Silvia. Ive heard the story, too, even though it happened long before I was born. Everyones heard it. Demons are huge monsters and youre lucky if you can beat one, but two
To be honest, Daniel goes on, the stories that I loved the most were the ones about you and your sisters. I truly admired the last Maras and your bravery in the face of what happened to your sister Anna.
My cheerfulness is gone like it was never there. Thats what my sisters name does to me.
Theres nothing to admire, Your Highness, I say drily, there is nothing romantic about death.
Well, it may be small consolation, but then I believe you would agree that walking the earth again is quite an improvement on lying in it.
I turn my head a little to catch a glimpse of Morok, whos following us at a respectful distance. Hes sitting very straight on his black steed and looks straight ahead. He doesnt fidget or look around. He positively looks like a statue.
I lean sideways, a bit closer to Daniel so that my voice doesnt carry.
Your Highness, how come a Shadows servant is helping the Crown?
It is said that Moroks appear where and when they are needed, so it is useless to seek them out, the prince answers mysteriously. After Maras were gone, common people had it particularly bad and they hoped that Moroks would step in to do Maras job. But they just vanished. Some people say they left because of you, but no one knows the real reason. Now Daniel leans towards me. You cant really ask them, can you. Moroks are not really big on conversation.
I try to stifle a giggle and just nod in agreement.
Some say that Moroks are people too and they need to pay for their food. And who can pay more than the king himself?
Morok is working for you for gold? The idea seems ridiculous at first, but come to think of it, I can remember occasional stories about Moroks running errands for the Crown and not out of the goodness of their hearts. Maras see taking gold for their work as unbecoming. Weve never asked for pay, people used to make offerings of their own volition.
They are sometimes called hired shadows now, Daniels voice is no more than a whisper. Some people say that times have changed and the Shadow has lost the last shreds of its dignity.
I keep silent and contemplate his words.
The Shadows never had dignity. The flat but loud voice from behind startles us both. Morok must have come closer during my conversation with Daniel and overheard part of it, if not the whole thing.
He says no more but for a while. And Daniel keeps silent, too. I pull myself together and decide to ask him the last questions that have been on my mind since I was raised from the dead.
Does Serat still exist?
Unfortunately, it does.
Who is ruling it now?
The younger son of the late king Aleksey, Severin Lasnetsov. The prince looks almost pensive now. Actually, it should have been the eldest son, his name escapes me, but he died when he was still a child.
What are the relationships between the kingdoms?
Daniel cocks his head a little and gives me a searching look. I tried to keep my voice steady while asking the question but Im not so stupid as to believe he wont suspect the reason for my curiosity.
Araken and Serat are at war. After what they did, my ancestors had no choice. At the beginning, it was a full-fledged war, but now it has turned into a protracted conflict. There are occasional clashes on the border but no real battles. However, we keep a close eye on the enemy and shoot on sight whenever anyone crosses the border from Serat.
I can only nod as my voice fails me. I grit my teeth and tighten my grip on the reins. My leather gloves creak in protest.
Not to worry, my dear Agatha. One day, we will wipe Serat from the face of the earth. I will not rest easy till I do. And when I do it the prince waits for me to look up at him, it will be for you.
6
Anna, that is a pretty dress but it wont do for training. You should wear trousers and a shirt.
Its not the first time I have to tell my little sister off for wearing the wrong outfit for her training. She hates working out. Im not a big fan of running, push-ups and pull-ups myself, but its part of our job. Our duty is not only to worship and serve Morana, but also to look beautiful in our scarlet cloaks. Strangely enough, our looks play an important role, too, and there is a host of rules we must obey. But be that as it may, I still believe that our ability to kill evil spirits remains our main asset. Yes, we can see and sever threads of life but to be able to get to them we must fight, and for that we need training, just like common people.
I can understand my sister though, I loved pretty dresses too. I used to try to make myself more beautiful, wanted to draw admiring glances of both men and women, like the ones they cast at my sister now whenever we enter a town or a village. But soon enough, I abandoned those attempts and started dedicating more time to mastering the art of swordplay. So, my go-to outfit became figure-hugging trousers and shirts and caftans the color of blood. These are normally mens clothes, but a few sisters dress in a similar fashion, as it is more convenient for horseback-riding and for battle. The temple keepers sew more feminine fits for us so that we can wear them both at work and at court, if need be.
What help will your sword be if you get entangled in your own skirt?
Im chiding her right out in a light temple hall, where any Mara can see us, or hear us for that matter because Im making no effort to keep my voice low. Though my loud tirades may also be the reason other sisters prefer to steer clear of this particular hall. When I turned fifteen, other Maras re-assigned me the task of looking after Anna as they were eager to create the best possible conditions for her, the ones none of us could have. Ive always been nice to my baby sister, tried to protect her from any harm. I thought the transition to the life of a Mara was hard on her.
Anna is slim and delicate and every time shed told me she has trouble breathing after a few minutes of running or that she cant lift a sword (though she is pretty good with stilettoes, fighting knives with long thin blades), Ive believed her. When she came up with a hundred excuses for missing training and swore that shed never do it again, I believed her.
I believed everything she told me before I realized she was taking advantage of me.
My little sister knows she has a pretty face and those big eyes you cant say no to, so she very quickly learnt how to make the most of it by manipulating people and always getting her way. Even the eldest and strictest of sisters melt before her. I suspect they see a daughter in her rather than a younger sister. I know that Anna does not have ill intentions though, shes just being selfish. She doesnt want to do things she doesnt like.
In a month, Anna will turn seventeen. Her theoretical knowledge is excellent and shes diligent when it comes to study, but she still cant hold her own in a fight. And part of that is my fault, Ive been too lenient with her. So, I have dug myself into a hole, which almost consumed me half a year ago.
On that day, four sisters including me and Anna, were sent to one of the lakes to deal with the souls of drowned men. A few people from the nearby village thought theyd seen dead people walking near the lake. We found four of them.
These souls are disgusting but they arent as quick as the ghouls in the woods around the lakes. Nevertheless, even souls were too quick for Anna. Years of training didnt help much and she was standing there brandishing her sword without touching the dead. It was a sheer stroke of luck that I noticed just as a soul almost seized her. What I needed to do was to chop off its head but there was no time, so I just pushed Anna out of the way throwing myself in her stead. The creature sank its rotten teeth into my arm and dragged me off into the water. If it hadnt been for sister Yana, who saved me, I would have drowned.
Since that day, Ive tried to be stricter with Anna: Ive told her off more and indulged her less. I sigh every time Irina teases me for having turned grumpy and cranky. I dont enjoy lecturing my sister but I dont have much choice.
She continues staring at the stone floor, sheepishly fidgeting with the long sleeve of her crimson dress and black corset. I refuse to be swayed by that innocent pose.
Anna!
Sister, she answers obediently, lifting up her sky-blue eyes to me. But as soon as she realizes her charms arent working, she drops all pretense. Come on, you know Im not cut out for this! Its not that I dont try! Ive memorized every evil spirit and how to kill it!
I know but
Its when it comes to weapons I just cant! Im not as strong as you. Id love to be but I cant!
You know very well I dont have any special talent. Its the result of regular training and hard work.
Anna falls silent, she has nothing to say to that. And its not the first time weve had this talk either. I take in a deep breath and let it out, trying not to give in to anger. It works. I take my sister by the shoulders and make her look me in the eye.
Anna, I love you and I know you. If I could, I would send you home right now, I would spare you this fate. But I cant
The corners of her mouth turn down. She knows it but cant accept it. Shes still clinging to a childish hope that I can somehow save her from this life. But I cant, no one can.
Other sisters see I cant keep you in check. I am sure it wont be long till they re-assign your training to someone else. Do you really want that?
I dont.
Then you will go change and come back for training. I nod.
Okay. Sorry, it wont happen again.
How many times have I heard that?
You promise?
I promise, she mumbles and gives me a hug.
I hug her back, stroking her back and a wave of her jet-black hair. Suddenly, I take a step back.
Anna, where did you get this dress?
She looks agitated and I dont like it. I hold her by the shoulders and she tries to escape my grip but Im stronger, so she yields.
Anna, I repeat sternly.
Ive bought it, she says uncertainly.
We dont have this kind of money! What is that? Serat silk? I gasp feeling her sleeve. It must have cost a fortune!
She seizes the opportunity and breaks free. She runs a few feet and turns back to me.
Dont be mad, Agatha. Its just a gift. She tries on that sheepish grin of hers again but I know better. This is too big.
Who is rich enough to give you such a gift? I ask her.
It it doesnt matter
Yes, it does! I run up to her and grasp her elbow so that she cant escape again. Shes still shorter and thinner than me but she runs faster. Its a pity she does it in all the wrong situations.
Was it a man?
She bites her lower lip and this childish habit gives her away.
You didnt! He How How could you I struggle to get the words out, incredulous, unable to calm myself this time.
I look around to make sure there are no witnesses and drag her into the nearest room. She doesnt resist and obediently shuffles behind me, lifting the skirt of her dress, which tangles around her feet. I double check the room is empty and lock it from the inside. The place is dark and dusty but I couldnt care less. I put my hands on my hips and turn to Anna, cutting her off from the door too, just in case.
Who is he?!
Anna refuses to look at me again and dusts off her sleeve instead.
His name is Arian, hes the Prince of Serat.
The breath I was unconsciously holding escapes in an exasperated sigh.
Anna, you know it will never lead to anything! And a prince
I know Ill have no husband! she snaps suddenly.
I am speechless for a moment. Its the first time she has dared to speak to me like that. I didnt even know she could. She notices my confusion and her boldness is gone. Her shoulders sink and she lowers her head again.
I know, she repeats, but why is it so wrong that I want a little bit of love? Its not forbidden, is it?
Its not that, Anna. Hes a prince. The path of politics is paved with razor-sharp knives. If someone learns about you, you could be in danger. If the king decides, for instance, that a Mara is not worthy of his son and your affair is tarnishing the Crown
I suddenly feel exhausted and sink into a wooden chair. Its beautifully carved, but blanketed in dust. Anna comes up to me and I take her hands in mine.
Im only nineteen, sister. I can try to protect you from evil spirits lurking in the woods and under the water, but I cant protect you from political intrigues, let alone a broken heart. And if you love him, your heart will break. It will break the moment youll have to part. Does he love you?
Yes, she says with a serious expression on still a childs face.
And do you?
I love him, too.
Oh, Anna
She smiles at me and starts stroking my hair, not as shiny as hers but just as black.
Dont worry about me, Agatha. I have never been so happy! If you could just see his smile its so charming. And his hair is like gold, and when you feel it, its even softer than Serat silk! Ive never seen anyone so handsome
A dreamy smile is playing on her lips, but my smile is rueful. I dont know what Im feeling anymore. Im angry with her and I worry like crazy, but maybe Im also jealous. Everything seems to just fall into her lap. She will even know love, however fleeting, and Ive only been loved by my parents and have already forgotten how it feels.
Alright, sister, so be it. I wont interfere with your happiness or try to talk you out of this madness. Its beyond my powers.
Anna is beside herself with joy. If I wasnt holding her hands, she would start twirling. But I give her hands a squeeze to get her attention back.
But I want you to introduce me to him.
You wont go threatening him or anything, will you?
Maybe just a little, I say with a straight face and she believes me and shoots me a frightened look. I let out a laugh but then put on a serious expression again.
Theres one more condition.
Oh no she moans.
Ill keep silent and wont tell the sisters anything as long as you start working hard. I want you to get really serious about your training.
She knows its a trap. Shes breathing noisily and tries to find a way out. But theres none, so I try not to look too smug.
Okay, okay, I promise, she finally gives up.
He must be really handsome. I laugh and dodge when her hand lashes out at me.
7
Yarat has sprawled.
It is my first thought when we climb the hill and the city stretches out before us. Yarat sits on a plain on the north-west of Araken. But the city is growing and I catch myself thinking that in a few decades it will probably swallow the gulf port too. The heavy clouds are blocking sunrays and the city seems gloomy. High spires of temples and the gilded roof of the royal palace look duller. We are still far away and all the houses are tiny, like childrens toys, with the palace standing out against them. It has several storeys and its longer than it is wide. However, it takes up a huge area and the adjacent square looks enormous even from where we are standing.
I am used to the life of an isolated temple, so Ive never liked big cities, let alone capitals. Ive only been to the capital of Serat once. But even then, I didnt have time for sightseeing, I dashed through the city and the only thing I had time to take note of was a somber palace faced in grey marble. Ive visited Yarat a few times, and it leaves me unimpressed. But Im sure this trip will be especially unpleasant.
I turn my gaze to the Quiet Gulf in the distance. Its waters are always calm thanks to the three islands in the bay that break any ocean waves.
Its beautiful, isnt it? Daniel trots up to me on his steed. Morok falls back, but only by a few feet.
They still dont trust me. And they are right, of course. Moreover, I prefer Moroks silent company to that of Captain Dariy, who snaps at me every few minutes or so because I am not being respectful enough towards His Highness.