by Reece Dinn
The Monster's face brightened at the mention of wine. She shook her head though. 'Maybe later. My mother wouldn't react well to me drinking wine again.'
'Of course,' said Koma, hiding the disappointment from her voice.
'Saima.'
The Socrae-al approached, flashing the Monster his perfect smile.
Koma backed away, suddenly aware of their proximity.
The Monster ignored him.
The Socrae-al crouched down beside her chair. The top of his white shirt opened a little, revealing smooth muscular pectorals. They looked ridiculous to Koma. It was like someone had placed plates beneath his skin. Disgusting.
'There is someone that you should meet, Saima,' said the Socrae-al. 'A dear friend of mine I think you'll like.'
'No thank you,' the Monster muttered.
'I insist.'
The Monster grumbled, but reluctantly nodded.
The Socrae-al slapped his hands together. 'Great.' He stood up and offered her his hand. She didn't take it, instead rising unaided.
Koma licked her lips at the abandoned plate of food as the Monster followed the Socrae-al away from the table. Should I follow?
'Excuse me.'
The Qotan appeared at her side, startling her.
'Yes?' Koma huffed, then immediately corrected herself. 'I mean, yes, Qotan? Sorry. How can I help you?'
'No need for formalities, my dear,' said the Qotan, waving away the apology. 'I just wanted to say I heard what you said to the Sabu earlier. Your words were very comforting. It pleases me that she has such a loyal handmaiden to watch over her. These are trying times. She's going to need all the support she can get.'
Koma shrugged. 'Just doing my job.'
'No. You are doing more than that. I thank you for it.' To Koma's surprise the Qotan bowed to her, revealing a thinning pate.
Koma nodded, unsure how exactly she was supposed to respond. 'Thank you, Qotan.'
'Call me Hontonu.' The Qotan smiled, then hurried along to speak with Lerama, who was speaking with a Noban Koma recognised, but from where she couldn't say.
The Monster returned a short while later, a sullen look on her face. The Socrae-al came up behind her, clearly annoyed. He quietly said something to the Monster as she sat back down, but she waved him away. With a frown he moved back to his lover, who was still speaking with the Qotan. It's strange. Knowing the Qotan's name makes him more endearing. Gods help me.
The Monster pushed away her plate of food, and folded her arms.
Koma came to her side. 'Everything okay, Sabu?' I'm tired of asking this question.
'He tried to set me up,' the Monster whined.
'Set you up?'
'Arrange a marriage with some Noban's son.'
The idea amused Koma, but she kept her face straight. 'And that's a bad thing?' Actually I sympathise, or at least I would if it wasn't you.
'How could he know who would make a good husband for me? He doesn't know me.'
'You're a Saban's daughter. He was probably thinking a Noban's son would be a good match for you.'
'So I can't marry for love? I have to marry someone based on who their parents are?' the Monster whined.
How are you this stupid? 'I don't know what to tell you, Sabu. I'm not well versed in these matters,' said Koma.
'Not from what I hear.'
'WHAT?'
People within earshot turned to look up at them.
'Never mind.' The Monster's face creased up.
I swear to which ever gods will listen...
'My mother married for love,' said the Monster a moment later. 'Why can't I?'
'The Saban married for duty,' said Koma. 'If she marries the Socrae-al, then that'll be for love. I think.'
The Monster's eyes widened. 'Marry Paulu?'
'She might.'
'I'll burn this whole city down before I let her marry him.'
Koma leaned in as close as she could tolerate. 'You might want to lower your voice, Sabu.'
'I'll do as I like.'
Lerama, the Qotan, and the Socrae-al were looking over to them now, Lerama's handmaiden's too. Lerama rose and marched over to her daughter.
'With me now,' she snapped, grabbing the Monster's good arm.
The Monster whimpered, but was too weak to stop her mother from heaving her out of the chair.
All eyes were on them now.
Lerama dragged her daughter to the servant's corridors.
This won't end well for her. Hopefully she'll get another beating. Koma allowed herself to smirk, and backed away to the wall. They disappeared down the corridor, out of earshot, to her disappointment.
She stole a glance at the Monster's abandoned meal and wondered if anyone would begrudge her stealing a little off it. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed several men looking up at her with hungry, lustful eyes. She suddenly lost her appetite.
Chapter Eighteen
'Where are you taking me?' asked Kanisha.
'Far away from here,' said Holi, folding his arms behind his back as he walked.
Kanisha followed close behind the strange man. 'That is not a specific answer.'
'No it is not. Become accustomed to it.'
The sun was overhead now, bathing the forest with heat and bright light, the sun's rays breaking through the cracks in the forest's canopy.
'This is the furthest I have ever been from home,' she said.
Holi didn't respond.
'You will stay true to your word? My family will be unharmed if I do as you ask? You will see to their needs?'
'Yes. They will live a long and prosperous life. The Ragi give you their word,' said Holi.
'The Ragi? What do the Ragi want with me? How do they, or the Emperor, even know I exist?'
'The Ragi know everything. Everyone there is, and everyone that will be. What has happened, and what has yet to occur.'
'Am I to become a Dragon Shadow?'
Holi glanced back at her. 'Do you always ask so many questions?'
'No. However it is not everyday that men claiming to be Dragon Shadows come and abduct me, declaring that the Emperor himself as instructed them to take me away on a mission of grave importance. It is only natural that I would be curious.'
Holi flashed her a half smile. 'No. You will not become a Dragon Shadow. You are to become someone else.'
Kanisha scowled. 'Someone else?'
'Yes.'
'How does one become someone else?'
'That is what I am to teach you.'
Become someone else? It is absurd. I like who I am. Why would the Ragi wish for me to change? 'What if I cannot become another person?' Kanisha asked.
'You shall. It is foretold.'
'Foretold by whom? The Ragi you claim to know?'
Holi grunted. 'We have a long way to walk. I would prefer that for the duration we do not speak again.'
Kanisha smirked. 'I would prefer to be back with my family. We do not always get what we want.'
Holi didn't respond.
Kanisha hurried to his side and peered up into his grey eyes. He didn't look down at her, his eyes remaining on the road ahead. 'How much farther is there to go?' she asked.
'Utter one more word and I shall cut your throat. The Emperor's wrath cannot be as terrible as enduring this.' Holi's face remained expressionless.
Kanisha fell silent. They continued through the winding forest, the trail seemingly never ending. Her feet and legs hurt. She'd never walked so much in her life. If he is who he says he is then why did he not arrive on the back of a dragon? If it is so important that I am to 'become someone else', then why have the Ragi not sought me out themselves? There were so many questions she wanted to ask, but she knew that this Holi would not answer them to her satisfaction, and she feared that he might follow through with his threat if she did.
Hours passed and still they walked. The afternoon light faded. Kanisha's feet were sore, swollen, and bled, her sandals doing little to protect her feet.
'How
much further is there to walk?' she blurted out.
Holi groaned and looked up to the sky.
Koma walked out onto the palace rooftop. Lorelai shone brightly in the starlit sky, bathing the world with its green light. To her right, perched on a corner, a man dressed in black gazed up at the moon and stars. This Shadow doesn't conceal himself well, does he? She approached him. He gave no indication that he noticed her.
'If I were a Guard you would be dead now,' she said in the Dragon's Tongue.
The Shadow didn't look at her. 'There are so many of them,' he replied. 'There must be millions up there, shining down on us. We see them everyday, and yet we have no idea what they are. Some say it is the light of the heavens breaking through the celestial plane. The damage the Ragi inflict upon the Unworthy as they wage their war. However if that is true then what are the moons?'
I didn't come up here for a philosophical debate. 'How would I know?'
The Shadow glanced over his shoulder to regard her. 'What do the people of this country believe they are?'
Koma shrugged. 'The savages believe their gods control the elements of the world. I do not know what they think of the stars. Who cares? They are irrelevant.'
'It is dismissive to label them savages. Do not make that mistake.'
How would you fucking know. You living with them? 'Fine. I shall find out for you for when you next visit.'
The Shadow stretched his arms behind his back. 'Do these people believe in an afterlife?'
Koma huffed. 'They believe that when they die their mind and body return to the world to become energy, and then are reincarnated as another life form. Ridiculous, I know.'
'It is no more ridiculous than ascending to the heavens when you die to fight in an eternal war.'
Why are we discussing this?
'The learned people of Tiershanshan believe that there is no afterlife at all,' said the Shadow. 'That when we die that is it. What do you think?'
'It does not matter,' Koma responded, quickly tiring of the conversation.
The Shadow turned to face her fully now. 'What could matter more?'
Enough of this. 'Tekan Shonmu has begun to make his play for the Saban's Seat,' said Koma. 'He has defaced buildings throughout the city with images of the new Saban fornicating with her not so secret lover, the Socrae-al.'
The Shadow returned his attention to the sky. 'To undermine her, I presume?'
You're a fast one you, aren't you? She nodded. 'Inferiors are allowed to slander their rulers here without any form of punishment, or reprisal. They call it democracy, of a sort.'
'An unfortunate drawback of an otherwise preferable system,' the Shadow said, disinterestedly.
Who is this man? I much prefer the other Shadows. Blunt and to the point. This one seems to have been sniffing paint fumes. 'In the Council of Sab the purple mist that your predecessor enquired about was mentioned. Apparently it is driving livestock to murderous rage up in the north. What is it? Is it attacking the livestock back home too?'
The Shadow shook his head. 'It is of no concern to you.'
That's more like the Shadows I know and love. 'Is it dangerous?'
'I presume so. I have never seen it myself.'
'The savages dismissed it as nonsense.'
'That is most unwise of them,' said the Shadow.
What does it matter anyway. They'll all be burning soon. 'I do not know what else to report. Honestly, I am beginning to tire of all of this.' An understatement to say the least.
'This?'
'Yes. This.'
'You are doing important work here. It is the will of the Ragi that you continue, whether it is tiring or not.'
'I am tired of pretending to be someone I am not. I am no savage.' What I fear more is that the person who I was has died, and all that remains is who I pretend to be. 'I am being driven to insanity.'
The Shadow turned around to regard her again. 'No you are not. Our work is trying, but we must persevere. For the Ragi, and the prosperity of our people.'
I'm not sure I even care about the Ragi any more. She approached, coming into touching distance of him. 'Have you news of my family?'
The Shadow's eye twitched. 'Your family?'
'Yes. I made a request to the last Shadow to bring news of their well being. Do you have any?'
The Shadow shook his head. 'They are well, I am sure.'
Koma growled. 'I wish to return home. There is no reason for me to be here. What is the purpose? The dragons will burn these savages to cinders, and there is nothing they can do to stop it.'
The Shadow sighed. 'What else have you to report?'
Koma grit her teeth. 'Answer me,' she hissed. 'What is my purpose here? Why can I not return home?'
'The information you collect for us will help determine when the invasion is to begin. When the time is right we shall strike. Not a moment before, or a moment later. It is the will of the Ragi.' The Shadow remained still, his eyes fixed on her.
What could they possibly be waiting for? For me to lose my mind? Kill the Monster and the rest of these savages? A tear ran down Koma's face unexpectedly. She wiped it away with her thumb. 'I wish to return to my family.'
'It is not the will of the Ragi.'
'Damn the Ragi.'
The Shadow lashed out at Koma, striking her across the face with the back of his hand. She cried out as she was sent sprawling across the floor. Her cheek throbbed, the taste of blood filling her mouth.
'Do not speak ill of the Ragi,' said the Shadow, his voice calm and even.
Koma picked herself up, rubbing her cheek. 'Do not do that again.'
'I understand your frustration, but you must continue,' said the Shadow. 'Your work is important. In time you shall be rewarded for your service, I am sure. The Ragi always reward those who serve them well.'
Koma spat at his feet. I should kill you where you stand.
'Do you have any other pertinent information for me?' the Shadow asked, not bothering to hide his impatience now.
Koma straightened up, determined not to be weak. 'Some of the savages have taken to killing their yegeyor brethren,' she said as confidently as she could. 'The Saban decreed that any person who harms one shall be killed.'
'I see.'
'Does that satisfy you? Have I served the Ragi to your satisfaction?' she snapped.
The Shadow made an unusual sound.
Was that a laugh?
'One of us shall return on the last day of the next month,' he said. 'Continue your excellent work. I shall do my utmost to acquire news of your family.'
Liar. 'Of course. Thank you.'
'Take care, Kanisha.' The Shadow jumped off the rooftop without another word.
Koma gasped as he plunged into the darkness. There was no thud, or any sign that he'd hit the ground. How do they do that? He actually vanished. She scanned the darkness below, looking for any sign of movement. There was none.
The city below was calm, glowing bright with the light of thousands of torches.
'What are you doing up here, Koma?'
Koma shrieked and spun around, instinctively reaching for the knife under her robe.
Sanamu stood in the doorway behind her.
Oh no. What do I do? Did he hear? Should I kill him? No one would find his body for days up here. Her hand found her knife. 'Nothing,' she said with as much conviction as she could muster.
'I heard voices and a scream,' said Sanamu.
'What are you doing up here?' she asked, approaching him. 'Following me?'
The accusation caused the servant boy to back pedal. 'Well...I..err..I saw you leave your room. Was going the toilet myself.'
'So you did follow me?'
Sanamu took a step forward, regaining confidence. 'I heard a man.'
Kill him. Do it. Fast and quiet. Can't risk him blowing my cover. What if he heard? Not that he speaks the Dragon's Tongue, but if he heard me it raises questions.
'Well?' said Sanamu, folding his arms. 'You have some lover I don't
know about?'
Of course. He's jealous. 'Yes. I came up here to fuck some secret man, and now I'm exhausted so I'm going to bed.'
'You weren't, but you were doing something.'
Koma huffed. 'There was no one here. You're hearing things.'
'I know what I heard.'
'Do you?'
Sanamu took another step closer. 'Why did you come up here?'
'For some privacy,' she snapped. 'Wanted some time to myself. That's ruined now, thank you.'
'I don't believe you.'
'I don't care.' She made to move past him but he blocked her way.
He placed a hand on her stomach to stop her. 'Kiss me and I'll forget about this.'
Koma suddenly felt very nauseous. 'Why would I do that?'
'You're hiding something, but it's okay. I'm on your side. I just need a little something from you.' He smirked.
Gods. What have I done to deserve this? Disgusting savages. 'Fine. One kiss.' I should kill him. Open his throat. It's too dangerous.
Sanamu raised himself up onto his tiptoes and puckered.
Koma pulled the knife out from under her robe, clenching it tightly in her hand. She leaned forward, pressing her lips tight together so that no fluid would be exchanged, and to prevent his tongue from entering her mouth. Kill him. Kill him.
She pressed her lips against his. Bile rose up her throat as Sanamu's lips brushed over hers. She shoved him back, crying out as she thrust the knife into his throat. As she did so bile exploded out of her mouth, splattering Sanamu's face. His eyes went wide with shock. Blood squirted out of the wound in his neck, speckling her robe. She yanked the knife out of him and blood dribbled down his front. He collapsed, gargling, then went still.
Gods. What have I done? I killed him. She vomited again, coating his body with spittle. She stepped back, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, gagging at the rancid taste in her mouth. Her heart pounded and she found she was shivering uncontrollably. I killed him. She dropped the knife. What do I do? What do I do?
She grabbed his feet and, with effort, dragged him out of the doorway and across the rooftop. The exertion, the body heavier than she'd thought. When it was clear of the doorway she stopped.
Do the Guards come up here often? Would they find the body right away? Surely they won't send people looking for a servant boy, would they? If someone sees him I'm done for. How am I going to explain this?
