Rayna's Sacrifice (The Katori Chronicles Book 3) Read online

  Rayna's Sacrifice

  The Katori Chronicles

  A. D. Lombardo

  Nichols INK

  Copyright © 2020 A. D. Lombardo

  Rayna’s Sacrifice

  The Katori Chronicles Book 3

  A. D. Lombardo

  This work is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used factiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system, or otherwise, without express written permission of the author or publisher—except for the use of brief quotations for a book review.

  Published by Nichols INK

  ISBN (e-Book): 978-1-7333376-5-6

  Cover design by A. D. Lombardo

  First Edition 2020

  www.ADLombardo.com

  I dedicate this book to my son Connor,

  his joy of reading and enthusiasm for my work,

  changed my life.

  BOOKS BY A. D. LOMBARDO

  The Katori Chronicles:

  The Half-Light

  Mariana’s Secret

  Rayna’s Sacrifice

  Acknowledgments

  Some so many people were instrumental in creating book three. Each of you, and you know who you are, gave me a little bit of yourselves when I needed it most. You encouraged me to keep going through significant changes that broke this book in half.

  I remember being thrilled with my original manuscript and eagerly awaited news from my editor, Keith. I was sure it would only need a few adjustments here and there before it would be perfect. When I received my first round of edits, I can honestly say I was speechless.

  His comments were positive, glowing even, then I reached the third chapter of the book. From there, the typical suggestions began—enhance this and cut that. When I neared the middle of the book, I sank in my seat. Let me sum up the rest of his edits with this idea.

  Imagine asking a professional landscaper to tidy your yard with pruning shears and a weed-whacker. Only to come home and find he took a machete and a backhoe to everything.

  My husband’s response. “Hey, the guy is putting in a pool. Go with it!”

  Once I took a two-day breather, I eased into his suggestions, and I began again. With a new purpose for the story, I changed the name and resubmitted it. Because of Keith, this story became something new—something better. Thank you.

  As always, I must thank my son, Connor, for his encouragement and willingness to read and reread at a moment’s notice. A big thank you to my devoted husband; I don’t know where I would be without you. We have juggled so much over the past six months. I am happy I was holding your hand through it all.

  Special thanks to my family and friends for your continued support. And last but not least, thank you, Buddy, for keeping my company at four in the morning.

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1 Stormy Weather

  Chapter 2 Old Friends

  Chapter 3 Waterfall Hunting

  Chapter 4 Shifting Landscape

  Chapter 5 Dragon’s Breath

  Chapter 6 Relentless Guardians

  Chapter 7 Conhaspriga

  Chapter 8 Alenga’s Blessing

  Chapter 9 The Agora

  Chapter 10 Pineapple Sage

  Chapter 11 The Hiowind Tribe

  Chapter 12 Deception

  Chapter 13 Rayna’s Awakening

  Chapter 14 Ryker’s Truth

  Chapter 15 The Maze

  Chapter 16 Snowy Climb

  Chapter 17 The Black Soul

  Chapter 18 Fighting Dragons

  Chapter 19 The Oak Sisters

  Chapter 20 The Kodama

  Chapter 21 Lucca’s Betrayal

  Chapter 22 The Rafter

  Chapter 23 Caught in the Middle

  Chapter 24 Within Reach

  Chapter 25 The Gemidi

  Chapter 26 Island Hopping

  Chapter 27 A Line in the Sand

  Chapter 28 The Hunted

  Chapter 29 Promises & Forgiveness

  Chapter 30 Mariana

  Chapter 31 Let There Be Light

  Prologue

  Keegan’s reflection danced upon the waves as he cast an angry glance across the sea. His gaze narrowed on the horizon behind his ship. The plumes of smoke from Port Anahita were barely visible in the fading light. The evening breeze and his crew, the Weathervanes, set a quick pace. The wake of his vessel churned the dark waves of the Caprizian Sea.

  “You anger me, boy,” Keegan seethed under his breath. “Defending those weaklings is beneath us. Mere average humans with no magic. They are nothing but vermin beneath my boot. I could have crushed Iver’s heart with the death of his sister. He will pay for the loss of Mariana. Don’t get in my way again.”

  Arjun, a young Beastmaster, approached. “We are down to one ship, Keegan.” He stated, interrupting his leader’s contemplation. “Attacking Iver seems a waste of time as is chasing this boy. Do we limp home to Caroco?” He looked to the others for support.

  The nearby Caroco sailors glanced around, nervous in the presence of all these powerful Katori. The other Katori warriors held their breath. Rage brewed in Keegan’s eyes. “How dare you imply we were defeated!” In a flash, he was on Arjun. His grasp held the man’s life in the balance. Every part of him wanted to kill this man for his implications, yet Katori warriors were in limited supply. “That boy—is my son. Prince Kai. One always knows their own flesh and blood.”

  “What use is a boy without his powers?” Padar, a nearby Weathervane, asked. “It is plain to see. If we take the prince now, he will never be allowed to collect a crystal or gain access to Alenga’s sacred pool. He will have no magic.”

  Like it or not, Padar was right. Without magic, Kai would be useless. Keegan closed his fist around his own crystal; it was black as night and filled with hate. He knew that since the dawn of time, the Katori needed the crystals to control the power written into their design. Without them, the Katori’s powers were greatly limited. “We must be patient,” Keegan mumbled, his stone pressed against his lips.

  “I say we need more men, disposable Caroco men,” Padar suggested. “Should we not attack again? We did hurt them.”

  A Kodama man clutched his green crystal and elbowed the woman beside him. “Should we Katori not join in the fight? They would be no match for us.”

  The Kodama woman at his side swept her long brown hair over one shoulder and nodded in agreement. “It is time the world felt our might.”

  Contempt tightened the corner of Keegan’s lips. “I underestimated Iver’s people. Killing his sister would have been a mighty blow to the Diu king, but this substance they used to destroy our ships thwarted my plans—to say nothing of what Kai has done. Make no mistake, my son is worth our pursuit.”

  “So, do we venture home for reinforcements?” the Kodama woman asked.

  “No!” Keegan barked. “Do you not see it? The boy—his age. He is ripe. I can feel it. The Conhaspriga is upon him, Alenga will call him soon. If he has the power to light up the world before his blessing, imagine how powerful he will become.” A flush of electricity rolled down Keegan’s spine at the memory. His son had sent his mind around the world in a wave of Katori magic. Kai was more powerful than he knew, and the possibility of controlling this boy elated Keegan. Was it possible Kai had even more power than Mariana?

  The more Keegan thought about what Kai had done, the more he believed that his son was the key to his reign. “It won’t even matter what disciplin
e he develops—Beastmaster, Kodama, Stoneking, it makes no difference. The depth of his magic, once he acquires his full power, will make us unstoppable. With him by my side, I will easily convert other young Katori to our cause. Our numbers will grow. Mariana was meant to stand at my side, but our son will serve the same purpose. Once we have him, I will take control of Katori, and Alenga’s crystal mountain will be ours. The sacred pools will empower our soldiers and bless our noble cause. I will rule this world.”

  Bowing slightly, another Beastmaster stepped into the conversation. “No disrespect, sir, but what about Lucca and his elders? You challenged them once, but the Lumens are unbeatable.”

  The very mention of Kai’s grandfather’s name twisted Keegan’s face. “Mariana was capable of stopping them. She saved my life in the Agora when the Lumens tried to kill me. Her love of all life saved me and our cause. The very idea that this boy could have her power means we must acquire him quickly before they fill his head with their peaceful ideals. We need access to Alenga’s mountain, and we must control who has access to the Agora. Obtaining my son is our priority. I cannot rule this world without his powers.”

  The group nodded in agreement. Meanwhile, Keegan searched the skies for his next move, all but his Weathervanes left the upper deck. If he was to capture his son, he would need to be swift. He could not risk letting Kai understand how to use his magic against him before he could turn his son to his side.

  With a decision made, he turned to his men. “Sail to Margone. It is out of our way, but we need men and supplies. Caroco ships are working on the far side. Then when we sail around the Mystic Islands to our forgotten Katori brethren on the mainland.”

  The Weathervanes nodded with understanding and set to change the ship's direction.

  Alone with his thoughts, Keegan once again watched the wake of his ship churn the dark waves of the Caprizian Sea. Years of anger boiled in his veins. His white-knuckle grip held fast to the railing. He hated the elders and their rules.

  “My dear boy, your mother should not have run from me. She would be alive today if she’d stayed by my side. How cruel the Katori elders were to have killed her and abandoned you. They must think you a Half-Light, but I know the truth. And if I cannot have Mariana—you will be my weapon. I will use her death to turn you against them. They must see reason—we do not belong in hiding. Magic makes us superior.”

  Chapter 1

  Stormy Weather

  Dawn's golden light burned across the clear sky. Baden Lake gleamed with promise. Prince Kai held Rayna’s hand; her feverish skin matched his own. While everyone on board believed they sailed to find a cure for their prince and his mysterious fever, he knew this trip was so much more. Their Katori blood beckoned them home. This birthright would seal their gifts and expand their magic.

  The Dragaron sailed swiftly, its white canvas sails angled to catch the morning breeze. Grand Duke Dante’s cutter was known for its incredible speed. Her bow cut decisively across the water, leaving shattered waves in its wake.

  Behind them, Diu city was a soft white blur on the fading landscape. Ahead, as far as the eye could see, dark blue ripples playfully bounced up at the sky. Squinting, Kai noticed a few gray-green specs forming on the horizon. Islands. Three of them.

  The captain and his crew eagerly scurried about—each offered Kai a silent nod, mutual respect passing between them. Kai had earned their admiration. Dante’s precious vessel was not for joyriding. Given they were practically stealing the ship without permission, he was thankful they were willing to come to his aid without question. He could only hope Dante would forgive him, and the captain, once the ship returned safe and sound. After all, the captain was helping the prince of Diu—how could Dante be angry?

  His heart panged at the thought of home. Diu was becoming a distant memory, lost behind in the waves. He stopped looking back. Focused on his future, he resolved himself to face his destiny in Katori. The sadness left Kai as he watched Rayna lean her head towards Yulia. He was fortunate that Yulia traveled with them. Even the captain looked pleased that she was on board. He heard the captain say it was good luck to have a Katori sail with you.

  Yulia gently rubbed Rayna’s arm and whispered in her ear. Once again, Yulia’s youthful appearance puzzled him. She did not look old enough to be the mother of Riome. How did she maintain her beauty? She bore no gray hairs, no wrinkles. Not one sign of age dotted her skin.

  Overhead a shadow rippled across the sky. High above a massive eagle flew, and Kai knew by its size it was a Katori Beastmaster. Whom, he did not know. But its trajectory meant it had come from Diu City. Moments later, another great eagle passed overhead. Based on its course and the golden tipped wings, Kai knew it was Sabastian, his friend and ally. The second bird flew on an intercept course after the first.

  Sabastian swooped higher. In midair, the lower bird rolled, and Sabastian collided, locking talons with the first bird. The pair spiraled downward. Kai feared for Sabastian. Neither bird let go. Nervous, Kai tightened his grip on Rayna’s hand.

  “What’s happening?” Rayna asked, squeezing Kai’s hand in concern.

  “The golden tipped eagle is Sabastian,” Kai said heavily, watching the aerial battle unfold. “Kendra’s husband.”

  Locked together, the eagles plummeted. Then, perilously close to the water, they broke free. Each bird struggled to regain height over the other. Sabastian, the larger of the two, pulled a few feet higher and dove. His sharp talons latched onto the other bird’s wings. Screeches echoed on the wind.

  Everyone on the Dragaron eagerly watched the fight unfold. The crew insisted it was a territory dispute—Kai knew differently. Still, the men cheered. It wasn’t every day they saw such a spectacle. The first bird flipped its claws upward, desperate to grab Sabastian. Kai kept a keen eye on Sabastian's wingtips—it was the only way to tell friend from foe.

  Golden feathers ripped from Sabastian’s outstretched wing, and Rayna gasped. Sabastian struggled to fly. The pair dropped. Sabastian pecked at the other bird's head. His talons ripped out feathers, and he let go of the other bird. In a blur of blood and feathers, it crashed into the distant waves. Helpless, it flapped and sunk beneath the whitecaps of Baden Lake.

  Kai almost felt bad—then he saw two more eagles pass overhead. Sabastian flew after them in pursuit, and all three disappeared into the bright sky.

  Yulia whispered into his ear. “If those two make it, they would surely warn the elders you're coming. They aim to stop you.” Her fierce look reminded Kai of Riome.

  The elders’ desperation to keep him away was puzzling. Power and fear. One or the other. His birth father, Keegan, was said to be power-hungry and cruel. Did they judge him for his father’s actions, a man Kai had never known? Mariana, his mother, was kind and loving. Would they not give him a chance to show his own nature based on her? What of his grandfather, Chief Lucca? Did he also want to keep Kai away?

  Either way, Kai knew Yulia was correct. The Katori people meant to stop him from completing the Conhaspriga, his right of passage. They intended to keep him from his birthright and his power. For that alone, he would see this through. He meant to prove he was his own man—he would not be defined by their fears of Keegan.

  What mattered most was saving his mother, and he believed finding her would take magic. If he did not make it to Katori in time, he would lose everything—both his power and a chance to return her to her natural form.

  Around his neck, his mother’s necklace reminded him that he had the one element the others never had during their search. With her crystal, he was sure to track his mother and bring her home before her mind was lost forever.

  Hours of pleasant winds and smooth sailing lulled everyone into finding a comfortable corner to relax. The graceful movement from Yulia generated a low-level wind to enhance their progress. The crew remained steadfast at their stations. Smoke, his beloved wolf, sat at attention near the mast. Kempery-men Redmon and Albey leaned against the railing while Drew and Dresnor s
tood conversing at the stern of the vessel. Kai hated lying to his men. They believed they were on a quest for a cure for him and Rayna. He had convinced them Rayna discovered a plant that grows in the Katori Mountains that would stave off their fevers.

  Yulia noticed it first—looming black clouds rolled in their direction. Thunder rumbled and lightning charged across the sky. The hair on Kai’s arms and neck tingled with energy. Power rolled on the wind. The unnatural storm aimed straight for them.

  Rayna’s keen eyes focused on the developing thunderclouds. “Should we turn back?” she asked, gripping his arm. “Or take cover on one of the islands?”

  “You know we cannot.” Kai pulled her close. “We’ve come too far. The captain has two choices. Moor the ship against one of those islands and wait this out, or charge ahead and keep us in open waters.”

  The captain quickly shouted orders, and the crew rushed to change the large sails to sleek ones ideal in windy weather. Instantly, Kai knew the strategy was to survive the storm. “We will be fine. The captain is making preparations. Smaller sails will give him more control. The thicker material has less risk of tearing. Even now, he steers us into the waves. Trust the captain, he will keep the ship away from danger. He knows we are already too far out to turn around. Our only option is to sail through the storm. Dante’s ship can take it.”

  Wind gusts stirred the waves and whipped the men changing the sails. Engorged waves surged all around, and the ominous storm charged towards them. Twenty-foot swells pounded the ship. Rain began to pour from the black clouds. Lightning ripped open the sky, a momentary flash of light. Hail bombarded the ship deck. Kai sent Smoke for cover, and Dresnor quickly ushered everyone below. Only the captain and his crew stayed above.