Alara Unbroken - Doug Beyer [43]
“There’s a war on,” said Bolas. “I need every planeswalker I can get, to ensure my victory.”
“I’m your weapon,” said Sarkhan.
Bolas pointed a finger, then used that claw to slash a line in his opposite palm. He reached down and presented the bloody hand to Sarkhan.
The gesture moved Sarkhan. He pulled a curving knife from his belt, and slashed his own palm.
The wounds touched each other; Sarkhan’s hand was tiny against the dragon’s huge claw. Sarkhan’s human heart pumped rapidly, and the dragon’s much slower. But their lives mingled in a flow of crimson.
“I know of another planeswalker,” said Sarkhan.
NAYA
You,” said Ajani. He had walked all the way out to the cliffs, the piece of land that jutted over Hydra’s Tail Chasm. Tenoch sat there, his back to Ajani, facing out over the cliffside. It was a common place for members of Ajani’s pride to come and reflect.
Tenoch didn’t turn around. “So you’re back. I didn’t think you’d show your face around here again.” “You did this. Admit it.”
“I’m not sure I know what you’re talking about.”
Ajani’s eyes narrowed. He snarled at Tenoch’s back. “You’ve always envied Jazal, and you’ve always hated me. You waited until you had the night watch, and you assassinated my brother!”
Tenoch turned and stood. He cocked an eyebrow at Ajani’s appearance, covered in the ashes of Jazal’s funeral pyre, but made no mention of it. “How could I have killed him? The creatures that attacked the den were summoned by magic, dark magic. That’s nothing I could muster, and you know it.”
“Maybe not. But I know you’re behind it somehow. You’re the one who stands to gain the most from Jazal’s death, and now, right before the meeting of the council, here you are with an open seat waiting for you. Confess, and I … I won’t—”
Tenoch’s eyebrows did a sarcastic little dance. “You won’t what? Oh, White-Fur, for shame! You’re no murderer. This is no territory for you, this little mission of revenge! I’m sorry for the kha’s death, I truly am. And I’m as shocked as you are that this all happened. It’s rattled the pride down to its core, and the oldsters are wondering whether it’s even worth it to stay here. Even if I do become kha, it’ll be chaos for me to try to calm everybody down, to convince everyone to remain here in the valley … ”
“Stop evading.”
Tenoch scowled. “What I stand to gain from this situation is none of your concern—you’re not brother to the kha anymore, so it’s the business of the elders now. Go back to your den. Polish your warrior trophies, if you have any. And say, if you really want to concern yourself with my appointment as kha, you may want to impress me—I might just make you my chief adviser. You could sit at my side, rather than getting chased about in the woods by superstitious humans.”
Ajani snarled, and Tenoch backed up instinctively. His back foot came perilously close to the cliff’s edge, and pushed a few pebbles over the edge. Tenoch glanced down at them; the pebbles fell for a long moment, bouncing occasionally off rocky outcroppings before disappearing into the depths of the chasm.
“You’ll never be kha of this pride,” said Ajani.
“Be smart about this, Ajani. I’m offering you a place among us. You can benefit from this. Or you can choose to be obstinate, and you can watch your life of relative privilege, considering your—condition—come to an end.”
Ajani’s claws were deep in Tenoch’s tunic in an instant, lifting him up at arm’s length. Tenoch’s feet dangled over the cliff’s edge.
“You dare threaten me!” Ajani roared.
“Ajani! Wait! You’re hearing me wrong. I didn’t mean it like that. I’m upset about your brother, and it’s all coming out wrong. Let’s think this through.” He looked down and saw only air below him. He looked back