Chapter 34
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
PHOENIX
We go to see this Oka Oya the next day after sundown. Jax doesn’t go with us, Vera doesn’t want him to. So, he stays behind in her studio with the rest of the crew.
Apparently, Oka Oya is closer than we expect. Ri gives us the address of a place in Bussek, not too far from Vera’s studio. As we walk the streets, they look familiar.
I see Kazh’s Inn in the distance. The place I stayed at when I first arrived to Ekios. The place that’s run by Vasquez’s rude friend, the old fae crone.
When we approach it, Vera stops and looks around.
“Is this the place?” I frown.
No way. Can’t be.
Vera nods. “Yes. That’s the address Ri gave me. Let’s go inside and see.”
I’m nervous, but I say nothing to Vera. Is Kazh hiding a legendary Decarios trainer in her run-down inn? That’s absolutely wild.
We enter. The lobby is empty, of course. With each passing moment, my heart races faster. My palms start to sweat. I flex my hands.
Finally, Kazh emerges from that tight corridor at the back.
When her eyes land on me, they’re not kind. “You again.”
Vera blinks, looking between us. “You’ve been here before?”
“Ah, yes. I stayed here when I first arrived in Ekios.”
Vera frowns but doesn’t say anything else. She turns to Kazh. “We would like to speak to the legendary Oka Oya, please. We come bearing gifts to prove to her we’re worthy of her presence.”
Kazh glares at us for a long while. She’s even more cranky and hostile than I remember. For the love of the spirts of the gods, who hurt her?
Finally, she jerks her chin at us. “Show me those gifts.”
Vera doesn’t hesitate. From the inner pocket of her tailored suit jacket she pulls out a small ruby-encrusted box and offers it on the palm of her hand for Kazh to inspect.
The old woman’s eyebrows rise to her silver hairline.
“Inside is the ruby ring that the legends say Koren, the God of War, had forged for his eternal companion Cher, the God of Wisdom, eons ago, when the spirits of the gods used to walk the earth,” Vera says.
“I know what’s inside,” Kazh snaps. “I had a man propose to me with that damn ring once.”
I blink. Excuse me?
Vera looks just as confused as I feel. Kazh snatches the box from Vera’s hand and opens it. She sighs and shakes her head.
I’m too curious. “This ring belongs to you?”
“It never did. I refused the proposal,” Kazh says and snaps the box shut. “It’s funny that’s the gift you choose to bring. But I’ll take it.”
“This is for Oka Oya,” I say, anger rising inside me. “You can’t just keep it!”
Kazh arches an eyebrow. “I’m Oka Oya, you brainless fetus.”
My jaw is on the floor.
Vera places a fist over her heart and bows at her waist. “Master. It’s an honor to be in your presence.”
Kazh eyes her and then jerks her chin at me. “You could learn a thing or two from the pretty Caetra, you shitheaded donkey.”
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 win Val’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 the middle 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 godsdamned gadgi cares 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. If you’re alive.”