Scorned Prince: Ringdweller Series #1, page 4
Migo realized that meant he hadn’t slept for two full cycles. It was hard to keep track of time when he was so busy. But he only had seven cycles to live, so what did it matter? He was feeling tired though. His continued frowning gave him a headache. “What if I secreted myself within the public. Perhaps I could glean some information that way. See if there are movements into the wastes.” He still didn’t understand how the shamans could survive out there. He didn’t understand nearly enough about their magic.
Hatan shook his head. “Everybody within miles knows your face. Even I couldn’t do it without being recognized.”
Hatan was wrong. Migo could easily wear a veil. Finding the girl would be difficult. He questioned himself. Would catching one shaman appease his mother? Some success is better than none. His pacing slowed as he grudgingly decided something else. “Assign a couple soldiers to do it then.”
“Very well, lord.”
“We’ll also just have to continue our searches near the wastes. We need eyes on known camps that have been abandoned or destroyed. We know shamans filter through sometimes, so they’re bound to show up eventually. Issue the orders.” He’d gathered some intel this way before. He just had to try it some more.
“It will be done, sir,” Hatan said with a nod.
“Good.” Migo returned to his desk. He had to think of something better to do.
Hatan made to leave the room, then added, “And you, lord? I hope you will get some rest soon.”
“Yes, of course,” Migo said with slight irritation, but he doubted that he could sleep until he came up with a new idea. “As soon as I’m done.”
Hatan inclined his head with a frown before exiting, the door closing behind him.
Migo dozed at his desk when the door banged open. There was only one person who would enter Migo’s office in such a way. His stomach clenched with fear. Without looking up, Migo knew that Queen Rikaydian had just come to pay him a visit.
“Murder. Robbery. The shaman scum wander freely through my city while you sit idly in your office like a coward.”
Migo pretended to start writing. Goosebumps appeared on his skin as heat flushed to his face.
“What’s your plan of action? Where are the shamans hiding this time?”
“We’re still working on a solution.” Migo could say no more as his mother gripped his jaw in one hand, her nails digging into his cheeks.
“I expect action, Migo,” she said in a sharp whisper. “I’ll have no more cowering out of you. These shamans must be eradicated.” Her perfect white teeth shone brightly through her sneer. She threw his head back, releasing her grip.
Migo gritted his teeth and held back tears of rage as he looked up at his mother. Small beads of blood appeared where her nails had made a mark. How could she treat him like this? “I’ll go immediately. Interrogate every citizen that was there,” he said hoarsely. “Imprison anybody who tries to withhold information. I’ll search the Wastes myself and kill every last shaman I can find.” His cheeks flushed with shame as his lower lip trembled.
Would she really have him killed? He could see the hatred in his mother’s dark eyes, but he could never tell who she hated more: him, or the shamans. He rose from his desk, grabbed his glaive, and strode out of the room. It was because of the shamans that his mother had become like this. It was because of them that she loathed him. And he hated them for it—with all the passion in his soul. I will make up for it. His arms quivered with rage. Was there any freedom from the storm of hatred that roiled around him? His weariness forgotten, he marched out to begin interrogations.
Chapter six
The Artifact
Blazing heat burned at Katsi’s back as she scrambled down the dark cave before her. Each step echoed with the sound of her boots grinding the dust. She gasped a sigh of relief when she stepped through an unseen barrier that left the heat of the Scorched Waste behind her.
“See, Scales, I told you we’d make it just fine,” Katsi said, putting a hand in the pocket of her overcoat just to feel Scales shuffling around. She placed her other hand against the smooth, stone wall of the tunnel as they continued to descend, using it to feel her way through the darkness until her hand gave way at a small recess. Inside were two little stones which she drew out and struck together, whispering, “Linara.” The two stones burst into a bright, yellowish glow that lit the walls around her. She hadn’t used shaman magic—even a Ringdweller could have activated the magic at the word.
The light revealed a few steps ahead of her where the cave narrowed sharply. She proceeded up the steps until she came into a rectangular room with hollowed shelves in the walls and a stone table in one corner. A woven mat laid at the center of the room. One third of the mat was heavily worn, while the rest had been untouched for years. She couldn’t ever bring herself to sleep in her parents’ spots.
She averted her eyes and swung the bag of ice flora hearts onto the table, took off the canteen, and quickly emptied the contents of her belt: the shakestone mallet, a pouch tinkling with two coins, a weathered parchment, a small bag with chalkrocks, a little knife, and finally, the items she’d taken from Wajek Manor. One was a metal belt buckle, another was a wooden carving of the life icon. The magical artifact was still wrapped in a cloth. Thinking about her burglary still brought a smile to her face.
Katsi removed Scales from her pocket and placed him on the table. To answer her growling stomach, Katsi pulled the sack of ice flora hearts over as she sat down at the table.
Scales looked at the artifact on the table and then back at Katsi.
“I know, Scales,” Katsi said, raising her eyebrows at the lizard. “I’ll check it out in a moment, but I haven’t eaten all cycle!” She was fighting the urge to bring out the artifact even as she pulled out a heart and bit into it. Its thin skin broke to her teeth, and the inner flesh gushed into her mouth like moistened bread, its starchy sweet taste making her tongue explode with saliva.
Before she knew it, she’d eaten three whole hearts. Scales nipped at the remnants that lingered on her fingers.
Katsi stared at the artifact that sat just within reach. She wiped her hands on the sack, set out another heart for Scales, then slid the artifact in front of her. After removing the cloth wrapping, she held a Linara stone closer so she could take a close look at it.
It was a thin armlet. Something that went on the upper arm. The metal glinted with a dull, bronze color. At the very center of the armlet was a flat, rounded stone, clasped by metal prongs. The stone was a grayish-green hue, and there was a symbol carved into the surface like a rune of some ancient language. A fresh string of leather had been attached for tying it on.
It still gave her a slight tingling sensation upon touch. When she tied it onto her upper arm the sensation went away, but she could still detect a sort of aura about it. From what she could remember, magical artifacts like this were rare.
“Sands, I wish I’d paid more attention when my mother had told me about these kinds of things.” She looked at her hands as she thought about her magic. “What a crazy thing. To have something be a part of you but have no idea how to use it. Like a baby not knowing how to use her legs.” She flexed her fingers. “Except that a baby at least knows where her legs are. I do not.”
Scales blinked at her with drowsy eyes.
“I’m speaking metaphorically. Use your imagination.” She let out a long sigh. “I’ve dreamed about this since I was a little girl though, Scales. About being a shaman. My father did a lot of good for people with his potions. He helped ringdwellers and shamanfolk.” Even though it got him killed. She couldn’t say the words—even to Scales. But didn’t father know the risk he was taking? Of course he did, and he did it anyway.
“Well, if I’m going to learn anything about my magic, I’ll need to go back to the tribe.” She rubbed her temples. “Damani’s not going to be happy.”
Scales was passed out on a partially eaten ice flora heart, his bloated stomach rising and falling with deep breaths.
“Good idea, Scales,” Katsi said. “I’ll take a nap too—but when we wake up, we’re going to go visit the Bayvana Tribe so I can learn how to use my legs.”
Chapter seven
Suspects
Migo did his best to ignore the sound of distant thunder rumbling out over the Frozen Waste. He knew it was no Maedari, but the muscles of his lower back tightened with worry anyway.
The cobbled street outside the burned home was almost completely empty. Two of his soldiers had been posted outside the ruined building, but what surprised Migo was the presence of two of Captain Tarahan’s soldiers standing guard outside the neighboring home. The smell of smoke still lingered in the air. Soot stains smeared onto the paved street in front of it. The rounded roof was still intact, though blackened in spots by the smoke and flames.
Migo stopped in front of the two soldiers he’d left to guard the building. Four other soldiers followed behind him. “What the sands are they doing here?” Migo said, pointing at Tarahan’s soldiers.
One of his men started stammering a reply when the door burst open, a woman’s scream piercing the air. Out strode Tarahan himself, followed by eight more soldiers. They escorted two people, a man and a woman, all but dragging them out of the home.
“Ah, Captain Rikaydian. How excellent of you to finally show up,” Tarahan said, offering a lopsided smile. “However, you seem to be a little late.” His expression changed to a disappointed frown.
“What’re you talking about?”
Tarahan’s smile returned. “While you went back to the palace to pout, I did some investigation. We got a tip that this couple had a close relationship with the victims, so we searched their home.” He pulled a dark brown object from his pocket and held it up between his fingers.
“That’s not ours!” the husband cried, throwing up an exasperated hand.
“We’ve never even seen that before,” the wife added. Tears wetted her cheeks.
Migo recognized the item as a shamanic idol, a rough, stone carving of a woman crouching over a large bowl.
“Found hidden behind a drawer,” Tarahan said in his deep voice. He tucked the idol back into his pocket. “Convincing evidence of shamanic affiliation, wouldn’t you agree, captain?”
Migo clenched his fists. Agreeing with Tarahan was the last thing Migo wanted to do. “Queen Rikaydian will be pleased to see some headway.”
“Indeed she will,” Tarahan said, eyes narrowing as he pointed at Migo and took a step closer. “And she will have me to thank for it.” He turned up the street, waving his soldiers after him. “Let’s move.”
“Where are you taking them?” Migo said, keeping stride with Tarahan.
“To the queen of course.”
“They’ll need to be questioned,” Migo said. “We need to find out whatever they know. In addition to my role as a captain, when I completed training with the Hunters, I was also appointed as the royal inquisitor.”
“Of course,” Tarahan said. “I’m well aware of your beloved credentials, captain. You can question them once I’ve safely turned them over to the queen.”
Migo stopped in his tracks. He hated how desperate he seemed, chasing after Tarahan like that. His cheeks burned with embarrassment and frustration. Tarahan was right, however. He’d have to wait.
Once Tarahan and his soldiers were out of sight, Migo jabbed the butt of his glaive onto the cobblestones, a dull echo ringing out. How did Tarahan find somebody so quick? He’d made it look easy. Perhaps too easy. It was a dangerous idea to think that the evidence was planted, and one he doubted he’d be able to prove.
He turned back to the soldiers guarding the ruined building. “You were here since the storm, correct?”
“Yes sir,” the soldiers said in unison.
“Tell me what happened in relation to Captain Tarahan’s activities.”
The older of the two stepped forward, Nivara, a woman who’d previously served under Hatan. “Captain Tarahan had soldiers go through the area just asking questions shortly after you left. We stopped seeing them about one mark later though.”
“They probably hid behind that house to wait,” said the other soldier, a younger man.
“Captain Rikaydian is more than capable of deducing things for himself, Jonun,” Nivara said. “We just convey the details.” She returned to addressing Migo. “After another short while, those residents returned home—the ones Captain Tarahan just took prisoner. That’s when Captain Tarahan and his men emerged from hiding and entered the residence. Then you arrived and saw the rest.”
“What do you know about the residents, Nivara?” Migo asked, knowing she would have made a point to be familiar with those around her.
She cleared her throat. “Names are Bindom and Shali. Lived here for several years. Both worked at a refinery. They seemed a little frightened. Walked faster than most people. Kept their heads down. Held hands the entire time I saw them. They were supposedly really good friends with the victims. Other neighbors said they’d spend a lot of time together.”
Migo tapped his glaive on the ground in thought. “Let me know if you see anybody else frequenting the area. Continue as you were.” He turned to the other four soldiers who’d come with him. “I want you four to split up and continue investigating the area for the next two marks, then return and report.”
They responded in unison, then dispersed. Now alone, Migo proceeded up the road that led back to Rikaydian Palace, the stench of smoke slowly fading behind him. The road before him was all but empty. Sand from the Maedari still littered the streets.
Two suspects had been captured. Based on what little information was available, Migo already suspected that they were not the murderers. The idol could have easily been placed by one of Tarahan’s soldiers, which was concerning itself. Does Tarahan know the queen wants me dead? Perhaps he’s trying to expedite the execution by blocking any opportunity to prove myself. Migo scowled. Tarahan was instantly hostile once Migo had been appointed a captain. Migo wouldn’t put it past him to go to extreme measures. Even if it meant framing people.
However, if they were indeed shamans, then it at least gave him a chance to interrogate them, which would hopefully lead to finding others. Nedro Wajek had reported seeing three shamans, which meant there would at least be one more out there.
The girl.
Migo’s pace quickened as the palace came into view. Built on a small rise, and as the only building four stories high, the palace could be seen from miles away. When Migo arrived at the palace courtyard, other soldiers and visitors were talking about Tarahan’s captured suspects as if the murder had already been solved.
Migo shook his head and headed through a large door into the palace. The entry hall was an oval room with several smaller, round rooms built along the sides to host visitors and those waiting on various meetings. A few merchants were usually always hanging around. He all but ran through the room to the other end where a soldier nodded Migo through the door that took him into a hallway of the inner palace.
If Migo hoped to redeem himself, he’d need to interrogate the prisoners as soon as possible. His heart pounded in his ears. The tan and maroon banners of House Rikaydian lined the walls, a black rangola depicted at the center of each.
As expected, Migo found the queen at the receiving chamber, where she held most of her meetings. A few of Tarahan’s soldiers were just leaving through another door. The room was simply decorated with a few chairs and a large table at the center. Some of the queen’s guards were always around her in addition to her attendants.
The moment Queen Rikaydian’s eyes shifted to him, Migo dropped to a knee and bowed. This was his first time daring to approach her since returning from training with the Hunters.
“You have other news to report, Captain Rikaydian?” the queen said coolly.
Migo took a deep breath. “My queen. Regarding the prisoners that were taken, I desire, as royal inquisitor, to interrogate them. I believe they may be able to help find the whereabouts of a third culprit.”
Queen Rikaydian rose from her seat and glided toward him. Her black dress was trimmed with gold, and tiny golden chains decorated her beautiful hair. Why did she have to look so flawless all the time? So perfect? She stopped in front of him. Even though she was a head shorter, she always seemed to tower over him.
Migo refused the urge to shrink away at her searching gaze. He was not a coward.
“You look tired, captain,” the queen said softly. “Interrogation can be exhuasting work. I recommend you get some sleep, and then we can talk when you wake up.”
Migo frowned and opened his mouth to suggest otherwise. Was she not going to give him a chance to redeem himself? Maybe she was extending a chance to him by showing compassion. Whatever the case, he knew he couldn’t question her. Doing so now could be fatal. He nodded. “As you wish, my queen.”
As Migo turned to leave, his worry built up even more. It wasn’t like Queen Rikaydian to hold off on an interrogation. It must have meant she had something else in mind.
Chapter eight
The Well
Katsi watched from the trees as Damani emerged from his low stone hut. She couldn’t stifle her laugh as she watched him try to smooth down the hair that had matted up on the back of his head. He turned and gave her a flat stare as she went to greet him.
“Yeah, laugh it up,” he said with a smile. “Just be glad I don’t wait to see you right after you wake up.”
“That’s because you don’t know where I sleep,” she said, tapping him on the nose.
Damani shrugged and went to give her a hug, which she was hesitant to receive. She didn’t want to draw any undue attention from the other farmers within view. Once his arms were around her though, she couldn’t resist his embrace. She snuggled her face into his neck, his warm skin against her nose sending tingles down her spine.
