by Marlow York
Most of the time I stayed close to his side, but we all took turns watching him and keeping our eyes towards the City. By now they must have confirmed the Grakkir were responsible for the prisoners’ deaths, and they would probably retaliate soon.
In the afternoon, a small group of Grakkir had made their way slowly down the trail from the village, passing by the house in a sad and terrified group as they headed west towards a new home I would never see. Some looked up at us, others kept their eyes to the ground or on the path in front of them. No one looked back. The second group would take a different route, and hopefully it would deter anyone from following them.
It seemed like an eternity, but eventually the sun began to sink towards the horizon. None of us had slept much, and fatigue halted every movement. When I stepped outside for some fresh air, the world around me was quiet. When I realized the Grakkir were likely miles away, I felt oppressive isolation pass over me.
A familiar flapping sound broke the silence. Kalon drifted down from the sky with another message tied around his leg.
“A long overdue reunion must soon occur,” Sarrenke read. “It is time for Tarek to take his place among the Grakkir once again.” She looked at me with surprised, hopeful eyes.
“Just in time for him to die,” I muttered.
Sarrenke frowned. “At least he will die as part of our clan.”
We quickly took Tarek to the village, lying on a crudely thatched travois that Zani pulled across the field. He lay bundled in blankets, and I walked on one side of him while Khero walked on the other. Sarrenke lead the way, holding the horse’s halter, and Saven followed behind us.
“Is it time for us to leave?” Tarek asked groggily.
“We are going to see Ysolda. She says you will rejoin the clan,” I reminded him for the second time.
Tarek looked up at the sky and gave a pained smile.
Normally, Sarrenke had told me, events such as this would involve a ceremony where all the Elder Council would be present. If an even greater honor was bestowed upon a member of the Grakkir, the entire village would be present to celebrate with him or her. However, since everyone was already gone, only Ysolda and two Warrior guards were waiting for us in the empty village.
We brought Tarek inside the now-barren Elder Hall. Ysolda lit the few candles that were left behind and began performing the ritual. She placed her hand on Tarek’s forehead, and I caught a fleeting look of alarm when she felt his fever.
“Tarek of the Grakkir clan, former Warrior, blessed by the God of Wolves. For many years, you lived as an outcast among your own people. For too many years…”
I wrinkled my nose and scoffed, and she caught my gaze briefly. I hoped to see the slightest hint of regret in her eyes, but they were as stoic as always. She continued.
“For too many years, you remained untouchable and could never set foot within the village, your former home. You were forbidden to speak to the ones you had once called ‘friend,’ ‘sibling,’ and ‘ally.’ On this day, your wrongdoings have been forgiven. I, Ysolda, Elder Mother of the Grakkir clan, blessed by the God of Vultures, do hereby restore your place among the Grakkir once more. You and your family are one of us again.”
Tarek lifted his head slightly, perhaps thinking he was bowing. Sarrenke couldn’t stop herself from clapping and stomping her feet, and I could see by the look on her face how truly happy she was for Tarek. He had the biggest smile I had ever seen on his face, but his eyes were elsewhere. Perhaps in his mind, the entire village was crowding around, cheering and hugging him, as they had not been allowed to do for years. Perhaps, in his mind, he wasn’t lying in a cold, empty room, surrounded by the silence of a destroyed village.
✽ ✽ ✽
“Night will fall upon you soon. If you intend to stay here until the end, I suggest you leave the lights off. The City may pass right over you when they attack the village again.”
Saven and I stood with Ysolda, watching as Sarrenke and Khero took Tarek back to his house. The thought of him dying out there in the forest made me both sad and angry. He did not deserve the fate he had been drawn.
“Thank you,” I said, though perhaps not as sincerely as I should have. I couldn’t help but blame the old woman for not forgiving Tarek when everyone else already had. Saven gave a quiet hiss beside me, seconding my thoughts.
“Give this to him if the pain becomes too great.” She passed a vial of medicine to me. “I know you will not follow us westward, so where will you go after this?”
“To find my sister,” I said assuredly. “She was last seen heading east, so that is where I will go.”
Ysolda nodded. “Then you should know that your friends left some things for you in Tarek’s old house. It stands not far from here.”
She pointed, and my eyes followed her hand to a small structure that somehow hadn’t been destroyed in the attack. No one had torn it down when the village prepared to move. In fact, it appeared to have not been touched in a very long time and was in disrepair. I don’t know why it never caught my eye before; perhaps I assumed it was just an old, unremarkable building. I never realized it should have any sort of significance.
“My friends?” I asked.
Ysolda gave a small smile. “You are more liked than you realize.”
I smiled as I thought of Bjorn, Vondak, and Lozen.
“Elder Mother, we must go,” said one of the guards standing nearby.
“Yes,” Ysolda agreed. She looked me in the eye. “Young Valieri, you are not so young anymore. I can see it in your eyes. Your journey will not be an easy one, but if you can find more allies like us, then perhaps we can restore order to this world once again. I will pray to the gods for your protection, and may our paths cross again under better circumstances. Be safe, my friend.”
“And you.” I bowed my head respectfully. We watched as one of the Warriors helped her onto his horse, then lead her away from the village. Kalon soared in wide circles overhead, making sure to always keep his eye on her.
✽ ✽ ✽
Tarek’s house was unnervingly quiet and still when we returned. Sarrenke was in Tarek’s room, and Khero stood guard outside his bedroom. Tarek’s eyes appeared to be closed, but when I got closer I realized they were just barely open. He shivered and reached for my hand. I took it and let him pull me gently towards the bed. I laid beside him, and Sarrenke left to rest in the kitchen. Tarek mumbled to me, but I hushed him and gently stroked his cheek.
I don’t know when I dozed off, but I was awakened to the sound of Khero’s heart-wrenching howl. It was a heartbroken cry of anguish that could only be uttered by one who has suffered a great loss. I knew, even before I looked at Tarek, that he was gone.
The expression left on his face was that of someone who was peacefully dreaming, someone who knew their place in the world was secure and all would be well when they awoke.
Chapter 25
Sarrenke and I piled the wood high around the platform we had created. There was plenty available after we cleared out the house and tore it down. Saven and Khero helped as best they could, but it was the sort of job that was better suited for those with hands. Zani was tied to a tree a safe distance from the platform, beside the belongings and equipment we had salvaged. There hadn’t been much in the first place, which made it easy to sort through and pack.
When we were finished, we each spoke our last goodbyes to Tarek, who laid peacefully in the center of the funeral pyre. Sarrenke thanked him for marrying her sister, and for his protection and companionship over the years. I found it much more difficult to put my thoughts into words.
I leaned close to his face. “You deserved better than this,” I told him. “Thank you for helping me become a Warrior.” I kissed his cold cheek and stepped away.
Khero approached his companion. He whimpered softly as he touched Tarek’s shoulder with his nose, then he quickly turned and sat down several feet away from us.
I pressed my hands to the logs and set them ablaze. Within mo
ments, the fire had spread all around the pyre, burning strong and slow.
We watched long enough to make sure the fire would not put itself out before its task was completed. Khero whimpered only once as we watched the flames. After that, he said nothing and sat very still.
At the time, it didn’t occur to me to follow Khero when he left us. By then, he could sense that his friend was no longer in the fire, but someplace entirely different. I scanned over my shoulder and watched as the massive wolf disappeared into the forest.
“What happens to an Animal God when their companion has died?” I asked Sarrenke quietly.
She sniffed and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “I do not know for certain,” she told me. “They must feel the loss more strongly than we do, as I’m sure you feel a bond with Saven that is unlike any other bond you’ve had in the past. What I do know is that Khero will be alright. You do not need to worry about him.”
I turned to look once more at the place where Khero had disappeared, but he was long gone.
I glanced at Saven. My heart was already aching with loss, and I hated to even contemplate what it would be like to lose Saven.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Saven assured me, gently bumping my shoulder with his snout.
“It hurts,” Sarrenke said, her voice trembling. “To think, we have both not only lost our families, but two homes now. All because of the City.”
When she looked at me, I knew we shared a mutual empathy few people could understand. What she didn’t feel, however, was the sickness I got in my stomach when I remembered how I was the catalyst that started all of this. Rather than speak of it anymore, I looked away and gently squeezed her arm.
“Will you follow the Grakkir?” I asked. Together we turned and walked to where Zani stood. The strong beast seemed nervous, likely from the scent of burning flesh that was passing his way, and the anxiety of not knowing where his master was.
Sarrenke placed her hand on the horse’s neck and stroked gently, trying to calm and comfort herself as much as him. “I think I will, just to see where they intend to settle down. I’ve spent so long away from the village that I do not feel like it is necessary to be part of their group.” She sighed. “To be honest, I never really felt completely like one of the Grakkir, even after all these years.”
I nodded. “I know what you mean.”
“Are you certain you do not need another companion on your journey?” she asked.
I wanted to say “Yes, please join me, sister,” but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I wasn’t sure where I was headed, but I knew I was dangerous to be around. I shook my head. “We both need to find our own place in the world. Others like me are likely far away, and probably hiding. It will not be an easy journey, I’m certain.”
“It will be a dangerous journey, you mean.”
I had a hard time looking her in the eye, but she was right. Somehow, she seemed to know what I was thinking; I couldn’t risk losing the next closest thing I had to a sister.
I took a deep breath. “I sincerely hope our paths cross sometime in the future.”
Sarrenke nodded. “I will hold you in my heart.”
“And you, my friend.”
We embraced, and I realized then how badly I didn’t want to watch her go. I knew asking her to come with me was selfish and would likely be the death of her. For that reason, I bit my lip and gave a tight smile when we pulled away. I helped her secure her belongings to Zani’s back, and busied myself gathering my own few items to distract myself from my tears.
“Don’t worry. I will be with you,” Saven reassured me.
“I know. I just don’t like goodbyes.”
“You never said goodbye. Therefore, it isn’t permanent.”
Sarrenke removed a heavy bundle from Zani’s back and laid it on the ground. “Has anyone told you what the Grakkir believe about twin weapons?” she asked.
“Twin weapons?” I asked confusedly. “No.”
“They say when two identical weapons exist, siblings in war, they always find a way back to each other. No matter how many years or how far the distance, twin weapons always find each other.”
She opened the heavy cloth, revealing Tarek’s war axes. I remembered the way he used them in battle, with ruthless grace and unmatched skill. Sarrenke lifted one and passed it to me. “For you,” she said. “I’ll hold onto the other one.”
I smiled and tried to bite back my tears. “Thank you.” My voice shuddered.
Sarrenke smiled at me, her tears mimicking my own. “May your blade always be sharp.”
“And may the gods watch over you on your path,” I finished. It was an old Grakkir farewell.
Sarrenke placed her axe in the holster at Zani’s side, then mounted. She gave a nod, and without another word, she gently kicked his sides and disappeared into the forest.
I took a deep breath and quickly wiped my tears away. I hefted my bag onto my back, weighed down with some food and clothing, but not much else. The dagger that had been Juliano’s was strapped to my waist. I would have to carry the war axe until I could find or make a sheath for it. We headed towards what was left of the village, which was just a ghost town. We walked up to Tarek’s old house, and I stepped inside.
The uneven floor shifted and creaked under my feet. Small plants had worked their way through the walls and floorboards; foreshadowing what would undoubtedly happen to the other remaining buildings. The interior was lit only by cracks in the walls and the hollow windows and door-less frame. Few things remained inside; an old table and a handful of utensils. In one corner of the room sat a small pile of items left by my friends.
I found some blankets, food, a pair of leather boots, a small cooking pot, and, to my surprise, a back sheath for my war axe.
I noticed a note attached to the sheath, and I had to step back outside to read it.
“Stay alive so we may train again someday, snake girl.”
I smiled down at Vondak’s name. Had he known I would inherit one of Tarek’s axes? Who else had contributed to the offering? Though I knew they would be safer without me around, I hoped I would see the Grakkir again so I could thank them.
“The Grakkir are a unique clan,” I said to Saven. “Even after all this time, they continue to amaze me.”
“You are one of them, you know. A Grakkir Warrior, and Fiero, and Snake Child.”
“I’m glad you make it seem so easy to figure out who I am.” I patted his side.
“Only humans feel the need to complicate who they are. Animals know all you need to do is just be,” Saven replied.
“True,” I agreed. “I think it’s time we head out.”
“Which way?”
“Away from the City,” I told him. “Northeast. Up the mountain. Perhaps there will be better things on the other side.”
Saven gave a nod. “I will follow you.”
We turned our backs to the City, faced north, and pressed onward. We were about two miles from the Grakkir village when we heard a familiar humming.
My eyes shot towards the sky, and I could barely make out the dark shapes of the airships coming from the City.
“Hide!” Saven hissed.
We darted for the trees and ducked out of sight. The ships weren’t looking for us though. They hovered over the remains of the village. Small telescopes attached to the front of the ships darted this way and that, scanning for movements like the eyes of a huge beetle.
Seconds later, the ships turned and headed back towards the City.
“We need to get out of here,” I murmured.
We hurried up the wooded hill, part of the huge range of mountains that surrounded the village. We intended to skirt around the dangerous Snowy Mountain; perhaps the treacherous path would be least likely to be followed by the City.
As we ascended the side of one of the mountain’s “children,” I turned at the familiar rumble of a warship. The beast loomed over the Grakkir village and opened at the bottom, releasing a massive bomb over the ce
nter of the village.
The thunderous sound of the blast must have traveled for miles. I could only stand to watch for a moment as the remains of the village were consumed by fire, a reflection of the Fiero village. The City’s message was clear: destruction is inevitable until we get what we want. Who we want.
“Keep moving,” Saven said quietly.
And so, we disappeared into the mountains as the Grakkir village slowly turned to ash.
Epilogue
A man stepped slowly out onto the balcony of the tallest building in the City—the Citadel. He was an older man, perhaps in his mid-sixties or seventies, but his white hair was still thick, and his gait steady despite a slightly stooped back.
The man’s icy blue eyes crinkled at the corners as he looked over the enormous crowd below him. Every citizen had flooded the center of the City, anxiously awaiting explanations for the loud rumble of bombs they’d heard from the north.
“My dear citizens,” the man’s voice boomed over the crowd, amplified by speakers attached to the outer railing of the Citadel. His kind face hovered behind him on a huge monitor. Even the smallest child farthest from the Citadel could see his reassuring smile.
“Many of you have concerns regarding the bombs that have fallen in the north over the past couple of days. I assure you, this is nothing to be alarmed about. As per the Rule of Honesty, I will explain what has happened.” He looked over the restless crowd, his gaze hovering from right to left, like a proud parent looking upon his children.
“Our dutiful guards have confirmed that the savage Grakkir clan was planning to be allies to the Fiero uprising. Though we have lived in harmony with both these clans and graced them with their fair share of our bounty, they were greedy. Despite our generosity, they wished to attack our great City and claim it for themselves. We did not want to harm either of these clans, but they would not come to an amicable agreement with us. And so, regretfully, we had no choice but to interfere when they attempted an assault on us.”
