Starburner Read online

  Master Tato was followed by Armsmistress Emi and General Daarco, who was head of the country’s military forces. They were married and had one daughter, Rika’s friend Oma. They were also two of her parents’ oldest friends, and they all spent a lot of time drinking sake and laughing together around the dinner table. Oma and Rika would always sneak away from those dinners as soon as they could to find their own fun. More often than not, Koji would follow, whining until they let him tag along on whatever adventures they had. He hadn’t been doing that as much since he had gained his powers. Actually, Rika thought with a little frown of dismay, she and Oma hadn’t spent as much time together in the few years since Oma’s moonburning powers had appeared, either.

  Rika, mired in her thoughts, realized with a start that everyone had sat down. Ryu and Quitsu had curled up next to each other in a patch of sunlight spilling onto the floor. She hurried over and took her place, trying to look meek and concerned.

  Her parents’ friend Colum chose that moment to breeze into the room, his curly, gray hair bobbing as he walked. “‘Bout time for a little adventure around here!” he exclaimed, settling into a chair and propping his boots up on the table. They were at Rika’s end. She wrinkled her nose and he winked. “Been positively dull. You’re all getting fat and lazy.”

  “Colum, always a pleasure,” Hiro said dryly. Perhaps “friend” wasn’t the right word to describe Colum. Acquaintance? Strange uncle-type whom they tolerated with half-fondness and half-weariness? That was more appropriate. Colum was an adventurer who had traveled across their land, but his weather-beaten face still managed to look surprisingly youthful. He had settled down in the past years with his wife, a moonburner named Mesilla. They lived a quiet life on an island to the southwest of Yoshai, as Mesilla didn’t like to be around people. Rika had gathered that the woman had ghosts in her past. Her parents didn’t like her for some reason. And they liked everyone.

  “What’d you think of those fireworks last night?” Colum asked. “Impressive, no? I’m glad I came to visit; now I can be in on whatever hijinks we come up with to foil these invaders.”

  “We can’t presume they’re invaders, or that we’ll be taking any action against them,” Kai said. “They’re foreign ships landing on our shores. That’s all we know right now. We shouldn’t jump to conclusions.”

  Rika had noticed that her mother seemed to lead the council meetings, while her father played a supporting role. She wasn’t sure how they had settled into their roles, but she hoped if she was ever queen, she could find a king who was similarly confident enough to not need to take charge all the time.

  “Hard to jump to any other conclusion with black sails,” Colum said under his breath.

  “Maybe black is a color of good luck in their culture,” Hiro suggested. “Maybe it’s to pay homage to their sea god, who rules the dark depths of the sea.”

  “Yah, yah. Maybe some apprentice accidentally squirted squid ink over the lot of them so they had to dye them black to salvage ’em.” Colum snorted. “We could speculate for days. But maybe, and far more likely, they are designed to intimidate.”

  “Can we table the issue of the sails?” Kai said wearily. “Master Tato, is there anything you can tell us about these new arrivals? Have you ever read of such a thing? Of another land to our south?”

  Master Tato ran a nervous hand through his golden hair in an unconscious gesture. “I’ve never come across mention of lands other than Kita or Miina in my studies. And, I might add, I went through a bit of a phase in my younger years where I fancied the idea of being an explorer. I did extensive cartography research in both the libraries of Kyuden and Kistana. I will comb through the library here, in Yoshai, for any mention, but I’m afraid I have very little counsel to give you at this time.”

  Kai nodded. “It was a long shot.” She paused, seeming to steel herself for her next question. “Colum, what about you? Have you seen any mention of such things in your travels?”

  “Why, thank you for asking, queenie.” Colum dropped his boots off the table and leaned forward. Rika didn’t know how Colum got away with such impertinence to her mother. She could only imagine that the familiarity went back years.

  Colum continued. “I’ve seen something. In a treasure case in the remote corners of Kita. I was in a cavern that served as an ancient burial ground for a past civilization…”

  Hiro pinched the bridge of his nose, shaking his head. “You’re a graverobber now, too?”

  “You want to hear the story or not, Your Majesty?” Colum asked.

  Kai waved him on.

  “Inside the cave was a carved tomb that must have housed a real big shot. He was buried with all sorts of goodies—jewels, coins, golden goblets, you get the idea. But what concerns us today was a map I found. A map of the stars.”

  “Like for navigation at sea?” Hiro asked.

  “No, like for navigation among the stars,” Colum said, his voice hushed. “Between the constellations were what I could only describe as paths. I thought it was fanciful—a stylized depiction of what some artist thought could be out there. But what if there really were a way to travel between worlds?”

  “It’s a remarkable thought,” Kai said.

  “Do you have this map? Could we examine it?” Master Tato asked, leaning forward eagerly.

  “Nah. Sold it years ago.”

  “Of course you did,” Hiro said.

  Kai shook her head with wonder. “To think there could be other unexplored worlds…”

  “Clearly,” Master Tato interjected, “these newcomers have some magic that enables them to travel at great speeds, whether across stars, or oceans, which seems far more likely. Otherwise, how else would they have appeared so suddenly?”

  “So these foreigners have started exploring,” Kai said.

  “Or invading,” Colum said, picking at his molar with his pinkie.

  “Our next step is obvious. We must go to these people and welcome them. I refuse to treat them with hostility until they show it’s warranted,” Kai said. “To do otherwise is to risk starting an unnecessary war.”

  “I’ll go,” Hiro said. “I’ll take our most elite warriors with me, and Ryu. We will provide a royal welcome.”

  “I’m coming with you,” Kai said.

  “One of us should stay here, my love,” Hiro said softly, taking Kai’s hand. “If they prove hostile, we should not have both monarchs in harm’s way. It’s not wise.”

  She frowned. “Then I’ll go, and you stay here.”

  “If this is a patriarchal culture, they might respond better to negotiating with another man.”

  Kai rolled her eyes. “If they’re matriarchal, they’d respond better to me.” Rika’s parents looked at each other, conducting the kind of silent debate that only married people know how to do. It seemed that Hiro proved victorious, as Kai was the one who broke eye contact. “Fine. Hiro will go. I’ll stay here and tend the hearth.”

  He chuckled. “Running the country is hardly tending the hearth.”

  Armsmistress Emi cleared her throat. “Is it wise to send a monarch at all? Is it not an unnecessary risk? Send an emissary, a messenger. Take their temperature.”

  Hiro shook his head. “I don’t want to risk offending them by sending someone without the proper authority. Besides, I want to take their temperature myself. Me and my men can take care of ourselves.”

  “I think it’s a necessary risk,” Kai said. “Master Tato, I’d like you to accompany Hiro. You’re good with languages and perhaps can lend some aid in communicating.”

  Master Tato inclined his head. “As you command.”

  Rika had watched the exchange silently, but inside she was jumping up and down. She bit her lip in indecision but ended up blurting out: “I want to go too.”

  All heads swiveled towards her. “Absolutely not— “Kai began but was cut off as Koji swung down from the rafters in the corner of the room, dropping onto the floor.

  “If Rika gets to go, I want to
go too!”

  “KOJI!” KAI SCOLDED. “How long have you been hiding there?”

  Rika snorted. That much was obvious.

  Hiro threw his hands in the air. “Why have the gods seen fit to punish me with such obstinate children?”

  “What did I do?” Rika asked, wounded. “I should go because Roweni thinks that the great shadow from my prophecy is the fleet of ships on the water.”

  Hiro’s head swiveled up at that, and he looked searchingly at Kai. She nodded grimly. “It could be.”

  “If the prophecy is correct, my power is necessary to defeat these invaders.”

  “If the prophecy is correct,” Hiro said, “these newcomers aren’t here for trade and cultural exchange. The prophecy speaks of great danger. I don’t think it’s a good idea to send you into that before we know what we’re dealing with. We might need to make a quick exit.”

  “I agree,” Kai said. “I’m sorry, but it’s too dangerous. Until we know more, you stay here. And you definitely stay here, Koji. I’ll deal with you later.”

  “But, Mom,” they both began.

  “End of discussion.” Kai’s voice cracked like a whip. “Now unless anyone besides my children has anything else to add, Hiro should ready his team.”

  Rika crossed her arms over her chest, slumping in her chair. It wasn’t fair. The first time in sixteen years where her powers might have a chance of manifesting, and she wasn’t allowed anywhere near it.

  The adults stood, beginning to file out of the room. Her parents talked by the door in hushed tones, Kai tracing her fingers along Hiro’s ear and jaw. Ugh. Rika looked away. Emi was rounding the table and leaned down beside her. The moonburner’s face was half-scarred from a fire that had occurred when she’d been young, but it somehow only served to accentuate how beautiful the rest of her was. “It was a valiant attempt. But don’t be so hasty to rush into danger, panda. I have a feeling we’ll all see plenty of action before this plays out. Your time will come. Be patient.”

  Rika attempted a half-smile. “I know. Thanks, Emi.”

  Emi stood, squeezing her shoulder as she walked around the table and slipped her hand into Daarco’s outstretched palm.

  Koji stood at the door, the last to leave besides her. He paused. “They were never going to let you go. You can’t protect yourself without any powers.”

  Rika narrowed her eyes and exploded out of the chair, running towards him. She grabbed his arm before he knew what to do and twisted it behind his back painfully like Emi had taught her. Then she stuck her finger in her mouth, wet it with her tongue, and waggled it in his ear.

  “Ugh, Rika, stop! Gross! You’re hurting me!” Koji cried, his voice squeaking in protest.

  She grinned. “Tell me again how I can’t defend myself without powers?” She felt a heat growing around her wrist, warming before it became a searing pain.

  “Let go,” he grunted, and she released his hand, stepping back in shock, cradling her wrist to her body. As soon as she released him, the pain stopped. She looked down. A red welt circled her wrist, growing angry and puffy.

  “You sunburned against me?” She couldn’t believe it. Students were forbidden to burn outside of training. Plus, it was always forbidden to use burning to harm someone.

  Koji shrank from her, his face a mix of emotions. “I told you,” he said. “You can’t fight someone with magic.”

  “Just get out, Ko,” she said, suddenly unable to stand the sight of him. She pointed to the door. “Go!”

  He fled, and she sagged against the door frame, hissing at the pain. She’d need to go to the hospital ward and get a poultice to soothe the pain. Tears stung her eyes, but she welcomed them this time. They left hot streams down her cheeks, fueling her anger. Be patient. Wait. It’s coming; you’ll see. That’s all anyone ever told her! Well, she was sick to death of waiting. And she wouldn’t do it anymore. It was time to take matters into her own hands.

  After stopping by the hospital ward for a cooling balm for her wrist, Rika skulked about the palace eavesdropping on her father’s preparations. Hiro would lead a team of three sunburners (including Master Tato) and two moonburners. The beach where the foreigners had landed was only about ten leagues from Yoshai, and so they would ride lion-horses, rather than flying on golden eagles, with the hope that they would give the invaders time to prepare for their presence, rather than see a sudden landing as a threat. They would set up camp on the outskirts of Antila, the little fishing village on the seaside. From there, they would send an emissary to invite the leader of the new arrivals to treat with them.

  In the meantime, Rika made her own preparations. Her excitement was like a taut bowstring; it took all of her self-control to hold in her excitement. As much as she wanted to, she knew she couldn’t tell anyone what she intended, not even Oma or Sadele. She packed her supplies: her cloak and a change of sensible clothes, her hunting knife, flint for starting a fire, thin leather rope to set a snare for game, a small medical kit with herbs, gut and a needle for sewing wounds. Both her mother and late grandmother were excellent healers, and though Rika wasn’t as passionate as they were, it was a sensible skill, so she had soaked up as much knowledge from them as she could. She threw a bedroll and a waterskin on the pile and went to the kitchens to steal some food.

  Though Rika had grown up amongst these sandstone walls all her life, her clandestine mission lent a sense of newness to them. Suddenly, there was someone lurking around every corner, intent on foiling her plan. At one point, she heard her mother’s voice, and she darted into an empty room to let the queen pass by. She didn’t want any probing questions. Much to her chagrin, Rika wasn’t a very good liar. Or perhaps her parents were just able to sniff out a lie at fifty paces.

  Luckily, the cook wasn’t so discerning and swallowed Rika’s cover story about a hunting trip without blinking. Rika helped herself to dried meat and fish, a few apples, a packet of nuts, and some hard cheese. She didn’t think she was going to be gone for more than a day or two. It would be enough. She swiped a hot honey cake on the way out, blowing to cool it as she called a thank you to the cook. The sticky pastries were her favorite, and she was feeling tremendously pleased with herself by the time she got back to her room, licking the sweet crumbs from her fingers.

  Hiro’s team was to leave at sundown. Rika and Koji were summoned to the main courtyard to say goodbye. Enzo trotted next to Koji, too regal for words, his golden mane fluttering in the wind. Rika shot Koji a look of as much venom as she could muster, and for once, he looked away, rather than meeting her glare with one of his own. Clearly, he was still feeling guilty about sunburning against her and scalding her wrist earlier. Good. He should feel bad. What he had done was inexcusable. To use magic to harm was forbidden, except in cases of self-defense. And he could hardly argue that her arm-twisting justified true self-defense. It was a move Emi had taught twelve-year-olds how to elude. She huffed, tossing her ebony hair over her shoulder. It didn’t matter. She would be gone from here within the hour, on her way to her destiny, to challenge these invaders and finally get her silver hair and magic and her seishen. When she returned, he would have nothing to lord over her. She relished the prospect.

  Hiro and Kai were wrapped in a tight embrace, murmuring into each other’s ears. When they finally pulled back, they shared a long kiss, and Rika looked away, drumming her fingers in impatience. Yes, the whole kingdom knows you’re desperately in love, she thought. Let’s get on with it!

  Hiro went to say goodbye to Koji first, placing a big hand on the side of his son’s face. Ryu stalked at his side like a shadow. “Take care of your mother while I’m gone. No pranks or provoking your sister or running off. This is a dangerous time, and your mother needs to be focused on running this country, not chasing her errant children.”

  Rika swallowed her guilt at that. Mother would be fine. She’d leave a note.

  Koji nodded as Hiro continued. “I love you, son. Be safe.” He pulled him into a hug. They were the same heigh
t now, Rika realized. Hiro still dwarfed Koji with his bulk, but they were even, head to head. When had her brother gotten so big?

  Then Hiro turned to Rika, his green eyes full of concern. He drew her to the side, where he could speak to her without her brother hearing. He took her hands in his own and kissed one. His hands were calloused, rough. “My little girl, you’re all grown up. More beautiful and smart than your mother and I could have ever hoped.”

  “Dad—” Rika rolled her eyes.

  “I’m serious. This world has treated you unfairly. Made you wait and wonder about something that should have been your birthright. And you have handled it with grace and poise. Most of the time.” A smile flicked across his face, and she swallowed the lump in her throat.

  “You must be patient a bit longer. I know you must be thinking of the prophecy, but we don’t know what we’re dealing with here. Don’t try anything that could put you at risk. Promise me.”

  She averted her eyes, examining veins of the stones beneath her feet, nodding.

  “Say it.”

  “I promise.” The words were a whisper. I’m sorry, Father, she thought, but I can’t make that promise. Guilt needled at her. She hated to lie to him. But she must. And he must believe her. She straightened, meeting his eyes. “I promise. But don’t talk like this. It feels like you’re saying goodbye.”

  “I don’t know what we’ll be facing. A warrior prepares for all outcomes.”

  “No,” she said. “Prepare to come home. That’s the only outcome we’ll accept.”

  He chuckled. “As stubborn as your mother. I’m a fool, but it only makes me love you more.” He pulled her into a hug, and she closed her eyes, breathing in his scent of oiled leather and fresh mint. He released her and turned. She knelt and opened her arms to Ryu to give him a hug too, squeezing his fluffy lion mane tightly in her arms. “Keep him safe, Ryu,” she whispered in his ear as his wiry whiskers tickled her neck.