The Corin Chronicles Volume I: The Light and the Dark (11 page)

With loud shouts, the men ran outside into the extreme weather. Following a long gaze toward Cramo and Tranin, Kirinki began to make his exit, but Selena stopped him. “Kirinki,” she said softly.

“Yes, Lady Selena?”

“Please be careful.”

With a small smile and a nod, Kirinki raced out of the tent to the sight of thunder and lightning. The rain was now falling at its hardest. For a few moments, he could not make out anything in front of him, as the whole village seemed to be in a state of panic. The flashing lightning allowed him brief glimpses across the village, of women screaming into the night skies, of men hurrying to their weapons and arming themselves with anything they could find. Some wielded swords, scythes, axes, or even simple broomsticks. But the one thing that was apparent in all of them was the fear in their eyes. Kirinki knew that if a full-scale attack was initiated against the town, there was not much he could do to prevent a bloodbath.

Joining his men at the edge of the village, he could clearly see the light that accompanied the different group of riders, and his fear for the villagers doubled. They were much closer than he had first anticipated.

“Look,” shouted Joshua. “A smaller carriage approaches, without the mark of Auphora’s army.” The galloping footsteps became louder, and the small flame continued to get brighter as the carriage approached. Squinting to get a better look, Kirinki observed that it was a very old carriage, one that, with it exquisite carvings, most likely belonged to a blacksmith or merchant. After much deliberation, he lowered his sword just before the carriage pulled up in front of them, and two men emerged from inside.

Kirinki looked on, trying to decide if he recognized the men, but he could not put a name to either face. One was of average height with jet-black hair and relatively young, while the other was significantly older and oddly dressed. He had a sharp, pointy, leathery face and pale white hair.

“Greetings,” said the older man, as he drew nearer. “I am Kuskus, and this is my brother in arms, Samoa.” He gestured to the younger man at his side.

“I am Kirinki, from the house of Shamana, but that is of no importance right now. I would like to know from where you hail. What business do you seek in Goneca at such a late hour?” Kirinki said.

“Everything will be explained in time, Master Kirinki,” replied Kuskus. “As I stand here, the army of Auphora rides behind me, seeking to bring death to this village until they find the one they seek. We are here to protect the person you know as the Anointed One.”

“Well, you have come to the wrong place,” said Joshua. “The Anointed One does not reside here.”

“On the contrary,” interrupted Samoa, “the Anointed One is here and under your protection. Take us to him, and we will prove it.”

“And how can you expect us to trust words from strangers during times like these?” Kirinki’s voice grew angrier.

Stepping closer to Selena’s protectors, Kuskus opened his mouth to speak, but just then a flaming ball of straw landed on the ground next to them. More fireballs landed around them, some igniting the nearby huts and tents. Then a thick spear sailed out of the dark and thrust through the body of Samoa, who slumped to the ground, dead. They all looked up to see a group of riders merely a few yards away. Kirinki and the rest of his men drew their swords and shields, ready for battle.

“You must take me to see the boy at once,” shouted Kuskus. “If he is the One, we must protect him.”

Kirinki stood still for a few seconds, looking around to see if any of his men had fallen. After convincing himself that his men were still standing, he rushed toward Joshua and grabbed his hands. “You have command until I return. Protect these people. They did not bring any of this onto themselves. If Siroco is the Anointed One, we brought death to their doorstep.”

With a nod, Joshua gave Kirinki the response he was looking for. Without any hesitation, Kirinki grabbed the hand of Kuskus. “Quickly,” he said. “Let us get in your carriage.” Carefully navigating around the seemingly endless stream of fire projectiles, Kirinki jumped into the carriage and, with Kuskus, headed into the village.

Not long after Selena watched Kirinki and his men storm out into the night, the noise of thunder and rain faded, only to be replaced by the distant screams of women and children. At first, Selena was unsure whether it was merely fear or the sound of death. As time passed, however, the sound of swords striking human flesh could be heard, and the whole town seemed to be consumed in pain and brutality.

“By the gods, they have found us,” Selena spoke with tears in her eyes.

“Do not worry, my lady. We will not let any harm come to you or your son,” said Cramo. He pulled out his sword and stood just beside the tent entrance. Siroco slowly began to sob, as his mother held on to him.

Outside, the noise of carriages continued to intensify, and the screams of the people became nearer and more frequent. In an instant, the entrance to the tent flew open, and Selena jumped. But she felt relieved to see Kirinki standing there, his forehead perspiring. However, just behind her loyal bodyguard stood a man she had never seen before.

“Who is this stranger you bring before me?” asked Selena. She looked at the man. He was dressed oddly, wearing the most lighweight of tunics that covered only his lower body.

“Please forgive the intrusion, my lady. I am Kuskus, and I, like my brothers, took an oath to protect your son at all costs.”

“I do not understand. Do I know you?” Selena tightened her grip on Siroco.

“He says that he has sworn allegiance to the Anointed One,” Kirinki said dryly. “But I told him that he is mistaken, as your son is not the Anointed One.” Kirinki glared at Selena, much to her annoyance.

“You will not know my face, my lady, but we have certainly met.” Kuskus approached Selena. “It was during the birth of your child. I was with my two brothers at the time.”

“Perhaps it was you,” Selena said.

Kirinki gave her a sharp glare and held it. Selena noticed, but she focused on Kuskus. “I remember men with a look not too dissimilar to yours. They always wore scarves over their faces. What is your true identity?”

“We are part of the Eight Realm, a group of believers that swears all allegiances to your son. After protecting him at birth, we have been by his side for the five years he remained in the Light World of Corin, before his journey through the Shallows began. For we helped to smuggle you through.”

Selena sat in silence for a few seconds before standing with purpose. “What if this is a trick? How do I know that you are not actually here to harm my son? How do I know you have even laid eyes on him before?” Selena’s voice carried a slight tremor.

“If I have not, then how would I know that he has a scar under his right eye, the mark of Pyro, which he acquired when he was just a baby? If not for our timely intervention, it could have ended tragically.”

To everyone’s surprise, Kirinki dashed toward Selena, grabbing Siroco from her hands. Ignoring the shouting and wailing from the boy, he removed the veil from his face. Selena rushed to stop him, her face twisted with fear and anger, but Tranin quickly restrained her.

Kuskus quickly drew his sword but realized that Cramo had already placed a blade against his neck. “What is this?” Kuskus asked. “Why do you threaten the boy?”

“I will not be lied to,” replied Kirinki in a fury. “I have heard another mention the mark of Pyro, from one of Auphora’s soldiers. I thought nothing of it at the time, but it is starting to bear some significance now. I swore to protect this boy, but I must know his true identity, and I must know it now.” With the veil now completely removed from Siroco’s face, Kirinki looked shocked. The boy was handsome, with bluish, green eyes and long, golden hair, but it was not Siroco’s eyes that brought about his reaction. “By the gods, you speak the truth.” Kirinki ran his hands across the deep scar under the boy’s right eye. “He is the Anointed One, just as you said.”

“But of course he is,” shouted Kuskus. “I would not have risked my life coming here if he was not.”

Cramo lowered his blade and Kuskus approached Kirinki, sparing an angry glance at the other man.

Kirinki looked sadly at Selena. “Would it have been so difficult for you to tell me the truth? I would have protected both of you, no matter what.”

“I did not want to give you that burden.” replied Selena, unable to meet his eyes.

“So you would rather hand us this death sentence without even telling us that our time is coming to an end?” Kirinki shouted. “Do you know how many people have died today?”

“What would you have me do?” Selena said. “So many have already died to protect him. I have already told you that I will give my life for his. I gave you everything I owned. I will fall on your sword now, if you told me that an act like that would make him live.” Selena slumped to the ground, sobbing.

“How did you know about the scar?” Kirinki diverted his attention back to Kuskus.

“As I said, I am one of the loyal servants, sworn to protect the boy. He acquired that scar from an executioner who meant to claim his life, just days after his birth. I arrived minutes after the assassin to find the man dead on the floor, still holding the bloodstained blade. It is still unclear as what or who killed the assassin, but the blade had brushed against the boy’s skin as the killer fell to his death, scarring him for life.”

“But what are you protecting him from? I keep hearing stories about the Anointed One, but what does that really mean?”

“I could stand here and tell you about the legacy that will become embroiled with this boy, but as we stand here, Auphora has demanded his death. The people that ravage this village as we speak are here at Auphora’s bidding, and they will not stop until Siroco is dead.”

“But why would the God of Gods want such a young and innocent boy dead?” Kirinki shuddered as a loud scream bled into the tent, quickly followed by another.

“We must leave at once, Master Kirinki,” said Cramo, tugging at his shoulder. “This place is no longer safe.”

“I will not leave until I know what it is I am protecting.” Kirinki’s glare toward Selena was fierce. “I want to know why Auphora would want this boy dead.” He returned his gaze to Kuskus.

“Because this little boy will be the one to bring balance back to Corin,” Kuskus said. “And he must live at all costs.”

“But the galaxy is peaceful with the Corin gods banished. Why should I help in changing that?”

“Listen to me, Master Kirinki,” Kuskus spoke slowly. “The war between the gods has raged for two generations. We know not what they fight over, nor their true intentions. The First Coming ended after the War of the Immortals, when Auphora fought against the demigods, his own children. We know not the true reasons for that war. Now, he has not only banished his eldest son, but he has also demanded the death of this child. So if the God of Gods is going to such lengths to murder this young boy, does it not start to become obvious that something sinister brews? Something he wants no one to be aware of?”

With his hands on his head, Kirinki walked around the tent, deep in thought, shrugging off the continuous words from Cramo, urging him to flee.

Selena, meanwhile, moved closer to Kuskus. “Why do I see only you here?” she asked. “Where are your brothers?”

“Most are not with us anymore. Many died as we crossed the Shallows, on our way to Tyranis. Another died shortly after I arrived here, and another awaits us at the edge of River Jabba.”

“So where do you propose I go with my son?”

“I need to take you to Master Morgise. He awaits us at River Jabba, and he will take you somewhere safe. Beyond that, you must go somewhere Auphora will never think to look for you.”

“But how am I meant to know that?” Selena held out both her hands.

“Reach within yourself, and this place will make itself known to you. But please start gathering your things. We have no more time to waste.” Kuskus darted toward the tent entrance. “I must get the rest of my belongings from the carriage, after which, I shall accompany you.” Following a nod from Selena, the leathery-faced man quickly exited.

Selena gazed toward Kirinki, unsure of what to say. Then, aware that time was of the essence, she began gathering anything she could for their escape, with assistance from Cramo and Tranin. But a loud scream stopped them in their tracks. Looking up, they saw the lifeless body of Kuskus fall back into the tent, a sword thrust deep inside him. Kirinki sprang backward, instinctively crouching low before Siroco, using his body to shield the trembling boy. From behind the dead body of Kuskus emerged the solid, golden frame of Thane. In contrast to their previous meeting, the Monoroi’s cold stare was now filled with bloodlust.

2.5

T
HE
D
AGGER OF
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YRO

T
ime seemed frozen under the angry glare of the Monoroi. For a moment Thane only stared, his black eyes piercing through everyone in the tent. The noises outside faded to silence while they all looked on, waiting. Finally, Thane raised his right leg and kicked the body of Kuskus off his sword, his eyes never leaving Kirinki, who remained crouched in front of Siroco, protecting him from the Monoroi.