The First Kaiaru (20 page)

War Chief Sudorga stood. “Our visitors have traveled far. Let us give them a few hours of rest with Kurine’s family. Then tonight, we shall feast in honor of their daring adventures!”

“Wait,” Turesobei said, “there is one more thing. You all invested much treasure in my expedition to the Forbidden Library. We had not even begun to earn what you gave us when we had to leave. On top of that, you lost two of your people. So, we have brought with us a large portion of the treasure we took from the eidakami-ga’s lair. I will be giving most of that to the Council, to do with as they see fit, for the good of all Aikora. It’s the least I can do.”

There was a thunderous cheer and a round of clapping. The two packs of treasure he had brought them was probably worth fifty times more than all their possessions combined.

“And I have brought with me foreign delicacies,” Kurine said. “Foods never before tasted in our world. Plus, a bit of fine fabric for my mother to work with.”

“Thank you, dear,” Ukiri said.

The goronku crowd reluctantly broke up. Kurine's parents told her how proud of her they were, though Turesobei could tell her experience in the Shadowland had scared them deeply.

“So, Turesobei, what’s your relationship status with your fiancé who went mad?” Ukiri probed.

“That engagement was never one of our own choosing, and now it's officially over. Awasa and I are only friends now.”

“And the other girl…Iniru?”

“Mom!” Kurine said.

Ukiri shrugged. “If you’re willing to fight through so much for him, I think it’s fair to know how devoted he is to you.”

“I do not doubt Sobei's devotion.”

“Iniru and I…we are…only friends now,” Turesobei lied. “There's nothing romantic between us. I'm only in love with Kurine.”

Ukiri smiled, satisfied, but now Tsuroko was scowling. “If that’s so, then why haven't you married my daughter yet? You’re both adults, and you’re engaged.”

“Dad, Turesobei and I are too busy to get married.”

“Do not wait for the danger to pass, dear,” Ukiri said. “Life is short. Make the most of it.”

Tsuroko's face lit up so suddenly that Turesobei flinched. “I have it!” he bellowed. “We shall postpone the feast until noon tomorrow—when the two of you shall wed!”

Turesobei stammered unintelligibly, and Kurine said, “Dad, I–I don't think that’s a good idea.”

“On the contrary, my dear. It's the best idea I have ever had!”

“I…we…should…” was all Turesobei managed to blubber.

“Dad, Sobei's family, his sister….”

“She has a point,” Ukiri said. “Turesobei's family cannot attend. He would not have a single representative or witness related to him.”

“He has the fetch,” Tsuroko said. “You have heard his tales. What better witness is there than that? Besides, if they make it to his Okoro, we will never see them again. Turesobei's family will enjoy our daughter's presence and the grandchildren that result from this union, while we will get nothing. But if we could see their loved declared in ceremony, if we could see our daughter happily married before she returns to her new life of wondrous adventures…that would be something to warm our hearts into our golden years.”

Tears formed in big, tough Tsuroko's eyes. “Turesobei, my son, would you deny me my last chance to see my daughter made happy? Would anyone
dare
do that?”

E
nashoma ran a hand along the lavender tops. “Hi, again.”

“You know,” Nāa said, “you do not have to visit the Canvas to meet with me. I am with you all the time.”

“I know,” she replied. “It’s just easier this way.”

“More comfortable, you mean? Because it gives an illusion of separation between us?”

“You see right through me.”

They stared at one another for a moment. Then a wide smile spread across Nāa’s soft, handsome face. Enashoma started laughing.

“That does seem to be the tricky part,” Nāa said with a chuckle. “And I am sorry that it makes you uncomfortable. However, it could work to our advantage.”

“How so?”

“Through you, I might see an opportunity or a weakness in the Blood King that we can exploit.”

“You think Turesobei might have missed something?”

Nāa shrugged. “I know things your brother does not, so it stands to reason that I might be able to spot a weakness that is invisible to him. I also know some things even the Blood King is unaware of.”

“Like how Chonda Lu created Motekeru?” she asked. “Or how Lu Bei came to be?”

“Those are good examples.”

“But the only reason he doesn’t know how they were created is because their histories are spell-locked, right?”

“Chonda Lu may have cast spells to mask their origins,” Nāa said. “That would not surprise me, and it would prevent them from telling others how they came to be. But even without those spells, the Blood King would not be able to understand their creation. My brush keeps its own secrets."

"What does that mean?"

"Think about this: part of my soul is stored within the brush. The rest resides in the kavaru on your forehead. Anyone with kenja sight—the Blood King, Turesobei, you—can see my energy signature in the stone. But no one has noticed it in my brush. Why?"

Enashoma frowned, thinking. Then her face lit up. "Because the Maker's Brush is hiding it! That's why I've been able to keep the brush a secret from the Blood King."

"Exactly. It projects a very powerful illusion of itself as an ordinary brush. At best, a Kaiaru might detect a minor energy disturbance around it, but nothing more. Even if the Blood King traveled back in time and observed Motekeru or one of the others being made, he would not be able to recreate the process because he would miss the key ingredient."

"He wouldn't be able to tell it was your brush working the magic?"

"No, he would not. But the illusion is not perfect nor unbreakable. If he were to hold it in his hand and study it, even for a few moments, he would see its power and understand how it had been used to create the things it has. In his hands, it could do unspeakable things.”

“When I first met him, he stared at me with interest, because of the brush, I’m sure. And that wasn’t the only time. But he could never quite figure me out. Now, he probably thinks it’s because of my connection to you.”

“A definite point to our advantage.”

“Is there anything else you know that the Blood King doesn't?”

Nāa nodded. “Perhaps. I do have several ideas that may help. Unfortunately, a way to remove that device from your spine is not one of them. I do not even know where to begin with that.”

“Great,” Enashoma said despondently.

“For our most crucial plan, we need a way to access the vault where the Blood King keeps all the kavaru. And you must learn how to animate much more powerful forms using the Maker’s Brush.”

Enashoma tried to unpack everything he’d said. “That’s a lot to do.”

“And we do not have much time, either. Your brother will soon acquire all the heart stones the Blood King needs. At that point…who knows what will happen to you and me…to your friends…to the world….”

“Why do we need access to the kavaru vault?”

“We need to steal the other version of Chonda Lu’s kavaru,” Nāa said.

“You know a way to use it against the Blood King?”

“Sadly, no. However, it may be key to how the future plays out, if we can escape the Nexus.”

“Ah, so you know a way to keep my brother from becoming Chonda Lu?”

“I have a solid theory,” he replied. “But for it to work, I
must
have that kavaru.”

She chewed at her lip. “Why do you care?”

He took her hands. “Why would I not?”

His hands were as soft as his dark eyes, and she didn’t want to let go. “I want to believe you, but I have learned not to trust Kaiaru. And Chonda Lu was a friend of yours.”

A hurt look crossed his face. “I do not like Kaiaru schemes. I never have. And Chonda Lu betrayed the trust I placed in him when I passed the Maker’s Brush down to him.” His eyes flared and his hands trembled. “We are talking about the man who made Motekeru, after all.”

“You’re mad at him?”

“Yes.”

“And you want revenge?”

“I want justice. And I do care about your brother…about you.”

Enashoma squeezed his hands. “Thank you for helping us.”

“I would do anything to aid
you
.”

She blushed, pulled her hands away from his, and stepped back. “Are you going to tell me what you’re planning to do with Chonda Lu’s kavaru?”

He shook his head. “I am still working on my plan. Besides, it is moot if we cannot escape this place.”

“Any ideas on that?”

“Alas, no. But like I said earlier, seeing through you is an advantage. Unfortunately, I can only observe what you look at. So I need you to pay close attention to everything and everyone, including your companions.”

“Why my friends?”

“Because we cannot trust anyone except you and your brother. And we can only trust your brother so far. His mind may already be poisoned by Chonda Lu’s magic.”

“I trust Turesobei and all my friends.”

“You shouldn’t. The Blood King says he does not control minds, but why believe him?”

“I will watch them for you,” Enashoma hissed, “but I will not doubt them.”

“Fair enough,” Nāa replied. “Fair enough.”

A few awkward moments passed between them.

“Anything else?” she asked.

“Pay close attention to Hannya, even at the expense of focusing on the Blood King.”

“I know where her allegiances lie,” Enashoma said.

“Do you?” Nāa asked. “I am not certain. From what I have seen, she may have another agenda, altogether different from yours or the Blood King’s. She is obviously a damaged individual, and her sanity cannot be trusted.”

“I will do my best to watch her, but she is very guarded with her opinions and emotions.”

“That is why I do not trust her,” he replied. “Now, let us begin your instruction. Imagine you are holding the Maker’s Brush.”

She did as asked and a replica of the brush appeared in her right hand. Nāa conjured a bottle of ink and a small desk stacked with thin stone tablets.

“Today, you are going to start learning more advanced animation techniques. And eventually, you will be able to use the brush to reshape these tablets however you wish. But that will take some time. So for now, I am going to teach you how to reshape the stone into a powerful serpent.”

“A snake? Ugh. Gross. How about cats?”

“Serpents are a better choice.”

“Why?” she asked.

“Have you ever had a nightmare about a snake?”

“Of course. Doesn’t everyone? Oh. That’s why, isn’t it?”

Nāa nodded. “You are going to tap into that primal fear of serpents and use its power to your advantage.”

“And I’m using stone because it’s hard to break?”

“That, and because it is commonly available and familiar to you.”

They knelt in front of the desk. Enashoma watched closely as Nāa drew marks onto a tablet using a light ink. Enashoma traced over them, then drew the activating mark he had left off. She thought she had done a good job, but even in this spirit world where she could conjure a brush out of nowhere, she failed to reshape the stone.

“How did I screw up?”

“You did not channel enough energy into the pictographs. Also, your strokes were not as confident nor as expressive as they should be. The pictograms I use are different from the precise runes wizards use for spells. They are primal and imbued with a sense of artistry. More than accuracy, you need confidence and a powerful intent. Copying me is obviously where you must start, but to achieve the mastery you need, you must develop your own style.”

She nodded. “I think I understand.”

He touched her shoulder. “You will get this, Enashoma.”

“Shoma,” she said. “You should call me Shoma.”

Nāa beamed his broad smile at her. “Shoma it is.”

She was suddenly self-conscious about how familiar she was with this Kaiaru who inhabited her. She blushed. What she was feeling toward him…it was weird and very unlike her. She knew she shouldn’t embrace it, but it was hard not to, being so intimately connected to him.

She glanced at him, then turned slightly away. With their connection, he had to know how he was making her feel.