by Reece Dinn
By the time they reached the aqueduct, and the stairs leading down to the next tier, Koma's legs and feet throbbed. She didn't dare ask to rest though. The Monster enjoyed walking, and she didn't appear the least bit tired.
The sun was high in the sky now, Koma guessed that it was about eleven in the morning. She looked around for a sundial but there wasn't one in sight.
Two Konar guarded the way down to the Upper Tier, their bronze plate mail and helms shining in the light. They carried their rifles casually, with less discipline than a Saban's Guard. One held his rifle over his shoulders, the other had his resting against his leg. They stood to attention when they spotted Koma and the Monster's approach. The one with the rifle over his shoulders dropped his weapon.
'Sabu,' said one of them, bowing low. 'We weren't told you were coming today.'
'I didn't announce it,' she said, looking down her nose at them.
'Yes, Sabu,' said the Konar. The two men parted to allow her to pass.
She walked on without another word, Koma and the Guards following close behind.
The Upper Tier. Full of commoners. People no better than beasts. All around she could see them, it made her skin crawl. The only thing worse would be if she were made to go to the Lower Tier. Please gods, don't let that happen. She rubbed her head irritably. I'm pleading for help from savage gods, not my own. Gods that don't even exist.
Two more Konar stood at the bottom of the stairs. These ones appeared more disciplined than those up above. They stood aside before Koma and company had even reached the bottom. Koma could feel both Konar leering at her as she passed them by.
The Main Konar Station towered over every building around it. It was built into the tier wall itself, and stretched from one set of stairs to the other, like it was there to provide extra protection against any commoners who might try and venture up to the Noble Tier. The Station was a big, blocked building, built for function, not beauty. It was reassuring to know that housed inside where many Konar who could protect them from the commoners, should they need to. Savages protecting me from savages isn't an appealing prospect however.
Karrons perched on the edges of the rooftops, peering down. She could feel all their beady eyes on her, waiting for her to drop anything that looked even remotely edible. Filthy scavengers. Their screeching always startled her, sometimes she could hear them outside at night and she couldn't sleep knowing that they were there.
The Kou-Bier's temple lay in the Domestic District of the Tier, which wasn't too far from where they were, to Koma's relief. It did mean that they had to pass through the Rich Man's Market, as it was eloquently called. The noise from the market could be heard long before they even neared it, its din making it sound more like a battleground than a market, not that Koma knew what a battle sounded like, but she could imagine.
The streets were wide, clean and flat, not too unpleasant, only the savages that walked up and down them made her uncomfortable. One of the Saban's Guards moved in front of her and the Monster, to deter onlookers from approaching. Several Konar rushed out of the Station and fell in behind them, preventing anyone else from following. As they neared the Rich Man's Market however the Konar drew in close, no doubt for fear of them being mobbed. To Koma's surprise the savages gave them a wide berth, more out of respect for the late Lomobu than respect for the Monster, that and not wanting to be shot. I hope no one has to be shot. I hate the horrible screech of those rifles. My ears ring for days afterwards.
The Rich Man's Market bustled with life. Merchants from many places and lands peddled their wares to a throng of savages pressed close together. They sold everything, from a vast assortment of foods, to precious metals, pottery, jewellery, and wild, caged animals. Some even sold the deeds to lands in countries Koma had never even heard of.
The clinking of the Guards' armour was loud enough to be heard even in the din of the market, and people moved aside for them. The Konar who followed helped clear the way too. Just as well the Konar are organised. This would be a nightmare to get through without them. Someone should have sent word that we were coming so they could have provided more support.
Koma kept her eyes on the ground, not wanting to make eye contact with anyone. She could feel their eyes on her though, her skin crawled at the thought of someone even brushing against her. People shouted in many languages, each language sounding just as harsh as the other. Soon the only language that will be heard across the land is the Dragon's Tongue. Many different kinds of feet crossed her vision, mostly human, but some weren't. Koma saw one pair that were covered in a hard grey skin, another was a pair of large orange feet with three toes that nearly stepped on her own. Whatever creature it was made a guttural sound that gave her a fright. After it'd passed by she realised it was probably just saying sorry. She didn't really care either way, she just wanted to be away from these people as soon as possible.
Occasionally she caught glimpse of one stall or another. One she saw had several large golden eggs on display, with large red jewels embedded in them. Strange, musty scents drew her attention to another stand where sticks of meats steamed on trays on a red cloth covered table. The dark skinned merchant, dressed in a stripy animal pelt of some kind, shouted in a savage tongue at anyone that passed by, trying to sell his produce, though he was doing it in a very aggressive manner, phlegm spraying out of his mouth with every word he spoke.
After what felt like a lifetime they exited the market and passed into the Domestic District. Thankfully, it was much quieter here, less people around to hinder them. This was where most of the wealthy businessmen and merchants lived who couldn't afford a mansion on the tier above. The streets were moderately clean, but some of the smaller buildings were made from wood, giving the place a poorer feel than up above. Still, it was tolerable. I lived in a wooden shack as a child. When did my standards get so high? For the first year of her training with Holi she'd lived mostly in the wild, alone with him. She'd slept in ditches, bushes, trees, anywhere that'd provided even a semblance of shelter. I don't miss those days at all.
The Koku-bier's temple looked like a big brown rock dumped in the middle of the district. It was meant to represent a closeness to the world around them, but to Koma it was an eyesore. Its entrance didn't even have any doors, it was like a huge cave mouth with various kinds of tree growing out of it. The Predemagdan motto. Cover everything in plants and flowers to disguise even the worst of their architectural achievements as beautiful.
The area around the temple was packed with savages of different shapes, sizes, and species going about their business, some entering or leaving the temple, most just passing by. Two Konar on burmaback lazily watched the throng, but perked up when Koma and the Monster came through with their escorts. The Konar made a path through the crowd to the temple. The two Saban's Guard remained close, rifles at the ready, as if this were the most dangerous place for them to be in, and not the market. The Konar waited outside the temple as Koma and the Monster entered.
The inside of the temple was dark save for the light of the torches that burned all day and night, casting flickering shadows across the high walls and ceiling. Protopan trees had been planted inside, the trees rose up all the way to the ceiling, their tops brushing against the stone. Their purple proto fruits glowed in the torchlight. The front of the temple was a vast hall where the Koku-bier, and other lesser Koku, delivered their sermons. Two columns of twenty rows of wooden benches filled the hall, but there was a lot of grass covered space around the outside for people to stand and watch. Some people sat on the benches, either talking quietly with their companions, or sat silently on their own.
At the back of the hall hung a huge painting of Nuchai, the God of Earth. The god's form was that of a huge and bulky man, but its body was made from trees and mud. Its arms and legs were long and twisted with many branches sprouting out of the ends from its hands and feet. Its torso was made of mud and rock, the rock resembling armour. Probably a later addition to the painting, to incorporate the yegeyor's mountain
god Bazdan, who the yegeyor believe to be the true God of Earth. Nuchai's head was that of a man's encased in a wooden mask. Two cold lifeless eyes peered out from behind the mask. Koma wasn't sure why its eyes would be lifeless, Nuchai was supposed to represent birth, life, and growth. Does it give life, but keep none for itself? What a stupid religion. She looked up at Nuchai's lifeless eyes. Maybe the painter just wasn't good at painting eyes.
Clink. Clink. Clink.
The Guards' armour was even louder in here than it had been up on the Noble Tier. Disturbing everyone's peace and quiet.
'Where's the Koku-bier?' the Monster asked Koma.
Koma shrugged. 'How would I know?'
There were no Koku of any kind around. They probably heard us coming and ran away. Wouldn't blame them. Who'd want to talk to her if they didn't have to?
The Monster clicked the fingers of her good hand. 'Go find out.'
Koma couldn't help pulling a face, which made the Monster's eyes harden, but she said nothing. Reluctantly Koma did as she was bid.
Two red curtains hung either side of the painting, covering the entrances to the rear of the temple. She headed to the right hand one, glancing around for any Koku who may randomly appear to save her the effort of finding them. None did.
She parted the curtain and peered through the narrow gap she'd made. Torches burned along a corridor filled with potted plants, the plants flickering shadows made it look like they were dancing in their pots. The corridor disappeared around a left hand corner.
'Hello?' she called, her voice echoing.
'Hello?' someone called back. Moments later a Koku poked his head around the corner, his bald head shining in the torchlight.
'The Sabu is here to see the Koku-bier. Inform him that she has arrived.' said Koma.
'I see. I shall get him at once. If he's not indisposed.' His bald head disappeared back around the corner.
Not indisposed? What exactly does he have to do with his time, except preach about the imaginary gods of a false religion? Koma returned to the Monster and her escorts, who stood rigidly with their rifles at the ready either side of her.
'Well?' the Monster huffed.
'He's coming.'
A short while later the Koku-bier emerged from behind the curtain on the left and headed over to them. A woman dressed in black rags rose from the benches and rushed into his path. She dropped down to her knees and kissed his feet, then his legs, while clawing at his dark green robe. The Koku-bier cupped her chin in his hands and brought her back to her feet. He spoke some words to her, then she hugged him tightly. Finally, she let him go and rushed out of the temple. The Koku-bier was flushed when he reached them.
'Greetings, Sabu,' said the Koku-bier. 'This is a most unexpected pleasure. The Koku-bier had a youthful face for a man in his forties. His skin was smooth and held a healthy glow. He either looks after himself very well, or he spends so much time with young boys sucking his nether regions that he's absorbed some of their youth. Did he get the Monster to do it when she was a child? Probably not. I don't imagine even a Koku would stoop so low as to let her anywhere near their genitals.
The Koku-bier had been a close friend of the Monster's father, and had looked after her spiritual upbringing, teaching her the ways of Shadar, the gods, and the elements, as well as the history of Predemagda. In her adult life he still served as her close confidant and friend. Koma was glad that there was at least one other person who had to tolerate the nonsense she spoke.
'What was that about?' the Monster asked.
'What?' The Koku-bier was confused for a second. 'Oh, yes. She brought her son to me to be healed. After bathing him in a mud bath I am pleased to say that he has recovered. She was very grateful, as you can see.'
Vague. What did a mud bath cure him of? Tiredness?
The Monster smiled. 'Always curing the ill, aren't you?'
'I do what I can.'
What? Take mud baths to keep your skin healthy? A great service you provide, Koku.
'I need to speak with you, please,' said the Monster.
'Yes. Somewhere private?'
She nodded.
'We'll go to my chamber. Somewhere comfortable.' He smiled in a way that made Koma suspicious he wanted to do more than just talk. Not that she really cared.
'Okay.' She motioned for Koma to follow.
The Koku-bier looked even more flushed than when the woman had hugged him. 'I thought you said it was a private matter?'
'Koma knows what this is about. We have few secrets.'
So this is about your mother and the Socrae-al? He's only going to tell you the same thing I did, if he has a brain.
'No offence to your handmaiden,' he inclined his head towards Koma, 'but is that wise, trusting your secrets to servants?'
'Koma's hardly a spy,' the Monster laughed. 'She's ill tempered, but she's loyal.'
You're going to be in for quite the surprise before the end.
'Still. Rumours begin with the servants,' said the Koku-bier.
He has a point.
'Wait here,' she said to Koma.
Koma shrugged. It's only because he wants to do things to you without anyone knowing.
The Koku-bier breathed a sigh of relief as he and the Monster disappeared behind the curtain.
Koma sat down on one of the benches. The two Guards relaxed, but remained standing quietly. She leaned back and allowed her mind to drift. I have to get out of this place. I need to go home. But how? The Shadows would find me long before I reached home. Would they hurt my family if I tried? If they haven't already. Gods. Why can't they just tell me how they're doing? She tried to push the horrible image out of her head of Shadows descending on her family's shack as she was led away by Holi, killing her mother and sisters, then burning the shack to the ground. 'They are taken care of.' No, don't think it. They're fine. They have to be. She glanced back at the two Guards. If I were to run away right now they wouldn't stop me. If the Shadows were watching my every move then they wouldn't need me to spy for them. She couldn't bring herself to do it, she knew, no matter how much she wanted to. My only option is to have faith. Pray that they are alive and well.
A man stopped in the aisle alongside her, leering at her. She glanced up at him out of the corner of her eye. He was a plain man in plain brown clothes, like every other commoner she'd seen.
'Wow,' he said. 'You are beautiful. The work of gods, truly.'
Koma rolled her eyes.
'I'm sorry, but you are a true beauty.'
'Go away,' she snapped.
The man came closer. 'No need to be rude. I was only complimenting you.'
'You have. Now go.'
'I know I'm not much to look at, but if you just give me a chance I...'
'You have five seconds to walk on, or one of my Guards,' she inclined her head back to the two stood nearby, 'will shoot you in the head and throw your body in a ditch.'
The man glanced at them, then back to her. He was about to say something, but thought better of it, choosing to walk away with his head intact.
Koma glanced back at the two Guards. They hadn't even been paying attention. Why would they, I suppose? I'm a handmaiden, not a Sabu. I'm of no consequence. Her gaze drifted up to the large painting of Nuchai as she contemplated the ramifications of running away, slitting the Monster's throat, or just throwing herself from the top of the city and setting herself free of this life, at last.
Finally, after what felt like hours, the Monster and the Koku-bier re-emerged from behind the curtain. The Monster looked flustered, the Koku-bier concerned. He hugged her tightly for a moment, then disappeared back behind the curtain. The Monster hurried over to Koma.
'Come on. Time to go back,' she snapped.
Koma rose. 'Sabu, what happened? What did he say?'
The Monster ignored her, clicking her fingers to order the two Guards to follow. They fell in behind them, armour clink clinking as they moved. Koma hurried to her side, pretending to be concerned when she was mere
ly intrigued.
'What did he say, Sabu?' Koma asked again. 'Did you tell him your suspicions?'
The Konar were still waiting outside, chatting lazily to one another. One Konar was even sat on the steps, basking in the sun. When Koma and company emerged from the temple they sprung into action, clearing a way through for them.
The Monster didn't speak until she was clear of the temple. 'I did.'
'And?'
'He told me I was being foolish,' she said quietly, glancing back at those following close behind. 'He said that he doesn't understand where these suspicions have come from,' the Monster continued, struggling to keep her emotions in check. 'I know what I saw. I'm right. It's true. It has to be.'
'Proof, Sabu. Like I said. With proof you will be heard,' said Koma.
'I know. I know. That's what he said too. He says I'm seeing things that aren't there, because I'm distraught over my father. But I know what I saw. I know it.'
He has a point. The one fact he's overlooking, of course, is that she is degenerate product of incest, with the brain of a simpleton. 'Will he tell your mother?' she asked.
'He's a Koku. It's his vow to remain silent.'
Good. Then I can still have some fun with this. 'We'll find your proof, Sabu. I know it.' Or something that passes for proof. Then I'll watch as you're mother slaps you senseless for accusing her of murder. Koma smirked to herself, looking away before the Monster could see it.
The man who'd approached her in the temple rested against the wall of a wooden building as Koma, the Monster, and their entourage passed through. His eyes fixed on Koma. She mimed a gun shot at him and the man startled. He lingered for a moment, then slunk away. Koma chuckled to herself.
'What's so funny?' the Monster snapped.
'Nothing, Sabu. Just thought of something.'
'If you've got something funny to share, share it. I need cheering up.'
'It's nothing, Sabu.'
The Monster tutted, stuck her nose up as high as it would go, and walked on ahead.
I have a joke. It ends with my knife up your nose, and me stood laughing, watching you bleed to death, watching those sick eyes roll back into your head. Koma hurried on after her, keeping as far away from the savages around her as she could.
