Orchestra of Treacheries (2nd Edition): A Legend of Tivara Story (The Dragon Songs Saga) by JC Kang

Author:JC Kang [Kang, JC]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: dragon magic elves dwarves asian multicultural epic fantasy
Publisher: Dragonstone Press
Published: 2017-11-15T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 24:

Visions

Kaiya woke to the sound of frog trills and bird chirps outside her open window, still singing in orchestra with the ocean rumbling in the distance. She yawned. How refreshing! Never again would she take for granted a comfortable bed which didn’t rock with the seas.

She blinked away the unladylike gunk from her eyes. Outside, the black of night faded to an inky blue at the horizon. Dawn, and with it, the Paladins’ morning meditation, fast approached.

Kaiya jumped to her feet and flashed a disdainful eye at her travelling clothes, still inundated with the stench of brine and—she shuddered—sweat. With nothing else to wear, she threw them on nonetheless.

On the other bed, Jie might have been hibernating. The poor girl needed her sleep, and it would take time to wake her, anyway. Precious time. Scarlet lined the horizon.

Kaiya flung the door open and dashed out. She almost careened into a boy on the mezzanine, who nonchalantly sidestepped her just outside the door. Not even the Insolent Retainer could have reacted so fast.

Or could she? Back in the room, the half-elf’s feet padded on the floor. Kaiya looked down at the boy.

Gayan, their guide from the day before, stared back with bright eyes. He placed a yellow flower in her hand. “No need to hurry, miss. The Oracle said you wished to speak to him. He sent me to meet you here.”

“How did he know?” Kaiya stared at the boy.

He giggled. “He is the Oracle, after all. Come, follow me to morning meditation.” He took her hand with a blush.

The touch might have been impertinent if he weren’t so cute. She let him guide her down the steps, out the door and into the street.

Outside, Master Sabal towered over a dozen boys and girls, all dressed in white kurtas. “Good morning, Your Highness. I am glad you could join us.” He pressed his hands together and the children followed suit.

Kaiya imitated the greeting. “Good morning, Master. Thank you for guiding me.”

They set off at a brisk walk with Master Sabal leading. He didn’t speak a word, and it seemed inappropriate to break the silence. Behind her, the entourage of children trailed like a line of ducklings, so unlike her usual retinue of handmaidens and imperial guards.

After a few minutes, they came to a life-sized statue of a handsome, middle-aged man in the center of the road. Sitting in a lotus position, he held a shattered naga sword in his left hand, out to the side with the tip down. Over his heart, his right hand cupped a fist-sized gemstone with countless facets, round at the bottom and tapered on top. The statue itself was made of a greyish blue metal and pulsated with the same energy as the island.

The children each added a yellow flower to the hill of yellow blossoms on the stone base. They then pressed their hands together and bobbed their heads, like pecking baby chicks.

“This is part of our morning ritual: to salute Acharya, the first Oracle.

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