The First Kaiaru Read online

“Care to venture a theory as to why Nāa spoke to Enashoma?” the Blood King said. “Or how his stone came back to life?”

  The fetch shook his head. “My guess would be little better than yours. And I can’t imagine the stone coming back to life like this, after all these millennia. It’s unthinkable. Nāa was dead.” Lu Bei said the last part with such a tragic finality to his voice that Enashoma’s breath caught.

  The Blood King’s eyes narrowed with suspicion once more upon Enashoma. She looked to Turesobei for comfort. Even though she had a kavaru in hand and had admitted that it had spoken to her, he hadn’t said so much as a word.

  “Sobei?” she said.

  He didn’t react. Ignoring the world around him, he continued to stare silently down at a stone in one of the boxes. Why was he so intently focused on—Oh!

  “These stones are all future versions of kavaru that are still being used in our world?” Enashoma asked.

  "Yes," Hannya whispered, the awe in her voice obvious as she gazed around the room, "although many of them were already lost or collected by the Keepers in your time."

  "Then a stone could be here, in one of these boxes, and…” Enashoma looked at the stunned expression on Sobei's face “…and still in use?"

  The fetch whipped around. His wings snapped taught, and every muscle in his tiny body trembled as he realized what she was saying. “Master’s kavaru…is here?”

  “It is,” the Blood King replied, violet-eyed, with a sneer.

  Enashoma put a hand over her mouth. “Oh, gods, poor Sobei. Seeing the stone…that’s like looking at your own grave.”

  Lu Bei zipped over and hovered beside Turesobei, fixing his gaze down onto the box as well. But there was something odd about his expression. It wasn’t sad or distraught. It seemed almost…almost hopeful. Weird. Very weird. Enashoma clutched a fist over the stone in her hand—she couldn’t let go—and joined them.

  Enashoma touched his shoulder. “Sobei, are you okay?”

  “My kavaru…” he said flatly.

  An amber stone, the exact same one that hung from his neck, shone in the box below. “Not even Kaiaru live forever,” she said. “And the Ancient Cold and Deep was far into our future.”

  He nodded. “I know, but just seeing it here….”

  The fetch still had a hopeful glimmer in his eyes, along with a sly smile on his face. He noticed her looking at him, and his face instantly dropped into a frown.

  “Poor master,” he moaned.

  Enashoma huffed. That little creature was the most infuriating keeper of secrets and schemer of schemes in all the world. And she still couldn’t help but love him.

  “What would happen if Turesobei were to try to use both versions of Chonda Lu’s kavaru?” Hannya asked.

  “He cannot benefit from an additional stone, even another incarnation of the one he is…bonded to,” the Blood King said.

  Hannya tapped one of two empty boxes sitting side-by-side and raised an eyebrow.

  “You and Ooloolarra both survived into all the future realms I created.” The Blood King’s eyes burned scarlet. “And you know why I did not bring you here.”

  She bowed her head and said, submissively, “I understand, my lord.”

  “Only two out of thousands made it,” Turesobei muttered. “Don’t know why I should be surprised. It’s not like I expected to live forever.” He shook his head and half chuckled as he turned to Enashoma. “I’ll be lucky if I live another—” His eyes fell onto the glowing amethyst kavaru in her hand. “What…?”

  “It’s the kavaru of—”

  He staggered back into the shelf. “Nāa.” He grabbed his temples. “I know him. He….” Everyone looked at him expectantly, but after a few moments, he shook his head in confusion. “Sorry, almost remembered something, but I couldn’t hold onto it.”

  Eyes flaring the impatient violet, the Blood King’s groaned with exasperation.

  “Why do you have his stone?” Turesobei asked.

  “During my mudra trial, Nāa appeared in my mind and spoke to me.”

  “His kavaru is alive still?”

  “Until today, it was as lifeless as any other here,” the Blood King said.

  “We’re descendants of his,” Enashoma said. “And…” she shrugged “and…that’s really all I know.”

  “We’re descended from two different Kaiaru?” he asked. “Why is he awake again? And why did he speak to you?”

  “I don’t know,” Enashoma said. “But that’s what we’re here to find out.”

  “Tell me exactly what happened.”

  She explained everything in detail.

  Turesobei touched his lower stomach. “I’ve never noticed another birthmark.”

  “It’s really hard to see.”

  “It has not awakened in master,” Lu Bei said. “And I doubt it ever will. It’s a recessive bloodline trait. Amongst the Chonda, it typically only awakens in women, usually right after puberty.”

  Wait a second…a recessive bloodline that only appeared in Chonda women…who were the only ones who could use the Maker’s Brush? That couldn’t be a coincidence. Had Nāa’s kavaru awoken because of the brush being here? He might have been trying to contact her all the while she had been in the Nexus but hadn’t been able to until her trial.

  “I have never heard of recessive bloodline traits.” Emerald eyes sparkling, the Blood King scratched at his chin. “You will tell me more of this later.”

  “If you like. But I don’t know much.” The barbed tip of Lu Bei’s tail shivered ever so slightly. That was Lu Bei’s tell. He was lying. “Master didn’t get far with his research. He only ever documented one other case.”

  The Blood King nodded appreciatively, apparently buying the lie.

  She should probably change the subject. “So what now?”

  The Blood King studied her and Nāa’s kavaru. His eyes turned milky white then cycled through all their colors.

  “You will keep the kavaru and use it. You have a bond with Nāa. I want to know why and how he sensed your presence. And I especially want to know how his stone could lie dormant for millennia, only to suddenly wake when you arrive. You might be the key to unlocking the secrets I have sought for so long. It is possible that I might not even have to venture again into the past.” His eyes faded to gray and a strange expression pained his face. “Except…except I must see the past. I must see the origin. No matter what.”

  Enashoma didn’t think the Blood King being able to accomplish his goal more easily was a good thing. But there was nothing she could do about it, except go along for the ride. That was the only course any of them had available right now. The Blood King shook off the odd expression. His eyes turned pale blue, and he smiled warmly. “You are a true gift, Chonda Enashoma.”

  “So that’s your ultimate plan?” Turesobei asked. “To reawaken the Kaiaru who once resided in these stones?”

  “Using the secret of our origins, yes. And with your sister’s help, I might not even need to harmonize these stones with the ones in your world. It might be easier than I had ever imagined, and if it is, I will be able to bring even more Kaiaru back to life!”

  Turesobei’s face was a blank mask, but Hannya was having trouble hiding her trepidation. The Blood King didn’t even notice. Would he even care if he had?

  Enashoma rolled the kavaru in her palm. “So I can use the stone…and become a wizard?”

  “Indeed,” he said.

  She turned to Hannya. “Will you teach me?”

  Hannya started to answer, but the Blood King interrupted her. “Hannya will be busy going on the missions in the realms. I will train you.”

  Enashoma swallowed nervously. “Oh…okay.”

  “You and I will be spending a lot of time together, so that I can learn how this kavaru came back to life.”

  Great. She finally got a kavaru of her own and could become a proper wizard…only under the worst circumstances possible.

  Chapter Seven

  They foll
owed the Blood King out of the secret kavaru gallery, and back out into the Throne Room. He dismissed the spell of revelation, and their kavaru ceased glowing. Then he held his hand out, palm up, toward Enashoma.

  “The stone, please.”

  Still clutching it in her hand, she frowned…then hesitated.

  “The stone,” he said again, a hint of irritation in his voice, a flicker of violet in his eyes.

  She opened her hand. A glimmer remained within the gem’s depths. A heartbeat-like vibration rippled across its surface. Kenja coursed from the stone into the skin of her palm, along her energy pathways, and into her kenja-heart. It felt…it felt like it was a part of her. Where only minutes ago, the stone had terrified her, now she couldn’t imagine being apart from it.

  The Blood King’s hand whipped out and snatched the stone out of her hand. She gasped and stumbled back into Turesobei. She fought back tears and resisted the urge to lunge in and try to get the stone back from him.

  “Addictive, is it not?” the Blood King said. He closed his fist around the stone and settled back into his throne. “You will get the kavaru back, and I will train you. But first, I must study it. To be certain I have not missed something important.”

  Hannya settled on the floor beside his throne, and Turesobei and Lu Bei started down the steps. But Enashoma remained, staring at the Blood King as he pinched Nāa’s kavaru—her kavaru—between his fingers and held it up toward the light. As it glinted, her breath caught.

  Yellow eyes, rimmed with violet, fell upon her.

  “You are dismissed.”

  Enashoma exhaled, then hurried down the steps and followed Turesobei and Lu Bei out into the courtyard.

  Turesobei touched her arm. “Are you okay?”

  She nodded. “I will be…I think.”

  He smiled, but she could tell he was hiding a bit of worry. “So you’re going to be a wizard….”

  “She deserves to be,” Lu Bei stated.

  Enashoma rounded on the fetch and poked him in the belly.

  “Ow!” He fluttered back. “What was that for?”

  “You kept secrets from me!”

  “I couldn’t help it,” he moaned pitifully, rubbing his belly.

  Turesobei gave Enashoma a hug. “Welcome to the club.” He half laughed. “Come on, let’s go tell the others.”

  “Aren’t you worried about what this means?” she asked.

  Turesobei shook his head. “Lu Bei’s right. You deserve to be a wizard. You should’ve been training alongside me all these years. And in the end, having another wizard in our group is a good thing.”

  “But me using Nāa’s stone might help the Blood King.”

  “Lord Gyoroe.”

  “Yes, him,” she said with irritation. She hated having to call the Blood King a normal name. “It might help him accomplish his goals sooner. He might even raise more Kaiaru back to life. That can’t be a good thing.”

  “We can’t worry about any of that right now. You know that.”

  “But what about this Kaiaru being connected to our family, through me?”

  “We can’t worry about that either. All we can do is—”

  “Try our best,” she said. “I get it. But…I guess…it’s all so new.”

  “There will be a reason for this kavaru waking now,” Turesobei said. “And it’s likely something Chonda Lu set in motion a long time ago.”

  They both stared at Lu Bei, and he shrugged his shoulders. “I have no idea why Nāa’s kavaru has awoken now. I truly don’t.”

  “I’m finding it hard to believe you,” Enashoma said.

  “No harm will come to you from Nāa’s kavaru, Lady Shoma.” He wrapped both of his tiny, clawed hands around one of hers. “Of that, I’m certain. Nāa was a gentle soul, kind even by human standards.”

  She nodded, reluctantly, and gave him a peck on the cheek. He blushed and fluttered away.

  “Sobei, could you tell the others? I don’t think I can handle talking about it just yet. I’d like to rest and gather my thoughts first.”

  “I understand. Would you like a sleep spell?”

  She shook her head. “Just a cup of tea and some quiet time alone. I’ll see you at the feast tonight.”

  Chapter Eight

  As soon as Turesobei entered the Dining Hall that evening, he scanned the room for Enashoma. He hadn't seen her after they had parted in the courtyard, and even though he'd hadn't wanted to let on, he was worried. Nāa’s kavaru waking up stank of a Chonda Lu plot. The energy pulsing from the stone had felt incredibly familiar and had teased at memories…important memories…of Nāa buried deep within his mind. There was no guarantee, despite Lu Bei’s promise, that their ancestor’s machinations wouldn’t endanger Enashoma.

  Turesobei had tried his best to explain to the others what had happened during Enashoma’s test and how it had led to her getting the kavaru and being trained as a wizard. They were, understandably, upset. Awasa, in particular, had asked some very difficult to answer questions, especially since he carefully left out any mention of the Maker's Brush.

  He had strong suspicions about its connection to Nāa and the women of his family. But so far, it seemed that he and Enashoma had kept the brush a secret from Lord Gyoroe, and Turesobei hoped to keep it that way.

  Apparently though, he hadn't done as good a job assuaging their friends’ fears as he had hoped. Turesobei sighed as he overheard them whispering in worried tones about her. They were completely ignoring the lavish decorations Lord Gyoroe had created for this feast.

  Exotic flowers sprouted from vases on the tables. Bright scarlet streamers hung from the rafters. And tiny, sparkling globes of every hue floated throughout the room. Three servants played festive tunes on a zither, a drum, and a flute, while a fourth sang softly. Turesobei made a point of looking impressed.

  Lord Gyoroe, his eyes a pale blue, greeted them warmly at the door and gestured toward the low table. “Please, my honored guests, take a seat.”

  Gyoroe walked around to the head of the table and knelt on a cushion. Hannya settled in to his left. Turesobei took the spot on his right. As everyone else chose their seats, Enashoma hurried in and sank onto the cushion beside Zaiporo. The stocky zaboko boy shot her a worried smile. She returned it briefly before lowering her gaze modestly. That was very uncharacteristic of her, but Turesobei guessed she was trying to avoid Iniru and Kurine's anxious stares. And he couldn't blame her. Awasa was the only one acting at all normal.

  A group of servants brought out platters heaping with berries and vegetables, rice and eggs, sizzling meats and fish cooked in an array of spices. Bowls of red wine as dark as blood were poured for everyone. It was the most amazing array of food Turesobei had ever seen.

  “This could feed my whole village,” Kurine said, shoveling spicy meats onto her plate and avoiding everything that might taste sweet.

  Iniru scooped blackberries into a bowl. “Mine, too.”

  The two girls knelt side-by-side, just past Hannya and across from him. They were getting along—and well. Too well. It honestly scared him as much as it excited him. After months of sniping at one another, arguing and outright fighting, they had agreed to a truce, one in which they would share him and try to become friends.

  Two nights ago, he had spied on them as they discussed their relationships with him and one another. Iniru knew he had overheard them, but she hadn't said anything more about it. And Kurine didn't mention it either.

  Despite being able to memorize the most complex magical incantations, he never could recall which k’chasan relationship term was which. And the rules of those relationships forever vexed him. All he knew was that they had specifically discussed the one that let him marry them both…someday...if it all went well. And then they’d also be bound to one another as official friends…whatever that meant…and assuming he’d understood that part correctly.

  Of course, none of that would be allowed or accepted amongst his people. Besides, life didn’t work that way. A b
oy didn’t get to marry the two most beautiful and capable girls he’d ever met. Something would go wrong long before he had to face his family, and it would probably be his fault.

  There was no point in worrying about it, though. He should just enjoy this...whatever it was that he had with them, while he had it. Because starting tomorrow, they would be fighting for their lives. Turesobei tried not to think about it, but they knew the odds were stacked against all of them surviving through this.

  “You know, I have not eaten since before I was locked in here.” Gyoroe’s eyes morphed to heather green, representing his most relaxed personality. “Perhaps I should not have denied myself such a basic pleasure for so long.”

  Turesobei tried to take his own advice, shoved his worries about Enashoma and the future away, and tucked into the delicious food. While they ate, Lord Gyoroe regaled them with humorous tales of old Tengba Ren and Pawan Kor.

  At first, no one wanted to laugh at the stories. It was always bewildering when the Blood King behaved like a normal person. The others rarely interacted with him and had no idea how to respond. But the tales themselves were funny and the food and decorations festive enough that eventually they forgot to be nervous. Even Enashoma started to laugh, and once, Turesobei would’ve sworn, Motekeru’s eyes burned a little brighter.

  But suddenly, in the middle of his fourth story, Gyoroe’s eyes shifted to violet specked with scarlet. His animated demeanor disappeared, and he raced through the rest of the story, as if its telling was the most distasteful thing he had ever done. By the end, his eyes had faded to gray. He stopped eating and drinking and glared at everyone, causing them to silently rush through the main course.

  When their dessert of custards, berries, and pies arrived, Hannya ignored his shift in mood and told them a romantic tale that, not surprisingly, ended tragically with a hero failing to save his people or his lover before dying horribly. Afterward, Kurine, Iniru, and Enashoma wiped away tears. Awasa gazed at them in confusion, and Zaiporo cleared his throat and looked away.

  Turesobei sighed morosely. He had read that legend before. The lovers’ tragic end only made him dwell on what would most likely happen to all of them. Except that he feared history wouldn’t remember him as a great hero, but as the fool who had restored the Blood King to power, bringing death and destruction to his world, before meeting a terrible end.