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

Dresnor looked between the two men. “Well, I have news from home. I have a letter for you, Kai, from Cazier—unopened. The letter from Dante I read. Not all good news. Your father made it back from his trip last week, but it was not as successful as in years past. To make matters worse, Landon Penier has escaped a few days after King Iver’s return. I do not know how. Guard change or something.”

Keeping his emotions calm, Kai listened, but he had his own ideas. Landon’s escape had to be Nola’s doing, but he wondered how she could have managed it. Keegan’s ability to change his face to match anyone he touched gave him pause. Could Keegan have rescued Landon after all this time?

“Your father has been unwell since his return. Bedridden.”

“Sick? Again?” Perplexed Kai crossed his arms over his chest. He needed to read his cousin’s letter. “May I see Cazier’s letter?”

Dresnor retrieved the letter. “It came a few weeks ago. It was marked private on the back, so I did not open it.”

Worried, Kai flipped to the letter in his hands. He noticed the symbol on the back, the three letters of his name overlapping to make one sign. His symbol. He broke the seal and began to read. Mostly miscellanea. News of his father’s trip and health concerns. A mishap at sea near Bangloo. Two men lost overboard. Kai scanned the letter to decipher the hidden message. Riome lost. Stay away. Her letters, R—T, for Riome Tamika in the corner. Then there were other symbols meant to convey a quick message mixed with letters slanted and plucked out of the message to supply information. His heart sank. He held his expression close. He had learned years ago never to reveal what you don’t want others to know.

“Same news you shared.” Kai chucked his note in the fire, as was their practice to destroy messages. “My father’s health and a scuffle at sea. It seems two men went overboard south of Bangloo. A cabin boy and a stowaway. He wants to know when I plan to come home. I will compose a letter to address his concerns, but I cannot come home today. We must continue our treatment, and I will not leave Rayna behind. She would want to see her adoptive parents at the palace. It is only fair that I go back for her first.”

Uneasy Dresnor nodded. “Seems I am to trust you with my prince a little longer.” He glared at Ryker, clearly uncomfortable with the news.

Ryker interjected. “The boy is like family. I knew his mother years ago, when she was young. It is on this outing I hope to introduce him to his grandfather. He lives on the mountain.” Ryker pointed northeast. “I believe it will be a real treat for them to meet. Mariana was well-loved among our people.”

Listening to Ryker’s half-truths was astonishing. He was a real professional.

Dresnor stood and motioned for Kai to follow. “If I may, I would like to speak with Prince Kai alone. I am sure you don’t mind.”

Alone, Dresnor leaned in and whispered, as if the distance they had was not enough. “This man. Do you trust him? He weaves a good story, but it's not all truth. Partly, yes. He is good with words, but I can spot a half-truth as easy as a lie. Question is, Kai, will you tell me the truth? Like this trip, you did not tell me everything.”

“Philip, I told you what I could about these people,” Kai insisted. “They are indeed my mother’s people. That is true. Rayna has found people with news of her parents. And yes, I would like to meet my grandfather. That would mean the world to me. Spending time with Ryker, a man who knew my mother, I cannot possibly explain what that means.”

Sympathetic, Dresnor relaxed.

Kai patted his friend on the shoulder. “Thank you, Philip, for waiting a little longer. I hope to go north to see my grandfather before I collect Rayna. I will be home in Diu for the Winter Festival. That is the honest truth as I know it right now.”

Again, his friend nodded with understanding. “A little more truth in your version, but still, you are not telling me everything. For now, I will not push. If I sense trouble, that may change. Remember, I pledged to protect you at all costs. You are our future king now that you are not bound to Amelia and Milnos.”

“I understand. Now, I need to write a few letters.”

Dresnor extended the use of his hut for Kai to compose his letters. He wrote one to his father, one to Cazier, and one to Seth. Once finished, he and Ryker departed north.

Chapter 16

Snowy Climb

Smoke ran ahead through the pine trees. They had walked several miles before Kai spoke. “Seems you have decided my direction.”

“It makes the most sense,” Ryker replied. “Find Benmar first. Is that not why we came out here?”

It was true that Kai wanted to meet his grandfather, but now that it was time, he was nervous. He did not know this man. “What if he won’t teach me?”

“You already know he will. Alenga told you to go and showed you flying with him. He is a Beastmaster, a silver dragon.”

“Can I trust Keegan’s father?”

Ryker huffed. “Remember Alenga’s vision. This will happen. You will ride the wind. We just don’t know when. Either way, you must meet Benmar. I know where he lives.”

Along their walk, Kai recalled his vision:

Snow littered the sky. Bitter cold ripped through his clothes. Alone he climbed. Fatigued and half-frozen he found himself holding a white crystal. The snow-covered peaks of the Katori Mountains rose in the distance.

A flash of white brought him to a cluster of ice-covered trees. Carved into the mountain, a dark cave opening loomed against the white snow. Inside the nothingness, something waited. He braced himself against