Some see the turning point in the history of Varlid through the lens of intercourse or lack of. - Mikachiari scholar
Mina lay in a puddle of bodies and twitching tails. It was almost morning and time for work. The warm, living mass moved, stretched, yawned. Mina felt blunt claws no longer good for hunting raking her back, arms, legs. Someone leaned over her head and began combing through her hair, tickling her ears.
"Mina," her best friend purred. "You're always the last one to get up." Kazi must have been the one attending to her head because sharp teeth nipped her ear.
"I'm up," Mina grumbled. She propped herself on one elbow and leaned over the closest Mikachiari to rake her claws along a body part. Her sleep blurry eyes couldn't tell exactly which area until a hand slapped her.
"Not there," a voice spat.
"Sorry," Mina said. Kazi giggled and pulled Mina up and away from the dissolving puddle of Mikachiari. All females, their bodies were barely covered with bits of cloth more for the sake of their Sayids and Ashihas, than any sense of propriety on the Mikachiari's part.
Mina let herself be half-pulled, half-dragged to the common washing room where stalls fit two at a time. The younger ones splashed water, snapped towels, their voices rose in volume until an elder hissed for quiet. Mina and Kazi hushed. When Mina drew a washcloth away from her, Kazi gasped. Red dots stood out on the light-colored cloth. Blood.
Mina froze, her eyes widening in terror. She fell to her knees before Kazi and pleaded, "Don't tell. Please, don't tell anyone."
***
Gumus Ay waded into the mine as he had for the past one hundred years. Stoic, solid, a wall of Kertenkele flesh surrounded by his brother Kertenkele, they broke rock, removed precious minerals and stones, the wealth of Dohla, and deposited it at the feet of their Elyun masters. The Kertenkele also broke up Padda nests. Any Padda unlucky enough to cross their path within the mines were exterminated. His elders did it with relish. Gumus Ay thought they were reliving the invasion of their homeland. The one they couldn't prevent. The one that destroyed their race. He was young then and didn't remember any of the mothers, wives, sisters lost forever.
The stone shattered, exposing the minerals he picked out of the debris. Gumus Ay felt... off. For a month now it felt as if a small fire burned underneath his skin, sending heat radiating through his large body. Working in the mines sixteen hours a day, almost non-stop, had not smothered the feeling. When he collapsed into his small stone cell the smoldering sensation barely let him gain one hour of sleep.
Hours into his repetitive job and the heat from the inside notched up. Kertenkele didn't sweat. Not that Gumus Ay had ever seen, but beads of moisture now formed on his upper lip. His thick purple tongue removed them. Toward the end of his shift Gumus Ay's large hammer froze in mid-stroke. He remembered what this inner fire meant, death.
***
Mina's body trembled as Kazi ran and hid the bloody washcloth, the sign Mina would be subject to the Nodoshiku. All Mikachiari who reached this age entered the ritual with Tado, the high priestess. Tado stated the Nodoshiku ritual was necessary since the exile from their homeland in order to protect the Mikachiari. Hushed speculation circled among the younger Mikachiari as to the details of this 'protection'. The Mikachiari who returned from the ritual were silent, their eyes dark with a secret never shared.
Until recently or maybe the resistance had always been there and Mina and Kazi only noticed when they grew old enough for it to be relevant, Mikachiari questioned, in whispers, never out loud, of Tado's insistence on this ceremony. Mina and Kazi stayed up at night discussing as their time grew near. Their discussions resulted in a pact, they would stall the inevitable for as long as they could.
It was easy enough the first few months, Mina's period was light and the ache only annoying. The hardest part was hiding the rags until they'd found a system of washing and hiding the evidence themselves. Six months later the pain radiated down Mina's legs and her stomach clenched in cramps. When they were able to sneak a moment alone after serving lunch, Kazi rubbed circles on Mina's lower back.
"I don't know how much longer we can keep this up," Mina whispered to Kazi.
"I'll find something for the pain, surely the Ashiha has something."
"I'm sure she does but with what excuse? Ashiha's not going to just give it to us. Asking will raise suspicion."
Kazi bared her teeth in agitation. "I've been thinking, I'm bound to start soon and what will we do then?"
"You're a true friend for going along with this but maybe it's time to ask an elder sister for help. Whatever is done during the ceremony, it can't be that bad."
"I'm not willing to give up yet. I'll keep alert for something or someone to help us."
Ashiha Esarotarahis entered the large courtyard of the Mikachiari servants and the usual constant purr of conversation grew silent. "I need a Mikachiari to run an errand for me." Many ears pricked up at the chance of leaving the servant's quarters until the Ashiha explained. "It's in the Kertenkele market." At her announcement ears flattened and eyes wandered elsewhere.
Mina and Kazi exchanged a glance and both shot forward. With a bow before the Ashiha Mina replied, "We'll go."
The Ashiha's eyebrows raised for a moment before handing over a medium-sized package with the name of the merchant to look for in the market. She spoke the words Mina needed to hear, "Take your time."
Kazi jumped forward to follow Mina but Ashiha Esarotarahis motioned her back. "I just need one to go."
Mina hung back hugging the package.
"Go," Kazi mouthed.
Mina tilted her head in apology to Kazi and slipped through the door and out into the streets of Rasima.
***
Since the day in the mine when Gumus Ay realized his condition, he had redoubled his efforts to control the fire flowing through his body. They were trained from early childhood by Onyx Ay himself to prevent this very thing, the Cinsel Iliski. Warned repeatedly of the dire consequences facing all his brothers if the Ofkelenmek were unleashed upon Rasima again. With a heavy face, he slowly lowered his hammer. He was losing the battle over the control of his own body.
Should he turn himself over to Onyx Ay? Maybe he hadn't studied hard enough, concentrated on Onyx Ay's lessons long enough, wasn't strong enough. Gumus knew a death sentence hung over his head at this display of weakness. Shame made him sag forward. Gumus was from the same clan as Onyx.
"Gumus?" Buclu Okuz asked. The question was hesitant since Kertenkele never sickened or weakened or tired. They marched on for hundreds of years.
Gumus looked up.
"Are you... sweating?"
Gumus's tongue darted out to remove the sweat. He shook his head 'no' and opened his mouth to speak when the klaxon bell for break rang out through the mines.
"Drink," Gumus muttered and stalked out of the mine. He continued past the others where they stopped to eat. He ignored Buclu's calls. Soon every Kertenkele was watching as he left the mines and headed toward the Kertenkele market.
***
Gumus was the only Kertenkele walking around the market at this time of day. He felt the eyes of the Sudawas on him as he passed. Gumus was as conspicuous as a hill with wildflowers sprouting from the top taking a stroll down the street. He would have to weave through the back alleys to his small, single room. He ducked through a stone archway when a hot, rolling wave surged through him. He stumbled against the stone wall, sweat rolling down his face and plunking on the pavement under his feet.
Not here, not now.
Gumus Ay had to barricade himself in his room until he could bring himself under control. Each step sent another wave crashing through him. No exact explanation of the Cinsel Iliski was given except that at the last stage it resulted in a rampage of such destruction, death was the only way to stop it. This was supposed to be a phase only possible in those Kertenkele who did not mate. The females were the key but the Kertenkele were a dead race, their females eaten up from the inside out by the Bocek. His giant chest heaved and he stumbled into a pile of stacked crates.
A high-pitch yelp shot out from behind one of the crates that had tumbled down. Gumus recoiled at the thought of being caught during this fatal weakness. He flicked the crate away and revealed a Mikachiari crouching in the darkness.
Female.
His mind registered this much right before an opaque veil dropped in front of his eyes. He reached a massive arm down and clamped his hand across her entire face. Her terrified eyes peeped through the cracks between his fingers.
A rumble rose from his chest as he picked her up and hugged her to his chest.
Female.
Squeezed against him, she resembled a furry package with a dangling, ribbon of a tail. Tension eased out of his body just enough for him to move his legs forward, weaving around the deserted back alley ways until he reached his room.
A kick sent the wooden door clanging against the stone wall. Kertenkele were too massive for beds. Woven mats were on one side of the room and a small kitchen on the other. He dumped the Mikachiari on the mats and closed the door. There was no way she could escape with one tiny window at the back and Gumus filling the rest of the living space.
Gumus was safe here. There were no other Kertenkele around at this time and no reason any Elyun would wander into the living spaces of their willing slaves. The Kertenkele had no vices and could offer no entertainment to the Elyun. Kertenkele lived as monks, the perfect working machines, the perfect guests in a foreign land.
The Mikachiari stared at him with wide eyes. Kertenkele and Mikachiari did not mix. This could be the first time she'd ever seen one up close. Mikachiari barely spoke the language of their masters, Loha. She had backed into the corner and made herself as small as possible. The veil that had fallen across Gumus's eyes lightened and his mind reeled in horror at what he'd done. The Kertenkele were to harm no one. Ever. Such was the penance for the slaughter of their females. His knees buckled and he fell on them with a thud.
Gumus flattened one palm against the wall. The burning so strong he thought he would burst into flames. His thick fingers pulled out his coarse shirt from leather shorts. A glow like embers from a fire fanned down from his belly to just above his knees.
"Help me," Gumus said, bewildered at the pleading in his voice.
The Mikachiari's mouth dropped open revealing tiny, pointed teeth. She hiccuped but did not speak.
There were no other creatures in Varlid save Bocek and Padda as massive as Kertenkele. But the female Kertenkele were gone. Only males survived the invasion of the Bocek. Gumus was too young to remember when his brothers made the march of mourning, Sabah Yuruyusu, and placed themselves upon the mercy of the Elyun.
Curiosity skittered across the Mikachiari's face. "Wha—What wrong?" she stammered.
Gumus's shoulders powered up and down. The sensation of flames pouring out through his skin made him double over and moan. He rocked back on his heels as his eyes glazed over and the opaque veil dropped again.
***
Gumus had no idea how much time had passed. The stones beneath him were slick with sweat. His body twitched and heat waves as hot as the Buyuk Col desert, passed over him. Just like that desert there was no rain, no relief. He pounded the wall in frustration. A scuttling sound reminded him the Mikachiari was still in the room. Why had he brought her here?
Breath, it always starts with the breath, Onyx Ay had instructed. Do no harm. Do no harm. Do no harm. Gumus vowed he would take his own life before he harmed this creature. Still taking in great lungfuls of air, he sat up, grabbed the Mikachiari and hugged her to his chest.
There was a pinpoint of sensation that sparked between warm and scalding hot like a current. Do no harm. Do no harm. Do no harm. Gumus slumped back and drifted away into unconsciousness.
***
Mina gathered herself and pushed. The dead weight of the Kertenkele's arms held her firm.
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid! She'd taken too much time to clean up. It felt so good to be out from the watchful eyes of Tado and Ashiha that she'd relaxed. The Kertenkele were all supposed to be in the mines this time of day.
The Kertenkele's skin was cool and smooth to the touch. She'd never seen a Kertenkele up close. They lived in separate areas of Rasima and other than their similar sad history, they had no use for one another. One had never glowed before and no one had mentioned they did. Mina closed her mouth around the area of his skin closest to her and bit down as hard as she could. Nothing. Not even puncture marks.
Mina let the heaving of the Kertenkele's chest lull her to sleep like the rocking motion of a boat. Ships had carried the Mikachiari across the Bred Hav sea to the nation of Dohla and the Elyun. They were servants, some even said slaves, but Mina had never wanted for anything in the Sayid's house.
Her lips curled into a snarl at the reason she and her sisters were here - Chikitofu Meikizikashiteari. Those two words encased the entire event when the magic users raided her homeland, slaughtered their males and reduced their allies, the Faglar, to paupers clinging to the corners of their homeland.
The Elyun and everyone else in Varlid called them Asistan Ti, the tiny wizards, and had open diplomatic relations. It did not extend to returning the female Mikachiari who had escaped and asked for sanctuary within Dohla and other parts of Varlid. The Kertenkele fluently spoke, Loha, the language of the Elyun, but the Mikachiari stood fast to their language and a few remaining traditions they could practice in their adopted home. They learned just enough to get by in their duties and no more.
A pounding at the door woke both of them. Mina hissed from the top of the Kertenkele's chest. With a gentle touch, she was lifted and set down across from the door.
"What's your name?" the Kertenkele asked. His deep voice vibrated in her ears.
"Mina." After a pause she asked, "You?"
"Gumus Ay." The pounding on the door became insistent. "I'm sorry. I'll do my best to see that no harm comes to you."
Mina wondered what he was sorry for.
***
Three Kertenkele in the shape of a triangle filled the doorway, Onyx Ay at the head. Kertenkele faces weren't as expressive as the Elyun or Mikachiari, but Onyx Ay's face was etched with sorrow. He looked down at the dull glow on Gumus Ay's chest and legs. He reached his arms out and rested them on Gumus's shoulders. "I have failed you."
Shame fell on Gumus like a shroud. "It is I who have failed you." He reached forward and ripped his shirt in two.
A ruckus outside the room made Gumus look over Onyx's shoulder. Tado, the high priestess, climbed the backs of the two Kertenkele behind Onyx screaming in Takatojidokajiku the language of the Mikachiari. Few understood more than a couple of words of their language, since one word often encompassed an entire subject. Whatever Tado was saying made Mina flex her claws in Gumus's leg and whimper.
"Onyx, do with me what you will, may my sacrifices be remembered, but don't let anything happen to this Mikachiari. This is entirely my fault. I... I don't know why I brought her with me."
Tado still screaming atop the shoulders of the Kertenkele, switched to Loha, the language of the Elyun. "What happened? Why my daughter? Do no harm, Kertenkele!" When she saw Gumus's glowing body she froze for a moment and then shrieked in earnest, incomprehensible in any language.
Onxy motioned with his head to start backing out of the room. When they moved into the hall outside, Tado was able to squirm between the legs of the Kertenkele and grab Mina. Gumus moved to interfere but Onyx encircled his neck while the other two grabbed his arms.
"Onyx, you promised!"
"The Kertenkele and Mikachiari handle their own. If we don't take care of this the Elyun will seek revenge on your brothers. You must help me end this quickly."
Now that Tado had a hold of the cowering Mina, she signaled several other Mikachiari who had been waiting farther down the alley to take her.
"No!" A spark of madness touched Gumus and the glow running along his chest and legs flamed brighter. In the small alley more massive hands encased his arms and legs to hold him back. Gumus kept his eyes glued to Mina until she disappeared from view.
The landscape changed. He was no longer near his dwelling in the Kertenkele Market. Dirt and dust formed a cloud blurring the features of the others straining to contain him.
Gumus relaxed and let himself be led outside of Rasima and up a winding path on Del Hill, marked as sacred and exclusively used by the Kertenkele for rituals. An alcove had been hewn out of solid rock on the back side of the hill facing away from the more common grounds used by the Kertenkele. Gumus didn't resist being stuffed into the cramped space and drew his feet up as Onyx latched the iron gate shut.
"Rest as best you can. Use the concentrations I gave you to calm yourself. We'll find respite for you soon."
***
Mina was enveloped in a swirling mix of tails, claws, and flashing teeth. All the Mikachiari who surrounded her were elders, having been through the Nodoshiku, their faces were engorged with rage. Mina's wide eyes shifted around, trying to escape the blows and kicks that rained down on her.
Why? It wasn't her fault. She'd done nothing wrong.
Tado's hoarse voice rose above the clamor, "How sisters? How are we going to placate Jimotekuari? The goddess who has asked nothing less of us than our purity!"
No response was uttered, nor one expected. The beating went on. Mina felt clumps of hair pulled from parts of her body. She collapsed, her mind numb, receding in incomprehension. Her brain registered a change of place and a metal door clanged shut. Grateful, to be denied feeling, she slipped into unconsciousness.
***
A small group of Mikachiari stood across from Tado and a larger group of elders. Everyone else had backed away to the furthest reaches of the courtyard.
"Why Tado?" asked Batu.
"It is not your place to ask why," Tado said. "If the a decision has been reached by the high priestess, Rikijiri Noshikikuarichiari, and it is passed down through our scholars, Armirimotakashiari, then there is nothing to explain."
"That has been so long ago Tado. Can we at least ask if there has been a change? We are far flung across Varlid, many of our scholars are dead, the high priestess is in hiding, there could have been a change in our situation by now."
"I assure you I will hear if it does and the goddess, Jimotekuari, still watches over us."
"No one watches over us! There is no one to rule us from above anymore. We should know why." Batu paused then she bared her teeth. "Why are we being mutilated? Why are we being made barren?
A hissing passed through the courtyard.
"Silence!" Tado shouted. "The Tiny Wizards are the reason and your anger and questioning should be at them and not at me."
"The Elyun and Manskliga have taken us in, vowing not to turn us over to them and they have kept their vow. The Tiny Wizard's are here in Rasima but they never come near us. So again Tado, why? If we must be protected in this brutal way, then why?"
Tado's face drew weary. "If you are interested in politics Batu travel to Enade, if you can gain permission to leave Rasima. If the Elyun and Manskliga are protecting us it is for their benefit and theirs alone. Be fearful of what will come when it is not profitable for them to offer us sanctuary." Tado slowly turned to face those standing at the edges of the courtyard. "The Nodoshiku is a sacred ritual passed down from our high priestess and recorded in our history by our scholars. It is my duty to carry out this deed until I hear differently from the high priestess herself." Tado faced Batu. "Now bring me Mina."
"No."
"Batu, there is a price to pay for disobeying do not force my hand."
"I will not bring her. There are others speaking in the place of the high priestess and they tell a different story Tado."
The courtyard erupted in noise and motion. Mikachiari moved to choose sides between Batu and Tado. Claws rose in anger and mouths curled back revealing fangs.
Ashiha Esarotarahis strode into the courtyard blowing a shrill whistle. "Enough! You." She pointed to one of the Mikachiari. "Translate."
At first several Mikachiari started to relate what had just transpired. Ashiha Esarotarahis huffed in exasperation. "I don't care what you are doing amongst yourselves. I want you to translate what I'm saying."
The Mikachiari's shoulders drew down in embarrassment. Tado stepped forward. The Ashiha held up her hand. "Tell them, I don't care what this is about. The Elyun were gracious enough to take you all in and all we ask in return is that you live peacefully. We let you keep to your ways as long as you live in peace within our walls." The Ashiha fixed her stare on Batu. "You will do as your priestess commands. It is in your best interest." The Ashiha addressed Tado next. "You may preform your rituals, but the Mikachiari also serve a function as servants of Elyun households. You will not maim my servants outside of this ritual. Are we clear?"
Tado answered with a reluctant nod.
Ashiha Esarotarahis turned on her heel and stalked out of the courtyard calling over her shoulder, "I don't want any more upsets! Between you and the Kertenkele we've had enough trouble for one day."
***
"Mina?" A soft, clinking accompanied the voice. "Mina, it's Kazi. Ohhhh, what have they done to you?" the voice moaned.
Mina didn't want to believe she had any friends left. Some of those elders who had beat her she considered friends. She chose not to move.
"Mina, there isn't much time. Tomorrow night is your Nodoshiku, but there are rumors you will die during the ceremony. Not all are happy with Tado's ways. Some sisters want to help. "
A touch across her leg meant as a caress made Mina wince in pain. "Be ready to go in the afternoon."
Sunlight pierced the swollen slits of Mina's eyes. She cautiously stretched her body, trying to assess if anything was broken. Her foot brushed a metal cup and liquid splashed her toes. With movements abbreviated by pain, she maneuvered to the cup and licked water up across her hot, swollen tongue.
Rest alluded her on the hard, wooden floor. Mina had every intention of begging Tado for death before, during, and after the Nodoshiku. She was convinced Kazi visiting in the night was a dream until scuffling noises drew near. Scraping followed with hushed hisses issuing instructions. "Turn it this way."
"No, this way!"
A metal squeal gave way to sighs of relief. Coarse fabric scraped her body and she moaned aloud when she was half-lifted, half-drug along the floor.
"Quiet, Mina. We're almost out," Kazi's voice reassured her.
A voice she didn't recognize whispered, "Kazi, you'll be missed, go back, now." Muffled voices argued back and forth.
She felt a squeeze on her ankle. "I'll see you soon, sister."
Heat and light filtered in through the fabric as she rattled along on a cart with other parcels half smothering her. Mina bit her lip to keep from crying aloud as every bump sent tendrils of pain coursing through her body. Quiet streets gave way to market noises and then to quiet once more. Parcels shifted as she was lifted out and dumped on the ground. She covered her mouth to cut off a scream. "Sorry," someone muttered before the cart rattled off. Eventually she came to rest and a door closed. The fabric was removed and a hooded figure crouched beside her.
"Stay here, don't make a sound. There's enough food and water to last a week. After that, get out of Rasima."
"Who are you?"
"Batu and we've risked much to do this. Ashiha Esarotarahis and Tado will make us pay for freeing you. Get to the farthest outpost you can. I hear there is one in the far west called Dong Tochi. Do not let The Tiny Wizards catch you. I don't know what they're doing but find out the truth about the Nodoshiku ritual. Come back and save us if you can."
Mina's face was slack with bewilderment. "But I can't. I'll go through with the ritual if it'll bring peace back."
"No." Batu gripped the back of Mina's neck. "You must do this. Do it for your younger sisters. Do it for Kazi."
Mina shook her head. She couldn't begin to imagine a life outside Rasima, outside of the sisters at her Sayid and Ashiha's house.
"We were not always like this," Batu said. "We had a great nation once." Batu touched her forehead to Mina's and blessed her, "Zutakuari." The word held the history of all the blessings passed down for generations through the Mikachiari. It was used in time of great need.
"Zutakuari," Mina whispered.
The next day Mina opened her eyes enough to recognize the room was the one she shared briefly with the Kertenkele. She drank water and wondered what had become of him.
***
Gumus lay in the grip of agony. He had tried all of Onyx Ay's concentrations and even invented a few of his own. Every time he felt on the verge of control, it slipped away like Buyuk Col sand in the wind. He even tried to let the growing rage become a concentration, but it only intensified until colors in hues he'd never imagined, danced before his eyes.
Onyx Ay appeared before the locked gate. Gumus cringed, unable to face the fact he had failed at following Onyx's tutelage.
"I am sorry. The concentrations to curb the Cinsel Iliski, the mating time, have worked for so many. We never knew they wouldn't work until Golo, may his sacrifices be remembered, went on his rampage."
Gumus knew the story by heart, but kept quiet as Onyx continued.
"He killed so many. The streets of Rasima ran red with the blood of anyone who tried to stop him. Kertenkele, Mikachiari and the Elyun, who showed us mercy, all fell. He ripped limbs from bodies, he tore apart anyone who crossed his path and tossed the pieces aside. I saw this with my own eyes. We finally killed Golo, may his sacrifices be remembered, and that tragedy is forever known as the Ofkelenmek. Elyun law dictates that any Kertenkele who comes into Cinsel Iliski be... ." Onyx Ay's voice broke as he leaned against the bars of the cage. "Gumus, your sacrifices will be remembered."
Silence echoed through the tiny enclosure. "I understand, Onyx. Please make it swift." Gumus fixed his eyes on Onyx's through the bars of the cage. "Before I welcome what is building inside of me."
***
Mina ate and drank and nearly peed herself in fear when she heard sounds approach the door of the Kertenkele's room. She remembered his name, Gumus. Nerves wouldn't let her wait a week. She packed the remaining food in a folded rag and planned to venture out the next night. She had gone back and forth between throwing herself on Tado's mercy and trying to survive outside Rasima.
A world she had never seen lay beyond Rasima's gates. She tried to imagine a life away from her sisters. What kind of life it turned out to be meant she'd have to make decisions for the first time. That scared her as much as being caught, as much as being returned to Tado.
Night drifted down to cover the city. Elyun enforced a curfew for everyone but themselves. Not that the Kertenkele or Mikachiari ever ventured out past their protected areas. The Sudawas would be patrolling the lower class Elyun and keeping them away from the higher classes as they drifted from house party to house party. Mina knew if she still held any favor with their Goddess, Jimotekuari, she would make it out into the night. If she only survived for a day before being killed by the beasts that roamed between the nations, at least she would die free and of her own choice. To her knowledge it had been ages since any Mikachiari had done so.
As she had anticipated, the Kertenkele market was quiet. She crept among the shadows until she saw a single torch by a lone Sudawa, slumped, his head to one side, asleep in a chair. Next to him was an entry way only large enough for someone to stoop through one at a time. Kertenkele couldn't pass through at all, they only used the three large main gates. Mina crept forward afraid the hammering of her heart would wake the Sudawa. She worried her lips to keep herself from panting in fear.
The Sudawa moved and Mina flattened herself against the far wall. She let out a whimper of relief when she realized he had only slumped further in his chair. His chest rose and fell with deep snores. Mina stayed against the wall and scooted down until she was flush with the gate. She reached one hand out and touched the gate handle. Locked.
She looked around until she saw a lever with four handles on the wall above the Sudawa's head. Teka! Mina cursed silently. The code to unlock the door changed daily and she could hardly stand over the guard and try combinations until one worked.
Back through the silent alleys Mina crept until she came to the Kertenkele market. Four very alert Sudawa stood at the main gate. A festival, the Elyun used any excuse for a festival, was being held in the main Elyun market up the stone slope. A huge glow lit up the sky outside the gate at the top of Del Hill. The Kertenkele must be celebrating as well.
It was as she thought, there was no way out. Rasima was an impenetrable stone fortress. There were tunnels in the mines but she would be killed in minutes by Padda. Mina slumped down and landed on a grate. It was useless. I'm useless.
Mina was thirsty but there had been no container to carry water. The sound of trickling water registered in her addled brain. There were public drinking fountains scattered throughout the city. She would need water to cross Dohla. She almost laughed out loud. If she could get out of Rasima. Mina put her palms on the metal grate beneath her to stand. It was damp. She felt its edges in the darkness. It was too small and sealed into the stone with no way to open it even if she could crawl through the opening.
But... .
She stood and aimed her hearing over the stone wall. A stronger sound of running water met her ears. She'd never been in the Kertenkele market long enough to notice it before but this wall was blocking off an aqueduct. In the dim light she thought she had maybe three feet of space between the large fortress wall and this one. She flexed her fingers testing the mortar with her claws. Teka Torin! Mina cursed her pampered lifestyle. Mikachiari were agile creatures but years of household service had left them weak. Still, it was her only option.
Mina moved down the wall toward the mines and took back her curses when she found scaffolding half dismantled by the aqueduct wall. The entrance to the mine was a dark, gaping black hole. No one except in the company of Kertenkele entered and exited safely. Looking around just to be sure, she climbed up and standing on tip toe was able to grip the edge. Her face wrinkled in pain and effort as she managed to drag herself up and rest her elbows on the edge. The sound of water could be heard clearly now. A couple deep breaths and Mina plunged over the side.
Mikachiari hated water, Mina remembered, as the cold liquid closed over her head.
Mina was carried out by the aqueducts to a river outside Rasima. Luckily the bars of the grate were set wide enough apart she slipped right through. She climbed out at the nearest bank. Her food was water logged. All that was salvageable were a few pieces of fruit and a bag of nuts.
The rugged land of Dohla opened up before her. The small spark of hope and excitement she'd allowed herself to feel at first vanished at the enormity of her task. Mina had no idea which direction would lead her out of Dohla. A glow from the top of Del Hill beckoned her. The Kertenkele hadn't cared what happened to her but Gumus had. He said he'd try to protect her. Well Gumus had failed once so he owed her.
A scuttling noise from some animal sent Mina hurrying away from the river and towards Del Hill. She couldn't think of another option but to find Gumus and get him to help. If Gumus didn't, this adventure was over before it had begun.
***
In the night, the deep, rumbling chants from hundreds of throats drifted down to Gumus's cage. The chants were in his native tongue, Dil. His brothers were chanting to the Goddess Gudina that his good name be remembered. That all his good acts, all his sacrifices, be
remembered. That any stains upon his name not follow him to her realm. Instead, they chanted, let them be passed on to his surviving brothers. Kertenkele lived hundreds of years and those years couldn't be born under the heavy weight of unsullied life. Gumus's brothers were already mourning his death.
The sound provided him more comfort then he'd felt in the past few days. He must have drifted off because he was awakened by a surge of heat causing his back to arch unnaturally. Gumus with deliberate force banged his head against the rock wall. He would rather spill his own brains then be left with nothing but the coming rage. It was worse than hunger, even thirst. Neither food, nor water had passed to him since he'd been incarcerated, but those pangs hadn't registered.
Gumus leaned as far forward as he could and then flung his head backwards.
"Stop!"
The Mikachiari crouched in front of him, one hand touching his shin. He banged his head a couple of more times, for good measure, then leaned forward to examine Mina.
"What did they do to you?" he asked. Even in the darkness he saw swollen features and a large split in the bottom lip.
Mina turned sideways and drew her cloak up to her eyes to cover the damage done from the beating. "I free."
Gumus resumed banging his head.
"Stop, now. What do to you?"
He paused, the corners of his mouth wanting to lift in a smile at her broken use of the Loha language. The Cinsel Iliski must be driving him mad. Kertenkele were never... amused. "I'm going to die to prevent the Ofkelenmek from happening again." Gumus closed his eyes. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean any harm to come to you."
Metal creaked and he opened his eyes out of curiosity. Great Goddess Gudina the Kertenkele were never... curious. The door to his cage swung open. Mina had worked the simple latch open. She pointed to him and then to her chest. "No die."
"No! I'm a danger, to you, to everyone." Gumus reached forward and closed the gate. He motioned for her to lock it again.
Mina spread her hand to encompass the scenery before her. "You help. We no die."
"I can't help you. You have no idea what I'm capable of doing. Lock the gate. Please, lock the gate." There was no way she could understand the danger of Ofkelenmek.
Mina repeated her gesture and sat back on her haunches. "We no die."
The opaque veil seeped into the corners of his vision. With a growl, Gumus kicked open the gate. His cramped muscles ached in protest as he stretched his legs. Mina scampered up to his glowing chest and patted her hand just under his neck. "Remember? Better now." Gumus's breathing slowed. He did feel better.
***
Although they walked upright, Kertenkele could travel on all fours when they wanted to. Gumus trekked across the rocky expanse with Mina curled up on his back. He was outside of Rasima for the first time since he was young. There were three main areas to Dohla: Shimel sahaerat, Zeroob sahaerat, and Waha. The outside entrance to the mines was located in Shimel sahaerat, the inner entrance was found in the Kertenkele section of the city Rasima. Gumus was traveling through Zeroob Shahaerat. At the far end was the Waha. It was dangerous, but it was also the only source of accessible water in this part of Dohla.
Beasts appeared and disappeared as specks on the horizon. Several times he moved away from abandoned campfires, not wanting to fight with Padda or Vartalf. The sun was setting when he passed a large valley on his right, the road to Shimel sahaerat, a mountain enclosed area that lead to the mines and deeper still Padda's underground tunnels. The Elyun were decimating their population using their tunnels and underground caverns to mine the precious stones and minerals of Varlid. He couldn't afford to seek high ground in case the Sudawa were searching for them so he kept going until he came to a small gathering of rocks. Gumus circled the area several times until he was sure no other beast was using the spot.
Gumus scooped Mina to his chest and curled up around her. He resigned himself to seeing the Mikachiari to the safest town. Gumus had promised to try and protect her. He could always return to his brothers to let them carry out his death sentence. The sentence he deserved, but they wouldn't care about Mina or the fact he was the cause of her being banished from Rasima. He still didn't know why or understand how this had happened. Gumus understood she would die and her presence did calm him more than any concentrations.
Mina stirred underneath his arms. He checked to make sure he wasn't squishing her in some way. Mewling sounds drifted up from the center of his chest. Her tail and paws twitched. She must be dreaming. The fur between her eyebrows puckered.
A long forgotten hum vibrated in his chest and a vague image of a Kertenkele face, rounder, smoother then a male's, with bright eyes flashed for a second, then disappeared. Gumus knew why he was given a death sentence. If there had been any female Kertenkele left, his Cinsel Iliski would have been a period of celebration. Since there wasn't, all it brought was the painful remembrance of all the lives lost.
Gumus stopped humming. Mina lay loose limbed against him, her breathing deep and regular. The Asistan Ti had decimated the male Mikachiari and the females were left at the mercy of others. They had no protectors. Gumus felt tears form at the corner of his eyes and Kertenkele never cried.
***
Another new sensation coursed along his side... pain. Gumus heard and felt a thwack! He opened one eye to see a Padda, mouth drawn back in a grimace, glittering, pitiless eyes fixed on Gumus. The Padda brought down his solid wooden weapon with one hand and in the other open palm held a green vaporous ball.
Loana! Gumus cursed. Magi Padda. Although he should be grateful, they weren't as powerful as some of the others. The Padda drew his arm back to fling the poison at him. Still, this is going to sting.
Gumus flipped so his back faced the Magi Padda and took the brunt of the attack to spare Mina. A sharp burning crawled up his spine as the poison dug in. It was a weak poison, meant to drain life force. It wasn't fatal unless a creature was sufficiently weakened first.
Gumus was weak from lack of food and water, but not that weak.
Mina's eyes flew open at being dumped on the ground. Gumus grumbled, "Stay!" He looked over his shoulder to see the Padda, his weapon on a downward arc aimed at Gumus's head. His forearm smacked the Padda's wrist and Gumus twisted his body around smashing the Padda's face with his fist.
The Padda rocked backwards his head striking the boulder behind him and sank to his knees. Gumus drew back to strike again and paused, realizing the Padda was young, not full-grown. He hesitated. A rumble deep in Gumus's throat burst out and the glow along the front of his body pulsed. Kill, he struck first. Gumus followed through with all his power. The Padda's face ricocheted off his fist into the boulder again. When the dust settled, dark purple liquid flowed from the nose and mouth of the Padda and a healthy smear covered the boulder above the slumped form.
Gumus's victory was short-lived considering the poison now had a firm hold and was burning it's way along his spine just below his skin. He flung himself against a rock and rubbed.
"No!" Mina shouted. "Bad. More bad." She tugged at his arm. Gumus knew she was right. He paced a few steps back and forth flexing and rolling his shoulders. The burning and poison would subside, but he had no idea how long it would take and he would be weakened. He couldn't carry Mina on his back like he had yesterday and he couldn't afford any more encounters with Padda.
"Can you walk?"
Mina nodded.
After a few feet Gumus knew it was not going to work. His gait was too wide and Mina still limped from her beating. He signaled her to wait and removed her cloak, turning it into a sling. "Come, sit inside."
By nightfall Gumus could see the campfires from a caravan of Vartalf on the left in the area before the entrance to the Waha. The Zeroob sahaerat curved to the right. After another day's walk they would reach the first Galen, or wild area, Slat. None of the nations owned the various Galen scattered throughout Varlid or even tried to maintain order in those areas. It was overrun by beasts and, if rumors were true, Aventyrare. They had to cross that wilderness to get to Sanddyner, still a half-wild Galen with beasts, but the three nations jointly maintained an outpost there. Gumus had decided their final destination lay in the relative safety of the Free Port of Sanddyner.
If the Vartalf didn't kill them on the spot, the Vartalf would wait until they were asleep and kill them then. Gumus could smell water and Mina stirred and whimpered. It was so near. The poison had worn off a while ago but Gumus felt tired for the first time in his long life. He circled closer to the camps looking for any unoccupied pond where they might grab a quick drink.
A puddle of thick, brackish water guarded by a lone Waha crab was the only option Gumus found. With an agility that surprised him, Mina sprang from the sling in front of his chest and pounced on the back of the crab. She grabbed both arms of the crab right below the dangerous claws and pulled backwards until the joints cracked. She flung both to the side and flipped the crab over, ripping tiny legs away until she reached the tender underbelly and made short work of dissecting it.
Mina handed a thick chunk of pink meat to Gumus with a grin. "Eat."
Gumus grunted, impressed.
They both choked down two gulps of water before the nasal language of the Vartalf and the skittering noises of more Waha crabs made them shrink back. Gumus was in no position to take on more than one at a time and probably not even that many.
Mina settled back into the sling as Gumus thought about a plan to cross the first Elyun outpost of Zeroob sahaerat. There would be a second one to sneak past at the entrance to Slat Galen. "We're going to pass the outpost by the Great Nahara. We'll rest there until night so we can pass the second outpost before the Galen."
Mina's voice was muffled. "Galen, bad."
"Goddess Gudina willing we'll make it to Free Port Sanddyner in a few days."
Mina snorted, "Goddess Jimotekuari."
Gumus wasn't going to argue which Goddess to supplicate to and would pay honor to them all if it meant they reached their destination safely. The outpost was dark, but he stayed to the right and didn't double back until he was sure they'd made a large half-circle around it.
Even from this far off the rushing water of the Great Nahara and Great Nahara Falls sang in his ears. Water and plenty of it. The Great Nahara and its underground tributaries were the only reason Dohla was inhabitable. The Waha and Rasima were fed by these large rivers that ran through the mines and all the way to Buyuk Col, Gumus's homeland. During the Sabah Yuruyusu, the surviving male Kertenkele had simply followed the river until they reached Rasima and prostrated themselves before the Elyun Emperor Rehis Abja.
The air cooled as they neared the falls. The Elyun maintained a large, sturdy bridge, but Gumus hadn't been here since he was young and didn't remember the river was far below them, too far to drink from. He edged along the bank closer to the falls, the water roaring in his ears. Spray covered the rocks along the bank making them slick. He picked his way carefully until he found a flat rock—half dry, half wet.
Mina and Gumus licked water from small indents in the rock until they were full. In the cool air they bathed in the spray and then settled back on the dry half of the rock. Gumus hadn't seen any creatures stirring, but with morning only a few hours away they'd have to find a better hiding spot to spend the day.
Gumus lay on his back. A half moon hung low and the night twinkled with the light from a million stars. Why had this happened to him? He squirmed feeling the flames at the fringes, threatening to engulf him. Killing the Magi Padda and fighting the poison had returned him almost to normal. Now it was back, reminding him of what his future had become.
He searched his mind for Onyx Ay's concentrations and the mantra - Do no harm. It sounded distant and softer than before. Gumus watched Mina, curled up on his chest no doubt believing she was in the arms of a protector. Gumus knew she was in the arms of a monster.
***
Mina slept in the heat of the day as Gumus Ay tramped through the rest of the wasteland of sunburned rocks to the final checkpoint before the Slat Galen. Gumus knew they were close since faded tufts of grass dotted the horizon in front of him.
That morning Mina had gasped after looking at his face.
"What's wrong?" Gumus asked.
"Eyes change," Mina said.
Gumus rubbed his eyes.
"Yellow, orange, red."
The color of fire. Gumus felt a dark swirl of doubt and anger seep into the marrow of his bones replacing the Do No Harm teachings so carefully instilled over the years.
A solitary Sudawa sat in front of the guard shack with a sword draped across his lap. The entrance to the Slat Galen had been narrowed to a large single lane. A bright shine of green blossomed on the other side.
There was nothing to do but pass directly in front of the Sudawa. Gumus eyed him while keeping his steady pace. The Sudawa righted his head first and then tilted his armor faceplate back to get a better look at who was approaching. A slight clang of armor announced the Sudawa was moving. Gumus watched as the Sudawa raised his hand for him to stop.
Past this narrow road a different existence awaited. Gumus decided there was no reason to stop. The Sudawa must have sensed something amiss or realized he was seeing a Kertenkele on four feet instead of two. Gumus whispered, "Get ready to jump." He felt Mina tense in response.
This was probably the most excitement the Sudawa had seen in a long while because he seemed to Gumus to be amused. "Halt!" When there was no response he shouted louder, "I said halt!" The rest of his muttering was lost as he picked up the pace to cut Gumus off before he reached the gate. "You dumb, rock breaking—"
The rest of the sentence was lost as Gumus came up swinging. Mina leaped to one side as the Sudawa went sailing in the opposite direction. He landed with a loud metallic crash and didn't stir.
Mina's jaw was slack with surprise at the sudden violence. Gumus held out his hand and noticed her hesitation before she returned to her seat on his back. Breaking into a trot they passed into Slat Galen. After the Kertenkele invaded the Padda's territory to mine for the Elyun, the Padda had retreated to this Galen through tunnels deep in the surrounding mountains. Vartalf also used this area to hunt and fish. Once they reached the wide open area Gumus stood up and swung Mina to his shoulders.
"What do you see?"
"Animals."
"Padda or Vartalf?"
"No."
"What animals?"
"Many wild. Flying, running, hopping."
"How far can you see?"
"Maybe ten miles."
"Good."
Every five or ten miles Gumus would stand up and let Mina scout the area. The Padda in Slat Galen were not like the weak Magi Padda he'd fought in Dohla. These were a head taller than Gumus. The Vartalf in this area would hunt alone or in pairs. In pairs they would be easy to contend with if they decided to attack but if one were able to get back to their caravan with news of unarmed travelers, Gumus knew it would mean more trouble then he could handle.
By the third scouting, dusk had fallen. Mina's movements were slow and unsteady as she lowered herself.
"Are you okay?"
"Hunger, Gumus."
The way had been clear so far and Gumus hated to stop now. He estimated they were thirty or forty more miles. Then there were another forty or more miles to the Free Port of Sanddyner. Water was plentiful at small ponds scattered throughout the Galen, but Gumus was no hunter. "Can you catch another crab?"
"I try."
Gumus took his time circling around the next pond checking for danger before allowing Mina to spring into action. Much smaller Slat Galen crabs clicked their claws in the darkness. Mina came back with a handful and offered first to Gumus. "No, I'm fine." A look of doubt crossed Mina's face so he insisted. "I need water, food can wait."
Mina chewed her food and slurped some of the crab juice from it's shell, then she curled up in his lap.
"We can't stay here," Gumus said.
Before the sun set there was a large hill on the right and mountains on the left. On the right side of the Galen were two more Galen, Trask and Falt, which needed to be crossed before reaching the jointly held capital of Enade. The Elyun, Manskliga, and Asistan Ti held and maintained this city as a neutral zone for the three nations.
On the left side of Slat Galen was the way to Sanddyner. Gumus searched along the small outcroppings until he came to a small hole that smelled like some creature had used it in the past. "Here." He enlarged the opening enough for Mina and then laid down in front. The grass wasn't tall enough to conceal him but since they'd traveled in darkness and heard nothing out of the ordinary he hoped to pass for a rock in the darkness.
The next day passed much the same way only they made more stops for food. As they neared the entrance to Sanddyner Mina spotted an upright figure walking in the distance. Gumus squinted. "Too small to be Padda and too big to be Vartalf. Must be Aventyrare. Is he armed?"
"Not know."
They gave the figure a wide berth and continued through the green grass of the Slat Galen until it gave way to the blinding white sands of Sanddyner. The guard shack was on the far left so Gumus stayed to the far right. At this distance he couldn't tell which nation was on duty. There were no Padda in Sanddyner and the Vartalf were numerous here but a bit more civilized since they relied on trading with the outpost and Free Port. There were several more aggressive beasts they needed to avoid until Gumus could properly arm himself. With food in her system Mina was alert and even trotted by his side for sort periods of time or scouted ahead over a dune.
Mina pointed. "Small tree patch three miles."
"Small tree patch is an oasis." Gumus replied. He had tried improving her Loha during the journey. Since entering Sanddyner and having fasted for almost a week, the flames and burning were at bay. He couldn't carry on much longer this way though and he didn't know what would happen when he was fully rested and fed. "We'll stop there."
On the ledge above the oasis they hunkered down as figures appeared. Gumus could make out small groups of what appeared to be Aventyrare scattered around campfires. They looked Manskliga and Elyun in stature. No Kertenkele and no Mikachiari. To the left the pound of the surf could be heard although dunes obscured it from sight and to the right were more sand dunes which eventually led to the Galens before reaching the Manskliga capital of Fond.
Gumus turned to Mina and saw her for the first time in days. Her hair was matted and either lying flat or puffed out at odd angles. Her bruises and cuts were gone and only faint scars remained. He reached out as Mina prepared to spring to his back and instead he drew her up. He straightened her filthy cloak and pulled up her hood to cover most of her face. What could be seen of her features he tried to clean by licking his palm then rubbing at her face. Mina closed her eyes and shivered until she slapped at his hand.
"Stop. No more!" She drew the backs of her hands over her face. "What doing?"
"Now is as good a time as any to see if we'll pass for Aventyrare. How do I look?"
Her eyes wandered up and down. Tentatively she brushed at dirt and scratched at larger patches of dried mud. After trying the same licked palm technique on his hair, Mina threw up her hands. "Okay, I guess."
"If they try to attack us head that way." Gumus pointed away from the water.
Mina's eyes twitched with nervousness. "Alone?"
"I'll meet you just before the guard shack."
Her hands ran up and down his forearm and she pulled tight to his side.
"No," Gumus said as he pushed her away. "I work for you. Stand tall, shoulders back. You tell me what to do."
Mina's head drew back in surprise and one corner of her mouth jerked up in amusement.
They pulled back from the ledge and circled to the left so they could walk on the sand covered path edged with white brick and small thorny bushes. Gumus pushed Mina in front of him when she hesitated. With every stride she straightened until even under the cloak he could see her bouncing gait, hips swinging, shoulders drawn back, head held hauntingly high. At the last second before they came into view, Gumus dropped down to all fours.
For all their preparations, nothing happened at first. Gumus had been right, Manskliga and Elyun in a mix of dull used armor and regular dress sat around campfires drinking and eating or resting. A few Elyun glanced over at Mina. A slight figure the size of an Elyun child sat up at the campfire closest. Before Gumus could warn Mina she crouched and hissed. A blond-haired Asistan Ti stroked a thin mustache and grinned. He called out to them in a high-pitched voice, "I haven't seen a Mikachiari in ages. Ho, there!"
Gumus gave a tug at Mina's cloak as a lengthy string of what he was sure were curses in her own language flowed past her lips.
The Asistan Ti leaned back kicking his feet in the air as he laughed. It was a small tinkling sound in accordance with his size. "If the males only fought as well as the females cursed we'd have lost the battle for Patri Peyi," he said as he wiped tears from his eyes.
Mina tightened, ready to spring and Gumus had no choice but to stand, catch Mina around her middle and draw her back to his chest. She hung there cursing and scratching at his arms.
The Asistan Ti's laughter died as Gumus revealed his true size.
"Is she serious?" the Asistan Ti asked.
Gumus scooted Mina behind his back and moved away.
"We're all Aventyrare here Kertenkele and our allegiances are for the highest bidder. You two seem new to this trade," the Asistan Ti said as a single purple flame grew from his fingertip. "So just this once I'll let her outburst slide."
On the other side at the edge of the oasis they sat as Mina huffed and mumbled, her face twisted in rage.
"Mina, you have to calm down. You are Aventyrare now. You'll see Asistan Ti and you can't fight them every time. We will go to the port of Sanddyner. From there you can catch the boat to Dong Tochi or if things are right, settle in Sanddyner." When she refused to meet his eyes, Gumus continued. "Mina, I've done what you asked. I helped you reach a new place. It will never be as safe as the house of your Sayid. You must change."
"Where you go?"
"I'm not safe around anyone. I have to go far away."
"You fine."
"No," Gumus didn't want to explain he was starving himself to keep the Cinsel Iliski at bay.
A hunk of crab plunked down between them. "Eat this. You look hungry."
Gumus looked up to see an Elyun with a full, dark beard looking down at them.
"We're not a completely heartless lot," the Aventyrare said, not introducing himself. "If we could have made it in our own homeland we wouldn't be out here wandering the Galen." He eyed Mina. "There is plenty of work if you don't have passage to Dong Tochi."
"Passage?" Gumus asked as Mina picked at the crab. They were large here like the ones in Waha.
"Money to pay for the passage by ship. You are new to this. It's a long trip and there are pirates to pay off." The Aventyrare nodded over his shoulder. "She's right not to trust Asistan Ti, sometimes they'll buy or sell information to their kin and then next thing you know." The bearded Elyun drew his finger across his throat. "The only Asistan Ti you can halfway trust are the Black hats. Good thing they have to announce what kind of magic user they are by color. They're great in a fight. Never trust the Grey and especially the White hats. They are loyalists to the core. That Asistan Ti is a black hat." The Aventyrare pointed his thumb at Mina. "If they're trying to trick you, and they will, you can also tell them by the color of their magic. Purple is used by Black hats, blue and green by White hats. The Grey hats use a little of both magics but weaker colors, including yellow and orange." The Elyun Aventyrare squatted down in front of them. "How did you escape Dohla?"
Gumus tensed. "Where not from Dohla."
"Right. I can tell by your dress. I'm Elyun, I know what your kind wear in the mines."
Gumus ignored him. "The guard to Sanddyner didn't stop us. Why's that?"
"The only guards you have to worry about are the ones bordering nations. There isn't a large garrison stationed at any of the outposts outside of the nations so they tend to ignore everything that doesn't walk up and slap them." The Elyun Aventyrare stood up. "If you assaulted a guard in Dohla, my advice would be to never find yourself back there."
"Thank you for the food," Gumus said as the Aventyrare walked off.
"No money," Mina sighed. Gumus though her face was drawn down in mock sadness. Her eyes twinkled. The Aventyrare had given her an excuse for Gumus to stay on and help her.
"I know. Let's go to the Free Port and see about work then."
"Stay with me more?"
"Only until you have passage." Gumus took a bite of food since his starvation tactic wouldn't work if he needed to perform hard labor. He'd have to find some kind of balance to exist in control until he got Mina on a ship.