For those of you who have already read Orphan of the Shadows, this post will mean little to you–unless, of course, you want to read the whole book over again for the 5th time. (many of you have already told me you have read the book again and again. Thank you for that!) But for those who have not read the book yet, I thought you might like a glimpse of the hard-core story itself. So here it is from the very beginning! (BTW Kaj is pronounced as KAI)
Queen hAmari gracefully walked through the brightly lit hallways of Cair Acrion. It was her home, a castle in the sky, which floated about to wherever it willed above the Realm of Alëunná. In her hand the Queen held a staff made of magical willow bark, possessing a large purple gem at its tip. Even when she wasn’t using it, she could feel its power surging through her bones, but that power was growing faint. She was not old in any way, but lately she was beginning to feel drained. She felt as if half of her was somewhere else while the other half was left behind in an effort to hold her being together. That was the case, and it almost scared her. Half of her was missing—slowly draining out; it was leaving to find another girl to live in.
hAmari was dying.
She could not deny it, but she dared not tell anyone. She didn’t want them to fear for her; though, she feared for them. If she didn’t find her successor, then the world would be in chaos. She and her connection with the people was what helped hold not only the realm, but all of Bratched together. Keeping the balance was a harder task than people knew, and the fact that she was the only one who knew how to do it didn’t help.
If finding her successor was as simple as picking the best looking candidate and placing her on the throne, she would not worry so much. Unfortunately, that was not the case; hAmari wasn’t the one who got to choose her successor. The choosing was done by the King and by the spirit within her: the Spirit of Alëunná. Nevertheless, whoever the girl was, she had to be found before hAmari died and before anything horrible happened to the chosen girl. The present Queen needed to teach her.
As if finding the Queen-to-be wasn’t enough, more trouble lay ahead because Darkness would be searching for her too. If evil got their hands on her, they would manipulate the girl and make her fight for their cause. She would be placed on the throne with corrupt views, and Darkness would rule.
hAmari closed her eyes as she walked and prayed that the new Queen would be safely hidden from evil until she found her. Then hAmari arrived at the end of the hall and stepped up to the balcony rail that lined the end. There she gazed down into the average-sized training quarters and watched her son, Zedikajah, practicing below.
As she watched him, she thought about her son’s life. Though he was only sixteen, he was wise beyond his years. There was no reason for him not to be, he was the offspring of the women who carried the Spirit of Alëunná within her. It would be strange if he were not special.
For a few moments, she continued to observe him in the midst of his training lesson. Diligently he ran forth and jumped. In midair he twisted himself around and thrust his dagger at the target before him as he descended.
It hit the bull’s eye as he landed, perfectly crouched, on one knee. Rising, he clapped his hands and wiped away the dust that soiled them. His handsome face was flawless and smooth, and his emerald eyes sparkled in the bright light of the room. His pale, blond hair shimmered with a touch of red in the light and resembled his mother’s. hAmari was pleased to have him for a son, and anyone could see the affection their relationship shared.
Though his back was to the Queen, Zedikajah knew his mother was there. He could sense her, or at least he sensed the spirit. He knew it was weaker than normal, and his face fell at the realization. Unhappily, he turned to look at her with his emerald-green eyes, knowing something was wrong.
hAmari smiled instead of letting him grow in fear and waved gracefully down to him. She would not have him sad. He had an important mission to fulfill. He was the only one other than his twin sister who could find the new Queen and compared to Gwenhafar, he was more adequately equipped for the job. His twin sister was studying in Èlena Kingdom, and though she did not lack the ability to wield a sword, she was no warrior like her brother. Therefore, if one was going to fight the enemy, why not send him, one of the best swordfighters and martial artists in the realm? If one was going to travel the kingdoms, who better to send than a master of languages and accents?
Without a word, Kaj left the servants and ignored their questioning glances as he ran up the spiral stairs to the Queen.
“Mother,” he said, concern written on his face, “my Queen, what is wrong?”
She smiled at him, using the masked face she had perfected as Queen. “Come with me, my son.” The words flowed like honey from her lips. “We must speak in private.”
The prince bowed slightly and turned with an arm raised. From out of the beams in the ceiling, his white falcon flew to his arm, and as she landed, the golden flecks of color in her wings reflected the light.
Ö hágádèzhálá, (She is not healthy) the falcon thought to her princely friend.
I know, Kaj thought back glumly.
Silently the two followed their Queen through the castle halls and to a beautiful, hidden chamber. There, hAmari took a seat, and Kaj still stared at her remorsefully, causing the room to remain quiet. Not even the falcon fluttered or twitched.
“Zedikajah, dear, please do not look at me like that.”
“But, Mom, you are—”
“I know,” she said, cutting him off, “but it is not bad yet. You are very sensitive to the spirit. She has barely left me. Do not fear so much.”
“But—”
hAmari’s voice was stronger as she cut him off again. It had a power behind it that only she could possess, “Be not deceived, child of the Queen. I will last until the time is right.”
Kaj bowed his head. The Spirit of Alëunná residing in his mother had spoken, and he could not argue.
“I have a task for you,” the Spirit of Alëunná continued. “I believe you know what it is.”
Kaj looked at his mother. His throat was dry with the lack of words and even the falcon remained silent. They knew what the Queen was going to tell him, but both of them no longer knew what to think.
Without speaking, hAmari reached for the large purple stone on her staff and whispered words of power. No sooner did she finish whispering before a strap of dark leather appeared out from the gem. This she grabbed hold of and began to pull. The leather stretched from the stone until it became a belt with five different colored stones, each with their own unique pattern.
Kaj did not know whether to be excited or depressed. This was what he had waited for his whole life. This is what all of his training was for, to find the Queen-to-come, but it never occurred to him it’d be at the expense of his mother’s life. He could barely stomach it; his emotions were so confused.
As he stood in conflict with himself, hAmari also pulled out a star shaped medallion from the staff ’s purple stone and let it rest on her lap.
“My son,” she said in her normal, loving voice, while beckoning him to her side. He knelt before her, his emotions still conflicting with one another. “This is the belt and medallion of Anders, the very first emissary who sought for the very first Queen.” She gracefully placed the thick chain of the medallion around his neck. “They are to be yours on your trek to find our Princess.” A spark of pain flashed in hAmari’s eyes, but she hid it almost too fast for Kaj to notice. He did, though, and his heart turned in fear.
“Do not fear for me, Zedikajah. Be strong for the realm. Find the new Queen and bring her to me before it is too late. I cannot do it myself. I have not the energy to both find her and keep the realm safe. It is all on your shoulders, my son. You were born for this. You were destined for this. You will succeed. I have full confidence in you.”
Kaj tied the belt to his waist. He had no idea how to use it or even if he would need it.
You will know when the time is right. The falcon thought, knowing his thoughts. Every emissary since Anders has known how to use the belt.
Kaj tried to believe her, but he wasn’t so sure now.
“You will be great my son.” The Queen said, sliding to her knees so gracefully, she appeared almost un-human. Then she embraced him and started the Aluens Farewell, “May your weapon always hit
its mark.”
He struggled to keep his voice steady as he said the reply, “And may your aim always be true.”
hAmari pulled back to hold him at arm’s length. “I love you, my son. Now go, do the spirit’s will and keep the King close in all you do.”
A tear fell from Kaj’s emerald eyes, and he gave her one last hug. This may be the last time he ever saw her, and he didn’t want to let her go.
