AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Killen huffed and studied the koel for a beat. ‘You’re much more than a mere songbird.’
She gave him an enigmatic smile. ‘For a long time, because of the kind of íkan in me and my natural curiosity, I’ve been drawn to studying a’Chäwi, the use of our ancient esoteric magic for good. I am, in fact, an apprentice of Koreau, in pure secrecy, of course. He sought me out and has been teaching me his ways for some time now. Sending lessons to me via the Kírkos network of merchants and retailers who send me parcels purporting to be dresses or shoes to maintain my reputation as a pampered princess. But I don’t want to be a royal cosseted bystander in Katáne. I need to give back by using my íkan to heal my people. I also embrace the return of tekhne, just like Koreau does. We are both members of the S’ki? Council that supports you. We have faith in you, for nothing is more dangerous to the rise of the kízakan than a Kíríga who has found the unceasing wellspring of the goodness of the hawkstone. The fact that the most powerful lodestone chose you proves that your heart is in the right place. Which aligns with everything Kaxim and Kione say about you.’
‘Don’t believe a word those two reed-romped bush tyrant smews tell you,’ Killen growled with a gleam in his eye.
She laughed, flicking her eyes to the duo standing a little apart from them.
Killen saw her eyes linger on Kione for a moment.
His Second Armourer clashed eyes with the koel until she snapped her gaze away while he lingered on her.
Killen raised a brow but bit his tongue, tucking away the memory of the silent exchange for a later exposition with his Second Armourer and general.
‘Can you share that holo with me of the khora confirming K’Etit’s murder?’ he murmured.
Kamilla nodded. ‘I can. What will you do with it?’
‘Verify it and perhaps send it to my mother in due time. She needs to know the truth.’
‘She does.’
‘As for me, you’ve handed me a major dilemma. For there are many who want Kalila dead now and have full right to blade her before I do.’
Kamilla cocked her head. ‘Who else?’
He held back from flicking his eyes to where Sana’a stood alongside Kaxim and Kione in the near distance of the íkhara.
He sensed the Switchblade’s eyes on him and clenched his jaw, unable to meet her gaze. ‘I cannot say right now, but suffice it to know that she has wronged multitudes. One day, all her wrongs will drag her into the underworld.’
‘Keep your secrets, nephew,’ the koel murmured.
He gave her an incredulous look. ‘You’re younger than I.’
‘What of it? I’m still your aunt.’
He chuckled. ‘Sante Kamilla. I sense you’re the cracking aspect of this strange family dynamic.’
‘Kesia too, you can trust her - she’s your mother’s sister-in-law.’
‘Whom I’m yet to meet. Can she be trusted?’
Kamilla nodded. ‘Wholly. She and Kalila are sworn enemies, but she’s a kind woman who’s been more of a mother to me than Kalila ever was. She’s a close ally. So too her husband Kaadiq, your blood uncle.’
‘I look forward to making their acquaintance.’
‘Meanwhile, wait on Koreau; he shall not tarry. And one more thing, where is Kultur?’
Killen’s brow creased. ‘Like we said, he’s away. He often flies from the kíota on business. We’re not intimate, so he hasn’t shared his plans with me. Why?’
Kamilla nodded and took a long breath. ‘Like I said, be careful around him, keep him close, learn what you can from him, but don’t share your deepest thoughts or intentions with him.’
‘Why, if I may insist?’
‘Because we think he is the source of the kírorerô - the omens of potent dark power and prophecy wielded by the arokí. He might be the one who infected Kalila with kízakan at her bequest. We have no proof yet, but much seems to originate from his eyrie, which is worrying.’
The Kíríga narrowed his eyes, pensive. ‘Sante for the heads up.’
‘You’re welcome. Now I must away,’ Kamilla smiled. ‘I have a private dinner to sing at.’
