Black Sun (Between Earth and Sky, #1)(94)

“It’s not my fault,” Tyode growled. “He doesn’t follow my feints.”

“You can’t feint a blind man,” Zash said, laughing.

“He’s lucky is all,” Tyode grumbled, and he straightened, shifting his knife from one hand to the other. “It won’t happen again.”

But it did, twice while Xiala watched, until their uncle cried, “Touch! That’s five.”

Tyode slumped to the ground, exhausted, but Zash stepped to Serapio, laughing.

“Stars and skies, Crow, where did you learn to fight?” he asked brightly, slapping Serapio on the shoulder. Serapio tensed. Xiala knew him well enough now to know he was unsure how to respond, so she hurried to his side. Grasped his hand to let him know she was there. It was warm from exertion. So often his skin was cool to the touch.

“My tutors,” he said plainly.

“Well, your tutors must have been truly elite,” Zash went on. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“And blind at that,” Tyode said, finally joining him. He was still winded, fighting to catch his breath, but appreciation lit his face.

“Blindness is only an adjustment,” Serapio said. He appeared to have relaxed some, no longer looking like he wanted to flee the boisterous men.

“Well, it’s an honor to have seen you fight,” the uncle said, joining them. “I’ve only seen the like at the war college in Hokaia.”

“Spearmaidens!” Zash said, snapping his fingers. “Remember Etze, Brother? The time he got thoroughly spanked by that spearmaiden?”

“And not in the good way,” Tyode said, laughing.

“Spearmaiden?” Xiala asked. This was a side she had not seen of Serapio, another secret revealed. “Are you saying he fights like a girl?”

The brothers roared, her joke landing, and the uncle smiled. “Only the best girls in the Meridian. They won’t train just anyone. Even those at the war college aren’t always fortunate enough to train with the maidens.”

“Is that what it is, Serapio?” Aishe asked. She had joined the group, and she looked at him slyly, evaluating. “You trained with a spearmaiden?”

“And a tsiyo, a Knife of the celestial tower.”

Xiala could feel the small shock wave of awe ripple around them. Tyode rocked back on his heels. “Well, shit. No wonder I lost.”

“No shame in that,” Zash agreed.

“Who trains with such people?” the uncle murmured, looking at Serapio differently from how he had moments ago. It was a look Xiala recognized, one she had been on the receiving end of before. Part respect, part envy, and all wondering if she was a nut that could be cracked open to reveal treasures.

She said, “This is all very interesting, the fighting. But did I miss breakfast? I’m starving.”

The uncle shifted his gaze to her, like he’d forgotten she was there. “Oh, of course. Where are my manners? You did pay for meals.” He nudged his niece. “Get our guests some food. You.” He flung a hand out at Zash. “Set a table up. We’ll eat inside, out of this rain. And you.” He moved to slide an arm around Serapio’s shoulder, but Serapio deftly avoided his touch, and the man’s arm slid to his side. “Ah, well, we’ll talk. We’ve two more days to Tova and plenty to share, no? Plenty to share.”



* * *



They sat at a table in a room adjacent and identical to the one they had slept in, and the uncle, who insisted Xiala and Serapio call him Uncle, too, peppered Serapio with questions over a modest breakfast of corn cakes and river eel. She’d had better fare at sea, but she was hungry enough to clean her plate.

“The solstice, you say?” the uncle was asking. “Going back for the solstice?”

“That’s right,” Serapio answered.

“Looks to be a quiet one this year,” Zash said.

“Usually Tovasheh is run full of tourists,” Tyode added. “Gotta fight for room on the barge. We can charge premium rates to go upriver. This year, it’s only you two.”

Xiala said, “Aishe told me the matron of Carrion Crow died, and there’ve been riots, enough to shut down the city.”

Serapio tilted his head. “What’s this?”

“Harbormaster said the same thing,” she admitted. “I meant to tell you.”

“Will there be a problem getting into the city?”

The uncle shrugged. “Won’t know until we get there but should be no problem for us. We’re Sky Made enough to open a few doors if need be.” He winked at Xiala, who gave him a weak smile. She still didn’t trust the man.

“Aishe mentioned something about cultists, too,” she said pointedly. “Said you could tell us more.”

The man’s eyes flashed to Serapio. “Aye, I think Serapio knows all about them.” And there it was again. That hungry look.

She was sitting next to Serapio, and she leaned back so she could see him while also keeping her eyes on the uncle. “He won’t elaborate,” she said. “Perhaps you could tell me more.”

Serapio stood, the bench scraping across the floor as he pushed it back, and they all startled.

“If you don’t mind, I will rest now,” he said.

The uncle stood, too. “Of course. If there’s anything we can do to make your journey more pleasant…”