Wave-Touched, page 38
Annora reciprocated the gesture. “You as well, Khesran Veyl. And you, Ahninveth Kyril.” She smiled at the amphibious creatures and offered them each a nod. “And you two remarkable companions.”
Ceris and Seyn both cracked broad canine grins, their tails swishing back and forth a few times.
After Kyril returned the greeting, her father had two of his guards bring over chairs set against one wall and bid them join the group. When everyone had settled, he turned his focus back to their guest.
“Our attention is yours, Captain,” he said. “What news do you bring?”
“Thank you, Khemron Kasiel. I have been stationed in northeastern Sarket for several months, running a group of scouts to keep track of events there. The Sarketi people have grown angry of late. They’ve lost faith in King Regent Thrasser now that Crown Prince Jaysen has reemerged and is spreading word of the king’s underhanded attempt to remove him so he might keep the throne. They are calling for single combat in the Sarketi tradition. More recent rumors that the crown prince is working with mind-crafters from another country have sparked unease as well. Although many seem to assume they are Vanrian and are less concerned since Vanris hasn’t abused Sarket’s oath of fealty in the years since the war ended. More importantly perhaps, you should know the king regent has reached out to Delaphine and Fallend in search of allies to support his claim to the throne against the crown prince.”
“But not Vanris.” Darro dropped the comment as more of an observation than a question.
“He is panicking.” Arhk’s brow furrowed, the harsh burns on his face still making it uncomfortable to look at him, though they had healed considerably. “He assumes Vanris will support Jaysen, given that we have had close ties with the crown prince in the past. If he cannot find other allies, he knows he will have a difficult time keeping his country if Jaysen has the Thaelians, the Eydarith, and Vanris supporting him.”
“Except Vanris isn’t supporting him,” Veyl remarked, hoping they hadn’t made some decision otherwise without her knowledge.
“No,” her mother confirmed. “And we are unlikely to after what he did in Thaelis, among other things, though we must keep it on our list of options for now.”
Veyl’s stomach turned at the thought that they might consider backing Jaysen after all he had done. If the council made that choice, how was she supposed to reconcile herself with it? Would they keep her out of negotiations with him? Would she want them to? Not knowing what he was up to might almost be worse than having to face him again. Yet, could she do so without suffering that nauseating swell of black hatred and fear at the memories of his unwelcome touch, his demanding kisses?
Seyn nosed her hand, pushing calm and reassurance into her. Out of the corner of her eye, Veyl caught Ceris bumping his muzzle up into Kyril’s palm too. Was the Feral having a similar reaction to that possibility? The idea of working with Jaysen couldn’t sit any better with him than it did with her, not after how Jaysen tortured him and ordered the Thaelian Evoker to tear apart his memories of her. The urge to take his hand was nearly too much to resist, but even if he might welcome it, she didn’t dare do so here.
“Our current stance in Delaphine,” Annora continued, “according to the most recent missive I received, is one of deference to existing allies while our leadership considers the situation. Jaysen is the rightful heir. As such, they are more inclined to support him, but they are aware of the significant conflict between Vanris and the Thaelians he returned with, so they look to you to take the lead. We have not yet gotten word from Fallend that I know of, but a messenger was sent from Dekingham to advise them of Delaphine’s position on the matter.”
Her father nodded. “We sent a messenger of our own to Delaphine several days ago. Jaysen and the Thaelian council were behind an attack on the combined Delaphinian and Vanrian fleet we sent to Thaelis. He also took Khesran Veyl prisoner and attempted to coerce her into marriage to force an alliance. She and those taken with her were fortunate enough to escape.” Annora’s eyes widened as he spoke, and her jaw visibly tightened. It was possible she knew people in that fleet, or perhaps it simply appalled her that Jaysen would commit such crimes. Either way, the attack on the fleet was an attack against both their countries. “The crown prince would have to provide an extremely compelling argument to gain our support now, but we have not yet decided to grant it to the king regent, as his recent actions suggest intentions to act against Vanris.”
“It sounds as if you don’t find either option appealing, Majesties.” She bowed her head in a gesture that would encourage an appearance of deference, though Veyl caught the edge of burning curiosity in her tone. This was information the Delaphinian king and queen would want to know. “If I may ask, what other possibilities are you exploring?”
Arhk and her mother regarded the woman with the same careful reservation. Her father considered Annora as well, but with a fondness that spoke positively of the brief time she had served under him at the end of the war.
“We could wait to see who emerges victorious and approach them while they are still recovering from that conflict and vulnerable, or…” he paused, an invitation in the glint in his eyes.
“Or you could launch an attack while they are fighting each other and install someone else on the throne,” Annora speculated.
Arhk gave his son a look that somehow rode the line between fondness and mild reprimand. He had told Veyl more than once that he thought her father was too trusting. “These are matters we have yet to finish discussing with the full council.” He stood. “I will have one of our guards show you to where you can rest and refresh yourself while we deliberate, Captain.”
Annora bowed deeply to Veyl’s parents, the khemron and khevarin of Vanris, then allowed Arhk’s appointed escort to usher her from the room. When she was gone, Veyl’s mother’s attention shifted to her, and the skin tightened on the back of her neck before that silver-eyed gaze.
“We would like to revisit the subject of Wavelord Kronach. You spent a little time around him, Veyl.”
“You don’t… Not as…” She paused, gathering her thoughts, the wavelord leaning in uncomfortably close in her memories, his lips brushing against her ear, his fingertips biting into her jaw. Those moments were nothing compared to the torments Jaysen had seared in her mind, but the man did not respect physical boundaries, and his harsh ways made it hard for her to trust him. She shook her head. “No. Kronach is not someone I would consider putting on the throne. He may have aided me, but I believe it was more for his own amusement than out of any sense of kindness or justice.”
“I think he would consider taking the throne if offered it, but he would want more than that,” Kyril added. “You would need to offer him something he considered of great value to make it worth his time and effort.” His gaze shifted to her, any accompanying emotions well hidden beneath the coolness in his silver-blue eyes. “Something like the hand of a wave-touched khesran.”
Anger flared in her so powerfully that the absence of any crackling energy in her chest made her more certain than ever that Arhk was right. Her Frightener ability truly was gone. Why would Kyril suggest such a thing? Not ten minutes ago, in the training area, she thought the connection between them might be rekindling. Apparently, that had been the mere fancy of a desperate imagination.
She wasn’t sure who in the room objected most vehemently to his statement, but there was comfort in her parents being foremost among them.
“That is out of the question,” her mother snapped. “The only suggestion more offensive would be to offer her hand to one of the current contenders for the throne. Such an arrangement is not up for consideration.” She stood, casting a frosty glance in Kyril’s direction. “We should take this conversation to the full council.”
Veyl rose, refusing to look at Kyril, and hurried out with her parents, Seyn staying close beside her.
To be continued…
Glossary
Terminology
CallochRank ball of monkey shit. A favored insult in Vanris and Thaelis.
Company (military)The units and unions under the command of a single dhomen or ahndhomen.
Crack a stonePopular Vanrian phrase meaning to open and drink a stoneglass bottle of Vanrian Black Mead.
EvalisBlack fruit used to make Vanrian Black Mead. Imported from the original Vanrian homeland.
Ke’hanoathEach Vanrian’s or Thaelian’s individual story represented in symbols tattooed somewhere on their person.
MindcraftUnusual abilities possessed by some Vanrian/Thaelians to manipulate the minds of humans or animals.
Mind-crafterSomeone with a mindcraft ability.
…na sekAppended to an officer rank when a promotion is temporarily granted for a specific mission.
SheyvyoskStinky smegma.
StoneglassA Vanrian light metal alloy that looks like stone and is extremely durable. Primarily used to make bottles for Vanrian Black Mead… naturally.
TehanyehnA romantic spirit pairing connected by a Bondmaker (considered a deeper form of the marriage vows practiced in the southern kingdoms).
TehnaakSpirit siblings, bound to each other by a Bondmaker and raised together.
TehsheynSpirit family, bound by a Bondmaker.
The DeepsVanrian solitary confinement in Etrion.
Union (military)A grouping of three regular units combined under a third or fourth level ahninveth or inveth.
Unit, Regular (military)A group of thirty-nine soldiers under a single inveth or ahninveth.
Unit, Feral (military)A group of nine soldiers and up to twenty beasts under a single Feral ahninveth.
ZenyalA type of unequal bond formed by a Bondmaker that gives one half of the pairing a measure of control over the other.
Ranks & Titles:
KhevarinRuler of Vanris – the rough equivalent of a king or queen.
KhemronSpouse of the ruler of Vanris, shares duties of leadership.
KhesranChild of the khevarin and khemron – basically a prince or princess.
DhomvalenProtector or warden. Top Vanrian military leader who answers only to the khevarin.
AhnvarisDedicated elite guard to important personages.
DhomenA Vanrian or Thaelian officer – the rough equivalent of a general in the southern kingdoms. There are four levels.
AhndhomenA Dhomen who is also a mind-crafter (slightly outranks a dhomen). There are four levels.
AhnkrethA Vanrian or Thaelian officer – commander of a naval fleet.
InvethA Vanrian or Thaelian officer – the rough equivalent of a captain in the southern kingdoms. There are four levels.
AhninvethAn inveth who is also a mind-crafter (slightly outranks an inveth). There are four levels.
InrenA Vanrian or Thaelian common soldier. There are four levels.
OmrenA Vanrian or Thaelian mind-crafter common soldier. There are four levels.
IdrekA Vanrian or Thaelian recruit – soldier in training.
OdrekA Vanrian or Thaelian mind-crafter recruit – soldier in training.
Other Terminology
HavaadA god worshipped in parts of the southern kingdoms, particularly in Sarket.
Pandrean AllianceAn alliance formed between the three southern kingdoms of Delaphine, Sarket, and Fallend to fight Vanris.
HyeraliskQwilki term for a deadly hurricane.
Qwe’piCrude Qwilki insult.
Ket’taThe shell of a crustacean in Thaelis. Often used for making cups and small bowls.
EydarithCulture in Sarket that worships the Tempest, god of the sea. They have a unique language and consider themselves separate from the other citizens of Sarket.
ItovanakStrong alcohol favored by the Eydarith.
Ukhen’kyaThe Unclean. A cannibalistic culture in conflict with the residents of the Thaelian islands.
Mindcrafting Disciplines
BondmakerA mind-crafter who can create bonds between two or more individuals by using the life threads that exist within them.
BreakerA mind-crafter whose ability is uncontrolled and powerful enough to “break” the minds of their victims to the point that they have no cognitive capabilities or even the ability to respond to their own needs.
CharmerA mind-crafter who can manipulate an individual or small number of individuals to go along with their suggestions.
DampenerA mind-crafter who can interfere with the way people’s minds perceive their senses, effectively taking away the sight, sound, smell, and/or touch of individuals or groups.
EnkindlerA mind-crafter who can inspire positive or negative emotions in individuals or groups.
EvokerA mind-crafter who can see and sometimes alter a single individual’s surface thoughts and memories.
FeralA mind-crafter who can connect with, influence, and control the minds of animals or groups of animals.
FrightenerA mind-crafter who can access the fears of individuals or groups and cause them to see terrifying visions, sometimes permanently scarring their minds.
HeartsmithA blind mind-crafter who can tap into people’s deepest thoughts and emotions in an abstract way to read the story of who they are in order to tattoo it upon their skin.
SpeakerA mind-crafter who can speak into the minds of individuals or groups, limited somewhat by range and visibility (less so if their subject is also another Speaker).
Unique Creatures
Cliff CatLarge wildcats native to the mountains in Vanris. Some Ferals use them in combat. They have a deep blue-gray coat with darker blue stripes down the spine along either side of a ridge of longer hair. Their eyes are sapphire blue, and their tails end in a puff of hair the same blue as their stripes. Adults tend to be around waist high to a man at the shoulder.
Ji’ikyanLarge ocean serpents with scales a blend of lavender, pink, silver, and pearlescent white, with a translucent dorsal fin running along their substantial length. They have jaws full of teeth designed to tear apart prey that they first paralyze with a toxin injected through a stinger at the end of their tails.
KanodrakImpressive Vanrian predators brought to Pandrea from the original Vanrian homeland. Taller than a horse and used as mounts by a few Ferals. Vaguely feline with a silver-grey, scaled hide and milky white eyes. They have bone armor plating that starts at the nose and runs along the spine to the base of their long tail. Their massive upper canines extend well below the lower jaw.
KednuLarge deer on the Thaelian islands that are sometimes used as pack animals and occasional mounts.
Kel’inukSimilar in appearance to a salamander, but capable of growing much larger than a horse, these ocean-dwelling amphibians have no teeth. They crush prey repeatedly in their powerful jaws and swallow it whole.
Nightstar EagleLarge black eagle with gold feathers sweeping back from their eyes and along the lower edge of their wings and tail. Revered by followers of Havaad in the southern kingdoms.
SandhawkDesert hawks commonly seen in southern Vanris and around the Crimson Break.
TethdrakVanrian predators brought to Pandrea from the original Vanrian homeland. Some Ferals use them in combat. Built a little like a hound, but reptilian. Adults grow to about rib high to a man at the shoulder. The thickly muscled limbs and torso are covered in light shades of red and brown scaling with spiked plates along the length of the spine and thick tail. Two backswept horns extend from the head and their massive jaws bristle with sharp teeth.
Wave DancerSey’yaluth ayon in Qwilki. Tall, amphibious canines. Narrow built with long slender legs, fishlike, gleaming black scales over the forehead, across the front of the shoulders, and along the back of the hips. They have odd, glossy black fur made up of long, thick strands. The black ears are partially transparent like a bat’s wings and have fine ridges at intervals in the membrane, giving them the appearance of fins. They have broad scaled paws, with webbing between the toes designed for swimming. They tend to have eyes of some shade of blue or green.
Places
AndaroCapital city of the kingdom of Sarket.
BalarusLarge town south of the Break in northeastern Sarket.
Crimson BreakWar-devastated, desert region between Vanris and the southern kingdoms.
CrimsondaleTown where the incident that started the war happened. Now part of the Crimson Break.
DagonyPort city on the main island in Thaelis.
DeepwaterSmall integrated town on the western coast of the Crimson Break.
DelaphineEastern kingdom on Pandrea. Home to the Delaphinian people.
DoranThe northern capital of Vanris.
EtrionThe southern capital of Vanris.
FallendSouthern kingdom on Pandrea. Home to the Fallenese people.
FernwallowSmall village in Fallend.
HellarisTown in Sarket.
Kilden MountainsMountain range near the coast in Sarket.
MukyenyTown on one of the islands in Thaelis.
PandreaThe continent.
SarketWestern kingdom on Pandrea. Home to the Sarketi people.
TaroCoastal city in Sarket, mostly run by the Eydarith.
ThaelisIsland chain about a week west of Pandrea.
VanrisNorthernmost kingdom on Pandrea. New home to the Vanrian people after volcanic activity drove them from their original island home.
Vareyl’s WarningBlack crags that create a natural border between northern and southern Vanris. Called Vareyl’s Gift before the war.
People
AdnarVanrian ahndhomen / Feral kanodrak rider / Nevias’s tehnaak
AhrinOne of Darro and Tath’s twin sons, named after his mother’s deceased former tehnaak / Gannon’s brother / Iyvalin’s tehnaak
AitanVanrian dhomen
AnahelaQwilki woman
Arhk CavenosDhomvalen of Vanris / Frightener / Veyl’s grandfather
Astrid LodmundQueen of Sarket / Jaysen’s mother
AvrisVanrian inveth and combat instructor / Merrin’s tehnaak / part of Kasiel’s tehsheyn
