A Warrior's Penance Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Dedication

  Acknowledgments

  Maps

  The Trial So Far

  Prologue

  Chapter 1: Return to Ashoka

  Chapter 2: Magisterial Choices

  Chapter 3: Months and Days

  Chapter 4: An Eventual Life

  Chapter 5: What Has Passed

  Chapter 6: Challenges

  Chapter 7: Discoveries

  Chapter 8: Needed Decisions

  Chapter 9: A Turmoiled Trial

  Chapter 10: The Near Wildness

  Chapter 11: The Cost of Hate

  Chapter 12: Race the Storm

  Chapter 13: Intercessions

  Chapter 14: Choice of Sacrifice

  Chapter 15: Interlude Ended

  Chapter 16: A Trial of a Different Sort

  Chapter 17: Blurred Margins

  Chapter 18: Confusion and Weariness

  Chapter 19: Strike a Blow

  Chapter 20: Opportunity and Endings

  Chapter 21: Breaking Fire

  Chapter 22: Disparate Measures

  Chapter 23: Consuming Consequences

  Chapter 24: Farewell to Home

  Chapter 25: Fallow Hopes

  Chapter 26: Revelations and Loss

  Epilogue

  Glossary

  About the author

  A Warrior's Penance

  Copyright © 2016 by Davis Ashura

  All rights reserved.

  Cover art by Jeff Brown Graphics

  Cover design by Scarlett Rugers Book Design Agency

  Map illustrations by Roger Speer

  Interior design by Mikey Brooks (insidemikeysworld.com)

  Interior illustrations by Mikey Brooks

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  First eBook edition: 2016

  ISBN: 978-0-9911276-6-5

  DuSum Publishing, LLC

  Dedication

  To my two sons.

  What wonderful gentlenerds you've become.

  Acknowledgments

  Like all things of worth, this book would not exist without the help of some truly wonderful and generous people. First, as usual, comes my wife, Stephanie, who once again allowed me the time to write this book. Next, my sister. Without her absolutely invaluable input, the books of The Castes and the OutCastes would have been immeasurably worse. I also can’t forget Mike Weaver, all around great guy, wonderful friend, and fabulous reader.

  To all of them, I once more offer my most humble thank you.

  And again, if the book is not your cup of tea, it’s entirely my fault.

  The Trials are the means by which Humanity maintains a fragile link between their far-flung city-states. It is a holy mission, and most often carried out by Caste Kumma, the warrior Caste, and all who accept such a weighty obligation understand that it might lead to their deaths.

  The Trial from Ashoka to Nestle is no different, and it is also Rukh Shektan's first. He is a Virgin to the Trials, as is his cousin, Farn Arnicep; Keemo Chalwin, a fellow Kumma and close friend; and Brand Wall of Caste Rahail. Rukh, however, is unique. He is the current Champion of the Tournament of Hume. His sword is said to be the finest in generations.

  Disaster eventually overtakes the Trial. It is discovered by a large band of Chimeras and destroyed en masse. Few Ashokans survive, and among them are Rukh and his friends. They escape the ambush, but the means of their survival is considered anathema: they learn Talents not of their Caste. It is a situation that leaves them dismayed and horrified.

  But they are also warriors of Ashoka, and they know their duty: their home must be warned of what has happened. They know that this many Chimeras gathered together at one time might indicate that Suwraith, the Sorrow Bringer, has deadly intentions toward their home, the city of Ashoka. Rukh elects to send several warriors back to Ashoka in order to carry word of the Nestle Trial's fate, while he, Farn, Keemo, and Brand track the Chimeras to their staging area.

  Their plans proceed, and as they follow the Chimeras, all four men seek to master their newly acquired, but unsought Talents. Brand learns to Shield and quicken his movements like a Kumma, while Rukh and the others form Blends, a perfect means of camouflage.

  It is a situation that leads to great unhappiness, and Farn wonders if they would have been better off dying amongst their brother warriors in the Trial. He worries they are naaja—Tainted—or worse, ghrinas, children of two Castes. His fears are not without foundation, but Rukh will not hear of it. They have a mission to accomplish, and if Talents not of Caste Kumma are the means by which they complete their assignment, so be it. He demands that they put aside their fears for the future and accept whatever punishment is due them, after they find where the Chimeras are staging.

  His orders are reluctantly carried out, and by the time they finally track down the Chimeras, all four warriors have a better understanding of their newfound Talents.

  Rukh, Farn, Keemo, and Brand reach the Hunters Flats and discover the leaders of the Chimeras, the bull-like Baels, conversing privately with one another, far away from the bulk of their army. The Ashokans see an opportunity to destroy their hated enemies. But before they can launch their attack, Suwraith arrives in a storm of wind and terror.

  The Ashokans hide, Blended as hard as they can. And while the Sorrow Bringer is amongst the Baels, they learn of Her plans for Ashoka: their home is to be destroyed.

  Suwraith eventually leaves, and just as Rukh and the others are about to attack the Baels, they listen in astonishment as the bull-like commanders argue on how best to disobey Suwraith—to actively oppose Her and protect Humanity. It is a stunning revelation, and one not easily believed.

  Rukh decides to speak with Li-Dirge, the Bael commander, who is now alone after sending his brethren back to rejoin the rest of the army while he meditates.

  Before Rukh can approach the Bael, he captures a Blended woman who suddenly manifests by his side. Her appearance is staggering. Women do not ever join the Trials, so she should not be in the Wildness. But even more shocking is the woman's features. She is obviously a ghrina, a child of two Castes. No such individual has ever been known to survive to adulthood since they are universally banished from the cities upon birth. They are thought to die in the Wildness, but given this woman's presence, it is obviously an incorrect assumption.

  Some of the confusion is cleared when Rukh is finally able to speak to Li-Dirge. From the Bael, he learns of the great Kumma warrior, Hume, and the death of Hume's home, the city of Hammer. Rukh discovers how Hume had instructed Suwraith's commanders in the ideals of fraternity, and in the centuries following, the Baels had worked as best they could to disrupt Suwraith's plans.

  And the ghrina woman, Jessira Grey, turns out to be a scout from Stronghold, a hidden city of her kind—OutCastes as they call themselves. She and her brothers, Cedar and Lure, had also been tracking the same Chimeras that had destroyed the Trial to Nestle.

  During all this, Suwraith finds a way to rid Herself of Her madness. The unceasing complaints of Her dead Parents and Mistress Arisa, a terrifying voice that only She hears, are silenced. The Queen pours Her insanity into the minds of Her children, the Chimeras—all except the Baels. By doing so, Suwraith regains Her sanity, realizes the truth,
and discovers Her betrayal at the hands of Her commanders. She sees them speaking to Humans and is enraged.

  However, before She can act, She notices Her Chimeras killing one another in violent abandon. It is because of Her madness poured into them. Reluctantly, the Sorrow Bringer takes back Her insanity and as a result, loses Her memories and regains the unwanted voices of Her dead Parents and the fearsome Mistress Arisa. Confusion overwhelms Suwraith's mind, but She remembers enough. She still knows the truth about the Baels, and She thunders from the sky, intent on destroying them.

  Li-Dirge and his brother Baels are gathered with the Humans, joyful that the ideals to which their ancestors had held, are finally being realized. Rukh believes them. For the first time since Hume, a Human understands the truth of the Baels' situation. It is a momentous event, and Li-Dirge even tells Rukh about the location of the Chimera breeding caverns—the place where Suwraith helps birth Her hordes. All the breeds of Chimera require Suwraith's direct intervention in order to procreate—the cat-like Tigons, dog-like Ur-Fels, snake-like Braids, and elephant-sized Balants. Only the Baels, born mysteriously and unexpectedly from the placid, dull Bovars, do not require Suwraith's touch. However, in the midst of their jubilation, the Baels realize that Suwraith has discovered their centuries-long deception.

  Suwraith comes to annihilate all Her Baels, but just before the Sorrow Bringer carries out Her attack, Rukh and the other Humans are urged to flee. They do so, escaping Suwraith's clutches by the barest of margins, but Dirge and his fellow Baels—the entire command of the Eastern Plague of Continent Ember—are destroyed.

  Before Rukh and the others can take stock of their situation, they are attacked by two Shylows, the giant, deadly cats of the Hunters Flats. In the ensuing battle, Jessira's brother Lure, and Rukh's friends, Keemo and Brand, are killed. Farn is gravely injured and he and Cedar, Jessira's other brother, go missing. Rukh escapes with a young Bael, Li-Choke, and an injured Jessira.

  Meanwhile in Ashoka, Rukh's brother, Jaresh, is accused of murdering Suge Wrestiva, a thug and degenerate who also happens to be the only living son of Hal'El Wrestiva, the ruling 'El of House Shektan's most bitter rival. The situation is even more clouded because Jaresh is of Caste Sentya but was adopted by Dar'El and Satha Shektan into House Shektan. Such an adoption is unprecedented and many Kummas are still troubled by the situation.

  As a result, when Hal'El calls for a tribunal to have Jaresh judged with the Slash of Iniquity—a death penalty—his petition is granted by the Chamber of the Lords, Caste Kumma's governing body. During the ensuing trial, Jaresh's sister, Bree, discovers that Suge was secretly a snowblood addict and convinces the Chamber to decide in Jaresh's favor.

  Later, a meeting of the Sil Lor Kum, the Hidden Hand of Justice—Suwraith's Human worshippers—is convened in Ashoka. The SuDin, their leader, tells the other members of the Council of Rule, the MalDins, of Suwraith's plans for Ashoka. He displays the Withering Knife, a mythical weapon said to steal Jivatma. It may also be the means through which the Sorrow Bringer can overcome Ashoka's Oasis, the mystical barrier around the city that has proven impenetrable to Her might for two millennia.

  Shortly after this meeting of the Council of Rule, the first murder utilizing the Withering Knife is discovered. The victim is Felt Barnel, and his corpse is withered and desiccated, as if all the water was removed from his body.

  Dar'El is deeply troubled by the murder and tasks Jaresh, Bree, and Mira Terrell——the daughter of one of House Shektan's councilors—with discovering the truth about the Withering Knife. In the course of their investigations, another victim is found murdered. This one is of Caste Cherid, Aqua Oilhue. Rector Bryce, a member of the City Watch, realizes that the murderer has to be of Caste Kumma, and he joins the other three in their search for information on the Withering Knife.

  Jaresh is paired with Mira, and the two of them search the Cellar, the City Library's lowest floors where the oldest records are kept, while Bree and Rector look for the information in other locations. The work proves frustrating and drags on for weeks. Eventually, it is Jaresh who discovers a code within the journal of a caravan master—a leader of a Trial—and a known member of the Sil Lor Kum. The cypher confirms the existence of the Withering Knife as well as the physical markers it leaves on its victims. They are identical to those found on Felt Barnel and Aqua Oilhue.

  During all this, Rukh and Jessira, having been thrown together, are forced to overcome a lifetime of prejudice and indoctrination as they make their way to Ashoka. They come to share a deep friendship, but Jessira's wounds from the battle with the Shylow are stealing her life. The wounds fester and grow infected. Jessira is dying, and can only be saved if she can teach Rukh her knowledge of Healing. It is another Talent not of his Caste, one mastered by Shiyens, and he is unable to learn what Jessira tries to teach him.

  It is then, as Jessira lies dying, that another Shylow, a female calico named Aia, walks into their camp. Rukh is prepared to lay down his life in Jessira's defense, but the cat simply stares at him, and *speaks* into his mind. It is a shocking revelation, and at first, Rukh fears he is going mad. Aia convinces him otherwise.

  She is rare for her kind, able to speak to those who aren't Kesarins—the name Shylows call themselves—and as a result, quite curious about Humans. She is especially fascinated by Rukh. Aia has been following him and Jessira since before they had exited the Hunters Flats, wondering as to why he was taking such exquisite care of someone who wasn't close kin.

  His notions of brotherhood and compassion captivate Aia, and she asks why he doesn't Heal Jessira. When she learns that Rukh lacks the knowledge, the Kesarin reaches into Jessira's mind and shares it with him. Aia leaves then, vowing to see Rukh again.

  As a result of the Kesarin's help, Rukh is able to stave off Jessira's infected injuries, and the two of them continue on to Ashoka where she is fully Healed of her wounds. Afterward, they make their way to the House Seat where Rukh is joyfully reunited with his family. He makes a full report on what has happened to him, including his Talents of Blending and Healing to the House Council. Also present during Rukh's account is Rector Bryce, who has always been unforgiving and certain of that which he considers immoral. Rector is unwilling to accept Rukh's new abilities. As a result of his attitude, Dar'El and the rest of the House Council re-examine the Watch captain's role in the search for the Withering Knife murderer.

  Rukh's account of his actions in the Wildness is also explained to the Magisterium, Ashoka's governing body. Though few of the Magistrates are willing to believe the Baels are their allies, the decision is made to act upon Li-Dirge's information and send an expeditionary force to the Chimera caverns. Their goal will be simple: the extermination of all Chimera breeders. Rukh is chosen as one of the warriors for the coming expedition, and he throws himself into his work.

  As the preparation for the expedition continues, the SuDin of the Sil Lor Kum turns out to be Hal'El Wrestiva. He and his Rahail lover, Varesea Apter, a fellow MalDin in the Sil Lor Kum, share a sinful relationship, one that would call for their execution were it ever discovered. But Varesea and Hal'El are undaunted. They love one another, and they decide to kill her abusive husband, Slathtril Apter, with the Withering Knife as their first step in being together.

  Rukh is able to examine the site of Slathtril Apter's murder and realizes that two people were involved in the killing. He recognizes that the victim knew his murderers, and that the Kumma in question had to have come from one of three Houses.

  As for Jessira, she is alone in the city but comes to view the Purebloods in a more positive light. Always before, she had been dismissive and sneering of Rukh's people, but seeing the beauty and culture of Ashoka, she begins to change her mind. And in some ways, Jessira's presence stimulates a change in the city's own harsh attitudes toward the OutCastes, those traditionally called ghrinas. It is a subtle difference.

  Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Rukh, forces conspire in the shadows to have him declared Unworthy and exil
ed from Ashoka. Dar'El senses these hidden enemies and knows they will likely learn of Rukh's Talents—it was a mistake to trust Rector Bryce—and bring Rukh down in order to hurt House Shektan. Dar'El concocts a scheme to keep Rukh safe: have him go with Jessira to her home of Stronghold rather than simply be cast out in the cold.

  In order to do so, he needs Bree's help to trick both Rukh and Jessira. His plan works, and Rukh and Jessira, friends already, are seen in public in what might be considered a romantic circumstance. Rukh's fate is sealed by a late-night stroll with Jessira through Dryad Park.

  The time approaches for the expedition to the caverns to leave the city, and a few days beforehand, Rukh learns of Jaresh's possible romantic feelings toward Mira Terrell. Ironically, Rukh is unaware of his own perceived relationship with Jessira, and he confronts his adopted brother and orders him to break off all contact with Mira.

  Jaresh does so, telling Mira they can't work together anymore. She hears what he's really saying and surprises him by kissing him on the lips. Given the prohibition against a man and a woman of two different Castes even touching one another, her expression is a bold declaration of her feelings for Jaresh—as well as a sign of farewell.

  Rukh's departure to the caverns takes place, and early on, he tells the commanders of his new Talents. They are disgusted by what he can do, considering him a naaja—Tainted—and the information spreads to the rest of the warriors, who share their commanders revulsion. The expedition travels through the Hunters Flats, and Rukh's diminished status dims further when Aia enters the camp and Rukh is forced to explain her presence.

  There are too many changes for the other members of the expedition to accept, and Rukh is essentially thrust out of the brotherhood of warriors. He is forced to work alone, left intentionally vulnerable and exposed with no one to guard his back. Rukh perseveres, but even in the caverns—which are exactly where Li-Dirge said they would be—he is left to fend for himself.

  His situation is dire, but somehow Rukh survives. He even comes across Li-Choke and the last few Baels of the Eastern Plague to survive Suwraith's pogrom. He leads Choke and the others to safety where they can make their way to the Hunters Flats and, as promised by Aia, find shelter amongst the Kesarins.