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

Davi calmed his wife’s enthusiasm. “Enough talk of legends. Nothing matters if Kai can’t make it past his journey through the forest and through the mountains and back into Katori. Most youths have weeks to complete the test. You have only a matter of days before your fever consumes you.” Davi leaned towards Kai. “Listen to me, Kai. The tests are intended to confuse you, draw you away from your goal. The Guardians are meant to test your resolve. We Katori are warriors through and through. Everyone believes the Katori retreated to study spirituality as the world negotiated peace. We spread the rumor that Katori had had enough of war. Partly true. We did want peace. That does not mean we became soft.” Davi’s face became serious. “They will fight you. This is no game of hide-and-seek.”

Kai nodded gravely. “Up until now, I would have thought they would welcome us. Now I see I was wrong.” He placed his hand on Rayna’s knee. “I fear we have no idea just how hard this climb will be.”

Kaia leaned into the fire. She kicked a shifted log back into the yellow and white flames. “You must climb the Katori mountain’s three central waterfalls. Ice melts from its snowy peaks, which feed the Conha River. Each level is steeper than the previous one. They are surrounded by an unclimbable sheer rock face.”

Concerned, Rayna asked. “Sounds impossible. If I understand you correctly, we must leave the river. Travel south, deep into the Zabranen Forest. All to climb up to the next level.”

“My father told me—stay near the river. It takes longer to hop from stone to stone, but you have no chance of getting lost,” Kaia reassured her.

Gabe continued. “Walk the river to the falls. Venture south into the woods. Find the first available route back northeast. After each climb, it is imperative you return to the river. Stay close to the water. Keep the sound close. Always listen. The Guardians will pray on your fear. They want you to give up. That is the purpose of the test. Control your fears.”

Davi chimed in with his own words of wisdom. “In a typical test, only two or three, from each discipline, would challenge you. The Lumens will take your sight. Don’t bother trying to glean. Weathervanes can raise fog, rain, and wind against you.”

Kai huffed. “I’ve seen their power. I am tired of being wet.”

Hale scoffed. “I don’t believe they mean to make this a fair fight. I doubt they aim to kill you, just keep you from finding the cave, before your fever breaks.”

Davi tamped the air with his hand to quiet the group. “The Beastmasters, they will come for you. I believe you will need to fight like no other before you. The Guardians know who you are, who you could become, and they fear you. Do what you must, but try not to kill anyone. That would be unnecessary. Their true job will be to delay you or make you flee. You will need to stand your ground. Never give up.”

Don’t kill. Kai could live with not killing, but could the Guardians who were waiting for him?

It was clear that Kai and Rayna were headed into a trap, but he had made up his mind. They both had. Rayna deserved to find her parents, and he wanted—no, needed—to search for his mother. Her time was running out, if it was not already too late to change her back. She was out there, lost in the world. And, he was going to make it his mission to find her. His powers were a necessary gift he dare not lose. Yes, he had made up his mind. He wanted this.

◆◆◆

Dawn came too early. Kai’s heart ached with worry. With Rayna’s hand clasped in his, they headed to the Kempery-man’s camp. As much as Kai wanted to leave without an argument, he owed his men an explanation. Over the years, they had spent months traveling the countryside and fought battles. Drew was his oldest friend, and he was the first to tell Kai he could be more than a prince. Drew deserved the opportunity to say goodbye.

And then there was Philip Dresnor, his lead Kempery-man. For three years, Kai had spent nearly every day with Dresnor; they were like brothers. It would be no easy task to tell this man he must return to Diu without him. There would be an argument.

Through the trees, Kai sensed another person. Smoke barreled through the woods. A man in shadow leaned against a tall tree. “Shane waits for us there,” Kai pointed.

They changed their course. Kai was excited to see his friend. Shane stepped out from a large copse of trees, bow in hand and a battle-ax strapped to his back. “Morning, you two. Good to see you made it through the storm.”

“Shane.” Kai pulled his friend into a welcoming hug. “How did you know to come yesterday?”

Skepticism washed over Shane’s face. “I want to say you wouldn’t believe me if I told you. But then I’ve learned there is much I do not know about the world around me. We all keep secrets. For one reason or another. You have yours. The Katori seem to be nothing but secrets.” He gave Kai a severe look before he continued. “My mother…talks to me.” Shane paused for acceptance. “At least I believe it is her voice I hear on the wind. When all is quiet, I often feel her presence. She died giving birth to my sibling, and it was a boyhood fantasy to talk with her in my mind. Now I believe it was real. Yesterday morning, I heard your name, and Davi’s, echo through the trees. When I walked into Davi’s camp, the storm was raging, and they were all set to leave with Sabastian. I had to believe I was meant to help.”

Concerned for his friend, Kai apologized. “Shane, I am sorry you were brought into