Seo Jog Mo Seo Li was a smaller version of Dong Tochi. Traders called Kyun Ha Da made this area their home. They stood no taller than three feet but their features were long and delicate. Their jaws and nose tapered to a point jutting out five inches from the rest of their face. The fingers of their paws were long and ended in dull talons. They reminded Gumus of the Vartalf only more meek. They hid at the slightest change of tone even in the middle of haggling a deal. Kirmizi and Gumus were the only Kertenkele and no Mikachiari could be seen within the city. When Kirmizi questioned passersby, none had been seen in town for months. When he asked about the ones that had arrived by ship, there was no answer.
"What gate did they leave from?" Kirmizi questioned a guard.
"I think the north gate. In truth I don't remember."
Gumus wanted to start off right away but Kirmizi held him back. "There are no outposts past Seo Jog Mo Seo Li. We'll be totally on our own against the Chim Sung Saram. I know the Kyun Ha Da look docile in town but once outside, they are very different."
"But the Mikachiari made it out."
"They must have information we don't. We can't rush out there blind. Lets sleep tonight and in the morning find scouts who know more about the land outside Seo Jog Mo Seo Li."
In the morning when the Kertenkele emerged from their sleep along a far wall, the air crackled with electricity.
"Where is everyone?" Kirmizi asked a guard.
"We're about ready to sound the alarm and send everyone to the port." The guard eyed the size of Kirmizi and Gumus. "I don't suppose you'd be interested in helping us?"
"Helping against what?"
"It feels like magic is in the air. There were rumors the Mikachiari were going to bring trouble here."
Gumus shook his head 'no', but Kirmizi replied in the affirmative. "Where do you want us to stand guard?"
"Right here is fine." The guard tapped the Skal communicator in his ear and informed the rest of the guards there were two Kertenkele recruited to help with whatever arose.
They didn't have to wait long as popping sounds echoed in the distance. Gumus and Kirmizi tensed. Gumus unleashed his war axe while Kirmizi unsheathed a sword.
"What?" the guard asked.
"We've heard that sound right before Blan and Gri Chapo Yon Sel appeared," Kirmizi said.
"They're after the Mikachiari, still? I thought the war was settled. What use are a bunch of neutered pretty pets?"
Gumus growled his answer.
"Hey, no offense. Just wondering why they're worth all this trouble."
"Will you protect the Mikachiari if Asistan Ti find them?"
The guard shifted his weight. "Not our business. We don't have the forces." He touched his ear and cocked his head to one side. "Understood."
"What?"
"We're standing down. Someone is talking with the Asistan Ti."
Gumus shouldered Kirmizi. "We need to find them."
"You are not to interfere," the guard warned.
The Kertenekele climbed the stairs three at a time. They knew the guard below informed his captain they had gone rogue. At the top of the wall they could see a mass of fifty or more Asistan Ti in the middle of the adjoining square. Blan Chapo Yon Sel was talking to the captain of the guard with a small contingent. The rest were taking turns floating higher than the walls getting the lay of the land outside Seo Jog Mo Seo Li.
Gumus strained forward but Kirmizi said, "Relax. They don't know where Mina is any more than we do."
"I have an idea," Gumus said. He turned and sought out some Kyun Ha Da hiding under their cart. With a swipe, Gumus had one by the throat and lifted it to eye level.
"Gumus!" Kirmizi cried in alarm.
"Mikachiari where?" Gumus asked and added a little shake so the Kyun Ha Da knew he was serious.
The Kyun Ha Da squeaked and trembled. The rest of them peeked out from under their cart but made no move to stop the assault.
"We don't even speak their language," Kirmizi said.
"Here." Gumus dug into the waistband of his clothes and pulled out a leather necklace and shoved it underneath the Kyun Ha Da's nose. "Take me to the Mikachiari who wore this."
The Kyun Ha Da's whiskered nose twitched and wrinkled and finally sniffed the necklace. Gumus set the creature down. "Where? Take us, now."
The Kyun Ha Da darted for a corner of the stairs they'd just ascended. Gumus followed thinking he had cut off too much oxygen to the creature, but as they drew near the Kyun Ha Da ran down the stairs. Gumus hurried and could hear Kirmizi following behind him.
Gumus looked over the side in time to see the Kyun Ha Da disappear. He jumped over the side to catch up and realized under the staircase was a tunnel. Ducking low he squeezed into the dark passage. At the other end Gumus popped out into a small clearing surrounded by heavy brush. The Kyun Ha Da stuck a paw out and flicked it against a bush. The rustling sound alerted Gumus and he motioned for Kirmizi to follow.
"This could be a trap. I told you they're different outside."
"We have no choice."
Even though the brush was tall, the Kertenkele couldn't move stealthily. An alarm sounded behind them.
"It's the Asistan Ti, they've seen us," Kirmizi said.
The Asistan Ti didn't descend upon them, instead they flew parallel and to the right. The Kyun Ha Da stopped in front of them and pointed. Gumus and Kirmizi changed direction and crashed through the brush following the Asistan Ti.
A clearing ahead showed a sight that chilled Gumus. Mina was in the hands of several Asistan Ti. "Mina!" Gumus bellowed. His axe swung high to try and catch the Asistan Ti floating above him. Magic flew threw the air and he was brought to his knees. He heard Kirmizi groan behind him in pain. Gumus crawled forward. Mina's eyes were closed and she sagged held up by a white mist that encircled her like a cloud.
Blan Chapo Yon Sel appeared and didn't even spare a glance at the two Kertenkele struggling to reach Mina. She swirled her child-sized hands and a portal appeared. Blan Chapo Yon Sel guided the white mist that held Mina through it and they winked out of sight.
Gumus roared his frustration and threw his axe. Gri Chapo Yon Sel sent magic to meet the axe in mid air and sent it tumbling harmlessly to the ground. One by one the Asistan Ti winked out through grey and white clouds until the clearing was empty.
Gumus sat while Kirmizi dragged himself to his feet to gather their weapons. A smoldering patch on the ground drew his attention. He struggled forward and saw Teke. He reached down to close her eyes, believing her dead, when Teke blinked.
Gumus raised both fists high in the air to pummel Teke in his rage. "You promised me!"
Kirmizi knocked Gumus to the side and gasped, "Teke, you should have let us help you."
Teke struggled to speak. Kirmizi lifted her up to his ear. When her body went limp he lowered her to the ground again. Mikachiari slowly emerged from the brush around them.
Gumus spun around. "Why didn't you defend Mina? If you were too cowardly to protect her than why didn't you keep your promise to me. I would have given my life for her!"
The Mikachiari looked grief stricken but didn't address Gumus.
"What did she say?" Noki asked.
"She said, 'Nodoshikumite.' What does that mean?"
Noki knelt beside Kirmizi. "It means we have a future."
***
The group made its way back to the port. Gumus pressured Noki and Luru to tell him what would become of Mina. Noki explained that Teke had implanted a virus in Mina. When the Asistan Ti tried to use her to alter their own makeup they would become infected.
"Infected how?" Kirmizi asked.
"It's something we've been working on. The Asistan Ti are magic now, their magic is written in their bones. That's how the Prezidan controls all the Asistan Ti. The Black hats may have revolted and disagreed with his plans but they can't escape it. They were no better than spies. They couldn't help it, it's how they were created."
"Will this kill them?" Kirmizi asked.
"No, but they will be weakened enough to kill."
"Will it kill Mina?" Gumus asked.
Noki looked at Luru. "More than likely, yes."
"Was she carrying cubs?" Gumus asked, his voice gravely with emotion.
"Yes, they're fine, they've been moved to a safe place. Mina didn't know about any of it." Noki's ears twitched. "We couldn't tell her. She thought we'd abandoned her in the end. Mina killed Teke, or rather, Teke let her."
"Aren't you afraid of retribution from the Elyun and Manskliga? They rely on Asistan Ti magic devices," Kirmizi said.
"They've never cared what happened to us. Some of us are headed to Port Plaj to be ready when the virus strikes. Some are going to intervene with Priestess Tado. If the High Priestess comes out of hiding then she will be dealt with as well."
"Dong Tochi and Seo Jog Mo Seo Li will fall," Kirmizi said. "The Suk Chae was made by the Asistan Ti. Without that power source the cities will fail. I must warn the Generals to evacuate before the next Chim Sung Saram attack."
"I'm going with them." Gumus motioned to the Mikachiari. "To Port Plaj and then Patri Peyi. Until I see for myself, my Ofkelenmek hasn't changed." Gumus grasped Kirmizi's hand. "Thank you, brother."
"I hope you find Mina. If you need to find me or Mavi, we'll eventually head to Dohla to deal with Onyx Ay. That confrontation is long overdue."
Noki said, "I can't wait until Varlid uses the names for our homeland again. No more Asistan Ti language to pollute the air. We'll call a council meeting at Enade once this is over."
At Seo Jog Mo Seo Li they parted ways. Noki, Luru and a small group of Mikachiari along with Gumus boarded a ship bound for Port Plaj. Kirmizi waited for a ship to take him back to Dong Tochi.
Teke had been right. The map of Varlid was going to be rewritten soon.