Between Starfalls

by S Kaeth

  The man with the rake turned toward them, rake raised, while the other lowered his paintbrush, mouth hanging open.

  “Vefng, bring them inside, quickly!” the painter ordered.

  Kaemada clutched at the shawl, grasping Eian’s hand in her free hand. As Elisabei quickly considered their options, Kaemada pulled Eian close and dove over the low stone wall, gasping in pain. “Sheatedein!”

  Guards. But why would the woman be running toward faithless Kamalti? Elisabei crouched, scanning their environment with wide eyes. She didn’t see any guards… Elisabei groaned, glaring at Kaemada’s back. Injured, hallucinating, and occasionally possessed by a Collective of psions. What a combination. The man with the rake hurdled the wall, completely bypassing Kaemada and Eian.

  “The Scouts will be out—you cannot hide out here. Quickly!” the painter beckoned.

  “Some here are not friends to Outsiders,” the man with the rake—Vefng—said.

  “Are you?” Elisabei asked pointedly.

  The painter smiled. “My aunt has… Well, no matter. We must get you off the streets. Come inside.”

  “Why should we trust you?”

  The man’s smile seemed strained. “Trust me or do not. It is up to you.”

  Elisabei wavered, looking at Reinan, but he had no experience in Kamalti lands, and Kaemada was useless. The decision was hers. Six winters ago, the Kamalti had not used subterfuge—they’d simply found her off the trail, surrounded her, and marched her to a farce of a trial. The next thing she knew, she’d been in the City of the Lost. No traps—not like in the City. And could she really leave two helpless people behind? They’d send Kaemada back to the City, where surely she would be killed.

  The choice was clear. “Let’s follow.”

  Keeping wary eyes on Vefng, Elisabei climbed over the low fence with Reinan. The painter escorted them all inside. Elisabei reluctantly put an arm around Kaemada to help her along. The woman’s shirt had a dark, wet patch—she must have pulled her stitches. As they stepped inside, the painter shut the gauzy curtains and beckoned them farther into the house. It was well-kept and larger than their home in the City, but not so large as she’d have imagined. They entered a room filled with books—on shelves, stacked on tables, and lying haphazardly on the comfortable-looking chairs furnishing the room. So many things. She stared at the excess.

  Their guide gave them a sheepish smile and began gathering up books in hasty, flustered motions. “Please excuse the mess. I was doing research.”

  Reinan hovered near her, his face troubled. Only those in the palace had so many possessions. But they’d made their decision. She sat Kaemada down on one of the chairs so she could inspect the damage. Reinan lingered near the door, ready to secure their escape.

  Kaemada hissed in pain as Elisabei inspected one of her deeper cuts. She whipped out her needle and thread to restitch the wound. “Be still.”

  “Ameyitum.” The strained apology came from gritted teeth.

  Eian wandered the room, his face alight. Elisabei couldn’t help but keep an eye on him—such curiosity didn’t last long in the City of the Lost. The boy picked up a book before the painter got to it and looked at the open page. He frowned at it. “Wrong.”

  “Eian, give that back to him,” Kaemada said, stifling a groan as Elisabei tied off the thread and began to rebandage her. “Ameyitum.”

  “Stop apologizing,” Elisabei said.

  “Ame—” Kaemada forced a sheepish smile.

  “It’s wrong,” the boy said, handing it to their host.

  The young man hesitated, taking the book from the little boy, and inspected it as if he’d never seen it before. “Wrong? This is a book of the history of this city. You read Kamalti?”

  Elisabei watched the exchange, nerves prickling. Where had the other Kamalti man gone? She tied the bandage and stood, ready to escape if necessary.

  Eian pointed at the page. “Here, it says:

  Here where South meets East,

  In the golden bowl of the towering ones,

  The City of Tamarik shall lay,

  Forever bathed in the light of the sun.

  “It’s wrong.” The boy shrugged. “It should be ‘Center meets East.’”

  “You know the ancient City of Tamarik?” The man practically vibrated with excitement. “I have been searching for references, looking for our origin.”

  Holding her side, Kaemada peeked at the page. A smile bloomed across her face. “It’s so beautiful.”

  The man looked uncertain, but when Eian translated, his expression darkened instantly.

  Eian tugged on Kaemada’s sleeve. “Frown!”

  The woman’s brow wrinkled in confusion as she obeyed. “I meant no disrespect. I only commented on the beauty of the poetry of your people. It was meant to be an honor.”

  The man regarded her silently for a while after Eian translated. Elisabei narrowed her eyes. What kind of people took offense to a compliment? The Kamalti were all mind-sick, and this man seemed as foolish a dreamer as Kaemada.

  The stranger’s tone took on a haughty note. “In the civilized world, one asks for items belonging to others with a smile and a compliment. So, for instance, should I decide I liked your boots and wanted them for myself, I would compliment them and smile.”

  “Oh!” Kaemada said. “I did not mean I wanted your book. We share much of what we have, but if we want something another has, we simply ask, straightforward.”

  Elisabei shifted her weight. The danger pressed on her from all directions. They shouldn’t share information so freely with these people. It wasn’t like they really cared. Who knew where the trap was?

  “Ah, that is considered rude here.”

  Elisabei scowled. “Who are you, and why do you pretend to want to help us?”

  “Ah, I am Tjodlik, of the Philosophers of the City of Hadr.”

  “T-jo-d-lik,” Kaemada tried.

  He smiled at her effort. “Tjodlik.”

  She tried again. “Tjodlik. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Kaemada, and this is Eian.”

  Tjodlik tilted his head to the side. “I thought all Outsiders spoke the Traveller’s Tongue. Why is it that you are not speaking the Traveller’s Tongue but this boy does?”

  Vefng appeared in another doorway among the shelves, causing Reinan to whirl toward him. The Kamalti man paused, his expression wary. He carried a tray with a basin of water and a cloth. “To cleanse you from your journey. Shall I bring refreshments?”

  “Just supper, please, Vefng. Thank you,” Tjodlik said, and the other man bowed, set the tray on an end table, and left the room.

  “Not all of us speak the Traveller’s Tongue,” Elisabei said before Kaemada could speak, willing her to be silent.

  But the woman spoke anyway. “I injured my mind and appear to have lost my ability to speak the Traveller’s Tongue—temporarily, I hope. I mean no offense.”

  She could physically stop the boy from translating, but who knew how that could be construed. And Kaemada would likely just be more difficult. It would shine a light on their weaknesses. She glared at the woman, who at least had the decency to look down, fidgeting with her hands.

  Tjodlik cleared his throat. “Please, forgive my rudeness, but… you do not belong here.”

  And Kaemada spilled her soul yet again, the fool. “We’re looking for my friends. I came with them here to this city almost six moons ago. Two women and a man, my brother, Taunos. The women are my friends, Ra’ael and Takiyah. They were supposed to be in the City of the Lost, but…”

  Tjodlik stammered, astonishment all over his bearing. “Please, excuse me,” he said, “Crystals and ships! Excuse my manners!”

  He turned his back to them and raised a hand to his chin. Clearing his throat, he turned back to face them and began again. “You must have been with the group my aunt has had dealings with. You were on the other side of the Great Divide. This is the City of Hadr. On the other side is the City of Codr. Your companions are still in Codr.”<
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  “How do we get there?” Kaemada asked.

  “I can take you to Codr and help you find your friends, but we must keep a low profile until we get you over there. Outsiders are not supposed to be in our lands at all!”

  Reinan grunted and Elisabei scowled. She didn’t like relying on this stranger. And yet, wouldn’t it have been easier to just call the guards on them right away? If the troublesome woman was going to spill all their information, well, she might as well ask for some help with her.

  “This one needs healing.” Elisabei motioned to Kaemada.

  Tjodlik wavered. “The Doctors… I do not know which would be sympathetic.”

  “Do these Doctors of yours know much about sicknesses of the mind?” she asked.

  “What do you mean?”

  Elisabei shot Kaemada a glance, but the woman was already drawing breath to tell him everything. She cut in stiffly, “Her mind injuries. I believe she received them battling another psion. I have never treated a psion.”

  Tjodlik shook his head. “We have no psions here in the City.”

  “So, your Doctors will be of no use?”

  “I am afraid not. I do apologize. I wish I could help.”

  “Elisabei, please stop worrying. When we find my brother, I’m sure he will know what to do,” Kaemada said.

  She snorted. “If your brother is half as good as you say, I cannot wait to meet him.”

  Their host pressed his hands together. “I will take you to him tomorrow. I hope you will get to see him before…”

  “Before what?” Finally, some wariness crept into Kaemada’s voice.

  “I do not know enough details to say. Only that they have been serving some sort of punishment. There have been stirrings of discontent among the citizens of Codr.” He cleared his throat. “Please, let me leave you to refresh yourselves. I will come to get you when supper is ready.”

  “Will the other man—that Vefng—tell anyone about us?” Elisabei asked.

  Tjodlik smiled. “Do not worry, please. Vefng is my ebr. He is loyal and has served me well.”

  “Ebr?” Kaemada asked, her voice trembling with suppressed judgement.

  Tjodlik nodded after Eian translated. “Yes. Vefng has only two more weeks to serve before his sentence is complete. His repeated thieving prompted a sentence of ebrid, you see. After completing his sentence, he has opted to take a permanent, paid position in my household. I trust him completely. Now, please rest. I will return shortly.”

  He bowed slightly to them as he left the room, closing the door behind him. Elisabei gave Reinan a frank look. Everywhere they went, things were still the same. People set themselves above each other whenever they could. Not much surprised her these days. She smiled a little, easily reading on Kaemada’s expressive face how the woman was having trouble processing this. She would have to teach her a proper stoic face.

  The thought surprised her. When had she begun expecting to spend time together rather than leaving at the first clear opportunity?

  After a meal and some tea to soothe nightmares, they slept the sleep of the weary. In the morning, Vefng brought around a massive metal wagon with steam puffing out of a funnel at the front. No beasts drew it and Elisabei stared in astonishment. Sitting behind a large wheel that stuck into the air, Vefng beckoned. Elisabei gingerly followed Tjodlik and the others as they piled into the seats at the back of the wagon. Eian clapped his hands, and a smile sparked on Kaemada’s face.

  Elisabei shook her head. The woman was incurably optimistic.

  JAETAN-AHN

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Ebr testimony is, by nature, faulty. Only when an ebr has regained citizenship status may he or she be allowed again to give testimony. The ebr owners must be held accountable for their ebr’s actions. If the ebr runs away or the ebr’s behavior is dangerous or exceedingly unruly, the owner may ask for a Running of the Ebrs. The ebr will run until exhaustion or death, depending on the judgement of the Caller.

  —excerpt from the Kamalti City of Codr Code of Law

  At the base of a massive tower, decorated at its crown by an enormous timepiece with its bronze gears visible as they worked, stood the three shackled ebrs. Stretching before them, rows of Kamalti jeered from behind two lines of thin ropes. The noise was deafening. Taunos and Ra’ael had tried to mentally pick the locks on their bonds, but their captors had made them drink the mind-numbing herbs. Takiyah had been forced to wear large metal gloves that went to her elbows.

  Taunos swept his gaze across the mob. Several paces to the side, Dode quarreled with uniformed Scouts. Surprise hit him as he noticed the little family he’d helped feed near the back of the crowd on the other side, looking grieved and angry. He turned his face away. He needed to be strong.

  Closing his eyes, he allowed himself to take solace for a moment in memory. The scent of his beloved washed over him: lilies, spices, the sharp tang of alcohol on her hands from disinfecting. He’d given up a life with her… for this. In his own way, he was as foolish as his sister had been. And what good now was the strength of his arms? What use was his protection? He had no way to get them out of this.

  Answer’s voice sounded sharply against the noise of the crowd. She stood with the Scouts by Dode, looking upset. Taunos strained his ears to listen.

  “…not allowed according to the Law!” Answer was saying.

  “We cannot cancel the Running,” another Scout said. Taunos recognized him from one of Answer’s many dinner parties—Bluff, he believed. “The Outsider attacked you in your own home. That offense cannot be left unaddressed. The Running must take place to restore the Honor of all Scouts.”

  “And did killing a priest help the Honor of the Scouts?” snapped Dode.

  Distress was evident on Answer’s face. “Outsiders are not Kamalti. The Justices—”

  That was surprising. Was she arguing for them or against them? He’d expected she would push for greater punishment, but something about the set of her shoulders, the look in her eyes…

  “The Caller says the Running will go on, Answer. Beware, lest you lose all status. Lady Dode, it would be a shame if you interfered. The spectacle it would cause if you forced Scouts to arrest you…” Bluff motioned to the guards beside Taunos.

  Three guards stepped forward, snapping him back to more immediate concerns. Tension lined their movements as they removed the manacles from Taunos and Ra’ael but kept the collars on all three. Taunos reached out on either side of him and took Takiyah’s gauntlet and Ra’ael’s hand, squeezing as if to give them strength, holding his head high. He would not give in to the expectations of these Kamalti. He’d face this with his pride and honor intact.

  Rough hands grabbed at them, ripping their clothes from their bodies. The crack of a whip snapped above their heads and they jumped. Takiyah shuddered.

  “Run,” ordered one of the guards behind them.

  The tip of the whip kissed Ra’ael’s shoulder, and she jumped again, looking up at Taunos briefly, as if for reassurance.

  “Run,” the guard shouted.

  “Run,” Taunos agreed, ushering them before him. The lashes came from behind, and he meant to take the brunt of that.

  But as they ran, the crowd threw glass, beads, and rotten food at them, making the ground underfoot slippery in some places and sharp in others. The guards running behind them wore thick boots and kept a swift pace. If they outpaced them too much, they would tire quickly, and there was nowhere visible to escape to—crowds pressed around them, leaving only a narrow lane for them to run in and cutting off all avenues of escape. Taunos slipped on fruit pulp and went down hard. Lashes from the whips rained down on him, unrelenting. Shielding his head with one hand, he picked himself back up and ran, blinking blood from his eyes.

  They worked together, their focus grimly on the task of keeping one foot in front of the other. Taunos tried to use telekinesis to shield them, but the mental toll was too great, especially with his mind drugged. Takiyah and Ra’ael had been tra
ined well. They ran in a tight V formation and kept pace doggedly, focusing on avoiding rotten food and sharp glass.

  They ran, and the course took a hard left, and they ran, and the course turned again to the left. Ra’ael and Takiyah exchanged brief looks, and Taunos’s heart sank. They were running a loop. When they reached the base of the clock tower once more, the guards behind them switched out for fresh guards, whipping them with renewed gusto so they had to quicken their pace. There was no way out.

  They were on their third lap when Ra’ael’s posture shifted. The rage and exhaustion and pain must have begun to take over, and the potion that stopped her from concentrating, that he’d been drugged with for all those moons, would keep her from stopping the blood rage. He grabbed Takiyah’s shoulder, pulling her out of Ra’ael’s view. The guards behind them whipped them in a frenzy, but Ra’ael trampled off with a roar into the crowd, tossing people out of her path like so many pebbles.

  The rain of lashes drove them onward and Taunos quickly lost sight of the warrior priestess. The crowd swallowed her, churning dangerously as some tried to escape, and others surged toward her.

  There was nothing he could do to help. He had to run.

  ~

  Kaemada peered at the gathered crowd as she and the others climbed out of the metal wagon in Codr. Exhaustion and pain slowed her, but Elisabei’s pain-numbing tea and salves kept her upright at least. Elisabei had far greater medicinal knowledge than she did, and Kaemada was relieved to be able to relax in someone’s care once again. But she couldn’t truly relax until she got her brother and friends and they all walked free under the sun once more. She followed close behind Tjodlik as the clamoring throng reluctantly parted for him. Angry voices surrounded them, and she held tight to Eian lest he be crushed in the crowd. Kaemada grimaced at the press of bodies all around her, struggling to breathe. Someone ran past and disappeared out of view before she could do more than glimpse them, but the masses stood still in expectation, alert to a loud, churning commotion a little way off.