Rayna's Sacrifice (The Katori Chronicles Book 3) by A. Lombardo (intellectual books to read .TXT) 📗

growing crowd, “is overwhelming. I would love to say it was over, but this will go on well into the night.”

Kai rocked back on his heels. “Really?”

“Yes. People from all over Katori are pouring in to join the festivities. Word has spread that you are here. The moment of the bond and Alenga’s presence this close to our plane of existence brings pure power and harmony. People will come to celebrate and enjoy the energy your bonding creates. This happens every time someone completes the Conhaspriga.”

“After tonight, what do we do? I want to search for my mother. But—I don’t know where to start. Or do I have to find a teacher? How do I pick? Can you be my teacher?”

“I would love to be your teacher, if mentoring were my gift, but I don’t believe I can teach you how to reach your potential. Riding a horse, yes. Bonding with your companion, certainly, but considering your crystal is white, I don’t know how to help you search your spirit for your calling—I am no shaman.”

“I know my mother was a shaman, a spiritual guide, and a teacher. She helped young Katori learn to control their gifts. Kendra told me all about it months ago. Who is the Shaman now? Has my mother not been replaced?” Kai felt sad that nobody had followed in her footsteps.

“Mariana, your mother, was a wonderful teacher. She helped many find a suitable teacher. A select few she mentored herself. It is most unfortunate nobody has felt capable of replacing her. How we all miss her dearly. Times change, it is no longer our way to have one shaman. The four tribes decreed we did not need a new shaman. Now each new Katori study with many teachers.”

“What are the four tribes again?”

“There are the Hiowind, the mountain tribe where we are now. There is the Matoku, the highland tribe; the Kahoma, the coastal tribe; and Gemidi, the Mystic Islands tribe.”

“Which one was my mother?”

“Our family is Hiowind.” Haygan motioned to Lucca, who was lingering next to a column nearby. “Lucca, my father, your grandfather, is our chief. The woman with him is Kendra’s mother, Olina. She is our unie.

Haygan’s eyes turned sad at the memory of his lost sister, Mariana. “I wish your mother were here to see you, Kai.”

“Me too, but soon enough.” Kai surveyed the room. “Are you sure you could not teach me? Time is of the essence. I must find my mother.”

Haygan scratched his chin. “You do me a great honor by asking, but I am not the right person. Given your white crystal, I can think of only one man who might be willing to teach you—Benmar, your other grandfather. But since Keegan’s betrayal, he does not come here much.”

Yulia stepped into their conversation. “Benmar might teach you, but not here in Hiowind. He rarely leaves the dragon meadows. He is a wise teacher and a rare few have the courage to seek him out on the mountain. You will not find anyone more qualified.”

Meeting his grandfather tore at Kai’s heart. There was something familiar about a man from his past, his face, but Kai could not recall the complete memory. He had sent Liam to aid him in accessing Alenga’s Mountain. But Benmar was Keegan’s father, and if truth be told, Kai didn’t want to bother with lessons. He felt in the prime of his life. His fever was gone, and, if challenged, he was sure he could move a mountain.

“We don’t have time for lessons. I need to search for my mother. She may be a manta ray somewhere in the ocean, but I know I can find her. This is our last chance to save her, if it is not already too late to turn her back. Can I not use her necklace and track her?”

His uncle curled in close. “Not so loud, Kai. We don’t want anyone else to know you have your mother’s crystal. We will use it to track Mariana, but the manta rays don’t migrate near the Mystic Islands until autumn. She could be anywhere right now. In the meantime, you better learn what your white crystal means.”

Simone interjected. “It might be wise if Kai and Rayna start out working in the gardens together. It will be better if they meet people as a couple. That will strengthen their bond and soften the integration into our community.”

Curious, Rayna tilted her head. “For all the Katori who don’t venture out into the world for their Conhaspriga, how do they take their rite of passage?”

“The ones who choose not to venture out spend their year in silent meditation. They are provided access to the cave from this side to carve out their stone. The rest is basically the same. They go into the pool to discover if Alenga will bless them with a gift. Not everyone has magic. And most that don’t are usually happy without the burden.”

“Doesn’t seem fair,” Kai interjected.

“Fair?” Haygan tilted his head. “A rare few choose to leave. They fear the outside world. Those that do leave have a warrior spirit. They want to test their mettle against the world and our Guardians. Explorers at heart. Most of them return, but as you know, a few do not. It is unfair you did not have a choice. But I do not make the rules. Nor am I the one to change them.”

Before Kai could counter, Simone stepped between them. “This is a celebration. Debate tomorrow.” She wrapped her hands around Haygan’s arm.

Chapter 9

The Agora

No sooner did Simone stop talking than a delightful melody filled the air, and the crowd burst into celebration. Kai pressed his hand on the side of his leg, tracing the weight of the crystal in his pocket. He wished he understood the power it held. Something was reassuring about feeling the shape of it against his fingers.

People with trays of food and drinks flitted between the crowds. Flute and