The lance thrower, p.20
The Nine Births of Carnage (Cross Academy Book 3), page 20
The Grand Chief held in his sigh, feeling the air in his lungs heat as he held his breath. When he exhaled, plumes of smoke rolled from his nostrils, and he caught his sister trying not to stare.
She probably thinks I’m angry. He was—a little. But not at her, even though she had been the driving force behind this meeting. Roaring had avoided the topic of Talon’s kidnapping for as long as he could. But Cat was determined. After a week of avoiding her, she took matters into her own hands and used her authority as his named heir to call this hasty meeting.
Kifu Kato sat across from Roaring with Lady Ina at his side and Thunder Bolt on his other. Ryko sat on Roaring’s left while Cat took the cushion on his right and Chava, his great hound, lay outside the circle, lounging in the shade beside the window.
To the surprise of the council, Lord Razzle and Captain Payne joined the circle, with a Hunter named Hemiah sitting studiously beside the captain.
“What on earth are they doing here?” Kifu Kato asked in a nasty tone. He had never tried to hide his emotions or intentions; Roaring wasn’t surprised by the grimace on his face or the barely restrained snarl in his voice.
“I invited them,” the Grand Chief said. He hadn’t wanted to hold the meeting, but he knew Razzle had things to report and it would be unkind to keep Captain Payne out of the loop. Might as well kill two birds with one stone.
“This is a meeting of the village council,” Kato emphasized, placing a dark brown hand on each knee. He was bare-chested, wearing nothing more than a loincloth and his tribal tattoos, yet there was no shame anywhere on his face. Not even when Captain Payne openly stared at his broad chest, her eyes tracing the brutal scars that marked him. A string of little bones clacked against his collar as he leaned forward, an ugly, crude necklace that he wore with pride. Kato’s ears were both pierced, a silver hoop in one with a stud in the other. His red knot dangled from the stud, long enough to brush his shoulder as he jerked his head at the Academy soldiers. “They don’t belong here.”
“I agree with Kifu Kato.” Thunder nodded. “A rare thing. But I do agree.”
“The Village of Wi has been working closely with the Academy during these last few months. I have come to value the opinion of our guests,” Roaring explained.
“Their opinions shouldn’t hold any value when it comes to making decisions about Wi.” Kato’s voice was barely more than a growl. “I would think the Grand Chief—”
“I’m glad you think,” Roaring said plainly. He left it at that, daring his uncle to finish whatever insult he had allowed to poison his tongue.
Kato remained silent.
Roaring cleared his throat. “Cat, will you say a prayer?”
She nodded and held out her hands, forming a prayer circle around the unlit fire. Cat prayed for peace and harmony, prayed that the parties could find common ground. And she prayed for Talon, squeezing Roaring’s hand as she asked God to keep her safe.
The Grand Chief wasn’t surprised to find questioning stares on the faces of his council when he opened his eyes, whispering, “In Jesus’ Name, amen.”
Lady Ina spoke first. “Has something happened?”
“Yes,” Roaring replied. “Talon was kidnapped by the Nine Births of Carnage.”
Silence swept the room.
No point in dipping the news in honey.
“I received a letter from Lieutenant Diaz, apologizing for his inability to protect her and promising that he would do everything within his power to get her back.”
Captain Payne’s eyes narrowed. “Lieutenant Diaz broke protocol by sharing that information.”
“I’m glad he did,” Roaring told her. “My sister is missing. I deserve to know that.”
“You don’t deserve to know delicate information that could disrupt the flow of our organization.”
“Agreed,” Kifu Kato said, glaring at Captain Payne. “I wish our council would uphold those same values.”
Roaring pinched the bridge of his nose. “I don’t believe Diaz shared this information so we could take up arms and insert ourselves into whatever plans I’m sure he already has in place.”
“But that doesn’t mean we plan to do nothing,” Cat quickly said. “We’re going to get my sister back.”
Roaring held up a hand. “We haven’t decided on that yet.”
“What’s there to decide?”
“I am the Grand Chief—”
“And I am your chosen heir!” Cat yelled. “I can remain in Wi while you arrange a team and go after Talon!”
“Enough.” His tone was firm, barely more than a gravelly snarl. It’d been far too long since he’d used that tone with his little sister, Roaring could see the shock on Cat’s face as clearly as her anger.
Cat lifted her chin in defiance. “No, it’s not enough. Sitting here while Talon is in the hands of our enemies is cowardly.”
The firepit sparked to life, a sudden burst of flames that crackled and spat at the air. The fire was so bright and hot, Kifu Kato held up his hands as he shielded his face. Lady Ina fanned herself. Chava stood and shook out her silvery fur before padding to the other side of the room. Away from the heat.
Roaring’s voice was low, his words a warning. “You will watch your tongue, sister.”
Her lips pulled back to spew her words, but Ryko cut her off. “I agree with Lady Cat. We can’t just sit here and let the darklings have one of our own. My vote is to go after Lady Talon.”
Of course it is, Roaring glowered. He was well aware of Ryko’s affection for his sister. They’d had a fling not so long ago, when the Walls were still standing and Talon’s only worries were which hairpin to match with her dress. Things were different now. Much had changed. Talon had changed. But it seemed Ryko and his emotions hadn’t. He’d even gotten angry when Talon had announced she would be staying in Babel while the rest of them returned to Wi. It seemed their distance hadn’t dampened his feelings for the former Grand Chief in the least bit.
He probably thinks rescuing her will get her to fall for him again. Roaring almost laughed.
“I cannot shirk my responsibilities as the Grand Chief of Wi. I am needed here. Every hand in the village is needed here.”
“So, we’re going to do nothing?” Ryko asked.
“We’re going to trust the Academy to handle the situation.”
Ryko frowned, but Captain Payne spoke up before he could.
“That’s the only logical thing to do. Interfering now could jeopardize Lieutenant Diaz’s plans. We don’t know how he wants to approach the rescue. We don’t know if he even plans to organize one.”
“Why wouldn’t he rescue my sister?” Cat asked in a wobbly voice.
Roaring stared at the fire, unable to meet her gaze. He knew she was close to crying—he could feel his own emotions forming a hard lump in his throat. The way the Academy team spoke of Talon was so callous. So detached. Like her importance to them was as far removed as she was herself. Halfway across the map. Held against her will by vicious demons.
For the first time, Roaring felt less like a Grand Chief and more like a brother. It was so hard to be both when each title required a different version of himself. In the village, he was a leader. But with his sisters, he was just a nineteen-year-old kid. Right then, he felt like both. A brother and a chief; a boy king. He would never be one or the other, yet he found it impossible to be both at once. Each title was constantly at odds, constantly demanding the opposite of what the other wanted and required.
The king said to remain and lead his people here. But the boy said to drop everything and go after his sister.
Roaring couldn’t decide.
Captain Payne replied to Cat, her voice uncharacteristically gentle. “It isn’t that Lieutenant Diaz wouldn’t rescue Lady Talon,” she said, “it’s that… there may be other priorities—”
“What could be more important than saving her?” Cat interrupted.
“This may come as a surprise,” that familiar edge returned to the captain’s voice, “but Cross Academy does not revolve around the Fire Tribe.”
Cat blinked. “My sister isn’t important to you.”
“It would seem she isn’t important to the council either.” Ryko glared at Roaring as he spoke. “I’ll say it again, my vote is to go after Lady Talon.”
The Grand Chief bristled. “Careful, Ryko,” he said darkly. “I respect you as my friend. My brother. And as a man I know holds affection for my sister.” He leaned forward, amber eyes blazing. “But do not confuse your affection for authority on this matter. Your vote holds no more meaning than the next man who thinks my sister is pretty.”
Ryko cleared his throat. Glanced away. “Does anyone else have a vote?”
“This is not up to a vote,” Roaring announced. “We do not have the manpower or the skill to take on the Nine. We do not have the ability to even track down the Nine. But Cross Academy does.” He sighed slowly. “This may be difficult to believe, but my decision was not easy to make.” Roaring glanced at Ryko, then slid his gaze over to Cat. “I love my sister dearly. But … I’m not just a brother anymore. I’m not just a sundancer anymore. I’m the Grand Chief of Wi. The first of my name.” He clenched his jaw, like his next words were hard to say. They are, he told himself. It hurts to speak it aloud. But it’s the truth.
“My duty is here.”
Roaring looked around the circle of faces, each one wearing a different expression. Ryko was angry, Kifu Kato looked proud, slowly nodding at the Grand Chief. Cat looked like she was about to burst into tears, as did Lady Ina. Thunder looked oddly blank, like she didn’t care either way. She probably didn’t.
The Academy soldiers seemed concerned but kept diplomatic expressions on their faces, like they weren’t sure whether to nod or shake their heads.
“We have to trust that Cross Academy will do their job. That God will do His job—trust that He’ll protect Talon while we cannot.”
“A wise decision,” Kato said.
Lord Razzle cleared his throat. “Speaking of manpower, we may be losing some here in Wi.”
“What do you mean?” Roaring asked, thankful for the change in topic.
The Priest retrieved a scroll from his sleeve, it looked so tiny in his meaty hands. “Captain Payne and I received a message from Babel yesterday, regarding the supplies they were supposed to send over.”
“We’re low,” Thunder said.
“We’ve been low,” Kato grumbled.
“And it will probably remain that way,” Captain Payne told him. She nodded at Razzle. “Tell them.”
“Cross Academy is recalling the students who were sent to help rebuild the village.”
Roaring’s mouth fell open. “We need them. Reconstruction will take months—maybe even years—without them.”
“It was not my decision,” Razzle said regretfully. “I’m only telling you what the message said.”
“Did it say why?”
Hemiah shifted beside Captain Payne. He was a lower ranked Hunter who had been helping with the reconstruction, using his blessing to rapidly grow trees for building log cabins. Roaring wouldn’t exactly miss him if he returned to Babel. From what he’d heard in the past, Hemiah had caused Lady Talon a bit of trouble on a mission they’d gone on together. But he’d let that go, choosing to get along with the lad instead of starting up drama in Wi.
So far, Hemiah had been taking notes beside Captain Payne, logging the meeting. But now he was staring wide eyed between the captain and Lord Razzle, like he was afraid they might say something they shouldn’t.
Both Academy soldiers ignored him.
Razzle said, “The Academy is shorthanded. I don’t think they’ve fully recovered from the attack during the exams. And with Lady Talon getting kidnapped, I’m assuming Lieutenant Diaz’s mission went south.”
“That means much more is at stake here,” Captain Payne cut in. “The Nine have KI as well as Talon. Which would put them at an advantage—against the Cross.”
Silence echoed through the room.
“The Academy needs every man they have,” Captain Payne said after a moment.
“Does that include you?” Roaring asked.
She nodded slowly. “I will be escorting the children back as soon as possible.”
“This can’t be happening.” Roaring moved to run a hand through his hair but stopped when his fingers brushed the thick braids on his head. Cat had been fixing up his curls since they’d left Babel; last night she wove beads and red threads from his knot into his thick locks. His braids were tight, shining with gel from the aloe leaf and trailing down his muscled back, moving against his tunic each time he turned his head.
“I’m sorry,” Lord Razzle mumbled. “I will be staying, if that helps at all.”
“It does.” Roaring nodded politely, though he felt like screaming.
They didn’t need the Academy students for reconstruction alone. They were soldiers. Talented fighters who could defend the village in case of an attack. With the phantom demon Roaring saw lurking the woods, he wondered if an attack was imminent. Or maybe he was being paranoid.
“Does your message say whether there has been increased demonic activity around Babel?”
Razzle shook his head. “I’m assuming this is a precautionary decision.”
“What about our precautions?” Roaring asked. “We need soldiers to maintain our defenses too.” When Razzle didn’t answer, he waved a hand around. “Forget the reconstruction. I’m sure you’ve felt the shift in the air.”
“I have,” Lord Razzle admitted. “I have sensed a darkness looming near. Even the volcano seems to churn in reaction to the wave of Dark energy pouring into the forest.”
“So, then, why?” Roaring asked.
“Because they have priorities.” Cat’s tone was mocking, but it was clear from the look on her face that her anger was aimed at her brother. Not at the Academy men and women. “It’s rather unpleasant to be abandoned, isn’t it?”
Roaring would not dignify that with a response.
“You’re leaving as soon as possible?” he asked Captain Payne.
She nodded, shocking him with the disappointed look on her face. The captain had never seemed excited to be in Wi, but Roaring hadn’t expected her to appear so upset about leaving. It sent a wave of warmth radiating through him—and not the red-hot kind that made him lash out in anger.
“Please understand that Cross Academy will remain as your ally. This is not the end of our relationship,” Captain Payne said.
Roaring nodded. “Will you keep me updated?”
“Absolutely. We’ll let you know when we can send more supplies and soldiers back.” She paused. “And we’ll send information on Talon.”
Cat clutched the crucifix around her neck. “Thank you,” she said before Roaring could.
Though she hadn’t been dismissed, Captain Payne stood and left the Chief’s Hall. Lord Razzle and Hemiah followed behind.
For a long moment, no one spoke after the Academy soldiers left. Roaring had no words. Cat refused to speak. Ryko was too embarrassed. The others seemed uncomfortable.
“We’re losing most of our manpower,” Kifu Kato said. “Not to mention we’re low on supplies. And, apparently, there’s been an increase in demonic activity which is making the volcano act up.” He sighed. “What are we going to do, Grand Chief?”
Suddenly, Roaring missed the days when hunting meat was his only worry. He would have even preferred to deal with Talon’s kidnapping over handling this predicament.
A miserable sigh blew from his lips, smokey and hot. “I have no idea what we’re going to do.” The answer was honest. Raw. And said everything the Grand Chief couldn’t. “I guess we’ll just keep going. Like we always have.”
20
Israel
When Lieutenant Diaz told him to hunt down the Nine, Izzy had to bite his tongue to keep from shouting in joy. His vote had been to return to Babel, but that was only because they had few numbers and inexperienced children travelling with them. But Diaz told him to go alone. Told him he didn’t care how the Priest got it done. Just hunt them down and report his findings.
Naturally, Izzy took Vehenort with him. Together, they were only two people—even fewer numbers than before. But that was all Izzy needed.
Now, he could fight without limits. Now, he didn’t have to worry about keeping anyone else safe. He could let loose. He could do what he did best without remorse. Without guilt. Without a conscience.
They had left the Ice Fortress over a week ago. Well rested, with food in their bellies, no team to slow them down, and riding on the backs of the Fortress’s fastest winter horses, their travel was easy. It took less time than Izzy had expected to reach the small ice village of Konohoh. He had stayed in that very village over five-hundred years ago when he was studying the mysterious rumors about the Mahaha spirit. As he glanced around with Vehenort at his side, Izzy realized not much about the village had changed. It was still cold. Still made of ice. And still housing less than two thousand bundled up villagers with fair skin and dark hair. Though, hair didn’t seem a strong enough word.
The people of Konohoh grew hair from every part of their bodies. Thick tufts like fur, heavy as a bear’s pelt and warm as wool. They looked like animals walking around, some hidden in coats with just their eyes blinking at the world, everything else covered in layers and hair. Others had hair so fluffy and full, they walked around stark naked—though you’d never be able to tell.
Izzy and Vehenort stood out like sore thumbs, being the only ones not covered in hair. But that was okay, the Priest was glad to stand out. In a small village like Konohoh, word spread fast about his presence. It wasn’t long before he was standing before his wrinkled old friend, Lady JekelKor, the only human Izzy knew who was older than him.
Unlike Izzy, Lady JekelKor looked her age. Shriveled and hunched over with gnarled fingers, bent with age and swollen with arthritis. Her knees poking out beneath the hem of her tunic dress were fat and dark, black spots marking her brown skin. She was the only one in Konohoh besides the two Priests who wasn’t covered in fur. After living in the cold little village for almost four hundred years, she’d gotten used to the cold.
