The Gift of Volkeye

by Marque Strickland

  “Not at all. See?”

  Bahzee suddenly walked over and grabbed Teshunua with one hand and threw him over her head as if he were a feather, catching him in a cradling position.

  “Dammit, girl! Whoa!” he said, struggling. “I don’t believe this…I weigh almost twice as much as you do!”

  “Hush, little baby, don’t you cry…”

  Sing’s awe matched Teshunua’s perfectly. When Bahzee had thrown him, Teshunua’s head had almost touched the ceiling!

  I wonder if she’s stronger than Maugrimm?

  “Hey, Baz…Bahzee. Let me down, so we can see what you can do,” he said, eager to test her ability.

  “Sure. What do you want me to do?”

  “I don’t know. What can you do?”

  Bahzee looked to the opposite end of the room. There was a large empty cauldron—big, cast iron, and about four hundred pounds. She went over to it, clueless as to how this would work out, for it was bound to be quite unwieldy (even if it was the smallest cauldron in the room!).

  But what if I’m strong enough to the point where its width won’t even be awkward?

  Deciding to give it a shot, she took a pair of leather gloves out of her coat pocket then gripped the massive piece of iron by its edge. Next, Bahzee knelt over and placed her left hand near the base of the cauldron. She leaned back to her right side, attempting to hoist the bowl into the air with her left hand.

  Tesh and Sing were nervous, because nothing was happening and it looked as if Bahzee would hurt herself.

  “Hey Baz, don’t strain, okay. If it’s too much, we’ll try something smaller.”

  Sing nodded, agreeing with him. “Be careful, dear,” she said.

  “No, no, no, I’m fine—it’s not even heavy. It’s just...frozen...to the…flooooor!” Bahzee growled as she pulled up the cauldron.

  Sing and Teshunua both flinched as the cauldron and rock beneath it were separated from one another, making a terrible racket as if the Igloo was collapsing. Bahzee stood at ease and without fear of being crushed. Sing and Tesh were silent, attempting to cope with what they’d just seen.

  Getting over the initial shock of her ability, Bahzee began to walk back and forth. Meanwhile, Sing and Teshunua’s mouths hung open. Next thing they knew Bahzee was jogging around the room, carrying a fifth of a ton overhead!

  Finally, Sing spoke. “Oh my goodness! How in the… What?!” A string of incomplete thoughts was all she could manage.

  “And she can still lift more, I know it!” Teshunua said.

  Bahzee threw the cauldron in the air. It hit the ceiling, cracking the ice and breaking stalactites. She caught it with ease as the ice came crashing down around her.

  Sing shrieked. “Bahzee, be careful!”

  Bahzee waved her trophy back and forth in the air. She might as well have been holding a five-pound bag of sugar!

  Sing gripped Teshunua’s arm. “We have to show them. There’s no way that we can keep this miracle to ourselves!”

  “Yeah…let’s go.”

  4

  “Okay, Maugrimm, I promise I won’t say anything, I swear!” Asha said, swinging to and fro.

  Maugrimm was torturing her, as to make sure that she didn’t embarrass Bahzee and Teshunua by saying the wrong thing out in the open.

  “How’z it feel ta’ be upside down, matey? Gravity treatin’ ya’ okay?”

  “If you don’t let me down this instant, you will never be able to call me mate again!” she bellowed, watching an upside down Toodles’ head sway back and forth along with her, trilling.

  Or are you laughing, too, you little shit?

  “Hah! Ya’ been sayin’ that since the day I first...”

  “Ouch!”

  Mawg had accidentally let Asha fall flat, as he was suddenly stunned to silence.

  “What the hell was that about?!” Asha snarled, massaging the back of her head. However, as she looked to see what had diverted his attention, she understood.

  Bahzee had just walked in, carrying an impossible burden! All too quickly, Asha realized this was Zynathian’s doing. However, she did not share the enthusiasm of the others, thinking this far too risky of a first attempt!

  “BAHZEE SUNKHAREI, YOU PUT THAT CAULDRON DOWN NOW BEFORE YOU GET KILLED! WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?”

  Zynathian, you’re sumthin’ else, matey! Mawg thought in complete contrast to Asha’s worrisome mood. He ogled Bahzee, as she wielded a piece of iron that not even most beasts would have bothered with, let alone anyone human!

  “It’s okay, Mommy, I got it. It’s not even heavy—see!” Bahzee began jogging in place.

  “Down. Now!”

  “Bloody hell, Bahzee, do ya’ realize how much weight you’re carryin’? Zynathian has really done it this time ‘round!”

  “DOWN!”

  “Ah, pipe down, woman, and stop bein’ so damn scary! Zynathian wouldn’t have gave ‘er such a gift if he ain’t intend on ‘er using it!” Maugrimm said, rolling his eyes. “Like I was saying…put it down and let’s see how easy it is for ya’ to get it up again.”

  “Bahzee, you’re going to hurt yourself!”

  “No I won’t, Mommy.”

  Bahzee did as Maugrimm asked, quick and easy. She now held the piece of iron above, rebuking her mother’s worry.

  “See, Mom.”

  Asha had to be the only person in existence that would have been more worried than in awe of such a thing. While the others glared at Bahzee in disbelief, she was completely unimpressed, scared that Bahzee’s back would give out at any moment. (And though she’d kept calm so far, she didn’t appreciate Maugrimm undermining her orders. After all, she was the parent! It upset her that Bahzee was taking so long to do as she asked. If she kept testing her, Baz was going to see a side of Asha that she rarely let out!)

  “Yes, baby, that’s very nice, but could you please stop showing off before you hurt yourself. You may have a limit and just don’t know it yet! Let’s wait and see what Zynathian says about this—then if he’s comfortable with it, I’m fine with it too. But I want his opinion before we start assuming that any amount of weight is suitable for you!”

  No one seemed to hear her. Even Toodles (who scurried about her ankles) was too distracted by Bahzee to pay Asha any mind.

  “EXCUSE ME, AM I MISSING SOMETHING HERE?! THE LAST TIME I CHECKED, I WAS YOUR MOTHER! SO UNLESS SOMETHING HAS CHANGED RECENTLY, YOU WILL RESPECT MY WISHES AND PUT THAT GODDAMN CAULDRON DOWN, NOW!”

  “Yes, Mommy.”

  Seeing the change in tone, Bahzee got her act together, finally doing as her mother asked. Losing her temper was such a rare occurrence that Bahzee had forgotten how Asha could be when incensed. Asha got up and made her way toward Bahzee, scolding her in a murderous whisper.

  “When I tell you to do something, you do it, Bahzee! You don’t ask questions! You don’t say, ‘No, Mommy, I can handle it!’ You do my bidding first, and then we can discuss ‘why?’ Do. You. Understand. Me?” she spat, seeming like she was ready to throttle her daughter. However, Asha could see the hurt in Bahzee’s eyes, and it weakened her defenses a bit.

  Kissing Bahzee’s forehead, she said, “You little hard headed snot, I love you, so of course I worry. You are the most important thing in my life, and I will not see you hurt under any circumstance—especially when you spent your entire childhood in a hoverchair!”

  “Yes, Mommy. I’m sorry.”

  Asha kissed her once more. “Let’s wait and see what Zynnie says. It would be a shame to undo his hard work by hurting yourself before we’ve even been able to question him.”

  The others were severely disappointed. Knowing they were now doomed to ponder Bahzee’s talent for days, they all sat down in the most impatient of moods.

  Asha couldn’t believe them. “Oh, stop it. This is not your daughter! And if you really loved her, you would be just as worried as I am…especially you, mister!” she finished, glowering at Teshunua.

  His black skin went purple, as he blush
ed. Sing lowered her head, wondering how Asha could have been so tactless. Maugrimm looked as if he could have killed her. Asha stared at the ceiling, knowing that she had goofed again. As she turned away, completely avoiding Maugrimm’s look, she was scolded by an…

  Ahem!

  Everyone looked to the end of the room, shocked at what they found, as they hadn’t heard anyone enter. Their gleaming smiles gave way to cries of joy.

  “Zynathian!” Asha ran over and pounced on him, almost knocking him down.

  Recovering from Asha’s blitz, Zynathian found himself immediately scooped up by an ecstatic Maugrimm and swung about in the air. Bahzee rushed to embrace Lyn Sha, who had just entered with Khyeryn and a huge gust of snow following.

  “Oh, how’s my sweetie? It seems as if it’s been ages!” Baz covered Lyn Sha’s face with kisses, as she carried her over to Sing. Lyn, being quite excited herself, hugged Bahzee about the neck in a headlock, kissing her in return.

  “I missed you too, bubblehead!” Lyn giggled.

  “Teshunua!”

  “Khyeryn!”

  The boys, finally seeing each other after six long months, tackled one another in a brawl. As a tornado of punches, headlocks, elbows, and nuggies whirled its way around the living room, Maugrimm had just let Zynathian out of a suffocating hug.

  “Well Zynathian, what do ya reckon’ we do to ‘er?” Maugrimm asked, looking at Asha. She and Zynathian were locked in a tight embrace, finishing with a wet peck on the lips. Zynathian’s eyebrows arched as he looked upon his love.

  “If there were not more pressing matters at hand, woman, I would put you over my knee and flog you silly!”

  “I couldn’t help it!” Asha put her head down in shame.

  “Hah! And then ya’ get mad if we don’ tell ya’ nothin’! Blast, woman, do ya’ realize how embarrassed Teshunua musta’ been? I say we feed ‘er to the dogs, Zynathian!”

  “No, no, no I think you’re being far too generous Maugrimm. I think she needs something much worse. Perhaps we should hide all of her art supplies, so that she can’t do any sculptures for the rest of her natural life!”

  Asha gasped with horror. “How dare you take his side over mine!”

  “It’s not more than you deserve, woman!” said Zynathian, pulling Asha to his side, now whispering. “Never again will I leave you in harms way. I was a fool and much too optimistic about Rhameeryla staying secret…I was just so sure that—”

  Asha shushed him. “Don’t you dare beat yourself up over this. You’re here now, aren’t you? That’s all that matters.”

  While running her fingers through his salt and pepper lion’s mane, Asha realized that she had to say it. Life had recently taught her that it was far too uncertain for her not to let him know.

  “I love you.”

  “I love you more. I’m taking you home, and I’m spending the rest of my life with you,” Zynathian said, deep in thought. “In fact, I would like all of us to go home together, but I have a feeling that someone will be stubborn.”

  “We should just ask him, Zynathian, it can’t hurt,” she said, playing in his beard, kissing him again.

  Zynathian nodded in agreement then gave a shrill whistle, silencing the room. All eyes were on him.

  “Bahzee, while I take the ship around back to the landing dock, why don’t you show Khyeryn and Lyn Sha a few of your new tricks. And don’t worry about ‘hurting yourself.’ ” He glanced playfully at Asha. “I suspect that you could handle about a hundred of those at once and not break a sweat!”

  Khyeryn smiled with wonder as Teshunua let him out of a headlock. Tesh began pacing back and forth with excitement, alongside Sing.

  “It’s ‘Lyn Sha,’ right? Bahzee has something amazing to show you!” Sing said, playfully pinching Lyn’s cheek. Lyn Sha giggled curiously.

  “Mawg, you want to help me out?” Zynathian called.

  “Sure, mate. Meet ‘round back, and me lets the shield up.”

  Zynathian felt some bustling around in his backpack. “Oh, sorry little fella’,” he said, opening his pack.

  Jix raced out into the cold air. He flew over to the kids and perched on Teshunua’s shoulder, projecting a series of chirrups and purrs. Teshunua kissed Jix and stroked the back of his head.

  “Good job, Jixxie! Thanks a lot!”

  You are most welcome, my friend!

  “Sing, this is Jix.”

  “Oh my! I’ve never seen anything quite like him! Zynathian must’ve done this too, I take it?” She held out her finger for Jix to run his sandpaper-like tongue along the tip. “You will introduce us when Zynathian comes back, won’t you?” she asked with more than a hint of irritation. “This is a man that I’ve heard stories of for years now—a legend! Here he stood before me, and you all didn’t even think to mention me!”

  Teshunua’s eyes widened. “Blast, I’m sorry for being rude. I was so happy seeing us all together again that I lost my head for a second.”

  Bahzee apologized as well. Khye extended his hand.

  “I’m Khyeryn.”

  “I know. I heard Teshunua call your name. I’m Sing Tzi Yi…aren’t you cute as a button!” she said, kissing him on his forehead, leaving a tiny ring of saliva.

  Khyeryn’s face and ears went apple red. He liked her immediately. She’d had the same affect on Lyn Sha, who was still holding Sing’s pinkie finger, as if she were a child fearful of losing her mother.

  “So what’s this you’ve got to show us, Baz?” Lyn asked.

  Bahzee only grinned.

  “Okay, everybody, step back a bit,” Sing cautioned.

  “You guys ready?” Bahzee asked.

  They all nodded. Asha came up behind Khyeryn, greeting him with an embrace. She kissed the top of his head. Khye squeezed her hand, saying ‘hello.’ Asha and Lyn shared a wink.

  “Be careful, sweetie.”

  “Yeeees, Mom.”

  5

  Heaps of snow fell as the rear entrance shield slid upwards. Zynathian’s ship slowly hovered inside and settled next to Teshunua’s hover car. Maugrimm let the shield down, and Zynathian got out of the vessel.

  “Why’d ya bring such a big ship…ya’ plannin’ on stayin’ awhile?”

  There was a long pause as Zynathian pondered how to answer Maugrimm’s question. Then he decided that time was not on his side and he might as well be blunt.

  “No…I needed something that could fit you,” he answered, hoping that Maugrimm understood without further explanation.

  He did.

  “Oh no, no, no—me stays right here!”

  “No, you’re not.”

  “YES. I. AM.”

  “Maugrimm—”

  He cut Zynathian off.

  “It’d be one thing if ya’ was asking me to visit a couple o’ days. Me does that all the time—no problem! But the look in your eye says that you’re asking me to stay, and me can’t do that! That’s crazy, mate…ya’ knows how me likes the cold weather!”

  “Yes, but your body can quickly adapt, as I know better than anyone. So you can’t use the weather as an excuse. You may prefer the cold, but you are going to have to do without it. We’ll transform the freezer into a little apartment for you—it’s too big anyway. That’s about the best I can do.”

  “Why’s this necessary? It ain’t like Phyllamon would ever find this place.”

  “No, I don’t suppose he will, as people hardly ever venture this way. That’s why I’m asking you to come and stay with us, because soon the Igloo will not belong to just you anymore.”

  “Wuddaya’ mean?”

  Zynathian sighed, tapping his boot on the ice. He knew Maugrimm wouldn’t be pleased with his reply. “Well, once I locate the people of Rhameeryla...I’m sending them here.”

  “WHAT! This here’s me place—ya’ built it for me—it’s mine! And now yer sayin’ that me can’t have it no more! Methinks you’re asking to lose one o’ yer best friends with this stunt!”

  Maugrimm sat down on
a frozen step, fuming.

  “I’m sorry, Mawg. Phyllamon will be searching for them, and this is the last place he would look. It’s better to come and stay with us than to have to share a place with tons of people, isn’t it?”

  “Dammit to hell, mate,” Maugrimm moaned with disgust.

  “Please, Mawg, the kids would love to have you,” Zynathian said, noticing Maugrimm crack a slight smile. “We could use your high spirits and brute strength around the house. Your brawn will be especially handy with really big house projects…that’s all you’re good for anyway,” Zynathian teased.

  “Manual labour! Bah! Ya’ best believe if me comes out there, I’m sitting on me ass everyday, with ya’ waiting on me hand and foot, ya’ scrawny human!”

  Maugrimm got up and paced, then took a deep breath and exhaled. He knew Zynathian was right, and to say no would be completely selfish. Shaking his head in disbelief with himself, he answered. “Yeah okay. Sure.”

  Zynathian’s face lit up. “Good.”

  “Yeah, good for you, maybe…ya’ got yerself some new slave labour outta this deal!”

  Suddenly Zynathian’s expression was serious once more.

  “Actually, I do have ulterior motives. Another reason I want you along is so we have an extra means of protection...Khyeryn was almost murdered.”

  “What?”

  Maugrimm stood completely dumbfounded as Zynathian explained the events of the last twelve days. “Wait, wait, wait a minute. Me thought you said that Khyeryn was almost killed? So why’d ya’ have to perform surgery on Lynnie?”

  “Khye was dying. My god, Maugrimm...I drew so much blood that I had to take both Lyn Sha’s legs and her left arm!”

  “What in the blazes!”

  “I haven’t told them yet, because there’s been no time to talk about it. But with the amount of questions they asked on the way down here about how their bodies felt, I know they suspect something.”

  “Wudja’ do to ‘em?”

  Zynathian shook his head and grinned. “God help the next person who physically attacks them…IT’S OVER! You know my motto, so you damn well better believe that I went the extra step!”