The Purple River

by Shane Cogan

  She might be right. He looked outside and went back inside to grab his case, jacket and hat. He slammed the door, but not before tripping over some displaced papers on the ground close to the door. They were knotted in something, but his foot managed to catch them, seizing his shoulder on the door frame as its hinges rattled and forced the door to open. He stepped outside and put his hat on, just as the drops hit his hat. He glanced at the building and quickened his pace. He could see the outline of the palace in front and proceeded to walk on the path, its surface forcing his feet to slip between the cracks. Some stones came lose and he moved sideways. Wormblack shouted a few words out loudly. He looked around again and stopped and forced his head to look right and left. Nothing. She is right. I am paranoid. The rain was beating down on his hat and had flattened its peak and it dropped onto his nose. He could see the palace walls to his left. He quickened his walk. There is a noise close by. But I can’t see anything. Glancing around, Wormblack’s left boot slid into a crack and wedged itself, as he slipped on his left and landed right into the bush. Pulling himself up, he retrieved the shoe. A shadow darted past him. He grabbed his case and rubbed the mud off, throwing off his boots he ran across the stones. Move faster than the shadow. It’s gaining. He heard footsteps and stumbled. I am close to the palace side gate. I can almost touch the wooden gate. He glanced around, holding his case. Its face. A shadow no more. A being and fast. Wormblack shouted at the door. He heard a rasp fly up, its metal doors sliding. Wormblack’s feet slid from under him and he slipped into the guards arms. The guard pulling his entire body up into his own. Another guard had arrived at the gate. Wormblack, panting and clutching his case, said: ‘Quickly inside. It’s on me!’ The guard removed his hat. Looking around, as the rain drops hit dry hair, he picked up Wormblack and said: ‘Look. Nothing but you, professor. Just some heavy raindrops. Only the stars in the sky,’ the guard said calmly.

  ******

  ‘It’s done. As you wished and it worked as I had thought it would,’ Kassobra said to Samarth, focused on his wound. He tapped at the dry skin emerging, and saw yellow puss under its new skin. He pulled his hand away as she spoke. ‘So now you believe me about the power of the Sloua and its connection with the Darra people. And what did he find?’ he asked. ‘As you expected, she is over there on Glow Mountain and the morphing process had begun,’ she said. ‘And the Sloua has returned,’ Samarth asked. Kassobra moved closer to Samarth. He could see her physique from the light that the partial moon was providing. Her transparent body was hovering over him. He gazed up at her as he pulled his robe around him more tightly. ‘Is it not cold here in the forest for you?’ he said as he eyed her. ‘I do not feel the cold like you Royal Tarracullan’s. I have the blood of the Shamanic king and Yarracullan blood. Who, as you know, are native to these lands,’ she said with a sharp crisp to her voice. Samarth pulled his long cloak down over his wound and stood up, stepping closer towards her. Then he said: ‘I am still your prince and you shall incur what respect that title denotes,’ he said. ‘There are no titles here, my prince and certainly no rules in the forest,’ she snapped back, as her warm breath hit his face. He slightly pulled his head back.

  ‘Again. I repeat. I am still your prince and…,’ he pulled his head forward and tilted his neck to her right ear and softly said: ‘we are on the same side. Let us act that way. Even the forest has eyes and ears, so we are not alone, my shamanic princess,’ he whispered and moved away with his dangling robe catching Kassobra gently on her leg. The partial lit night changing her skin colour. She smiled at his final words. Samarth was walking towards where the Sasa was resting. He heard her words from behind. ‘She knows we are here. The one they call the Balor is now close to controlling his host, the woman they call Zirva. I sense it also now,’ Kassobra said loudly. Still walking ahead of her he shouted back: ‘Then let it begin. We do not fear her. Let us start!’ he yelled and stopped and pulled his left leg forward. Kassobra moved a few steps forward, but the light coming through the trees catching her body sparkling in silver. She moved back out of the light and retrieved her robe and pulled it over her head and body. Kassobra tied it the middle and tucked its neck tunic to hide her upper body.

  She slowly joined Samarth as he spun around. ‘The Nasp will join you on the mission. And here, look at this moon as a guide,’ he said. He flicked a light on its outline and moved around its edges. He moved the light to the centre. ‘Here!’ he pointed. ‘It is from this point that the Daara started the journey northwards and hidden from their enemies,’ he said. ‘You mean, you,’ she said. ‘Irrelevant now,’ he snapped as he raised his hand and around to see her. Her appearance difference and face more sombre. ‘What are you looking at and what is this point?’ she asked and moved the candle to his hand where his large finger was pointing, the light flickering in his hand and cutting through the surrounding darkness. She moved her face to see the centre of the stone diagram and followed its grinded out markings. She used her finger to follow its track, where it moved from side to side and back again straight. She stopped her finger as the line stopped in its groove and became invisible. ‘Exactly, that is where you shall get off, once you have followed its course. The secret route they took all those generations ago and to their new place of habitat,’ he said. ‘What is that?’ she asked. ‘Under the great Glassnake River, there is another passage of water. A powerful circuit of immense energy and travel,’ he whispered looking at her face. He jolted his hand and its wax slipped over his hand and dropped on the moon stone, landing at the same spot that his finger was pointing at. ‘That is the famous Purple River,’ he said.

  C H A P T E R 53

  The Sasa

  The pain was throbbing. Harder and harder. Stronger than before. She squeezed her temples hard with her thumb. Aluum shuffled her body and swung over on to her side and pulled herself up, her face meeting the sun’s rays. She crawled out of her cave, sprawling over a rock, fell and hit her head off the floor. Dust and sand wedged in her toes. She moved a few more steps, while holding her head. She wiped the sand off. It’s bloodless. She straightened her back and pulled back her arms before yawning a loud moan. Closing her eyes, she saw the previous night’s images clearly. The people. Their customary dress. Their talk. Their faces. Their words. And the journey with her to the palace on the hill. And the wisdom and knowledge. She thought back again to the final discussion she had with the woman. Her hand closed. She felt its presence on her skin. Digging its edges and hardness into her skin. She held it more tightly. Aluum opened her eyes.

  Looking around at the caves entrance, she motioned the sun’s energy towards her. The sun is in full flow. For the first time. She bent over and moved her arms and her legs. She looked again at her closed hand. Her brown skin growing darker. She moved away from the cave’s entrance and felt the sunlight hitting her feet, legs, centre and stomach. Aluum moved her hands and arms forward and stepped out into the daylight. The sun directly on her exposed skin on her face, hand, arms and feet. Her face now face to face with the sun, she stepped out of the cave entirely. She looked at her hands and fingers slowing releasing its grip. With her hand held forward towards the sun, she released its grip and spread her fingers. It looks like a small jagged bone.

  She watched the water as it spread and the kingfisher emerged, water falling from its glistening beak and its head shaking off the drops and falling below. A grin in its eyes. Its prey small and scaled this time. The kingfisher landed close to Aluum. They greeted each other, both basking in the sunlight. Aluum munched on its flesh. She threw away the bones and offered the fish’s eye to the kingfisher. It happily took it and swallowed it whole. Aluum walked a few steps to the shoreline. Bending down, she washed her face and her hands. Pieces of the fish’s skin and flesh returning back into the water. She drank the water. Walking into the water, she inhaled and felt its closeness consume her. Returning and gulping the air above, Aluum saw the bird picking at its feathers. Eating the insects that lived there I am sure. The kingfi
sher eyed Aluum on every move, its blue stripe glowing on its head. Aluum kneeled close to the bird. It stopped its pecking and gently moved its head to side to side, as it listened to Aluum. Its beak staying closed. Its eyes focused on her… it understood.

  ‘My dear friend. It is time for me to leave here. I know you can understand me. My mission is almost done. I now need to complete the final part of this long journey. I know where to go and its purpose,’ she said holding out her hand to show the bird the bone. Its jagged edges and shapes were eyed by the bird. It tried to peck at it, but Aluum pulled her hand back. ‘No, this bone is not for you,’ she whispered. She placed it in the green pouch around her waist. ‘It’s secure just like their clothes,’ she said standing up. Glancing around at the cave behind her, Aluum stood up straight. ‘Onwards my friend,’ she said to the bird, who stayed put and eyed her. Aluum did not look back again or motion the bird to follow. It senses my new mood. It flew off and circled around the water’s edge, letting off its customary call. Its mood too has changed. It followed Aluum from the air, over her head, as they both headed over the rocky, dusty and dry planet.

  ******

  ‘This giant that you speak about, the creature they call the Balor, he is from the underworld?’ asked Vufus. Fareth looked at the boy, while touching his head. I like its coarseness and sharp edges. What did he say? ‘If the stories are true and my brother is right. Yes, this creature has returned. And his mission is one of destruction. And nothing else,’ the King said with each word slower and calmly. ‘Come join me at this great table. Only the Vanguard sits here. What have you found in the great book? This is our only hope - The Kingdom. Damn it, the planet has no other way of intelligence gathering,’ the King muttered. ‘You mean collecting words and using them,’ Vufus said. ‘Not quite. In the old days, there were squads. Security. Guns. They had powers to…,’ he said, but stopped and looked around. What have I done? There is no one else here, but a shaved King and the boy. Are we doomed? Vufus rubbed his nose and his hand pulled away some dirt. The King caught him and merely looked away. He picked up the great book. ‘It says here that the creature has one eye in the middle of his forehead. And when opened, destruction shall reign supreme all over the crops and food that feed the people. And with this, death and disease will follow,’ Vufus said. Fareth stood up and walked to the window. He could see the peak of the mountain range in the distant. But it is not Glow Mountain. I wonder if the Manith man has made it there and if Samarth had reached the old settlement in the forest. He turned around to face Vufus.

  ‘I have tried to reach my brother in the morning, but the telepathic channel was weak. Probably due to the spirit dialler. Only a few images could be seen and interpreted. And I am still not sure if he has made it. He turned to face Vufus who was staring at him. The book was lying on the table. ‘This foul creature that they call the Balor can only open his eye if he has taken the blood and body of an ancient Atisian with shamanic powers,’ Fareth said. He took a deep breath. ‘On this, I do not know who or what power he has received, he said. ‘But the Kelpie and the strange encounters that people have seen in the singing forest at night, must be signs,’ said the boy. ‘I agree my young scholar. These are very bad omens. They are signs he has returned. No doubt,’ the King said. ‘And how can this giant be killed?’ asked the boy. Fareth was pacing the room. He felt the eyes of the boy on his body and mind, as he quickened his pace around the table. He counted forty-four steps as he came full circle around the Vanguard table. ‘He can only be killed by a blood relative. No one else can kill such a creature,’ the King said. They both sunk their heads on the words, with Vufus returning his eyes on the book and the King pacing the room.

  C H A P T E R 54

  Mannu

  ‘There is no other way. There is now only one route available for you to reach the summit,’ Hydra said as Tiuus drank water and held his head in his hands. I slept badly. And I vaguely remember the previous night’s music, drinking – what was it we drank last? - the songs and you. ‘I am stupid. I am on a mission and then I involve myself in the ancient rituals of unconscious behaviour,’ he said half pointing and half shouting at Hydra. She returned his gaze as she pulled on her robe. He looked around and felt the mattress under him. His hands came away with a sticky sweat. He looked back at Hydra. ‘You were quite the beast last night, despite the crowd’s final words against you. You won them over and brought me here. Ecstatic and high on…,’ she said as he put his hands up towards his face. ‘No shame. It is the Daara way. Unlike you purists at sea level, we hill tribes have numerous partners. And how did you learn to do that last night?’ she asked, standing over him, fiddling with her robe. Tiuus stood up, his body slightly swaying to the side, but he caught himself on one corner of the frame of the mattress. Regaining his balance, he said: ‘It’s a long complicated story.’ ‘I’m sure. Only the Naiads can perform such acts. Do you know them? And you are no Naiad.’ What exactly are you, Tiuus?’ she asked.

  Tiuus was walking outside. I vaguely remember the exterior and need some air. His body squeezing past Hydra in the doorway. He shuffled to the side and went through. She looked down and caught his throbbing manhood as it hit her on the thigh. She let out a low moan. Tiuus walked. He found the side area and pulled a lever as it splashed on his head. He let out a shout and stayed under its coolness until his pain subsided. He collected his thoughts, as its icy old temperature numbed his head, his neck, his chest and external organs. I need to move and fast. Try to recall the months since you left the palace. What did they put in my drink last night? My mind is distorted.

  ‘How long have I been here?’ Tiuus shouted as he left the water tower. He did not catch a reply. He walked around the corner of Hydra’s house. There was no Hydra. No one. He robed himself and glanced down. Good. He thought. I need to get out of here. Fully robed and booted he grabbed his shoulder sack and left the building. He looked at the sky. About a half day’s of light left. He recalled the tales of the previous night and the chat of the distance involved to the summit of Glow Mountain. If they were right, I am two thirds up the giant mountain. He headed towards the back of the Darra people’s camp. ‘Wait, big Manith man. Slow down,’ he heard behind him. He slightly slowed his pace. Pretend not to hear the noise. It was faint. But there were other eyes on him now, I feel them. Looking around, he saw the tribal elder weaving his stick in and out of mud holes and he joined Tiuus in a few steps. ‘Were you about to leave us without a goodbye?’ he asked. ‘No. I just…,’ but was interrupted by the elder. ‘I, in my glory days, would also have fled. But the Daara are superstitious about guests and departures,’ he said. Tiuus felt that his energy was low and his head hurting from the eyes of the small man. ‘I never did catch your name,’ Tiuus said. ‘Mannu,’ he said. ‘Let me walk with you some of the way, by way of approval and a proper Daara departure,’ he said as he poked his stick into Tiuus’ chest.

  A few of the Daara children were playing close to Hydra’s house. Tiuus could see them throwing a round metal object that changed shape in mid-air and returned to its original shape as another child caught it. He watched as one of the children threw it high into the air. Tiuus could see it changing colours and the blue light spun and changed it into a spiky ball, before returning to its grey metal object. ‘Quite incredible our technology up here. I bet you no longer have such devices down below?’ Mannu asked, pointing with his stick as he caught Tiuus looking at the object. ‘Let us depart. And it’s this way, you were heading back down eastwards,’ as he pointed towards a large tree, its green and white petals falling as they reached the path under its shelter. They crunched under their feet as they struck the first stone on the pathway upwards.

  ‘What other foul and evil creatures await me beyond your tribes kingdom?’ Tiuus asked. Looking back down, Tiuus counted, while keeping an eye on Mannu. Maybe 300 or so steps since we left the village. I’m impressed at the elder’s stamina and that agile stick. ‘I understand you have come across both evil and good on
your journey,’ Mannu said. His eyes blink to reveal a grey centre, with a flashing green like the rest of the Daara. Finally, my mind is gaining a clearer state of mind. I have not seen anyone else with such different eye colours since those... ‘Correct. I can also read your mind. And yes, we place great significance on the colour of our eyes at birth. The first male child of the generation born with grey and green is in line for the tribal leadership. Slightly different from the Maniths,’ he said slowing his pace down and walking. ‘And you drank from the nectar, but you know that. And that is why your mind is restless today. It was not the result of the berry, but the bee nectar from up there,’ he said pointing upwards.

  ‘The bees and the Daara are bonded by this great mountain. Together we dream and are at ease with each other. Without the bees, we would all be dead. Even the sea level urban tribes. We even die together. Some say the Daara evolved from the bees. Our birth is but one,’ he said smiling back at Tiuus. Mannu, leading the way, stops at the nearby bush. ‘It’s poisonous, like most of the plants now from here on upwards. Beware of the thorns. The path narrows. Try not to get the juice of the fatal berries on your open skin. The yellow berries are the worst. You will die,’ he said looking around to Tiuus, as he moved his body slightly on the words when he touched the bush. ‘What bee nectar did I drink? And what do you know of the Maniths way of life?’ Tiuus asked. ‘It’s no longer important. The nectar is in your veins now. It will save you up there in the high mountain. Let it pass through you. Let nature run its course,’ Mannu said spinning around looking at Tiuus in the face. ‘And that you survive without sleep. You used to be warriors in the old days of war and military. But you cannot be trusted, as you changed sides from Yarracullan to Tarracullan and back again,’ Mannu said. His eyes fixated on him while tapping the stick into the mud. He turned and walked on. I don’t need to look around for a response and to see his face. I feel the Manith man’s smile and eyes on my back. Mannu smiled. ‘And the evil that awaits me above?’ Tiuus asked. Mannu stopped at the path’s first fork. They turned right, onto a smaller path, with thicker bushes and thorns. One touched his sleeve, but did not pierce his skin. ‘It all depends on what underworld spirits she has called upon and to whom. While we live here, we know its borders and our own limits. We are close now to the outer Daara border,’ he said as he pointed with this stick to in the distance. Tiuus could see a line through some of the smaller trees.