Golden Scarab. Book 2 The Windflowers Trilogy.

Chapter One

Blood shimmered in the air for a heartbeat before shattering into a thousand drops, showering the combatants and splattering against the arena walls. Ruby puddles congealed on the pavestones underfoot. The injured soldier grunted once, but his pace didn’t slacken. The cut bled copiously, but it was only a flesh wound and Trillican soldiers were trained to ignore pain. Both his feet would have to be hacked off and his arms severed before he’d ever stop fighting.

A blade shoved through the brain was a Trillican battle tradition, guaranteeing enemy soldiers would never again lift their weapons against them. On the battlefields many men had made the fatal mistake of leaving a maimed Trillican behind, only to feel the rasp of their killing stroke.

Kalli watched the fighters below through the eye slits of her helmet, her shoulder blades rammed back, thrusting her chest out, head up, arms locked against her sides and eyes forward. She blended seamlessly into the line of soldiers perched on the balcony and she didn’t dare do anything except breathe. The irony of her situation grated. Escaping the Ferrasium only to end up as fodder in another arena. To complicate matters she was stranded on an island, several days’ boat travel from her homeland.

Patience was one of the many traits the Trillicans had tried to drill into her during the past year, but with her sister’s fate at stake, Kalli chafed against her confinement. The Trillicans had taught her how to fight with fists and teeth and blades and honed the rudimentary tricks she’d learnt from Meretiti, until she could eviscerate an opponent three different ways between eye blinks if she chose to.

The training was thorough and bloody, but the Trillicans didn’t waste their soldiers and so far Kalli hadn’t been expected to kill any of them. Numerous scars puckered her skin, testament to the enthusiasm of her opponents. The metal residue no longer bothered her. Between the Seer’s gift of heightened senses and Tarreq’s training, she was able to mute the pain into the background without having to think about it anymore.

Kalli logged each sword thrust and parry of the fighters below, noting which techniques proved effective. Her unit were not idle spectators. They would be expected to put in practice the lessons shown today. Sweat lathered the fighters and an off-balanced jab was countered by an equally clumsy block. Gravel, their Drill Instructor, clapped his hands. Enough.

Both fighters lowered their weapons, stepped back one pace, bowing their heads to each other before turning to face Gravel. His gaze raked over their reddened faces, sweaty backs and numerous bloody cuts. Kalli could sense their tension until Gravel nodded. Dismissed.

Both bowed. Sir.

Most of the squad exhaled and a few shoulders slumped forward a fraction of an inch as the fighters marched from the yard. Gravel was satisfied, so there wouldn’t be endless drills for the entire squad instead of supper. Kalli stayed at full attention, not risking giving Gravel an excuse to single her out. Once placed into the ten-strong squad she’d quickly learned how Gravel had earned his nickname, his temperament as unyielding as a block of stone. He never gave Kalli any dispensation because of her gender or lack of experience. With the Trillicans it was a simple equation – do or die.

Trillican soldiers cut their milk teeth in the training yards and they ranked Kalli as the weak link in their unit, making no secret of their displeasure at being lumbered with not only a foreigner, but a girl. She was tolerated only because the express order came from Commander Etackk and Trillican soldiers were exemplary at following orders.

The male members of her squad had made it plain they’d rather fuck her than fight with her. Meretiti’s blade, strategically placed against sensitive male parts, had quickly changed their views.

Without her special sight, giving her just enough warning to veer away from lethal strokes, she’d already be dead in the training arena. Gravel and the squad warned her luck couldn’t last forever and they attempted to shorten her life span at every opportunity. Training accidents weren’t common, but they did happen and Kalli knew there wouldn’t be any tears shed in the squad if she was maimed or killed in a mishap. She had to always stay focused on being one step ahead of them at all times.

Gravel singled her out.You. Front and centre. The rest of the squad is dismissed.

Kalli’s gut tightened. She reached out with her senses, but reading minds was beyond her abilities and all she gleaned was a feeling of unease. She didn’t make eye contact as she moved forward and waited for his instructions.

Report immediately to Commander Etackk in the armoury. She was only a pace away from him, but Gravel yelled the instructions in her ear as if she was across the other side of the yard.

She kept her expression blank, but her heart lurched. Was this the chance she’d been waiting a year for?

* * *

Kalli sucked in a breath and clenched her stomach muscles as she strode into the armory. Despite the Oracle’s gift, being surrounded by a mass of metal was a trial and she knew the Commander had picked this location for that specific reason. Etackk was a strategist and the armory clearly placed him at a tactical advantage.

His bald head, gleaming in the torch light, differentiated him from the other soldiers scattered through the armory. A few soldiers, emboldened after consuming quantities of ale would boast that their Commander greased his head with the rendered down fat of his enemies. Kalli had dismissed their rants as fairy tales meant to scare new recruits, but she’d noticed an off odour whenever she was in close proximity to him.

Etackk lowered the sword he was examining, but kept his grip on the handle. Kalli stomped to a standstill before him, keeping her expression blank and ensuring her nostrils didn’t twitch. Reporting for duty, Commander.

Refresh my memory. How long have you been among us?

Kalli humored him. He knew the answer as well as she did. One year, one month and three days, Sir! When will I be allowed to return to Keymett?

He angled the blade up slightly and stared down its length. When I decide you are ready.

I’m ready now. Put me on the boat to Keymett and I’ll have the High Priest’s head for you before the next full moon. She sucked in a breath and belatedly added, Sir.

He gestured as if the blade was an extension of his hand. I wonder if you would. Why should I trust you?

Kalli bit back a sigh. I’ve told you before. The priests will kill my sister if I don’t return and save her.

Etackk stared at her. So you say, but I’m not convinced that you’re not a spy and only wish to return so you can convey what you’ve learnt about us.

She wanted to scream at him, but knew it would be futile. She struggled to keep her tone even and her volume down. I’m no spy and if I was I wouldn’t be any good because you’ve kept me contained within one squad. I know nothing that could be used as a threat against Trillica. Let me go and I’ll kill Seraphis.

He twirled the blade. I’m supposed to believe you’d willingly plunge your homeland into war?

At that moment she would have preferred to snatch the sword out of his hands and thrust it into one of his vital organs, but rash actions would not get her back to Keymett. She breathed in through her nose.I’m committed to bringing down the Priests of Raia and if the only way to do that is to swap their tyranny for yours, I’ll willingly take that opportunity.

He shook his head. I can’t take the risk yet. Go back to your squad, train hard and prove your loyalty to Trillica. Perhaps we’ll have this discussion again in a year’s time.

A year! I can’t wait…

He turned his back. Dismissed.

* * *

Kalli fumed as she trudged along the corridor. She pulled off her helmet and chucked it on the ground. Her braid had come loose and sections of her hair stuck to her forehead. She blew the strands away. After the helmet bounced and lopsidedly rolled to a stop she kicked it as hard as she could.  She had to get off this island and back to Keymett as soon as possible. How long before the priests dragged her sister to the Ferrasium?

Tarreq appeared around the corner and picked up her helmet. Dusting it off, he examined its new dents before offering it back to her. She snatched it out of his hands and stuffed it back on her head. Tarreq fell in step beside her.

The Keeper wasn’t recognisable as the wild man she’d first met by the Great Lion. His pelt of tails had been replaced by a scribe’s plain brown robe and his mane of hair tamed into a plait. When they’d landed here a year ago Tarreq had negotiated with Commander Etackk, gaining positions that kept them both out of the dungeons.

Kalli trained as a soldier while Tarreq scribed. As foreigners they weren’t trusted, but they had some freedom and in the last year the Keeper had been able to teach Kalli all he knew about Keymett’s ancient history as best as he could, he explained how to use the Oracle’s gift. Kalli had tried hard to grasp the magical concepts, but it was like capturing the wind within your hands. Elusive … intermittent … frustrating. Rarely useful.

We have to do something now. Etackk won’t let me go.

Tarreq swivelled his head around, checking they were alone. Come up to my chamber. I have something interesting to show you.

Kalli tagged along behind him as they climbed the hundreds of stairs to his tower room. The Trillican’s plan of housing him far away from their administration centre had worked in Kalli’s favour for private discussions and Tarreq had taught her without their knowledge or interference.

Once inside he shut the door and guided her to the open window. She shivered as a sea breeze lashed at the exposed skin on her arms, but her eyes widened as she recognised the billowing cobalt and gold sail on the boat parked in the bay.

Tarreq pointed. There’s our way home. It sails tomorrow.

Kalli drummed her fingers on the window ledge. How do we get on board?

* * *

Darkness shrouded the port, but Kalli wasn’t fooled by the emptiness. She whispered to Tarreq, I sense treachery.

He gazed over the docks and the boat bobbing on the tide. No one stirred. What do you want to do? Go on board or abandon? I’ve bribed the captain with several flagons of wine I filched from the kitchens; perhaps it’s only his disloyalty you feel?

Kalli gnawed her lip. Her second sight was too vague, sometimes more of an annoyance than any help. She scanned the entire area searching for a clue to guide her decision, but saw nothing obvious. The sail snapped as if eager to be on the tide and Kalli thought of Bibian and home. We go.

Wait. Tarreq grabbed her arm halting her flight as a hatch banged open on the boat. Lantern light splashed across the deck and highlighted the monkey features of the captain who had brought her here a year ago.

She frowned at Tarreq. Can we trust him?

Of course not, he’s a mercenary, but… The lantern flashed three times. …that’s the signal so if we’re going it has to be now.

More sailors scrambled out of the hold and scurried across the deck, their nimble fingers releasing knots and untying ropes as the tide sucked at the keel. The lantern flashed again.

The Keeper’s eyebrows arched upward in question. Kalli slipped Meretiti’s blade out of her tunic. Re-forged and sharpened by the blacksmith, it was again a lethal blade. One day soon she hoped to plunge it into Seraphis’ black heart. Heavier blades were strapped on her belt, but she didn’t want to risk making any noise by drawing them out. A fully equipped battle pack was slung across her shoulders, and tied around her waist was the shawl containing the windflowers. Kalli wasn’t leaving Trillica as empty handed as she’d arrived.

She swept her gaze over the port again. Nothing moved except for those on board the boat. Let’s go.

They crept toward the boat, keeping to the shadows, but the last stretch was barren of cover. Kalli stepped into the open. One pace … two. Tarreq was on her heels. Her heart walloped. Three paces. They were half way to the boat. Four paces. She could see the glitter of the Captain’s eyes as he watched their progress. Five paces. Only one to go.

Metal clinked. She froze for a split second before diving for the boat. Arrows, shouts, and stampeding feet filled the dock. Hands hauled her on board and shoved her below the rail out of the range of the weapons. Her head whirled around looking for Tarreq, but couldn’t see him. Tarreq?

She heard a grunt and the wet sound of metal churning through flesh. She threw off the hands restraining her and leapt up. Tarreq!

His gaze held hers as he crumpled to his knees, a spear jutting out of his chest and a widening circle of blood staining his robe. The distance between them was growing as the tide tugged the boat away from the dock. He called to her, Open the Holy Way and bring them back.

Arrows thudded into the side of the boat, but Kalli ignored them and grabbed the rail, calculated the jump. She could make it. Her windflowers could save him. Rope snaked around her shoulders, pinning her arms at her sides. She struggled and cursed, but couldn’t squirm free of the knots.

The Captain pointed to the shore. There’s nothing you can do. He’s dead.

I want to go back.

I’ll not place my crew in further peril. He stalked away.

Kalli watched as soldiers swarmed over Tarreq’s still form until tears blurred her vision. She couldn’t believe she’d just lost her only friend.

* * *

When the arrows and spears fell short and harmlessly plonked into the water Etackk ordered his soldiers to cease firing and turned to view the corpse. Gravel placed his foot on the Keeper’s chest and pulled his spear free. It came away with a wet suck. Etackk cast his gaze over Tarreq’s slack features and shook his head. Such a waste. Learned men are difficult to come by.

Gravel scratched a patch of blood from beneath his thumb nail. You ordered his death. Was it a mistake?

No, his death was necessary. Kalli needs to believe that she’s escaped and that she controls her destiny.

What did his last words mean? What’s the Holy way?

The Commander shook his head. Religious nonsense. Nothing for us to worry about. If she believes she’s on some crusade all the better for our purposes.

Gravel frowned. Commander Etackk, excuse my impertinence, but why couldn’t we just let her go? She wants to kill Seraphis. Don’t our goals align?

The Commander smiled, clapping a hand on Gravel’s shoulder. It’s all in the strategy. This way the girl acts as our pawn without knowing it and if she’s successful at either disposing of the High Priest or destabilizing Keymett we can then sweep in and take over. If she fails, blame can’t be laid at our door.

Chapter Two

Queen Aiyaa smiled and waved, despite wanting to throw herself down on the barge’s deck, pummel her fists and wail like an over-paid mourner. The year had fled and had taken her chances to shelter Tepi along with it. All she could do was pray that her meagre preparations and her constant vigilance would be enough to protect her son’s life during the journey to Wasset.

Tepi squealed. Her head whipped around. No assassin’s knife was poised across his throat. Tepi was leaning over the railing, chucking stones into the water, laughing with Playto, his tutor. Pharaoh frowned in her direction, so she ducked her head and looked away. They hadn’t left Inhebee yet and she was already drawing Pharaoh’s displeasure.

Thousands of citizens lined the banks, waving blue and gold ribbons, chanting good luck wishes and throwing flowers into the current as the flock of royal barges glided past Inhebee’s whitened walls. Trumpets blared … drums tattooed … voices sang. Aiyaa swallowed the bile rising in her throat. No joy filled her heart, but duty kept her rooted upright as she radiated false smiles and waved back at the crowd until it felt as if her arms would drop off.

Maya’s voice was like a bee-sting in her ear. I hope Tepi’s a good swimmer.

She watched as her son leaned over the side, excited by the swirling colors of the flowers drifting past. Her smile wilted and her arms flopped to her sides. She glared at the back of Maya’s head and as he slipped away, wanting to spit on him.

The entire royal entourage, including Maya, knew Tepi hadn’t been allowed in water above his knees for years. Her many reasons to keep him out of water dissolved in the harsh reality of this journey. Her fear of colds, fevers, and foul play no longer stood up against the danger Tepi was now in. One slip … one shove and he’d be defenceless in the water.

Her gaze flicked over the barge, searching for something which would help. It didn’t take her long to find what she needed.

No! Pharaoh shook his head. No son of mine is going to be tethered. You will make him a laughing stock.

Aiyaa twisted the rope in her hands. But he can’t swim. What if he falls in?

Then he gets wet until we pull him out.

But there could be crocodiles or…

Pharaoh grabbed her hand. Shush. He raised her hand to his lips and placed a kiss as light as a butterfly upon her knuckles. You worry too much, my Queen. Tepi is fine. Let the boy be a boy. He released her hand and turned away.

Aiyaa stiffened. She’d been dismissed like a servant. Why couldn’t he see how much danger Tepi was in? She ploughed down the steps only to bump into Maya, who was coming up. Except she knew that with Maya nothing was ever a coincidence. He smiled so widely she could see his tonsils and received a whiff of curried eel. Queen Aiyaa, what a pleasant surprise, I was just coming to inform Pharaoh that the entertainment is about to start. Perhaps you’d like join him?

She gritted her teeth and forced a smile. Thank you, but I find some elements of travelling tiresome. I was going to rest in my cabin.

She went to sidestep him, but he jumped into her path. I think you’ll find this entertainment captivating. It’s a game I designed and Tepi has insisted on playing. Is he good with heights?

* * *

Bastard! Aiyaa imagined flaying all the skin off Maya’s back with her fingernails when she looked up at the network of flimsy ropes dangling around the mast. Oblivious to her fears, Tepi was romping on the deck, bare footed and barechested, laughing with three bigger boys. She took a step forward, but Pharaoh’s hand shot out and reeled her back. Don’t interfere, Aiyaa.

His words were spoken quietly, but steel lanced his gaze. Tepi will one day be Pharaoh. You can’t hide him away any longer under your skirts. It’s time for him to take his rightful place in the world.

She ignored his words and stared up at the ropes. I don’t trust those ropes. They’re too high. What if he falls?

He released her arm. A Pharaoh must show courage. Aiyaa, enough of your hysteria. If you can’t stomach watching, then I will order you below decks.

Aiyaa’s spine stiffened, she only stepped one pace away from her husband, but a chasm yawned between them. He’d never used that tone on her before. For sometime she’d suspected that he didn’t treat her concerns seriously anymore, but until now he’d always coated his answers beneath a veneer of respect.

Maya clapped his hands. Let the games begin.

The rope game was simple. A red ribbon fluttered on the top of the mast. All the boys had to do was scramble up the ropes and retrieve it. The first one to present it to Pharaoh would win. Whether by stealing, fighting, or cunning was immaterial.

Aiyaa’s hands knotted together and she almost stopped breathing as she watched her son. His grin split his face in half, his hands gripping one of the trailing ropes as he waited for the signal. Four boys were spread evenly around the mast.

Maya clapped two paddles together. Go!

One boy shimmied up the rope using his hands and feet as if he was part monkey, another hoisted himself by his arms alone, his shoulder muscles bulging and contracting in a steady rhythm, while the other looped his feet around the bottom of the rope and swung his body like a pendulum, not even attempting to climb. Tepi inched his way up the rope, grunting with each pull, his face red and creased.

Tepi was half way up when the monkey boy snatched the ribbon from its roost. The audience roared as the boy started to scramble down. His way was blocked by another boy and as they both tussled for the ribbon, their ropes became tangled. Monkey boy lost his footing and slid down the rope. He still clutched his