by Shane Cogan
The guide explained that the creatures were called animals, just like the rat. ‘Yes, you learn fast. It is called food. All the stuff that you put in your mouth is called food and you need it to build up your strength and increase your energy so you can walk further on this planet,’ the guide explained.
‘So what have you learned so far on your journey here?’ ‘Feelings,’ replied Aluum. ‘You are almost correct. They are called senses. Can you tell me more?’ Aluum had to carefully think back to all the dreams, all the days and everything that had happened so far before replying. ‘How to see, to hear, to touch, to speak, to taste, to eat, to drink. Is this correct?’ Aluum asked. ‘Excellent. Now I want you to explain to me more about this feeling you had when you felt the liquid between your legs, and how did you feel?’ Aluum could still see the images of the fluid and was reluctant to say anything, as it still had this strange feeling it could not speak about. ‘I felt a new sensation, almost the opposite to what I feel after drinking water.’ The guide said: ‘Go on.’ Aluum relayed the full story to the guide, in some detail and added: ‘This sensation was something like when I first climbed the large rocks and one my feet slipped. A little of that red liquid came out of my foot, but this feeling was much different, almost deep inside my whole body and mind. It really affected me differently. What happened to me? Is it real?’ ‘Oh, it’s real, very real. What you experienced, Aluum is called a period. Each month, or better still, each life cycle month, you shall experience this. It will cause you internal pain and the liquid stuff you referred to, is called blood.’ Aluum was confused. ‘Pain. Blood. Period. Is this what happened with my foot? Is this feeling called pain?’ ‘Correct. When you hurt a part of your body, it is the opposite of comfort. This is called pain. Aluum, you have now experienced another important sense, your emotions, or in this case, pain. These emotions will allow you to feel what it is like to be happy, sad, feel pain or comfort, and allow you to judge what is good, bad or indifferent. Use your internal emotions now to guide you on your next step in this journey.
‘And the period-thing you mentioned?’ Aluum asked. ‘Well, this part of your experience has come faster than I had anticipated. Where you come from…all of your people are divided into two main genders, or what are more commonly known as males and females – he or she. You are a female. The period is something only females experience each month. In time, you shall learn more about it, how to control it, how to manage it and how to cope with its pain. It will affect your inner emotions.’ ‘The male species from your world do not experience such pain’ Aluum asked why the male species had no similar pain, but the guide would not answer. ‘In time, you will find the answer to this,’ the guide said.
Aluum felt this was a big step in the journey and said: ‘So I am a female. Where are the male species you speak about on this planet? Am I the only female on this planet?’ ‘As I already mentioned, that question I cannot answer. Only you will, in time, be able to find the answers to these critical questions. Now, go explore the planet more. You have discovered very quickly about your inner emotions, and the difference between pain and comfort and, in time, between happy and sad. You will need to eat more than the fungi, but be careful which ones you eat. Look for other vegetation. Study the animals that you see and meet carefully. They will continue to act as your guide to food, water and shelter,’ the guide said.
‘I feel happy,’ she said aloud. Aluum then opened her eyes quickly this time after the dream. She got up, walked over to where the fungi had been and ate some more. She then found a small pond of water and drank from it. She then cleaned the dry blood from her ears, face, hands and between her legs. She got up from the water’s edge and returned to the tree and rested her body against its hard skin. I feel a new era had been born and my voyage of discovery was only just starting to provide the answers that I need. Aluum repeated all the important ‘words’ that the guide had mentioned and more freely this time. I now know how to eat, drink, feel happy, feel pain and find shelter. I know who I am, but not what I am. She pressed her head against the tree and her mind went back to the dream and to the words ‘female’, ‘species’, ‘males’ and ‘people’. ‘I need to find out who my people are, where they are and where my planet is,’ she whispered to the tree.
C H A P T E R 10
Samarth
At the request of the Vanguard, Samarth had agreed to speak with his brother. Following a briefing by Kaasobra on the issue of the King’s outburst in relation to his children, Samarth expressed his concern, in particular, for his brothers own emotional state. ‘You have my absolute promise that I shall speak with him at the earliest opportunity, as this is my only priority,’ Samarth assured Kaasobra. ‘We are just concerned that this outburst, if it was just this, had something to do with this wife’s sudden disappearance and is just a once-off. We…’ Samarth cut her off by holding his left hand up and said: ‘Yes, yes. Of course. As I just mentioned, I will speak with him. Please leave it to me. I will summon you after I have dealt with this issue.’ He left her standing in the hallway of the palace, with the last words that he had uttered still floating in mid-air, as he set out to look for his brother.
There is something not quite right about that woman. Clearly she is very beautiful or maybe just too damn smart, but I just do not trust her. Kaasobra shrugged her shoulders, as she was very used to the King’s brother’s curtness. He really has a chip on his royal shoulder. Why does he always shrug me off like that? She walked away, following their brief exchange of words. She moved calmly along the perfectly polished blue squared mosaic tiles. Her feet glided across the tiles. Each step she took was in sequence with her breath. With each step and breath, she recalled Samarth’s words. Perhaps he is being protective of his brother.
The King’s younger brother first went to his own living quarters to sit and think, before speaking with his brother on the Vanguards concerns. How could my brother not know that his children have been missing for ten years, or presumed…? He shook his head at the thought.
He continued to think deeply on the issue, holding a paper folder in his right hand and opened it with his left. He pulled out the contents and looked carefully at the old pictures and drawings. One fell to the ground. He picked it up and sat it on his bed, while placing the rest of the pictures on the bed too. He looked first at some old pictures of Fareth and Samarth when they were studying at the Hermit Centre, with Fareth being just a visitor then. ‘Those were the days, my brother, away from the family and from the pressures of ruling the planet; times when we could just think, discuss and plan all our ideas in an open and non-confrontational ideological way,’ he said aloud. He looked at other pictures of various family visits and paused at pictures of Fareth’s children, a girl and two boys. ‘My dear, dear nephews and niece, I miss you so much. We all miss you so much. Why must I tackle this issue again with your father?’ he said. He held his hands to his face to ease the emotional pain, as he whispered with his eyes half open. He rubbed his eyes with his shirt.
Samarth was staring at a drawing that had been sketched close to the birthplace of their grandparents in the east of the country. In the background of the sketch were spiralling black mountains, lush green valleys and clear river waters, arable land. He pressed a thumb on the centre of the picture. The heartland of all things related to the Tarracullan Tribe. The King’s brother realised the picture was taken only a few months before the children had gone missing. In the forefront of the picture, he saw the two royal brothers and Fareth’s three children. Fareth’s youngest girl, Lunis had drawn the picture that Samarth was holding in his hands. ‘She really was the most talented of the children. And you two boys, Zurois and Yunoi, while older than Lunis, look so much like your mother,’ he said. Samarth looked up towards the ceiling as he thought of the missing children. Three moons. Three Children. Three… He rubbed his eyes again, making his slack sleeves wet. ‘You were as good as my own children. My wife and I miss you dearly,’ he whispered, as he rubbed his eyes dry
and walked to the shelve containing manuscripts and assorted papers.
The King’s brother, while reminiscing in his room about his missing family, surveyed the room for a quick moment. Like most rooms in the palace, Samarth’s was similar to the rest. The room had a small amount of wooded furniture that was heavy, reflecting its old age and heavy texture. The desk, shelves and wooden beams around the ceiling were all made of dark wood with intricate carvings of Atis symbols on them. His eyes fell on one piece of wood that contained both Yarracullan and Tarracullan symbols and words. He ran his long fingers through the crevices of one of its pillars. Still in perfect nixel condition, despite being hundreds of years old. The pieces of wooden furniture were moulded into the actual room. Samarth stood up and touched the walls of the room and then slid his hand along its light blue colour and the nixel material that the walls were made out of. Such a very special Atis colour, you continue to calm all our people. Each room different, yet with the same Atis blue. His bare feet slid across the polished marble surface. And the ceiling, with its dark wooden beams, could almost be touched if he stood on a small chair.
Samarth pulled on a chord and the lights came on. He closed the door of his private quarters and walked over to where his brother usually was at this time of day.
C H A P T E R 11
Tarracullan
Samarth knocked on the King’s private door, with a long gap between each rap. He heard his brother’s voice say ’enter’ and he walked through the large doors into his brother’s study quarters. The brothers embraced in the Royal Tarracullan way, first placing their hands on each other’s shoulders, looking into each other’s eyes, then touching forehead on forehead. ‘It’s been a long time, my brother, since you have come to see me in my personal quarters, so I sense a problem,’ Fareth said quietly. Samarth replied: ‘Actually, it’s only been a few days, if that...’ The King nodded his head, while interrupting his brother and said: ‘Well, that’s a long time, considering we live in the same building. But not too worry, I know you are here, as I can feel your presence all the time.’ Fareth acknowledged his brother with a head movement.
Samarth surveyed his brother’s room, as he was facing away from him. He noted the bed was untouched and several clay water bottles lay on the table, close to the door. He breathed in deeply, held it momentarily, before letting the air gush out through his nostrils. ‘Fareth, I need to speak with you concerning the recent meeting with the Vanguard, as they shared with me what was discussed at the recent meeting…’ Fareth turned around to meet his brother’s eyes and beckoned him to take a seat. ‘What did they say? Was it Wormblack or Flylo who sent you here?’ ‘Can you please let me finish first, then we can discuss it,’ Samarth said. ‘Yes, please go on. I have too much on my mind,’ the King said. Fareth walked to the seat opposite his brother. Similar to the beds, the seats were closer to the ground and had a small cushion support. Fareth continued where he had let off by explaining his encounter with Kaasobra, the Vanguard’s concerns, before tackling the issue of the children. Samarth took another long deep breath, while seeing the image of the picture still fresh in his mind, before continuing.
‘I’ll get straight to the point. Your children, my nephews and niece, have been missing for almost ten years, my brother. They are all but lost, probably dead by now. We must face this reality. We have discussed this time and time again. We have searched every strip of land on the planet. Everywhere, every place, everyone was questioned. Why did you bring this up at the meeting? It makes no sense. The meeting is about your wife’s disappearance. I, or more so, we are all concerned on why you have mentioned the children?’ The King brought his left hand up to his head, stroke his hair and ran his hand down his long hair halfway down his back, and then used his fingers to grab some hair, and let go. And does this four times before answering.
‘Ah. I see you have inherited our mother’s Tarracullan directness on important issues. Such a divine female,’ Fareth said with a serious face. Samarth gave off the faintest of smiles but said nothing. ‘I do not deny what had happened. I had intended to bring this up. It was planned.’ Samarth looked at this brother, tried to get off his chair, but his brother waved his hand to remain seated. ‘What? But it makes no sense,’ Samarth said. Again, the King touched his long hair. ‘Of course I knew the meeting was about my Queen, and her vanishing. But I wanted to throw the issue of the children out there to the Vanguard, and then to watch each face for a sign.’
‘A sign for what?’ Samarth asked. ‘I have long suspected that a member of our own Vanguard were involved in the disappearance of my children, your family. I feel it. I sense it. I know it. My wife,’ the King dropped his head momentarily on thinking of Camellias, ‘also suspected it. We discussed it many times. It just has to be one of them,’ the King said. He stood up from his small wooden framed seat and paced to the window, while ushering his finger towards Samarth to join him.
‘Perhaps. We do know that some of them are of the Yarracullan Tribe, and clearly hold historical and political grievances against us. That is to be expected, but to hold a grudge for 300 years, surely not. Most Atisians are tolerant people. We have learned a lot from all our internal conflicts. I do not believe this can be possible, not now,’ Samarth said. The King turned from the window and looked at his brother and asked him: ‘You remember what father told us about the difference between the Manith and Yarracullan tribes?’ ‘Please do remind me,’ said Samarth. ‘Well, he said the difference between the Maniths and Yarracullans is all about time. If you insult, hurt or kill any of them, they will eventually exact revenge. The Manith will wait one day at the most, maybe two days, while the Yarracullan will wait 500 years to carry out their revenge.’ Samarth gently laughed upon hearing this.
‘I remember that tale now. It is but a superstitious belief. Father was not always right! Perhaps it was true in the past. But they have learned all about their bloody history and will never repeat it again. That is why we have two Yarracullan members on the Vanguard. It is a sign of good faith and trust,’ Samarth said. ‘True, but only one is actually intelligent, while the other is a fool,’ the King said. They both said Tur’s name at the same time and laughed. ‘I suppose you are right. Did you look at all the other Vanguard’s faces when you said it? And, more importantly, scan their minds?’ Samarth asked the King. ‘Of course. All the female members, Fing, Kassobra and Tiffin can be disqualified. They all had looks of utter shock, if only ever so slightly, on their faces. Tur, as we mentioned, is weak. He merely just woke up slightly and then drifted back to sleep,’ said Fareth. ‘And Flylo?’ Fareth explained that he was the more talkative, but put this down to his inquisitive nature, age and attentive nature and showed no signs of emotion on his face. ‘That leaves Wormblack,’ interrupted Samarth.
‘He is a Yarracullan after all. His father died in bad circumstances and his grandfather died, some might say, at the hands of our forefathers. So yes, he does fit the profile of holding long-term family grudges. He was also one of Lunis’ teachers,’ said the King. Samarth nodded his head in a gesture that suggested a maybe. ‘How did his face look when you mentioned the children?’ ‘Wormblack shifted ever so slightly, just a second, just enough to suggest an unease on the issue. He knows something, I feel it. However, I could not read his thoughts, as he has learned to block this sense out. I still have no idea how he does it though,’ said Fareth. ‘I trust your judgement, as your sixth sense is very powerful, but I insist that this is kept between us, and do not go on a crusade against Wormblack,’ Samarth said. ‘Fine, but I want you to choose one of your most trusted personnel and follow Wormblack over the next few days, monitor his every movement, who he meets, where he goes, what he eats, what he drinks. Everything. Can you do that for me? You’re the only one I can trust with this task,’ said Fareth, while ever so slowly pausing between each word. He came back towards the seat, placed a hand on his brother’s shoulder and bowed his head.
‘And what do I tell the Vanguard about your ‘o
utburst’, as they need some report back from our meeting? They are all on edge and extremely uneasy about it all and need some reassurance. If anything, they need assurance that you have not lost your sanity and are fit to lead Atis.’ The King thought for a moment and said: ‘Tell them the usual, the Tarracullan insomnia and its mind tricks. It always works,’ said the King. They both laughed, embraced in their tribal fashion and promised to speak soon. Samarth closed the door behind him quietly and walked calmly down the hall and through the door to the palace gardens. He waved at one of the guards to come forward. He had a task for his most trusted of guards and needed to act swiftly, as instructed. ‘Time is of the essence. Come join me in my private quarters, as I have a mission of sorts that I need you to attend to,’ Samarth said to the guard. The male waited, following their conversation for the King’s brother to walk the short journey towards his room and enter first. He waited a few minutes and then walked across the small courtyard, before entering the same hallway, knocked gently on the door and then entered Samarth’s room.
