Gumus Ay strode through Dong Tochi. Aventyrare lifted their hands in mock salute, swung mugs of wine, and cheered as he passed. Brackish colored liquid streamed down his body, the blood of all the Chim Gumus Ay had slain that day.
Kirmizi and Tomutan watched from the perch on top of the wall.
"What do you mean you don't know how to stop this?" Tomutan said.
"This behavior is old and barbaric. It was the last resort when we were overrun by the Bocek. No one has seen it since tales that Golo succumbed to the madness."
"If the other generals find out they'll cage Gumus and only let him lose to fight the Chim Sung Saram. If he gives them too much trouble they'll just put him down," Tomutan said.
"I can't let that happen. Golo was driven mad because of Onyx Ay. Gumus is different. Look at him, he seems to have his senses, unlike the Kertenkele used in the war against the Bocek."
Tomutan had a more expressive face than most Kertenkele. He narrowed his eyes and lowered his chin. "You don't know how far gone he is or if it'll get worse. Can we take the chance he won't turn on all of us?"
Kirmizi did not answer and stared on as Gumus Ay marched stone-faced past the cheering and saluting. He headed to the port, jumped the gate blocking off the loading and unloading docks and slipped into the water up to his neck. The Elyun guards on duty looked around knowing they shouldn't have let him pass but unsure how to stop him.
"What is he doing?" Tomutan asked.
Kirmizi didn't state the obvious, he didn't know.
Gumus waved his arms to part the trash floating around him before splashing water on his face and through his hair. With long strides he made his way back to the gate. Jumped it again and strode back to Du Beon Jae Dosi. Mugs of alcohol were shoved toward him as Gumus passed but he ignored it all and marched back through the massive gate.
***
Gumus Ay saw General Jikutokushikazu screeching orders to the clean up crew. She saw Gumus and started to issue him an order to pick up loose stones that had been knocked off a staircase leading to the upper deck but never got the full sentence out. Gumus used his finger and thumb to encircle her neck, lift her up and slam her against the closest wall.
"Where is Mina?" Gumus snarled.
General Jikutokushikazu's eyes popped forward as she struggled for breath. Her nails scratched at the surface of Gumus's hand without leaving a mark.
Bystanders staggered back shocked at the gall of a lowly Aventyrare attacking a General.
"Mi-na!" Gumus banged the General against the wall twice for emphasis.
The General composed herself enough to lay her ears back flat and snarl. She pushed her legs off the wall and flung them around Gumus's wrist loosening his grip enough to take a breath. "I'll have you drawn and quartered before the sun sets for daring to lay a hand on a General of Dong Tochi."
Gumus pulled his arm back to fling her to the ground when Kirmizi and Tomutan intervened.
"Put her down!" General Tomutan shouted.
"I was just about to," answered Gumus.
A stream of Mikachiari entered into the square, weapons drawn. Generals Ahm Rahis and Nwa Chapo Le Sel followed close behind.
"Gumus," Kirmizi said. "You won't leave this square alive if you don't put the General down, unharmed." Kirmizi expected to see defiance in Gumus, instead he saw a flicker of despair followed by a slight sag of his shoulders.
"Teke promised I could stay by her side. She promised I would be allowed to watch over Mina."
General Kwa Chapo Le Sel threw a blue-white air spell at Gumus. Several more Asistan Ti appeared, magic swirling in their palms.
The magic attack flung Gumus backwards. He sprang up and was immediately hit with multiple spells: red, orange, purple. His steps slowed to a crawl and smoke rose from his skin.
"We know nothing of Teke's plans!" General Jikutokushikazu shouted to Gumus above the hiss of magic. The Mikachiari gathered around her and they blocked the Asistan Ti's attack on Gumus. "I know the real reason you cast your spells, wizard demons. Don't bother!" General Jikutokushikazu spat at General Kwa Chapo Le Sel.
"What are you talking about? We've always used our magic for everyone's benefit in Dong Tochi," General Kwa Chapo Le Sel said.
"You think by protecting us we'd take you into our confidence? We'd trust you after what you're planning to do? You must think us fools, General Kwa Chapo Le Sel."
"That's enough!" General Tomutan interrupted. "This is not the time or place for your personal war."
A popping sound overheard drew all eyes toward a swirling grey cloud. "Oh, but it is exactly the right time," Two Asistan Ti floated above, one clothed in white, the other in grey. The one in grey addressed Nwa Chap Le Sel. "The Prezidan will be pleased with this new development."
Nwa Chapo Fo Dife cried out, "They attacked Nwa Chapo Yon Sel! Blan Chapo Yon Sel you defy our own laws to follow the Prezidan's madness!"
The response to Nwa Chapo Fo Dife's words was swift. Multiple weapons and magic flew through the air. The Asistan Ti in white, Blan Chapo Yon Sel, spread her hands and multicolored shields of magic closed around her and the Asistan Ti accomplice in grey. The black hat magic sizzled against the shields and weapons clattered to the ground. Blan Chapo Yon Sel flung her arms out once more and a second later they winked out in a ball of white.
The Mikachiari huddled together in agitation. The Asistan Ti withdrew to General Nwa Chapo Le Sel's side. General Ahm Rahis took a stand between the two groups as they hurled insults at each other.
Kirmizi caught General Tomutan's arm as he rushed forward to help General Ahm Rahis. "Banish Gumus. You have bigger problems to deal with in Dong Tochi right now."
General Tomutan gave a dismissive wave. "I banish him and you. If I ever see him again I'm holding you responsible. If he becomes a massacring monster, I'm holding you responsible. Your time is done here in Dong Tochi."
Kirmizi gave a slow nod and pulled Gumus toward the massive outer gate the Chim had retreated through not too long ago. "Teke must have had her reasons. You're going to have to trust they moved Mina to keep her safe and they couldn't confide in you for the same reason. Within moments Prezidan Jules will know something is going on which puts Mina in grave danger. That was Blan and Gri Chapo Yon Sel, the two highest White and Grey hat magic users." Kirmizi paused. "Brother, what woke you? We thought you wouldn't find the strength to go on after Mina was taken."
"I felt bound in body but my spirit drifted. I saw back in time to before the Bocek invaded. Then I saw Onxy Ay tie the dead body of his mate and daughters to his waist and drag them during the Sabah Yuruyusu. My spirit gathered at a cave covered with paintings on the walls."
Kirmizi inhaled sharply. "Kutsul Magara."
"Then my spirit returned and I was no longer bound."
"Your Ofkelenmek was given a focus."
Gumus agreed. "I must find Mina and help her. She is part of something greater but exactly what is unclear to me."
Once outside the cacophony of the Chim wilderness filled the air. Kirmizi continued. "Go to the east corner of the wall and wait for me. I'll bring supplies. It's a long trek through Chim strongholds to reach the other outposts and Seo Jog Mo Seo Li."
"How will I know the way, brother?" Gumus asked.
"I'm coming with you."