Page 108 of The Eye of the Fifth
It was Kawai’s selflessness, his love and loyalty, that had broken his brother’s chains.
Had Kyra not done just that for Oslan? Was the blood-bargain etched into her skin not an exact reflection of what Kawai had done forhisbrother?
In an instant, Kyra found that promise morphing into a question, somewhat desperately, for another brother whose fate rested on his sibling’s shoulders.
‘Have you… have you heard of the Eye of the Fifth?’ she asked quietly, carelessly. It was the first time she’d spoken of it aloud since making the bargain with Lilion.
Kawai’s eyes narrowed. ‘Are you trying to distract me?’
‘No, I… I just remembered something.’
‘The Eye of the Fifth,’ he repeated thoughtfully, nodding slowly with some sort of recognition. ‘Yes… some of the first raiders spent years trying to find it. They were obsessed for a while. It’s a crystal of some sort, right? Really old and valuable?’
If only it were as simple and innocent as that. Throat tight, Kyra said, ‘Yes, that’s the one. They never found it, then?’
If Kawai noticed the hopelessness in her voice, he didn’t acknowledge it. ‘As far as I’m aware of, no. A lot of them gave up believing it was even real.’ At her silence, he asked, ‘What is it, exactly? Some kind of Warden relic?’
‘It doesn’t matter,’ she said quickly. ‘Forget I mentioned it.’
Kyra moved away, wanting to leave him there at the bow, needing to be alone before despondency could completely cloud her thoughts, but he called brashly after her, ‘So, will you stop in your search? Will you leave Kano be?’
She paused, then said shortly over her shoulder, ‘I’ll talk to Naal.’
Sincerely, Kawai said, ‘Thank you. Kyra… thank you.’
???
Naal
The scrawled note of minimal words was still crumpled in Naal’s hand. It had been delivered by one of the hawks, no less, much to Damar’s horror (‘get that bloody bird off my ship!’), and had sent her mind reeling with concern.
Project as soon as you can. I have news I cannot trust to be delivered by parchment and ink.
Your ever faithful Second.
Before leaving Phaenon, she had made it abundantly clear to both Maida and Nysari not to contact her unless absolutely necessary. Damar’s displeasure had been understandable; any bird delivering messages out at sea could be easily tracked, not to mention a bird the size of a small horse landing on the ship. Naal had asked young Jak to fetch the beast some meat and sent him on his way, not daring to unroll the message with so many keen and curious eyes watching on.
Even Kyra had stopped in her sparring with Kawai, questions begging in her eyes, ones that Naal did not want to answer, not yet, not until she had spoken directly to her Second.
Dismissing herself swiftly after the hawk had flown off, with no obligation to explain herself to the raiders, she locked herself in Boony’s cabin. It was a cabin fit for a first mate, relatively spacious and somewhat stately, but not a cabin fit for someone with wings quite as large as hers. She was forced to let the feathered tails of them drag on the floor when she was below deck.
She put the note to one side and wasted no time in sitting comfortably on the small bed, placing her palms in her lap and letting her mind be still, be blank, until she felt the familiar soaring through time and space as her spirit went where she willed it to be.
‘...and each day we just leave him there, the more vulnerable we make ourselves and our people,’ Nysari hissed as she paced the office space of Maida’s private chamber. Sitting on the other side of a messy desk was Maida, listening to Nysari as though she was hearing the same thing for the hundredth time. Somehow, despite Nysari’s apparent grievances, it was a sight that had Naal’s stomach twisting with longing. This was where she belonged. This was home. ‘Wecannotjust continue to do nothing,’ Nysari continued. ‘If heisbait like I believe he is, then we have been fools to keep him alive. Not to mention that woman-’
Naal cleared her throat.
Maida’s tired eyes snapped up. She gave a slight smile and said, ‘Your timing is impeccable, Naal. Nysari and I were just discussing the very reason you are here.’
‘Pramah,’Nysari said, bowing her head in Naal’s direction.
‘Do I sense a little turbulence in my absence?’
‘Of course not,’ Maida chimed. ‘Nysari here just likes to make her opinion on certain matters very clear. So much so that I hear the echo of her controversy as I drift off to sleep each night.’
Nysari glowered at her. ‘If you heeded my advice instead of ignoring it, I would not have to repeat myself quite so often.’
Chuckling, Maida waved a hand. ‘At ease, Nysari, I was jesting. Goddess knows a little light-heartedness never hurt anyone. Especially in this current climate.’
