by Jill Braden
“Of course he matters. You matter, I should say.”
She recovered from her shock quickly. A slow smile spread across her mouth. “Very good, Governor Zul. How long have you known?”
He shrugged and went to her. He slipped his arm around her waist. “Sometimes it’s what you don’t hear that matters, and what I didn’t hear much today was anyone talking about the Devil. It was all about you. Even you didn’t seem that interested in the Devil, when you used to fear him.” He lightly stroked her neck. “Then I thought about how much the Devil has changed over this past year. How much smarter he seemed to be. No more kidnappings or murders for hire, while the scale of the smuggling operations increased dramatically, which was always your contribution to the organization. Your network focused more on information and less on intimidation. Our militia, as ill-equipped as it is for police work, was able to catch the rougher element of the Devil’s gang in the commission of crimes. One might even wonder if there was a concerted effort to weed them out.”
She spread her hands as if she had no idea what he was talking about.
“Oh, you’re good. I’d almost believe you, but I know you too well.”
“Your Grandfather also knows I’m the Devil, so we have to assume soon everyone will.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
“It makes me a target, which is why I’m going to have to keep out of sight for a while.”
“You mentioned when you came to my office that you delayed your plans because of this mess. So you aren’t going into hiding inland. You’re going somewhere.”
She was impressed. “Dangerous man.”
“Every time I think we’ll catch a break, you abandon me. Us.”
“You didn’t think we’d get to have this, did you?” She gestured to the room. “Not people like us. Never. You and I are the best at what we do. We can’t stop, not with the war coming. So we will take our hours together when and where we can, but don’t ever fool yourself into thinking we’re going to settle down into a dull marital triangle of husband, wife, mistress. We both have too much to do.”
He knew she was right. He didn’t want the easy life. If only he could run off with her and join her adventures!
“You know my plans. What are yours? The only thing keeping you here is the Governor’s office. And your wife. She’s very nice.”
She yelped and then laughed when he pinched her.
“Yes. I hope she and Voorus are extremely happy.” He nuzzled her neck. Her hair smelled so good.
“My offer still stands. I will spy for Thampur, if that’s what it takes to get your articles of transport. It’s my fault you’re Governor.”
“Oh, no, you don’t.”
“You said I owe you.”
“I was sulking. Nothing I said while sulking matters. And I’m not going to let you be my ticket out. I can damn well do that on my own.”
He loved the admiration in her eyes.
“I never doubted it, Kyam. What do you have in mind?”
“I was thinking about something you said earlier in my office. This trial for PhaSun is going to anger a lot of people. Imagine how they’ll react when I pave the streets and put in sewers. Or stop corruption. And if I fire everyone in the government building who tries to stop me, they’ll be begging the King to put me out of office.”
She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him hard. His back pushed against the wall as she tugged at his buttons.
“You like my idea, I take it.”
He didn’t want to let her go when she backed out of his arms until he saw the glint in her eye. She unbuttoned her blouse and dropped it on the floor. Her sarong left an undulating trail across the floor as she unwound it. He followed the green and gold silk path to her.
He covered her mouth with his. She pushed his jacket from his shoulders as he pulled off his boots.
“It will take a while for my plan to work. As soon as it does, I’m coming after you. Leave a trail of crumbs for me to follow.”
“We’ll make it a game.”
“Don’t you always?”
“You like that. How about if I–” she purred as she caressed him.
He wrapped his arms around her and rolled them over. His hands slid to her thighs. “But first…”
QuiTai’s contented sigh was all the encouragement he needed.
Chapter 24: The Beginning
Kyam knew before he opened his eyes that she was gone. Still, he slowed his breath and listened carefully. He could have jumped out of the bed, thrown on his clothes, and dashed about calling her name, but he knew it wouldn’t do any good.
His arm stretched across the sheets. There was no lingering warmth. She’d been gone a while.
Was she the type to leave a note? Probably not. But she’d promised to leave behind a trail. It might take him months to figure out what it was, but he had time. He had to make his escape. There was a lot of work ahead of him, and he had to be smart about it.
He dressed slowly as he moved around the house. Nothing looked like a clue left by her. He’d have to stay alert so he’d recognize a trail when he saw it.
LiHoun was squatting by the moon gate when he stepped outside. Kyam helped the old cat man slide the timber grass bridge across the chasm to the road.
He wasn’t given a blindfold for the hike back to town. That made it official. She’d never return to that house again.
Kyam and LiHoun crossed the Jupoli Gorge Bridge together, but LiHoun stopped at the crumbling apartments at the outer edge of Levapur.
“She says, ‘You have a trial to plan, Governor.’” LiHoun laughed, showing teeth like the monolith stones in the harbor – singular and crooked. “You’re going to be a pariah in this town if you give a Ponongese a fair trial.”
Kyam nodded. “That’s the plan, uncle. May your rice bowl always be full.” He bowed then headed downslope, hands in his pockets, shoulders square. Grandfather was going to howl. So were a lot of people. The corner of his mouth curved into a sardonic smile. This was going to be fun.
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The next section is an extensive glossary of names and terms from the entire Devil of Ponong series. We hope you enjoy browsing through it.
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Glossary
Foreign Words, Terms, and Cultural Notes
ahmni – Ponongese word for Mama.
ambrosia fruit – Thampurian. Honey-scented with a pink interior. They are bitter and woody unless eaten at the peak of ripeness.
ambush spiders – Spiders that weave a web between their longer legs. When prey come by their hiding place, they leap out and ‘throw’ the web over the victim and then drag it in.
anmau – Thampurian. A liver-eating demon that punishes the wicked.
anoin (seeds) – Ponongese. Fragrant seeds used to flavor dishes.
articles of transport – Permission to leave/enter a country.
auntie / uncle – Ponongese. A term of respect, showing deference to their experience or skill. May be used to address someone younger. Not necessarily a relative.
biolock – A lock theoretically keyed to only one person. When the fingertips come in contact with the copper plate, a slight electrical charge unique to that person unlocks the device.
black lotus – Black tar made from fermented, roasted roots. It is usually smoked (taking the vapors), but it can be ingested in other ways. Medicinally, its primary use is to relieve pain, although its use is punishable by death in most countries on the continent
to because of its highly addictive qualities. Recreational users seek the dream state it induces.
compound – A walled area around a family home. Wealthier families often have several houses around an inner courtyard, which are used by different generations or branches of the family. In Levapur, the kitchen is never in the same building as the living quarters; but in Thampur, it is.
conduit – A person who shares his or her visions with the Qui while under the influence of red tar or black lotus.
cutting a fine burial cloth – Thampurian. Praising the dead in such a way that the truth is completely ignored.
Day of the Spirits – The most holy day for the Ponongese, when the clans gather to remember and honor their dead.
dirt Thampurian – The lowest castes, including butchers, tanners, and morticians, as well as addicts or anyone who has been shunned by their family.
downslope – Toward the ocean/downhill.
dreamers – Users of black lotus.
ear poison – Words that seep into your brain and eat at your soul.
fantasies – Scale working models of mechanical devices, used for education or to entice investors to a project. The term can also be used for a full-sized piece of technology that is small enough for a person to pick up and use. As most of these are created by Ingosolians, they are usually works of art in and of themselves.
farwriter – Thampurian. A radio that conveys typed messages to a receiver tuned to the same frequency.
feeling your rum – A Thampurian saying. Disgracefully drunk, as a Thampurian would never stoop to drinking rum.
festoon gates – The highly decorated columns and archway separating the outer courtyard of a Thampurian family compound from the inner courtyard.
Flying Dragon – The oldest junk in the Zul fleet.
Full Moon Massacre, the – The night Petrof and his werewolves killed and ate the members of the Qui clan living in Levapur, all except QuiTai who survived by a quirk of fate. In retaliation, she paralyzed the werewolves she was told were responsible for the deaths of her daughter, mother, aunt, and father (among others) and left them in the town square for the mob to rip into pieces while they were still alive. Petrof was paid to slaughter the Qui by Cuulon and Turyat, on the orders of their Ravidian masters.
funiculars – There are four funiculars on Ponong. The main one runs from the harbor to Levapur. The other three are on the other side of the Jupoli Gorge, where the mountainside aqua plantations took over the Ponongese agricultural terraces carved into the mountains.
Golden Barracuda – Under command of Hadre Zul, this prototype junk can sail by wind or engine power. It also had a rudimentary navigational computer.
grandmother/grandfather – Elderly person or someone you greatly admire.
green jellyfish (medusazoa) – Ponong. Freshwater jellyfish that feed off the algae that grow in their bodies in a symbiotic relationship. The algae, not the jellyfish, are bioluminescent, and emit a greenish light much fainter than the white light jellies. However, because their food source is incorporated into their bodies, they survive much longer in jellylanterns than do the white light jellies that must have an outside food source.
gregru – Ponong. Jungle birds known for their lavish nests that the males decorate with shells, rocks, and anything they can steal from another male’s nest. They will fight to the death over a shiny bit of decoration.
hitouh root – Ponongese. Used to bring down fevers.
huwewe – Ponongese. Fruit with spikes. Only the gelatinous pulp surrounding the seeds is edible.
in dream – Under the influence of black lotus.
jellylantern – A sealed glass tube filled with live bioluminescent jellyfish. Used for lighting. The ones that glow green only thrive on the island of Ponong in fresh water pools and live off the algae in their bodies as a symbiotic relationship. White light jellyfish must have salt water and eat fish, so they don’t live nearly as long, but the light they give off is stronger.
jikal root – Ponongese. A starchy, purple root roasted and then pounded to the consistency of mashed potatoes. The dried buds are used in medicinal teas and are said to strengthen the blood.
juam nut (oil) – Li. Juam nuts are a source of oil used in spirit lamps and engines as well as for cooking. The trees only grow on the Li Islands.
juikoo – Ponongese. A succulent plant. The interior of the leaves is used in medicines and as a topical ointment for burns or abraded skin.
jungle fowl – Ponong. Gold, blue, and red pheasants
Kinertate (the Saga of) – a traditional Ingosolian pantomime. It was made into one of their first motion pictures.
krith amaci – Ingosolian. Lover, but literally, ‘tasty snack.’
kur – Ponongese. A widely used drug that temporarily invigorates the user. Most often smoked.
kuriwei – Ponong. Colorful fish about the length of an adult’s hand. Reef dwellers.
little sister – Ponongese. Someone younger or less of an expert. Can be an insult, but can also be used to tease someone.
maishun – Ponongese. Shy jungle spirits that take the form of people. They usually flee when seen. They’re said to be the gardeners of the jungle.
moon mad – The state of a Rujick feeling the effects of the moon. Figuratively, anyone who is uncontrollably violent.
night spirit moths – Ponong. Small white moths that live around banana trees. Thought to be another form the maishun spirits take.
Oin Affair, the – Under orders from his grandfather, Theram Zul, Kyam Zul leaked information about a top secret mission he was on for His Majesty’s Intelligence Service while he was an officer. Theram Zul profited from the inside information. There was an investigation and Kyam was found guilty, but his superiors were willing to overlook it since the secret never went beyond his grandfather. Theram Zul, however, demanded that his grandson be exiled to Ponong in disgrace.
pillow sister/brother – A lover who is also your best friend.
pui – Ponongese. Money, coins.
queltumonz – Ingosolian. A passionate affair that burns out quickly due to its intensity.
red tar – The poisonous psychoactive drug used by the Qui clan to evoke the Oracle.
rice-and-eggs – Thampurian, but common across the continent and in Ponong. Comfort food made from leftover rice and any meat or vegetables on hand. Scrambled with eggs and fried in juam nut oil quickly over high heat.
ring-tailed lizards – Ponong. Large lizards with banded black and green tails several feet long.
sea wasps – Te’Am Ocean. Jellyfish with extremely painful, often lethal, stings.
smoke wraith – Several countries. City spirits related to maishun spirits, but not as shy, and not as kind.
surkraim – Thampurian. A vengeful spirit that appears as a drowned woman. If she catches you in the water in your human form, she will drag you under the surface and drown you too.
sweet seed oil – Ponongese. Oil derived from anoin seeds.
tamtuk – Ponongese. A fried dumpling made from jikal root mash, usually filled with highly seasoned meat.
The Book of Carnal Bliss – Traditional Ingosolian erotic literature. This is actually a collection of works that include poetry, drawings, hygiene, and reproductive health information.
thiree – Thampurian slang. Member of the Thirteen Families of Thampur. This is the ruling class, although the royal family is not included in the thirteen. These families are (in no particular order): Zul, Muul, Kortun, Orul, Quonn, Karour, Turul, Himuun, Zournn, Mirtyat, Rheun, Tooruun.
tikkut – A mild spice. “A grain of tikkut” is something unnoticeable or without meaning.
tiuhon (tea) – Ponongese. Bitter tea made from the bark of the tiuhon tree. Reduces fever and swelling.
tumejra powder – Ponongese. Deep yellow spice from ground root, prized for its color more than the flavor it adds to dishes.
upslope – Away from the ocean/uphill.
vapor ghoul – A black lotus a
ddict in the final stages of the addiction. Signs are unnaturally red lips, pale skin, and skeletal thinness.
vapor nightmare – A frightening or disturbing dream while taking vapor.
water pipe – An afternoon pastime for gentlemen with nothing better to do than gossip.
white (or blue) jellyfish (medusazoa) – Sea of Erykoli. Bioluminescent jellyfish that glow white light.
Wolf Slayer – Ponongese nickname for QuiTai, used mostly by Ponongese who live outside Levapur.
Names of Races and Beings
Gods
Erykoli – Thampurian. Goddess of the Sea.
Goddess of Mercy, the – Thampurian. The daughter of Erykoli (the sea) and Kiruse (the sun).
Hunt – Ponongese. Goddess of the Hunt. The Sung clan are her priestesses.
Kiruse – Thampurian. God of the Sun.
Monsoon God – Ponongese. The Su clan are his priestesses.
Moon Goddess – Ponongese. The Chi clan are her priestesses.
Oracle, the – Ponongese. Goddess of Justice and Vengeance. The Qui clan are her priestesses.
Ponongese:
The Ponongese are natives of the Ponong Archipelago. They are one of the “shiftless” races, in that they do not fully shift between a “human” form and an animal form, but rather combine elements of both. They have fangs and are venomous. Their venom is a combination of a neurotoxin and a paralytic that can be fatal in sufficient doses. It provides a psychic link between them and their prey. Their eyes are perhaps their most striking feature, with a narrow, bright yellow iris surrounding an oval pupil, and an inner eyelid. Many races from the continent use the racial slur of “snake” to describe them, but they are mammals.
Ponongese clans:
Qui
The Qui are said to be from QuiYalin province, but no such place exists except in folk tales, where it is the court of the gods, where souls are weighed. They are from the island of Quinong, which lies across the Ponong Fangs from the big island of Ponong. The Qui are the priestesses of the Oracle.
