet again in one way or another.”

“I hope so,” he said, suddenly afraid he would never see the Ronin again.

“I still don’t believe the blade belongs in your hands,” Seth said, “but at least you’re wise enough to hold it with pride.”

“I’m wise enough to hold it with fear,” he answered.

Seth snorted, “Perhaps even wiser. Do not die until next we meet, boy.”

“And the same for you,” he said, and meant it.

Maris laughed, slapping Gray’s shoulder. “I like your fire, boy. I’m already pleased with my decision. This shall be fun.”

“Are we done here?” Seth said.

“We are,” Omni said, nodding to Dared.

Dared stood before the two paths. Silently, he motioned Gray over. Cautious, he went to the Ronin’s side. Dared took off his glove and placed one hand to the earth. “Closer,” he instructed. Gray neared and the Ronin seized his ankle. “Stay still.” Swallowing, Gray was as still as stone while Dared closed his eyes.

Suddenly, the ground vibrated and a strange hum filled Gray, his body tingling. White wind swirled around Dared’s arm, until it engulfed his whole body. Suddenly, the wind burst and slammed into the ground, and footprints were stamped into the earth all around them. Gray followed the imprints, thousands of feet and hooves as they stretched north. The deed done, Dared released him and slipped his glove back on.