by K. E. Young
Sometime around midnight according to the arcs of visible ring at either end of the horizon, we rode up a narrow defile with cliffs to either side. At the end of this, it opened into a wide canyon with another encampment. This one was neater and better maintained than the ape-men's camp had been. We dismounted and troops shepherded the animals away.
Mero exchanged a few words with an older man then led me into a tent and showed me the accommodations. There was a cot, a covered chamber pot, and a basin with a pitcher of water already waiting. He also pointed out a robe, showed how to dim the lantern, then smiled and said, "damka musu," something I suspected was 'good night' before he turned, gathered a spare set of clothes from a saddlebag in the corner, and left.
I stripped and cleaned up. Blood and mud liberally spattered my clothes and me, and I stank. After I washed my body, face, and hands, I still had a half pitcher of water so I rinsed the washcloth and used it to scrub the worst of the ick from my scalp. My hair wasn't clean, but at least I was less itchy with sweat. I finger combed and braided it, put the robe on, dimmed the lantern, and slid into bed. I was asleep before my head touched down.
Days 2-3: 40th - 41st Day of Sanctuary, 3866
A young woman with short dark blonde hair and smiling gray eyes woke me. She handed me a stack of clothing, then mimed eating, pointed out of the tent, and walked out. The intent was clear. 'Get dressed then come out and eat'. I dressed quickly. The drawstring pants were loose in the seat and a tad short but the shirt and sleeveless tunic fit well enough.
The fit of the boots was odd and uncomfortable so I left them off, wearing my own sneakers instead. They were a little muddy and weren't ideal for riding, but at least they wouldn't wear holes in my feet.
I ducked through the tent flap and followed my nose to where food was being served. A soldier handed me a spoon and a bowl filled with some kind of cooked grain with dried fruit and chunks of cheese. I sat down on the ground under a nearby tree and dug in. It was tasty but more savory than oatmeal despite the fruit.
Mero sat down next to me and passed me a mug of herbal tea. It was spicy and a touch sweet and reminded me of chai without the milk.
When we had both finished Mero showed me where I could wash my dishes and hand them back for storage. Not long after everyone had eaten, the soldiers had struck camp and loaded the tents and gear on wagons. My clothes from the day before, still a little damp from being washed during the night, were in a saddlebag behind me.
Within an hour of waking, I had mounted and was following the others as we headed further up the canyon. We took a break at the top of a low pass in the mountains we had been traveling through and had a cold lunch and a stretch. I refilled the water skin attached to my saddle and relieved myself before we headed out again.
Near sunset, we came around the foot of the last hill and beheld a river valley with a large town or small city gracing it. We set up camp well outside the town.
The mess crew served dinner an hour after sunset, a thick meaty stew with crusty bread brought up from the town. There was also something similar to hard cider, cheese, and fruit.
I enjoyed the evening. My rescuers smiled at me and tried to make me comfortable within their ranks. They taught me some words and there was much gesticulating, miming and laughter at the antics.
I also realized that while little that had happened in the past couple of days had been pleasant, I had still enjoyed the time more than I did my life back home and I hoped I didn't have to go back. My life had been boring, lonely, and unfulfilling. There was nothing I couldn't leave behind without a qualm. Sometime between waking up surrounded by torches and this moment, I had decided to embrace this new life.
The only family I had left were my brother Michael and his wife. Michael and I had never been close as kids, and as an adult, he had bought into the whole 'I am a doctor, I am God' thing. Add to that the greed that both he and his wife seemed to share. They were both all about money and status. I embarrassed them. The librarian who spent too much time fighting and ate over the sink because she didn't have a table or chair, had little in common with a doctor and his trophy wife in their high-rise apartment.
I was already in bed when I realized I hadn't seen Mero since breakfast.
The next day we all went into the town and down to the river where two large barges anchored. The troop's commander and the barge captain organized the process of loading the wagons and the mounts, which they called keth. When they finished loading, we cast off.
The barges had sails but they remained lashed to the mast as they moved swiftly downstream. I didn't think the river itself flowed that fast since we had a bow wave, but I was clueless as to how we were being propelled. I didn't hear a motor. Aside from that minor mystery and the smell of manure, I enjoyed the trip. It was a welcome, and restful, vacation.
I still hadn't seen Mero around anywhere and wondered if I would see him again. He attracted me, but I had also liked him and thought of him as a friend despite our lack of ability to communicate. Others had introduced themselves in the past couple days though so I didn't lack for friendship. I had a better handle on the names of the natives I traveled with than those of my neighbors back home.
On our trip, I learned that we were on the Voris River, the ape-men were Karthim, the country was Vallen, the moons were Shib (the gray one) and Hyush (the red one) and the words for cheese, cider, bread, and the name of the fruit we had with lunch. I also picked up the general rules for a dice game the soldiers accompanying us were playing. I cleaned out all of one of my opponent's markers before losing them to a third fellow.
A few stretches relieved my stiffness, but I still hurt enough from the battle and the beating I took at the hands of the Karthim that I took the day off from working out.
I still didn't know where Mero had gone. When I asked Tani, the young woman who had given me clothes the previous day, where Mero was she flapped her arms and pointed downstream. I didn't understand what she meant but took hope that maybe he had gone ahead. I hoped so since he still had the second keys needed to unlock the armored sacks that held my stuff, and I really wanted my toothbrush.
Tani was nice enough to draw a rough map on the deck with a piece of charcoal. She pointed out our current location, where the battle had taken place, traced our route, and then made a star on the seacoast. She tapped the star and said, "Mero." Then gave another name I assumed was the name of the town, Valir. We had about another day's travel if the scale was right. It seemed a long way to travel by boat in one day but we were going at a good clip.
At sundown, our rapid progress dropped to match the flow of the water. We spent the night floating downriver. Torches at the bow illuminated the water for spotters with long poles who called out to the barges' helmsmen now and again. I stayed awake late into the night watching the lights of the occasional small villages pass by, the rising of the moons, and the sweep of the rings across the sky before I slipped into slumber.
Chapter 2
Day 4: 42nd Day of the Month of Sanctuary, 3866
Dawn found us wending through a cliff-edged gorge with the occasional beach on the outside bends. Our speedy progress resumed. I still had no clue how they managed it. Learning more words, stretching, resting, and sparring with Tani filled my time. I was still stiff from the long ride and the preceding experiences but less sore and it was time to work out the kinks.
Late afternoon, the barge came around a bend in the river and into view of a real city, complete with a palace perched above it on the cliff overlooking a busy harbor. Then, I saw something that filled me with as much wonder as the rings had.
A dragon, its scales flashing blue and copper in the sun flew in the air above the palace. Now I knew why Mero had been so interested in my pendant. Tani's arm flapping came back to me. Had Mero gotten a ride on one of those beautiful creatures? I hadn't seen one, but it would make sense.
The barge nudged in to a dock close to the river mouth. Once they tied off the barges, we debarked a
nd Tani led me through the city and up the hillside towards the palace. The people we passed seemed prosperous and content, and trade was vigorous.
The range of goods available was mind-boggling and the smells of perfumes, spices, food vendors, and less savory things became overwhelming in spots. However, I noticed that even the less pleasant odors were never that of an open sewer, decay, or rot. Sidewalk musicians were common and the music they produced was unfamiliar but enjoyable and festive. Overall, although it was uphill and I was still sore, I enjoyed the trip up the hill to the palace.
The gates to the palace were already open when we got there and led to a broad tunnel opening onto a bright courtyard fronting the palace proper and adjoining gardens. The palace itself was a huge, high, sprawling monstrosity of pale silvery stone with the details picked out in bright red or blue paint. It had a mediterranean feel with lots of balconies and terraces, and wide, arched windows sporting flower boxes. There was a broad, curved staircase leading to the main door of the palace.
And there he was, coming down the steps as if my thoughts had summoned him. Instead of the leather breastplate he had sported before, he now wore a tailored, sleeveless, black velvet tunic embroidered with gold and teal across the shoulders and neck. The cord holding his ponytail gleamed with metallic threads and jeweled tips that sparkled in the sunlight. He had replaced the plain wrist guards with jeweled leather bracers. Next to him was a dignified middle-aged man in a robe that wouldn't have looked out of place in a Lord of the Rings movie.
Mero grinned when he caught sight of me and pulled his friend towards me. He motioned for me to stay still as the older man placed his hands on my head. My vision went white and I heard a thunderous crashing in my head followed by thousands of voices all talking at once. I couldn't tell how long it took since there was a timelessness to the sensation, but it felt like a long time before it cleared leaving me feeling stunned with a headache.
"Did it work? Can you understand me now? I would have done it myself but I never had an interest in mind magics or the regulations that come with their use."
"Holy crap! What was that?"
Mero laughed. "Hanat gave you our language. The process can be a little disorienting if you don't know what to expect."
"More stunning than disorienting, but I can't complain about the results. This is great! Except for a headache."
He snorted. "Your headache should fade soon. Sorry about making you endure the long trip. I would have brought you along with me when I flew back to the capital, but we didn't have cloaks heavy enough to keep you warm during a flight."
I waved off his apology. "Don't worry about it. I enjoyed the trip."
His humor dissolved and he motioned me to follow him into the palace. "Come. I'm thankful we got to you in time. The Karthim are cannibalistic."
Oh, I did not need to know that. I couldn't help but think I was a lot happier with my choice to live fully in this world before I found out about that part. At least life was interesting here.
Mero continued without waiting for a response. "We had been tracking the Karthim for a week. When scouts saw the lightning around the old gate, they knew the Goddess might have brought another Nakairu. The Karthim were closer and we knew they would find a Nakairu… irresistible. We weren't sure we would reach you in time."
His mouth twisted in wry humor. "Although I doubt you needed our help." He laughed before continuing.
"I saw you as we rode into that camp, you didn't hesitate for even a moment. You had already fought for your freedom and the Karthim considered you a threat or they would not have been so thorough restraining you. Despite that, you were quick enough to free yourself that it was clear you had been preparing. I may have helped, but you didn't need it."
He took a deep breath. "You then took up arms and fought with both skill and a calm head. I consider it an honor to have fought by your side. Perhaps you will find the home and the people here you should have always had. I hope in time you will find us deserving of your loyalty."
"Why don't we start with friendship?"
He laughed aloud. "I thought we were already past that. We're shield companions. Friends are for sharing drinks. Shield companions are closer than that. It's a matter of trust. I already know I can trust you to cover my back in combat as you have already done so. How can being just friends top that?"
I grinned at him. "My people have a proverb. A friend will help you move but a true friend will help you move a body."
Mero chuckled. "You may have a point there. There are shades to these things and what I mean may not match what you mean. When I was a boy, my tutor pointed out that language is limiting and the essence of meaning can change with experience. Something he got from another Nakairu in fact. Perhaps we can explore this friendship thing more — after you've refreshed yourself from your journey.
I was about to ask him what a Nakairu was but he continued before I could do so. "I've already had the servants prepare quarters for you and clean clothing. A seamstress will be here in an hour to fit you for proper warrior gear. It will suit you and it's much more comfortable than what the rest of the nobility wears."
He stopped in the middle of the hallway we were walking through and turned toward me. "Now, I have a question for you about your pendant. Why do you have the image of a dragon around your neck? To be specific, why that dragon?"
The question left me flat-footed. This guy changed subjects the way my grandmother used to. "Dragons are a mythical creature common to many of the ancient cultures of my world. As for why I wear it — I was teaching myself sand casting and came up with the design. The dragon looks the way it does because that's what felt right, the fact it looks so much like the dragons here is an accident. Among my people, a dragon is a symbol of power, prosperity, nobility, and wisdom while the key is a symbol of spiritual or temporal power and knowledge. Also, the initials of my full name spell the word 'key' in my language."
I lowered my voice a little and stroked my pendant. "But the real reason I used a dragon was when I was a little girl, my favorite person was my Uncle Todd. Unlike everyone else, he understood me. He wore a silver medallion with a dragon on it and whenever I got into fights, he would call me 'Little Dragon'. I made the pendant to honor him. He left for work one day when I was ten and no one ever saw him again."
He was silent for a moment. "Sand casting. Are you a silversmith too?"
I appreciated the change of subject. "Jewelry in general. Silver, gold, beading, some lapidary work, wirework." I smiled. "Some of my hobbies brought in a little extra income from time to time. Others came in handy at other times."
"Such as?" He turned to continue down the hall.
I clasped my hands behind my back as we walked. "Lock picking. Useful when you misplace your keys."
"Any other hobbies we should know about? I would hate for you to get bored here." He sounded as if he was trying not to laugh.
"In the past few days, I've been abducted, beaten, tied up, escaped, fought in a battle, learned to ride a keth, gone camping, been on a boat ride, toured the market district of a good sized city, and learned a new language. I can stand a little boredom for a while." I sighed and relented. What I wanted to do was ask a few of my own questions but he wasn't giving me much of a chance. "There are several things I do, things I can fit in between work and training and during the evenings."
His brows dipped down. "Work… You were a guard?"
"No. I worked part-time as a librarian." Mero stopped dead in stunned disbelief for a minute.
"A librarian? You fought with great skill, something which takes years of training to attain."
"And it did. I was smaller than the others were when I was a kid so the bullies picked on me. I refused to let them push me around and fought back. A lot. The school counselor said we had to come up with a way of controlling my impulse to fight because he didn't want such a good student expelled. He suggested martial arts training." I was silent for a few moments, remembering. "And it tur
ns out I have a talent for it. I always have. I've been training for fifteen years now. It fills a hole I doubt I could have filled any other way. In a strange way, fighting and training is my home. It's where my true self lives."
Lighten up, Kendra. Why are you saying these things? I gave myself a mental slap. Normally, I kept quiet about such things since I made people uncomfortable. I knew better than that.
"Besides, it turns out fighting is one of those things that comes in handy sometimes." I flashed an awkward grin at him. "A guy tried to rape my roommate in college. He failed. He wasn't expecting me to attack but the idea that this guy thought he could force her to do what he wanted without consequences made me angry. Even though she didn't like me, I felt as if she was under my protection and his attempt violated my territory. It made me furious. It was the first time I met the demon inside me. The first time I realized I could hurt someone else without batting an eye." Dammit, I did it again. Too much information. He'll think I'm some kind of sociopath. I was way too comfortable with this guy.
We had drifted to a halt again. Mero's expression was thoughtful. "And that bothers you."
I looked at him askance feeling a little defensive now because of my lapses. "Not as much as you might think. I sleep fine. I hate people who think the world owes them. As if they have the right to do and take whatever they want and the rules don't apply to them, who do not respect another's territory or rights. It made me mad when I was a kid and it makes me mad now."
I took a deep breath and focused on releasing the tension in my shoulders. "I am what I am. No one can change that but me and I don't want to. I like the person I have become and that person would not exist if I had tried to suppress that part of me."
