Crowning Fantasy Book 1 (2 page)

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.

***

G
umus 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.

***

M
ina 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.

***

T
hree 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."

***

M
ina 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."

***

"M
ina?" 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.