“Where are we going?” Lyra asked as she rose with MistyTrail.
“To your room,” MistyTrail said simply. “There I will explain what I can to you.”
Lyra followed MistyTrail in silence. It took a while to make the trip back to the palace, but Lyra did not press MistyTrail with any more questions. Instead she pondered what MistyTrail had already told her and it began to make some sense, although she still found it hard to believe that a whole population could conceal their feelings all of the time.
Most of the people who resided in the palace were at dinner and they did not pass anyone on the way to Lyra’s room. Lyra opened the door and let MistyTrail in and then sat on the floor.
MistyTrail walked over to Lyra’s belongings and grabbed Lyra’s sword. Lyra flinched as MistyTrail drew the sword clear of its sheath and Lyra thought maybe she had misjudged the little warrior as a tinge of fear shot through her. MistyTrail walked over to Lyra and handed the sword to her.
“A fine sword,” commented MistyTrail. “A very unusual design. I took notice of it in the wilderness when I first saw you.”
“It was my brother’s,” Lyra explained questioningly. “He never went anywhere without it and Rhodella treasured it when he died. She told me to take it with me just before she died.”
“I know it meant the world to him,” MistyTrail stated. “I remember when it was given to him.”
“Given to him?” Lyra asked. “Who gave it to him? Is it the type of sword you get when you join the Sakovans?”
“Have you not bothered to look at the sword yet?” MistyTrail inquired.
Lyra was becoming frustrated with this game of answering questions with questions and she quickly skimmed her eyes over the sword just to make MistyTrail happy. Her eyes stopped at a small engraving near the hilt that she had never seen before and she shook her head in wonder.
“So you have finally seen it,” MistyTrail smiled. “It is Sakovan custom to engrave gifts in this fashion.”
“But that could be anyone,” Lyra protested. “Those initials could probably fit a dozen people.”
“Could, but they don’t and I am sure you now realize it,” MistyTrail declared.
“I don’t understand,” frowned Lyra. “Why would she give him this sword?”
“There is much that you do not understand,” agreed MistyTrail. “They were to be wed. StarWind was a mage in training at the time and LoneBadger was a fiery spirit who thought he was the best spy the Sakovans ever had. He probably was. He impressed everyone with the need to increase our spy network so that we would not be caught unawares by the Omungans. After his death, StarWind asked for a job as a spy. RavenWing was reticent to let her try it because he knew of their relationship and he thought StarWind was trying to throw her life away. She pushed until she got what she wanted and she quickly moved up in the ranks to become the spymaster. Since that time, she has created the most extensive spy network the Sakovans have ever had.”
“I have been such a fool,” cried Lyra. “How could I have been so blind? I thought she was a cold heartless creature pushing her agenda on everyone around her.”
“I do not know if you looked into the dining room as we passed,” MistyTrail said softly, “but if you did, you would have noticed that she was not there. I suspect the tears brought on by having to relive his death for your benefit are probably flowing under the door of her room and out into the corridor. I do not say this to you to cause you pain, Lyra. I want you to truly understand us. We hurt like anyone else, probably even more because we are such a small community and everyone knows everyone. No matter who the Sakovan is who dies, one of us knows him and all of us will miss him.”
“Thank you MistyTrail,” cried Lyra. “What can I do for StarWind? Should I go to her and apologize? What would a Sakovan do?”
“First you must decide what you will do for yourself before you can think about what you will do for StarWind. He was your loss too and I know much of what you are learning here must be a shock for you. StarWind has lived with her grief for a long time. She will get through this. You will do well to remember this though. Rather than try to force people to take up the Sakovan cause, we are actually reticent to accept outsiders. We will allow you to live here and we will train you in whatever discipline you want, but acceptance here must be earned. This is true for Sakovans as well as outlanders. You may decide you want no part of our struggle. Your choice will be accepted whatever it is.”
“I feel miserable, MistyTrail,” confided Lyra. “I cannot imagine how terrible I made her feel.”
“StarWind is strong,” smiled MistyTrail. “She knows how to accept pain and she will be fine in the morning. Do not dwell further on it. We leave in the morning for the wilderness. It would be nice if you showed up to see us off. Think about it tonight and do it if you feel comfortable with it. I must go now and get ready, but if you need to talk more, I will see you when we get back.”
If you get back, Lyra thought with tears in her eyes as MistyTrail left the room. She ran her fingers over the ‘SW‘ engraved in the sword and realized how little she knew about the people who had been the closest to her. Perhaps she had been too busy with her own life to take the time to get to know her family. Given the chance, she vowed, she would not make that mistake again. Wiping the tears from her eyes, Lyra opened the door and strode down the hall to StarWind’s room. She knocked softly and did not hear a reply so she knocked louder. There was still no reply and Lyra put her ear to the door. At first she thought the room was silent, but then she heard a distant sobbing.
Lyra quietly opened the door and entered the room. Her puffy eyes scanned the dark room and she eventually saw StarWind sitting on the floor in the corner by the window. She quietly closed the door and padded over to the corner and slid down beside StarWind. StarWind did not acknowledge her presence and Lyra wrapped her arms around the sobbing Sakovan and hugged her. StarWind looked up and stared at Lyra for a moment and then hugged her back. They sat in the corner for a long time, tears flowing freely until there were no more tears to give.
Eventually, Lyra pulled back. “I am sorry StarWind. I did not know, could not know. I guess I never knew my own family very well.”
StarWind wiped her eyes and gave a weak but warm smile. “You have a family now if you want it. You will be like a sister to me. Whatever you want to do, I will try to make happen. I will never let you down.”
“Nor I you,” promised Lyra.
Chapter 17
Schemes
“Enter,” called RavenWing as he tossed his long white mane over his shoulders and rose.
“Tayo, RavenWing,” greeted StarWind. “We are ready to leave. There are some things you should be aware of in my absence.”
“Sit,” offered RavenWing. “First tell me the state of our visitors.”
“I think they are fast becoming more than visitors,” StarWind smiled. “The boys have taken to practicing with the troops and they show promise. Their skills are well below that of a Sakovan of the same age, but they are strong and eager learners. Given time they will make fine warriors, although neither has a lick of magic. They have both expressed a desire to remain here and I believe the sentiment to be sincere. Still a period of watching is necessary.”
“Good, good,” nodded RavenWing. “That will eliminate one problem for me. And Lyra?”
“Lyra must begin mage training today,” smiled StarWind. “I have told her about WinterWind and the reason she left. She knows all about LoneBadger. It was a troublesome time for a while, but we are past it now. She will be a strong addition to our mage corps. She has the power and learns quickly, but we must concentrate on improving her control. As I suspected, she is Sakovan, heart and soul. It was rough for her to make the transition in the midst of all that is happening to her, but she is resilient.”