Rise and Fall (42 page)

“Were you building a large city?”

Kaz looked to either side of him, then turned in his saddle. “Not like this. At least not then. But I did see a brief glimpse of something bigger and more grand much later. It was like the end result of years of work, yet it was still growing.”

“And you were still working on the city?”

“Maybe, I’m not sure. I was much older then. I do remember watching hundreds of others working, though many were not warriors.”

“Interesting.”

“Yes. But it still tells me so little new of my past,” he said, frustrated. “I was a warrior whose life seemed to revolve around fighting.”

“At least it’s something.”

“But it’s as if that’s all I ever was.”

Jonrell opened his mouth to respond but closed it upon sight of Lady Jaendora reaching the city’s gates. He slapped Kaz on the shoulder. “I’m sorry. We’ll talk more on this later.”

Kaz nodded in the gate’s direction. “Go.”

The commander clicked the reins of his horse.
A city of blue and larger than Floroson? And from what I can guess has grown quickly over the past twenty years. I have never heard of such a place.
He considered his extensive travels and, more so, his extensive study of the world of Hyron under Amcaro. Then he found his thoughts taking a turn to the more skeptical.
Could he truly be making all this up? If so, he’s a great actor.
A scarier thought struck him then.
Could the blow to his head have damaged his brain permanently? Could he end up crazy?
He looked back at Kaz who was feeling the grooves in the wall of a tanner’s shop, concentration lining his face.
No. I will not condemn a man who has given me no cause to do so and has become a friend. The others will come around. I know it.

* * *

Lady Jaendora forced a smile as Jonrell came up beside her, the stress from Tomalt’s attack still obviously fresh on her mind. She had led the way through Floroson, continuing to send messengers throughout the journey. “Lord Undalain would be proud of you, My Lady,” said the commander.

The comment took the governess off guard as she leaned back in the saddle, raising an eyebrow. “How so?”

“I’ve watched you at times during our passage through the city. A word or simple gesture from you seemed to put the masses at ease. They love and respect you. I remember your husband was held in similar regard. I always admired that about him.”

She smiled. “Thank you. Undalain was always mindful of the people. I try to be the same. It was something he and I both learned from your grandfather. A good king and an even better man, he deserves the credit.”

“I wish I could have known him. He seems like someone I would have gotten along with.”

“Your father was at one time very much like his father.”

“So, I’ve heard. Yet, I never knew that man,” said Jonrell bitterly.

“Just so,” said Jaendora. “You do remind me of your grandfather.”

Jonrell raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

“Yes. When you weren’t watching me, I was watching you,” she said. “I can see the way your men treat you. They would lay down their lives for you without pause. It takes a rare man to command such loyalty. Your grandfather also had such effortless skill and would be proud of the man you’ve become.” She paused and nodded toward Kaz. “I must say I’ve never seen anyone like the black man you were just speaking with. I can tell his friendship is important to you. Though by the behavior of others around him, it seems many do not share your opinion. Why is that?”

The commander shrugged. “His complexion, the way he carries himself, his unmatched skill, a mysterious past.”

“Yet he is made to feel as important as the rest?”

“Because he is. I look at the man underneath. And all of my soldiers are important whether they know it or not. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be under my command.”

“As I said, much like your grandfather.”

Jonrell let out a small sigh. “Thank you. I just hope Elyse sees me in such a way.”

Jaendora frowned.

“What’s wrong?”

“What you said about your sister. Jonrell, she will be angry with you, with good cause and especially at first. You hurt a lot of people by leaving. Undalain and I were heartbroken, as were countless others, noble and common. But you were young and never saw that.” She hesitated as if trying to find the words. “You know, after you ran off, your father would not allow Elyse to stay with us any longer for visits. And then as Undalain’s health declined, we weren’t able to travel to Lyrosene as often to visit her. When he passed away, I tried to reach out to her again but she had isolated herself from most everyone. I think she was afraid to let anyone in again,” said Jaendora, her voice filled with regret.

Jonrell remained silent.

Lady Jaendora cleared her throat. “I know that isn’t what you wanted to hear right now, but I needed to say it so I can forgive you. But there, it’s done.”

She reached out and touched his hand, causing him to meet her moist eyes. “I know it is all true. I don’t know what I can say to that. Only that I’m sorry and I won’t let you down again,” said Jonrell.

She cleared her throat. “I know you won’t, My Prince. I can see that. However, others may not be as understanding at first. Elyse most of all.”

Jonrell nodded.

“Well, then,” said the governess, removing her hand and placing it on her saddle, “enough of that. I think we should discuss this business of Tomalt. What would My Prince have me do?”

Jonrell chuckled at the sudden change in conversation. “Well, I’m afraid I haven’t conferred with the queen just yet on the matter. However, I do have several suggestions that I believe she would find most agreeable. As a matter of fact,” he said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a rolled piece of parchment, “I have a certain letter I believe you should have.”

Jaendora accepted the letter and began reading its contents. She nodded.

“That is for your eyes only. Make the preparations as outlined there, but tell no one about its intent. I’ll contact you when the pieces are in place.”

“And in the meantime?”

“Do whatever you have to in order to prevent Tomalt from raising a blockade. I convinced Sylik, the captain of
Ocean Spirit
, to stick around and aid you in any way. I know he doesn’t look like those you’d normally employ, but I’ve never seen a better captain. Utilize him any way you see fit, the more impossible the job, the better with him. He likes money but deep down, I think it’s the challenge that excites him.”

“It will be done.”

Just then several wagons rolled into view from a side alley, trailing several dozen warhorses. “Ah, here they are,” said Jaendora.

Jonrell raised an eyebrow. “What’s this?”

“A governess must learn to multi-task as well,” she said, smiling once again. “It’s not a lot, but it’s the best I could muster on such short notice for your journey to Lyrosene. The horses may be the most important of all, I’m afraid. You’ll find that your father let many things fall to the wayside in his later years. Maintaining a proper cavalry was one of them. I only wish I could offer more.”

“You’ve done more than enough.” He leaned over, and kissed her on the cheek. “Thank you, My Lady.”

She touched her cheek.

He slipped away quickly as her eyes welled once again and a faint smile trembled at her lips.

Chapter 18

Strapped tight on his back against the hard wooden table, Tobin tightened his hands into fists. Sweat beaded on his skin and his nostrils flared with each rapid intake of air. He gripped a dowel of wood between his teeth.

He hoped for a hint at what was happening beyond his vision, but saw nothing. A face appeared before him, hooded in blue and red. It smiled, though the gesture brought little comfort. “I’m sorry,” it said, casting a glance toward Tobin’s ankle. “But it must be this way.”

Sudden movement caught his attention. Torchlight bounced off the head of a large hammer, looming high. Tobin thought he heard voices talking, but the pounding of his heart drowned out any coherency to those words. His eyes widened as the hammer dropped out of sight. He never saw the impact. He only felt it. The dowel snapped in his mouth and he let out a terrible scream. Pain shot up his leg and then into the rest of his body. His mouth filled with bile and his eyes with water. He choked on that scream as the world around him turned black…

* * *

Tobin awoke with a start and gasped for air. He sat up and wiped sweat from his brow, trying to calm himself. A figure stood several paces away. He blinked away the remaining sleep. “What time is it?”

“Near midnight. We’ve dropped anchor and preparations have started.” Nachun paused. “I was able to keep the others from hearing your screams.”

Tobin stood up and began dressing without looking at the shaman. “Thank you.”

“Was it the same dream?”

“Yes.”

“What are you going to do after leaving the ship?”

“I’ll be ok. Now that we’re here, I think my mind will be focused on meeting with Mawkuk.”

“If you would let me come…”

“No, you were right earlier. I need to do this alone so I can prove to my father and to the other Kifzo that they can have confidence in me as Warleader. Besides, I don’t want Mawkuk recognizing you from when your family traveled through here before.”

Nachun tilted his head. “Actually, my father approached Mawkuk alone when we petitioned the Gray Marsh Clan. I had remained behind with my family in order to protect them in case he failed to return. Mawkuk does not know my face.”

Tobin grunted. “Regardless, it’s best for you to stay with the ship.”

The shaman extended his hand. “Then I wish you luck.”

Tobin slung his bow and a quiver of arrows over his shoulder. “Let’s hope I don’t need it,” he said, clasping Nachun’s hand.

And let’s hope I don’t regret having you stay, my friend.

* * *

Leaving the Gulf of Eurinul, the Kifzo entered the Gray Marshes through the Dylis River. The river branched off in several directions and they used many of these tributaries and adjacent canals as they worked toward their destination. Alternating shifts, moving day and night, they wove their skiffs through the maze of muddy waterways in order to reach Cypronya. Travel was slow as the maps used to plan their route did not take into account every twist and turn.

Tobin woke at the slightest touch from Walor on the early morning of their fifth day in the swamps. The sun had yet to rise, but the black night had softened to a light gray. Other Kifzo stirred in their boats as well. They spotted lit torches inside what looked to be a small inlet. Impossible to judge from such a distance, the torches appeared to surround several larger campfires burning bright despite the coming night. Without that glow bouncing off the water’s surface, access to the canal they sought would have been more difficult to spot. Large cypress trees stood with branches hanging low, and moss hanging lower, on either side of the waterway. They cast an ominous shadow as the party ducked under them.

Even at midday, I think this place would be difficult to find.

Tobin stood at the bow of the lead boat with his arms raised out to his sides, his chest exposed in the Heshan sign of peace. A voice called out from shore and Tobin saw a clansman from the Gray Marsh Clan urging the Kifzo onward. Tobin lowered his arms and gave commands to follow their guide.

Well, at least it looks like they aren’t going to kill us right away.

As they continued on down the canal, the passage broadened, exposing the entrance to a city most travelers would not have expected to find in such an isolated area.
Father’s spies outdid themselves in discovering this place. But their description does not do the place justice.

Several types of watercraft were moored at the docks. Most flatter and better suited for navigating many of the swamp’s shallow canals than the Kifzo boats. Nets, traps, and rods adorned the sides of the fishing vessels. Tobin realized that like the Blue Island Clan, the Gray Marsh Clan depended greatly on the sustenance they found in their waters.

But our similarities stop there.

He looked down at the stagnant murkiness and grunted. The water here was thick and still, a stark contrast from the clear, moving ocean he had always known. He inhaled deeply, nearly choking on the foul odor.

There is nothing as awful as the air here. It is something I hope to never grow accustomed to.

Stepping ashore, Tobin turned his gaze toward Cypronya. Looking back only to ensure the others were following, he pursued their guide who had made no effort to slow down or speak. Tobin was sure he should take offense to such a move, and he knew Kaz and his father would have.

The city slowly exposed itself in detail as the first rays of sunlight pushed away the soft veil of gray covering the landscape. The architecture was unusual in comparison to other cities and villages he had visited. Massive trunks of giant cypress trees constituted Cypronya’s foundation. Thick branches provided the city’s framework for buildings constructed high above the ground. Walkways of rope and wood connected the city above, just as sidestreets separated the main thoroughfares of Juanoq. Few structures stood at ground level and those sat atop poles sunk into the ground. Tobin thought the design peculiar.

The guide turned back and grunted. “You will walk only where I walk.”

Tobin nodded.

Footsteps sounded from behind, softly padding the matted reeds covering the path. “How’s your ankle?” asked Walor.

“It’s fine,” said Tobin, pausing briefly. The journey south provided Tobin more than enough time to grow accustomed to the full use of that leg.

“Come,” the guide called out impatiently. He walked faster than before in contempt.

Tobin spared a glance back at Walor.

“I like them already,” Walor said, smiling, cracking his neck with a sharp twist.

Tobin grunted and set off down the trail.

As the sun peaked over the horizon, Cypronya continued to impress. Craning his neck to look at the massive trees, he saw the first glimmers of movement on the open decks and swaying walkways. The city itself was deep, an alley with no visible end in sight.