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

land. The sun’s earliest rays pushed against the black night sky. Reds and oranges burned away the purple. Yellow light announced the impending arch of the sun.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Senina wrapped her arm around Kai’s elbow. Standing, she turned them toward the sunrise.

“It is indeed.” Kai agreed. “This open landscape allows you to see so much more. At home in Diu, there are buildings, walls, and trees. I never see a wide view of the horizon.”

Captivated by the view, he leaned into Senina. She smiled up at him. “From this hill, you can almost see the entire Hiowind city.”

“I studied geography, and I know Katori is extensive. But there is no information about your cities or villages. I find it difficult to believe there are only four tribal cities.”

Senina curved around to face Kai. “Oh no, there are many cities. The Hiowind city stretches along the mountain foothills. There are even a few Hiowind villages near the white cliffs. Like Diu, there are many settlements. Port Anahita is part of Diu as is Chenowith and Albey. They are individual towns, but they are still citizens of Diu.”

“True, I see your point. What makes one tribe different from the next?”

She paused to consider his question. “You know, I’ve never thought about it. At one point, it was where you lived. And there is a bit of inflection in how we speak from one region to the next. Centuries ago, each tribe claimed a region, but as we grew, the different groups overlapped, and we comingled.

“We all live in trees or caves. I would say the Gemidi are a little different; they are more carefree and tend to wander. I guess that is why they have no Agora. There are three Agoras…well, two. Centuries ago, an earthquake destroyed the Matoku’s Agora. It was built on a rocky cliff near a small waterfall, and the Agora collapsed into the ground. Not sure why they never repaired the old one. They built a replacement, but it is half the size of ours. And since their sacred pool was never blessed by Alenga’s creation, their young people come here or go to the coast. Most young people do not put off completing their Conhaspriga to the last moment, as you did.” She grinned.

This surprised Kai. “So, there is more than one Agora. But only one crystal mountain, right?”

Senina nodded. “Correct. There is only one crystal mountain. Every young person comes here for their stone but can choose to return to their home Agora for Alenga’s blessing. The other working Agora is near the center of the Kahoma tribal cities, near the shore.”

All their history fascinated Kai—the richness of their culture, and the freedom to comingle regardless of their origins.

Out of the corner of his eye, Kai caught Simone’s silhouette in a gazebo. Haygan faced her. They were too far away for Kai to know what they were saying, but he could tell by their posture it was serious. As Simone talked, his uncle cupped his face and fell to his knees in front of her. Kai wanted to go to them but he held back, watching. To his delight, Haygan leaned forward and kissed her stomach.

A sense of joy washed over Kai. He could only assume it meant Simone was pregnant. Feeling embarrassed he had intruded on their special moment, he backed away. “Senina, I really need to go. Thank you for the history lesson.”

He darted back toward Haygan and Simone’s home. Shiva prowled around their vegetable patch. Rayna collected blackberries and apples in her basket. Kai stopped to help her carry her baskets. “Have you seen Simone and Haygan this morning?” Kai asked.

“I have not,” Rayna responded. “They left on a walk around dawn. Oh, there they are. I see them coming down the path.”

Kai turned to see Simone in her flowy blue dress holding hands with Haygan. The expression on their faces was pure joy. When they got close, Haygan put his arms around Simone. “We have an announcement to make. Tell them, Simone.”

Simone rubbed her belly. “We are pregnant,” she beamed from ear to ear. “I am due in late autumn or early winter.”

Rayna ran to Simone and wrapped her in a hug. “Congratulations!”

While the two women whispered and giggled, Kai shook Haygan’s hand. “Congratulations, uncle. Does this mean you are finished in Diu? Home in Katori for good?”

The expression on Haygan’s face was not what Kai expected. Even Simone stopped her chatter to wait for his response. “I wish I was finished. But I made promises I must keep. I have sent for new horses, three young foals and three stallions from Bangloo. They will arrive early autumn, and I must see them to Diu.”

Kai bit the side of his lip. “You will be cutting it kind of close—don’t you think?”

Simone pursed her lips, but then rubbed Haygan’s arm. “I would not ask him to break his word. But he promised to put in word he would not be returning.” She raised an eyebrow as if to confirm this was still true.

“Yes, dear. I will put in notice. I am done splitting my life between Katori and Diu. You are my life.”

Chapter 11

The Hiowind Tribe

The following afternoon, Kai hoisted a newly repaired windmill blade up a ladder. Rayna covered her eyes to shield them from the bright sunshine. A chord within Kai hummed. The sensation curled the corner of his mouth. He knew Smoke was near. He arched his back to watch Smoke exit the tree line on the distant hillside. The awareness between them was something Kai had learned to cherish.

The wind blade secure, Kai slid down the outer ladder rails and took Rayna’s hand. “Smoke is here!”

They crossed the vegetable patch and went into the tall grasses. The wind playfully swirled the stalks. Wildflowers lifted their heads to the sunshine. Kai pointed as Smoke circled the lake, his black fur gleaming in the midday sun. For a moment, Smoke stopped. He turned