by Reece Dinn
She ran back to the door, picked up her knife, then threw it off the edge of the rooftop, hoping it'd land in a bush in the gardens below. She ripped off her robe and scrunched it up into a ball, the sudden chill from cold night air causing her to shiver even more as she was dressed only in a small, thin night gown now. She threw the balled up robe off the rooftop as well. At least if someone finds them it could be anyone's. She shivered again, glancing at Sanamu's body.
He's dead. I really killed him. She forced herself to look away. No. Don't think about it. I had no choice. Besides, he's just a savage. They're all going to die anyway. She spat, trying to rid herself of the horrid taste in her mouth.
She dragged Sanamu's body across the rooftop to the back of the palace. With several big heaves she dropped the body off the roof and into some thick bushes near the palace wall. She stared down into the bushes for a moment, trying to spot any holes in them that could reveal the body, but it was near impossible in the darkness. I'll just have to pray that the Ragi are actually watching over me. She returned to the door and carefully stepped inside, quietly closing the door behind her. As long as no one sees me everything will be okay. She kept repeating the thought to herself as she descended down the stairs, but no matter how many times she did she didn't believe it.
Chapter Nineteen
'Reckon we're gonna hang,' said Awon, jumping down off the bench.
'Optimistic you, ain't yer?' said Oaten, lying on the floor, feet resting against the wall.
'They have no proof of anything,' said Gentemu. The old guy seemed to have aged another decade since their incarceration. Awon reckoned Gentemu was just scared.
'That won't matter,' said Batterox, half asleep on the bench.
Awon kicked dust off the floor. 'Don't care either way. I've got a plan.'
'Gods. That means we really will hang,' said Gentemu.
'He's too stupid ter come up with anythin' smart,' said Oaten.
'Smart enough not to involve you.' Awon kicked him in the head.
Oaten jumped up, fists raised, ready to brawl. Awon smirked, raising his own.
'Not today, lads,' Red called from the cell opposite.
'He started it,' mumbled Oaten, reluctantly sitting back down.
Awon approached the bars. 'When's the trial?' he asked Red.
Red leaned against the bars of his cell, putting his hands through them. 'Sum time in the afternoon I'd say.'
'We got time then.'
Red sniggered. 'Ter do what?'
'Break out,' said Awon.
The big guy rolled his eyes. 'Yer still blatherin' on 'bout that?'
'Reckon we attack 'em when they come take us ter trial. Got nothin' ter lose.'
Red laughed.
'You really are stupid, aren't you?' said Batterox. 'How are we to do that?' The yegeyor was fully awake now.
'We smack 'em,' said Awon, mimicking punching someone.
The fin-less yegeyor folded his arms. 'There'll be over a dozen of them. All armed.'
'Yer got a better plan?'
'He's got yer there,' scoffed Red.
'We just got to hope the gods look on us fondly enough to spare us,' said Gentemu.
Ekviv came to the bars. His dark body glistened with sweat from the constant exercising he did. 'I'm with the lad. We should fight. They fear us. I can smell it.'
'Love me a fight,' said Red. 'But this ain't one we can win.'
'So we hang?' said Awon. 'Yer happy with that?'
Red paused.
'Don't do anything stupid, Awon,' came a bleating voice from the darkness of Red's cell. 'You'll kill whatever chance we have of surviving.'
'Finally, he talks,' cried Red, slapping the bars with the palms of his hands.
'We ain't survivin', Norox,' said Awon. 'Not if we don't do sumthin'.'
Norox emerged from the darkness. His long, pale face was still bruised and cut, his lower lip swollen. Coupled with the broken fins all over his body his appearance held an air of menace. 'I mean it, Awon. You've caused enough damage already. Don't do any more.'
'What a bunch of jennis,' said Awon.
'Back home, my tribe's Apochal would kill any man who was a coward,' said Ekviv. He dropped to the floor and began another long set of press ups.
'We ain't in the fuckin' wilderness now,' said Red. 'Different rules 'ere. There's a thing called the law.'
'The law is what put us in 'ere,' said Awon. 'Ain't doin' us much good.'
Red grunted.
Norox came right up to the bars and pressed his face up against them. 'Please. I can't take any more.'
Awon laughed. 'When did you become a jenni?'
Norox flared his nostril as he regarded his friend for a moment, then disappeared back into the darkness.
'We're gonna get out of 'ere, Norox. Trust me,' Awon called to him.
A snort came from the darkness in response.
'Don't think he agrees,' said Red.
'Keep your head down, lad,' said Gentemu. 'It's in the hands of the gods now.'
'Like fuck it is,' said Awon. He jumped back up on the bench and peered out of the window to watch the karrons feeding in the street below.
The doors down the corridor groaned open.
''ere they come,' said Red, stepping way from the bars.
'Finally,' said Awon.
A hand clamped down on his shoulder. 'Don't do anything stupid,' whispered Batterox.
'As if I would,' he whispered back.
Boots stomped down the corridor. There were more Konar than usual. This was it.
Oaten got to his feet. Gentemu didn't stand. He held his shaking left hand in his right.
The badly shaven Konar appeared at the head of a dozen other Konar, all armed with rifles and short swords. They looked ready for trouble.
'Ready for a day out?' said the badly shaven Konar, a big smile on his face.
'Not with you,' Awon replied.
'Still got a smart mouth, eh? Don't know when to keep it shut.' He motioned to the Konar behind him and three marched in front of the cell, three more in front of Red's cell. They readied their rifles. 'Up against the wall. All of you. Don't even think of trying anything.'
Everyone but Awon backed up against the wall. Batterox grabbed Awon's arm and dragged him back.
'What'd I just say?' the yegeyor snarled.
'We're going to open the cell doors, first yours,' the badly shaven Konar pointed to Awon's cell, 'then yours,' he pointed to Red's. 'One by one you're going to come out and be shackled. Try anything and we'll kill you. No questions asked. Understand?'
Everyone but Awon murmured their acknowledgement.
'Open her up,' said the Konar.
There was a creak and then the cell door opened. Cautiously the badly shaven Konar stepped inside, casting a glance over to Batterox. He clicked a finger at Oaten.
'You first,' he said.
Reluctantly Oaten stepped forward then left the cell, watching the three Konar with rifles as he did. When he was outside two more Konar shackled his arms and legs together, then hauled him up the corridor just out of sight.
'You next,' said the badly shaven Konar, pointing at Gentemu.
The old guy swallowed hard. He stepped forward but went no further.
'Delaying won't help you. Only the judge can save you now,' said the Konar.
Gentemu lingered for a moment before stepping out of the cell, and then he too was shackled and led away.
The badly shaven one pointed at Awon. 'You. Don't try anything stupid.'
Awon glanced at the guy's sword and the rifle slung over his shoulder. It wasn't likely he would be able to steal either of them without a struggle, and the other three Konar would shoot him first even if he did. Still, he was determined.
'MOVE.'
Awon stepped forward, clenching his fists tight.
The wail of distant rifle fire startled them all. Shouts came from outside.
'What's going on?' demanded the badly shaven Konar.
'Backs against the wall. NOW.' The Konar reached for his sword.
Awon made to pounce on him but a firm hand clamping onto his shoulder stopped him.
'The fuck yer doin'?' snapped Awon, twisting out of the grip.
Batterox shoved him against the wall. 'They'll kill us all if you do,' he hissed.
'Get those two back in the cell,' the badly shaven Konar ordered.
Oaten and Gentemu were shoved back inside the cell, the old guy tripping and falling flat on his face. The Konar exited the cell and slammed the door shut behind them.
More rifle fire.
'You three stay here,' the badly shaven one ordered the Konar standing in front of Red's cell. 'Don't let any of them out of your sight for a second. The rest of you with me.' He charged off down the corridor, the others following after him.
'Sumone's attackin',' said Awon.
'Way ter state the obvious,' said Oaten, fidgeting in his shackles.
More rifle fire, followed by screams. They were closer.
Awon ran up to the bars. 'They're comin' ter get yer,' he said to the three Konar with a smirk.
'Stand back, NOW.' The Konar shoved his rifle through the bars and pressed it into Awon's stomach. 'Don't tempt me.'
Awon smirked, then grabbed the rifle, pushing the muzzle down to the floor.
'You little...' The Konar squeezed the trigger.
An almighty wail split the air and a bright yellow light glowed inside the muzzle. Awon slammed his free fist into the Konar's face, knocking him back, but still keeping hold of the rifle with his other hand. A bullet beam blasted out of the rifle and hit the bottom of the far wall, brick exploding on impact. The rifle recoiled, its butt striking the Konar in the jaw. Awon grabbed the guy's head and smashed it into the bars.
The other two Konar raised their rifles but Red and Ekviv reached through the bars and grabbed them from behind.
Awon smashed his opponent's head into the bars again, then grabbed the rifle with both hands and yanked it free from his grip. Blood oozed out of wounds on the Konar's face. Awon twisted the rifle around, then pressed its muzzle into the Konar's face. The Konar yelped as the heat from the muzzle singed his flesh.
'Open the door. Now,' snarled Awon, He could barely hear his own voice through the ringing in his ears from the rifle's wail.
The other two Konar slumped to the floor, blood gushing out of gaping wounds in their necks from where Red and Ekviv had opened their throats with the Konar's swords.
'Open it,' Awon repeated, firmer.
The Konar's lips moved but Awon couldn't hear what he was saying.
Batterox shuffled up to the bars and grabbed the Konar by the throat. 'Open the door and I promise you'll live,' he bellowed, his bleating voice distinct even through Awon's ringing ears. The yegeyor's large fingers pressed hard into the guy's skin.
The Konar nodded.
Batterox didn't let him go. With his free hand he pulled the Konar's short sword from out of its sheath. Awon kept the rifle trained on the Konar as Batterox released him. The Konar gasped for breath, hesitating. Slowly he walked to the lever on the wall, one eye watching Awon nervously.
'Don't leave my sight,' shouted Awon, his hearing gradually returning.
The Konar leaned over and pulled the lever. The cell door opened.
'Thanks,' said Awon. He squeezed the trigger.
Another wail split the air and the rifle's butt slammed into his chest as it recoiled and he was flung backwards. He landed on his back with a thud, rifle clattering to the floor. His ears rang even worse now than they had previously.
All that remained of the Konar's head was a burnt stump. Bloody pieces of it lay scattered all across the cell. The beam had shot into the wall above Red's cell, leaving a large hole.
Batterox snatched the rifle away from Awon's hands. His lips moved but there was no sound.
'That was even better than I thought it'd be,' screamed Awon, but he couldn't hear his own voice. He rubbed his ears, trying get his hearing back.
Batterox smacked Awon on the forehead, turned his back on him and left the cell. Pulling the lever on the wall a little ways up the corridor the yegeyor opened the door to Red's cell. Red, Ekviv, and Scoten stepped outside, happy to be free. Norox emerged from the darkness last, but seemed reluctant to leave. His eyes met Awon's and Awon saw something in them he'd never seen before. Fear? Disgust? Shame? He couldn't tell, but he knew his friend had never looked at him in that way before.
Batterox disappeared down the corridor.
Awon pushed himself to his feet.
'Help us up, lad,' said Gentemu.
Awon sniggered at the old guy, then turned his back on him.
'Oi, lad. Help me up,' Gentemu pleaded.
Awon walked out of the cell, ignoring him. The bodies of the Konar littered the corridor. He knelt down to examine the body of the one he'd killed. He smiled to himself, amused at how ridiculous a body looked without a head.
Red and Scoten pilfered the rifles from the other Konar's bodies. Ekviv admired the short sword he'd taken, mimicking stabbing someone with it. All the guys were relaxed and confident now that they were armed.
'There's no keys for their shackles,' said Batterox, coming back down the corridor.
'They'll have to stay bound then,' said Red.
'What do we do now?' asked Scoten. 'Wait to see who's coming?'
Red shrugged.
'Might be the Drowners coming to finish us,' said Batterox.
'Doubt it. We were gonna hang anyway. Why would they attack the Konar Station to get to us?'
'Who then? Cutter?'
'Best not wait ter find out, I think,' said Red. 'We're movin'. C'mon.'
Awon rummaged through the pockets and clothes of the Konar he'd killed, looking for a weapon of some kind, but there was nothing of use.
Batterox went into their cell and helped Gentemu up. Oaten hopped out of the cell.
'That's my rifle,' said Awon, reaching to pull it from Batterox's shoulder, when he emerged from the cell, Gentemu shuffling out behind him.
'It's mine now,' bleated Batterox.
Awon pulled a face. 'I won it fair and square.'
'You nearly killed one of us. You're too stupid to be trusted with it. It's mine.'
'Fuckin' jenni.'
The yegeyor snorted and shoved him into Norox. Norox pushed him away.
'You wanna stay?' Awon asked him, seeing his friend was still looking at him weirdly.
'You killed him,' said Norox, quietly.
'Him?' Awon pointed to the headless Konar. 'He'd 'ave killed us given half a chance. Had to.'
'No you didn't.'
Awon waggled his finger at him. 'Fuckin' disagree with yer there. Besides Red and Ekviv killed some too.'
'They're murderers.'
'So am I. Now.'
Norox's eyes glistened. He didn't reply, just folded his arms tight across his chest.
'C'mon. We gotta move,' said Awon. 'Ain't gonna live long if we stay 'ere.'
More rifle fire, right on the other side of the door to the cell block.
'You boys jus' gonna leave me in 'ere,' a woman called from further down the corridor, where Batterox and Norox had been dragged away to to be 'interrogated'.
'That you, yer filthy whore,' shouted Red, strolling down the corridor to the voice.
'Who else would it be, boss?' said Farma.
'Why'd yer not speak up sooner?'
'Was enjoyin' bein' hidden too much.'
Red pulled a lever and the cell door next to him opened. Farma twirled out of the cell, arms stretched out wide like a dancer. 'Miss me?'
'Bout as much as cock rot,' said Red.
The door at the other end of the corridor burst open. A small man stepped through the portal.
'Boss,' cried Red. His voice sounded pleased, but his face suggested otherwise.
'You boys just going stand there all day?'
said the small man.
'That Cutter?' Awon asked Red as the big guy strode past him.
'Aye,' said Red, nervously.
Cutter strolled down the corridor. He was even smaller than Awon had thought he'd be, only marginally bigger than Oaten, and much dirtier looking. His face was heavily lined and unshaven, his hair dark and short. He wore a tattered, dirty white shirt, a grey balaclava around his neck, torn brown trousers, and faded black boots. In his hand he held a long curved, one handed sword. At one hip hung a cudgel, a cleaver at the other. Tied to each ankle with a rope was a small knife. He walked with a confidence Awon had never seen before, the kind of walk he imagined only a man like the Socrae-al, or the Saban, could have. One that commanded respect, obedience. It looked odd on the small guy, but he had to admit it did make him intimidating.
'You 'ere ter kill me?' asked Red. Somehow the huge man appeared to be only half as big in the presence of this Cutter guy.
'Why would I want to do that?' said Cutter. His voice was surprisingly quiet.
Red swallowed hard. 'Fer losin' my district.'
'You didn't lose anything. I stopped them as soon as they stepped foot on my turf.'
'Yer did?'
'Aye.'
'How'd yer know they were comin'?' asked Red.
Cutter chuckled and pointed to Awon. 'You're Ten's friend? The stupid shit with the big mouth?'
'Aye,' said Awon, puffing out his chest.
'You can thank your friend for this. He warned me what went down with the Drowners. Would have lost everything if it weren't for him,' said Cutter
Awon's mouth dropped. 'Ten?'
'More Konar comin',' someone yelled through the open door behind Cutter.
'We can suck each others cocks later. Time to move, boys.' Cutter pulled the cleaver from his belt and handed it to Awon. 'Hear you like these.'
Awon snatched it from him. 'Aye, boss.' He twisted it around in his hand. It was much bigger and sharper than his old one.
'Good. You're going be using it an awful lot from now on,' said Cutter with a sneer.
End of Part One
Part Two
Kitaz
The Village of Oaraz
