“HawkShadow?” interrupted StarWind. “What are you thinking?”
“I know, StarWind,” defended HawkShadow, “but I also think I know what Lyra would say if she heard of Mistake. Our Star would extend an invitation for Mistake to visit. I guarantee it.”
“You are probably right,” nodded StarWind, “but do not hold out empty promises. We should ask Lyra before giving false hope to Mistake.”
“I understand,” interjected Mistake. “I have heard some things about the Sakova. I know that outsiders are forbidden to enter, but I also know that I will do anything to find my family, even if that means going where I am not welcome.”
HawkShadow laughed from the darkness, and Mistake turned around with a scowl on her face.
“Do not laugh at me,” Mistake said sternly, even though HawkShadow was not visible. “You have no idea what I am capable of. My carozit will guide me to her.”
“I am laughing because I could have foretold exactly what you were going to say,” chuckled HawkShadow as he stepped out of the shadow of a large crate. “It is as if you are MistyTrail.”
“You know her that well?” asked Mistake in a calmer voice.
“Very well,” nodded HawkShadow. “I have personally trained her for several years. I could train you as well. In addition to moving swiftly as you do, I can teach you to move silently. You would make an excellent addition to the Sakova.”
“No,” Mistake shook her head. “I am sworn to aid the Astor. Rejji will need my help in restoring Fakara, but I can make a trip to the Sakova to meet MistyTrail.”
“What is this carozit you speak of?” questioned StarWind.
Mistake reached into her pack and extracted the carozit. She held it upside down and watched as the balls descended. They did not descend as far as they had at Fardale and Mistake frowned.
“We are moving away from her,” Mistake said softly. “At Fardale the balls hung lower. When they fully descend and touch one another, my family will be next to me.”
“Amazing,” frowned StarWind.
“Why are you so sad about it?” questioned Mistake.
“She is not sad,” interrupted HawkShadow. “She is worried. The carozit could lead you directly to StarCity. Our homeland has been hidden from outsiders for generations. To know that this magical carozit can lead you there is rather disturbing.”
“Does it work in the hands of anyone?” questioned StarWind.
“It does,” Mistake nodded nervously. “Its use revealed that Bakhai was Rejji’s brother. Do not try to take it from me.”
“We shall not,” promised StarWind, “but it may mean that MistyTrail will have to leave the Sakova.”
“Let’s not jump to any conclusions,” warned HawkShadow. “Lord Marak says that this Astor is tied to Lyra as much as the Torak is. I believe that we are all on the same side. Let us notify Lyra of what we have discovered. She will know what to do.”
* * *
The Kamaril soldier crept silently up the path of destruction leading to the cave of Aakuta. His brown and yellow uniform blended in fairly well with the destroyed trees and shrubs. When he reached the ledge that the cave sat on, he looked around nervously. The dark mage was nowhere in sight, but a small pile of human skulls were piled near the entrance to the cave. Quietly he eased himself away from the edge of the cliff before calling out.
“Aakuta,” he said loudly, “I come in peace with an plea from my lord. Please here me out.”
Loud grumbling flowed out of the cave. The soldier trembled nervously as the mage emerged from the cave and looked about. His head snapped towards the Kamaril soldier. Although the soldier could not see the mage’s face, he could envision the glare of rage that was hidden by the black hood.
“How dare you disturb me!” growled Aakuta. “What are you doing here?”
“Do not strike me,” quivered the soldier. “Lord Druck has sent me to ask for your help. His only son is dying. He begs you to come and save his boy.”
“I am not a healer,” spat Aakuta. “I have no time for such sentimental trash. Let the dying die as they are supposed to.”
“But you healed a soldier of the Aritor clan,” protested the soldier. “Lord Druck heard of it from the Aritor lord. You must help.”
“So that is how you found me,” snarled Aakuta. “That squad leader broke his vow to me. Now he must die.”
“No, no,” the soldier shook his head vigorously. “That is not true. I was with Lord Druck when he spoke to the Aritor lord. The squad leader was punished for refusing to give your location. Another soldier in the squad that you attacked told us of your location. Nobody must die, Aakuta. I come begging for your help in saving a life. Why can’t you help?”
“You and your people are none of my concern,” retorted the dark mage. “I want to be left in peace. Now flee before you die.”
“I will die if I return without you,” protested the soldier. “Lord Druck will pay you well for your help.”
“I have no use for your gold,” scowled Aakuta as his arm rose menacingly, “nor your life. Prepare to die.”
“Wait!” shouted the soldier. “If you kill me, Lord Druck will just send another, and another, until you are bothered every day. Even if you have no use for gold, Lord Druck does. Go aid his son, and take his gold. Charge enough and he will never bother you again.”
Aakuta lowered his arm and remained silent for a moment. When he finally spoke, his voice was calm.
“What did your lord tell you to offer me?” asked the dark mage.
“He did not specify a figure,” answered the soldier. “He instructed me to tell you that he would pay more gold than you could imagine.”
“And what figure do you feel would be outrageous enough to spread the word that I am to be left alone?” inquired Aakuta.
“I know he would gladly pay a thousand gold to have his son healed,” shrugged the soldier. “Perhaps ten thousand gold would make Lord Druck wince.”
The soldier was startled when Aakuta suddenly laughed evilly. Whatever humorous thought had passed through the dark mage’s mind, Aakuta did not share it.
“Have you brought a horse for me?” asked Aakuta.
“I have,” nodded the soldier with a gasp of relief. “It is yours to keep. I explained that you would need a way to come back here when you were done.”
“You think well for a clansman,” quipped Aakuta. “Let’s get this over with. I wish to return to my studies.”
The soldier led the way down the steep incline. When he reached the bottom, he turned to make sure Aakuta was following him. The dark mage was nowhere in sight.
“Come, come,” Aakuta snapped impatiently. “I do not have time to waste.”
The soldier spun and saw Aakuta already sitting on the spare horse. He shook his head and swiftly mounted his own horse. The soldier rode along the narrow trail at a fairly fast pace and was surprised to see that Aakuta had no trouble keeping up with him.
“How far is your estate?” asked Aakuta.
“Half a day’s journey,” answered the soldier.
“Bah,” grumbled the mage. “Stop your horse.”
The soldier cursed under his breath as he halted his mount. He had managed to convince the dark mage to accompany him, and now it looked like he had changed his mind. He wondered what he could do.
“Get off the horse,” ordered Aakuta as he dismounted.
The soldier complied, and Aakuta walked forward with the reins for both horses. He stared into the eyes of each horse as he mumbled some unintelligible words. The mage finished by brushing his hand lightly over each horse and then mounting one of them.
“Get back on and let’s ride,” commanded the dark mage.
The soldier mounted his horse as he shook his head in confusion. No sooner had he mounted than his horse started galloping. The soldier hung on tightly as both horses raced along the road.
“You owe me another horse,” shouted Aakuta. “These will die when we reach your estate.”
When they arrived at the Kamaril estate, the horses did indeed die. Aakuta marched up the steps of the mansion without a glance backwards. The soldier ran up the stairs and opened the door for the mage.