Harrowed Blade: The Sun Maker Saga, #5

By Matt Wright and James L. Cook

Everything is ending…

…Tyranny has won.

But hope is not yet lost.

 

When Sina lost everything, even parts of her memory, all she wanted was a life of peace on the planet she considered her home—Wold.

But the Vine has other plans.

Tam, driven by faith and desperation, turns to Sina for help. Can they fight back against an impossible invading force?

 

And what can Cazska do, a mere shadow of her self? Even as the universe begins to fade, there may yet remain a chance for victory, hidden in time…

But Hana has other problems.

Harrowed by her past, she seeks a future for her daughter. But Om won't let her forget. She'll escape Jiro, the Vine's ruthless Justice…

…or die trying.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Matt Wright Author
• Release date: Apr 5, 2022
• ISBN: 9781955948142

Matt Wright

Matt Wright is the author of the Sun Maker Saga, a self-published space opera fantasy series, as well as a freelance writer and editor. He co-edited The Southern Quill (2017), a literary journal at Dixie State University, as well as the sci-fi/fantasy anthology, Unmasked: Tales of Risk and Revelation (2021). He also edited and reissued a new edition of From the Earth to the Moon and Round the Moon by Jules Verne (2021). He’s also the author of a few short stories set in the Sun Maker universe: Warriors (2021), The Last Star (2021), and The Astraneaum (2022).   Matt has been writing fantasy and science fiction for over fifteen years and has written full-length novels since he was in high school. He loves writing in the epic genres with echoes of mythological and historical contexts. He currently resides in Albuquerque, NM, with his wife, Elizabeth, and his best bud in the whole world, Joey.

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Prologue: This Isn't Your Home

SINA | EIGHT YEARS AGO

I, Sina Maym, do vow at this time before Mernar-Gods and witnesses that I will serve the state and its people through fealty and strength…

The Svetnarion Oath

Given the first day of Jianis, 594 Post-Ruin

Wold

The blistering heat and restless wind spoke to her, whispering that there would be a sandstorm that day.

Wearing her white training garb, Sina strode along the path toward the field, relishing in the shade of trees and the cool dirt beneath her feet. She couldn’t help but smile at the swelling excitement in her chest. The day for military training had arrived, and even a sandstorm couldn’t dry up her spirits.

The feeling of grass beneath her feet created a sense of wonder within her. Rare were the occasions when the blades of grass touched her skin. But here? Here existed all the wonders of this world in their prime—the trees, the plants, the glowing ildan worms. Everywhere she glanced, there was life carefully guarded. Even the humid sourness carried on the breeze from the Sea felt like a blessing.

Everything was perfect.

As Sina strode toward the center of the field where several other recruits had gathered, she recognized several of their faces. These were those of her generation who wanted more than anything to become a soldier in the military. She wanted that too, of course, but her mind floated toward more lofty goals. She had long set her sights on becoming more than just a mere soldier. No, Sina wanted the rank of Warrior—an elite soldier uniquely gifted and endowed with power and station.

She would become the best soldier her people had ever seen. Besides, Sina had been one of the few who had been Embraced before her acceptance into the military.

Drawing a deep breath, Sina stood apart from the others—all older men. At sixteen years, Sina was among the youngest to enter the military. She prided herself with that knowledge but knew that it would inevitably draw unwanted attention. That, and her golden-blond hair, which she had tied up into a ponytail so that it wouldn’t distract her during training. She knew what happened to southerners in the military.

Since arriving in the field, she had already begun attracting some of that attention. Skeptical eyes glanced her way, and silent, murmuring lips spoke her name—Sina Maym, daughter of Audrin Maym, owner of a single fishing ship and friend of the ailing Warden Streen. Sina was not blind to that fact. She couldn’t lean on Streen’s blessing or reputation now that he was days away from death. Only her strength and prowess could prove that she belonged there.

No one spoke to her or invited her into their conversations. Before long, Warden Vol made his way onto the field. He wore an older and dirtier robe with a sash around his waist, and his feet were likewise bare. He glanced over the recruits with austere eyes as if to count heads.

He cleared his throat and stood before them. Some of the recruits snapped to attention. Sina waited for orders.

Warden Streen cannot attend today, he said, and some of the men looked disappointed. Yes, yes…in fact, it regrettably falls to me to announce that Warden Averilin Streen is dead. Passed on into the other world, into the arms of the Mernar-Gods.

The news shocked and panged everyone. Many shot glances at each other. Sina could not help but feel a sick weight in her stomach. She had looked forward to serving under Warden Streen.

Yes, Vol’s voice superseded the others, and the Wardens will elect him who shall serve in his place. In the interim, I am to ward over the Svetnarion Military.

Now that Sina knew who the leader was, she could only focus on Warden Vol, his mannerisms, and the words he chose to use. The Warden placed his hands behind his back and stood in a relaxed stance, which Sina tried to emulate.

Listen to me very carefully, he said. All of you. Your home is no longer outside these grounds. It is not somewhere out in the streets of Brucove, in some manor house or alley hovel. Your home is not wherever you wish it to be. No longer. Your home is here. Your home is in the barracks, in the training field, in the Enclave. Do you understand my words?

Yes, Warden!

The words had come out of her mouth before she could stop herself. Sina’s back and shoulders stiffened, and she let her hands fall to her sides just as all eyes fell on her. She’d been the only one to respond.

Vol’s dark brown eyes fell on her, and a smile pulled on his lips. He motioned to her with a hand. This little girl is trying to show you men how military life is, he said. "And she’s right. When I ask you a question, you will answer yes, Warden or no, Warden exactly as she did. Is that understood?"

Yes, Warden! All the recruits responded that time.

Sina had to place her hands behind her back to hide her trembling.

That’s much better, Vol said, beginning to pace. Now, this is the worst line formation I’ve ever seen in my life. Who am I?

Sina blinked and bit her tongue this time. The responses came out flustered and jumbled. Warden Vol waved his hands to silence them.

The correct answer, he said, is Riddin Vol, Warden of the Svetnarion Military. Again, who am I?

Sina and the others repeated back the title, and the Warden gave them a broad smile.

That’s right, he said. That is who I am. Now that you know who I am, soldiers must form a line before me at the beginning of each day. If the line is not straight or by any means dissatisfactory, there will be consequences. Is that understood?

Their cry went up: Yes, Warden Vol!

Good, now form up!

Sina quickly realized that forming a satisfactory line required effort and cooperation from the group. Because she had set herself on the outskirts of their group, Sina found herself at the very end of the line. She stayed to the left of the man next to her, glancing along the line to make sure she would not be the one punished for creating a crooked line.

Too slow! Vol cried out in glee as some were still attempting to straighten the line in its center. One of you must take the initiative! The others must follow. Recognize true initiative—recognize and understand it! Follow it. If you learn to do this, you can form a line anywhere at any time.

Sina glanced down toward the center of the line where the others had smoothed it out as the Warden spoke. She wondered if she could be who others looked to and recognized initiative. Would they follow a girl of only sixteen years into line formation? Into war?

Scatter! the Warden shouted, waving his hands. We will try again!

Their line broke. Sina stepped back a few paces, glancing between Warden Vol and the center of the line. She positioned herself close to where the Warden stood. He noticed her and smiled—whether it was out of disdain or kindness, she couldn’t tell, so she took a welcoming warmth from him and built up her confidence.

Vol looked out over them, and before he spoke again, Sina was moving. She kept her body straight, and her head held high.

Form up!

Sina planted herself a few paces in front of the Warden. His smile found her again, and she held his gaze as she heard the others hurrying to their positions. Then everything became quiet.

Her heart sank. Sina glanced over her shoulder and found that the men had formed their own line, perhaps two steps behind her.

What happened here? Vol said slowly, stepping toward her. His smile didn’t fall from his lips, and he glanced over everyone before narrowing his sight on her again.

Sina’s cheeks burned. Unsure of what to do, she remained still.

The Warden leaned down until he had condescended to her height. His dark eyes gazed into hers. Sina, he said. That’s your name?

Yes, Warden, she said with less confidence than before.

He nodded. Can you tell me what you did wrong? Because, it seems, you are not in the line as I instructed.

The embarrassment pushed all words from her mind. She needed to say something.

N-no, Warden!

Vol stood up straight. Would you like me to explain it to you?

Finally, her tongue loosened. I—I took the initiative. As you said, Warden. I followed your orders…

Yes, he said, giving a solemn nod. That was your mistake.

Sina frowned. But I don’t…

The Warden turned and circled back around to where he’d originally stood. The initiative was not yours to take, he said in a loud voice. You should have known that, seen it in the eyes of the other recruits. Recognize the initiative in your betters, Sina. It’s fine. We need mistakes to understand ourselves better. Remember that, and you may survive the military. Now! You are late, Sina, and holding up this training. Find your place in the line.

Flustered, Sina hesitated only a moment before hurrying over to the edge of the line where she’d stood the time before. She glimpsed leers in the faces of the men she passed. Though she tried to keep herself as stiff as possible, she could not dismiss the overwhelming shame she felt crawling under her skin.

The rest of that first day, Sina spent drenched in sweat as Warden Vol ran them through exercises that tested Sina’s endurance beyond her limits—sprinting, leaping, crouching, and much more. Vol would walk around and correct their forms. Though he did not speak with her or correct her form as he did the others. Sina took this to mean that her form didn’t need correcting.

Her entire frame trembled as evening fell, and the heat of the day had taken its toll on her skin. She trailed behind the crowd of recruits as they returned to the barracks to eat and drink. Sina had forgotten all about lunch and water, and her stomach complained to her as she sat back down on her cot in a small room she shared with three other recruits.

She watched as the others removed their clothes, chatting idly with each other, and stood in line for either the privy or the baths. Real soldiers joined them and claimed the privilege of standing first in line. If Sina had to void herself during the training, she had only to squat behind a tree or bush at the edge of the field. She did not feel so now—only starved.

She reached underneath her cot and pulled out a pouch her mother had sent with her. It still had jerked beef, salted nuts, and dried berries. Soon, however, she would need to discover where the recruits and soldiers ate and what food was available to her. She also had a waterskin she’d half drained that morning. No one had mentioned if there was a well somewhere or if the military had access to their own. She knew the barracks was a large building, and there were rooms she had not yet discovered.

So, she waited until the lines of naked men dissipated and she was the last one. She discovered the baths were a series of twelve tubs in a large room at the center of the barracks. Sina watched as water filled each tub through a hole at one end with no help or action on their part. Then, when it was full, they would pull a lever, which would drain the water through another hole on the opposite end. The water looked cool instead of warm and smelled like it may have come originally from the Sea, though it was pure as it entered the baths.

Self-conscious, Sina waited until the last of the recruits finished up and left. Then, she undressed herself and picked a tub at random. That evening, she decided she would only wash her body with water. Later, she would need to acquire her own bar of soap. The thought of going to her mother and asking for more supplies crossed her mind, but Sina didn’t feel she could face her father—not like that. And leaving the Enclave grounds without permission was forbidden. Sina had no desire to speak with Warden Vol again. She would simply go without.

After her bath—and feeling as if she hadn’t taken one—Sina dressed herself and returned to her cot. The others in her room were talking and eating food of unknown origin. She stole a quick glance at a man’s half-eaten sweetroll in his hand and wondered if she should go in search of one of her own.

Hey, the Northern man with the sweetroll said, glancing at the others. Did either of you request another morsel?

He grinned at Sina and the others laughed. She leveled a stare at him, ignoring his comment, and sat on the edge of her cot and readied herself for sleep. She needed only to dry her hair somehow, which fell below her shoulders. She twisted her hair over her shoulder and squeezed the water until it dripped onto the floor.

The man with the sweetroll leapt to his feet. Look at that mess you’re making! he cried out in feigned outrage. You’re expected to keep your space clean at all times, little morsel.

Sina stared at him, feeling the same shame from before rising within her. She stood up from her cot. I’ll go outside, then, she said.

He caught her arm and pulled her back toward him. You can’t leave a mess like this, he said. They’ll blame us for it.

What do you want me to do? Sina asked, her heart throbbing in her chest. I don’t have anything—

Get down on your knees, the man said, his grip tightening on her arm. Use your robes. Soak it up.

Sina swallowed, feeling as if she had no other choice besides obedience. She didn’t want him to disturb Warden Vol, and she wanted to remain in the military for as long as she could.

Slowly, she lowered herself down to the floor. The rock floor made her trembling knees ache more. The man stepped forward and Sina realized his groin was almost directly in front of her face. Lowering herself more, she took the hem of her loose trousers and used it to soak up the water she’d dripped on the ground.

When she finished, she looked back up at the man and hoped he would leave her alone. His eyes told her he wouldn’t.

What’s the meaning of this, recruits? a voice said from behind.

Sina glanced over her shoulder and saw a tall man in a black robe and white sash standing at their room’s entrance. He was a broad-shouldered man with a square jaw and hard eyes.

Warden Federi Gottlin.

The recruit standing above Sina stiffened and bowed. Warden! I—I was only making sure this one cleaned up the mess she made.

The Warden’s eyes fell on her, and Sina struggled to her feet. She bowed. Warden, I—

Carry on, Gottlin said, and strode away.

Sina blinked. His exit had been as abrupt as his entrance. The tension among the men immediately evaporated.

Little southern morsel, the man closest to her said with a jeering laugh. He’s going to be the new Warden over the Military. He doesn’t like you yellowmanes. He grabbed her harshly by the arm again. This isn’t your home, morsel. It’s ours.

He shoved her back down on her bed. She lowered and averted her eyes as his massive body towered over her.

1

To Love a Human

SINA | PRESENT DAY

…and I swear before the Mernar-Gods in whom I believe and trust and honor…

The Svetnarion Oath

Given the first day of Jianis, 594 Post-Ruin

Sina cursed as her elbow knocked over the pail and the water gushed out into the dirt. The sand eagerly drank it up even as she tried to save what water remained in the pail. But it was all gone.

She climbed to her knees and, taking deep breaths, gazed out over her gardens. Over two acres of cultivated land lay before her.

The green plants they had cultivated over the past two years were dying. The leaves couldn’t survive under this sun, so they’d built a kind of canopy that allowed some sunlight through, but kept the dirt cool enough to retain water. It was also strong enough to withstand the force of sandstorms.

It had really been Seer’s idea—but Sina had helped build them with materials she bought from Amonalwin. Without those canopies, her plants wouldn’t grow.

And without water…

Sighing, Sina climbed to her feet and dusted herself off. The sun westered and she wondered where the day had gone. It seems like only a few hours had passed since sunrise. Searching the horizons, she realized that Seer hadn’t returned yet. The Arrow hadn’t given her an earpiece that morning either, so they couldn’t communicate. So many things could go wrong. Their well was drying up, and as Sina tired more in the evenings, she became careless. That carelessness only made more work for themselves.

Somehow, they would need to fix these problems. As always, the answer seemed to be: find more water.

Sina turned when movement caught her attention. In the distance, she saw someone a figure waving its arms at her. Its mouth moved but no words escaped. Sina blinked a few times before realizing it was Cazska trying to get her attention. She appeared so far away and yet her presence felt close by…

She shook herself and looked away, tasting her dry mouth. Sina hadn’t had any water to drink in a few hours. Hallucinations were frequent in the Desolation, though she wasn’t sure why her mind showed her Cazska.

Perhaps it was the guilt.

Shifting her gaze to their house, thoughts of sustainability and longevity replaced thoughts of Cazska. Unless they found a limitless underground spring, this place they’d come to call home would not last much longer. Everything they’d built and dug and planted over the past two years would be for nothing. More than the loss of their livelihoods, they would prove the people of Brucove right.

The heart of the Restoration of Ruin had been to do exactly what Sina and Seer had been doing for two years. Bringing cultivation back to the Desolation. Brucove’s new regime had placed no confidence on them to accomplish such an impossible goal. In addition, they had exiled them from the West for bringing false hope to the people. Their failure would mean that Sina had been wrong—that her homeworld was beyond saving.

Sina had felt all her energy soak into the sand along with the water she’d wasted. Beyond, she could feel the energy of the merna streams just underneath her feet. They were unusually vibrant that day, ebbing and flowing like crashing waves. She wished she could draw upon their strength then.

She staggered into the front entrance of the house. It was a wooden structure with materials they’d purchased from merchants with water. It wasn’t much of a house, but it did have a kitchen and two bedrooms. She stepped inside and immediately stood in the kitchen. To her left, Seer’s room. To her right, her own room sat silent and dark. She tossed the pail on the floor and shuffled inside that dark room, thankful to be out of the sun but realizing how stifling and hot it had become in there. A wooden panel slid open just above her bed and let in both light and a slight breeze. From there, she could look out over the acres of land and think about what needed done for the next day. She could also see anyone approaching from kilometers away.

They hadn’t been raided in months, but she doubted any bandits would return after the last time they encountered Seer. She didn’t mind visitors, like the two boys from the nearest town who snuck into the fields and took some of the sweet evrania shoots she’d planted. She meant for this food to feed the people. But they were nowhere near close to providing enough food for the entire Desolation. Her hope was to hire hands to help work the fields in exchange for water—not waterdebts, but a simple exchange of work for water and perhaps a little food.

Sina peeled away the loose shirt and trousers that stuck to her pale, sweaty skin. Her own tub sat in the corner of her room, large enough for her to fit but small enough that she couldn’t let her legs stretch out. But it was empty, and Seer still hadn’t returned yet with water.

So, she sat on the edge of her bed and leaned forward on her knees, letting her head hang down to stretch the muscles in her neck. Only at the end of each day did she realize how much tension she kept in her shoulders and neck. She reached down and touched the wooden floor, stretching her back muscles as well. How long had it been since she last had a massage? Not since Nania…

Sina blinked. Stars! She remembered Nania giving her a massage. When? Where had they been? She closed her eyes and tried to remember their surroundings, but her mind only pictured her current room. Beyond two years ago, her mind blurred. Oh, she remembered most of her childhood, parts of her time in the military, but not much of her adulthood. Only echoes of memories.

Before long, Sina heard movement outside.

She sat up, covering her breasts with one arm. Her eyes scanned the fields through her small window.

Seer?

No answer.

She thought about what she’d heard—rustling, perhaps? Footsteps? She couldn’t be sure. A noise like dirt falling on wood.

She rose to her feet, trying not to make a sound and slid toward the entryway to her room. Seer, is that you?

It had to be her. Sina hadn’t heard or seen anyone approach, and the Arrow could often move faster than she could blink. If it wasn’t, well, she was naked and had trouble siphoning merna, let alone influencing it. She would need to think fast.

Creeping into the kitchen, she made her way toward the door. Peeking out, she found the front entryway empty. A breeze picked up, shoveling a plume of dirt and sand into their home.

I’m here, Sina.

The Arrow appeared and Sina relaxed. She striding toward the entryway from around the other side of the house. She wore her close-fitting white suit that looked pristine even though she’d been digging underground most of the day. She carried two large containers of water overhead as if they weighed nothing.

Stars, Sina said, taking a deep breath. You need to give me a comm before you leave in the morning, you metal arse.

Seer stepped up into the kitchen and set the large metal containers of water down gently onto the wood. Our signals wouldn’t have connected where I went. Then she added, Moron.

Sina stifled a laugh at her lame retort. What in the void took you so long?

Risking my life to bring back water for you, Seer said, glancing at Sina’s body. She flashed an almost imperceptible smile at her—one Sina had trained herself to catch. I’m flattered, Sina, but I just don’t see you that way. I’m sorry.

Sina snorted and rolled her eyes. She felt comfortable around Seer who cared little for human propriety. That, and she had no sexual inclinations, which made it even more awkward when she made these attempts at jokes.

I need to take a bath, Sina said, eyebrow raised. I didn’t have any water. You were taking your time.

Seer nodded at the water container closer to Sina. There’s your water, she said. Did I scare you?

No, Sina said as she took up the heavy container. You didn’t scare me, you startled me. There’s a difference.

A very slight lexical difference. Idiot.

Sina sighed loudly and ignored her. Careful not to waste any water, she poured the bare minimum for her bath and set the rest aside. Eager, she climbed in and let the cool water wash away the heat and dirt in her skin. Leaning back, she closed her eyes, took a deep breath through her nostrils, and forced herself to relax.

Wearing fresh, clean night clothes, Sina entered Seer’s room after her bath but found she wasn’t there. The Arrow didn’t need a bed or a bathtub though she insisted on having them for a reason Sina could only guess at. Seer enjoyed emulating humans if she enjoyed anything. The creation of a being like Seer didn’t make sense to Sina, and she probably wouldn’t understand it until her memories returned.

Sina frowned. At the opposite end of the room was an open hatch that led down into the shadows beneath the house. Seer hadn’t gone down there in months. Peering down the hatch, she saw a glowing blue light. She stepped onto the ladder and climbed down the hatch after Seer.

Below the house was a small fissure in the ground. They had erected wooden beams to hold and support the house from collapsing. Sina followed a narrow path between the beams to the opposite end of the fissure toward the light. There, Seer stood before the collapsed-in cave entrance. Her eyes glowed a bright blue, illuminating the surrounding area.

Hey, Sina said, coming to Seer’s side. What brought you down here?

I don’t know, Seer said, gazing at the rubble. I thought I heard something.

Sina held her breath and listened to the silence of the cave. She heard only the house above them creaking against the wind. Her gaze lingered on the spot where she had buried her blade—the one Seer had retrieved for her. She rarely thought about that weapon anymore, her mind now consumed with the crops. She looked away from that spot and tried to think on other matters.

Where did it come from? Sina asked.

I’m not certain of that either.

Can you see inside?

Seer shook her head. No.

Sina waited for an explanation why, but the Arrow remained silent. She wondered how much of that answer was false and how much of it was true. Seer could find groundwater by seeing into the earth. She simply didn’t want to look into that room.

This is why it was easier for Sina to think of her as a human rather than an Arrow. Longing, grief, love, and loneliness. Seer expressed these in distinct, more subtle ways, and yet the ritualistic return to Gun’s grave after he’d died facing Tyranny more than two years past was a quintessential human characteristic. But unlike most humans, Seer never shed tears. She stood silent in her multitudinous thoughts.

You loved him, Sina said.

As much as an Arrow can love a human, she said. But how much of that is a simple design that instructs my systems to cling to whatever human I happen to come across in my travels—a human who does not wish me harm, and who clings to me in return? How much of that love is a survival mandate coded in me from my beginning? How much of what I feel is code?

Sina folded her arms and faced her friend. How is any of that different from me? she asked. "Humans have survival mandates. Our feelings are the effects