Author of the Cygnus Sci Fi multi award series Citadel 7
Citadel7online.com
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ISBN: 9780994215307
Cover art by Dai Cameron
Acknowledgments
Thanks to all who have supported Citadel Superverse stories thus far.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Tasked with Trouble
Chapter 2: Nooses and Hangmen
Chapter 3: Interlocking Circles
Epilogue
Chapter 1
Tasked with Trouble
“I am Talaza Bane. I am Quall clan from Black Mountain. Enemies and allies call our world ‘Tora.’ It means ‘engage.’ Our land is known as Ludd’s Heart. This is where the heavens turned Quall from light to solid and our purpose was defined by the voice on the wind who spoke to our first mystic, Korta. The deep ocean waters lay many days’ walk through dangerous forest and the ribbon grasses of the rolling tundra away to the eastern Ludd shores. Our clan and mystics are oldest of all Quall clans and have far reach and respect amidst those with only two arms and legs. We Quall of Black Mountain are most highly prized in the Quall assassin guild of greater Ludd for our stealth, use of the blade, and secret ways of removing our patron’s target. There are many kur-jar, those with an open face, who need a Quall’s skill to remove what they cannot. Other non-Quall clans are known to us beyond the shadow of Black Mountain. Black Mountain’s heart has not shaken since my youth and face were covered by sunlight. Elder Makayass says Black Mountain is pleased with our clan’s courage to fulfill our purpose before we are returned to dust. We Quall of Black Mountain in turn respect the life and sanctuary our mountain provides.
“As I stand on this red cliff looking down on the stendle tree valley below, with only my thoughts to listen to, the winds have changed and grown cold for another round. Leaf fall is at hand. Soon the silk-water will begin to fall, covering the earth in white. In seasons past, Quall of Black Mountain would not leave from now until the season of bloom would begin. But, since the mystic Tatute told Elder Makayass of seeing the star lord fall to earth and hide in the forests amidst the west valley down there, I know this time will be different.”
///
“Talaza? Talaza? Oh, here you are. Thought I might find you out here on this ledge. Arguing in your head again?”
“My bones are uneasy, Analuke. We have been wed long enough for you to know my bones don’t lie. I know our mountain will see great change very soon.”
“You could at least turn around to talk to me, husband. Your eyes always tell me the deeper meanings before your words caress my ears. Talaza, please, look at me. That’s better. Look at you! Fingers twitching on all four hands. You look like you’ve forgotten how to wrap your head as well. What an example this is for our sons.”
“My concerns are for all our futures with what we’ve seen. Nervous? Of course I am, wife! You saw it too—up close.”
“Husband, you’re supposed to be tutoring Sooza in blade craft an hour ago. It would help release the tension. His rite of passage is coming soon. He’s depending on you. What has you so picked apart? We presented our findings and there is an end to our part.”
“When Makayass ordered us to go and see the place Tatute spoke of and then to bring back what our eyes beheld, I thought it would be something quite different. What we had to tell caused much whispering between Mystic Tatute and Elder Makayass.
“So? They always do a lot of whispering.”
“Not like this time. This time was different. That landing star really stirred them up this time. There is a deeper meaning, Analuke. The star lords are planning something with the wind’s voice. I know it.”
“Husband, the silk-water begins to fall and now the ground is almost white. Elder Makayass has been to consult Mystic Tatute many times as the moon has crossed our sky this round.”
“Yes, and Elder Makayass sent messengers to the other clans in that time and called for the great circle to convene. Not in half my lifetime has he done that. That was two nights ago, and we are on the eve of a master-level elimination. It is not a good sign, wife of mine.”
“Under the sign of both half-moons and in front of all the other clan elders of the four directions, Mystic Tatute told of a great change coming to our world. It was the stranger he seemed more concerned about than the star lords, husband. He said it is the stranger we have to prepare for. The stranger is the one who will bring the change. We are soldiers who have our place. Elder Makayass points us and we eliminate the target. That’s all we need to concern ourselves with, husband. If that target be the stranger, we shall see the order filled and then move on.”
“Mystic Tatute said he heard the Dark Star’s voice on the wind again this morning, wife. This, as always, means an omen of twisted things, and twisted things never favor the Quall in the long run. I have seen it.”
“So my husband is a mystic too now? Maybe this time will be different.”
“Stop straining your top knot, wife. You know what I meant. Tatute is never wrong.”
“Well, you best come see what else he has to say, then. The bones have chosen you and me to leave the mountain and see to a problem involving a Scarzen commander and one of the high officials of Flaxon Regent Trabonus in Weirawind. That sound like something to better occupy your time with?”
///
Entering Elder Makayass’s wood-and-stone yurt of parley at the center of Black Mountain hamlet, Talaza and Analuke smelled fine sandalwood and burned pine needles from an in-ground fire pit at the house center. The space, while spartan in its furnishings, felt welcoming, with rugs strewn at various strategic places for guests of different standing. Talaza watched smoke spiral aloft in ribbons to finally dissipate through a cone cover that sealed the roof. He unclasped his hamlet plaid a step farther inside, and Analuke, two paces behind, did the same with her arisaid. Both folded back their shoulder garment that displayed their clan colors, forming it into the customary triangular shape, and then they moved toward the interview rugs near the feet of Makayass. Mystic Tatute stood to Makayass’s left, thin-fingered black gloves pressed over the pommel of his divining spear, which came level to his sternum.