The Traitor by A. Lombardo (novels for beginners txt) 📗

his father had to have some good left in him. After all, he did spare the child. “How can you . . .?” Kai wanted to argue but he saw little point. How could he convince any of them there was another way to live free without creating war and chaos?

“Son, we enjoyed these years, but I want more than piracy now. Always have.” Keegan stepped closer. “I would not change this life. Do not think I will waste my time sitting on a throne with a ring of gold around my head. I want to rule the world, yes, but not from a chair or hiding on my side of the world. I am tired of keeping my distance; the time to strike is now, thanks to you. Seeds of mistrust corrupt even the most loyal friendships, and I say we can finally be free to live without hiding. The world looks to Katori now with new eyes. Revered by all, our nation once demonstrated peace and goodwill. I say it is time we demonstrate our might and power like we did during the Great War and the time of dragons.”

Every concept felt like a slap in the face. Kai spat, “Is peace so foreign to you that you only find joy in chaos?”

The delight in Keegan’s eyes turned dark and angry without warning. Kai felt his father’s rage and instinctively reared back and used his fists to protect his core. “You know nothing of risk.” Keegan charged Kai with intent but did not touch him. “I live with the Katori secrets, keeping to my side of the world. Those who see my greatest power live in fear. A fear so strong they would sooner end their own life than cross me. Up until recently, any who witnessed my magic firsthand were usually dead and unable to tell the tale.  But now I must show the world and ensure the stories are told. I will accelerate this war to create a better world for all Katori, and all who fall in line.”

Keegan gestured to his men.

“I have lost men. Your mutt Ryker killed a few of my Katori a few months back. We risk our lives every time we go out. I am mortal, my boy—I can die. Well, many have tried to kill me.” Keegan laughed and pushed Kai hard in the chest. “Enough talk, take him below.”

The Weathervane wind whipped around Kai.  “Admiral Roark will get you one day,” he muttered under his breath as the guard pulled his arm.

“What was that?” Keegan looked around, “Admiral Roark?”

A Caroco man shouted, “navy man who serves King Iver,  . . .”

“I know who he is. Do you think this man could best me?” Keegan swung back around, ego danced in his eyes. “You have more faith in this man than me, after everything you know about the Katori, about me?”

Kai did his best to conceal the depth of his relationship with Roark, but the spark in Keegan’s eyes told him his father saw through him. “Your pulse quickened. Most would never notice something so subtle, but I see it—I hear it. Roark means something to you. When will you ever learn? Have no ties in the world, and nothing can hurt you.”

Guilt formed in the pit of Kai’s stomach, devouring him from the inside out. “Leave him be!” he shouted.

“How can I prove to you I am the superior warrior if you have more faith in this Red Warrior? I will pluck this man from his bed, and hang him from the gatehouse of Diu with the Katori pennant pinned to his chest. If he is their best man, I will show them how little he can protect his people.”

Renewed focus narrowed Keegan’s eyes. “This man runs Fort Pohaku, let us pay him a visit. Test his mettle. Man-to-man, blade against blade. What do you say, men? Another deviation before we go home to gather reinforcements for war?”

The men cheered, and Keegan bowed to Kai, “to Fort Pohaku, post haste. We shall ferret out this man and put him on the end of my sword before we deliver his corpse to Diu and it’s pretending Queen.”

Bile welled in Kai’s throat. What had he done? The rusty man of color grabbed Kai’s arm and returned him to his prison. Once again shackled below deck in his steel cage, Kai thought about the differences between this man and the one he called father. Iver and Keegan were nothing alike, and now because of him, the good man—Iver, was dead while the other roamed free. The lack of emotion in Keegan’s words raked Kai’s heart. No matter how he tried, there was no finding goodness in this man. Maybe there was no white light left. Keegan’s soul truly matched his black crystal. Thoughts of Roark dying because of his yammering took him to a dark place. Never before had he deliberately wanted to kill another person, but Keegan was testing his limits.

From his steel cage, there nothing he could do. Who else would suffer because of this man? Rayna, his mother? Kai had to find a way free, or Roark would become the next victim.

Chapter 14

Freedom

Moonlight bounced off the ocean waves and into Kai’s tiny prison. Salt mist splashed through the porthole and landed in his hair. Clutching his knees to his chest, he sat pondering his next move while Keegan’s ship sailed to Fort Pohaku. Heavy laden with precious bounty, they eased through the waves.

Sounds of a new guard thundered down the steps along with another figure. Fenia approached his cage. “I brought you food and water.” She handed the cup and plain bread through the bars.

“You must help me, Fenia,” Kai whispered. “I must warn Roark.”

Fenia pressed her finger to her mouth.