“I did not realize you held them is such contempt?” Thikuf asked very curious, “Did they wrong you in some way?”
“No.” Satana said still wearing a look of disgust on her face. She thought about how she was speaking about the daughters, then laughed. She looked at Thikuf, realizing how she must look to him. “I really don’t care one way or the other, Thikuf, I just think it’s odd how Venalina treats those girls, that’s all, and that Dracon allows it, is very curious to me.”
“You and Venalina are friends, yes? You grew close during your travels here?” Thikuf asked, Satana nodded, “Is it maybe, that they dominate her time, time that she once had for you, is that what possibly irritates you so?”
“Are you asking me if I’m jealous?” Satana asked incredulously. Thikuf tilted his head and shrugged his shoulders, making Satana burst out laughing at the notion.
“Try not to judge them too harshly, Satana, they may be different than you are, but they have lived different sort of lives than you. In Qinkas, life is different for a woman than it is where you are from. Just knowing you tells me that assumption is true. These women have every reason to be fearful. That Talila, well, I can’t speak to her intelligence, but the fear she and her sisters live with is valid.” Thikuf explained. It made Satana toss her head back and forth, acting as though she was seriously considering what he said. It made Thikuf chuckle which made Satana smile in return.
“That Castien seems to have done well for himself?” Satana asked.
“He has always done well for himself. Nothing happens in Qinkas that does not, in some part, flow coin into his pockets.” Thikuf said.
“How has he and the rest of the men of Qinkas gotten along with the changes?” Satana asked shifting in her saddle, leaning more toward Thikuf.
“How do you mean?” Thikuf asked confused.
“I mean, when we were here last, your city treated its women as property, now they have to kowtow to a queen, without any hope of ever having a king. That has to be hard for you to stomach?” Satana speculated.
Thikuf chuckled, “Is that how you see me?” Satana considered his question, then looked around the forest as they began to clear it, into an area of lush grass, for as far as her eyes could see ahead of them, it was beautiful.
“I suppose not.” She said with a sheepish grin, “You’ve never led on that your society was the way it is. It wasn’t until I attended that party, with the nobles, did I see what they did to their daughters. It was an eye opener for sure. Now, how you defend those ‘Daughters of Castien’, so vigorously, I admit you do not act like your countrymen. So, Thikuf, what makes you so different than the other men of Qinkas?” Satana asked. Thikuf chuckled and shook his head.
“I wish I could say that I was. But not acting like them is a personal choice. Not stopping it from happening, makes me just as bad.” He said, “It has always been our way, women as property. Bought and sold into marriage and service.” Thikuf slowed his horse more as he spoke, “When I was a child, my mother would take me to the palace. She and Queen Rusenya were friends before she became the queen. I would sit and watch as men treated them so poorly, and I thought, but she is the queen? How can this be? The king would offer the women of his court to the nobles often, readily as a handshake. After Queen Jenzenya was born, he was so upset he did not have a son, he started to hold a special, yearly event, where he would make his own queen available to one among the nobles who pleased him. It was a rough time for Queen Rusenya. I couldn’t stomach my mother’s pain, or the queens. I watched Jenzenya grow up and I saw firsthand her mother’s fear of what awaited her daughter the older she became. If not for the death of her parents, and Jenzenya’s quick ascent to the crown before the nobles could act. I don’t know what would have come to pass, married to one of the nobles I imagine, sold more likely.” Satana watched him for a while as they rode in silence. Thikuf glanced at her a few times then asked, “What?”
“You have endeared yourself to me.” She said then looked ahead of them. She took a deep breath, then on the exhale said, “I’ll deny it if you tell anyone, of course.” She smiled. Thikuf laughed.
“Of course.” He chuckled.
Satana looked behind them, almost turning completely around in her saddle, to look back at the forest so far behind them, “Where are we, Thikuf? This is beyond where we first met?”
“Just a little further now, you see those small hills in the distance?” Thikuf pointed ahead of them. Satana shaded her eyes with her hand then squinted, leaning forward in her saddle.
“Those are really small hills, Thikuf, I don’t know if ‘hill’ is the proper term for those little things?” Satana questioned then relaxed in her saddle again. There was a comfortable breeze that blew her hair toward Thikuf. He smiled when he caught the scent of lilacs in the breeze.
“A woman after all.” He muttered to himself.
“What’s that?” She asked as she caught her hair in her hand, then braided it, to stop it from flying about. Thikuf looked back at the forest, then ahead of them, then up at the sky. Satana watched him curiously while braiding her hair into a tight ponytail.
“We should pick up our pace, get back to Qinkas before dark.” Thikuf said then nudged his horse to a deliberate trot. Satana slapped her horse with a length of reigns in her hand, then stood tall in her stirrups.
“Ya!” She exclaimed tearing off ahead of Thikuf, “You pick up the pace, Thikuf!” She yelled back at him. Thikuf’s horse reared, startled by Satana’s burst from beside it. Thikuf settled his horse quickly then sped after her. The further away from the forest they travelled, the newer and younger the grass appeared to become. All new growth, it was curious to Satana, her curiosity was tempered by the desire to beat Thikuf to the mounds he pointed out. Thikuf called to Satana to wait for him but it only further fueled her desire to win. Satana began to veer her horse to round the mounds in a large arc, attempting to circle them from her right and approach from behind.
“No!” Thikuf yelled out, furiously slapping his horse to speed it along to catch her. As Satana rounded the mounds she could see the back side. There were objects she couldn’t make out, almost lying against the mounds that resembled soldiers taking refuge during a battle. Whatever they were, they weren’t natural formations. She started to slow her horse, still some ways off from Thikuf, who continued to yell. “Wait! Satana, back away!” Satana ignored him, overwhelmed with curiosity as the objects became more discernable. They were men. Dead men. Decayed and almost unrecognizable. Next to them, a creature also lay dead, but Satana recognized it. She had fought creatures like it in the Expanse of Death when they crossed it, on the heels of the fleeing Terrax. Satana pulled her sword and leapt from her horse, she slapped her horses’ rear quarter, urging it away from the hill. Thikuf arrived putting his horse, and himself, between Satana and the mound of the dead.
“I beg you Satana, stay back!” He said winded from the chase.
“Get out of my way, Thikuf!” She said up to him, “This is why we are here?” She asked confused. He looked down at her, shaking his head, then urged his horse from her path, dismounting a few feet behind her. Satana walked through the grisly scene slowly, examining every inch of the area. The creature was dead, but Satana could see no wound that fell it. The men, on the other hand, were ripped open by what had to have been the creature’s toothy maw. She walked among the dead, mostly examining the creature, for the first time, getting a good look at it without being pelted by sand and gases that made up the Expanse of Death. Then something caught her eye on one of the dead men. A sigil. Dracon’s sigil. Thikuf stood by quietly as Satana faced the dead men, her face twitched, and her lip quivered at the realization that these were once her men. Men she led behind Dracon, into the Expanse of Death to meet their end, there at the jaws of that thing next to them. She dropped her blades and fell to her knees, looking at the four men. She knew them each by name. She wept. Thikuf said nothing and turned his head to look away, giving her the respect of not
being watched as she mourned the loss of her friends, anew.
“We left them for dead,” she finally said angry and distraught, “We thought them dead! But we were wrong. They crawled their way behind us, making it here, to Sumia, and we left them for dead! If we did not flee, they would still live.”
Thikuf walked closer to her but kept his distance, “Satana, I don’t believe that to be true.”
“How, Thikuf?” She yelled, “How did they make it here, to your lands, with that thing on their tails, fighting for their lives, only to perish mere inches from salvation!” She screamed, pointing at the forest.
“Satana,” He said stepping closer, “I believe we are standing in the Expanse of Death. These men are where you left them.” Satana settled her tears, considering his words. She ground her teeth as she thought, still angry with herself for what she believed to be true. She looked at Thikuf then stood up.
“What are you saying, Thikuf?” She asked, calming even more, desperate to hear she did not abandon living men.
“Come with me.” He said then turned, walking out further from the mounds. More creatures came into view. All dead. “I believe the Expanse of Death, as we knew it… is no more.”
Chapter Seven
The barracks door burst opened with a bang, most of the soldiers paid little attention to it, save for those closest to the door. They were stowing their gear, some were readying themselves to join the palace guard, while others were getting ready to go out into the city and meet its people, and of course, sample its hospitality. Simon walked through the door excited and very animated, anxious to see his fellow soldiers, newly arrived in Qinkas.
“Who but we are worthy to fight by his side!” Simon yelled. All but a few soldiers stood tall and proud and returned his call.
“The First!” They yelled back at him in unison. There were new men among them, who looked around at their compatriots confused. The new recruits stood at attention when the men reacted to Simons call.
“Who have been chosen for their strength!” Simon yelled, walking through the barracks, slapping men on their shoulders as he spoke.
“The First!” Again, they responded, new recruits and veterans alike, banging armor together in a steady rhythm.
“Who was there when he took the head of Terrax!” Came a call from across the barracks opposite from Simon. Fowlin made his way from behind the men with his shield and sword in his hand, banging them together with the rhythm the men created.
“The First! The First! The First!” The soldiers repeated until Simon and Fowlin met each other in the center of the room, then both turned to the men and joined in the chant, “The First! The First! The First!”
A soldier grabbed Simon from behind in a bear hug and lifted him off the ground, “Who is this whelp, that gives the call like he’s one of us?” He asked then dropped Simon back to his feet. The soldiers gathered around Simon smiling, happy to see their brother in arms again.
“Polick!” Simon said as he spun on the man, “You’re a sight!” He exclaimed grabbing the soldier by his shoulders. Polick returned the same grip on Simons shoulders and felt the material of his tunic.
“You’re too pretty to be one of us, fancy lad!” Polick laughed looking around at the other men who also laughed. “Look at this face, like a child’s bottom, so smooth!” Polick said still laughing and trying to touch Simons cheek. Simon blocked his hand with his shoulder, turning away from Polick.
“Better a smooth, fresh face, than that witch’s crotch ya have on your chin, smell included!” Simon said turning up his nose at the sight of Policks curly black beard, that matched his curly black hair. “With that face, I’ll always be prettier than you, ya old dogs’ backside!” Simon shot back making the men erupt in laughter.
“Tell us, Simon why did you stay behind?” Polick asked.
“I represent Lord Dracon, an Ambassador of Ganlin now.” He said straightening his shirt with his chin out.
“That’s King Dracon now, whelp.” Another soldier corrected.
“Aye,” Many of the men said directly after that announcement.
“Not a moment too soon, either.” Another man grumbled. The men’s mood tempered at those words. Simon looked around at the men and their change in demeanor, it made him curious.
“So, no longer of The First are you, sir Simon the Ambassador?” Polick asked.
“Only death can take that title away from him, Polick.” Fowlin interjected. Polick smiled.
“As with us all! Brother, as with us all.” He said.
“What delights await us here, Simon? Fowlin has said the women are most welcoming, is it true?” Polick asked.
“Even for a dog face like you!” Simon said then slapped Polick’s cheek. The soldiers howled in laughter. Polick punched Simon in his ribs before he could bring his hand back from the slap, almost dropping him to his knees. Simon gasped. Polick grabbed Simon by his arm to help stop him from falling.
“You’re getting soft Ambassador!” The men laughed again, some of the soldiers returned to what they were doing, except those who did not have to stand watch with the palace guard.
“Simon, let’s take them to that tavern we found by the wall. The one near the front gate? What was it called?” Fowlin asked.
“The Desert Dragon,” Simon said still nursing his ribs. Polick shook Simon.
“Come on then! Let’s go!” Polick said excited to go see Qinkas. Simon started to shake his head.
“I’ll have to catch up with you, I need to see the Commander, then the queen.” He said, finally able to stand up straight again. “I do have a job to do, gentlemen.”
“Gentlemen, he says,” Polick laughed looking around at their compatriots, “There’s not a one in the bunch.” He finished pointing at the soldiers around them.
“The Commander went somewhere with General Thikuf, earlier this afternoon. I’m not sure where, but she was anxious to get out of the city, I can tell you that much.” Fowlin explained.
“The Commander did say we could go into the city, didn’t she Fowlin?” Polick asked suddenly concerned.
“Trust me, we’ll be fine, Polick, there’s no need to worry. We spent two years with these people.” Fowlin replied trying to ease his concerns.
“It isn’t the people that worry me, it’s the Commander.” Polick said.
“Aye,” Another soldier said. “We better not be going against her, Fowlin, or you’ll get a dose from us as well as whatever she visits on you!”
“Come on, would I lie to you?” Fowlin asked patting the shoulder of the concerned soldier.
“I’ll leave you to it then. It’s good to see you all, have a drink on me,” Simon said and tossed Fowlin a bag of coin, “To the First!” He yelled raising his fist in the air.
“To the First!” They all replied in unison.
Fowlin led a group of seven men out of the barracks, to the front gates of the palace. They stopped just outside the palace gates on the side of the road. “As I recall,” Fowlin started, looking intently down the main road that led through the city to the city gates, “We can take this road back to the gates, and before we enter the ante-chamber, we’ll follow the wall to the right.” He said with his hand aimed in the direction he spoke of, “Maybe the left?” He looked around at the men, “It was dark.” Polick laughed.
“And you were drunk, no doubt.” He said, the men chuckled. Polick spotted a guard at the palace gate. “Brother?” He asked, stepping over to the guard, “Where are we to find the Dragon’s Desert?”
“The Desert Dragon?” He asked.
“Yes, that’s it.” Fowlin said, joining Polick.
“It’s there as he said, to the right, against the inside of the outer wall.” The guard pointed. Fowlin straightened up and adjusted his collar.
“See, as I said.” Polick shoved him, making him stumble a few steps.
“Lead on then!” Polick chuckled, “We’re getting thirsty!” Fowlin walked on, leading the men down the main road. The
re were many shops and stores, peddlers and purveyors of unique, intriguing items, artifacts, clothes and delicacies of all kind. Every one of them, a new wonder to the men of Ganlin. Before Fowlin could lead them to the Tavern, they lost four men to spontaneous shopping excursions, each wanting to purchase something to take home, for themselves, or their families. It was Fowlin, Polick, Tursil, and a wiry recruit none of them knew, a scout named Sevum.
“Well boys…” Fowlin began, but Polick looked at him with a scowl, not wanting Fowlin to draw it out any longer, “Never mind, let’s drink!” They opened the door to the Tavern. It was dark inside, too dark to see. The windows were shuttered, the light from the outside blinded the four men from seeing what lie within, as they stood just inside the tavern doors. Dust floated in the air before them, making it almost impossible to see.
“Are ya comin’ in are ain’t cha?” A gruff, man’s voice called from within the darkened room. The men moved inside and shut the door behind them. They could see much better once the door was shut. Candles were lit around the room on some of the tables. There was a bar, with empty stools lining it. A balding man, with stringy strands of hair over his ears to his jaw, watched them from behind the bar, waiting, with his hands on the bar top. After a moment of looking at the four men, the bartender began to put cups on the bar top. The tavern had a few patrons here and there, sharing dimly lit tables, whispering to each other. It could only be imagined what secrets were being shared in the dark. A woman came from a back room, holding an empty tray in her hand, down at her side.
“You’ll have to send Kollin to the market for more eggs, if your serving any breakfast, we’re out.” She said to the man behind the bar. She looked at the men still standing just inside the front door, “What are you looking for, a drink? Or a meal?” She asked then looked around the tavern, “None of it is served at the door, if you’re not too sure where ya are?” She pointed to the bar, “Plenty of tables about if ya wanting to sit and eat.” She said, motioning around the tavern. “Pick one, let me know ya fancy, when ya have one.”
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