Secrets

by Shannon Pemrick

  Ryoko was nearly bouncing out of her seat, looking more excited to hear what Shva’sika had to say than Shva’sika herself did about telling us. “Well, spill the beans already!”

  Shva’sika chuckled. “All right, all right. Genesis asked me to come up with an assignment for as many of you as possible, so I did some digging, and found out from several other shamans in the city that there’s a meeting between the shamans and military tomorrow night.”

  “So a party?” Ryoko asked for clarification.

  “In a sense, yes, but there’s more to it. It’s meant to strengthen the bond between the alliances, in hopes of keeping both sides happy. Apparently, according to my sources, the alliance Laz made with the South Tribe has something to do with it. Care to shed more light on this?”

  I nodded. “Rick, a power hungry general, was leading a misguided attack on the South Tribe when Raikidan and I were in that location. That’s what sprung my alliance with them. They agreed to come to the city and told me they’d find a way to convince Zarda that Ray had been wrong. This may be the end result.”

  Shva’sika nodded. “That sounds about right. Does the name Tla’lli ring a bell?”

  I nodded. “That would be the shaman who contacted me first in the city. She’s the South Tribe chieftain’s daughter. Nice young woman. Will she be there?”

  “Yes, she’s a major figure in this meeting, as is her assigned bodyguard… Talon, I think it was?”

  “He’s a soldier,” I said, “and it doesn’t surprise me he’d be assigned that duty. If you recall the week I had gone to the South Tribe and had made the alliance with them, I hadn’t intended to go there to begin with. I was drawn there due to an assault led by a general of the name Rick. I disposed of him on the spot and gave Talon the order to convince Zarda the attack was misguided, and Rick had been executed on the spot for treason, since attacking a shaman tribe violates the pact made between the tribes and Zarda. It would only make sense Zarda assigned Talon to watch Tla’lli once convinced. Talon got along with her well making it rather fitting.”

  “Well that clears up a lot,” Shva’sika said. “Now the question is, are you willing to go?”

  I nodded. “Of course. I’d like to see them, and see what’s going to happen during this meeting.”

  “I wanna go too!” Ryoko beamed.

  Shva’sika looked at Raikidan and Rylan. “Will you two, as well?”

  The two of them looked at each other and then nodded. There wasn’t a reason for them not to, so of course they would go willingly. As my Guard, Raikidan didn’t have much of a choice since I was going, and the two of them were just a bit over-protective anyway.

  Zane answered, “We will be, just not in disguise. We were invited to this meeting already, so we’re unable to say no at this point. I’ll just have Blaze, Argus, and Raid join me. We’ll come up with an excuse for everyone else’s absence.”

  Shva’sika nodded. “I’m glad you’re all on board with this. I just have one big favor to ask of Ryoko and Laz.”

  Ryoko and I looked at each other, and then I eyed Shva’sika. “We’re listening.”

  “The other shamans don’t have an issue with us being there, but they requested something of us. To keep bonds strong, each side does something for the other. The military throws the party, and the shamans bring the entertainment. Unfortunately, the three shamans who were supposed to perform aren’t going to be able to fulfill their end of the agreement, and we’ve been asked to fill their place if possible.”

  “Perform what?” Ryoko asked.

  I suspected I knew what Shva’sika was getting at. There was one thing Shamans prided themselves on when it came entertainment, so it didn’t surprise me in the least that this was what they offered. “The entertainment we’ve been asked to provide is dancing, isn’t it?”

  Shva’sika smiled. “I figured you’d catch on.”

  “Is it a requirement to do this?”

  Shva’sika shook her head. “No, it was just a friendly request, as it would help them out tremendously. We’ll make sure no one knows it’s you, if you’re worried about that.”

  I nodded. “I’ll do it.”

  Her brow rose in surprise. “Really?”

  “Yeah, what’s the harm?”

  Ryoko looked at each of us several times before shaking her head. “Wait, what? What are we doing? What did I just miss?”

  The two of us chuckled and then Shva’sika spoke. “We’re going to teach you something, if you’re up for it.”

  “Um, okay.”

  “Do you think she’ll be able to learn it in time?” I asked. “A day and a half isn’t exactly long enough time to learn something so complicated.”

  “We need a third person. That’s what is being expected with this dance. We’ll just have her learn the basics and incorporate it. You know how diversified these dances can be.”

  “True.”

  “Can someone tell me what it is I’m going to be learning?” Ryoko demanded.

  Shva’sika chuckled and pulled her off the couch. “Bellydancing.”

  “Whoa, Eira knows something like that?” Blaze relaxed on the couch. “That’s hot.”

  I rolled my eyes and headed down the hall. “We’ll take the music room. It’s the biggest and most private. Oh, and, Ryoko, make sure you wear something loose and comfortable.”

  “But you’re not.” My clothes changed into a loose cropped shirt and comfortable cotton pants in response. “Okay, never mind. I’ll go change.”

  “I’ll finish your sewing project for you.” Seda said telepathically.

  “Thanks, Seda. I owe you.”

  “Don’t worry about it. It makes me feel useful.”

  “I’ll see if I can get you into the party, how does that sound?”

  “I… I don’t think that would be a good idea…”

  “Worried you won’t get a nice date to bring you?”

  “Laz, stop it! You know there will be psychics there and that’s the reason. It would definitely be too dangerous for me to go.”

  I chuckled and continued down the hall. She was lying, but if she didn’t want to go, then I wasn’t going to make her—or convince a certain brainiac to take her.

  I looked around, as the small group I pretended to converse with gave me a little cover. The atmosphere was much different at this party than it had been when it was just military and military supporters. It’s far tenser.

  So far I hadn’t found Tla’lli, but then again, I hadn’t met any shamans I knew. Most of the shamans I had come in contact so far were from the East and North Tribes, including the ones I was supposedly speaking with now. Shva’sika, on the other hand, knew everyone she ran into, but that didn’t surprise me.

  “Your friend is here now,” Raikidan whispered.

  I scanned the room until I found her. The poor girl looked uncomfortable, as she was forced to converse with every soldier who tried to speak with her. Talon, who stood next to her, put on a calm façade, but I could see how on edge and unhappy he really was with all the attention Tla’lli had to endure.

  “Looks like it’s time to say hello.” I looked back into the small group. “Please excuse us.”

  “Of course, Ambassador,” they murmured.

  I rolled my eyes as I left. Ambassador. Another one of Shva’sika’s brilliant ideas. No, I couldn’t blame her. She was just the messenger. Apparently, because of the alliances I was offering, the tribes had decided to bestow me with the greatest honor title they could offer. I was to be their ambassador, even though I was leading them down a path of war and bloodshed, not peace. Not to mention—I wouldn’t be acting politically with Zarda in a direct way. I wasn’t going to have contact with him at all, which is what an ambassador would do. It was a stupid title, and a stupid idea.

 
I put on a smile as I approached Tla’lli. “Tla’lli!”

  Tla’lli looked at me and a smile spread across her face. “Laz’shika!” She embraced me with a strong hug and I returned the gesture. “It’s good to see you again.”

  “The feeling is mutual, my friend. It’s been far too long,” I said.

  “A few weeks isn’t that long,” she argued.

  “It depends on how you look at it.”

  Tla’lli looked at Raikidan. “I see Raikidan still follows you around as faithfully as ever.”

  Raikidan crossed his arms. “Do I have to remind you again that I’m no dog?”

  She smirked. “Every time.”

  He grunted and she and I both laughed. I was glad he was able to go along with things so well. It would make life far too difficult had he not been able to.

  Tla’lli controlled herself and looked at Talon. “You both remember Talon, yes?”

  “Of course,” I replied.

  Talon nodded respectfully. “It’s a pleasure to meet you again, Ambassador Laz’shika.”

  I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. “As with you, Talon, although you seem a little more uptight than the last time we met.”

  Talon looked elsewhere, showing how unhappy he was about me pointing that out. He didn’t like being uptight.

  “How’s your father doing, Tla’lli?” I asked.

  “He’s about the same. I worry about him, especially since I haven’t been able to go home to see him myself, but he won’t lie to me, so I know his letters are truthful, and that keeps my mind at ease.”

  “Good. I believe he still has a lot of fight in him. He won’t be gone from this world any time soon.”

  “I hope you’re right.” Tla’lli pulled a crystal orb out of a pouch and looked at Talon. “Would you mind getting me something to drink?”

  Talon nodded. “Of course.”

  “Raikidan, why don’t you go with him?” I didn’t take my eyes off the orb.

  Raikidan followed Talon wordlessly, and Tla’lli placed both hands on the orb. It began to glow with a white light, and then the world around us grayed and slowed down. We were the only ones who weren’t affected.

  “This must be important,” I said. “No one just uses a time relic on a whim.”

  “I don’t know when I’ll get the chance to stop by your place and talk with you,” she admitted. “They expect me to do so much right now.”

  “It’s because Zarda doesn’t trust you. But don’t take that personally. He doesn’t trust anyone because he himself isn’t trustworthy.”

  She nodded. “It was hard convincing him that general was lying. I had to come in and give Talon a hand.”

  “He’s never been a good liar.”

  Tla’lli nodded again. “That was what made it hard. He had a silver tongue once he was able to tell the truth.”

  “How did you get stuck with him anyway?”

  “Well, it’s not all that complicated. Once we explained the situation to Zarda and I spoke with him in hopes of strengthening our alliance, he assigned Talon to protect me. It didn’t matter if I was here or back in the village.”

  I thought that over. That didn’t seem right. “It sounds like Zarda thinks Talon will act as a spy and report to him if anything is amiss.”

  “Well, good thing we don’t do anything wrong.”

  “Well, now you guys are.”

  “Well then it’s a good thing Talon is on our side.”

  I laughed. “I can tell you’re getting along with him well.”

  She nodded. “He’s really nice. A little on edge when he’s talking with me or the other women of the village, but that’s the only thing that bothers me about him so far.”

  “You’ll get used to that. He does his best to not offend women as much as possible, so it makes him a bit paranoid.”

  “But not everyone can be pleased.”

  “Try telling that to him. I gave up.”

  “Well then I won’t tell him about how unhappy he makes the older women, in particular the elven women.”

  “How does he do that?”

  “Well, since I’m of age to marry now, they think I should be looking for a nice suitor, and not just friends. They don’t think he makes good suitor material, so they feel he needs to keep his distance.”

  I chuckled. “Let old people be old. You don’t seem to care either way.”

  “I don’t want that lifestyle right now. I’m young and I don’t need someone by my side when I take over the tribe. It’s not a requirement.”

  I nodded. “Well at least you’re doing what you want. I’ve seen many in your position sacrifice their own happiness to make others happy.” I watched her as she looked back at Talon, who moved slowly at a table. “Although, I’m getting the feeling your thoughts and choices may be changing.”

  She glared at me. “Don’t you start. Others have that crazy idea in their heads too.”

  I held up my hands. “Easy. I’m just making an observation. That doesn’t make me right. No need to get your panties in a knot.” She snorted and I refrained from smiling. “So is there anything else you needed to speak to me about?” I looked past her to see the two men making their way back to us. “We’re running out of time.”

  “I can’t think of anything else. The convincing went well with the other tribes. I know you’ve had help with various shamans in these past few weeks, but now that the other tribes have officially decided to help, they’re going to be sending more shamans they feel are qualified for this task in small groups, so they don’t draw any unwanted attention. I’ll be notifying you or Shva’sika when everyone is ready to help out more.”

  “Shva’sika would be a better choice. She’s more involved with Shaman affairs than me, since I have a public image to maintain.”

  “Then maybe we should make her the Ambassador instead of you.”

  I sighed. “Please do.”

  Tla’lli laughed. “It’s not that bad. I’m not sure if Shva’sika told you, but the position of Ambassador is real. It’s rarely given out since there are so few worthy of the task. The Ambassador’s job is just to keep peace between the tribes, which may sound easy to most, but it can be quite difficult since we all think a bit differently. You won’t have to worry about the military at all. That’s the job of the tribe leaders.”

  I grunted. “Fine by me.”

  “It would be a bad idea to put you in that kind of position anyway.”

  I nodded in agreement before looking past her to see that the men were now much closer. Tla’lli noticed as well. We needed to end this before they reached us. Tla’lli sent a pulse of energy through the time relic, and the world sped itself back up to normal. She hid the orb before Talon and Raikidan reached us. I took a deep breath to make sure I was collected. Times orbs were one of the last remaining magic relics left in Lumaraeon from before the time of the War of End. Using one sometimes messed with the body, so it was best to make sure I’d be capable of functioning normally after participating in its use.

  Raikidan handed me a small glass filled with an amber liquid. “This is all I could find that I figured you’d like. I think it’s alcoholic.”

  I nodded my thanks, but before I could take a sip of the liquid, Shva’sika and Ryoko came over to us. They didn’t say anything, so I knew it was time. We weren’t to speak about the performance around the soldiers. That was the rule she had placed down. They weren’t supposed to know who was performing.

  I gave my drink back to Raikidan. “Please excuse me.”

  I followed the two out of the crowded room through a pair of double doors concealed behind a wood room divider screen, and into a small side room that had been converted into a dressing room.

  Ryoko pulled down her hood when the doors were shut. “Hey, Da
nika. Can I ask you something a little weird?”

  Shva’sika chuckled. “You never ask anything weird.”

  “I beg to differ,” I muttered.

  Ryoko shoved me, and I fell down on a bed of pillows and laughed. “Anyway, my weird question is, why don’t the four different shaman tribes have actual names, instead of just compass point names? From what I’ve gathered, they’re not in those exact point positions, so it doesn’t make much sense.”

  Shva’sika sat down in the bed of pillows near me and patted a spot next to her to encourage Ryoko to sit. “That’s not a weird question at all. To be honest, the tribes don’t actually have names. Ages ago, people outside the tribes gave them names for it to be easier to remember which tribe was which, since they really were north, south, east, and west at that time, and it just stuck. You see, the tribes’ villages started out as just places to live. It wasn’t until the just after the War of End that they developed distinct cultures.”

  “So why not give them names now?”

  “Because it would defeat the purpose of being shamans. It’s about the shamans, not the villages, and that’s why it’s the shamans who get the special names, and why it doesn’t matter what you call the villages.”

  Ryoko tilted her head. “The shamans get the good names? I thought they were just earth shaman, fire shaman, water shaman and whatever else you guys can be. You guys get actual names?”

  “Well, you’re partially correct. The way you just described them is one common way, but there are others.”

  “Okay, so—to make it less confusing to me, give me examples while you explain this to me.”

  Shva’sika smiled. “I’ll use Laz as an example then. To everyone who knows she is a shaman or sees her in her shaman clothes and uses fire, she is called a fire shaman, or on rarer occasions, a Shaman of the Flame. But her true title is a Shaman of the Rising Sun.”

  Ryoko’s eyes widened. “That is a really cool name! What are all the others?”

  Shva’sika chuckled at her enthusiasm. “Well, there are the water shaman, who are also called Shaman of Water, and their true title is a Shaman of the Rising Tides. Then we have the earth shaman, who are also called Shaman of the Earth, and have a true title of Shaman of the Fractured Crystal. Next we have wind shaman, or Shaman of the Sky, and their true title is a Shaman of the Whispering Winds.”