“Probably a lord. I am pretty enough. But Instructress Zipporah says she will teach me how to assist midwives so when I get married I can help the other Aishanna-La in the community where I will live. I hope my future husband will be one of the faithful, anyway.”
“Queen Diti married someone who was not.”
“Sometimes Mother Berenice says that things are done in a way to serve higher purposes and we do not always understand them until afterward. There was a reason she had to marry him. A good one. I just don't know why.” This startled Anet. Kaisha actually heard and knew things that she had not. But it got her to wondering: what was her path? What would she do when the time came to choose?
The innkeeper's wife had sent four of her nephews to guard and watch over the younger scions in the stable loft. They stationed themselves outside the stable doors, their machetes at their sides, and a few older scions were lodged with the young ones as well. Supper was served late but it was wondrous all the same. The innkeeper's wife labored long and hard on it but she was happy to have them. It was like: “A blessing from Galam'akmet.” as she told them. Of course, any ailments the patrons had they begged for relief and the sisters gladly obliged. Mother Berenice was tireless in her efforts to heal and soothe pains and diseases where she could and gave healing words of comfort and blessings to those she could not. She and three older sisters had the subtle powers to heal the spirit and the body. Anet wondered of she could ever be that good and helpful. She did not think so and felt blue because of it. She could barely peel or cook potatoes and once, studying under Instructress Matha in making salves and healing potions she nearly burned down the workshop at the citadel. Matha did not get angry with her but she was soon given kitchen duty and scholarly studies which were less dangerous. There was a small stint where she ran messages all over the citadel and even through the town just outside the citadel walls. She'd loved that. Perhaps Kaisha was right. She might be primed for emissary work. Suddenly, she thought of the mysterious man on the ship. Would he come back? What did he want from her?
In any case, the meal was delicious and the hungry sisters, Anet especially, enjoyed every morsel. There were heaping bowls of goat stew with peppers and yam, sponge bread, local honey beer and a good barley beer imported from Egi – the innkeeper was very proud of this and saved it for special occasions. The youngest ones were given watered down beer with ice. Where they'd managed to get the ice from she did not know but Anet was thankful for it and drank several cups of it before she began eating. The stew was spiced differently but goat stew was goat stew no matter where they were. She and Kaisha beamed at each other in full-bellied happiness. The oil lamps were lit and helped fill the modest inn with a convivial glow. It was full of happy voices and even joyful bursts of song. She wondered why the sisters always said inns were bad. This one wasn't. The young sisters were given small bowls and then a large bowl of fragrant banana custard was set in front of them topped with chopped nanasi.
“We get these from the interior, sisters, these luscious fruits, bananas, pineapple, jackfruit. Enjoy!” The innkeeper's wife said.
“Iddina is this where you came from? This city?” Asked Anet. Iddina nodded.
“My family has since moved to a village south of here. We descended from the Makebites. Further in the interior there are great forests drowned in clouds as if the heavens have come upon the earth to rest. Great tangles of trees and plants, a land of only verdant green and blue and full of water. Beautiful! That is where the ancestors of the Makebites originally came from. There are also savannahs of tall grasses, plains where the lion prides hide and also many animals you have never seen. There is a legend in Jura that at the end of the world, farthest south beyond the hot deserts and the humid forests there is a . . .what is the word? A frigid land of snow and at the tip of the world there is a sea, now mostly ice. Long ago before the Age of Empires all of the South Lands were cold for most of the year. In a mountain lived Gikunda-giki, the great ice dragon made by one of the most powerful, evil sons of God, Lumu. The people there once kept the old ways of Yar-Airun but abandoned Him and went after other gods to worship, so He left them to their new gods. These new gods could not help them against Lumu. He created Gikunda-giki to plague the peoples who did not bring tribute every year. The dragon would rise from the great sea at the bottom of the world to terrorize the lands all around until the people cried out to God for relief. Galam'akmet, a messenger of God was sent to tame and punish the dragon. Galam'akmet brought the requested tithe. The dragon always requested man-flesh so he made straw people, clothed them and planted within them special quick-sprouting seeds – the seeds of many trees and plants. Gikunda-giki ate them and became very sick and each time that he let out foul, hot winds or squatted, instead of the deadly destruction that he usually wreaked, he fertilized the ground and the soil and where ever he went savannahs and green plains sprang up and forests grew. This vegetation and all that hot wind caused the lands to become warm. Enraged, Lumu tried to stop him but God took him and his dragon son and threw them both into the sea and blew His breath upon it, causing it to freeze over. There they are forever trapped.” Anet and Kaisha and the other young sisters laughed out loud. Anet loved fables and legends. Everyone, no matter where they were had a different legend or the same one told differently.
“Did Galam'akmet have a star sword?”
“No. Only Ishuye from the Hybronian legends had a star sword. But remember, when God's arm is with you, any weapon is powerful. Even a word in prayer, but only those who are worthy of Him will wield that power.” Now there was a new dragon she could put to memory. Gikunda-giki. She wondered if this was really the same dragon as the one in the Llordis sea. But Iddina was not finished.
“There is one thing that turns this tale into something more serious, young ones.”
“What is that?” They all asked.
“There are some who reside in the far kingdom near the bottom of the world that still worship Lumu and Gikunda-giki. In the very face of the true God they would worship a demon and they do many terrible things in the name of that demon god. There is a certain point, called Calla, a monument, an altar to Yar-Airun at the edge of the great cloud forest that separates the southern lands from that place. Wise men do not go past that point. It has been decreed by God himself that that land is evil. Even those in the land that worship other gods fear to go there, as most never return. It may be legends to some but it is real to others and many legends come from something that was once true.” This sobered everyone just in time for Night Prayers and the sisters gathered together with most of the patrons at the inn, the innkeeper and his wife and three sons and two daughters and they all bowed and prayed. The older women thought to go to the nearest temple but it was late and everyone was very tired. Having the scions in their midst was like having the temple right there among them.
The innkeepers girls, seven and nine cleared the tables and helped with the kitchen cleaning. They gave friendly glances at the young scions. She wished she could stay here longer. Perhaps she would have made more friends but it was not to be. Anet's eyes were heavy. She dragged herself back to the stables behind Kaisha, Sorrell, Nirka and the others and she lay down on her pallet next to Kaisha and Sorrell, listening to the night sounds of chirping insects. When she'd finally gone to sleep, she dreamed her strange dreams again.
Early the next morning she awoke late. The loft was aflutter with activity. They were getting ready to set off in a hurry.
“Why didn't anyone wake me?” She complained.
“Mother Berenice said not to wake you. To let you wake on your own.”
“Oh.” Anet had dreamed one of her odd dreams again and she could remember it clearly this time. She was running across the deep desert, over deep sand dunes, fleet as a gazelle. The sun, high above, was beating down mercilessly and all around she could see nothing but sweltering, red desert. She did not know why she was running or where she was running to. She finally reached the top of a hill and on
that hill, dug into the sand was a small tent. She stopped and crept toward it. Just as she always did. Beyond the tent she saw the ruins of Assenna rise in the distance, in cloud and smoke, a fearsome sight. She went inside the tent. Deafening silence and darkness inside, a darkness even blacker than night and then she woke up. She had no idea what it meant but she'd had this dream many times now. Mother Berenice had told her before that recurring dreams were sometimes useful and sometimes in some people were messages from beyond the world. This did not make Anet feel comforted. She got up slowly, groggy from sleep running and packed her few things together in a small sack and put on her clothes and followed everyone downstairs. The heat was already rising and a few horses whinnied softly at the disturbance.
“Why are we leaving so soon? The sun isn't even up!” She complained.
“Shh!” Said Kaisha.
“Don't you shush me!” Anet spat back. Nitara frowned at her severely.
“Behave yourself, young one or you'll get a thrashing. We do not do things simply to annoy you. We have a good reason for it.”
“What reason?” Demanded Anet. Nitara was only sixteen but often acted as if she were one of the instructors.
“When you've gathered yourself together and change your attitude you can ask Mother Berenice!” Nitara said peremptorily. Anet scowled fell into a moody silence. When they had gathered into the inn the morning meal had been prepared and laid out for them. They sat around Mother Berenice for Morning Prayers and then ate quickly the soured millet cereal with butter and a little honey. Carisse was looking very worn and ill. Anet worried for her. She was frail and of all the sisters did not recover so quickly from the sea voyage. In fact, none of them had really recovered. They were still fatigued so they were given quass to drink.
“Drink, Carisse. You will need it.” Said Mother Berenice. She glanced at Anet and smiled. After the meal they were ready to go. They all thanked the innkeeper and his wife profusely.
“Mother Berenice, why are we leaving so soon?” Asked Anet later.
“I just heard word late last night that the king and half his army are in the city and more are coming. King Kufun is launching many ships toward Hybron. There may be difficulties, as we are Hybronian, you see. And many ships here will not be able to carry us home. The innkeeper feels it would be safer for us to leave as soon as possible. We will be traveling the Golden Road.”
“Will we see many caravans full of gold and other jewels, then?”
“Perhaps.” Anet was quiet for a moment. Then,
“Mother, I had another dream last night.”
“Was it one you've had before?”
“Yes.” She did not tell her of the vision of the ruins.
“So did I. I saw a vision of the Red King. It is interesting that we seem to have dreams on the same nights. Great things are in store for you, child. When you arrive back home you will start your training again. I myself have had visions about you.”
“Training for what?”
“Something special. I do not know what it is yet, but we both will find out soon enough. Stay close to me and if you want, tell me of your dreams as you have them.” A man came to retrieve the scions and they traveled with him to the city gate. Just outside was a great caravan waiting for them.
“There is no guarantee we will be allowed passage into the land because of the king's raiding!” Muttered one of the men. But when he saw the scions would be coming along with them his mood brightened. It brightened even more when Mother Berenice paid for their passage with the bottle of myrrh.
“Ah! What a good omen this is for a long journey!” Said their guide. His name was Yemi. Though Yemi was black like most Jurites he was not of Jura but from a land of the cloud forests, as Iddina mentioned. He, like the innkeeper and his wife, was shorter and broader than most Jurites. Anet was again fascinated by meeting new people and she was happy that her camel was next to his. After helping the women mount the camels and their baggage onto the asses, they were off across the plains - plains dotted with grasses and brush, ponds and water plants here and there, even white kata flowers that looked like large butterflies which turned colors in the evening and under the moons' light.
“Where do you come from?” Anet asked the guide. He looked at her, surprised by her boldness.
“I come from the city of Esofo from the land of Funda. It is ruled by a queen.”
“A queen ruling? I've never heard of that! Doesn't a queen always have a king?” The man laughed.
“No little one, not always. There are a few lands that are ruled by queens. Mine is such a place. It is a wondrous place of green, verdant mountains and hills and many trees! So many trees and flowers that you cannot see the ground and there is no desert!”
“I want to see it!”
“You remind me of an ancient queen of Funda. She looked very much like you. She came from Hybron. She could even see visions of the future!”
“Really?” The man nodded, his eyes twinkling. Anet did not really believe him. She could not tell if he was teasing or not.
“How did she get there, to be queen?”
“She was a young princess and was married to the king of Funda but he died in battle and left her with one son. She ruled in her son's stead until he became of age to rule himself. She had to fight off many suitors and greedy people to protect the throne for her son. She was a fearsome woman.”
“I will read about her when I get back.”
“I do not remember her name, it was very long ago. But perhaps you will find her in your books, yes. It is said when she came to marry the king that she rode on the back of a yaryebu!” He teased.
“That's not true! Yaryebu's do not exist anymore. Not since the Age of Creation. I wish they did though.” But she was not quite sure.
“You really saw one?” She asked. He nodded.
“We go in the right direction if you want to see one. They live in very cold places. South at the very bottom of the world and north at the top of the world. They are covered in wooly fur and have tusks as long as towers. They are the forefathers of the elephanta. Once, they roamed in many places of the world. Until, as your people say, the Age of Empires.”
“They must have been killed off.” She said sadly.
“Mostly.”
“Yemi, why did you come here?”
“I was sent by my family to study at Juranni, the center of all education in the South Lands. Great schools are there, where I learned the history of many of the south land peoples, art, literature and mathematics. Then I was sent to Hybron, to a school in Rhuctium to learn about architecture, medicine, alchemy and about how to map the stars and how to build wonderful machines, things only the ancient of ancients used to know.”
“Machines? Like the moving machines that had their own life? I heard those were all destroyed in the Great Destruction. I wish I could see them now.” She said.
“I do too. I have heard of this Great Destruction that took place in your land long ago. Badness was everywhere but some good things were swept away with the bad, it seemed. But perhaps we can uncover the good things that were swept away and bring them back. It is dangerous though. Not everyone wants that knowledge to come about.”
“It is the fault of the Ainash. The Ainash hate anything that gives others more knowledge or power than them. They were part of the reasons why Assenna was destroyed.”
“Ah! Little one, I do not know of what you speak but I have heard of these Ainash. It was they who stopped our schooling in Rhuctium, took away the ancient texts our teachers found in the ruins of Assenna and burned them. We were expelled and I fear what might have happened to our teachers.” Said Yemi. Anet shivered. She could guess what might have happened.
“We're not allowed to speak of that or of the Red Kings in Hybron. People will think you are trying to curse them when you mention them.” Anet lowered her voice.
“A curious thing. The Red Kings were known far and wide for their great wisdom, righteousness and justice. Unde
r them everyone prospered and lived well and they ruled during some of the greatest achievements known to Man. They truly were the kings of the whole red world. Kings from far away lands would make pilgrimages to Assenna to learn from them. I hear there are many great things they built, still under the ruins of the city there. Secrets that many seek but they fear to go to the ruins. Those that go there lose their way and do not return.”
“I have heard that too.” Said Anet. She was determined to go there, to the ruins but she would tell no one. One day she would uncover the secrets that everyone whispered about but would not openly speak of. This superstition even affected some of the faithful. The very mention of the Red Kings was a curse and sometimes could have a man thrown in prison. Anet wondered what they had done to gain such fear and hatred in people. The Ainash were foremost in fostering this hatred and no one dared speak of them in an Ainash priest's or scribe's presence, less they be ostracized. Anet was determined to go there to defy them. Perhaps she would embark on her course in a great ship. Like the one she saw at Kukuma.
“Yemi?”
“Yes?”
“I saw a wonderful ship at the port yesterday. It was golden with silvery sails that appeared and disappeared in the air. It looked like it could sail in the air! Have you ever seen it?” Yemi drew a sudden, sharp breath in amazement.
“My, my! You have seen the fabled golden ship of Milukem. Hardly anyone ever sees it these days. Only those with great imagination see it now.”
“What is it and who is Milukem?”
“Milukem was a sailor ages ago when Jura had another name, when it was the old kingdom of Nebur. Pirates often raided and killed in the cities up and down the sea and terrified the people. Milukem, a humble sailor, prayed one day that he would be able to help the kingdom and was chosen by God and king to wreak vengeance against those sea scoundrels. The king gave him a golden ship and he also asked his mother for help. She weaved sails out of spiderwebs for the ship, which meant that it would be a trap to those with wrong motives or those who were unsuspecting. Then he set sail, luring pirates out toward lost and unknown seas. So obsessed the pirates became with catching the ship, for they just knew it was full of mountains of untold treasures, that they always chased him down but he always escaped and the pirate ships that tried to give chase always sank. His ship became a powerful siren call and any pirate captain that saw it could not resist the chase. Pirates feared to come to the Dakanar Sea anymore for fear that they might catch sight of the golden ship. When he grew very old he asked God to let the mission continue indefinitely and so God set a sign in the heavens and made the ship sail the stars forever. Pirates to this day fear it but if anyone else sees it, it is considered a good thing. It usually means you have a goodly and righteous mission ahead.”
Red World Trilogy Page 13
