were born as seers, or Oracles. What the Orb of the Vigors overlooks, the Oracles also see. But their visions do not occur constantly. They happen only when an important use of it is made, for it seems that the orbs are drawn to such occurrences.”
“Fascinating,” Wigg said. “Where is Midori’s sister?”
“Her name is Matsuko,” Midori answered sadly. “During the civil war engineered by thePon Q’tar, Gracchus spirited her away. She has been his prisoner ever since. We have no doubt that he forces her to use her gift in the name of the Vagaries, just as I use mine in the name of the Vigors. It is my deepest wish to someday see her freed.”
“So this is how you know so much about our side of the world,” Wigg mused. “For many centuries, Midori has informed you.” Thinking, Wigg sat back in his chair.
“This explains much,” he added quietly.
“Yes, but as I said, there is more to tell you,” Midori replied.
“What is it?” Tyranny asked.
“Not only were many of your minions killed, but theIllendium has been destroyed and theCavalon burns,” anotherInkai member answered.
This time the voice was male. Tristan, Wigg, and Tyranny looked over to see the man who had been introduced as the head of the Shashidan armada. His name was Renjiro of the House of Daggers.
Renjiro was a handsome man of about Tristan’s age. As was seemingly the custom among Shashidan men, his dark hair was pulled back from his forehead to form a short queue held in place with a gold ornament. But unlike the other men at the table, Renjiro had shaved the top of his head, leaving hair only on the sides. The effect was chilling and rather fearsome.
His robe was made of black silk embroidered with beautiful silver daggers. Renjiro radiated a particularly powerful sense of self-discipline, and as he again sipped his umake, his movements were smooth and economical, leading theJin’Sai to wonder whether Renjiro possessed the gift ofK’Shari. But whether Renjiro commandedK’Shari or not, Tristan recognized an accomplished warrior when he saw one, and he had no doubts about Renjiro’s abilities. Aghast at the loss of two of his Black Ships, Tristan turned to look at Mashiro with unbelieving eyes.
“What happened?” he demanded.
“The Viper Lord’s attack on Tammerland was a diversion,” Mashiro answered. “Sadly, your Conclave members were taken in by it. Tammerland was never Khristos’ real objective-the ships were. He tried to steal theIllendium and then set fire to theCavalon. Rather than see it fall into Khristos’ hands, Faegan destroyed theIllendium with the subtle matter that your mystics imbedded into its timbers. He also sent many Blood Vipers to their deaths in the process, but Khristos escaped. Even now your forces try to quell the fires ravaging theCavalon. ”
“Where were Shailiha wounded and Abbey killed?” Wigg asked, his overpowering rage barely allowing him to speak.
“In the Tammerland battle,” Mashiro answered. “They acquitted themselves well, of that you can be sure.”
Tristan suddenly remembered the gold medallion hanging around his neck. Desperately wanting to see his sister, he grasped it and turned it over. But before he could call the needed spell, Mashiro raised a hand.
“It is best that you hear us out before you see theJin’Saiou, ” he said. “In any event, Faegan now wears the medallion, and you would see only what he wishes.”
Although he was disappointed, Tristan followed Mashiro’s advice and let the medallion fall back to his chest. “Why has Faegan taken Shailiha’s medallion?” he asked.
“He wishes to spare you needless heartache, Jin’Sai, ” anotherInkai member answered. “He also wants to help Shailiha recover before you see her. Her feelings must also be considered.”
Tristan looked across the table at the man who just answered him. He had been introduced as Kaemon of the House of the Rising Moons. He was ancient and bald, his hairless cranium shining in the sunlight streaming down through the skylights. Three crescent-shaped magenta moons adorned the left shoulder of his gray robe.
Tristan shuddered as he thought about his once beautiful sister and what she might look like now. “Is it that bad?” he asked quietly.
“Yes,” Kaemon answered, “I regret to say that it is.”
“I know that the distance between Shashida and Eutracia is vast, but can you help her?” Tristan asked Mashiro.
Reaching out, the ancient mystic patted Tristan on one hand. “You’re right,” he answered, “the distance is indeed vast. Despite that, we have already taken action to help your sister.”
“How…?” Wigg breathed in wonderment.
“While theJin’Sai was unconscious we used Tristan’s medallion to contact Faegan,” Mashiro answered. Despite the serious subject matter, theInkai leader let go a quick smile.
“As you might imagine, the wizard was amazed to see us,” he added. “We showed him some enchantment formulas that should help Shailiha’s system fend off the viper venom. He and the one called Aeolus are no doubt employing them at this moment. We can only hope that they are not too far beyond your wizard’s abilities. They will find them puzzling at the least, but we daren’t risk simplifying the enchantments too much, lest they become baffling and of no use at all. Because we were not privy to the workings of Failee’s original spell that created the Blood Vipers, we cannot ensure that our formulas will succeed. We also informed your Conclave that you reached us safely.”
“And what of our two Black Ships and everyone still aboard them?” Tyranny asked. “Are they safe?”
“Yes,” Hoshi answered, speaking in Tristan’s presence for the first time. Her voice had an alluring, smoky quality that he found attractive.
“The ships and your people need to finish the journey here,” she added. “Because your forces would probably not obey us, one or more of you will have to return to the waiting ships to inform your crews. From there all your forces and your two ships can be brought here the same way that you were.”
For the first time, Hoshi gave Tristan a smile. “Mykatsugai mosota are eager to learn whether your Minions of Day and Night are everything that our Oracle says they are,” she added.
“Katsugai…mosota?” Tristan asked.
“You have forgotten yourself, Hoshi,” Mashiro gently admonished. “We must remember to speak only the eastern dialect while among our guests.”
Hoshi bowed. “My apologies, Jin’Sai, ’ she said. “Katsugai mosotais the Shashidan phrase for ‘loyal warriors.’ They would rather commit suicide than face the shame of defeat or dishonor.”
“I understand,” Tristan answered. “My Minions have sworn an oath that is much the same.” Interested in learning more, he decided to press a bit.
“I have not seen your fighters in action,” he said, “but I’m sure that they are excellent. Even so, I find it hard to believe that they could easily overcome the Minions’ great tactical advantage.”
Hoshi gave him a wry smile, showing that she appreciated his little boast. Undaunted, she leaned across the table.
“You refer to the Minions’ powers of flight,” she answered.
“I do,” Tristan answered.
“A great advantage, to be sure,” she replied. “But can your warriors shoot a winging sparrow from the sky with a bow and arrow at two hundred meters and never miss? Can they perform the same feat with a thrown dagger, or accomplish both while riding a galloping horse? Are their hand-to-hand combat skills so good that they can easily kill an enemy with one blow while blindfolded?”
For several moments Tristan was awestruck by Hoshi’s boasts, but then he understood. Nodding, he politely acknowledged what might be the Shashidan armies’ superior tactical advantage.
“Do all your katsugai command the gift ofK’Shari?” he asked.
Realizing how quickly theJin’Sai had uncovered the answer, Hoshi smiled again. “Only those with endowed blood,” she answered. “They are our army’s most elite warriors.”
Leaning forward, Wigg laced his long fingers together. He was desolate over the loss of Abbey, but he also meant to master his emotions in this august company. His mind awash with questions, he looked at Mashiro.
“Tell me,” he asked, his voice still brittle. “Do the Rustannicans also speak the Shashidan dialect?”
“By and large, no,” Mashiro answered. “Our dialect has evolved far more than theirs during the aeons since Rustannica split away and became a rogue nation. And because so much time has passed, our cultures have
