ELEARAH CRONICLES

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The Pearl By Sandra Martinez Edition: Simone Beaudelaire Formatting, maps and cover: Danthra.com Copyright 2013 by Sandra Martinez, all rights reserved. This book is a fictional work. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the authors imagination. Any resemblance with real events, locales or personsalive or dead is entirely coincidental. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Author. Books website: elearah.com

ISBN-13: ISBN-10: Buy The Pearl for Kindle.

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For my folks, best people in the World.

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Table of Contents

*Chapter 1: The City Of Guan-Jian ........................................ 10 Chapter 2: Soft Spots And Kumis .......................................... 14 Chapter 3: A Restorative Bath................................................ 17 Chapter 4: The Legend Of The Obelisk .................................. 19 Chapter 5: Ashes And Soap ................................................... 25 Chapter 6: Unexpected Visitors ............................................. 30 Chapter 7: Foes From Home .................................................. 33 Chapter 8: The First Born ...................................................... 38 Chapter 9: The Bolting Horse ................................................ 43 Chapter 10: Two Places At A Time ........................................ 48 Chapter 11: Almost There ...................................................... 52 Chapter 12: The North Fortress .............................................. 55 Chapter 13: The Hu-Man Girl ................................................ 58 Chapter 14: Cherry Blossom .................................................. 63 Chapter 15: The Looking Mirror ............................................ 66 Chapter 16: Symbols And Intent ............................................ 69 Chapter 17: The Wall Of Destiny ........................................... 72 Chapter 18: The Hu-Man Seer ............................................... 77 Chapter 19: The Golden Dragon ............................................ 82 Chapter 20: A Big Appetite.................................................... 89 Chapter 21: News From The King ......................................... 92 Chapter 22: The Six Dragons ................................................. 95 Chapter 23: Secrets And Love................................................ 99 Chapter 24: Huos Palace ..................................................... 105 Chapter 25: The Laced Dresses ............................................ 108 Chapter 26: Two Knocks On The Door ................................ 112
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Chapter 27: Dinner At The Kings Court.............................. 114 Chapter 28: Briefing Meeting............................................... 118 Chapter 29: The Lan-Se Blade ............................................. 126 Chapter 30: The Blue City ................................................... 129 Chapter 31: Under Siege ...................................................... 132 Chapter 32: Ready To Leave ................................................ 136 Chapter 33: The Tiny Prince ................................................ 140 Chapter 34: An Act Of Kindness .......................................... 147 Chapter 35: The Black Arrow .............................................. 152 Chapter 36: Huo Camp ........................................................ 155 Chapter 37: Unexpected Solution ......................................... 161 Chapter 38: The Green Dragon ............................................ 164 Chapter 39: Back to Camp ................................................... 168 Chapter 40: A Very Short War ............................................. 171 Chapter 41: The Unsuspected King ...................................... 173 Chapter 42: Family Business ................................................ 177 Chapter 43: Winter Games ................................................... 180 Chapter 44: A New Body And A Kiss .................................. 182 Chapter 45: Fang ................................................................. 187 Chapter 46: The One She Could Feel ................................... 189 Chapter 47: Three Roses And A Flower Bed ........................ 192 Chapter 48: On Their Way ................................................... 195 Chapter 49: Too Much Of A Good Thing ............................. 197 Chapter 50: The Black Castle ............................................... 200 Chapter 51: Kukkus Castle ................................................. 204 Chapter 52: The Soul Eater .................................................. 208 Chapter 53: The Mantle Of The Goddess ............................. 212 Chapter 54: A New Beginning ............................................. 217
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Epilogue .............................................................................. 223 Appendix 1: Characters Review ........................................... 224 Appendix 2: Weird Words That Are Not Names .................. 227 *Last Words ........................................................................ 229

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*Chapter 1: The City Of Guan-Jian

Mika patted the neck of his horse when they set foot in the keep, a gentle reward for a job well done. It was getting dark, and the impossibly long shadows were fading into the background. He moved his head in circles. His muscles ached, but he was used to it. In the time they had been traveling, the pain and he had become acquaintances, never friends, but subtle partners. He felt lucky. He was healthy, well fed, and the view was fine. He looked at Elearah and smiled. She watched him with huge green eyes and smiled back. Balianthe man she called father was the last to arrive, his lips curled into an amused smile. The old man said he was a bard, Mika had seen enough to know there was more to the tale. They arrived at Guan-Jian the third day of the eight month of 2102 in the Lin-dan calendar. They had been traveling almost four months, taking Elearah to the Spirit Mountains on the northern border of Bian-Jing. Timus had said she would be safe in the Goddess Sanctuary, and he was always right, when he stopped laughing and looked you in the eye with that gaze of his. He looked like a gnome most of the time, but he was a god, after all. Mikas eyes drifted around the scenery. Guan-Jian was a picturesque place, like most of the towns in the province of BianJing: well kept, with cobblestone streets and simple yet comfortable houses. The round clay constructions loosely resembled the traditional gers of their nomadic ancestors. The doors were the pride and joy of their owners: big, wooden, and painted in red with symmetrical designs. Following ancestral rules, they always faced south. The lateral windows had wool panels soaked in resin, while the roofs were covered with red tile. The elevated houses left enough storage space for the corrals
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underneath. Mika had always admired the simplicity and efficiency of the design. The young man looked at the closest home and smiled. Through the dim window, he saw a small figure moving around the central stove, while smoke poured out of the chimney. Time for dinner. Down Main Street, where he expected to see the fountain, there was an obelisk. The monument, shaped as a square based tower, was placed in a small round plaza, right in the heart of the keep. The pyramid on top resembled an arrow piercing the sky. It was imposing, and it certainly made a statement. But it seemed foreign, arrogant, invasive. Why would anyone go through all the trouble of building it? Why put it in a remote town with no more than a few hundred souls in the cold and forgotten north of Huo? He had seen obelisks in many cities during this last trip through the fire kingdom and never really paid attention to them. But this time, it was so out of place that he did take heed. And there was something ominous about it. Around the obelisk, he saw the remnants of a fountain. It had been taken down to leave space for this thing. Awkward. When they came closer to the obelisk, the gloomy feeling grew stronger. Elearah stared at the grey walls towering over them and looked at the bard, a silent question in her eyes. The old man grimaced. He answered in a low voice, almost muttering to himself, I dont know where it comes from, but I would certainly like to find out. Elearah felt the bard shiver. There was more to the token than met the eye. She extended her senses toward the tower. Something was not right, but she couldn't put her finger on it. Father, is there any legend or story that relates to an obelisk? The bard looked at her, and his eyes flickered. There is one. Lets settle in, go for a spirit, and I will tell you all about it, he answered with a crooked smile as he wrapped his robe around himself. A cool breeze brushed past her, and she
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shivered, tugging her coat tighter as well. It was cold and they were in summer, Elearah couldnt imagine how these people made it through the winter. Traversing the small community toward the other end, they found the inn. It was a square building with a central courtyard made out of stone, clean and well maintained. The flour sieve image on the lantern sign indicated they also served meals. They arranged accommodation for the horses and entered the main house. It was warm and welcoming inside. A solid kang took most of the view, with small red charcoal rocks burning underneath it. A short, stout man, with a big white smile, sat comfortably on it, ready for business. They asked for two rooms, one for Mika and Balian and the other for Elearah. The men cleaned themselves up, changed clothes, and went to get some drinks. Elearah planned to stay in her room longer, and have a restorative bath, as she called it.

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Chapter 2: Soft Spots And Kumis

Mika climbed onto the kang and sat down, stretching his legs under the low table, his back resting on a wood panel. He could feel the heat coming from below, warming up his bones. It was such a blessing. He breathed deeply, sweet and spicy aromas reached his nostrils. Stew and soup to heat up the body and the soul. The light was bright, but not too bright, the tables were sturdy, the floor was clean. Glancing around, he spotted the bard talking to the owner of the inn, who was nodding and smiling. It never ceased to amaze him how easily the old man dealt with all kinds of people. He was a wise soul in a much wrinkled package, people were naturally drawn to him. His mind wandered and, as so often happened, settled on Elearah and the first time they met. Mika had waited on the docks for three days and three nights before the boat arrived at Nang City in the South of Huo. The bard descended first and the young man just knew they were the ones. Balian spotted him too. Their eyes met and, after a short nod, Mika moved the small cart forward. Three other horses followed. Just then, she came into full view. He stared at her, mesmerized, taking in every detail. She had her honey-brown hair braided tightly with one loose lock. She looked at him, and his heart raced. Her eyes were shaped like almonds with a slight upturn at the outer corners. She said something and his eyes went to her mouth. It was small with soft, kissable lips. Right then, she suffered the first attack he witnessed. From the corner of his eye, he saw movement and felt the hair on the back of his neck raise up. An old woman in ragged clothes
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approached from Elearahs right side, seemingly talking to birds and minding her own business. His eyes darted in the opposite direction. Guarded by the shadows, a man armed with a bow and arrow was waiting for a clear shot. Mika didnt waste time. He charged ahead with the cart and jumped on Elearah. He knocked her flat to the ground, protecting her with his own body. She smelled like jasmine, and, in spite of the situation, he had to fight the urge to kiss her. Suddenly, a thunderstorm gathered out of nowhere. Fat drops fell, wind howled, thunder roared. It almost felt as if the King of the South Sea was throwing a tantrum. Balian yelled something and the storm stopped as abruptly as it had started in a blink there was again a soft breeze, clear skies and a bright sun warming them. The man with the bow was nowhere to be found. Right there, Mika understood why Lady Nyah had chosen him for this assignment. These were definitely not ordinary people, and they needed more than a guide to cross Huo, they needed a fully trained bodyguard. Mika had a soft spot for Elie that he refused to name. There was one thing he was sure about: he would give his life to keep her safe. He grimaced as he thought about the other attacks they had suffered along the trip. Why were so many people trying to kill her? Why would anyone want to kill such a beautiful girl? The last lights of the day were dying out, and he saw through the opaque window the shady contour of the obelisk against the sky. Chills crawled up his spine. The fear he was keeping at bay gained strength, fear for Elearah, for her safety. Why did she insist on being alone? Why did the bard oblige? They were there to watch over her. Yet, Balian was ready to get drunk, and she was alone having a bath. The thought stirred other feelings in him, and he firmly pushed them away. When the bard joined him, he asked, frustrated, How can we protect Elie from here? Balian gave him a half smile. Dont worry about her, she has inner protection. And believe me, if she is ever in any danger, we will know with enough time to act. The bard patted Mikas arm and looked deep into his eyes. Drink, relax, enjoy. Life is too
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short to worry about what lurks in the shadows. We will deal with it when it dares to come out. Mika stared at the bard with contempt and only received an amused smile in reply. The young man took a deep breath and decided to get drunk for the first time on the trip. The stress was wearing him out, and he was the only one who seemed to be worried. Unfortunately, they only had kumis. The beveragemade out of mares milkwas not strong enough to knock him down, but it would help him relax. Balian took a little pouch from one of his many pockets and poured a pinch of powder in his drink. He did the same with absolutely anything that went into their mouths. It was a weird ritual, but it had saved his life at least one time that he knew of, and maybe more. He drank the kumis with small sips. It was an acquired taste he never developed. It started out mildly sour in the middle of the tongue but left a tang of blue cheese on the back. He found the aftertaste slightly disturbing. The bard walked to the center of the room, cleared his throat and started his show. Today he was going to tell the tale of The Lucky Girl and the Golden Forest of Erijam. The old man moved his arms, spun around, used different inflections. His voice was hypnotic, and he had a particular way of addressing the audience that made people feel he was reciting just for each one of them. A lonely erhu decided to join him. The bard adjusted the cadence of his words to the rhythm of the music, enhancing the emotion of the tale. The audience was mesmerized. Mika finished his first cup and watched the play. In the time they had shared the road, he had never seen Balian repeat one story. The bard was anything but ordinary.

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Chapter 3: A Restorative Bath

Elearah dismissed the helper when the tub was full of steaming water. She couldnt wait to have her bath. Private bathtubs were not traditionally found in inns, but you could ask for one when you rented a room with a stove. It was usually a rounded basin made out of wood, clamped together with metal rings. Elie had prepared her bath carefully. It was a purification ritual for her. The soap, the towel and the oils lay aligned on a stool. Her clean clothes rested on the kang. She had carefully chosen the oils for the occasion sandalwood, rose and bergamot. Sandalwood for the aching muscles and to thin the veil to Spirit, rose because she felt feminine today and wanted to embrace it, bergamot for restoration and renewal. She had sensed Mikas wave of arousal at the time she chose her oils, and that inspired her. You should cut that cord, you know? a well-known voice commented. What cord? she asked feigning innocence. As answer, drops of icy water splashed her face. Dont do that! she complained. Dont play games with me! Elearah frowned. Well, I like him. I dont want to cut that cord. Sometimes I would apprec iate having some privacy Im sorry, it will never happen again, promise, Pearl tried to sooth Elearah, remorsefully. Actually, I like him too. Elie smiled and took the lavender soap. We will need to make more soap Her voice trailed off while she sat in the hot water. She enjoyed her bath, pouring water over her head and shoulders with a jar and giggling like a little girl. She could barely
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fit in the tub, but it didnt matter. She was clean, which was such a blessing. When the water cooled, she climbed out of the basin and applied the oils. Elearah lifted her arms and wiggled her body to let the ample tunic fall into place. It was plain and white, down to her ankles. She covered it with a deep green wool arisaid and fastened a soft leather belt at her waist. It was almost an identity statement. Ever since she had seen the obelisk, she had felt uneasy. Tonight she needed the warm company of her ancestors around her. Her muddy boots were resting by the door. She put on a second pair, identical twin of the grimy ones, but clean. They were sheepskin boots, soft and sturdy. Elie was born in the North East of the southern continent home of the water tribes, a hot place with many wetlands. The tunic was typical for women in her village. The arisaid was an addition from the years she spent in the Blue Mountains. It was embroidered in red with many of the mystic symbols of her people, the endless knot designs that told their tale of rebirth and purpose, of cycles and nature. Do you think he likes me? Elearah braided part of her hair to keep it out of her face, leaving the rest to fall free on her back as a wild curtain of honey brown curls. Oh, yes... His emotions peak every time you are close. And sometimes when he is alone... Both girls giggled. How do I look? Elearah asked Pearl, looking into a small speculum mirror, one of her most beloved treasures. Beautiful, her friend answered.

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Chapter 4: The Legend Of The Obelisk

Elearah found Balian and Mika half drunk and still trying to get it right. She knew the bard was just performing. He was a wizard, and had tempered his spirit to overcome any type of poisoning. Mika was a different story. She was happy to see him relaxed for the first time in months. His permanent alertness with a dash of fear was getting on her nerves. As she approached, Mika nodded and Balian kissed the back of her hand. Mmm sandalwood, with tones of rose and bergamot, and a pinch of lavender... a delightful blend. Thanks, my lord, she answered with a quick curtsy and a smile. She climbed gracefully onto the kang and sat with her legs crossed. Mika looked at her appreciatively, but remained silent. Elearah had mixed feelings about their shy guide: he was all precision, courage and determination, except when it came to her. On one hand it was good, as she was not sure how she felt about him. But on the other hand, it was very frustrating. She scanned the room, there was not much to see. Along the walls there was a kang and under the platform, small coals lit to heat it. Over the kang they had arranged low tables and wooden short walls to give privacy and a place to rest the back. The wall had small windows covered in waxed hemp paper and wool blinds. Overall, it was a traditional decor of the north of Huo. She asked for some egg drop soup and green tea. It was an unusual combination for her people, but she had learned to appreciate it while roving this land. It would warm the chill of the cold night, without drinking to alcohol. They were waiting to arrive at a safe haven to experiment with it. Balian was worried about the way Pearl might react if sheor bothlost control.
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So, Father, how about the obelisks? she asked after they finished their meals. That is an interesting tale, the bard commented. And now you are old enough to hear it, he added with a funny smile and looking sidelong at Mika, who was staring at him confused. Something like a revelation struck the young man: the obelisk was a phallic symbol. His vivid imagination tried to recreate someone carrying that piece. It should be a very tall fella he mentally smacked himself to come back to earth very, very tall fella Elearah was grinning. The bard cleared his throat and began According to the Gliphs mythology, at the beginning there was Himm, the Source. He sang the song of creation with all his heart, and the most delightful melody was formed. He called this melody Aisis, and the consciousness this creation invoked had a particular note he found incredibly beautiful. The presence of Aisis taught him about himself, as his creation was a mirror to selfexploration. And he was pleased. But loving creation has a mind of its own, and Aisis was able to create as well. She sang the song of creation and the Universe came to be. And both were pleased. Himm and Aisis sang together and Homustheir sonwas born. Homus was a mirror of both Aisis and Himm, and Himm felt something he never felt before, he felt jealousy and the sting of competition. Himm uttered a harsh sound, a disapproving growl, directed more toward himself and this new awareness than toward his son. The sound lasted less than a second, but creation has a mind of its own. A new being emerged. Hinriss surged as a skein of anger and fear, driven by jealousy and competition. He was not an act of love and as such had no creative power. He was not a melody, so he had no definite shape. He was just a formless cloud of discordant frequencies, with conscious of self. Himm saw this and was not pleased. He decided to call his voice into silence until he could make peace with all that he was.
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He could have called Hinriss back and absorbed it, he had the power to call all his creations back. But he decided otherwise, at least for a while. Before calling himself to silence, Himm gave Aisis his seed, the song of life. He wanted to learn who he was by observing their creations as they lived, interacted and collected experiences. If they managed to make peace with all they were, then he could as well. The table was clean and Elearah leaned back against the divider, her eyes were closed. She looked bored to death. Actually, she was exaggerating the tedium. Aye, father, when do we get to the prick part? she asked. Mika was taken by surprise and blushed. He hadnt blushed for a long time. Just when you think you are over something, you slide right back to the beginning You shouldnt talk like that, young lady, you can get into trouble, he admonished. Elearah was trying hard not to laugh, but burst into giggles nonetheless. When she managed to stop, she wiped away a tear and composed her face, trying to look serious. For your information, she said, imitating his tone, young ladies get into trouble when they play with pricks, not when they talk about them. Besides Im not that young for my people. Im eighteen. When my mother was my age, I was already born. She stared at him, amused, one eyebrow raised and her head tilted. It was a challenge. Mika felt conflicting emotions stirring, fighting for space to express themselves. He pushed them all down. It was not the time or place for any of t hem. Nor the person either. He closed his eyes until they became just two slits, folded his arms and sat back with a tense smile that said it all. Balian interrupted right in time. To please you, young lady, we are getting to the prick part now, he promised with a tiny smile. Our friend here is right, you know? he added casually. Certain words in womens mouths affect men in unexpected ways. It is your job to control your power. Look what happened to
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Himm for losing control just for a second He released Hinriss into existence. Elearah didnt answer, but her eyes did. Mika looked into the bards deep gaze and had an uneasy feeling: his head was not a private place anymore. Lets move forward to satisfy the curiosity of the lady, the bard twitched his lip, and the gentleman, he added, looking sidelong into Mikas blue eyes. Hinriss hid in the darkness and watched Aisis and Homus in their creative frenzy. Homus creative power seemed to reside in his phallic member. This is how the stars were created. Aisis added her art over her sons creation and gave the stars movement, forming the galaxies. She created the laws of nature, so all creation would coexist in harmony. This is the way everything we see, smell, taste, hear, and touch was created. And many other things that are beyond the senses as well. After the stage was set, she conjured Himms seed. All her children became conscious of self, gaining the ability to be born, learn, interact and create in their own cycle, following the pattern of thought within thought. The whole universe came to life. Meanwhile, Hinriss was evolving toward a dark well of self-pity and hatred. He hated Homus and envied everything about him, especially his creative power and splendor. He wanted to destroy him. He also wanted to possess Aisis. He felt a consuming hunger when he thought about her. But, she was as opposite to him as they could be. Aisis and Himm complemented each other, and together, they were more than two, as she was a distilled version of the best of him. On the other hand, Aisis and Hinriss were opposites. There was not a drop of overlap in them as images of Himm. As such, their encounter could only destroy them. Hinriss knew this, and he also knew that she was much more powerful than he would ever be. He didnt stand a chance. But still, he wanted her with maddening obsession. She was an act of love so she could draw energy right from Source. He was on his own, completely alone and fading bit by bit each time he acted. Without a connection to Source, existence is dark, cold, unfair and hopeless.
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Then it hit him: If he could trick her or her creatures into feeding him energy, he would become powerful, maybe even powerful enough to force her into submission. This thought pleased him, and it was the first time he felt this way, so he decided to dedicate his existence to this end game. There was a problem though, he needed energy arranged in his own configuration to grow power. The solution was simple his hosts would have to suffer. Are you still awake? the bard asked his small audience. Still here, Elearah lifted one hand but did not open her eyes. That thing is delusional. She has access to Source no matter how much energy he steals, it is still a limited amount. He will never be a match for her. You are right about that, but being what he is, he cant grasp the concept of unlimited. It is beyond his abilities. And even though Aisis will be always off limits, her creatures are not. We need to choose to stay connected if we want to be safe. Mmm. When do we get to the good part? Almost there, the bard promised and continued. Hinriss decided to test his idea destroying Homus. Hinriss dismembered Homus and absorbed his pain. It is not for mortals to know how to dismember a god, so I wont tell you. He kept the phallus, his source of creative power. Homus called his mother while he was fading, and Aisis came to him. She picked up his parts and recreated the song of his existence, putting him back together, but his phallus was nowhere to be found. She cried and cried over her son, and her tears were drops of pure gold. Aisis tears covered Homus and a new phallus appeared, made out of that gold. Himm came out of his self-imposed silenceher pain clenched his soul. He recreated his side of the song, and his sons soul came back as well. Homus was alive again and whole, but he was not the same as before. He was stronger than he had ever been, the gold covering made him indestructible but both his innocence and power to create were lost. He could still mold Aisis creations, but could not condense new things into reality by himself.
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Thats sad, Elie murmured. I was expecting a happy ending. Not in this tale, my lady, the bard said gravely. Coming back to the obelisks.... Two groups use obelisks: those who adore Homus and those who serve Hinriss. They represent Homus phallus as you already noticed. In one case, the new and golden one. In the other, the original one still in the possession of Hinriss. It is a symbol of his first victory and his usurpation of power. The obelisks are more than mere ornamental elements, they are energy emitters and receivers stuck in the veins of the Mother. They affect the place where they are located. There is a war between Hinriss and Homus waged from one corner of the universe to the other. Homus doesnt forget or forgive, and wants to return the favor by dismembering Hinriss. Yet, by doing so, he risks getting darker and giving more power to his half-brother. Meanwhile, Aisis beautiful creation suffers. Mika was somewhat confused. Sorry, but there is something I dont understand The Gliph culture has been dead for over ten millennia. What does the dead religion of a dead culture have to do with politics today? Interesting question, the bard replied, and inclined his head toward Mikas with confabulatory expression. I will leave it to your pillow to whisper the answer . He slid down the kang with a swift movement and extended his hand to Elearah. Balian headed to their bedroom, after making sure the girl was safely in hers. Mika stayed a while longer, finishing his drink and thinking about the obelisk. It could be a protective element or a destructive one. In any case, the natural flow of events would be affected. Under the influence, he remembered thinking about the power of words. He would never see an obelisk with the same eyes again.

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Chapter 5: Ashes And Soap

The next day was beautiful and cold. They bought some groceries and took the road. Mika did not understand many of the choices the bard made until he saw them in action. The oil, for example. They bought two big basins of oil yet they carried almost no food or water. This time was an exception, actually. They bought beeswax, honey and goat milk. Interesting choices if someone had asked him. Of course, nobody did. By now, he was starting to get used to it and greatly respected the bards ability to find foodkings table foodpretty much anywhere. The Mother is unbelievably generous, he used to say. You only need to know where to look. Mika liked this part of Bian-Jing the most. The foothills of the Spirit Mountains had replaced the dry steppe with its myriad of colors, smells and sounds. Trees and small forests took the place of the steady ocean of feather grass, the distinctive landscape of southern Bian-Jing. The air was vibrant, wild flowers and cheerful streams became friendly companions. They all led to Lake Bakkal. It was The Lake, the lifeblood of the region sometimes it was deep blue, sometimes it was turquoise, sometimes it was silvery grey. In Huo they believed the color changed with the temper of its Dragon King, Ao Shun, who had a flair for drama. But the locals called the lake Bakkal-Ekewhat meant mother Bakkal. It was considered a sacred place. Never did a boat enter their waters without a prayer and an offering. Mika didnt know if the tales about the lake were true, but he did believe it was alive. He called her Sajhan, to honor her hypnotic beauty. He had been called by her song too many times to deny it.
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A couple of miles down the road, they arrived at a forest and left the trail. They found a clearing ahead and got ready for business. That day, they were going to make soap. Before meeting the bard, Mika had seen soap made, mostly out of animal fat. Balians soaps smelled better and the skin felt soft after using them. Soap was one of the ways they paid for this trip. The other main resource was the bards performances wherever they stopped for the night, where he would barter for the rooms and food at the inns. Mika had his share as guide and was reasonably happy. In truth, he wished this trip would never end. He could get used to these two, father and daughter, great people with whom to share the road of life. His assignment was to take them to the Sanctuary. After they arrived, his job would be done. He had mixed feelings about that coming time. He would probably be able to see Elearah between travels, but it would never be the same. In a clearing between pines, a beautiful oak tree with one dry branch hanging on the side caught Balians eye. My friend, the bard called. Could you help me make a bed for an ash fire? Mika already knew what he wanted, a stone bed. He nodded and headed to the river, looking for flat stones. Balian, his dagger already in hand, was tearing the branch out, while murmuring lovingly to the tree. The young man stopped for a second and looked at him, and his eyes warmed. The old man was remarkable indeed. Mika watched his companions working after he returned from the river. Even though several teams of assassins had tried to end the girls life, they still looked like a happy family. The bard was probably over seventy. He had a bushy beard and long ash hair tied up with a leather thong. His appearance was not exactly tidy, but not unpleasant either. His tall and slim frame gave him the appearance of a bamboo tree, a resemblance that increased when he moved. He walked completely upright, with swift movements, and had stamina that didnt fit with his
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appearance. A tiny smile danced on his lips most of the time, and his light brown eyes usually looked calm or amused. When they roamed over the beauty of nature though, they changed, they became deep and dreamy at the same time, like a lover looking at his sleeping woman. They lit three different fires: one for food, one for ash and one for soap. Elearah took charge of the food, while the men worked on the soap. It was a long and very taxing procedure. Mika had only helped in the process two times so far, and the pain in his arms and back had lasted for days. They burned the oak branch over the rock bed and collected all the dust they could. They put the dust in water and let it soak for a couple of hours. In the meantime they put the milk and oil in a cauldron and let it boil slowly, moving it so it didnt climb out. When Balian was satisfied with the color and smell of the water, they filtered the ash out. The result was a dull white liquid that was very hard on the skin. At that point, they added the water to the milk. Cover your eyes! the bard said protecting his own, while carefully pouring the water into the still hot milk. As if touched by magic, it started bubbling dangerously. Mika covered his eyes just in time, as a splash jumped from the mix and reached his forearm, leaving a trail of heat and pain. He growled. Elearah got up fast, went toward their bags and took out a small pot. The bard was watching her approvingly. This is going to help. She looked deep into his pained eyes, asking for permission. He nodded. She spread a white balm over the arm gently, so gently that Mika was sliding down a risky path. The pain was fast being replaced by other more agreeable, yet equally dangerous feelings. He was getting lost in her eyes. It is enough, thank you. He moved his arm away more brusquely than he intended. She frowned. What does it have in it? he asked trying to conciliate while keeping a safe distance between them. She seemed to be lost in her thoughts for a second, and then chuckled, looking back at him with bright eyes.
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Marygold, aloe vera and cocoa butter, she answered smiling. Now it was his turn to frown. What did she find so amusing? Cocoa butter? It comes from the earth land She looked at the bard. We will need to make more of this too. Note taken, the old man said shortly. He approached Mika and studied the arm. Sit and relax, my friend. I can take care of this. No, it is fine. I can help. The bard searched his eyes intently and nodded. They went back to work. In the cauldron for the soap, they added honey, and beeswax. For the next three hours they took turns stirring and keeping the fire low but alive. When Balian decided they had finished, they exchanged satisfied glances. Good job, the bard said patting his back. Mika was tired but happy. The old man approvals meant the world to him. Carefully the bard put the thick paste into molds. They had to dry for twenty four hours before unmolding and packing. Even then, they would still need some more time before being ready for use. The sun set behind the hills with a rupture of color. Deep purple faded into rose and orange, while golden tresses painted the clouds. Balian was looking at it appreciatively. The Mother was so unbelievably beautiful, she was truly a work of art. They were about to have dinner and call it a day, when the bard cocked his head, listening. He carefully placed both hands on the dirt and closed his eyes. Mika and Elearah tensed their muscles. When he opened them, he was transfigured. His face had taken a falcon quality, alert and focused. Pearl, water! he commanded sharply. Elearah ran to the water with a speed that was not completely human, actually it was not human at all. Mika, tree! he barked next, and it was his turn to run and climb at non-human speed. That man had a way with words.
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Chapter 6: Unexpected Visitors

They didnt need to wait long. A group of fifteen heavily armed men arrived at the tree-lined circle. They were dressed in some type of uniform, and had the stern look of soldiers on a mission. They had enough time to get ready though. While the bard sat comfortably in front of the fire, Mika was up a tree with his bow and poisoned arrows. Elearah was nowhere to be seen, probably in the river. The young man frowned, worried. The water was icy cold. What can I do for you, gentlemen? The magus looked at the leader with frank eyes, but without getting up. The man dismounted and came closer. Glancing around him, he took a scroll from his coat with two fingers and gave it to Balian. The bard broke the seal, unrolled the thick hemp paper and read it. He took his time to address the situation and think. Finally, he lifted his eyes. So, you are here to escort us. Yes, my lord. The man bowed shortly. Mika, come down please, Balian rolled up the scroll and gently set it aside. The young man descended from his tree, but he didnt put away his bow. He ogled the soldiers and they stared back, hands on the grip of their jian swords. The bard looked at the heavens, closed his eyes and lifted the side of his mouth in a tired smile. We are making soaps. We will have to wait until its time to unmold them, he informed them. How long will it take? the leader asked, troubled. It will be ready tomorrow at noon, the magus answered.
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He nodded curtly to Mika, and the young man left his bow aside. The bard looked at the rest of the group, and his smile stretched, reaching his eyes. Gentlemen, please come to the fire and eat some stew. We have a long wait ahead. The man in charge nodded one time, and the soldiers dismounted. They sat and ate in front of the fire. Mika learnt they were the personal guard of Duke Ming-Zhi, lord of Bian-Jing. The man who addressed Balian was Zhong-Shi, captain of the guard. The Duke wanted a word with the bard while they were on his lands. Of course, refusing the invitation was not an option. May I ask where Lady Elearah is, my lord? the captain asked a few minutes later. You may, and I may choose not to respond. The bard answered smiling mischievously. He was evidently having a good time. Mika was worried about Elie. He felt anxiety coming from her, but he couldnt figure out how. He just knew something worried her greatly. It was not a dangerous situation, just painfully uncomfortable. He stood up and two of the soldiers followed. Going anywhere? t he captain asked. Yes, to hunt something for tomorrow. You are eating all our stew, he answered with a somber face. He didnt like the situation one bit. He turned to Balian, If you agree, my lord. Highly appreciated. A couple of rabbits or birds will make a fine meal. Just dont take unnecessary risks, Balian answered. You two, the bard pointed at the two standing soldiers, We dont need you making noises and getting into trouble. If you feel like walking, go over there and bring me some more dry logs to make a bigger fire. The soldiers looked at their captain, and, after a silent agreement, they followed the bards orders. Understood, Mika nodded. He went to their small ger to collect what he needed for the trip. When passing by Elearahs bag, a crystalline voice spoke in his head: We are at the river and have lost our clothes, please bring us that bag to the right of your foot. Elearah? he murmured startled.
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No, it is Pearl. No time to explain, just bring it. Please? A wave of emotional pain and embarrassment hit him hard. Aye, coming, he mumbled. Now this is new His frown faded into a smile as another thought followed right after that one, no clothes, mmm. I heard that! Pearl snapped making him jolt. Afraid of his own thoughts, he picked up the bag and his hunting gear, and walked toward the river. The captain was looking at him intently. When he arrived down at the river, he didnt see any trace of Elearah or Pearl whoever Pearl was. Leave the clothes on top of the rock in front of you, turn around, walk toward the tree, and stay there facing it. And dont peek! The unfamiliar voice filled his head again. Yes, maam he answered, feeling something between annoyance and amusement. He walked toward the tree, folded his arms, and carefully studied a line of ants. They were coming down the trunk diligently, carrying leaves three times their size. Only then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a shadow. They were not alone. Elie, water! he yelled. His hand was already throwing a dagger, aimed at the neck of the assassin. He turned around to face the others and saw her sliding back into the watera breathtaking creature with Elearahs face. There was not much time to spend pondering what he saw. Right now, he was about to die, and there was nothing he could do about it.

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Chapter 7: Foes From Home

In a second, everything around him stopped. It was so unexpected that Mika almost impaled himself. An arrow was hanging in midair, just one inch from his heart. Timus appeared out of nowhere. The young man looked at him startled. Dont stare at me like an idiot. Get out of there before you get hurt, the god snapped at him while waving one hand. Mika obliged immediately. You dont argue with a god, no matter how short his legs are. Here, take these, he handed Mika three wooden stakes and a hammer. The young man gawked at the objects dumbly. The god looked at him, and looked to the heavens shaking his hands and talking in a strange language. Didnt Balian teach you anything? These ugly chaps are not normal assassins. You will have to pierce their hearts with the stakes to get rid of them. Now, you do know where the heart is, dont you? The young man nodded taking the stakes with one hand and the hammer with the other, eyes still wide. Good, get going then. We dont have all day, you know? Mika followed the direction of the arrow and saw its owner, still with his bow in position. He studied the pose with knowing eyes. It was very good, he was a professional. He stared at the face of the man who had almost killed him, realizing that he looked painfully familiar. His eyes widened as awareness sank in. There were some characteristically non-human elements in him though. This thing was not the man he remembered extremely pale skin, vicious red eyes, bony arms. Mika took the first stake and looked around him. Everything was silent, everything was still. He placed
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the stake in the mans heart and hit with the hammer. It didnt bleed. The young man shook his head as if he wanted to wake up. He walked toward the second man. The dagger was still lodged in his neck, his own hand around the handle. He tried to open the fingers to recover his blade to no avail. Bad luck, it was a beautiful piece. He thought about taking the mans dagger instead, but one look to his arm made him change his mind. He had the tattoo, so he was his kin also. Those weapons were usually charged with black spells. Mika took a stake and pierced his heart, ice creeping in his own. The third one went down. The young man took care of him without emotion, he had none left. Timus was definitely right, these ugly chaps were not ordinary men, never had been. All righty, then. Now come and sit here. You will have the best seat for the show. The god pointed at the rock where he had left the clothes earlier, the bag was still there. It was a good size boulder, enough to sit on comfortably. As soon as he sat, the world resumed its pace. The wind fondled his face, sounds of birds and water startled him. He heard surprised gasps and pained sounds. The vampires smoked and turned into ashes. Something came out of the water and pushed him, leaving wet marks on the small of his back. What the he started cursing while spinning fast and taking his second dagger out. Elearah touched her lips with her index finger. She looked absolutely gorgeous and very nak ed. There was a glowing aura around her. His jaw went slack. Now could you please turn around? Thank you, she said in businesslike manner while opening her bag, a hint of a smile dancing in her lips. And close your mouth, you look silly. The crystalline voice was back in his head. Elearah? he muttered while spinning around, heat rising in his body. No, this is Pearl. Who are you? he asked mentally. You will know when the time comes, she said in a dignified voice. Mika rolled his eyes and smiled.
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He didnt have much time to ponder the events. Four soldiers were arriving at the rivers bank just in time to see her already half-dressed, but leaving no doubt she was a girl. They had been attracted by the unhappy chirps of the chaps turning to ashes. He climbed onto the boulder and squared his shoulders, shielding her from view. It was pointless, but a man had to do what a man had to do. He hoped to ruin the best of the show. The faces showed surprise, fast replaced by lust. He crossed his arms and glared at the soldiers, letting his possessiveness show. The men froze. Looking over his shoulder, Elie glared at them, What are you looking at? You sick idiots. Turn around! They blushed and turned around immediately. Mika chuckled, satisfied. After Elearah was ready, they all went back to the campfire. Balian and the captain were standing and watching them approach. Again, he heard the voice in his head, Balian wants to know what happened at the river. It was Pearl, whoever or whatever she was. Tell him there were three vampires. Timus froze time, and I killed them. He was attacked by a wave of fear and aggravation, which quickly passed. When he reached the fire, he saw Balians eyes looking for confirmation. He gave a small nod. The captain saw the silent contact. Am I missing something? he asked. A lot, my friend, the bard answered with a small pat on his arm as he returned to his place by the fire. But that is how life goes we choose, and we miss everything we didnt choose. There is nothing we can do about it. The captain sighed in dismay. Balian looked at Mika, Lets leave those rabbits for tomorrow morning. The young man nodded shortly. We have borts. It is only fair that we share our food as you shared yours, the captain offered promptly, looking at both men intently. Good. That settles it, the bard accepted.
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The magus drew a circle, sprinkling salt around the full camp while muttering some words. Do not cross that line until the day comes if you value your life, he warned everyone. That said, he went to their ger and instantly began snoring. Mika had a hard time sleeping. To find out that his cousin had turned into a vampire, and that his kin were involved in the attack, was highly disturbing. But what kept him awake was the presence of Elearah close to him in the tent. He remembered her coming out of the water. Who was this girl? When the young man woke, the door of the tent was open and the bard was already working on the fires. Elie sat by him, drinking green tea. A curly lock was falling over her face, and she kept tucking it away behind her ear. Mikas heart pounded. She was so beautiful. The bard looked at him and grinned. You are awake, good. The young man nodded, stretched like a cat and got up. Some of the soldiers were starting to stir. He sat by the fire and drank some tea. Whats the plan for today? Eat, as usual, the bard gave him a crooked smile. And after we finish, well we start a new stage in our journey. Mika felt a surge of loss. He looked at Elearah. She was feeling the same. The life they had shared these four months had been pretty good, and now everything was about to change. Balian took the girls hand and looked at his companions one by one. The Mother is with us, always has been, always will be. If this is happening it is because it serves her purposes. Think about this as a slight detour. We will get to the Sanctuary, in time. Elearah looked at the floor, lost in her thoughts. Mika felt like arguing, he wanted to go to the Sanctuary. He needed to. Instead, he left the cup on the floor and patted his knees with his palms. Food, then anything I can do to help? The magus lifted his eyebrows for a second, surprised, and then relaxed. He took a bag they used for storing vegetables, searching its contents. Can you find us some burdock and carrots,
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please? Be very careful with the carrots, the lookalikes are poisonous. Mika nodded shortly and got up. Elearah, sweetheart, please bring some greens, dandelion or sow thistle will do. See if you can find young plants with no flowers. Now it was her time to nod. Two soldiers jumped up as she stood. Balian looked at the sky with pleading eyes, Well, you two. Go with the lady and make sure nothing happens to her. The captain didnt miss detail. He approached and sat by the fire. The magus gave him some tea. Their eyes met through the swirling vapor. You dont think my men can help her, do you? Actually, they dont stand a chance, Balian answered with a grave look. Will you share what we are up against? The mans eyes shone with expectation. Right now? Vampires. The light died in the captains eyes and he swallowed hard.

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Chapter 8: The First Born

Rashand walked the corridors of his own wing in Shou-Do palace, hardly making any noise. He was like a jaguar, silent and deadly. His face showed pride and disdain, his hawk-like eyes never missed a thing. He was the main advisor of the King of Huo, had been for almost twenty years. Everybody knew he was the real power behind the throne. He had his own people in dark corners of all the decision making points of the kingdom. They were not his kin. They belonged to the shadow family, recruited long before him, and trained generation after generation. They received an outstanding education and were helped to gain power and success, bringing wealth back to the group. The shadow family had grown over time and now they had enough critical mass to control the kingdom. Most didnt know they were working for the snake. They believed they were part of an elite secret network of wealth and power tied by blood. Rashand smirked, if only they knew who they served Only those at the very top had access to the enlightening rituals and saw their master. Once the ritual was performed, there was no coming back. Their soul was fed to the snake and the body inhabited by a son of their master. They were granted power alright, but it was not truly theirs to enjoy. He left the palace using one of the many back doors and headed to the horses barn. It was an impressive building, with over one hundred horses and three hundred stalls. The edifice was made out of stone, with curvy tile roofs, and decorative carvings on the wooden fences. Once he arrived, the hostler bowed and brought his stallion without a word. He nodded curtly, taking the
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reins, jumped onto his horse, and rode toward the edge of the city where the army was gathering. Zhang-Zi had requested his presence at the campsite. He wondered why the first born prince and heir to the throne of Huo wanted to see him. The prince avoided him almost as much as the other five children of the all mighty King Huang the Third, ruler of Huothe land of the fire race. He was not a kid anymore though. At twenty-six years of age he was a man a man with power who didnt like Rashand one bit. The tall man snickered. It had been fun to scare the six little cubs to death all these years. Now he might have a minor problem ahead, especially when one of them became King. While galloping toward the camp, Rashand revisited the situation. He was fairly satisfied with the way events were developing. After all these years of careful planning, finally the pieces were falling into place. He could taste the success. It tasted sweet and metallic, like blood. He was not sure if Zhang-Zi would actually have the guts to lead them to victory; it was his first campaign after all. But Rashand was not worried. The shadow family had enlightened people within the high ranks of the army. They had power but not exposure, which was perfect for his purposes. These men were the ace up his sleeve, they would make it happen. And he... would have to make sure the prince was fairly content and out of the way. Prince Zhang-Zi looked at the sea of men in front of him with both pride and apprehension. They were his soldiers, his to command, his to take to victory or death. He knew there was much at stake for his future in this campaign. If he came back victorious, the throne was his. If he didnt, his father would give the chance to prove worthiness to one of his brothers. The troops were gathering on the fields outside of Shou-Do, Huos capital city. The drafts had been done fast and efficiently in most of the provinces, even when their dukes practically lived in the palace. Zhang-Zi found this fact quite disturbing. It was as if the provinces were run by someone else. The question was then, was this war really his fathers making or was he a puppet as well?
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He needed to believe it was his fathers. He needed to believe he was building power for himself as future king, so he chose to push all his doubts aside and focus on the task at hand. The doubts didnt leave him though, he was not that lucky, they just moved to a corner of his mind and kept sending him images here and there His father with vacant eyes, Rashand gloating like a cat by a pond with fish The campaign his father asked him to complete was just the first one of a very ambitious plan for the land of Huo. If he succeeded there would be more, many more. The area in dispute was a small peninsula over the Emerald Sea. It was two hundred miles north to south and around one hundred and fifty miles east to west. It was right on the border between Huo and the neighbor kingdom of Hawa. The land had been given by King Huang to the family of his fourth wife Mahraas bride price. Her family belonged to the neighbor kingdom and had sworn allegiance to their king. Being right on the border, the territory was transferred to the Hawa monarch. King Huang had never given a second thought to that land. But recently he realized that this peninsula was perfect for his expansion efforts. Huang claimed the land had not been given as bride price but as mahr to his wife, and that he and their son Xiao where the rightful heirs since she was no more. This claim was not acknowledged, so he immediately started gathering an army to take back the land and invade the kingdom of Hawa. It was a deceptively irrelevant campaign. Their neighbor was the heart of the air race. His father was sure they would see the signs for what they were and oblige in a full-scale war. Zhang-Zi knew he was right, of course. If something characterized the air people, it was fast thinking. He was confident about the results. The air kingdom was almost dissolved. It was not what it used to be in the times of the empire. They were scattered small strongholds minding their own business, and some groups had even gone back to the nomadic practices of their ancestors. They were still strong, intelligent people, but King Huang expected the inner fractures would bring them to their knees almost without spilling blood. And this was why this campaign was so important. If their calculations were
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right, the King of Hawa would send everything he had to stop them in their tracks. If they won this battle, they won the war. Zhang-Zi turned around and went toward the main tent were Rashand was waiting for him. His fathers main advisor was sitting very comfortably, with a cup of wine in one hand, munching nuts, indifferent to the preparations around him. There was something unnatural and feral about this man. Maybe it was the fact that he didnt seem to age as normal people did, maybe it was his coldness under pressure, maybe it was his darkalmost blackeyes and wicked intelligence the prince didnt know, and he was not sure if he wanted to know. He had feared this man as a young boy, and he didnt trust him now. He knew he was probably being unfair. Rashand had proven himself an invaluable resource, again and again, during the twenty years he had been main advisor. Still the day he succeeded his father as king of Huo would be the day this mans power came to an end. News? he asked ruthlessly entering the ger. The man got up and bowed to him, but Zhing-Zhi felt it was mockery more than respect. Half of the troops are here, the others we are waiting for are on their way. We expect them to arrive in less than seven days. The provinces from the South will be joining us on our way. Please write down the details province by province. Include men, horses, equipment and food. The main advisor lifted an eyebrow inquisitively. Do you have a problem with my request? he asked belligerently. Absolutely none, your highness. Is there anything else I can do for you? No, please leave now. Come back with the information. The man left the drink on the table, took some nuts for the trip and headed outside to do his bidding. Rashand mounted his horse and trotted toward the first unit. It was noon and the sun was scalding his eyes. He didnt like the sun, didnt like it one bit. Remind me to break the little twats neck once we dont need him anymore, he muttered resentfully.
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Youve got it, an amused voice echoed in his head.

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Chapter 9: The Bolting Horse

Balian murmured encouraging words to his horse, while brushing it carefully. They had just stopped for the night, and the stallion was very tired. The soldiers had instructions to go right to their destination, avoiding villages and people, and to travel fast. The light trot allowed them to cover more distance, but the animals were utterly unhappy. When he finished, the soldiers had already lit a fire. They were anxiously waiting for him to start cooking. The bard chuckled, he could hear their stomachs rumbling in the distance. The horse moved its ears nervously and shook its head. Balian paid attention. The horse stamped one foot on the dirt and lifted its nose, emitting a vibrant blow. The old mans eyes became narrow and focused. In the distance, he heard hooves at full gallop, and there was something else, the swish of wheels. He looked at Mika sitting by the fire and the young man raised his head, looking back. He stood up and came walking fast with long strides. The soldiers perceived the sudden movement and ran to their weapons. What is it? The captain drew his sword and scanned the area. I think it is a carriage. It is coming this way, and something is not right. They didnt need to wait long, a carriage was approaching at full speed, pulled by a bolting horse. It was a two-wheeled cart with a simple tubular cover over a wooden plank. On the front, a woman was desperately trying to reach with one hand for the reigns that flew loose. In the other hand she clutched a basket from which piercing wails emerged ominously. The brown eyes of the
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woman were open in shock, and her face was pale like a ghost. Her hair fluttered in the wind, black like the wings of a crow. Mika reacted without even thinking. When the cart arrived at their location, he used Balians horse to gain momentum, did a full turn in the air and landed cleanly, straddling the runaway horse. He reached for the reigns and pulled them slowly and steadily while murmuring soothing words in the ear of the animal. The horse kicked and stood on two legs several times, scared. He didnt flinch. He kept pulling gradually and murmuring, until it finally relaxed and stopped. The captain was by his side, riding bareback on Balians stallion. The man jumped onto the cart and picked up the baby. Mika turned the horse around and took it to camp, the stallion followed on its own. The bard helped the woman to slide down from the cart. She was shaking uncontrollably with her eyes vacant. She had trouble walking. Looking down he noticed her feet had been bound as a child and now they were grossly deformed. It was a heavy toll many women paid to gain status and enter into a good marriage. The bard sighed, pained. The women of the South of Huo were naturally small, so to have small feet was easy. But the women of Bian-Jing came down from a strong line, even warriors at one time. They were taller and they needed bigger feet to walk. He would never understand that need of men to mutilate what the Goddess had so skillfully designed. For him, these acts were grievous sins. Elearah took the baby with love in her eyes and put him to her chest, the little head resting on her shoulder. She started singing softly and massaging the back. Eventually the little one stopped crying and relaxed. Mika looked at her and smiled. She would be a great mother. They helped the woman toward the fire and Balian prepared some tea, adding dried linden flowers to help her rest. She took the tea and tears started sliding down her face, but she didnt seem to react. Her eyes were lost in the distance. She looked like a rag doll. Stay with her. This might take a while, the bard told Mika, and started dinner.
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The young man looked at Elearah sitting by the fire with the baby sleeping in her arms. She glanced back and gave him a tiny smile. Mika felt tenderness lumping his throat. He returned the smile and for a second something clicked between them, their souls touched. That night, yet again, he had a hard time sleeping. Images of his past came back to haunt him, to deny him what his heart desired. He knew that when tenderness met respect and lust, the result was long-lasting love and passion. He could feel his heart sliding already. But she was off limits. He was a marked man, with nothing to offer. And yet in the eyes of the Goddess there was no small or big man, just those who follow their bliss and those who follow their fear. He was torn. He tucked his arm under his head and uttered a silent prayer: Oh My Lady, here is my heart. It is feeling again, and it is in pain. Take my love for her and do as you see fit. I will thank you either way. A lonely tear slid across his cheek and went toward his ear. It tickled, and he smiled with sad humor. He sighed with acceptance and cleared his mind. The Goddess would take care of his problem. She always did. The next day, the woman seemed able to focus her eyes better. She looked at her surroundings surprised, and worried. You are safe now, Balian told her while offering some tea. She moved the baby toward her left side to keep him away from the hot water, and took the cup with the right one, nodding. Can you tell us what happened? I was going fast, trying to reach my parents house before nightfall, my baby cried and I lost the reigns. The horse bolted and... I thought it was the end, her frail voice trailed off. Will you tell us what you were running away from? The bard stroked a cord. Many emotions crossed the womans face. Finally she looked down, sad and defeated. From my husband. Captain Zhong-Shi glared at her in horror.

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Why did you leave your husband? What did he do? the captain asked brusquely. He scared her, and Balian looked at him admonishingly. The captain bowed. Im sorry, I didnt mean to upset you. I am Zhong-Shi, captain of the personal guard of Duke Ming-Zhi. If you were hurt, the duke wants to know. The woman chose her words carefully. My Master didnt do anything he is not entitled to do. I just needed time with my birth family. She looked down, diverting her eyes. Balian looked at the captain and shook his head, she would not talk in front of him. The man glared at the magus, but he excused himself and went to check on the horses. Dear, The bard put his hand lightly on her arm and searched her eyes. The captain will probably take you home. We need to know what happened. Please, tell me, so we can help you. She looked at him, and silent tears started rolling down. She sighed and nodded shortly. I have been married for three years now. I am not happy with my husband. He has a job with no future. I dont have the things my friends have, and my baby he deserves more. My husband works for a store. He is the manager. I used to think it was a very good job, but it is not. There is a new bank in town, and they are looking for people who can write. The bank offers houses by the new water fountain. The old one was by our home, but they changed it. Now I have to cross half of the city or buy it from the watermen. I told him to seek work at the bank. He refused. He shamed me. So I did what any good wife would do, I turned my back to him at night. Yesterday he came home drunk, he tied me to a saddle and hurt me. He left me tied up until the baby cried. He said he would do that from now on until I learn respect. When he let me go to feed our son, I fled. The bard sighed. There was not much to do. The law would probably support her husbands actions if she ever decided to ask for help, and she would never do it. He wondered how a simple marital disagreement had run out of control like this. The night before she and her baby were going to a sure death, it would have been a tragedy.
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Balian sought the captain to tell him the tale. The soldier looked at her. She was a delicate creature, someone to be cherished, not abused. It was a shame. The man should have been wiser. Women are manipulative by nature. He should have known better. Not all women are manipulative, only those who dont own their lives, the bard disagreed, looking at the woman, and sliding his sight toward Elearah. Do we escort her to her parents house? Balian inquired. We will take her to her husbands. The cap tain answered with a grim face. If we take her to her parents house, her father most likely will send her back. If we go to her husbands I can have a word with the gentleman. The bard raised an eyebrow, the captains face worth a million words.

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Chapter 10: Two Places At A Time

The almighty Huang, King of Huo was in his study when he heard a knock on the door. His right hand, Rashand was by his side. They were revisiting the details of the attack plan. When the guard announced his son, he didnt lift the eyes from the scrolls in front of him. His advisor nodded to the soldier to let him in. Prince Zang-Zi bowed to his father. In the roomheavily decorated in gold and redthere was only one seat behind a desk, and it was for the King. What is it? King Huang asked, sounding irritated. The draft. I have a doubt, the prince said feeling like a kid sitting at the adults table. His father lifted an eyebrow inquisitively, encouraging him to speak. Why didnt Bian-Jing send soldiers? It is the richest province, and the men are good in battle. His father looked at his advisor. Rashand answered, Unfortunately, Bian-Jing has grown too powerful and independent. We are not sure where its loyalties lie right now. So we are not including them? I dont understand Both men looked at each other, and Zang-Zi realized they were not telling him everything. I respect your wisdom, father. If you decided not to call them at this point, I do not need to know more unless you want me to. His fathers eyes clouded with sorrow, then took that dark pit look they had most of the time lately. This is what we know, he said. The personal guard of Ming-Zhi is escorting a very powerful wizard toward the North Fortress where he is bunkered. We hired the best of the best to stop them, and our men were killed. We fear he will attempt a secession
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war, or worse. As you know, Bian-Jing was the last kingdom to enter the union. We cant let him know we are sending all the armies to the border before time. He could take us over. Zang-Zi tried to hide his surprise. Ming-Zhi had always been a decent man, and very loyal. The prince had spent many winters skiing under his masterful tutelage. His wife was the most beautiful and regal woman he had ever seen. And his daughter Cailie was the talk of court every time they came. Zang-Zi would have loved to make her his queen, but being mixed blood, she was not allowed to mother a king. Maybe as concubine no, her father would never accept it. The duke would cut a mans throat for even pondering such idea. He combed his hair with his fingers and watched his father intently. I thank you for your explanation, my lord. I admire your calm in the face of betrayal. I hope one day to be as wise as you are. I must go now. The last of the squadrons have arrived. We will be leaving in two days. He bowed to his father, nodded to Rashand, turned around and left. Walking the paved road toward his quarters, he revisited the conversation. The decision was indeed a very wise one. Then why did he feel something was terribly wrong? When they were alone, the King stared at his advisor. We need to do something about Ming-Zhi. If you allow me, I would gladly think of a plan and take care of the details personally. Do it, but I want to be informed. I also want you to be at the front before the battle starts. My son has no experience. He might faint when blood starts tainting his clothes. Understood. Rashand approached and left a small package by the side of the kings hand. The kings eyes drifted toward the package. You do understand I will have to be in two places at the same time. Dont you, my lord? The King ignored him, his hands busy opening the package. You do what must be done. Dismissed. Rashand bowed, My Lord. The king didnt look at him. He left the room, closing the door behind him.
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Rashand crossed the Hall of Heyi, lost in his thoughts, immune to the magnificence of the place. Long ago, when he arrived here, he spent many hours taking in the power and beauty of this room. He would revel in the details: the red shades of the dragons painted over nanmu columns taller than six men, the images of water chestnut decorating the windows, the gold and red of the moldings, the floor resembling gold bricks. The throne was painted in gold and heavily decorated with filigree, the seat was covered in green silk. The ceiling was made out of carved wood, colored also in gold and red. Delicate lanterns hung from different places, playing a symphony of light and shadow. Ivory incense holders framed the throne, to keep bad spirits out of the kings mind when he was making decisions. The room spoke of pride and luxury, and love. It spoke of people putting their entire lives at the service of a common purpose. This room taught him how these people thought, how they loved, how they fought. It also taught him how to destroy their spirit and put them under his feet. He was not the first of his kin affecting Huo though. He always smirked when looking at the golden dragon images they were actually depictions of the snake with some funny additions. If the golden dragon ever saw them, he might destroy the whole palace with everyone inside. Whoever designed those dragons had surely counted on it. He left the room and stopped, suddenly blinded by the sun. When the eyes adjusted, he went toward the fence and rested his forearms on the baluster. The capital city was the pride and joy of Huo land, almost an extension of the palace itself. All houses were made out of stone or brick, with curvy tile roofs. The doors were of heavily decorated wood, and the windows were carved with such skill that they were art pieces in their own right. Toward the east, he could see the palace garden. From a rock wall, a waterfall cascaded into the lake. Small bonsai trees were placed on the wall, making it look like a natural cliff. The lake had water lilies and lotus flowers, and fish of many colors could be seen under the surface. Along the shores, flower beds and trees created intricate designs. There were different paths to follow and
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enter in communion with nature, and thirteen main gathering points with gazebos, each one protected by a dragon. The most imposing was the one dedicated to their god, the Golden Dragon. The garden was a work of art painted in three dimensions. As with the room he had just left, his eyes roamed over the beauty of the garden without paying much attention. He was wondering again what it would feel to sit on the green silk of the throne. He envisioned the sea of people on their knees, foreheads touching the floor, adoring him. He had observed that scene each year, in the seasonal festivities. The New Year Ceremony dedicated to the Golden Dragon was the best, and he had plans for it. Two places at the same time. Interesting. Rashands own voice echoed in his head. I guess it is time for you to come out and play, the main advisor of the king said under his breath, his lips curved in a feline smile.

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