Temple of the Traveler: Empress of Dreams (49 page)

That’s when the familiar whine of the tuning fork sounded. While people all around him held their ears in fear, Pinetto shouted, “All bow before the goddess!”

Sarajah strode into the shrine and changed her cloak into a chainmail shirt before she ordered, “Get away from my favored or die.”

Gloriana bowed. “Forgive us.”

One of the Imperial soldiers cut Pinetto’s bonds. “Just give him a few hours and he’ll be good as new. I neglected to tell you that part; Tashi’s a demon.” He saw Murali’s gray face in the rescue team. He’d obviously tracked them to the hidden shrine. “Does anyone have antidote for lizard bites?”

****

When Tashi woke, his wounds were dressed and the floor felt like cold glass. He opened his eyes but couldn’t believe what he saw. The room was a bubble under the water, with dim light streaming in from above. “Where am I?”

Sarajah walked in wearing the skimpy wrap of the island women; in addition, she was covered from shoulder-to-wrist and hip-to-ankle in gossamer. “In my new hideaway.”

He looked so moonstruck at her entrance that she blushed. She sat down a tray of rice and papaya. Tashi was so mesmerized by her movements that he didn’t fall on the food like a wild dog the way he usually did when healing.

“This cave is the command center for Archanos’ secret army of hybrids. They’re a very closed and religious society. What did you think of my shrine?”

Tashi smiled. “Finally, someone appreciates you properly.”

“Suck up. Evidently, someone stole the holy life-stone generations ago, some rival sect from Eutheros. I know enough to convince them we are who we say we are. When I gave them a copy of our holy books, it shook them up. It’s going to take a while for them to adjust, but I think I may have found the capital island for my reign.”

“What else did you find in the lair?”

“They have glass-alloy weapons down here, a magic water fountain, and alchemical medicines we used on you.”

“So this isn’t Ashter Island?”

“No. The rebel gods started this place as a breeding and training ground; that’s why it’s as far from the mainland as possible.”

“About three hundred per island on each of the three islands.”

“When they heard there was a battle, they agreed to send a ship full of men and women, almost half their population. Pinetto plans to claim them as students in his school and build dormitories for them on his land on Center.”

“Wait, men and women are going?”

“Their religion forbids them from marrying outside their race.”

“Is Hindaloo one of them?”

“Couldn’t be. Glorian said his father was probably an arkie pirate. Once his mom was pregnant with a bad seed, they threw her out of the sacred society.”

“Ouch. I sense a few rule changes coming.”

“I have to move slowly with my subjects; I want to be a shepherd, not a tyrant. Several people, women in particular, have asked if you could be interim ruler while I finished the quest. They need someone to help them transition to life in normal society.”

He laughed. “Me, normal? Teach? No.”

She looked into his eyes. “The warriors can relate to you. I would give you this island. Here you could do anything you wanted. You could avoid becoming the Sacrifice. The island girls are
very
interested in you. Maybe you should get a good look at what you’re turning down first. Mother said other women would feel even better to you.”

Tashi scanned her face. “Thank you, but I choose to be by your side.”

She lowered her eyes shyly. “That’s a start. I can name Murali regent in my absence. The herbalists here are treating him, and the children all gather for his hunting stories. Lord Conifer would’ve been ideal, but . . .”

He could hear the self-recrimination in her voice, so he changed the subject. “So, where
is
Ashter Isle?”

“Back the way we came, far away. That’s all the elders knew.”

“But we’ve been everywhere the girl mentioned.”

Sarajah waggled her hand. “Sort of. I’ve been over the conversation in my head a dozen times and chatted with Pinetto. There’s one more island close to the Crooked Isle, on a spur of the rift—Ooma mentioned the plague-lands.”

“You know, people say nothing scares me, but that’s giving me goose bumps.”

Covered from neck to ankle in sheer fabric, Sarajah said, “Then I’m going to have to warm you up.”

He swallowed hard. “Um . . . what about the rules?”

“This is the most private room on the island. People above can’t hear a thing. I think I owe a reward to the man who just made me an island queen in more than name.”

He shivered. All he could think of to say was, “Yes, please.”

The first evening, she only warmed him, as requested. The next morning, as Tashi packed his gear, she sprawled on her cloak. It was now a white tiger pelt, plush and thick. “Where are you going?”

“Oh. You want to do meditation and exercises? You’re advanced enough you can do the kata on your own while I help the Greens learn blind fighting so they can practice the whole voyage. That way, we can take advantage of the black clouds.”

“You promised to stay by my side, and my side is here,” she said, gesturing to her hip.

He stammered, “I thought we were leaving.”

“We have to stay a few days to replenish ships’ supplies and allow the warriors to say good-bye.”

“Oh,” he said, a smile slowly dawning on his face.

“Now, attend to your queen.”

When they sailed the bright-blue waters again, Tashi couldn’t take his eyes off Sarajah’s unparalleled beauty. He was so smitten he didn’t care how many of the sailors obeyed Hindaloo’s orders.

The two ships,
Nothing Sacred
and the Green ship known as the
Call,
sped back toward the Crooked Isle. They docked only for a couple days to take on fresh water and supplies. Housing so many Greens at the school would be too difficult, so most slept aboard their ship. When she saw the debauchery and poverty of the port, Gloriana the shaman gave the crew a long sermon about how the evils of the outside world led to ruin. Though small, their islands had tide-water toilets and excellent alchemical medical care. With their height, light clothing, and cleanliness, the Greens stood out like palm trees in the sea of arkies at the docks.

As the surviving men of the original party escorted Sarajah to the school grounds, Grimsmeer the lead, green-eyed warrior, and Gloriana accompanied them. Sarajah said, “I met a few people on the
Call
who were under sixteen. I don’t feel right letting them risk death. Maybe they should help at the school.”

Hindaloo grumbled, “Every Green woman on shore should have at least three guards. The brothels are offering twenty gold a head for one of them.”

Sarajah laughed. “I should be offended. Nobody wanted me?”

The plague-runner stared at her. “You’re the reason for the price. Last visit, we got the same sort of offers for you. I told them I was your pimp and would knife anyone who touched you.”

“Flattering.”

“I told them you make two gold pieces a night, but that you were booked for the next year. They’re all dying to know what makes a green-eyed girl so valuable in bed. One of the Arinaw clan leaders handed Tashi a sesterina coin to watch. He broke the man’s fingers.”

“Great. And all I’ve been worrying about is the number of monkeys outside my window when I take my bath.”

“That’s
simbante
; it costs only a silver apiece.”

“What?”

“Men pay to watch a highborn woman bathe on a stage.”

Sarajah shuddered. “That’s it. I can’t imagine men sinking any lower.”

“Drinking the water afterwards is only three coppers.”

She made gagging sounds.

“It’s supposed to make a man more potent.”

“Stop, please.”

When they reached the privacy of the school barn, Grimsmeer asked, “My queen, I will honor your wishes, but why do you wish our youngest to assist here?”

Sarajah considered for a moment before answering. “I’d like them to learn to be teachers with the others. The Green children already have a head start; you teach your people how to read.”

“Teach arkies? Killing is a much better use of our talents. It’s why we exist.”

Rather than meet his preconception head-on, Sarajah asked Pinetto, “If we complete our mission, what’s going to happen when we meet Archanos next?”

“He’s going to reward us with the cure to the brain-eating plague. We’ll have to teach shamblers and their children how to be human again.”

Hindaloo guessed, “Sarajah will be queen of both kingdoms by right of conquest.”

Most of the people present gasped. Babu Nesu said, “I never dreamed. Immune to the great scourge.”

Mistress Ava, seated by his elbow in the makeshift classroom, covered her mouth in surprise.

Gloriana snorted. “
We
already are.”

This explained something that had always bothered Hindaloo. “You mean we’re all impervious to the disease because of our eye color?”

“Only about five out of six are,” replied the old shaman.

“But you said . . .”

“All of us on the ship are. When a child turns five, we place them on the mainland to expose them to the diseases. Only if they survive are they fit to become warriors.”

Sarajah swayed behind the podium, and Tashi steadied her elbow.

Hindaloo railed, “And you call
me
a child abuser.”

“That’s because you
are
one,” Pinetto countered. “Why would you possibly commit such a callous act?” he asked Gloriana.

The shaman stared back at the wizard proudly. “Lord Geriog, the instructor, commanded it. The surviving children are too young to remember the experience. To be proper warriors, we must weed out the weak. Those who remain rarely get sick and live decades longer than our neighbors.”

“How do you infect them?” asked Pinetto.

“Wrap them in contaminated blankets when they sleep,” Gloriana said matter-of-factly.

Pinetto coughed to cover his surprise. Imperial plague laws were clear—all exposed fabric and food had to be burned. People couldn’t even breathe the smoke from the purification fires.

Several men had to restrain Hindaloo as he turned rabid. “I teach my children the rules of the plague-land, how to avoid infection. They cover every inch of skin, including their mouth and nose. I have them boil every piece of stone or metal before touching it. Those who get sick didn’t follow orders; it’s their own doing. But you kill a sixth of your children at the request of a demon? You’re not fit to . . .”

Sarajah had to sit. While the debate raged, Tashi said, “You’re pale.”

“A faint memory,” she murmured. “I always thought I was a fluke, one of the legendary green-eyed witches of the waste who just appeared when Imperials found a pretty shambler. Now I remember that my master punished me daily when I did something that reminded him of my witch ways.”

“What are you saying, love?”

Loud enough for everyone, she said, “More children may survive than you know. Slavers follow the Green ships and harvest children.”

The room was quiet for a time. Gloriana wept at the revelation. Hindaloo sneered. Pinetto broke the silence with, “I guess we know what the next mission is after Center. Find the slavers.”

****

At Hindaloo’s insistence, they delayed another day until the full moon. “The arkies can steer by its light. If Mermaid Island has anything treacherous on it, we want more than the Greens to see it.” Suspecting that he was related to the Fish of the Ocean cult seemed to make Hindaloo hate them even more. In his mind, they’d left him to die. He used the extra time to plan and bribe the natives.

Nesu might have noticed, but he was busy outfitting the Greens for all-out war. He traded their rare powders and trinkets for Zanzibosian armor and rations.

Nothing Sacred
took only a few hours to reach the deep cove of Mermaid Island. Hindaloo announced, “Since the gamekeeper is gone and I’m the only one who knows what he’s doing, I’ll lead the shore party.”

Sarajah was reluctant, but Tashi convinced her. “This is why we brought him.”

“Fine. But I’ll go along to give the orders. I’m the one who has to convince Ashterah anyway.”

“Then I’m right there by your side. That leaves you in charge of the ship, Pinetto,” said Tashi.

“Shouldn’t the prophet go along?”

“You’re the only one left who can pilot the ship across the Inner Sea,” said Hindaloo. “You’re too valuable.”

Pinetto agreed to the collective wisdom, but a compliment from Hindaloo left a bad smell in the air.

The plague-runner addressed the leaders in the wheelhouse. “First off, we take as few people as possible. I’d recommend five or six. Most times, a place this far from shore is safe, but we don’t want to bring infection back to Center.”

“The last three should be ours; we’re immune,” said Gloriana.

“But your bloody clothing isn’t. It might carry the mosquitoes and fleas back to the ship, and we’ll never get it clean.”

The shaman snapped her fingers, and the three male volunteers stripped to their loincloths and glass-alloy spears. Sarajah joked, “Your turn, Tashi.”

“Should he take the Defender?” asked Pinetto. “The Dawn creatures fear it, and the blade makes him more hostile.”

Hindaloo said, “
More
hostile? Joy. Who do you think he’s going to use that on first? Every time I look at the queen, he already growls at me.”

“They have a point,” Sarajah said.

Tashi entrusted the god-forged blade to Pinetto. “I still need a weapon.”

“We’re walking around a tiny island. Nothing lives here bigger than a barn cat. I’ve been here before; the trip will take three hours at most.”

Grimsmeer said, “My men will not loan out their weapons. They are a sign of manhood, earned at great cost.” The inspectors in the harbor only let them leave with two spears each.

“Yeah, Honors are the same,” Tashi admitted. In general, a man would rather loan out his penis to a leper than hand over the family Honor.

Pinetto surprised everyone. “Since he’s leaving the Defender with me, I can send my uncle’s Honor with him.” He unlocked the captain’s chest and passed the polished heirloom to Tashi.