The Black God's War (16 page)

“Altogether, much better than I expected.”

“So he’s fine with us being here?” Aayu asked.

“Maybe more than fine. He’s given me command of the soldiers who came with us from Kannauj. We’re to act as an independent unit.”

“That’s incredible. Ha!” Aayu smiled his giant smile and looked at Narayani before turning back to Rao. “Congratulations.”

“He even agreed that Indrajit’s strategy was reckless.”

“Rao,” Narayani interrupted, “you look exhausted, mentally and physically.”

“And then some more. My spirit feels like it’s been bled dry.”

“I have something I want you to take. I’ll hear no argument about it.”

Narayani slipped around the musty old linen she’d hung over the entrance to their bed chamber as a curtain. She knelt beside the feather bed she would share with Rao and rummaged through her belongings. She had carried all of her medicinal herbs and tinctures in the same sack as her clothes and jewelry, which was why she was only able to bring eight changes of dress. The glass vials clinked together as she dug through them looking for the
ashwa
.

She hurried back to Rao and put the dry root in his hand. “Suck on it and chew it very slowly. It will restore you completely and give you more energy than you thought possible. But eat it all the way through.
Ashwa
is
very rare, so don’t
waste any of it.”

Rao puckered his face as he sucked on the root. He coughed. “Thanks,” he joked in a high-pitched voice.

“No complaining. You’re going to feel so alive when you wake up tomorrow.”

Rao nodded and labored to smile as he chewed the bitter root.

That’s it. Just do whatever I tell you and you’ll be fine
, she thought.

“Good,” Aayu said, “because I think they’re going to need us. Rao, you didn’t finish telling me what happened.”

Rao continued the story he’d started before his father called for him. “So, somehow I was able to negate the connection between her and the storm. I wasn’t sure what to do after that. I could have been more aggressive, but … I decided to offer her a way out first.”

Rao looked at Narayani and Aayu, hesitating. “I sent her a thought-form of peace, one that went deeply into her being. By that time, I couldn’t remain in my subtle body any longer. When I talked to Indrajit, he agreed to pull back—reluctantly—and the Rezzians watched us go.”

Narayani looked at Rao for some time, trying to imagine the scene.

“That’s absolutely incredible, bhai. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there.” Aayu looked down, kneading his hands. “I should’ve been with you. It could’ve gone so much worse.”

“We lost a lot of men, but it ended as well as it could have. I’m going to need you tomorrow with our unit. We’re going to be acting on our own. My father told me we don’t have to follow any of Indrajit’s orders if we don’t want to.”

Over the next few hours, they talked about every topic on their minds: the horrible taste of ashwa, how Narayani disguised herself and hid among the servants, the mountains and the desert they traveled through, the invading army, the family portrait in Devak’s quarters, Indrajit’s attitude about the war, and Briraji’s abilities as a sage.

Narayani was able to feel comfortable and safe that night, because Rao and Aayu seemed to let go of their resentment and accept her being there.

In the back of her mind one thought still distracted her. She had no idea how long her father would allow her to stay in the citadel with Rao.

If I could convince Aayu to teach me his sadhana
,
I wouldn’t have to worry about my father telling me to go—and then if I wanted to, I could even witness the fighting up close. I could be there to help Rao …

Chapter 18: Preparations for War

AFTER A BRIEF AND RESTLESS SLEEP, Caio journeyed out from the camp along with Lucia, Ilario, and ten warpriests selected by his father. The king declared the ten to be the most perfect spiritual warriors in the Rezzian army and gave them the task of protecting his children, no matter the cost.

It hadn’t been easy for Caio to convince his father that he and Lucia should go out on such a dangerous mission, but appeals to faith and the appeal of Lucia’s strategy won the king over. Lucia reminded their father that Caio, as Dux Spiritus, had the right to pursue any tactics he chose, and that his son’s will was divine. Caio didn’t want to force his father to do anything.

Caio sensed that his father couldn’t pass up the chance to have his Haizzem clear the way for his army; it was too great a tactical opportunity, and he was excited to see what his son could do. Vieri consented only after making them promise that if they encountered trouble, they would flee and let the warpriests sacrifice themselves to protect them.

Duilio agreed to do his part as well, to lead a significant diversion to the south. He also shared some news: “We have received an incredible report from our spies. The rajah’s son, Rao, joined the conflict on the same day as their bold attack. We assume he had something to do with their more aggressive tactics. I am told that the tales of his powers are already becoming legendary amongst their soldiers. In fact, they say it was he alone who stopped the goddess Ysa’s rage.”

Lucia reminded them that an evil force had violated her with some overpowering magic. Her father and Ilario agreed that Pawelon’s prince would be their target if they could find him on the battlefield. With Rao dead, they would have an even greater chance to intimidate their enemy into surrender.

The king gave the expected response, an unequivocal desire for a total victory that would allow them to bring significant changes to Pawelon politically and spiritually. Lucia changed the subject to the planning of the day’s attack, postponing the debate over the merits of surrender.

Duilio suggested that Lucia should accompany him while Caio attacks the northern sentry outpost, so that both missions would have the greatest chance of success. Lucia insisted on staying with her brother. Caio trusted her plan, privately feeling more secure having Lucia alongside him. Duilio graciously agreed to his Dux Spiritus’ wishes, and so they went.

The team made their way north along the eastern edge of the canyon and then west into the desert valley, staying as close as possible to sparse patches of vegetation to cover their approach.

Chapter 19: The Earth Shaker and His Sea

ONCE WITHIN RANGE of the sentry outpost, they rushed into the cover of a thicket of bushes. The branches were razor-sharp, curling around in wild circles like an assassin spinning with curved swords.

Caio, Ilario, and Lucia huddled by the largest bush, panting. The warpriests hid behind other shrubs, watching Caio with deadly focus. The scarves protecting their bald heads from the climbing sun fluttered in the breeze.

Everyone else looks so ready for this
, Caio thought.

He whispered, “I hadn't realized the mornings would be so cold.” Caio didn’t have whatever benefits of warmth came from the padding of armor, unlike Lucia. The goddess Mya and Lord Oderigo hadn’t left behind sacred battle relics as Ysa had for her royal devotees. Caio’s armor was spiritual. Oderigo entrusted the royal lineage with his sacred text, The Book of Time. The goddess Mya handed down to the royalty a wooden rod shaped from the first olive tree the gods gave the kingdom many centuries ago. Caio squeezed the solid, grainy wood of the healing scepter in one hand and felt its majestic aura.

This power was given to me so that I could heal. This is madness.

“I think this land hates us,” Lucia whispered back, her sharp eyes remaining focused past the edges of the bush, up the hill. “Later, you’ll be glad you dressed for the heat.”

Caio squeezed one of his arms, feeling the loose sleeve of his unbleached cotton thawb, a long tunic running down to his sandaled feet. He thrust his head back and let the matching head scarf settle behind his shoulders.

“This is as close as we’ll get,” Lucia said.

“I pray none of them have to die,” Caio said to himself as much as to the others.

Ilario had said little since they set out, keeping to himself most of the hike. Caio sensed his friend’s fears about their mission and his conflicted feelings for Lucia. Ilario’s eyes focused on the Pawelon outpost and the steep climb leading up to it.

“You were right,” Ilario said to Lucia. “There's no practical way to assault them. Their archers would have perfect positioning while we climb the hill, and they must have sages ready with a complete strategy for defense.” He turned and patted Caio on the back, making brief eye contact. “Remember, you hold the goddess Mya’s rod in your hand. Everything is possible for you, my Haizzem.”

Lucia’s gaze pried into Caio’s soul, making sure her message was received. “Prevent them from seeing our forces behind us, and prevent them from alerting their army. You can do this.”

Caio looked down on the intricate red and black lines the gods had painted on his palms while he was still in his mother’s womb. As with all the other Haizzem before him, the patterns started at the center of his palms, wrapped around his hands, and wound along his forearms to his elbows. Gazing at the thorny lines centered his mind.

He gripped Mya’s smooth rod with both hands and exhaled warmth onto his cold fingers. “Will our gods need to kill anyone to accomplish this goal? We only need to distract the Pawelons.”

“I am sure The Ten will obey you,” Lucia said, “though you know they aren't always compassionate.”

“We will see a great miracle today,” Ilario added. “Clear the way, my Haizzem, and let the gods decide the details.”

Caio noticed that Ilario momentarily looked away from the hill, to Lucia's face. Earlier that morning, Caio had seen his sister relax and smile much more deeply than usual around Ilario. “I wonder what we’ll be doing when we marry and grow old together,” Caio said.

Lucia’s and Ilario's eyes met for a moment before she said, “Caio, you should focus.”

Caio stood up, still using the bush for some cover. “If anything should ever happen to me, know how much I love you both, and that nothing would make me happier than to see you together someday.”

He knew they’d be uncomfortable hearing his words, so he gave them no time to respond. Caio ran into the open, up the long hill. If not for his trust in the gods, the empty distance would have been terrifying. He looked back, upset at seeing Lucia and Ilario chasing after him. The ten warpriests spread out to protect them, their flowing, white clothing snapping like flags in a strong wind.

The goddess Mya appeared three paces in front of Caio, wearing a lush green dress of leaves. Her enigmatic eyes quivered with a hint of moisture. She held up the palm of her delicate hand.

Caio remained upright but dropped to his knees. He heard the others stop and felt their eyes on him. He extended his open arms before his goddess, clenching her rod in one hand, with a plea upon his face.
If you will help us, Mya, what will you do to our enemies?

He felt a sudden shiver of heat.

Must we kill them? Is that what I should ask for, and would you even grant such a thing?

No response came from The Goddess of the Great Waters. His heart was pulled deeper into her mesmerizing gaze.

How can I go against my own marrow?

Silence.

I am your chosen Haizzem, why can I not instead bring peace to this land?

Emptiness.

Do my wishes even matter? Can all this momentum toward bloodshed even be stopped?

Mya stepped toward him and caressed his face from cheek to chin. It felt refreshing all the way down to his toes, like cool water on scorched earth.

We only need the Pawelons incapacitated, so they cannot alert their army. I don’t want you to kill them.

Mya faded from sight like mist warmed by fire.

The Pawelons stirred on the hill above. Caio knew he might have only seconds before their arrows or magic reached him and his friends.

Caio stood taller than he’d ever stood before, raised his arms, and closed his eyes. He squeezed the rod in his right hand and expelled his goddess's power toward the Pawelons. A booming, wet, sucking sound startled him, forcing him to open his eyes and witness Mya’s miracle.