Jistan

The heat from the fire burning in the center of the abandoned shack made Jistan’s armpits sweat. Or maybe it was the fact that this was a message fire, and his father’s face stared out of the flames. Jistan had just ended his meeting with one of the RDP generals in a nearby town when his father’s own message came through.

Jistan instantly stood straighter, his shoulders squared. “Father. I was planning to contact you tonight. Have you already heard of our ambush and how we were victorious against the Zanteon soldiers?”

His father waved a hand to dismiss his words. “I’ve heard, but I’d hardly call it a victory. It was a small band of enemies, and you only lost two soldiers. What concerns me more is whether this will cause a delay in your quest.”

In case you were wondering, Father, I’m doing just fine after nearly being killed. Jistan cleared his throat. “I assure you, we’re still right on schedule.”

“That’s exactly what I like to hear. Remember, your mission is to bring about peace for our people, and the fastest way to accomplish that is by stealing the Obsidian Chest of Zanteos. Do not let me hear of any more ‘distractions’. You and your troops are to march straight to the border of Zanteos, is that understood?”

As if I have a choice if someone attacks us. “Yes, Father.” Then he thought of something that might please the emperor. “I do have some good news about the ambush. We managed to capture two dozen enemy soldiers.”

This did make Akeil’s eyebrows rise inside the flames. “That is interesting. Perhaps you can learn some valuable information from them about enemy troop movements. Let me know what happens after you interrogate them. And if they won’t talk…you’ll need to make them. By any means necessary.” The emperor’s hard gaze bore into his son.

Jistan swallowed, knowing his father meant torture. Possibly even murder. “Yes, sir.”

“Good. I also wanted to let you know I’ve received word from Emperor Varo Matik of Zanteos. He has agreed to a ceasefire on the border of our countries, and he’s ready to meet with you. He believes our ruse about wanting to negotiate peace terms.”

The prince clenched his teeth. “It was his soldiers who ambushed us. Do you really think he’ll believe we want peace after they nearly killed me and my soldiers?”

“If it bothers you so much, mention it during the discussion of peace. Pretend you want reparations for the families of the two soldiers who were killed.”

Jistan nodded, then he and his father discussed a few more details before Raz let the fire die down. Message fires could only be sent using pyromancing abilities, although anyone near a fire could receive one regardless of what type of mancer they were.

Jistan turned to another of his soldiers in the shack. “Bring the enemy soldiers here one at a time.”

The man nodded and hurried outside to obey.

“You plan on questioning them, like your father asked?” Raz wanted to know.

“Yes,” the prince replied. “Exactly how he wants.”

Raz pressed his lips together, nodding.

Jistan studied his second-in-command. “You’ve been with the Royal Defense Patrol for eight years, correct? How do you feel about how my father rules?”

“I work for him, so I feel it is not my place to say. I do as I’m ordered.”

“I know, but I’m sure you’ve heard what people on the streets of Valizea say, so you must have some sort of opinion. You can speak freely, and nothing you say leaves this room.”

Raz hesitated. “As you know, I’ve never taken a wife or started a family. I’m dedicated to the RDP and don’t have time for much else. However, you are the closest I’ve ever come to having a son. So I care about you and want the best for you. You should learn from your father how to rule with a strong hand, but when you become emperor, I trust you’ll make decisions more befitting of your character.”

That was cryptic, but Jistan gathered that Raz thought he’d make a better emperor than his father. “I appreciate your words, you’re like a second father to me as well. The emperor may be wrong in how he goes about some decisions, but he does want to end the Crossover War, which is killing our people. He can’t help everyone, but he wants to help the majority. So despite what other people say, I think my father does the best he can for our country.”

“I believe so too,” Raz said. “And may the Goddess have mercy on us all if his motives aren’t pure.”

Jistan nodded. He hated that people like Leiam and Shai were putting doubts in his head. He needed to stop letting them get to him. His father was a great ruler.

Now Jistan hoped he could get something good from these interrogations to make the emperor happy. He’d at least try not to kill anyone.

* * *

After thoroughly washing the blood off his hands, with Lary pretending not to notice as he went to empty the tub of red water, Jistan left his pavilion, his footsteps heavy. He was tired and grumpy and wanted to rest for days, not start traveling on horseback again tomorrow.

The sun was low in the sky, touching the horizon as sunset began. Pyromancers were already lighting the first cookfires, their burning scent suffusing the air. Hunters carried deer and rabbits into camp to be skinned, and stewards began cooking preparations. Metamancers got to work polishing and sharpening weapons with their magic. Jistan handed his sword over to one of them as he passed by. Then he searched until he found Shai, Qiara, and Tivon sitting together near one fire.

The prince recalled the way Shai had looked at him when she saw how much he cared about his people. But if she found out what he’d done that afternoon to those enemy prisoners, she might start looking at him the same way she did after he blackmailed Leiam. Jistan knew it shouldn’t matter, but he cared about how she saw him.

He rubbed his eyes. All of it had to be done. For Casland.

As he approached his friends, Shai looked up, the firelight dancing in her eyes. His heart skipped a beat and all of his stress seemed to melt away at seeing her.

“Finally done with all your princely duties?” she asked him.

“For now, thank the Goddess,” he said, sitting down next to her on a blanket she’d spread out.

“How did the interrogations of the prisoners go?” Tivon asked, his eyes boring into the prince. He probably knew what Jistan had done.

“Fine, I guess.” He put the image of cutting them out of his head. “I learned the names and whereabouts of a couple Zanteon generals. I also found out about an underground tunnel Zanteon soldiers were using to sneak into our country. That was helpful.”

“So you didn’t question them for nothing.” Tivon gave him a meaningful look.

“I suppose not.” Jistan looked around the camp, eager to change the subject. “Where are the other members of our team? I know Raz has a shift watching the prisoners…”

“Leiam’s forging new weapons for some of our soldiers. Always a blacksmith, I suppose. And I sort of got Aladia sent out on scouting duty.”

Jistan’s eyebrows rose in amusement. “How did you manage that?”

“She came looking for you, so I told her you were busy, but that you gave the order for her to leave camp and scout the area for more enemy soldiers.” Tivon wrung his hands, looking guilty. “Maybe I shouldn’t have lied.”

“Are you kidding!?” Qiara cried, a huge grin plastered on her face. “That was the best thing you could’ve done! Now we can celebrate our victory against the Zanteons in peace.” She waved around an open bottle in her hand.

“I certainly don’t mind,” Jistan told his friend. “I’m glad you kept her from bothering me.”

“Yes, I have to agree, Tivon,” Shai said. “It does seem more peaceful tonight.”

The biomancer grinned sheepishly.

Jistan looked at Qiara. “Looks like someone already started the celebration without me.”

Rum sloshed down Qiara’s chin as she lowered the bottle. “Oh, this is nothing. I plan to get real drunk after dinner.”

Shai rolled her eyes, and Jistan chuckled.

“Save some for the rest of us,” Tivon joked, smiling at Qiara. Jistan had noticed his friend smiling and joking a lot more lately.

Qiara held out her bottle to Tivon. “For you, I’m willing to share.”

Jistan expected his friend to turn it down, but Tivon grabbed the bottle and took a gulp. The prince blinked at this new version of the timid biomancer.

Qiara leaned her head back, her arms spread. “I love being out here, away from any obligations or responsibilities! I can drink all the rum I want with no one to tell me not to!”

“I don’t know about that,” Jistan said with a grin. “We only brought so many barrels, and I think you’ve already drunk half our stores.”

“That’s a total lie,” Qiara said, then burped loudly. All four of them laughed.

They talked and joked around as twilight fell around them, the cookfires glowing in the dark and the smell of meat drifting through the camp. Eventually, Lary came by to bring them plates of meat, cheese, and vegetables, along with tankards of ale. The four of them ate and talked of their upcoming quest.

Jistan wished every night could be like this. He’d never had true camaraderie before. Usually, he was just giving servants and soldiers orders, but this was a nice change.

Once they finished eating, Qiara started drinking again in earnest. When she’d finished a bottle, she grabbed Tivon, dragging him over to where a group of soldiers had started playing instruments and singing, most of whom were getting drunk as well.

Shai giggled as she watched her friend stumble off with Jistan’s friend. “I don’t think Q has ever been in a romantic relationship before. It would be exciting if she tried to court Tivon.”

Jistan laughed too. “That would be something to see. Tivon needs to live a little more, and Q could be just the person to help him do that.” He sipped from his tankard, then glanced over at Shai as the fire in front of them crackled. “It was fun, fighting next to you today. I mean, not that battles are enjoyable, but it gave me an adrenaline rush, using our powers side by side. You’re very good with your magic, and I’m glad I invited you on this quest.”

“Thanks. It was kind of thrilling today, if not frightening. But I felt so useless after the unmancer took my magic away.”

He shook his head. “You weren’t useless. And you’ll be a force to behold once you train more with your dirks.”

“Maybe.” She paused, then said, “If I weren’t an unmancer who could help with this quest, would you have wanted me back in your life?”

“Of course,” he answered without hesitation, although he was slightly hurt she would even think that of him. “My life is much brighter with you in it, and if you hadn’t agreed to join the RDP, I probably would’ve had you arrested again just to keep you in the palace with me.”

She laughed, and he loved hearing the sound.

He gulped down some more rum. He had only let Qiara give him a little so he wouldn’t end up as drunk as the dancers stumbling around in front of them. Tivon and Qiara were dancing too, him laughing at her antics. Jistan smiled at them.

“You seem different tonight,” Shai said, watching him. “Like you’re not the Prince of Casland and you don’t have the weight of the country on your shoulders.”

He shrugged. “I suppose I’m happy to be away from my father and the pressure of being like him. Out here, I feel just like Q. I’m free, to an extent.” He didn’t mention that he also felt happier with Shai around. He never wanted her to leave his life again.

But she’s just a friend, he reminded himself. These strong feelings are of friendship. I’ve just missed her all these years.

When he looked at her again, he saw her smile falter. She stared into her tankard, swirling the contents of it.

“You seem distracted,” he said.

“Just thinking…” She trailed off, then looked at him. “I was wondering about what you went through while you and I were apart. I know you were training to be a soldier, but how did you become head of the RDP?”

He stretched his legs out. “I started winning a lot of spars when I turned sixteen, including against seasoned soldiers. I also got along with a lot of them, and some even wanted me to work with them to help improve their skills. My father noticed, so he gave me the position. The last official leader of our army had quit years before.”

“And what was his name?”

“General Dario Abongwa.”

Shai nodded and looked like she was considering something. “I vaguely remember him. Your father told you he quit?”

“Yes. Something about him not wanting to follow some of my father’s orders.” Jistan frowned. “I hadn’t considered that maybe Dario refused to do some of the shady tasks my father wants me to do, like this heist.”

“Yeah, maybe that’s why Dario quit.” She drank some more from her tankard.

“Or it could’ve been because he was grief-stricken over my mother’s death. He and the queen were close friends for years.”

Shai’s eyebrows rose. “Really? So…maybe he couldn’t handle staying in the palace after her death.” She downed the rest of her ale and stared into the flames of the bonfire, half her face in shadow. She was deep in thought about something, and Jistan wished he knew what. She was still such a mystery to him, but he didn’t want to ruin this night by talking about her past.

He continued sipping his drink in silence, thinking of his own past and his mother. Finally, he glanced over at Shai and said, “I wish Mother could see you now. She always loved you as if you were a daughter to her.”

She nodded, clutching her empty cup with both hands. “I miss her. She was a second mother to me; always kind and treating me as if I were royal too. I remember how she let us sleep next to each other on nights the emperor was away on business, and how she read us bedtime stories.” She paused, swallowing. “It’s a shame she died so suddenly. Did anyone ever find out what made her sick?”

“I think she caught something after going on that last trip with Father to Lake Tropo. Some bacteria or something.” He sniffed, tugging up a blade of grass as his heart ached.

Shai moved closer to him, lying her head on his shoulder. He placed his head on hers, but refrained from putting his arm around her. Even though he wanted to, he was afraid of what feelings would arise from being too intimate with her. But he liked having her close, her warm body pressed close to his. Maybe he liked it too much. She smelled nice, a familiar scent that brought up memories of a sunny day when he, Shai, and his mother were lying on a grassy hill, laughing at silly jokes.

He finished the last of his rum, placing the empty tankard on the grass. He could feel a buzzing in his veins, his vision starting to swim. But he felt marvelous.

Shai giggled suddenly; maybe her drink was affecting her too. “I just remembered when you once wrapped your mother’s hose around your head, pretending to be an emperor. I don’t know why that image just came to me.” She laughed.

He laughed at the memory too. “Mother looked at me like I’d gone mad when she saw me!” They collapsed against each other in their mirth.

When they calmed down, Jistan couldn’t help noticing that the first couple of buttons on her robe were undone, exposing her sleeveless white shirt underneath. It fit her figure quite nicely, showing a bit of cleavage. In fact, every part of her looked beautiful in the glow of the fire: her hazel eyes, her curly hair that was probably soft to the touch…

He shook his head to clear it, rubbing his eyes. Why was he thinking like this about his childhood friend? The alcohol was definitely clouding his judgment.

She noticed his reaction. “Are you tired? I should head to my tent, it’s getting late…” She stood too quickly, nearly tripping over the hem of her robe. Maybe she was also nervous by their closeness.

He rose to his feet too. “No, please. I want you to stay a bit longer.”

Her eyebrows came together. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. Besides, do you think we’ll be able to sleep with that terrible drunk-singing coming from my soldiers?”

She chuckled. “I guess not. And Q fits right in with them. Look at her.” They watched as Qiara took a drunken tumble to the ground while dancing, pulling Tivon down with her.

Jistan laughed. “Actually, I think they have the right idea. About the dancing, not the falling down.” He held his hand out to her. “Shall we?” He wiggled his eyebrows.

She tittered. “You’re a prince. Don’t you only know how to ballroom dance? This dancing is too unsophisticated for someone of your high status.”

He looked at her with a haughty expression. “I’ll show you. Come, or I’ll dance with one of my other female soldiers. Maybe even Q.” He grinned.

“Oh, if that’s the case, I definitely better dance with you.” She took his hand, and he wondered if his heart would ever stop fluttering every time they touched.

He wiped his brow in mock relief. “Thank you for saving me from certain humiliation.”

Laughing together, they walked over to join the other dancers, who were twirling and bouncing and moving their feet to the beat of the drums and flutes. Jistan held Shai’s hand and spun her around, her robe twirling with the movement. She looked graceful, her midnight black curls spinning out around her head. He could watch her dance all night, almost blocking out everyone else around them. Almost, until he started dancing with Qiara and she practically passed out in his arms, a bottle of rum clutched in her hand. And when Aladia finally showed up, everyone was suddenly tired and ready to go to bed.

Still, it was one of the most fun nights he’d had in a long time. It was nice to let loose, before the real danger began.