The Jewel of Kamara (The Delthenon Chronicles) (41 page)

“It’s
so they can say they killed the
Uhli
tribe in
retaliation. It doesn’t matter to them that the
Uhli
tribe was slaughtered before the convent was attacked,” Otto explained. “They
will start trying to round up the tribes.”

“We
need to fight now,” said Madoc.

“Send
word to the city. I want every man, woman and child to know what took place
here,” Otto said. “The earthquake may have been her doing, but they need to
understand why.”

“Do
we let them come back with us?” Keane asked. “Won’t that draw attention to our
cause?”

“Our
plans are no longer secret. Hallam knows what we’re doing so the element of
surprise is lost. If people want to join us let them. We need every able
fighter possible.”

“What
if they don’t believe us?”

“You
tell them every detail about what you witnessed,” Tempani said as she entered
the tent. Her voice was low and filled with rage as she spoke. “You tell them
that no nun or priest was spared. That the God’s children were beaten, raped,
slaughtered. You tell them that the abbess, a woman who wanted nothing but
peace, was stoned to an inch of her death. That a kind, sweet man was forced to
watch and now has to relive what he saw each and every day for the rest of his
life.”

“All
right,” Yuta gulped.

“You
make them listen. They were happy to believe in a prophecy when it was just
that. Now is the time to act. They wanted me to make a change so now they have
to help me. I can’t do everything.”

She
turned on her heel and stormed out.

“What
are we going to do about her?” Madoc asked. “She’s hardly able to lead a
rebellion at the moment.”

“She
needs time to grieve,” said Nic. “She’s not sleeping. She sits all night
planning how she’s going to attack Hallam and Ricton. She wants to make it as
painful as possible. I’ve heard her muttering about beheadings and spells she
can use.”

“Her
desire for revenge is strong,” Otto pointed out. “If we’re not careful it may
take over.”

“She
will control it,”
Eriluz
said. “
Aidis
would not have chosen her if she didn’t have the ability to detach.”

“How
can you be so sure?”

“I
know it,” she snapped at Madoc. “You all just make sure you’re ready to follow
her.”

“If
she takes after her grandmother, you’re in for an interesting life,” Madoc said
and clapped Nic on the shoulder.

Nic
sighed and turned to Otto. “I know you’ve only just patched up your
relationship but perhaps you could get through to her. She blames herself. You
know what that’s like.”

Otto
frowned, his face a picture of concern. His shoulders slumped as he walked out
of the tent and followed his daughter. He knew that if she felt the way he did
for all those years and still did feel then it would take a very long time for
her to forgive herself. But he didn’t want her to feel the shame he knew so
well. What happened wasn’t her fault. Everyone here believed it, and he just
had to make sure she did too.

She
was stretching when he found her. Warming up for another practice session. He
knew the signs. She would push herself to an inch of her life to atone for what
she believed were her mistakes. He had done the same. If it hadn’t been for
Darby, he wouldn’t be around now to see his children.

“Sit,”
he ordered. Everyone was tiptoeing around her. They were being kind because
that’s what they believed she needed. But he knew his daughter. She was a
product of her father after all.

“Sit,”
he said again when she didn’t respond. “You need to hear this.”

She
glared at him but did as she was told.

“These
people were not attacked because of their connection to you,” he said slowly.
She looked up at him, anger in her eyes. “Hallam and Ricton want nothing more
than for Kamaris to reign supreme in this kingdom. But they couldn’t justify
murdering the Kalaowins when they’ve done nothing wrong in the eyes of our
neighbors. He will need foreign support going forward. They needed a catalyst.
And the death of the kingdom’s holiest people was just that. He can blame it on
the Kalaowins. He’s got people who supposedly witnessed it.”

He
sat down beside her, but she wouldn’t meet his eyes.

“Now
he can round up the Kalaowins and kill them. He’ll have the support he needs to
handle the situation the way he wants. You can stop it. But not the way you’re
going now. I know you want revenge, and by all means you can have it. Kill
Hallam. Kill Ricton. But that can’t be your sole focus. You need to lead these
people to a victory. Focus on that. Lead by example; otherwise, you’ll be leading
them to a certain death.”

He
got to his feet and offered her a hand up, which she ignored.

“You
are the Shiasa now. You must not let your emotions cloud your judgment. You
will never be around to protect everyone. But you can teach people to protect
themselves. Forgive yourself or more lives will be lost.”

 She
watched him walk away. How was she supposed to forgive herself? It wasn’t as
easy as telling herself that it wasn’t her fault. Not when she didn’t truly
believe that. And she didn’t know how to convince herself that it was true.

Tilaw
trotted over and pushed his head under her arm
so she was forced to hug him. He licked her face and looked at her with such
innocence and trust in his eyes that she finally felt tears come to hers.

It
wasn’t that she’d refused to allow herself to cry over the loss of her former
mentor and friend. She hadn’t been able to. It was as though her tear ducts had
dried up. She wanted them to fall, but they wouldn’t. She needed them to. But
she was scared what would happen if they did. Would she be able to stop them?
She had shown what her emotions could do. Her anger had caused destruction. It
would have caused death had it not been for Bhatia. And she had to make sure
that she was never a threat to anyone ever again.

“Promise
you’ll stop me if I get out of control again,” Tempani said as she rushed after
Bhatia.

“You
won’t lose control again.”

“Just
promise. You’ll do whatever it takes to stop me. Knock me out, hurt me. Kill me.
I don’t care. Just stop me. You are the strongest person I know.”

Bhatia
stopped and grabbed Tempani by the shoulders. “You have no clue as to your
strength do you? What I felt…. I couldn’t carry that load each day. You will
stop yourself.”

“I
don’t think I can.”

“I
know you can.” Bhatia paused and looked at Tempani with an expression she never
thought would ever cross her face. Respect. “I have faith in you.”

She
hurried off, and Tempani frowned. That was the closest Bhatia would probably
ever come to telling her that she liked her. And in doing that Tempani believed
that Bhatia would be there to stop her if something ever happened.

Tempani
stood on the outskirts of the camp, watching as people went about their tasks.
They trained, they cleaned, they cooked. Life continued. Tragedy had touched
all of their lives. They had lost one of their tribes and had to bury the
bodies of the realm’s spiritual leaders. But they picked themselves up and
pushed on. And she had to do the same thing. Yet there was still something she
had to do, and it was one of the hardest things she’d ever done.

His
tent was dark as he lay there motionless. Nic was already seated there, holding
his brother’s hand. She crept in and took Teddy’s other hand in hers. He moved
his head to face her. His blank stare was like a knife to the heart. She
stepped backwards, her hand rising to her mouth in despair.

“I’m
sorry,” she murmured. “I’m so sorry.”

“You
should have let me die.”

“No,”
she cried. “You are meant to live. You are meant to be with me.” She looked
over at Nic. “With us.”

“I
don’t want to be here,” he whispered. “I don’t deserve to live when I could not
save them.”

“There
was nothing you could do,” she urged. “You were attacked too. You were bound
and beaten. They wanted you to suffer but don’t let them defeat you. You’re
stronger than they are.”

He
moved away from her. “I’m weak. That’s why they chose me to watch.”

“Well
you prove them wrong then. You show them that they can’t win,” said Nic.

“They’ve
won. I’ve lost my sight. I will never see the good in people again.” His body
shook with anger. “I’ve lost my faith.”

A
tear rolled down her cheek. She climbed into the bed beside him and wrapped her
arms around his rigid body. “Then I will believe for the both of us.” And
finally she wept for the lives lost, Kalaowin and Kamari. And she cried for the
friend who had survived.

~13~

They
came in droves. First the tribes. One after the other. Each pledging their allegiance
and fighters to their new leader. Then came the women, who followed her call
and fell to their knees before her, opening their minds to her teachings. And
lastly the common born who were strong enough to fight. Their numbers were few
but their commitment was fierce.

Those
who wanted to yield a weapon joined the group of fighters training with Madoc,
Otto, Nic, Chae, Nika and
Keer
,
Reeta
supervising from the sidelines. Those who yielded magic were taught by Tempani,
Eriluz
, and
Freloha
. It was
not only women who joined this group but common born men who had been denied
the use of their powers beyond simple healing techniques. Dahlia gathered a
small group of followers who shared her passion for healing and worked with
Eriluz
each night.

As
the group swelled, the enchantments around the camp were strengthened. More
guards were sent to the perimeters, and lookouts were dispatched further
afield. If the enemy came, they would be prepared.

Tempani
watched them all with a steely gaze. She had expected her heart to swell with
pride when she finally united the people, but it didn’t. They were united for
the cause but that was as far as it went.

The
Kamaris eyed the Kalaowins with apprehension that bordered on fear. The
Kalaowins watched their white kin with mistrust. She had hoped that by mixing
the blood of the trainers the tensions would be eased but once training
finished, the Kamaris moved to the east of the camp and the Kalaowins to the
west. Housed in the middle were Tempani and her Kamari husband and their mixed
bag of friends.

She
frowned as she watched the fighters practice their last move and then wander
off to their respective camps.

“It’ll
take time,” Nic said as he joined her, panting from his training session. “We
can’t force people to co-exist. Over time we’ll prove to them that there is
nothing to fear.”

She
sighed and rested her head against his shoulder. “I’m tired of having to prove
everything. For once can’t people just believe what they’re told?”

He
stifled a laugh as he kissed the top of her head. “Isn’t one of the reasons
we’re fighting because people have just believed what they’ve been told?”

She
turned around to face him, putting her arms around his neck. “When did you get
so smart?”

He
shrugged his shoulders and smiled at her. “When I realized my looks would only
get me so far.”

“You
mean you’re not just a pretty face?” She reached up and kissed him.

“I’m
much more than a pretty face,” he whispered, his voice deep as his mouth inched
closer to her ear. “Perhaps tonight I’ll show you how much more.”

“Or
you could show me now,” she said and stepped away, pulling him by the hand.

He
laughed and pulled her back to him, happy to see her behaving more like
herself. “I’m afraid we need to sit down with your father and Madoc and talk
strategy.”

She
groaned and kissed him swiftly. “A ruler’s work is never done.”

“Not
with such an enormous task ahead of us.” He grabbed her hand and led her
towards the meeting tent.

They
would strike the city in four days. That was two days before Hallam was planning
to hold his coronation. They would not allow a crown to sit upon his head.
Tempani was restless though. She wanted to launch the attack now. She didn’t
understand the need to wait.

“We
need more time to train these people,” Otto explained. “These commoners have
never fought before. Not properly. We need to be sure that they know what
they’re doing.”

“If
someone is running at them with their sword raised, they’ll know. Their
instincts will kick in, and they’ll fight back,” she argued.

“And
they will be slain before they even raise their weapon. Give us a few more days
with them, and we’ll be ready.”

“Am
I in charge of this or not?”

Otto
frowned at her. “One thing a good ruler needs to do is listen to the people
they surround themselves with.”

“Fine,”
she snapped. “But if one of you even thinks about suggesting I stay safe and
not fight alongside my people then I will blast you out of my way.”

“We
wouldn’t dream of it,” said Madoc. “You will lead the charge. But you will also
be protected. Heavily.”

“Me
and Rando have been working with your guard. No harm will come to you,” said
Zadi. She turned reluctantly to Nic. “Or you.”

He
smiled at her. “Thank you cousin. I know I’m in capable hands.”

She
rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to Otto and Tempani.

“We
need to make sure those who stay behind are guarded,” said Madoc. “In case the
enchantments surrounding the camp fail.”

Tempani
swallowed. He meant in case she was killed. If she died the enchantments she
created died with her.

“I
will be here,”
Eriluz
hissed.

“I
meant fighters,” he said.

Her
eyes flashed angrily at him.

Tempani
stifled a laugh and looked at Madoc. “My
niska
will
be enough. I’d like to see Hallam’s men even try and take her on.”

“Perhaps
Bhatia could stay behind and help. She’s a good fighter.”

Now
Tempani laughed. “Can I please be there when you suggest that to her?”

“Some
of the elders will stay behind. Their bones are weak, but their magic is not.
We will destroy any man who dares come near us.”

“That’s
settled then. So in four days we make our move,” said Tempani.

They
all looked at each other and nodded slowly.

—

Thara
sat by the fire cradling the baby. She was
anxious. She knew the others would all be going into battle soon, and she
didn’t know if any of them would come back alive. And if they didn’t, what
would happen to everyone else? Would they come after them all?
Thara
knew she would run if that happened. But she had no
idea where she would run to. Maybe try and find Colbert. But then how long
would it be before all the Kalaowins were hunted down?

And
then there was the other outcome. What if they won? Would everyone go back to
their normal lives? Would the Kalaowins go back to their camps? Tempani and Nic
and their noble friends would go to the palace. And Nic had promised Bhatia
anything that she wanted. She could live a good life.

But
where would
Thara
go? She had no idea what would
happen to her. She couldn’t go back to her old village, and she’d never been to
the city before. She didn’t know anyone there. Well, except for the people
here, but once they went back to their fancy way of living, they’d forget about
her.

Part
of her wanted them all to stay out here. Living off the land wasn’t that bad.
They always had food. Sure it was freezing now that winter was close, but
they’d make do. They’d just dress warmer. Everyone got along out here. It had
become a family.

She
saw Nika watching her. He always did that. He was always close by. Just
watching. It unnerved her. Why didn’t he ever come and talk to her? But she knew
the answer to that. He didn’t understand a word she said.

She
often found herself staring back at him. There was something hypnotic about
him. Something about him that she was drawn to. She realized she would miss him
after all this - miss the way his stare made her blush and the way she always
felt more aware of herself whenever she sensed him near.

She
tensed as he walked towards her. Had he heard her? She groaned at her
stupidity. She hadn’t said anything aloud. Of course, he hadn’t heard her. But
the slight smirk on his face made her doubt that. Perhaps he could read minds.

He
sat beside her, his arms resting on his long legs as he held his bow. Despite
the cold weather, he still wore nothing but breeches, and
Thara
found herself blushing as she looked at him. Even though he still scared her,
she felt alive with him next to her.

“Name?”
He asked and pointed at the baby.

“He
still doesn’t… his pa didn’t,” she stammered. Why couldn’t she think clearly?

“You
his ma.”

“No,
his ma, Leandra, she’s um, she’s dead. I’m just looking after him.”

“He
yours.”

She
shook her head. How did she make him understand? “Me.” She pointed at her
chest. “No ma.” She shook her finger.

He
held her wrist to stop her shaking her finger. “You love him. He yours.
Simple.”

She
stared at him. Was it really that simple? She did love the baby. She didn’t
know how, but it had happened. Colbert had deserted him, and Leandra was gone.
Without her he would be all alone in the world. But surely once they won,
Tempani would want to look after him. Or give him to someone else to look
after. She just assumed caring for him was temporary. It was part of the reason
she couldn’t bring herself to name him.

She
looked down at him, asleep in her arms, and her heart swelled. She didn’t want
to lose him. Maybe if she asked Tempani she would let her keep him. Or Bhatia
could plead her case. Bhatia was better at convincing people.
Thara
would just give up if someone knocked her back but
not Bhatia. She’d keep going until she won.

“Name?”

“I
don’t know,” she whispered. She couldn’t think of any name that would do him
justice.

“
Ilya
.”

“
Ilya
?” She frowned. Yes, she liked it. It suited him. And
now he had a name. She looked up at him and smiled. “Thank you.”

He
leant down and pressed his lips against hers briefly. “And you are mine. I will
always protect you.”

“You
can speak Kamari!”

He
smiled at her. “It was funny watching you talk to me.”

“I
looked silly.”

He
pressed his lips to hers again and then got to his feet and walked away.

Bewildered,
she held her fingers up to her lips. Had he just kissed her? Yes, he had. And
he had said she was his. It was not the way a girl was normally courted, but to
her it didn’t matter. He was different, and she liked that.

—

Tempani
spent the next two days moving between all the different practice sessions,
making sure everyone saw her face. She wanted these people to know who she was
and what she stood for. They all wanted unity, but they wouldn’t get that in
peace time unless both sides came together and forgot about skin color.

So
when she walked amongst them she always had her Kamari and Kalaowin bodyguards
by her side. People would see that she belonged to both worlds and so would
they.

“Tempani!”
Chae cried as he came running over to her. “You better come quick.”

“What’s
going on?” She ran beside him, matching him stride for stride.

They
reached the meeting tent, and she froze when she saw Yuta, his face bloodied.
She knelt down beside him and studied his face. He didn’t have a scratch on
him.

“They’re
rioting,” he croaked. “We told ‘
em
what happened to
the convent, and they went crazy.”

“The
King’s Guard are killing anyone who puts up a fight,” said Keane. “We got out
just in time. It’s brutal.” He shuddered at the memory.

Tempani
looked up at Otto. The question was clear in her eyes, and he answered it with
a nod. She agreed. There was only one thing they could do.

She
got to her feet and turned to her commander. “Madoc, gather your fighters. We
set out at nightfall.”

“Are
you sure?” Chae asked.

“We
have no choice. If I can save lives by launching our attack ahead of schedule
then I will,” she said and turned back to Madoc. “I want to meet with all
squadron leaders before we set out. Send them all to me as soon as you can.”

“Right
away,” he said and rushed out of the tent, Chae at his heels.

She
turned to her
niska
and Darby. “I trust the two of
you to protect those we leave behind, and I want some of our people placed
between here and the city. Any that are able to escape the devastation there I
will send to you.”

Darby
kissed her cheek. “I regret that I will not be with you in battle.”

“Your
wisdom will be there with me.”

Eriluz
pushed Darby aside and held Tempani’s face
between her hands. “Remember our First as you take this journey.” She kissed
her on both cheeks, and Tempani knew her
niska
was
proud of her. “If you fail, we all die. Remember that.”

Tempani
rolled her eyes as she hobbled away. She always had to ruin a nice moment. She
sighed and turned to her bodyguards. Both so different yet both willing to
protect her with their lives.