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

He had lost his memory, but even when some of his thoughts returned, he never again had the sharp mind he was known for. “How could someone knowingly cripple another?” Kai clenched his fists.

His grandfather grabbed at the clear crystal around his own neck. “Keegan’s own stone became blacker with each turn, and people began to call him the soul stealer. He was convinced he was the most powerful Katori who’d ever lived. He was sure Alenga had granted him unique gifts for a reason. In his mind, he was superior. To him, there was nothing wrong with his actions.”

Kai listened intently. “How did he raise a following after doing these things? Why would anyone believe in him or his cause? For that matter, how did my mother get involved with a man like him? Ryker claims Lucca pushed them together.”

“My family was a well-respected family in the Hiowind tribe. Lucca had every intention your mother and Keegan would be together. Ryker is correct, Lucca pushed them together. Mind you, Keegan was a handsome young man, and Mariana enjoyed his company. They were friends. When he became aggressive, she pulled away, but Keegan had his mind set. My son had a silver tongue. He convinced many that the Katori should rule the world. He was exceedingly arrogant.” Benmar paused to drain his cup.

Kai tilted his head, wondering. “I hate to ask, but could Alenga not heal your wife? The waters of the sacred pool healed me when I entered.”

“Believe me, we tried. Later, my son challenged your grandfather Lucca to the rite of Chief. Keegan attacked Lucca, tried to take his soul. Foolish boy. He had no idea the power the Lumens possessed. There are only three that I know of, and they are all elders. Not to mention when the chiefs and unie fight as one, well, let’s just say your father was put down. They cast him out. Banished him from all of Katori.”

This confused Kai. “And people still followed him?”

“Keegan convinced people they were trapped in Katori. He told them that even a gilded cage is still a cage. He said the world was ready to know we existed. Not that my son wanted people to choose their own leaders—he felt people should not be controlled. He persuaded them to rise up because they had no choice, given that the elders serve for life, and we can live three hundred years.”

Kai nodded with understanding. “Old minds are difficult to change. Fear of trying anything new keeps you from advancing.”

“Funny, that is what your father believed. The world outside was changing, and we were behind the times.”

Benmar poured another cup of tea and continued. “Your father, however, plays a very long game. Over a year later he returned, only his face was that of a child. Poor thing. Keegan stole his essence. My son walked into the Agora and convinced your mother to go with him. Mariana thought she was helping a student. We never saw her again. The boy was too young to handle the experience, his heart gave out several days later.”

Remorse resonated in Benmar’s words. Kai knew these choices were Keegan’s, yet his grandfather felt responsible. “Years later, we received word Mariana had married the young Diu King, Iver Galloway, and had born him a son. Lucca was bitter. He announced Mariana had made her choice. ‘Let her stay in the world of modern man,’ he said. Her brother, your uncle Haygan, was denied the rights to visit. Not that it stopped him, but by the time he found a way, she had supposedly died. Haygan delivered the news, then left in search of his sister. We all knew no dragon would harm a Katori without due cause.”

“But you came,” Kai interjected. “You visited.”

“I did, but then I had very little to lose. And I hate rules…maybe Keegan gets that from me. Anyway, the Diu palace was not a challenge. The Mryken, they sensed me, but as a Beastmaster, they calmed in my presence. Over time, they learned to recognize my scent and ignore my visits.”

The idea that this man walked the halls of the Diu palace undetected astonished Kai. It also pleased him to know his mother still had connections to her home.

A log shifted, and sparks flitted above the fire. Benmar poked and tossed on a new piece of wood. “Haygan, like many, refused to believe that she was dead. That is how he met Simone, on his search for Mariana. She convinced him to come home. To find you. The horse farm in Chenowith hired him; a young man with a talent for taming, training, and breeding wild horses. It didn’t take long for his reputation to grow.”

Kai nodded. “He told me about traveling through Nebea. Where he met Dante Carmello. Dante convinced him to train horses for the Cazier family. Then he was offered the position in Diu.”

“Enough talk of the past,” Benmar announced. “You came here to learn. Grab a coat.”

Benmar led Kai through a series of tunnels. Along the way, Kai heard voices echo from the various shafts they passed. In his mind, he saw the network of chambers branch off from the main passage. He was surprised that so many lived within the mountain.

Nearly an hour later, they emerged outside in a snow-covered glade. The sun beamed high overhead. They traveled down the mountain. Confused, he tried to get his bearings. “Are we on the eastern side of the mountain now?” he asked.

“Excellent, Kai. We walked through the mountain. A well-guarded Katori secret. The peaks are narrow and it does not take long to go from one side to the other.”

They traveled down the mountain until the snow faded, and the grasses grew tall. Through the trees, Kai caught sight of something large. Strange noises struck his ears: shrieks, coos, and warbles. The ground rumbled slightly. Benmar slipped through the thicket, and Kai followed until the trees parted. His grandfather found a spot on a stone perch. Mouth