Page 21

The man is perhaps a summer or two younger than Tobi. His hair is a sandy blonde colour, where every other Ambolk man Tobi has seen has hair that is either dark or pure white. He wears paint on his face like every other person Tobi has seen in Urynwud with the exception of Harok’s mother and a few other women in similar green robes. Three black stripes across his nose and cheeks. And he wears the same clothing. Short breeches, tall boots and a harness, with a dark cloak hanging from his shoulders. But he definitely looks different. In a way Tobi can’t quite explain.

As he reaches Baby’s cage, he says, “Harok told me I would find you here. I am sure you must have many questions.”

Tobi looks at him. For a moment all he can do is blink in stunned surprise to hear words he understands. “Questions?” he says weakly. Where should he even begin?

But before he can ask any questions, the man asks one of his own. “How are you finding Urynwud?”

“It is very beautiful,” Tobi says. “And I cannot fault the hospitality of the Ambolk so far.”

The man tips his head onto one side. “That is a diplomatic thing to say when you were snatched from your home and almost killed on your way here.”

Tobi inhales sharply. “I suppose so,” he says.

“So,” the man says, sitting down on the stool Harok vacated. “What do you want to know?”

Tobi shrugs. “Who you are?”

The man grins. “Of course, kushir. I am Lymok. I am cousin to Irgo Harok. And I am one of very few people in Urynwud who know the Artemian tongue. I am charged by Irgo Harok to be the voice of the Ambolk wherever we must speak with those from the empire.”

Irgo Harok, tobi thinks. Irgo must mean king.

“So that’s why you speak Artemian?” Tobi says. “You are a translator?”

Lymok nods. “In a way. I mostly work with the traders. I travel with the parties that take our goods to sell at the market in Ceruleum or Feildal. I speak Artemian and Magaar. As the forest borders Azuria and Ismagaar. I also speak a little Juran. Although I have little use for it.”

Tobi nods. “Juran.” He scratches Baby behind the ear. She purrs. “My lykat is from Ib. Perhaps she would understand you.”

Lymok nods, but he says. “The Ibian language is quite distinct from Juran.”

“Perhaps Baby could teach you Ibian,” Tobi says. “I was told once all beasts understand it.”

Lymok raises an eyebrow. “Or I could teach you Ambolk.”

“That would be a much better idea, I think,” says Tobi. “It’s difficult not having any idea what anyone is saying.”

“I’m sure,” says Lymok. “But, until then, if you have anything you’d rather find out now without having to learn Ambolk, please ask.”

“Why have you taken me? Is it because I am a Darek? Do you wish to make war with the Empire?”

Lymok looks almost amused. “I doubt it. The Azurian Empire is of no concern to the Forests of Amber. We have not seen Imperial soldiers here for two hundred years. Sarelik Darek swore to always leave the forests in peace. But I understand you have Darek blood. Harok did claim so. That you were a distant descendant from the Emperor’s family.”

“Distant descendant,” Tobi almost spits it. “I am the son of Prince Rafus. Emperor Selim’s brother and heir to the Imperial throne.”

Lymok frowns. “A prince of the Empire works as a Beast Tamer in a circus?”

Tobi has heard people say this to him after his performances before. Implying what he said in the circle was all lies. “I am not of the royal line. But my father is Prince Rafus. He will send soldiers to retrieve me. He was likely behind those men that attacked us in the forest on our way here.”

Lymok smiles. “Oh no. Those were the Exceli. Solwen that Irgo Harok banished from Urynwud when he took the throne twenty years ago. They rise up on occasion and Harok has to take his warriors and subdue them. He defeated their leader a little less than two moons’ turns hitherto and the survivors swore to remain ten leagues away from Urynwud or face death. But as you have seen, they grow bolder once more. They always do.”

“Why did Irgo Harok banish them in the first place?” Tobi says, hoping he is using the Ambolk word correctly. Irgo Harok. King Harok.

“They are heretics. When Irgo Harok ascended he banned a form of worship that had been part of the traditions of the Solwen for hundreds of years. The cult of Diazuul. For centuries the Solwen worshipped this Demon King. We called him a God. But the Great Irgo Harok slayed this demon and declared his worship an aberration. The Exceli disagree.”

That explains something about part of the title Lymok had used to introduce Harok to Copperhead Circus. Slayer of Demons. Tobi knows demons are not truly real, just tricks and stories. So, Harok is called demon slayer because he banned this false religion? “So the Exceli still worship this demon? And if the Exceli grow bolder, will Harok have to fight them again?”

“It is likely,” says Lymok. “He has done so many times. But you should not concern yourself with that. You are a kushir.”

Tobi frowns. “And what exactly does kushir mean? You said there was no translation, but I know what kush means, everyone in Azuria does. A hole. Is that what everyone is calling me?”