The Free Port of Sanddyner was surrounded by a large rock wall with it's back to the waters of Bred Hav, the great sea. Several miles directly across from the Free Port was the outpost. The brown buildings and water tower looked deserted except for wisps of smoke curling into the air from a chimney on one of the buildings.
The path to Free Port after the oasis was crowded with more people than Gumus had seen since leaving Rasima. A few more Asistan Ti appeared and several slender figures about Mina's size. If they had not been obscured by cloaks, Gumus could have sworn they were Mikachiari. If they were they didn't react to Mina's presence. There was a complete absence of any of his brothers which at first relieved Gumus then made him melancholy. All those years of working shoulder to shoulder with his brothers, gone.
Free Port guards stopped random people to check their bags or carts, otherwise they seemed uninterested in the milieu passing back and forth through the gates. Free Port itself was black and white. The sand and surrounding wall shone brilliantly in the sun. The buildings were made of a black porous material and in the background the Bred Hav glittered in varying shades of blue and green. The air reeked of fish. Nets were pulled tight over frames and fish or sea animals in every size and shape hung from wires strung between anything that would support the weight. Occasional drops of water or slimy liquid from half-dry fish fell on Gumus's shoulders and added to the stink of Mina's cloak.
The actual port was sealed off by a series of gates and fences and armed guards. Boats of varying sizes were either moored at the docks or drifted in lazy circles in the bay. They made their way up to the fence and guards immediately closed in and told them to back off. Gumus tried to ask questions but the guards banged sword to shield. "Move off!" one shouted.
Several people stood in front of the gates calling out deals on tickets to different locations. Gumus stopped and asked one about the price to Dong Tochi. "One thousand moneys," was the curt reply.
Mina slumped against him at the news. It was a fortune by any standard. Gumus wandered around asking about work. The cooking smells from familiar and foreign dishes made his mouth water so much he was afraid he'd start drooling. Without one money between them and no work in the port, they headed back through the main gate. At night the gates were shut and you were either locked in or locked out.
The area directly outside of Free Port, the outpost and the closest oasis, glowed with campfires in the growing darkness. Gumus wandered by several to ask about work. The only answer he could find was to hunt and fish and turn in the raw materials to different shops at Free Port. The remittance was small. Gumus did the calculations in his head and it amounted to months of hard labor.
Mina carried back crab to the small indent in the rock wall that surrounded Free Port. They ate in silence. After they finished, Mina curled up against his chest. He murmured, "We must begin tomorrow."
"Sorry, Gumus. No idea trip so long."
"All trips are long."
***
Over the weeks they became a hunting machine. They found another beach and even a secluded area a little ways up from the shore. It was an abandoned campground once used by others. As they explored the length and breadth of Sanddyner they found more of these abandoned niches that were claimed and then reclaimed by various Vartalf and Aventyrare.
Gumus was wary of the guards so he avoided any prolonged contact. They made few trips into Free Port and never camped outside the gates. He had no idea if authorities had posted rewards for their capture. This forced him to keep Mina away from others even though the Aventyrare and subsistence hunters like themselves seemed generally helpful.
Their stock of money, small coins used as currency throughout Varlid, was buried in a spot they'd picked near the secret beach. Time passed with a certain symmetry and order. Gumus Ay's Cinsel Iliski came and went. The color change Mina had noticed earlier in Gumus's eyes grew more pronounced until they were a swirling mix of the colors of the campfire they lit every night. Gumus kept his intake of food at a minimum. Just enough to keep him able to function.
Things were working, they were making progress, Gumus felt in control, at least since they'd arrived in Sanddyner. Mina had pains every so often. She complained so bitterly at one point Gumus offered to take some of their money and find a healer. She stopped complaining so much after that. Mina talked about her life in Rasima and Kazi, her best friend and she told Mikachiari stories that Gumus only vaguely understood. When she started repeating her stories Gumus knew she was homesick much in the same way he missed his brothers. He was not that surprised when Mina brought someone new to their camp and did not object when Mina asked if she could stay.
He watched as Mina fussed around the huddled mass wrapped in rags. When she was able to coax the hood off, a disfigured Mikachiari quickly covered her face with her hands. Mina pulled them away so she could begin grooming.
Gumus watched on, expressionless until the ministrations seemed too intimate for his monastic sensibilities, then he picked up a fishing net and left camp.
Kertenkele had no equivalent. They were close and had a connection, addressing each other as brother, but not in any demonstrative way. Kertenkele. Gumus rolled the word around in his head as he tossed the net into the water. He was Kertenkele, from Buyuk Col. Though he never saw another one of his kind he heard stories that not all Kertenkele made the Sabah Yuruyusu march to Rasima to beg for mercy from the Elyun. He learned that not all Kertenkele followed Onyx Ay's teachings or beliefs. His anger at Onyx Ay continued to grow and harden in his bones.
By the second night Gumus learned that the Mikachiari's name was Cita. Soon Mina was talking about Cita joining them and earning her passage to Dong Tochi too. Gumus hoped Mina didn't run into any more orphaned Mikachiari or they would never earn enough to leave Sanddyner.
When the newness of the strange Mikachiari wore off Gumus looked at her more closely. She didn't speak above a whisper and only directly to Mina, never to him. Cita's scars marred her face and one ear looked as if a lizard had chewed it off. Mina mentioned Cita had endured the Nodoshiku but for the rest of the damage there was no explanation. Her situation moved Gumus to pity and wonder again why these beings should continue to suffer.
Cita's deception took him completely by surprise and it shouldn't have.
Gumus had never heard Mina scream before. At first he thought she was having a nightmare so he closed up tighter around her only she wasn't there. He shot up, his bulk sending out a cloud of sand. A fiery torch swung across his knees, singeing the skin. Edges of blades, claws, blunt objects didn't come close to hurting a Kertenkele. Fire was a whole different matter.
He stepped back only to hit the rock wall surrounding three sides of the campsite. Torches barely above his knees let him see who was attacking, Vartalf. Lots of them. Three piled on Mina. Cita cowered to one side, alone. She was saying something to Mina. Although Gumus couldn't understand the words the tone sounded a lot like an apology.
Gumus balled up his fists and twisted his body from side to side, arms swinging wide to catch as many Vartalf in his wake. More poured into the camp as he scooped up Mina and headed to the water. The camp burned merrily behind them. The light from the torches reflected in the goggles the Vartalf wore and their whoops of celebration echoed in the night air.
"Did you tell Cita where the money's hidden?"
Mina wailed from the perch on his shoulder.
Gumus took that for a yes. "It's all right." He stayed as deep as he could until a pike fish tried to take a chunk from his leg. The Vartalf soon made off with anything of value from their camp and the money they had hidden and worked so hard for. Gumus and Mina waited on the other side of the beach until they were done.
Mina cried and repeated an endless stream of apologizes.
"It's not your fault. I should have known better." The anger of the Cinsel Iliski danced inside. Gumus tested it. Found he could sip from it if he needed to. He would kill anyone who got in his way from now on.
They sat on the beach as the sun rose over the hills. Gumus truly did not know what to do now. Working day in and day out in the mines while being well-fed and cared for with his brothers had been easy. Half starved, his concentration taken up with trying to control the Cinsel Iliski while working all day to hunt and gather for a pitiful amount of money... and now this. Everything gone. Starting over. He could not think beyond it. His eyes trailed over the glittering water. He'd never heard how long it would take for a Kertenkele to drown.
Mina tugged at his arm. Tears, soot, and singed hair marked her face.
Gumus had to get her on a boat to Dong Tochi even if he had to toss her on deck from the shore. Tragedy followed them like a cloud. Aventyrare and Free Porters looked away and parted as they approached. Gumus took a couple of money, all that was left of their work over all these months, bought a steamed fish wrapped in paper and sat Mina down on a bench to eat it.
She tried to share but he lowered his bulk until he could look her in the eye and said, "Stay here until I come back."
By now Gumus knew every inch of Free Port. He headed to the shadier parts of town, under the buildings in dark corners, places of desperation. Anger rolled off of him in waves and he used it to scare the Elyun and Manskliga. Other than paying passage, no one knew of a way to get on board a ship. They were locked up tight to prevent stowaways.
In the darkness under a building a purple flame flickered close to the ground. "Ho, there!"
Gumus grunted in reply.
The purple flame swirled higher in the air until it lit the face of the Asistan Ti they'd first come across at the oasis. "What did I do to deserve being dismissed by someone so unfortunate as you?"
"You have nothing I want."
Child-like laughter rang out. "You're so wrong. I have valuable information. Now, in exchange, what have you got that I want?"
"Nothing, the Vartalf stole everything."
"Wrong again! Are you still traveling with that lovely Mikachiari? From the look on your face I would say you are. Good, we can make a deal. Tell me where she is and I'll see you get on the boat to Dong Tochi."
Gumus swelled with hatred for this little, petty being. He growled in answer, taking a swig of anger from the Cinsel Iliski. Why not just take what I need like everyone else? He moved forward his torso glowing.
A purple flame shot through the air and burned a streak across Gumus's bicep. Pain coursed through his entire arm making him drop to one knee.
The Asistan Ti sighed. "I don't believe you have what it takes to be Aventyrare. Before you get any more big, stupid ideas let me give you a hint. I have seen another Kertenkele. He works on the boat going to Dong Tochi. I'll wait while that information penetrates your flea-sized brain."
Gumus grabbed a handful of sand and flung it at the Asistan Ti as he launched himself in his direction. Another purple flame coursed across his leg.
"Modi!" cursed the Black hat Asistan Ti. "It's a simple exchange. I take you to the Kertenkele and you tell me where I can find the Mikachiari. Not just any, mind you, the one you are traveling with. I'll take care of the rest."
Panting, Gumus hung his head. "Take me to my brother first and then I'll tell you."
There was a beat of silence before the Asistan Ti answered, "Fine. You know I will turn you into charcoal where you stand if you try and back out. And then, I'll just find her myself."
"Why not do it now?"
"Because I'm bored. Meet me by the docks at sunset. Don't be late."
***
Mikachiari sat right where Gumus left her. She had long since finished the fish and was scanning the area. When she saw Gumus Mina brightened. When he drew closer and she noticed his limp and burnt arm, she raced to him.
"What happened?"
"I'm okay. Sit down." Gumus positioned her back on the bench and sat in front. "I may have found a way to get you on the ship but it will be difficult." He explained what happened and what he'd told the Asistan Ti about handing her over. He didn't want Mina surprised or to mistrust him by playing down the seriousness of the situation or his part in it.
As Gumus spoke and searched her face and eyes for comprehension he realized he didn't have the faintest idea what she was thinking, how her mind worked, or, Gudina help him, if she understood half of what he was saying. Gumus paused in his explanation. Why am I doing this? Why have I tied myself to her? It would have been far easier to accept his punishment at the hands of his brothers and gone wherever Kertenkele went in the next life. Even though he hadn't lived a full life, hundreds of years, dying was beginning to look easier than living.
"We try again." Mina said, pointing to the gate that led to Sanddyner.
"No. I can't. I don't have the strength. I was sentenced to die. I don't know a way to reverse what I have become. In that sense Onyx Ay's decision was correct. I will get you on the ship, somehow." He didn't voice the rest of his thoughts. After she was gone he'd have to take his own life before the Cinsel Iliski turned and the Ofkelenmek took over.
Mina shook her head. Gumus knew she didn't understand all his words. His frame bellowed in and out with a loud sigh that made passersby stop and stare. It didn't matter. He handed Mina a cloak that he'd taken off a drunk Elyun sleeping off a night at the Free Port saloon. She wrinkled her nose at the smell.
"Come on."
Gumus had no idea if the Asistan Ti was watching them so he wandered down as many alleys as he could before finding a hiding place for Mina. He took an equally circuitous route to get back to the meeting place by the docks. The Kertenkele Gumus was supposed to meet stood out. He was enormous. The Asistan Ti slid out from his side.
"Ah, ah, ah. Where is she?"
Gumus sped up trying to take him by surprise. The Asistan Ti rolled his eyes and drew back to fire at him.
"Stop!" Mina cried.
No! Why did she pick now to not follow my words?
The Asistan Ti smiled. "We have an arrangement then. Mavi Ay will take you from here."
Gumus stepped in front of Mina and addressed his brother. "Mavi Ay, I am Gumus Ay. We're from the same clan. It is this Mikachiari that needs safe passage to Dong Tochi, not I."
Mavi Ay drew a step closer. "Brother, you don't appear well."
"I am not."
Mina shot forward to attack the Asistan Ti. She screeched "Teka torin!" as a purple flame met her halfway. Mina collapsed on the ground.
"Kindly tell her to stand down," said the Asistan Ti. "I don't want to harm her."
Gumus lowered himself to charge.
"Enough!" Mavi Ay stepped between them. "Nwa Chapo Yon Sel return to the ship."
After a pause the Asistan Ti said, "As you wish." Then spread his arms wide creating a black swirling whirlpool of smoke. When it winked out he was gone.
"Mina?" Gumus picked her up.
She moaned cradling her head.
"I am sorry about Nwa Chapo Yon Sel. She was never in any danger from us. And she did try to attack him," Mavi Ay said.
"Because he is Asistan Ti. You know what they did."
"Of course, but not all Asistan Ti condoned the war. The Black hats have revolted entirely against Prezidan Jules. They are being hunted by their own and have sought sanctuary across Varlid. Surely, she knows that."
Gumus shrugged in reply. He had no idea what she did or did not know. "Why didn't he speak frankly to me then?"
"I have never known Asistan Ti to be frank and Nwa Chapo Yon Sel even less so. Unlike us he likes to play games. I am sorry for the confusion. Where have you come from brother?" asked Mavi.
"Rasima."
"Ahhh. You follow Onxy Ay."
"You know his teachings?"
Mavi Ay said carefully, "After a fashion. What ails you brother and how can I help?"
While Mina crouched and rubbed her temples, Gumus Ay gave an abbreviated story of how they came to be at Free Port and seeking passage to Dong Tochi.
"I am not well and ask for Mina's safe passage, not myself, except that I will pay off her debt in any way I can."
Mavi searched Gumus's flame colored eyes. "How exactly are you unwell?"
Gumus bowed his head. "Does it matter? I don't believe I have long and would like to give what time I have left in her service."
Mavi's face scrunched up in true puzzlement. "Forgive me, but your words sound as if... I don't know how it is in Rasima but brothers in general are frank with each other. How are you unwell."
Gumus shifted from side to side. "If I am frank brother will you still promise to help her?"
"You have my word."
"I suffer from the Cinsel Iliski."
"And you left before the brothers in Rasima could help you?"
"There is no help. Onxy Ay teaches us to control our minds and bodies and I failed his teachings."
Mavi Ay was silent for a full minute. "Brother, I will take you both to Dong Tochi. There is a doctor there, Kirmizi Gunes who will help you. No harm will come to her. Mina, is it? We learned from other Mikachiari in Dong Tochi about rumors one had escaped. They are frantically searching for her. She is special to them. They believe she is... whole, is it true?"
"I'm not sure what you mean... was it that Cita? Loana! She sent the Vartalf after us and they stole everything."
"I know nothing of her and the Vartalf but we did pay her for information about Mina. It is very unusual if she is whole. There is great interest in Dong Tochi about a Mikachiari in her condition."
Mavi Ay leaned over to make eye contact with Mina. "Forgive me, Mina, there is a Mikachiari in Dong Tochi who will want to talk to you. Her name is Teke."
Mina stammered, "Nodoshiku, no. She hate me. Or trick me."
"She's been betrayed by every Mikachiari so far except her best friend over this ritual called the Nodoshiku. I don't understand all of it." Gumus explained.
"Neither do I but Teke is a friend of mine." Mavi addressed Mina again. "I know Teke and she will do neither of those things. In fact, I think she'll be very happy to meet you."
Mavi Ay was not the captain of the ship but his influence as someone needed and strong enough to defend the ship against pirates and haul impossibly heavy loads such as the anchor and cargo meant he could walk up to the captain and ask safe passage for Gumus and Mina. Gumus noticed Mavi was also clothed in a mixture of armor and civilian dress.
The captain of the boat to Dong Tochi exclaimed after Mavi finished. "Goddess Gudina save me from your bleeding heart." He motioned at Gumus. "What is he the runt of the litter? No matter, they bunk with you and they help, understood?"
Mavi nodded and shepherded them down below. He pulled out some clothes for Gumus. "We don't dress so simply in the rest of Varlid."
"Thank you." Gumus had lost so much weight the clothes meant for the usual massive frame of a Kertenkele billowed around him like the sails of the ship.