Dreigiau Book 1: The Gift of Flame

Chapter 10

-Find the girl called AsaHi. Bring her home to Nefol.-

Those were the final instructions that filled TsuYa's mind as he left the Council chamber. He was now left to himself, and to seemingly internal silence, staring at the dark shape of his father's scythe that was propped in the corner of his room. Half of the time, it was like facing down a snake ready to strike. The rest of the time, it was like caressing sweet triumph.

It's funny how the Council members KoGuRai bought off were so quick to turn on him.

The first thing TsuYa did after claiming Nefolian leadership was to put the Council in its place. He wasn't sure what he was going do with KoGuRai yet, so he simply allowed his rival to leave the Spire without attempting to detain him.

I'll deal with him later. KoGuRai may not have the backing he had before, but he's still trouble.

With all of that done, the questions that stood gaping before him were more difficult to answer.

What do I do now? What will SoYa... and Aunt SaRa... think?

TsuYa peered over at a picture on his mantle where the doofy image of his brother's face smiled back at him. Would SoYa understand why he did what he did? That he had to do it?

I had no choice.

Perhaps it was all for the best. SoYa never aspired to leadership — not the way Father did. Not the way TsuYa did. If he could only find the chance to explain to his brother, if he could just prevent an argument or a fight. SoYa was not normally aggressive, however, this was something different. TsuYa had just taken his brother's position, and even SoYa, as meek as he was, would certainly find fault in that.

If I can locate AsaHi and bring her back, I can pardon her of whatever trouble she's in.

TsuYa's eyes flicked up and away from the picture as the thoughts came to him. It was all starting to make sense — why Lord Zemi commanded him to find AsaHi and bring her back to Nefol.

I can protect AsaHi from the Council. I can protect SoYa from the Council. Then they can be together and happy... just how they've always wanted.

He swallowed down his excitement as everything clicked within his mind.

And I... I can ensure the city remains in our family's hands... just like Father would want it.

TsuYa placed the picture back on the mantle, taking a slow, deep breath. Things would be all right. He could make sure of it.

I have to find AsaHi first, though. I have to bring her back before SoYa returns. Maybe if I talk to her, she'll help me convince SoYa this is the right thing for us all to do.

He took two paces across the room, towards where the scythe waited in the corner. As he reached one hand forward, TsuYa realized it wouldn't be that easy. He couldn't leave Nefol in the light of what he'd just done, not with the Council in tatters and KoGuRai still prowling the halls.

Not to mention AsaHi has a head start and I have no idea which direction she's travelling.

Before he could ponder the problem further, a knock sounded at his door. TsuYa froze, starting at it, unaccustomed to the sound. Very few people came to his room, after all. It was something that would probably begin to change with his new-found position.

"Yes?" he called, trying to make his voice as official as possible.

"Sir, may I enter?" a quiet, female voice asked from the other side.