Nagesh looked at the other shamans, but none of them spoke. “Not yet. From what I understand, all other attempts at this spell resulted in almost instantaneous death. The fact that you are standing is nothing short of a miracle. Two factors make you unique. Being a shroud means your body and mind are resistant to magic in ways that would protect you while the metamorphosis takes place. Second, there is a great strength in you. As a bleeder, I can sense it just by being near you. It’s like a drum, vibrating the ground and air around you. I’ve never felt a stronger heart in all my life.”
“So I’m still changing,” Migo said. He clenched his teeth so tight they felt as though he might grind them to dust. “What’s a drakotah? When does this stop?”
“I don’t know how long it will take. It has never happened successfully,” Nagesh said, pausing to gasp for air. “Drakotah’s are ancient beings. Powerful. They were hunted. Butchered for their potent qualities. They were magnificent lizards that could fly on their own.”
“Sands,” Migo muttered. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Scales. Is that what he was talking about? Katsi’s lizard pet was some rare magical creature, and he was now fused with it?
“Yes, as soon as I found its tooth in a cave, I knew it was a sign of our deliverance,” Nagesh said. “You’re the key, Migo. The emperor must—” Nagesh’s voice cut off as though he were choking.
“She knows,” Hadiv said, catching Nagesh as he fell to his knees. She laid him down on his back. “Alishara is killing him.”
Nagesh’s eyes turned red and he stopped moving completely.
He was dead.
“What happened?” Migo asked, eyes wide as he stared at Nagesh’s body. It happened so quickly.
“Nagesh broke his blood oath to Alishara,” Hadiv said. “She could sense when he used so much of his power. She knows she’s been betrayed, so she killed him. For a powerful shaman, killing somebody with their blood is a simple task.”
A warmth started blossoming in Migo’s chest. Some of the pain was subsiding. He gasped. Perhaps he wouldn’t die after all. “The pain is diminishing,” Migo said, looking down at his chest once again.
His hope was short-lived. For in that very moment, his body changed, exploding into something that belonged only in nightmares.
Chapter three
Swords
Katsi stood on the roof of the castle, facing the western expanse as she focused on her fingers. Energy passed through the air from one hand to the other, but she could only feel it, not see it. It was too weak. She wasn’t passing the energy easily enough. Subtleties like this were what annoyed her the most, but she continued to focus, remembering that focusing on the end result was more important than the small minutia.
Then it happened. Little sparks jolted between her hands, sometimes popping with flashes of white light. She smiled. “How's that for delicate?”
“Very good,” Adrina said from beside her, unable to contain her own rare smile. “You’ve got a unique talent.”
Katsi laughed. “I know, I read about it.” She hurried to add more before Adrina’s questioning eyebrow could raise itself. “I do read the assignments you give—and more. Not many stormcallers were able to exercise very precise control over lightning. I like being able to do things that not many others can do.”
Adrina nodded. Katsi could only imagine that she felt the same. “That’s all for now,” Adrina said. “That should give us a few marks to get ready for the celebration next cycle.”
“Excuse me,” Katsi said. “A few marks to get ready? How could we spend that much time just getting ready?”
Adrina gave her a flat stare. “Not all of that time will be spent getting ready, but I do intend to make you look like a lady. That involves more than just wearing a nice dress.”
Katsi wrinkled her nose. “I’m a little surprised you’re so invested in it. Isn’t all this lady and lord stuff some kind of Marem culture thing?”
“It wasn’t always that way,” Adrina said. “Many of the wealthiest people were shamans, and believe me, they liked to show their wealth just like any other rich person. Even still, not every shamanfolk on Malahem grew up in a cave in the Scorched Waste. There are probably more shamanfolk living normal lives amongst everyone else than you might realize.” She tilted her head when Katsi made a sour expression. “I don’t say that to be offensive, Katsi. Just for education.”
Katsi laughed. “Adrina, have you ever seen me get offended? Leaving my tribe back in Jehubal has certainly made me understand that I haven’t seen much of the world. There’s nothing wrong with learning.”
Adrina nodded. “And that kind of thinking is why you will excel where others would fall short.” She clasped her hands together. “Now, I will have some things brought to your room somewhere around eighth mark. I’ll meet you then.” She winked and walked back towards the stairs.
Katsi dropped her hands, realizing she’d left the energy cycling subconsciously. She tried it one last time just to see how easy it was to reactivate. This time, it only took a few seconds. She cast her eyes up, scanning the clouds. It had been a couple cycles since she’d even seen Scales as he’d glided over the castle.
A few more minutes went by, and she was about to return inside when she caught a glimpse of color, shimmering in stark contrast to the gray earth below. She stared intently at the shimmering colors, hues of green, purple, and red flashing. A pair of wings fluttered, almost as if he knew she was looking for him. She smiled to herself then headed for the stairs.
She had one task left in mind as she descended back into the castle. Alyssad told her that the entire castle was safe for her to explore, and she’d taken that to heart. When she wasn’t reading, practicing, or enjoying the irresistible access to foods she’d never had before, she often roamed the castle. The artwork was endless, and the detailed architecture still hadn’t ceased to amaze her. Everything was art. Even the guardrail she rested her hand on as she went down the stairs was detailed with carvings of lizards and rangolas, and it was painted in white and gold.
She couldn’t tell if any of these details were made by magic or by hand, but she didn’t doubt that Adrina could do it. Maybe Katsi would make her own castle out of stone someday, complete with forty foot arched ceilings and giant glass windows to light the majestic hallways.
Once she reached the bottom of the stairway, she went a couple doors down the massive hall before entering a room that was the least furnished of all. Though not small by normal standards, the room was one of the smaller ones Katsi had seen in the castle. A long bench lined one wall and there were two large windows opposite the bench. The tiled floor was not as shiny and smooth as the rest of the castle. One of the walls on the side was covered in racks of weapons with dulled edges, some of them looking almost like children’s toys.
Two men stood at the center of the room, grunting as they sparred with each other. Katsi had no idea who they were. Perhaps they were some of the other purported shamans who resided here. She hadn’t yet met any other shamans besides Adrina, but she suspected that was because Alyssad wasn’t completely sure he could trust her, despite the fact that Katsi had been sent here by one of his own agents.
A third man stood in the room as well, his back turned to her. Alyssad. He wore a black, sleeveless tunic, his dark hair pulled back in a tight bun, hands folded behind him.
None of the men paid her any mind as she entered and closed the door behind her. Weapons clanged as the two men danced around each other. Katsi stood still, watching, fascinated by the idea that they were somehow able to parry and dodge around each other’s attacks.
The bout lasted a few seconds longer before one of the men grunted as his weapon went clattering across the floor and his opponent held the tip of his dulled blade to the man’s neck.
“Very good, lieutenant,” Alyssad said, his voice rumbling. “That is all for now.”
The two men gave Alyssad a bow before putting their weapons back on the racks.
Alyssad turned to Katsi. “This is the second time now that you’ve come to this room,” he said, dark eyes searching her. “You want something here.”
“I do,” Katsi said, her mouth working for a moment before she continued. The two men returned their weapons to the racks and headed for the door. “I don’t have much training with a weapon. I know I’ve been focusing a lot on using my magical talents, but I want to learn to use a weapon as well. It would have helped me before.”
Alyssad’s eyes went a fraction darker. “I am well practiced in the ways of war.”
“Could you teach me?”
