Fantasy of Fire (The Tainted Accords Book 3) (3 page)

I watch in a trance as light forces its way between the overlapping tent coverings. Sleep last night wasn’t elusive—it was impossible. My thoughts wander, and as I lay on the thin mattress, I wonder what punishment Jimmy’s mother has concocted for him. Maybe she, Hamish and Adox will find some solace in discussing how much they dislike me once I’ve returned to Glacium.

Then there’s the arrow…

Just before I leapt from the rooftop, Jovan had shared his theories about Kedrick’s assassin possibly originating from the Ire. Something clicked into place when he spoke the words. Had I always known deep down my search of Glacium for the prince’s murderer was hopeless? With nothing else left of Kedrick, I’d held on to finding the assassin with everything I had. After my lead of the Seedyr wood arrow took me to a dead end, there was no other option than to put the matter aside and hope another clue was yet to be discovered. That clue had been the Ire. I’d lived there for weeks, but never made the connection that the easiest place for an assassin to disappear would be to an unknown community on the Oscala. But Jovan had. At the same time he reminded me of my duty to Osolis and made me swear I would place prevention of the war as my highest priority. He didn’t need to remind me, the fury that has blinded me for a long time is gone. I think. And true to my promise, I’ve forced my intentions to find Kedrick’s killer to the side, while the army still marches. Once I would have felt guilty about this, like I’d failed my dear friend, but I’d learned vengeance could be served hot or cold, and mine was fourth sector freezing after so long. If the person is from the Ire, they probably feel secure here. They’ll still be here when my duty is done. And then I’ll collect.

Fear has kept me awake overnight. I estimate I’ve slept for about three hours. The rest of the time I’ve been coming to terms with what I must do. The thought of making my next move shocks me. It’s something I would never have considered a year ago. I know that if I take this path now, there’s no turning back, and I can’t begin to predict what will happen as a result.

Adox is expecting me to go. He’s likely feeling relief at his avoidance of discovery, but he’s only burying his head in the snow. His plan is to continue doing what the Ire has always done, though the situation has changed. He’s afraid. But he’s made a conditional agreement, despite the fact that he believes the terms are impossible to carry out. The surprise I’m about to deliver should persuade him otherwise.

Adox is awake when I soar to his rock. I’m sure the troubles I’ve brought to his door are responsible for his sleepless nights. His face hardens when he sees me. The first time he saw me, he was curious. The second time he was reasonable. Now I’m trying his patience. His island is full of quietly shuffling Ire folk going about their chores or waiting to speak with their leader. They make way for me. I could misinterpret their actions as respect or fear, but just like any other people, they’re hoping I can provide them with the day’s gossip. The older man is sitting down on the cushion where we once exchanged stories about the Ire’s history and joked about who would tell Hamish my flying lessons were over. It feels like long ago. Time is deceptive that way.

“You said if I had some way of guaranteeing the Ire’s safety you’d reconsider your decision,” I say without preamble.

My words have the desired effect. Within seconds my forearm is encased in Adox’s wiry grip. His eyes caution me to be silent.

“Perhaps there’s somewhere private we can discuss this,” I offer. He sighs and looks at the keen eyes and ears around us. He signals and a man steps forward to help him up. I walk beside Adox, following his lead as he straps himself into a magnificent Soar. I’m under no illusions. He’s humoring me. I rush through putting on my Soar and trail him to a circular island I’ve yet to explore. A large tent is erected in the middle of it. It’s far removed from any of the inhabited islands. Perfect for the conversation we’re about to have.

He lands and I touch down close by.

“We will not be disturbed on the Meeting Island,” he says, placing his Soar against a cliff face.

We enter the huge tent. Cushions are set around the inside wall. A large chair sits opposite the entrance. The ceiling is high, the tent spacious. I wouldn’t be surprised if over fifty people could squeeze in.

Adox wastes no times with pleasantries.

“I was perfectly clear last night,” he snaps. He lowers himself into the largest chair. “You test my patience.”

I raise an eyebrow. “I was just following your own prompting, Adox. You said a guarantee could change your mind and I have one from both Osolis and Glacium. I’m not troubling you to repeat the same information,” I say.

He throws an arm out. “Go on, then. Tell me of this guarantee you’ve somehow produced between last night and now,” he says.

I conceal my shaking hands behind my back and take to a slow pace around the tent. I’m still not sure what I’m about to do is the right decision. I’ve only willingly done this once before. It has the potential to make the situation much, much worse. But if this is the only way to make Adox see reason, it must be done. Whatever the consequences. I hope I don’t live to regret my choice.

“I had the information last night. I was just undecided whether I would share it with you. What I am about to show you could have disastrous effects for both worlds … and myself. You should know I don’t tell you this lightly. Combined with what you know about my proximity to King Jovan, it has the potential to create civil
and
interworld war.”

His silence is intrigued, not closed. This is it.

I reach into the front of my suit, drawing out my veil and the Kaur band. His eyes flicker to the objects and back to my face. He doesn’t understand. I flutter the veil up and down to hide the quiver in the material from my shaking fingers.

“I’m about to tell you something which can’t leave this tent. I’d like for you to accept my assurances of the Ire’s safety based on trust, but we are running out of time. So instead, I offer you information as important as the secrecy of the Ire.”

He scoffs quietly at my remark.

I continue. “I’ll have a secret of yours and you’ll have a secret of mine. If I let you down, you’ll have the power to destroy both worlds. It is the security you wish for, which you thought impossible.”

He leans toward me. Trembling nerves wrack my insides. It’s not just one person, after all. This moment marks a change of my life. Perhaps one of the biggest yet. I wish I knew if the change would lead me to good or bad.

I shake out the veil and flick it over my head before I can talk myself out of the decision. I place the heavy Kaur band on top.

The instant I do, I’m pitched into darkness. The muscles around my ankles tense, trying to keep me balanced in absence of my vision.

“I don’t understand. What is this?” Adox asks from across the tent. I hold up a hand and blink until I can make out his outline. I know his hunters and traders provide him with regular reports. He knows who the Tatuma is; he just hasn’t made the connection. Or doesn’t want to.

“You, along with too many people to count, have assumed I’ve always lived on Glacium. You are aware I’m of mixed blood, but you don’t know who my parents are. In truth, I only know one of them. I’ve worn this veil my whole life. You might have heard of this girl? Locked in a tower for all of her childhood by her mother, and then taken hostage by the Bruma delegates upon the murder of Prince Kedrick.” I take off the veil to gauge his reaction.

I watch as the blood drains from his face. His face is as pale as it was when he learned about Jimmy’s adventure.

“The Tatum is my mother and I am the Tatuma, the future ruler of Osolis,” I say. He doesn’t really need this information, but it may help him to decide whether he feels disbelief or horror.

“You … can’t be serious,” he chokes. I raise an eyebrow.

I hold up the band. “This band is Kaur wood.” We have fruit and nut trees on Osolis, but only Kaur wood is used as a material. And even then, only in controlled amounts. It’s not found anywhere other than Osolis, and possession of the wood indicates I’m highly positioned. I toss the band to him. “Surely you can see why the Tatum veiled me?” I add with a humorless smile.

I walk to the entrance to the tent and pretend to look over the Ire. Really, I’m doing my best to keep my posture relaxed with the tension running through my body. I wonder if I’ve gravitated toward the exit in case Adox’s reaction isn’t favorable. Jovan’s words ring in my mind. He’d pointed out my tendency to run from emotionally-charged situations. But it’s hard to pick up the signs that I’m panicking. These traits are obviously ingrained so deeply, I act subconsciously.

I stride back to the middle of the tent and plant my feet on the rocky ground. I’m not running away.

“My Solis,” he says. I smile at the Solati term. “It’s … fantastical. Unbelievable. Horrific. But I think you must be telling the truth. No one could think up such a story, let alone deliver it with such factual calm.” He looks up at me from his cushion.

“You are the Tatuma Olina.”

“It is nice to hear my name again. You have no idea how long it’s been,” I say with a tight grin.

He doesn’t smile back. He looks back at the Kaur band and holds it out. I cross the tent and take it from him, crouching down by the chair to his level.

“You can see I’m not biased with regards to the king of Glacium. Of all people, I should be against him. But, on his behalf, I give his word nothing will happen to your people if my plan does not eventuate. He is worthy of trust.” I take his hand.

“My mother is another matter. I doubt anyone loathes my mother as much as I do. She was the torturer of the first six revolutions of my life. I haven’t been on Osolis for half a revolution, but I can share with you what my brother, Olandon, has recently told me,” I say, looking for confirmation from the Ire leader.

I haven’t got as much information as I’d like. But I’ll share what I’ve pieced together and what Olandon has been able to re-live so far.

Adox nods. The lines on his face are deeper than I’ve yet seen them, if it is possible.

“There is unrest on Osolis. The villagers are rebelling against the Tatum’s rule. It seems she’s regained control for now, enough to feel safe sending the army across the Oscala, anyway,” I say.

“In addition to what I’ve shared with you, you have my promise that should the Ire face discovery by Osolis while trying to prevent war, I’ll do my best to protect you from my mother.” I stand, tucking away the band and the veil. Adox watches my hands as I do so.

“All that time and the Tatuma of Osolis was here.” A faint smile graces his mouth, stretching the age lines around it. I smile down at him and hold out my hand. He clears his throat and accepts my help to stand.

“I will need to think on what you’ve said,” he says. “This strengthens your plan considerably, but it doesn’t assure my aid or cooperation.”

“Don’t you want to hear my plan first?” I ask.

He grins. It’s the first real smile I’ve seen since I’ve been back. “I’d be a fool if I couldn’t figure out a plan only the Ire could carry out.” He pushes the tent flap back before limping out. “I’ll get you your answer by tomorrow.”

I press my lips together to keep from trying to extract an answer from him on the spot. Adox could still fall either way. If I pressure him any further, it could backfire.

I repeat our conversation in my mind, listening to him hobble away. There was nothing more I could have said to sway Adox. That was the best I could do. If his answer is still no, I’ll have to return to Jovan with the bad news and the annoyance of having wasted time on a fruitless pursuit. The veil scratches against my skin from where I’ve stuffed it down my suit. At least there wasn’t any indication Adox would disclose my secret—for now. I knew I’d just opened a door I could never close. I may even regret it in a matter of weeks. I’d analyze the repercussions with Jovan and Olandon when I get back to Sector Six.

* * *

In an attempt to distract myself from the monumental importance of the Ire leader’s decision, I spend the day visiting the people I grew to know around the Ire. That’s what I tell myself, anyway; that I’m not searching for weaponry and Kedrick’s killer. I help for a couple of hours at the nursery, mindful of the Ire’s way of life; those who pull their weight are welcome to a share of food and supplies. And when I can’t find any trace of arrows, I even try to seek out Hamish to offer another apology, but he’s made himself scarce. With no one else to visit or help, I head out to Nancy’s Island.

Jimmy gives me a wide-eyed glance as I land. I didn’t need his added warning that his mother is pissed.

“You’re not welcome here!” his mother calls. The overweight woman bustles to where I stand, glaring at me and at Jimmy.

“I’ll say what I have to say and then leave,” I continue before she can interrupt. “Adox won’t agree with my telling you this, but I don’t think the news will be secret much longer,” I start.

The larger woman puts her hands on her hips and waits for me to continue. Red splotches color her cheeks. She’s furious with me and has every right to be. Jimmy shouldn’t have left the Ire, but part of the blame is mine. I’m certainly at fault for encouraging the young boy to disobey his mother and leader. Solis knew this woman could use some help with her children. It was the reason Jimmy always got away with breaking the rules. Not for the first time I question where the children’s father is.