Citadel of the Sky (Thrones of the Firstborn Book 1) (21 page)

“But she said I was the only one there with any right to challenge her or Caervyddin. She said we—the Blood, I mean—we have part of our soul lodged beyond the scope of the world.” Two eidolons rushed past the King again and turned to pass right through him. It was so
odd
to see images of her father gamboling like children.

But the King didn’t even seem to notice. “But she said a right to challenge is not the same as the right to win and, until that day, the earth fiends would rise to champion a sky fiend. She hummed a little tune whenever she wasn’t speaking.” The King hummed a sad little phrase that Tiana realized he often played on his violin.

“She kept telling us it was a terrible tragedy each time we destroyed a sky fiend, that they didn’t have the possibility of reincarnation like everything else in the world and one day they would run out.” He sighed. “She made it a hard, emotional Blight. Almost as hard as Benjen’s. He had earth fiends, too. But I was wondering, has your fiend said any of that? Or was she deceiving us?”

Tiana paused to see if Jinriki had an answer, but he said nothing. He was paying attention, surely. He was always paying attention. She wondered if she could demand an answer and loosened the seal that kept him out of her most intimate thoughts.

**No,**
he said.
**You can’t.**
Then he added,
**I am watching the eidolons. They are curious about your pendant.**

She dismissed his information about the eidolons; her father’s creations were as distractible as he was. Jinriki’s refusal was just the sort of thing that made her belligerent, but her father was looking at her with such a sad, hopeful expression. So instead, she invented wildly. “Oh, he’s a very tragic figure. He doesn’t want to die, that’s why he’s behaving so well. If he dies, pffft, that’s it, and he… he likes the world. Wants to see more of it.” She nodded, and then wondered if perhaps her father had wanted reassurance from the opposite direction.

**Princess of pretty lies.**

But her father’s sad expression bloomed into a smile. “I’m glad. Not that we destroyed Caervyddin, no, not that, but that the earth fiend told me something true. And that she’s moved on. Perhaps your sky fiend will find her someday and she’ll remember me, eh? She called herself Liathan the Griever.” He was so happy that two of his eidolons returned to merge with him again. “And now you’re warned about that connection, eh? It’s always important to know what you’re getting into. That first Blight would have been so much easier for me if I’d known then….” He trailed off, his gaze sharpening as the energy expended on the eidolons returned to him.

Tiana stared at him, thinking about the Blight they currently faced. “I wish we knew more about this one. It’s so close, so strange, and right behind all this other strangeness, and Jerya won’t let us go investigate directly or anything.”

“That’s a shame,” agreed the King amiably. “She does have quite a forceful personality. Someday she’ll be the monarch my brother Math never had a chance to be.”

“It’s not fair, though, her forbidding me!” complained Tiana. “It’s not like she’s ever experienced a Blight herself. Not directly. She’s never fought in one. She has
no idea.
”

“That’s true,” the King admitted. “It’s certainly a dilemma.”

Tiana paused, suddenly thinking over the conversation she’d just had. “You’re right. She may make a good Queen someday, but she’s not the Queen yet.
You’re
the monarch.
She’s
just my sister.”

The King’s absent smile became a little bit fixed, as if he wasn’t entirely following her line of thought. “Yes, yes I am. And yes, she is. And will be. It’s not the burden you expect, you know. I was prepared for all the rituals and the war, but not… not other things. Dying for the land is just duty, but other things….”

“Don’t think about them, Daddy,” commanded Tiana. “Think about the current Blight. You think we should know what we’re getting into?”

He sighed. “Yes. Yes, I do.”

“And you’re the King,” said Tiana happily. “That’s the word of a King, right there.”

**Yes. Do we go do something relevant now?**

“Word of a King,” Tiana repeated and kissed her father on the cheek.

K
iar went
to Court the next morning solely to fill out the Royal Box. Jerya wanted as many bodies as possible. “We have to look strong,” she said. “They could try anything, and they might even try to stop Trace from speaking. They’ve got a lot of old rules in those books.”

But the messenger Trace was the first petitioner into the Hall. He looked determined, but Kiar was still dubious that he’d ended up there on his own. He strode to the white line and in a strong voice said, “I call a Blight! The county of Tranninwyl has been swallowed by a vast darkness—”

Lord Aubin said, “Yes, yes, I’m sure we all know about it by now. My granddaughter rode off two days ago to sightsee.”

Trace stopped, taken aback, and looked at the Royal Box. Lord Aubin followed his gaze and added, “I see His Majesty is decked out in ceremonial armor today. Did it take two days to put on?”

Jerya said, “So you do not dispute this call of Blight, Your Excellency?” Her voice only trembled a little.

Lord Warrane said, “There’s a vast bloody hole where Tranning used to be. Nobody can dispute that.”

Lord Aubin shot him a warning look and said to the Royal Box, “It’s the Blood’s role to stand against the supernatural enemies we call Blights, aye? Just as it’s the Justiciar’s Council’s role to regulate the day-to-day affairs of Ceria. Do you think if you get your Blight, we can see eye-to-eye on that?”

Jerya looked thoroughly off-balance now. “I—no formalities, no strange old customs?”

“I’ve heard it’s growing,” said Lord Aubin simply.

Jerya said, “Ah.” She studied the Justiciars. Then, almost helplessly, she said, “I agree with your allocation of responsibilities.”

“Very good. Is there any on this Council who disagree that the destruction of Tranning constitutes a Blight?” Nobody moved. “Excellent. The Justiciar’s Council agrees with the claim of this plaintiff: there is a Blight! The armies and moneys of the Court, and the lords of the six duchies are at your disposal.” He called to the servant standing next in line, “Fetch your master while we sign the document.” He gestured a clerk forward with a document to sign, and Kiar wondered why his little smile seemed so victorious.

But Tiana didn’t. The whole hall heard her say, “Thank heavens that’s over!” She climbed out of the Royal Box and Kiar joined her.

Jerya said, “Where are you two going? And you’re taking Lisette? I’m not sure that’s—”

Tiana smiled sweetly at Jerya and said, “We’re going for a ride. Father said I needed to know what I was getting into.” The King was staring vacantly at the doors. Jerya’s gaze flicked over Kiar, and she felt a little rush of guilt that she was adding legitimacy to Tiana’s little plan. Then Tiana was fleeing the Hall, and Kiar hurried after her, feeling a more than a little guilt. Not only was she adding legitimacy to the adventure, but she was hiding behind Tiana’s brashness.

But the guilt only lasted until she was out in the sunshine on Spooky’s back again. She patted his neck fondly. It wasn’t that Spooky had been throwing Kiar when she was sick with the plague. It was that she’d kept falling off. And when at last she’d given up and walked, Spooky had followed her all the way home, his reins dangling. He would have followed her into the Palace proper, if the guards trailing her hadn’t stopped him. The stable boys told the story every chance they had.

But even so, Kiar
remembered
the feelings of betrayal. She hadn’t ridden since that day, even though she knew it was silly and childish, and when Tiana had bounced into the parlor late the night before, crowing, “Order a picnic, ladies—tomorrow, we’re going to Mousame!” she’d agreed before she could come up with any reason not to.

Mousame. It was already a Court vacation spot, and someone in the Regency Court good with maps had discovered the little town and its great big hill offered an amazing view of the Glooming. It was said even the Stronghold of Glooming itself was visible. And it could be reached in only half a day by horses with inscribed horseshoes, which of course all their personal mounts had.

Lisette had said, “But we’re not supposed to go near—”

Blithely, Tiana had interrupted, “Daddy said it’s important to know what we’re getting into.”

When Lisette had realized Kiar wanted to travel as well, she gave up arguing. All she said was, “You can’t sneak away. And the eidolons will dissolve.” Eidolons could only go so far from their maker before fading away and the will that powered them returning home.

Tiana shrugged. “Hey, Kiar, have you seen the phantasmagory tonight? It’s different. The plague taint is gone. So is everything else. It’s totally empty. Something Jant did, maybe?” And then she bit her lip, like she knew something she wasn’t saying. Or, Kiar conceded to herself, like her damnable sword was whispering to her. Then Tiana added, “It’s weird, but I think you might like it more now.”

Kiar was forced into the phantasmagory to see what Tiana was talking about. And she was right. It was clean. All the residue of generations past was gone, like someone had scrubbed it out. It was like a blank sheet of paper. She thought that some of the Blood would be upset by that, but she couldn’t help feeling more relaxed there. Maybe this time around they could implement a cataloguing system.

And when she confirmed that it was clean, Tiana said, “I don’t know why. But if it’s not dangerous, Kiar and I are better protection than those eidolons.” And that was that.

A maid had told Kiar there were gangs of monsters roving the highway, so Kiar had conscientiously brought the list of possible names from the Catalog. It was important for things to have names. But all they saw on their journey south were other travelers.

A throng of people moved north, most of them with their lives in carts and on their backs. Twice, they passed noble parties returning from Mousame. The first party was subdued, and only nodded greetings as they passed. The second party was far more sociable. Taime Westerhoft laughed and encouraged Tiana to enjoy herself. The view, he said, was spectacular. ‘Chilling,’ voiced one of his female companions, and giggled.

“Oh, and don’t miss the Mystery Spot,” said Taime, as they parted ways. “East side of the town, near the edge. It’s just… nothing. Absolutely fascinating and, of course, might be meaningful to the Blood.” He saluted as he rode away.

As they approached the town, Tiana insisted they pick up the pace, and Lisette insisted they take their time. “What’s the hurry? Are you
hoping
for a fight?” She looked at the sword strapped to Tiana’s saddle.

“Oh, please. You too?” Tiana spread her arms. “I’m still me. The fiend is not dominating me. Yes, it talks. Yes, it likes fighting. It’s a
sword.
And I’m the Blood. Fighting supernatural threats is what I was born to do. You know that!”

Lisette said, “I just wish I knew what was going on. You used to tell me everything.”

Tiana said, “Well, you spend all your time around Jerya now. Maybe you should have just stayed behind. You saw how she wanted your help.”

Before the argument could get worse, Kiar said, “We’re here.” It wasn’t quite true, but it was close enough distract them.

The town buzzed with fevered activity. A few people were in the process of moving out. More were capitalizing on the town’s sudden surge in popularity as a tourist attraction. As they rode through the town towards the great slope on the other side, it was clear that the town had many more inhabitants than usual. The inn was overflowing with the noble and wealthy, every vacation house was full, and there were many people camped out along the edge of the road. There was a holiday atmosphere.

“They’re
selling
things!” Tiana said, shocked. She slid off her mare and crouched down to inspect the merchandise on an old woman’s blanket.

The woman beamed toothlessly at the Princess, eyes lighting up in recognition. “Grandson’s friend was noted bone-carver in Tranning. Gone now.” She clicked her tongue sadly and then pushed a comb into Tiana’s hand. “Made by Ajolo Rea, sold by Yatara Brighteyes. Take it. A gift, Your Ladyship.”

Kiar surveyed the other camps. A wagon was dispensing the last shipment of doomed Tranning’s fine wheat beer. Several other blankets sold accounts of watching the devastation happen. There were more trinket-sellers, but Tiana was walking slowly back to her horse, looking at the comb.

Lisette said, “Nobody likes to be afraid, Tiana, and this is more frightening than an army outside the borders. So they laugh instead.”

“Are there always people selling things?” Tiana asked.

Lisette said, “Yes. Souvenirs from the front are worth a lot. Some people collect mementos from each Blight.”

Kiar said, “They make stories of them.” Tiana glanced at her, her eyes shadowed, and clicked her horse ahead.

Further down the road, a middle-aged woman with a covered wagon was selling spyglasses. She hailed Tiana with a brisk, “Your Highness!” proffering one of the brass tubes. Slowly, Tiana shook her head. Then she urged her horse to a gallop, sending dogs, chickens, and children scattering.

The vista from the lookout point was stunning. The river twisted along a panoramic sweep of green and brown, dotted with red tile roofs and grey stone castles. Here and there, the Niyhani peaks and Keldaran domes rose above the trees. It was beautiful, the stuff of paintings, until your gaze drifted to the east. There, half the vista was a shocking grey plain.

It cut off the river and the road as if they never existed and inside the boundaries, nothing grew. There were black shapes against the grey expanse that Kiar thought might be twisted trees. Hoped were twisted trees. And in the heart of the grey, the black stronghold loomed. It wasn’t even the size of Kiar’s thumbnail at this distance, but it hunched like a giant over the starkness of the cracked land.

Kiar realized she’d forgotten to breathe. She wondered what happened to the other side of the river. It didn’t look like it was dammed by the land that had interrupted it. Then Tiana said, “That’s what’s going to kill us, Kiar.”

“Yeah,” said Kiar. Why did Tiana sound so enthusiastic? Then Tiana took her hand and squeezed it hard, white-knuckled and Kiar thought,
Nobody likes to be afraid.

Lisette ran forward. “Don’t
say
things like that! Don’t be fools!” She held onto Tiana’s arm.

Tiana wrenched herself out of Lisette’s grip as she whirled around. “Would you rather I kill myself uselessly? Would you rather I grow old and mad, and hide myself away in my rooms because the world is too frightening?” She caught her breath. “I see that thing, that place, and I think maybe the reason the Blood is mad is because it takes a madman to fight against something like that.”

Lisette shook her head, frantically. “This hasn’t happened before. This is really bad. Really bad.”

Kiar didn’t want to listen to them argue. “I’m going to go see the Mystery Spot.” She took her horse back from Berrin and started walking down the hill. After a moment, the other two caught up with her.

The road to the Mystery Spot was lined with more blankets, but this time, instead of merchants, there were priests and philosophers. Two itinerant priests of Niyhani argued philosophy with a laughing Knight of the Rose. A maiden of Atalya prayed on a blanket covered in silk flowers. A matron of Keldera, the Summer Goddess, comforted a man weeping into her bosom. A scholar of some sort worked furious figures on a chalkboard to an admiring audience of small boys and red-robed servants of Rann in his guise as Lord of Fire. A child with a dog instructed a pregnant woman. A woman sat on the edge of a wagon, staring at everyone who went by, carefully writing something down after each group.

By the time they reached the Mystery Spot though, the blankets and wagons were gone. No one wanted to be too close to it, whatever the mystery was.

“I feel strange,” complained Tiana. She slowed, and Kiar moved ahead of her. The Mystery Spot beyond was encircled by rope twisted around some pegs and almost invisible to normal vision. But through the Logos-sight, it was a hole pulled open by eidolon hooks.

Tiana said, “Kiar, do you feel that? It’s like a humming in the—” Kiar reached over the fence toward the nothing—