Esuhnd felt the bile rise in his throat and considered releasing it on the sick fiend’s shoes, but the offer of a bath and food stilled his mind.
“All right…fine. I could use a bath…and some decent food.”
“Very well,” Zaharija said, twirling one of Esuhnd’s tangled tresses around his finger. “Would you like some assistance with your bath?”
“I don’t need any assistance, especially from you.”
Zaharija chuckled. “Pity, I was so looking forward to it. We are priests, after all. We’ve vowed to help lesser men.”
He gestured toward the door and two burly men entered, lifting and carrying Esuhnd out.
Esuhnd wiped his mouth, leaning back after enjoying the best meal his fragmented memories could recall. With a satisfied sigh, he reached for his cup only to hear the door to his chamber creaking open. Esuhnd scowled, meeting Alyelu’s dour face. Esuhnd wasn’t ignorant as to why he’d been granted better treatment, but it didn’t matter.
Being released from his cell and having a hot bath and meal brought back some semblance of his humanity, reminding him of the importance of his survival. He was familiar with the questions the Shytahn would ask, the same questions he’d asked before, yet Esuhnd had no answers.
“I trust your bath and meal were satisfactory,” Alyelu said, dryly.
“It won’t help you.”
“Help me? Why do you believe that I need any help?”
The Shytahn’s amber eyes flared, flicking his wrist, causing flaring tendrils to enwrap his captor. Esuhnd didn’t fight against that intrusion, knowing very well the pain it would bring to do so, yet the pain came anyway.
Excruciating, horrible agony assailed his senses. A feeling that everything he cared about was being ripped from his soul and destroyed before his eyes. A sense that someone he loved more than life itself was accusing him of horrors, betraying him, and calling for his torture and death.
As seemed always the case, Alyelu couldn’t penetrate as deep as he desired into the mind of his captive. Something held him back, and it infuriated him. He couldn’t fathom that this one weak-willed creature could resist him, but Alyelu found the path inside obstructed, fortified against his considerable skills.
Esuhnd cried out in sheer agony: not of the flesh, but of the spirit. His world was consumed with utter despair and deprivation, a place where death was a thing he craved, an end to the suffering. Yet even death betrayed him, leaving him to wallow in the mire of self-loathing and rebuke. He deserved to die, but couldn’t.
Alyelu released his psionic probe and Esuhnd collapsed on the floor, blissfully unconscious. Disgusted and frustrated, Alyelu turned and left the room, leaving the man less than a man.
CHAPTER FOUR
Kurintor Nyusi
Sweat poured from her brow as the coiling mist encircled her ankles. The greyish, viscid cloud continued to climb up her legs, wrapping around her torso. She tried to move, to call for her father, anything to be free of the mist and the chill left in its wake. But when her mouth opened, no sound came forth. The mist wafted through the air, surrounding her chest and neck.
She was assailed with images, faces, and events that she felt she should’ve known, but couldn’t remember. The scents were familiar as well: some pleasing—eliciting a note of familiarity—others causing an emergence of trepidation or augury. She couldn’t sort it out or bring symmetry to the distortions invading her unconscious mind.
She traversed earthen paths littered with wonted conversations, voices, and songs. Songs so inherently personal, yet completely enigmatic. Where did her mind take her once it was unencumbered by her conscious control?
Her eyes tightened, attempting to understand all that lay before her. The fear began to dissipate as she gave into the vision, no longer obscuring the metaphysical path accessible only through darkness. Not the darkness of her mind, but that of the sky. As the moon dominated the heavens, the visions dominated her mind. Most she could not recall upon awakening…most, but not all. One impression was prevalent amongst the myriad images.
Nurisha could recall the minute details of his features: every line, imperfection, and nuance was etched into her memory when the sun rose and her eyes blinked open. That face, that intriguing countenance and the soothing voice that accompanied it. His dark brown eyes, his long, brown wavy hair, and his full lips. She recalled every feature and the trickling stream that flowed between the majestic peaks that rose from behind him.
“Kurintor Nyusi,” whispered in her mind. The melodic voice reverberated through her thoughts, sounding as if it were a part of the wind. She knew the words, knew the meaning, but couldn’t grasp what it was…who he was.
She spoke, or tried to, as she reached out to the voice within the miasmic haze surrounding her. Her fingertips emitted a swirl of luminescence, arching toward the outline of the form.
“Kurintor Nyusi,” repeated, softer than the last time that she’d heard it.
The cloud began to shift, to form into something almost tangible. There was something, a figure within the cloud. Her outstretched fingertips could nearly touch it. Ribbons of variegated rays streamed from her hand, swirling toward the figure. The succeeding illumination was blinding as they merged, emitting a brilliant warmth of pure energy. She bathed in that essence, absorbing it as it encased her.
“Kurintor Nyusi.” The words sounded as the eurythmic voices of many, beckoning her and pleading all at once.
Nurisha gasped, springing up in the bed. The light had diminished, leaving her engulfed in darkness. She cried out, falling back as a pulse of golden radiance erupted from the void, morphing into an enormous beast that lunged toward her.
“No!” she shouted, her eyes blinking open. Nurisha frantically searched the corners of her room, shielding her eyes from the one beam of sunlight that pierced the darkness.
“Kurintor Nyusi,” she said, her eyes widening. This was the first time that she’d remembered anything other than the man. No, she remembered the creature, too. Her head cocked with that recollection.
“Not just any creature…a panther.”
Aljoša squeezed Nurisha’s hand, looking over at Qaradan. He didn’t know what to offer other than what was already said. Nurisha had never appeared disconcerted by anything, especially not a dream. She’d told him about them often, but something was different. Even after Qaradan’s reassurances, Aljoša was concerned.
“Might be a good idea to tell Chaween ‘bout it, ‘Risha,” Qaradan said. “She’s knowing more than us ‘bout such things.”
“But what does it mean, Da? Why would I dream about a panther and ruined city? What does Kurintor mean?”
He shook his head. “I’ve heard the word before, but I’m not knowing any more than you. Nyusi used to be a thriving village, though folks that lived there kept mostly to themselves. I’d pass through and talk with some of the sentries when I was the Prime Regent in Zradiir. Good folks, the lot of them. After Nyusi was destroyed, folks just acted like it never existed. Never did find out what happened, not truly. I’ve fought plenty of banditti in my time, and ain’t no way they done what the Premier said. It’d take more than a group of rogues to destroy an entire village.”
“Did anyone survive?” Aljoša asked.
“Had to. There’s always survivors, even after the most vicious attacks. Your mum and I was heading to Kalvgah then. Smoke still filled the air when we passed by. I wanted to stop, to look around and check to see what happened, but the citadel sentries weren’t letting no one in. They waved us past, barely looking in our direction. Even a sentry that I’d trained just shook his head, looking like he’d been to Ashemohn and back. Every year when I visit Zradiir, I look ‘round Nyusi a bit. Ain’t never made no sense to me, and they was some good folk.”
“But why would I dream about it? It was so clear, Da: the songs, people, conversations…and…and…the panther.”
“Been told that dreams ain’t merely dreams. At times, they show us things we ought to
know and sometimes what we’ve forgotten.” He shrugged. “Your mum used to talk with Chaween ‘bout such things. Just like you, they was close. She’ll help you understand.”
“I know, Da. It just appeared so real to me.”
“The best dreams always do.”
“I guess so.” She stood up then, leaning down to kiss him. “I’m going to take Ghoda out for a ride. He could use the exercise and I need some fresh air.”
“All right, don’t be gone too long. We got more loading to do. Folks’ll be expecting their deliveries.”
Nurisha nodded, kissing him again and then Aljoša. After the side door closed, Qaradan grabbed a cruse of honey-mead from the counter, pouring a cup for both of them.
“Gonna tell me what’s bothering you?” Qaradan asked.
“No...nothing, I’m just worried ‘bout ‘Risha. I’ve never seen her like this.”
“I could say the same ‘bout you.”
“What?”
“I’m knowing the date, same as you. When you want to go and pay your respects?”
“I—I—”
“Not gonna argue with you ‘bout it, ‘Joša, and shouldn’t have to. She was your mum and deserves better.”
“Better than what? I’ve shown her more love than she ever showed me.”
“That ain’t so. Xiulan loved you and did what she needed to take care of you. She was a proud woman and a good one. She made her own way and kept a roof over your head.”
“And little else. If not for you and Mum Esmel, ain’t no telling what would’ve happened to me.”
“I offered Xiulan a room just as I did to you, and the answer was the same. She was determined to make a life for the both of you. She needed a new start, just like Esmel and me. You weren’t no mistake, ‘Joša and she loved you more than you know. I promised to look after you before she passed, and I’m meaning to hold true to that.”
“You’ve always looked after me. It’s only been you and Chäna my entire life. If my mum cared like you say, she sure didn’t show it.”
“She was hurting, and I understand how that feels. Some folks don’t handle such pain well. You’ll understand in time.”
“Understand what?”
Qaradan stood, gesturing toward the door. “I’m thinking that when I visit my son’s markers in Zradiir, you need to come with me. There’s a lot for you to learn along the way, and Zihao Wen wants to see you anyhow.”
“Zihao Wen? Why? Ain’t seen him but a few times since he brought that fancy gent, Lael, to visit after Mum passed. What would someone like that want with me?”
“There’s ‘cause for that, but we’ll talk ‘bout it in time. For now, let’s visit your mum’s marker and pay our respects. Xiulan deserves that and more, ‘Joša, and you’re knowing the same.”
Galbraith
Linzi swept up the bits of materials that had fallen on her sewing room floor. Her fingers ached more than they used to, and she was beginning to feel her age. She nearly chuckled at that thought, replacing her lucets and spindles, and then draped a cloth over the form. When she peered out of her window, she smiled, observing Parsa and Damali wrestling in the yard. They were supposed to be readying the seedlings, but she knew that those two would likely do more harm than good. They were her youngest, and at times like this, it showed.
Shaking her head, she made her way to the vestibule. Their home in Galbraith was larger and more lavish than their former one in Benin, but she missed living near the Nyusi Mountains. That was her true home, and she wanted to return to it soon. But there was much to do here first.
“Xavion,” she whispered, nudging his shoulder. He was sprawled out on the couch, his long legs dangling over the end with his arms across his chest. She observed him for a moment more, watching the constant fluttering of his eyelids. Other than his eyes, he lay still, the rise and fall of his chest barely noticeable. In this state, he limited his bodily functions to facilitate the projection.
She rested a hand on his brow, and then moved over to the shelf, igniting the sage and speck of titan arum in the small censer. Waving her hand in the air, she dispersed the pungent smoke around where Xavion lay. “Vaderraision Ahderasaa,” she whispered, passing the bowl beneath his nose.
Xavion’s eyes blinked open. “G-Mum?” he coughed, scrunching his nose.
“You’ve been gone for some time, Xon, too long, I’m thinking. It’s time for you to allow things to be, and join with us again. I understand the why of it,” she said, sitting down beside him. “But things can only happen in their own time. You’re here, and she’s waiting for you.”
He sat up then, wiping the weariness from his eyes. “How long this time?”
“More than two turns of the glass. The morning meal is done, and I finished up those dresses, too. Qawiun just gave up waiting and went down to the lake without you. He’d been waiting three months for that trip, Xon. You can’t act like we aren’t here because she can sense you now. If it wasn’t for Qawiun’s help, you wouldn’t even be able to reach her. You need to remember what you mean to him.” She stood, extinguishing the censer. “What you mean to all of us.”
“I’m sorry, G-Mum, and you’re right, but something changed since I left, and I can’t figure it out. It’s an energy or…or a malign essence, an obscuring miasma when I scry. I can’t explain it more than that. Once I was finally able to penetrate that interference and merge with her, I didn’t want to release it. She’s beginning to understand how to use her sight now, allowing my pneuma an unfettered path.”
“An energy? Parsa mentioned something similar not long ago. Perhaps it’ll take our communal connection to decipher and eliminate this boundary. What did you see?”
“Not enough,” he sighed, rubbing his mark. The tingling sensation dissipated as the illumination faded. “Nurisha can see the images, but doesn’t understand the deeper connotation. Until her heart can open to me, my extrasensory connection will seem nothing more than a vision or dream.”
“Don’t force what she’s not ready to receive, Xon. Your abilities are far beyond hers, you know that. Be patient and you’ll be together as you were meant to be. Continue to share your energy and thoughts with her. She’ll be receptive in time.”
“I know, G-Mum, but it’s more than that. I’m going to travel to Kalvgah soon.” When she started to protest, he shook his head. “I’m not going to interfere or even allow her to see me. I just need to go there myself. Something’s wrong…or it isn’t right. Perhaps if I’m closer, I’ll understand.”
She smiled, caressing his cheek. “You’re so much like your da, you know. He was a good man, Xon, and powerful, too. I sense him in you.”
“And what about my mum?”
She chuckled, knowing how much he loved to hear about her. “Now, that’s a tale that’ll take a bit of time. You won’t find another woman like her in the whole of the kingdom. You call the others in to eat, and we’ll talk about that over breakfast.”
I hope you enjoyed the free preview of Kurintor Nyusi. For more information regarding this diverse epic fantasy or Aaron-Michael Hall, please visit aaronmichaelhall.com
* * *
[1] Thank you
[2] You’re welcome
[3] You have Weis to watch your back, but tell me, Déshì Xaahn, who will watch the rest of you?
[4] That depends
[5] Father
[6] Thank you
[7] Divine Gate
[8] Dark Gate
[9] Be still
[10] We are with you
[11] Pierce the Darkness
[12] Go
[13] Good girl
[14] Descend
[15] Fly, Xandi, Fly
[16] Be on guard
[17] My daughter
[18] Is it time
[19] Does not speak the old tongue
[20] Come, my daughter. The Guardians await
[21] It is time. Fly, Xandi, Fly
[22] Blood of my blood
[23] Be still
<
br /> [24] Scepter of the divine
[25] Mah’saahc will destroy all in her path
[26] Ayrmeis will free the lands
[27] the sycophant of darkness will be free
[28] the scepter of the divine
[29] Key of souls
[30] My love
[31] Sahma, the realm of light. Of light. The Guardians protected me, Sahma. Protected me within their light.
[32] High Priest
Seed of Scorn Page 52
