by Reece Dinn
'Your father was a great man. A good friend. But he's returned to the world now, life must go on. You are the future. You who will lead our people. Know that I am here for you. Here to support and advise, whenever you need it.'
'Give it a rest, Shonmu,' said the Koku-rai, drinking the last of his wine. 'Her father has only just departed and already your making moves for the Saban's Seat.' A servant girl came and refilled his glass with red wine.
'Moves?' he said, placing a hand on his heart. 'I would never. I am merely offering my support and friendship. Our Sabu will need allies in the City Council. The Qotan is old and won't be around forever. It can be a harsh place if one has no allies. Then, of course, there's all this talk abroad of the Raginarsaru expanding their territory. We live in troubling times.'
Koma looked away to hide the pang of pride she felt at the mention of the Great Purge beginning at long last. It can't come soon enough.
'Thank you, Tekan,' said the Monster, looking down at the table, cheeks flushing.
Shonmu glanced up at Koma and gave her a little wink. She struggled to hide her cringe. Such a scheming, lecherous beast. I know what goes on in that primitive mind. He's only after two things, power and women. He's had most of the servant girls in the palace already. Probably half the city too. I suppose he can't help it, being a savage. At least he doesn't pretend to be anything more than what he is.
Shonmu had his arm around the back of the Monster's chair while he spoke, though his chair had moved further away from hers. I guess there's some girls he won't stick it in. Shonmu's wife was engaged in conversation with a man at the other end of the table. She was sat close to him, stroking his arm as he spoke while playing with one of her own blonde locks. Clearly not the only cheat in the Tekan's household.
The Koku-rai was absorbed in conversation with his wine now. His companion sat listening to him with disinterest.
I need to get out of here. Koma could feel her stomach turning, her appetite disappearing at the sight of the debauchery she was forced to live amongst.
The Qotan was approaching their table from across the room. His dull old black and white robe looked to have acquired a small wine stain now too. For the second in command of a whole country he doesn't take much pride in his appearance. That robe looks decades old. In all his time as Qotan surely he must have amassed enough wealth to at least buy some new clothes? As far as savages went the Qotan was a good one, despite his tardy appearance. He was composed, polite, and always seemed to have everyone's best interests at heart. He didn't play any part in the petty arguing or power plays that the rest of the Predemagdan politicians engaged in. Not that Koma knew of at least. She'd never been able to attend a Council meeting, all the information she had on their activities was second hand, mere rumour and conjecture.
The Qotan frowned when he spotted the Monster with Shonmu.
Shonmu laughed, probably at his own joke, When he saw the Qotan approaching however his laughter died away, and he removed his arm from the back of the Monster's chair.
'Qotan, glad you could rejoin us,' he said, unconvincingly. 'Are the rest of the guests happy?'
'They are,' said the Qotan, folding his arms. 'I see you've gotten happier since I left you.'
'Not as happy as the Koku-rai here, but yes.' He glanced over to his wife on the other side of the table. 'I see my wife is happy too.'
'Sabu, may I speak with you for a moment?' asked the Qotan.
The Monster nodded, then turned to Shonmu. 'Thank you, Tekan. Your friendship is most welcome.'
Shonmu reached for her, and for a second Koma's heart skipped a beat, thinking he was going to try and grab the Monster's deformity, but he took the good hand instead and kissed it. The Monster blushed, then rose, walking away with the Qotan. Koma followed after her.
When they were far enough away from the table the Qotan leaned in close to the Monster and said. 'You need to keep away from him. He is no friend.'
'He's a good man,' she said, her face creasing.
'He thinks only of himself. He appears friendly now, but don't trust him. Twice your father made that mistake and he nearly lost the Saban's Seat because of it. I once made that mistake too. It cost me my wife and nearly my title too.'
'What did he do?' the Monster asked.
Koma's moved closer to hear. She'd heard stories of Shonmu's power plays, but never a full story.
'He has a lot of allies on many City Councils across Predemagda. Many of the Tekans in the country are aligned with him. He has much influence. A powerful man. And like all power hungry men he wants more.'
But what did he do? Old men. They love to spin tales, but never get to the point.
'He seems like a good man to me,' said the Monster.
'You are young and he is charming. You can't let that influence you.'
The Monster didn't respond.
The Qotan led her back up to her table. 'How are you doing?' he asked her. 'All things considered.'
She looked over to her mother and her 'secret' lover, who were now speaking with the Tekan of some other city, the silver circlet on the woman's head marking her. Koma hadn't bothered to learn who this Tekan was, or what city she was from. She couldn't see how it mattered.
'I've been better,' said the Monster.
The Qotan gave her shoulder a squeeze. 'We all mourn your father.'
'All except my mother.'
The Qotan glanced up at the two lovers. 'She is, believe me. I've known her for many years. She is grieving. Her friend's support is all that is holding her together, I think.'
'Friend?' spat Saima.
Funny. Guess the old man has a sense of humour after all.
'Yes. Don't allow yourself to believe the rumours,' said the Qotan. 'They have only ever been friends. Your mother was loyal and devoted to your father. And he to her. I won't allow your father's name to be tainted by rumours created by servants who have nothing better to do than gossip.' The Qotan shot Koma a dark look.
Don't look at me like that, old man. I'll cut out those eyes and force them down your throat.
'Please eat something, Sabu. You need your strength.' He gently squeezed the Monster's arm. 'Excuse me. I have to go speak with someone.' He left them, brushing past Koma a little too closely for her liking.
The Monster's face fell again. They headed up the steps and she sank back down onto her stool, her eyes glistening with tears. No, don't cry. Not here. Not now. I'm really not in the mood. Koma resumed her position leaning against the wall behind her. Lerama's three handmaidens hadn't moved at all. They barely acknowledged her as she returned. She eyed the untouched food left to go cold on the Monster's table and her stomach groaned once more.
Chapter Four
'Please tell me you didn't kill anyone,' cried Awon's father as his son returned to the back room of the butcher's shop.
'Not yet,' said Awon. He slammed the cleaver down hard on the blood stained table.
Norox entered behind him, the big yegeyor forced to duck through the doorway, the bone fins on his head scraping the roof as he straightened. 'Only because I was there. He would have gotten himself killed otherwise.' He dropped down onto all fours.
'Whatever.' Awon sat himself on the edge of the table, ignoring the blood and animal remains still on it.
'What happened? You better not have started a fight because of him and this girl,' said Awon's father, pointing to Ten and the blonde girl.
Ten sat on the floor, his back against a wooden beam, the girl's head on his shoulder.
'Jus' 'ad a chat with 'em,' said Awon. 'Said they wanted ter chat ter my friends. Told 'em I ain't got any. They didn't believe me.'
'He backhanded one of them with the cleaver,' said Norox, his loud, bleating yegeyor voice reverberating through the room.
'Gods save me,' said Awon's father. 'He steals some guy's girl and you attack the guy for wanting revenge.'
'He's overreacting a bit,' said Ten. 'Should see how he treats her.' He kissed the girl on the for
ehead. 'I don't know why you put up with him for so long.'
'His father,' the girl said quietly, stroking Ten's arm.
Awon's father stood over them. 'What about his father?'
The girl hesitated.
'What of him?'
'It's Paten.'
'The right hand man of Jonbu of the Drowners?' bleated Norox.
'Yes. Tombu's his son.'
'So that's his name,' said Awon, clicking his fingers. 'Fergot ter ask.'
'This is bad,' said Awon's father. 'Very bad. You need to fix this, Awon. Fix it quick.'
'Why?'
'Why? Did you forget what Cutter ordered? Peace with the other gangs. No fighting with anyone. Anyone.'
The last gang war had been between the Cutters and the Merchers. The war had engulfed the whole city, and had only ended when the Drowners had come to the Cutters aid, not out of friendship, more a mutual hatred of the Merchers, and a need to stop them taking over completely. An uneasy peace was brokered between the three gangs, and has been badly maintained ever since. There were four gangs in Denistas, but the forth, the Lurkers, weren't even worth thinking of. The cowards sided with whoever came out on top in every war, bowing down to them like shoe kissing jennis.
Awon punched the air. 'They started it.'
His father pointed to Ten. 'No. He started it.'
'It's his mess,' said Norox. 'You should let him deal with it.'
Awon shook his head. 'An' let 'em kick fuck out of him? Not happenin'.'
'Thanks, Awon,' said Ten, stroking the blonde girl's face.
'Don't you thank him,' said Awon's father. 'Your dick is always getting my son into trouble.'
'I'd say Awon gets Awon into trouble,' said Norox.
Awon's father grimaced at that, glancing at his son. Awon was crunching his knuckles now, the prospect of fighting this Tombu getting his blood pumping.
'Don't even think about it, boy,' said his father, sternly, or at least as sternly as he could, which wasn't very.
Awon punched the table. 'I'll do what I want.'
His father clutched his head, shaking it. 'I can't do this again. Not after last time.'
'Last time was fun. An' Big Red loved it.'
Norox snorted. 'You near got me killed.'
'But I didn't,' said Awon. 'Learn ter throw a punch faster and yer won't get into that kinda trouble. Those cunts were asking fer it.'
'Those “cunts” were twice your size.'
'Did we win?'
'Well...'
Awon waggled his finger at him. 'Yes. Yes we did. So stop being a jenni.'
Norox made a rumbling noise, the sound sending vibrations through Awon's stomach. He always liked it when he did that.
'I'm taking you to Big Red. All of you,' said Awon's father.
'Big Red?' said Ten, suddenly looking scared.
'Yes. He'll know what to do. We have to warn him. Let him know that this has nothing to do with the gangs. This is between stupid, horny kids. Not plays for territory, or anything like that.'
'We can handle this ourselves,' said Awon.
His father rose to his feet, his bulk shaking slightly. 'You can't handle Big Red. If he finds out what you've done before we tell him he'll break your bones. Mine too. Worse, he might burn my shop down.'
'Our shop,' Awon corrected.
'My shop. Big Red threatened to do it if I let you cause any more trouble.'
'Or if yer missed any debt payments to him.'
'Or that.'
'Big Red?' murmured Ten.
'Yes,' said Awon's father. 'If he doesn't smash your head in he'll probably make you join the Cutters. To pay your debt.'
'Debt?'
'Big Red doesn't like people crossing him.'
'I ain't done anythin' to him,' whined Ten.
'You did the moment you fucked this girl.'
'Fine. We'll go see Red. He'll take our side,' said Awon.
'I doubt that,' said his father.
'Am I coming too?' asked Norox, a bead of sweat running down the side of his long, white face.
'You got involved, didn't you? Got no choice now. You need to choose your friends more wisely.'
Norox glared at Awon, making another rumbling noise. Awon just shrugged. Norox kicked the wall, the wood cracking slightly where he struck it. 'He's all I got,' he said.
Awon grinned. 'Wouldn't trade you for anythin'. Except a good knife, maybe.'
Norox rumbled again, sending more funny vibrations through Awon's stomach. He was trying to keep a straight face, but Awon could tell that Norox wanted to smile. The yegeyor always claimed to not want to fight, but he was always by Awon's side at the first sign of trouble. Awon knew he loved it really.
'Come on. Get up,' said his father. 'We're going.'
'Now?' asked Awon.
'Of course now. The sooner, the better.' He clicked his fingers at Ten. 'You too, boy.'
'What about me?' asked the girl, messing with her hair.
'Go home,' his father snapped.
'Home? I can't. Tombu will kill me.'
'Did you think you were going to stay here? You need to go. Now.'
'Don't listen to him,' said Awon. 'You can stay here, fer now.'
'No. She's not,' his father shouted.
'Yer right. She's stayin' with me,' said Ten. He turned to her. 'I live down the street, fourth alleyway on the left. The third house along on the right there's a door with a big blue x on it. That's my place.' He produced a key from his trouser pocket and handed it to her. 'When you go in go straight up the stairs. Don't go through any doors downstairs. Just head straight up to my room. It's small, but you'll be safe.'
'Why can't I go in the other rooms?' asked the girl.
'You just can't. Please, don't.'
'Okay.'
Awon laughed.
'Shut up, Awon. Please,' pleaded Ten.
Awon slapped his thigh, then jumped down from the table. 'Whatever. Let's go see Big Red. Sooner I can go find this Tombu and smash his teeth in the better.'
His father shook his head, his chubby cheeks shaking. 'How did I raise such an angry man?'
'Got a fat fuck of a father. It's enough to make anyone angry.'
Big Red's place was on the other side of the district, east of the market, by the mountain-facing wall. It was a large warehouse surrounded by a tall wooden fence. The sign above the wooden gates read: 'Donen and Sons Carpentry Shop and Lumber Yard', but anyone who was anyone knew what it really was.
'What do we do? Knock?' asked Awon's father.
Awon shrugged. Norox stood quietly beside Awon, Ten nervously behind him.
'Oi, get out 'ere,' shouted Awon. 'We got sumthin' ter say.'
His father clamped a hand over his son's mouth. 'Are you mad?'
Awon grabbed his father's wrist firmly and removed the hand. 'We're here ter talk. No point bein' quiet.'
'There could be Konar about.'
'The Konar probably know about this place,' said Norox. 'You don't have to be a Cutter to know who Big Red is.'
'Why did you have to join this gang?' Awon's father asked his son.
'Cos you got in debt to 'em. Big Red said he'd halve it. He did.'
'It was my debt. It had nothing to do with you.'
'It's our shop.'
'My shop.'
'Who's there?' someone shouted.
Two guys' heads popped up over the fence. Both were unshaven and dirty.
''ere ter see Big Red,' shouted Awon.
'Don't know who you mean,' said one of them.
'Don't be jennis. Let us in.'
'How 'bout I jump this fence and crack yer skull, boy?'
Awon's father elbowed him in the arm. 'Do you have to cause trouble wherever you go?' he muttered.
Awon spat on the ground. 'Whatever.'
'We need to see Big Red. It's urgent,' his father shouted up to them. 'Tell him it's Tenemu and his son.'
'Who's the munk and the little one?' the other man shouted down.
'Friends,' shouted Awon's father. 'They're involved too.'
'Involved with what?'
'What we're here to talk to Red about.'
The two men mumbled to each other, then the left hand one disappeared.
'Wait there,' ordered the remaining one, then he too vanished.
'Big Red doesn't recruit the brightest, does he?' said Awon's father.
A couple of minutes later the gates opened. The two men were armed, one with a long wooden hammer, the other with a shovel. No doubt they had knives hidden away on them too. They tried their best to look intimidating, but both men were so feeble it was humorous, their weapons having more meat on them than they did.
'Go to the warehouse door and knock three times. They'll let you in,' said the one with the hammer.
'Who? The important Cutters?' sniggered Awon.
'I'm gonna smash yer teeth in, little bastard,' the man snapped, shaking his hammer at him.
'Try it,' said Awon, spreading his arms wide, inviting him to attack.
A firm hand grabbed Awon by the neck. 'Not now,' grumbled Norox. 'You'll get us killed.'
'Only havin' fun,' Awon grumbled.
'You're a barrel of laughs you are, son,' said his father.
They walked through the lumber yard, Ten staying very close to Norox and Awon's sides, the small lad clearly frightened.
'Such a jenni,' said Awon.
'I'm a lover, not a fighter,' said Ten.
'The trouble you get us in, you really ought to learn how to fight, don't you think?' said Norox.
'He won't because he has you two to rescue him, said Awon's father.
They reached the warehouse door. His father knocked three times.
No response.
He went to knock again but the door opened slightly and a girl with cracked, crooked teeth poked her head through the gap. 'Tenemu?' she asked.
'Yes. And this is my..'
The girl pulled the door open wider. 'Come in. He's waiting.'
They entered the warehouse. Though it was dark it was clear that the warehouse was empty, their footsteps echoing on the stone floor. A fire burned on the far side, quiet voices coming from its direction. They headed over to it.
