by Reece Dinn
'Wha' yer want, yer jenni?' Awon demanded of the big chinned lad.
'Get 'em out 'ere now,' said Big Chin, his voice surprisingly gruff.
'Who?'
'Don't play the dumbshit with me. I saw yer friends go in there. Get 'em.'
Awon crossed his arms, making sure the cleaver was clearly displayed in front of his blood spattered apron.. Big Chin's eyes dropped to it. His two friends took a step back, both reaching behind their backs, for knives most probably. Awon didn't care.
'Ain't got any friends,' said Awon. 'Only my fat fuck of a father is in there. He ain't got no friends either.'
Big Chin clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. 'Listen, dumbshit. Yer friend's been foolin' around with my girl. He ain't gettin away with it. Bring him out here. This is between me and him.'
'I told yer. Ain't got no friends.'
Big Chin's two friends took an uneasy step forward. Awon eyed them, daring them to attack.
'Listen, yer cunt. I've no fight with you. Only yer friend.'
Awon took a step towards him. Big Chin stepped back. 'Walk away then,' said Awon.
Big Chin's two friends moved to surround Awon, pulling knives out of their trousers.
'We don't want this ter get ugly,' said Big Chin.
'Not for me it won't,' Awon replied with a smirk.
Norox strode out of the carpentry shop from across the street. Awon smirked at the sight of his friend, seeing the fight shift unevenly in his favour now.
The big yegeyor bleated and bounded over, coming up behind the guy to Awon's right. The three guys suddenly panicked. Though the bone fins over Norox's arms and legs were sheathed in thick leather they'd still cause damage if he struck someone with them.
'What's going on here?' said Norox, his voice loud and rumbling. He placed his arms in front of him in a way that made him look like he was going to drop down onto all fours.
'Piss off, munk,' said Big Chin. 'Unless yer want ter wipe my arse.'
Norox winced at that, but kept his cool, his long white face hard as stone. He straightened his dirty blue overalls, a nervous gesture of his.
'They're lookin' for my friends,' said Awon. 'Told them I ain't got any. They don't believe me.'
'It's true. He doesn't,' said Norox, cracking his neck.
Big Chin pulled a knife from out of his trousers and tried to wave it menacingly at Awon. 'Bring 'em out here now.'
Awon strode right up to him. 'Yer got five seconds to fuck off back to the shit pit yer crawled out of or this'll turn ugly real quick.'
Big Chin sneered at him. 'Yer any idea who I am? I'm..'
Awon struck him hard with the back of the hand that held his cleaver, the blade nearly cutting Big Chin's face.
Big Chin's two friends raised their knives but Norox moved to block them both. 'Don't,' he boomed. The two stopped, but kept their knives raised.
Big Chin spat out a little blood, his cheek red from where it'd been struck. 'Yer'll pay for that,' he said.
'Will I?' said Awon, pressing his face close to his.
'We'll be back,' declared Big Chin.
Awon sniggered. 'Sure yer will.'
Big Chin stepped back, raised his head, and shouted past Awon. 'If I find yer, lad, I'll kill yer, yer hear? And as for you Helma, don't yer dare show yer face in my district again. Me an' you are through.' He looked back down at Awon.
Awon smirked.
'You and me ain't done,' said Big Chin.
'We are today.'
'Let's go,' Big Chin said to his two friends.
Awon didn't even glance at them as they moved past him, he kept his eyes solely on Big Chin as he walked away, the other two falling in behind him.
Norox moved to Awon's side, watching them go. When they were far enough away he grabbed Awon by the shoulders, squeezing hard. 'What's going on?'
'Sumthin' interestin', for once,' said Awon, wriggling out of the yegeyor's grip.
Norox made a growling noise. 'What have you done now?'
'Ain't me. This is Ten's fault, this time,' Awon said over his shoulder, heading back into the shop.
Norox groaned. 'Damn Ten.'
Chapter Three
Koma rested her head against the wall, the seemingly never ending funeral having tired her out. The smell of delicious food wafted up from the kitchens down the corridor to her left, making her stomach grumble. One thing these savages do well is a good feast. Being a handmaiden she'd have to stand behind her mistress and watch her, and everyone else, gorge themselves, a disgusting sight as they all ate with their mouths wide open, displaying their chewed up food, all the while drinking glass after glass of wine, half of which would dribble down their chins, the other half ending up on the tablecloths, or the floor. Decadent horrors. If she got any food it'd be the leftovers, and she'd have to eat it in the servant's mess room.
A throng of people waited in line to head up the steps to the Monster's table to pay their condolences to her and her mother. It was clearly a farce. Most of these people didn't care about the grieving widow and her abomination of a child, they merely wanted to get in their future ruler's good graces, another of the plays for power these people liked to engage in. When people aren't ruled by a god, everyone wants to rule. Ridiculous. As if mere mortals could rule a nation by themselves.
'Doesn't the Sabu look awful,' said Perama, one of Lerama's handmaidens. 'Her make-up is streaked with tears and blotchy on the cheeks.' She turned to Koma, her grey eyes twinkling. 'You did that on purpose, didn't you?'
Koma shook her head. 'It's impossible to make her look pretty.'
'Ssshhhh,' said Perama, putting a finger to Koma's lips, the touch causing Koma to go rigid. 'They'll hear you.' Lerama's other two handmaidens beside them giggled.
Koma flicked away the finger. 'It's fine.' She breathed a little sigh of relief. 'She's meant to be sad. Her father died. She looks the part.'
The Monster sat hunched on her red cushioned stool, her good hand clutching her dress tightly, the deformity thankfully hidden within the glove. Every few seconds a tear ran down her face, streaking her make-up even more. She didn't look up at anyone that approached the table, not that they were paying her much attention either. Her mother was, after all, their intended target.
Lerama sat beside her daughter, her back straight, face devoid of emotion, save for the small smile that she gave each person that approached. It was hard to tell if she was actually upset and hiding it well, or just pretending to appear upset and doing it badly. She'd be right at home in the Ragi's Court. At least as much as any savage could ever be there.
A bald headed Noban, the bronze circlet around his head indicating his rank, approached the table with his large wife, who was dressed in a disgustingly bright yellow gown. The Noban and his wife bowed to the Monster, who didn't look up, then to Lerama.
'Doma Lerama, I'm sorry for your loss,' said the Noban, far too loudly, as if wanting everyone to know what he was saying. 'He's back to the world now. I shall pray he returns as a great man once again.'
Lerama gently grasped the Noban's hands and quietly said something to him, probably thanking him, then moved him and his large wife along. Hopefully someone will tell her to take off that awful dress. The other three handmaidens giggled at the Noban's wife's dress too. Koma looked down at her own pale blue robe. All the clothes these people wear are disgusting really. Such bright colours. Like they believe they're all pretty little flowers. The servants get the nicest clothes. They're duller, less of an eyesore.
The Socrae-al approached the table.
'He's so handsome,' whispered Perama.
'And so strong,' said one of the others.
He's just a man. Grooms himself like a woman. Koma didn't find any of the savage men remotely attractive, but then she'd never really found any man, or woman, attractive really. People are disgusting, both inside and out. Savage or not. Someone just touching her was repulsive.
The Monster sat up straight at the sight of the Socrae-al. H
e bowed to her, but she looked away, seemingly offending him. Lerama's forehead creased a little at that, her mouth twitching with anger. The Socrae-al then bowed to Lerama, took her hand and kissed it, an odd gesture. They really aren't trying to hide their affair, are they? The two lovers talked a little, then the Socrae-al moved along. Surprised he's not up here with her. He was on the dais at the funeral. I suppose he was close to Lomobu. Koma sighed. Why am I wasting my time thinking about the affairs of savage degenerates? Gather information, that's what I'm here to do. Who beds who and who sits at what table has nothing to do with anything. Why do I even need to learn about them when they're destined to burn? Why am I here? Koma nibbled at her lower lip irritably.
'What do you think, Koma?' asked Perama.
'What?'
'Would you spend the night with the Socrae-al if he came calling? Sneak out of the palace to his mansion and let him have his way with you?'
Koma felt nauseous at the thought. 'Sure. I guess.'
Another Noban approached Lerama and the Monster's table.
The food was served.
Juicy racks of meat passed by Koma as servants brought tray after tray out from the kitchens. She glanced down the corridor to her left, her mouth watering at all the different scents.
All the savages had taken their seats and were already gulping down wine and stuffing food into their mouths. The Socrae-al had joined Lerama and the Monster at their table, unsurprisingly, sat very close to Lerama. The Monster sat right on the edge of her stool, as far away from them as she could get. Any further away and she'd be on the floor. The Socrae-al's hand gently brushed Lerama's. Koma almost felt sorry for the Monster, then she remembered she'd have to listen to her whine about them later.
More and more food was brought out. Green, yellow, orange, white, and brown cooked vegetables of varying shapes and sizes lay steaming in big silver bowls. Trobaam meat, cut into thin slices, pink in the middle, brown on the outside, was arranged into lines on silver platters. She'd developed a taste for it during her time here. It tasted like the cattle did back home, earthy and moist.
The Monster nibbled at a small plate of green vegetables, ignoring all the meat. Lerama and her lover ate modestly, spending most of their time gazing into each others eyes rather than eating. Koma wanted to stab the three of them. I won't get to eat until tonight. Her stomach grumbled as if on cue.
The way everyone laughed and joked as they ate and drank it was hard to believe that they were mourning the loss of their beloved ruler. That's the problem with the unworthy. They've no true sense of loyalty or honour.
An hour passed.
Koma's legs ached almost as much as her stomach groaned. I'm a handmaiden not a guard. They could at least give me a stool to sit on. The other three handmaidens talked amongst themselves, keeping their heads facing forwards at all times while they did. Koma had no desire to talk, yet felt a little offended that they'd stopped trying to include her, which always happened when she was forced to be with them. Why Lerama needs three handmaidens is beyond me. Is one there just to wash her arse? If she was honest she wished the Monster had another handmaiden, just so she could have a day off every once in a while. A day off from following her around all day, helping her with every little problem, comforting her after another of her tantrums. A day off from just having to breathe the same air as her.
'Koma.'
Koma jumped, startled.
Lerama was looking up at her. She motioned with her finger for her to come closer. Koma swallowed hard, doing as she was bid. Was I thinking out loud again? She leaned in as close as she dared.
'I want you to take Saima around the room and talk to our guests. She needs to mingle. If she won't, make her,' said Lerama. Why don't you tell her? She turned back to the Socrae-al, dismissing her with a wave of her hand.
Mingle? She'd be better locking her in a cage and throwing away the key. There's no way that abomination should ever rule a whole country. Not even one full of savages. Koma stepped up behind the Monster, who was still lazily moving food around her plate, gazing into her untouched glass of wine.
'Sabu,' said Koma.
The Monster ignored her.
Bitch. 'Sabu, your mother has requested that you mingle with the guests.'
This time she looked up, shooting Koma a dark look, as if it was her making the request.
'Later,' she said, glaring past Koma to her mother.
Koma leaned in closer and whispered, 'It's probably not wise to anger her further.'
'Further?'
She resisted rolling her eyes. 'I don't think she was happy with the way you dismissed the Socrae-al.'
'Not happy?' the Monster squeaked. 'She has some nerve.'
'Lower your voice, Sabu.'
The Monster shoved her plate across the table, nearly knocking it off.
'These people will one day be your subjects, Sabu,' gods help them, 'it might be wise to do as your mother says.'
The Monster looked around at the room full of guests merrily eating and drinking. 'Fine,' she hissed, rising, brushing invisible crumbs from her dress. She walked down the steps, Koma following behind, but she stopped at the bottom, unsure what she should do.
Gods. Is she really so stupid? 'Just talk to them, Sabu.'
She pulled a face, but walked behind the first long table, casually listening to the conversations as she passed by. When the guests stopped conversing and turned to her she hurried on, her face flushing.
'Sabu, that was rude,' said Koma, hurrying after her.
'I know. I know.' She kept walking.
The kitchen servants stood waiting along the walls to clear away dirty plates, or refill wine glasses. One of them, a young looking boy, stared at Koma, his eyes following her. Not another one. She was used to boys and men making advances on her, an irritating aspect of life, but she could deal with. Sometimes it even worked in her favour.
The Monster had stopped and was making conversation with a Noban, her husband and their son and daughter. She looked uncomfortable listening to the Noban talk and talk, though the rest of the woman's family did too. Thankfully Koma had learnt how to tune people out long ago.
Tekan Shonmu and his family, the Koku-rai, and another Koku were sat on a table across the room, near to the steps leading back up to the Monster's table. Tekan Shonmu was listening attentively to the Koku-rai, nodding his head every few seconds like a gibbering simpleton.
'...so you see if the archivists would only listen to me we could double the amount of people that visit the archives and improve their education,' said the Noban, her blather forcing its way back into Koma's hearing. 'That's what this city needs, no, the entire country needs, is more educated people. Better education amongst the poor would serve us well, don't you agree?'
The Monster nodded, glancing to Koma. Koma inclined her head towards the Tekan and Koku-rai's table. She nodded, then clumsily excused herself from the Noban.
'Thank you,' she whispered as they hurried away.
'You're welcome.' Koma did her best to not grit her teeth. Gods, I did her a favour, didn't I? Hopefully I'll learn something useful from the Tekan to make up for it. What that could be she'd no idea. She'd already relayed to the Shadows everything she knew about the Predemagdan government, as far as she was concerned there was little else to learn. Still, duty is duty.
They headed over to the Tekan's table. People turned to talk with the Monster along the way, offering condolences and making idle small talk. The more people the Monster spoke to the more uncomfortable she became, to Koma's amusement. Eventually they reached the Tekan's table. No one noticed them at first, forcing them to stand and wait to be invited to join them.
'Lomobu was wise,' said the Koku-rai. 'He ruled well, but he should never have given up the Olsap plateau. Not to those Denigradan cunts.'
'Koku-rai!' his fellow Koku beside him gasped. 'Such language.'
The Koku-rai waved a dismissive finger at him.
'He didn't exactly give it up, di
d he?' said Tekan Shonmu. 'It is open to all now. Controlled by neither Predemagda or Benigrada. A place free of rule. I'd have thought you, of all people, would be all for it. Isn't the teachings of Shadar supposed to transcend nations, races, and species?'
'Yes, but those death worshipping bastards have no right to that sacred place.' The Koku-rai flailed his arms, spilling wine all over the table. 'It is a place where people can commune with those that have returned to the world. It is not a portal to some kind of afterlife.'
The Koku beside him leaned in close and whispered something in his ear.
'I am not drunk,' shouted the Koku-rai.
'I believe you may be, Ashlu,' said Shonmu, using the Koku-rai's given name.
It was only then that Shonmu noticed the Monster.
'Sabu,' he stammered, jumping to his feet, panicked, or at least pretending to be so. 'My sincerest apologies. I didn't see you there. Have you been standing there long?'
'It's okay,' she said, quietly.
'Please, join us.' Shonmu ushered his children down to the empty seats at the end of the table.
The Koku-rai and his companion rose, the old Koku-rai swaying on his feet. How much has he had to drink? Can't have had that much already, surely?
'Sabu, you look magnificent. Ravishing,' said the Koku-rai, licking his thin lips.
He really is drunk.
The other Koku whispered in his superior's ear again.
'Inappropriate?' said the Koku-rai. 'Never. It's just a compliment.' He bowed to the Monster. 'I apologise if I was rude. I may be a little drunk. Haven't eaten much today. Too sad over the loss of your beloved father.'
'It's okay, Ashlu. I wasn't offended,' said the Monster, taking the offered seat beside Shonmu. Koma lingered behind her. Shonmu glanced up at Koma, his eyes surveying her for a second longer than they probably should have. Must they always leer? She'd even caught the Socrae-al looking at her once or twice. It made her skin crawl.
'How does it feel that in a year and a half you will be Saban and rule all of Predemagda?' Shonmu asked the Monster.
'I..I don't know. Haven't given it much thought. I can't picture anyone but my father being Saban.'
