Chapter 39
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
PHOENIX
For the Starless Night, the whole city is in a chaotic frenzy for one night. Not a single street isn’t occupied with food and drink stalls. People are dressed in their finest silks, and their faces are covered with colorful paints and masks impersonating the spirits of the gods.
It’s quite a sight.
Vera, Jax, and I make our way through the crowd to the bazaar situated around the perimeter of the Ezkai Castle grounds. Vera says it’s once-in-a-lifetime event that people of Jaakii come together to celebrate in the streets as equals.
It’s been a few days since the Cleansing, and after seeing Daegel, I don’t feel so cold anymore.
I can tell something is different within me.
What exactly, I don’t know. But my senses are back to normal and none of the emotions from the people around me seep through. My mind and body are just my own.
“So, I was thinking we need a name for our troupe,” Jax says.
I frown, looking over at him. “We’re not a troupe.”
Since Jax helped us steal the gift for Kazh, he’s been around at the studio. A lot. It’s surprising how naturally he fits in with the crew. I would almost miss it if he were to leave us. Almost.
Unfortunately, Jax doesn’t know much about the enemy. Or he’s not willing to reveal anything he knows. I think it’s the latter. But Vera disagrees.
“Oh, but yes we are,” he insists.
Vera rolls her eyes. “Why would we need a name?”
“Because that’s how it goes. Every famous gang working together to achieve something has a name!”
“We’re not a gang,” I tell him.
Jax ignores me. “How about a Cursed Trio?”
Vera arches an eyebrow. “Cursed Trio? Not a name that inspires confidence if you ask me.”
Jax shrugs. “It sounds badass. Plus, all of us are cursed in our own way, so it fits.”
I snort. “I don’t think calling ourselves Cursed Trio brings much luck.”
“Think on it,” Jax says. “We’re just brainstorming here. If you have any better ideas, do share them, ladies.”
“I’ll make sure to do so,” I say sarcastically. I look at Vera. “So, what are we aiming to achieve tonight, again?”
“On the high level, the Starless Night is all about appeasing the spirits of the gods and celebrating them so they bring luck to all the participants,” Vera says.
“But the reason why we’re here is that you, as my chosen champion, need to show up as a functioning part of the society, as someone who respects tradition and partakes in it. ”
I nod, looking around. “Got it.”
We round the corner. In front of us is a huge float with a band following in its wake.
On top of it, a group of people dressed in black silk gowns barely covering their bodies are dancing to the rhythm of the music.
The dancers have dozens of silver bracelets dangling from their wrists that all chime with each graceful move, and the noise somehow adds to the harmony of the music the moving band plays.
Ekions do know how to party and celebrate. I’ll give them that.
“What are those dragons?” I ask Vera, pointing a finger at beautiful blue, black, and white dragons floating in the air above the float.
“The black dragon embodies Koren, the God of War. The white one is their eternal companion, Cher, God of Wisdom. These two spirits of the gods go hand in hand in our tradition, because war without wisdom would swallow the world,” Vera says.
At the mention of the spirits of the gods, my muscles tense. After the Cleansing, I’m terrified even of the idea of them.
“The blue dragon is the embodiment of Tenko, the twin gods from whom the whole universe and the Well were born,” Vera adds. “They say the color of the Well is blue because of Tenko.”
My stomach is like a rock. I have a hard time swallowing as flashbacks from that night pop up in my mind.
“Fascinating,” I say, and my voice trembles a little.
Vera gives me side-eye, but I ignore it.
“I’m starving,” Jax says, rubbing his flat stomach. “All of this celebratory spirit is making me excited and hungry.”
“That’s the whole point of it all,” Vera says. “The Starless Night is all about letting loose, stuffing your bellies, and getting wasted on drinks, drugs, and love so the spirits of the gods feel appreciated.”
“So Caetra’s around Jaakii are busy tonight, eh?” Jax wiggles his eyebrows.
“Not as busy as your mouth,” Vera says, brushing her long braids over her shoulder.
I bark a laugh. Jax pouts, but then sends Vera an air kiss. To my surprise, Vera smirks at him instead of rolling her eyes.
When we finally reach the bazaar, the scent of delicious food makes my mouth water. I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until then.
“First food, then games?” Jax looks between me and Vera.
“Sounds good to me,” I murmur, looking around. A few people rise from their seats at a table nearby, so I point my finger there. “Look! We have a spot.”
We hurry to the table and settle around it. It’s small, and people around us makes it feel even tighter, but I’m enjoying the experience.
“I’ll get us some food, ladies,” Jax says, and dives into the crowd.
The moment Jax is gone, Taaslord Noire appears, making his way towards us. He doesn’t have to struggle with the crowd. They part for him as he walks. Tonight, his shadows are out caressing the naked skin of his neck.
“Vera.” He nods at Vera first, and then turns to me. “Ezkai Phoenix. How is our chosen champion doing this lovely evening?”
I dip my chin in a greeting. “Good evening, Noire. It’s quite a fun celebration, and we haven’t seen the whole of it yet.”
“It’s a wonderful celebration, and a lovely reason to celebrate,” he says. “I hope you have the best time enjoying all that the Starless Night has to offer. It’s the last bit of peace before the first trial.”
I nod. “That’s our plan for tonight. Are you enjoying yourself?”
He flashes me a smile. “I always do, dear. Are you feeling better after the Cleansing? Vera mentioned it was rather challenging.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you, I’m feeling like myself again.”
I glance at Vera. Her face reveals nothing.
“Good to hear. Things that happen during the trials are never something we can expect or predict. It’s a life-altering experience from start to finish,” Noire says. “But I’m glad you’re well and good.”
“Yes, I am. Thank you.”
Noire looks around. “Well, then. I’ll leave you to it. I plan on mingling in the crowd myself. You can never know what adventure awaits.”
He doesn’t wait for us to answer him. He whirls on his heel and floats away and into the crowd.
I turn to Vera. “He’s odd, isn’t he?”
Vera chuckles. “I can see why you might think that. I like to think of him as eccentric.”
“Here we go! Got a little bit of everything I can get my hands on.” Jax plops a huge tray overflowing with food on the table in front of us. He takes a seat and exhales dramatically. “The crowds are crazy.”
I take a grilled tempeh steak and sink my teeth into the juicy flesh. Vera picks at the vegetables, and Jax stuffs his face with sweet and savory food all at the same time. When I grimace at that, he only laughs.
“Heavenly combination, Phoenix darling,” he says, licking his fingers clean. “Care to try it?”
“I’d rather not. Sounds like a recipe for diarrhea.
” Vera and Jax both bark a laugh. I turn to Vera.
“Noire served as the General’s second.” She nods.
“And now he serves as the temporary Ezkai General for the duration of the trials.” Another nod.
“Why hasn’t he entered the trials himself?
Being the General’s second makes him the most qualified person, no? ”
Vera smiles, but it’s a sad smile. “Noire is more than qualified to serve as the Ezkai General. He’s been a Taaslord for three generals. But he never had this ambition, to be the Ezkai General. He’s not a warlord. His strength lies in his role as an advisor.”
“It’s rare for men to know their limits, and true callings,” Jax says. “Not many are able to put their egos aside and not be tempted by such power when it’s so readily available to them.”
“Indeed.” There’s passion in Vera’s dark eyes. “That’s what makes Noire who he is. An exceptional, fair, and honorable Ezkai. The most valuable asset the Order has.”
I mull over her words while I eat.
“I’m stuffed,” Jax says, patting his stomach. “Jaakii has the best street food.”
“We do know how to eat,” Vera says. “Should we get some spiced plum cider before we check out the games?”
“I won’t say no to that,” I say and Jax nods.
We’re on our feet, and back in the crowd once again. As we look for the spiced cider stall, we stay together, shoulder to shoulder. I must admit, it’s nice. To be part of a group again. It’s almost like…being part of a family, even if we’re not blood-related.
During my time at the Ezkai Academy, I struggled a lot to fit in. Even as an Ezkai, it wasn’t like I was accepted with open arms by all my unit soldiers. With Vera and Jax, there’s no struggle.
After a little mingling, we find the stall and get three cups of spiced plum cider. It’s warm and smells of nutmeg, cloves, and a plum orchard in the fall.
We walk around the fair, enjoying the frenzy of celebration around us and the drink. My belly is full and warm, which makes me feel sleepy. That is, until we come across the game fair and I see archery targets lined up against the wall.
My feet take me there before I realize what I’m doing. Vera and Jax follow me. In front of the targets stand people. One has an apple on their head, while the other balances a whole-ass pumpkin. I snort. Balancing that on the crown of their head is an art form itself.
The archers are lined up three yards away from their targets, bows in hand. One shoots the arrow and it lands right above the pumpkin.
“Almost! Better luck next time, buddy,” a game master says to the man as he ushers him away so another can take his space.