Vera straightens her back and looks at me with wide eyes. I roll my own at Vera and offer my respects to Kazh, the run-down inn owner and the outcast, who apparently is Oka Oya, the legendary Decarios teacher.
Kazh pockets the box with the ring. “What do you want from me?”
“I want you to train me and help me prepare to winVal’taz Ezkairin,” I say.
“So, not only have you thrown yourself into Order of Ezkai business, but now you want to be the General, too?” She scoffs. “No. Is that all?”
I’m bewildered.
Before I can say anything, Vera speaks. “Please, Oka Oya. Ezkai Phoenix needs your guidance. Ekios needs your protection. The late Ezkai General Kitajo Hiromasa was assassinated by Caligos, just so they can put the heir of one of their strongest families as the leader of the country. Is that the future for Ekios you want? If Phoenix doesn’t win and become the next Ezkai General, we’ll have Caligos running the country into the ground.”
I knew it. I knew a man like Kitajo couldn’t have died from a fucking heart attack. That accidental slip Daegel had… It stings. Not only did he know the truth, and hid it from me, but he tried to gaslight me about it.
“I know all about Caligos and their greed,” Kazh spits. “That is why I told this reckless girl when she came here and wanted to join the Order of Ezkai that she has gotten herself into themiddle of the situation she doesn’t understand. And now, I have to get involved to help save her ass? Drop out.”
Vera shakes her head. “You would be helping us save the future of Ekios. Once Caligos are in full power…there will be nothing we can do to stop their corruption.”
Kazh shakes her head. “Never before has anyone defiled and disrespected our ancient traditions as Caligos have with this assassination. I’m afraid it might be too late. Your ambition is honorable and admirable, though.”
“Please,” I say.“It’s not too late. If you help me train and prepare, and with Vera’s support behind me, I can win this. I can become the next Ezkai General and ensure that Caligos don’t win more power than they already have.”
Kazh clicks her tongue and cocks her head. For a long time, she doesn’t say anything, just stares at me. I keep her gaze confidently.
Finally, she speaks. “You sing so beautifully, it makes me wonder why a godsdamnedgadgicares so much about the future of the land that’s been nothing but cruel to her?”
I press my lips into a thin line. Vera remains silent.
This is just between me and Kazh.
“I have come here led by a desire to claim vengeance for my family’s cruel murder. King Francis owes me a blood debt and I intend to collect it,” I say, lifting my chin. “King Francis is as greedy and corrupt as Caligos are. If one deserves to fall, so does the other. I have dedicated my life to ending King Francis’s reign—what’s one more enemy on that list?”
I brace for her to berate me.
“At least you don’t pretend to be a noble heart. I can respect that,” she snorts. Her words surprise me, and hope blooms in my chest. “Fine. If you survive past the Starless Night, I’ll train you and guide you through these trials.”
That doesn’t sound too hard. I can do it.
“Thank you,” I say and bow deeply. “You’ll not regret it.”
Kazh waves her hand. “Don’t bother me until after the Starless Night.Ifyou’re alive.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
PHOENIX
I wear a dress made out of a sheerest black silk for the Cleansing. The fabric is so light, I’m not even sure it counts as clothes. I keep looking down to make sure the dress is on me, covering all the right areas.
My naked skin peeks through it. My scars are on display for everyone’s eyes to see. I can’t wear my gloves, so I try to keep my hands behind my back, out of sight.
I stand surrounded by four Ezkai, dressed in black leathers. Their faces are covered with plain white masks. Other participants are lined up on each side of me in this huge hall, accompanied by four Ezkai each. We’re somewhere deep under the Ezkai Castle, waiting for the ritual to start.
I’m nervous.
Not only because everyone can see my scarred flesh, but also because I have no clue what to expect. This part of preparation is supposed to help us cleanse our souls and minds. What on earth does it mean?
During my Decarios training in Wetra, we had no cleansing of our spirts or minds. It was all brutal, physical training to prepare the body and the mind to withstand the worst.
I am so out of my depth here.
