Lacuna - N.R. Walker Page 0,13

and true.” Adelais paused a moment, then bowed her head. “My kings, what she found is binding.”

“Forgive my impatience, kind Adelais,” Crow said. “But if you have answers to give, I would like very much to hear them.”

One of the other yellow-cloaked figures strode forward then. A man with warm brown skin, grey hair, and ice-blue eyes. “My kings, I am Gabel, Aequi Kentron’s historian. I was with Maghdlm this past night when we found the answer. The alchemy of alignment tells us that the chosen two will meet when their stars align. Marked by fate, as you both are. When your stars align with the sun and the moons, as they will in coming days, the power of the compass will draw you together. As magnets behave, so will you. Your choice no longer applies, I’m afraid.”

“Clarify,” Tancho said, his voice musical and sharp.

“I dare not explain the alchemy, for fear I misspeak or tangle truths I myself do not understand. But what I know is this,” Gabel said, “the markings on your wrist will choose for you.”

“Choose for me?” Crow asked, not caring for manners now.

“On the day of the Golden Eclipse, you will be drawn to one another, and the mark of your birth upon your wrist will give you the answer you seek.”

“To which question?” Crow snapped back. “Answer I seek for what?”

“As magnets are,” Adelais replied. “Whether you will be repelled or joined forever by the mark you bear.”

“I know my answer,” Crow barked.

“As do I,” Tancho said. “I will not be joined with a Northlander. I would rather fight.”

Crow turned to him then. “You would fight me?” That was almost laughable to Crow. He stood taller, broader, stronger. The reach of his arm would easily outmatch his in a sword fight. He’d fought countless men smaller than him, and he’d bested every one. Easily.

In one swift movement, Tancho reached into his cloak and produced two katanas as if they were extensions of his hands. He stood in the strike pose, the two figures in white with him also stood guard, weapons ready.

Soko had his daggers out in an instant, and Crow unsheathed his broadsword, swinging it for good measure. He smiled at Tancho. He could ignore the man’s beauty when he raised a sword at him. “Your three against our two, and I still don’t like your odds, little fish.”

Tancho bared his teeth and crossed his swords. “Karasu?”

“Yes, Tancho,” the woman at his right said, unflinching, unblinking.

Tancho stared right at Crow. “Did you ever hear a pretty blackbird sing?”

Karasu grinned, and the tall brutish man with them laughed.

Crow growled and swung his sword—

“Enough,” said a small, papery voice. Maghdlm walked in, her steps uneven as though her hips gave her grief, an old book in her hands. “You’ll get your chance to spill blood, but it is not this day.” She strode toward them like a weary grandmother putting an end to the bickering of children. “Put the blades away or I’ll render them to iron.”

She was half of Crow’s height. A slight woman, elderly and soft, yet for some reason, Crow didn’t doubt her powers. He lowered his sword and stood taller. “Apologies.” Soko stood down as well, sheathing his daggers.

Tancho lowered his katanas, as did Karasu, but the oaf alongside them did not. He made one last show of raising his blade as a silent warning aimed at Crow and Soko. Maghdlm simply raised her hand, murmured some ancient chant, and the blade in his hand turned to rusted iron.

He gasped in shock, his eyes wide, sorely about to protest, but Tancho raised his hand. “Kohaku, you were warned.”

Maghdlm smiled up at Kohaku. “I don’t know exactly how much iron is in your blood, boy. But ignore me again and we will find out.”

Crow chewed the inside of his lip so his smile didn’t escape him. Last night, he wasn’t overly fond of Maghdlm, but he liked her this day.

“I am the daughter of an alchemist and an astronomer, born in an eclipse many lifetimes ago,” Maghdlm said. “Gifted by the hand of fate in the ways of old magicks, and in all my years, I didn’t think to see this. The golden sun is not rare enough, yet to have your stars aligning at the same time . . . there are not enough stars in the sky to count the odds.”

“Is this an alchemical bond?” Tancho asked, his head tilted slightly. It gave him an innocent boyish look that Crow