The Wielder Trials. Franca Ogbonnaya
let the matter go. Then he shook his head, shut the book, and dropped it on the small table beside the bunk bed.
“What exactly did you have to discuss with Captain Riverun?”
“I said, it’s nothing.”
“No, it’s not. Does it have anything to do with why we’re here?”
Mat glared at him. “Yes, but I don’t want to talk about it.”
Kahl matched his stare. “Oh, no. You’re going talk about it. Keeping secrets is what got us into this mess in the first place.”
An incredulous look appeared on Mat’s face. “You’re one to talk.”
Kahl held up his hands. “I agree. I was the one that kept the secrets and got you into trouble. All I’m asking is you don’t make the same mistake I did. So, what’s going on?”
His cousin stared at him for a long moment. “I went to ask the captain to try to convince the king only one of us is needed for this mission in Malaquey.”
“Why?”
Mat grimaced as he replied. “I assumed for this mission to work, any agent placed in Malaquey would have to be transformed into a…a human, to blend in. Like what was done to the condemned princesses.”
Silence reigned for several moments.
“Oh, I see.”
Mat nodded wearily. “I asked Captain Riverun to pick me for the assignment.”
“You did what?!” yelled Kahl. Mat’s eyes widened at his cousin’s declaration.
“I was only doing it to protect you—”
“I didn’t ask you to!” Kahl closed his eyes as he tried to calm down. “Mat, I love you like a brother, but I am not a child. I can make my own decisions. Besides, I broke the rules, so if the punishment is that I become human to make amends, then so be it. By trying to take that decision away from me, you dishonored me.”
Mat stared at him. “You’ve grown.”
Kahl almost bristled before he realized his cousin wasn’t mocking him.
“I’m sorry. I thought I was looking out for you, as a brother should. Besides, your mother would be heartbroken if you were stripped of your Dyhaeri heritage.”
“Aunt Neilara would also be unhappy if anything happened to you, cousin.”
Mat laughed dryly. “Maybe.”
Both Dyhaeri sat in silence for several heartbeats.
“So, did he say when they’d do it?” asked Kahl somberly.
“Well, actually, he said that wasn’t the case.” Mat rubbed his face wearily. “Lanead said no one was transforming us into humans, but I find that hard to believe.”
Kahl was puzzled. “Why would he lie?”
“I don’t know. He is human after all.”
Kahl rolled his eyes. “He strikes me as an honorable person, Mat. The king wouldn’t place such trust in him otherwise.”
Mat shrugged, “I still wonder what kind of relationship exists between the captain and our leader.”
“Same here.” Kahl’s eyes were drawn to the new textbook on the table. “We might as well study until we find out more.” He was startled when Mat startled laughing.
“What?”
“Your resilience is amazing. When this is over, you’re definitely joining the Marine Corps.”
Kahl just sighed. “Let’s just study.”
#
Lanead was pacing the deck when the high priest finally arrived. Though the captain was still angry, he had to admit the religious leader had arrived on the Peacekeeper in a timely fashion. Startled mutters from the Weltonian crew peppered the deck when they saw who had graced their ship.
High Priest Myltan and three Dyhaeri guards. The high priest acknowledged the respectful nods and gestures of the Weltonian crew. Lanead was grateful his wife had insisted every crew member be able to recognize the ranking members of the Dyhaeri. The courtesy and deference his crew were showing now illustrated the wisdom of that rule. Many other Weltonian factions were not so diligent in such things, and though there were times he wished he could be just as oblivious as them, his birthright wouldn’t permit it.
“Captain Riverun,” said High Priest Myltan as he bowed to the Weltonian captain, startling him with the unusual respectful gesture. The three Dyhaeri marines exchanged worried looks at the deference shown to this human. Even some of the crew were gaping at this act.
“Please,” said Lanead, “don’t do that. I’m just a low-ranking Weltonian captain.” He tried to keep his tone cordial while hiding the panic and anger as he recovered from the shock.
“Of course,” said the sly priest.
Lanead swallowed his rage. He knew the priest was just trying to get back at him for the stunt he had pulled earlier.
“If we could please talk privately in my quarters.”
Haigh Priest Myltan nodded, told his guards to wait for him here, and then indicated Lanead should precede him.
Lanead waited to speak until they were alone in his quarters.
“You look well.” The captain sat down behind his desk.
The Dyhaeri looked around the cabin and remained standing. “So do you. It has been quite a while since we last spoke.”
Lanead grimaced. That had been several years ago, and that conversation had ended in a shouting match. “Well, I thought it best to keep my distance until matters improved.”
“Oh, is that so? Is that why you terrified three of my marines to get me here? A simple request would have been sufficient.”
Lanead sighed. “So that’s why you have an honor guard this time? Are they worried I’m going to tear you to bits?”
The priest waved the question away. “The guards are not because of you. Some of our Dyhaeri scouts have disappeared recently, so High Commander Neilara felt it was prudent to safeguard senior officials journeying beyond the border.”
The news disturbed Lanead. “Are the Namirans involved?”
“That’s a possibility.”
He tried not to think about the fate of those unfortunate Dyhaeri. Lanead shook his head and said, “Anyway, I called you here for something else entirely.”
High Priest Myltan waited.
“Mat-rallenin is certain he and Kahl are going to be transformed into humans for this mission in Malaquey.”
The priest blinked. “Where in the Deep did he get that idea?”
Lanead shrugged. “I have no idea, but that’s why you’re here. You have to speak to them, give them at least some inkling of what’s been happening. They can’t go to Malaquey without any intel.”
An angry glint appeared in the high priest’s eyes. “Like you did with Danai?”
“Keep her out of this,” growled Lanead.
“I’m afraid I can’t.” High Priest Myltan rested his hands on the desk and leaned towards the captain. “We warned you, and how did you respond? You spirited her away to Malaquey in hopes of foiling the prophecy, even though we both know she has a part to play in what is to come.”
“I don’t want to go over this anymore,” said the captain through gritted teeth. The Dyhaeri and Weltonian looked each other in the eye, neither willing to back down for several moments. Eventually Lanead looked away first.
The