Crowning Fantasy Book 1 Page 2

  "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 g
ood 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.