“Sands,” Katsi said, looking over at Migo with a wide smile. “It worked.”
“Of course it did,” Migo said, not daring to admit his lack of confidence only moments ago. “Now for another miracle.” He stepped down from the slab and held a hand out to Katsi. “Care to join me in Rhian, city of shaman hunters?”
“Sounds like a lovely place to take your shaman wife immediately after her wedding,” Katsi said.
“The loveliest. I share fond memories with her here.”
“Indeed.” The light in her eyes was worth every pain he’d ever endured.
Migo turned his attention to Adrina and Jafir. “We’ll need another slab from here, Adrina. Jafir, you’ll want to get to work on the portion from Mazanib so we can return.”
“Understood,” Jafir said, standing at attention. He must have been a soldier at some point.
Adrina still observed the slab with pursed lips, seemingly lost in thought.
Migo left them to their thoughts as he and Katsi turned toward the city. There were just a few trees, and they had to descend from a short hill.
“So you really think your friend will be happy to see you?” Katsi said.
“Of course, but seeing you is another question.”
“Right. And I’m sure his sister will be disappointed to know you’re officially off the market.”
“Oh, sands.” Migo shook his head, not even wanting to touch the subject.
“But do you care to let me in on your little plan here finally?”
“Yes, I intend to recruit the shaman hunters, if possible. They may be some of the best equipped soldiers to fight against waheshi. After all, the twins and I all studied here, and the entire squad sent by Ranaz was killed. I think that’s a good indication of value in a fight.”
“Okay, so we recruit them, then what? We take them back with us to the castle and use that as a hub to transport anywhere? Jafir would have to make a massive portaj for every place the bleeder armies could invade, which is possible, it just might take some time.”
“Exactly. But I see no other way. The best option is to bring as much help as we possibly can, even if it’s just one, skilled, specialized crew of both shamans and shaman hunters.”
“As long as it works.”
Migo squeezed her hand. “What was the status on your armlet?”
Katsi nodded. “That needs to be the first thing we resolve when we get back to Mazanib.” She touched her upper arm, feeling at the two armlets she still wore beneath her clothing. He could sense them there, like a dull sound or vibration, similar to the auras he could detect around shamans.
Ironic. The best shaman hunters were actually the product of shaman magic. He wondered if waheshi had similar senses or if that was unique to him.
As they neared the city, the citizens’ response was not subtle.
At least a few people visibly took off, running up the street. Somebody was already on their way up the steep path that led to the Lazeem Academy castle atop the hill. “See? They’re excited to see you,” Migo said.
“Mm, yes. Clearly the most accurate description of their response.”
Armed soldiers filtered out from the town to greet them.
“You’re sure they won’t try to kill us?” Katsi said.
“No guarantees.” He held out his hands as they got closer to the soldiers.
“King Rikaydian,” a voice called from among them. A man with medium build and dark brown skin separated from the group and stepped forward. Mayor Enan Roqaya. Yavasu’s father. “Back so soon?”
“We couldn’t get enough of your hospitality,” Katsi said.
Migo tried to nudge her with his glare. “I’m the emperor now,” Migo said. “And the war with shamanfolk is over.”
A wave of odd looks passed among the soldiers.
“Have you proof of this?” Enan said.
Migo was prepared for this. He pulled two of the emperor’s rings from his pocket, both of them engraved with the emperor’s seal. He presented them to Enan. “I killed Emperor Malrabia. He was a shaman, holding the world still. He’s the one responsible for the tidal locking and the Maedari. When I killed him, both things ended.”
Enan failed to hide his shock. “And you went there and came back in a matter of months?”
“I can get across the entire Ring in a single moment if needed.”
“I see.” Enan looked around at his soldiers as if seeking verification from them that they’d heard the same thing. “Does this make you a traitor, then?”
“No,” Migo affirmed. “I have liberated the entire Ring. The emperor was responsible for the deaths of millions of innocents, including my father. I have enacted justice.”
“Emperor Malrabia was responsible for killing your father?” Enan said, eyes widening.
Migo had to remember that his father and Enan had been good friends at the time of the murder. “Yes. He ordered the shaman to execute the assassination.”
“You are positive?” Enan’s voice grew serious.
