Page 115 of Dance of Stars and Ashes

Just then, Zarya noticed the smell of smoke. It seemed everyone else did, too, because their gazes all turned in the direction they were traveling. Apsara and Kindle walked to the edge of the boat, staring into the distance. A mountain range loomed on the far side of the lake, and Suvanna steered the boat left.

Zarya stood up to get a better look. A plume of smoke drifted into the sky, hovering over the center of the island where they were headed. As the boat rounded the mountains, the lake opened onto a wide bay with a narrow beach and dense jungle lining the shore. They docked against the sand before Kindle and Row jumped off, securing it with stakes and ropes.

As the rest disembarked, a sense of foreboding hung in the air, as heavy as dusty velvet curtains.

“The grove,” Apsara said as everyone exchanged wary glances. “We should hurry.”

They formed a line and plunged into the dense brush. The island was quiet as ash drifted on the breeze, peppering their clothes and hair. Using their weapons, they hacked through the tangled mess of vines and branches.

Sweat was beading on Zarya’s brow as they pushed through the dense foliage, the unrelenting sun pummeling them like falling rocks. Finally, they emerged into a clearing to find a ring of charred trees, the tips of the branches glimmering with embers and tendrils of smoke curling off them.

The Bayangoma grove had been destroyed.

Everyone paused in stunned silence before they slowly approached. Dozens of Bayangoma birds sat petrified amongst the branches, their mouths frozen open in a soundless, eternal song.

Zarya surveyed their surroundings, walking the perimeter of the fire line that formed a perfect circle around the trees.

“Did someone cause this?” Row asked, noticing the same thing. This hadn’t been a natural fire.

Rabin drew his sword from his back as the zing of weapons filled the air.

Zarya bent down, frowning at the dead grass. She touched the line where the fire had stopped, her fingertips coming away covered with flakes of yellow dust.

She sniffed them, something tickling the back of her memory. She’d seen this substance before. She walked along the circle, noting more of it mingling with the ash.

My flowers are very precious to me.

“Zarya, what are you doing?” Row called.

“When did Professor Dhawan come to Daragaab?” she called over her shoulder.

“Shortly after we did,” Apsara said. “After Rani Vasvi asked for the Chiranjivi’s help with the blight. Why? What does that have to do with anything?”

Before Zarya could answer, a rustle in the trees hooked their attention.

“It’s a trap,” Rabin said, his shoulders stiffening as he turned to face the sound. A moment later, as if by magic, dozens of armed bodies melted through the leaves. They wore dark brown leather armor draped with deep red swaths of fabric around their hips and shoulders.

“Kiraaye Ka,” Kindle said. “What are they doing this far south?”

“Who are they?” Zarya backed up.

“Hired thugs who reside in Bhaavana,” Rabin said. “Not quite a trained army, but close enough. Loyal to no one and nothing other than the highest bidder.”

Rabin’s hand circled her arm as more Kiraaye Ka emerged from the trees surrounding them on all fronts.

Row addressed Rabin from her other side.

“You care for her?” Row asked.

Rabin’s stance was challenging as he gave Row a sharp nod. “Of course I do.”

“Then help me protect her.”

“I can protect myself,” Zarya said, pulling her arm from Rabin’s grasp and backing away. Rabin stepped closer, his hand cupping the back of her neck as he pulled her towards him.

“I know that, Zarya,” he growled. “But you’ve never faced an army organized and designed to kill.

“Stay near me or Row. I’m not asking you to sit out. I know you can fight. Just let us help protect you. We are vastly outnumbered.” He paused as he searched her face like he was trying to commit every piece of her to his memory. “Please.”