Reign of the Nightmare Prince

by Mike Phillips

  There it came upon a tree, fallen and rotted over many rains come and gone. Knowing this was where it could find at least some small thing to eat, the katabo rolled the log over, tearing at the wood with its sharp claws and making a feast of the insects and worms it found there. But these dainties were not enough to quench the fires of hunger, and so it went on.

  * * *

  “Look out!” said Rakam, pointing into the forest beyond where Princess Negara stood, a terrified look upon his face. “It’s the katabo!”

  Dashing off to one side, the Princess pulled an arrow from its quiver and set it to the string of her bow with practiced fluidity, as if the act was no more than putting on a cloak at the sign of unpleasant weather. “Where? Where is it?”

  Stroking little Betu the river dog as he held her in his arms, Rakam stifled a laugh, but was unable to hide his smile. “Aren’t we jumpy?”

  “Jumpy?” Negara said indignantly. She lowered the bow, but was not yet of sufficient nerve to put the weapon aside. Letting her voice seethe with anger she said, “So that’s your stupid idea of a joke?”

  “Oh, come on, you’re as tightly strung as that bow. I just wanted to lighten things up a little, that’s all.” He let his smile show. “Besides you look ravishing.”

  The compliment eased her mood and she relaxed her draw, but Negara was determined not to let her new husband get off so easily. “You should be more careful. The sun has set. There are more dangers in the world than just the katabo.”

  “I’m careful,” he replied cheerfully, “besides I have Betu.”

  “As good a pet as your otter is,” she added in a gentle voice, “and blessings be with you little Betu, what good is it?”

  “She knows the Shaintani’s scent and will warn me. And, she knows other things, too. The river dogs are the messengers of the Almighty. She hasn’t saved me from death only to have me end up as a meal for the katabo.”

  “But that’s just where you’ll end up, you blind fool! You should not rely on the talents of your friend, blessed as she may be. To do so would be to invite trouble. I can’t believe you could be so irresponsible and put all our lives at risk like that.” As the Princess spoke, her tone grew harsh, and the words came in a rush. She stopped suddenly, crying, tears streaming down her face. “And you should not play so recklessly with the feelings of your new wife.”

  Stunned, Rakam made a few steps toward her, putting Betu into his satchel, but Negara shied away. “Come on, I’m sorry,” he said, reaching out his hand and taking hers.

  She turned her back to him, and Rakam thought he heard her sniff. “Now, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. Look, you’re shaking. You really were scared.”

  “The katabo is nothing to joke about,” she said, hiding as she wiped her eyes.

  He wrapped his arms around her from behind, closing her tightly in an embrace. “I know, a lot has happened, and so quickly. I’m a little stunned myself. I thought it would be a long while before I wed, and look what’s happened. Here I am, traveling with my beautiful new wife, running from what dangers I cannot say into what dangers I cannot say, on a sacred mission with the lives of our people in the balance.”

  Sniffing, Negara said, “Now, you’re making fun.”

  “No, not at all,” he replied, holding her close. “I do appreciate the dangers we share in the wilderness, and those our people face. But it’s going to be a long journey. If you go on like you have been, we won’t have to worry about the katabo killing us, we’ll do a good enough job of it ourselves.”

  Finally, her tension broke with a laugh. She relaxed, and melted into his arms. “I guess I’ve been a little edgy lately, haven’t I?”

  “Oh, no,” said Rakam in an absurd voice, “not at all.”

  Negara turned around and punched him in the chest, saying, “Be nice to your new wife, or our lover’s time will be over before you know it.”

  Rakam did not retreat. He pulled her toward him and he kissed her, saying, “For that I would fight the katabo barehanded.”

  “And use a wizard’s trick, I suppose.”

  “Well, yes, let’s not go crazy or anything. I may be in love with you, but as they say, there are many other stones in the river, many, many other stones, in fact.” He added thoughtfully, “And, with all that armor you’re wearing, there is no way you are going to outrun me. Maybe it would be better if I lived to fight some other time. Then, I would avenge your untimely demise, of course.”

  Negara punched him in the stomach, quicker than sight, just hard enough to knock the breath from his lungs. “Did you say I look beautiful? And do you love me?”

  Recovering, Rakam smiled. “Yes, I did say that, and I most certainly do.”

  * * *

  Following the path of the little river as it cut its way across the mountainside, the katabo continued its search. What it had found under the rotting log did little to satisfy its appetite, and the few tree dwelling animals it was able to snare in its quick jaws did little more. What it needed was larger prey, but the voices of the forest were quiet, and no opportunity presented itself.

  Still the katabo searched, investigating every burrow in the ground and hollow in the trees, anywhere the scent of warm blood lingered. Finding no more than morsels, it pressed on, moving down the mountainside where bigger game could be found. The going was difficult, for in this place the slope of the mountain was great and there were many loose stones.

  After much toil it rested, finding a dark corner to sleep in at the base of a waterfall. The beast yawned and stretched. It scratched its claws on the rough stone, feeling their strength, drawing upon each a keen edge. There it stayed, watching the land below, tired and hungry and desperate. Then it heard something.

  Pricking up its ears, the katabo searched the darkness for the source of what it had heard. Clear voices were carried on the wind, barely audible over the crashing of water upon the rocks, but definitely there, something the beast remembered from long ago. Hunger driving it, the katabo arose and slipped noiselessly into the forest.

  * * *

  Making their way up a little stream that coursed from the high peaks at the valley’s edge, Rakam and Negara sought the Gray Rock Village, silently hoping that the MaShaitani had not come there and they would find all things well. With the oppressive night closing in upon them, it seemed an absurd hope, but it drove them on, giving strength to their tired legs.

  Using her hands to help her climb the steep face of the mountain, Negara said, “According to the instructions my father gave us, we should be about halfway there.”

  “Yes, that merchant said there would be a sheer cliff with a little waterfall. There is a cave there in which to take rest,” Rakam said, adjusting the way his satchel rode upon his back, taking special care for the sake of Betu. “I, for one, could use a rest. We’ve come a long way. You drive me like a slave. I hope you don’t treat your armies with the same tenderness.”

  Negara scoffed, “I have been taking it easy on you so far. A few more good marches like this and I will have put you into shape.”

  “It’s going to be a long journey. We have to conserve our strength. If we are footsore and worn, we’ll go no faster.” To this the Princess made no reply, so Rakam went on, saying, “We can’t help but return to your father’s city by the rising of the star among the sister moons, even at best speed, even if we traveled as these tireless waters that pass us by on their way to the sea.”

  “But for now I can go on, so I will,” Negara said with finality.

  “Don’t be angry with your father. Yes, he can be overbearing, but he loves you. He wishes only to protect you, not that the mission he set us upon is much in the way of protection.” His words were met with silence.

  On they climbed, along the bank of the river. The way became easier, and they no longer had to use their hands to support themselves. As a prelude to renewing their conversation, Rakam made an effort at looking around. He saw only darkness. It had been very dark since th
e clouds had come, not long after they had left the lands of the river and its marshes.

  “It looks like rain again. The rains come hard in the Long Night, but not often as hard as they have been.”

  “My old nurse would say that it is the world, crying its grief for us.”

  “And, your nurse would be right.”

  Speaking hesitantly, Negara said, “Things are not as they should be. I can feel it. It’s not just the MaShaitani, but more.”

  “Perhaps someone else has been speaking to the wind.”

  “No, it is not like that. Oh, I don’t know.”

  “While in my delirium in the desert, I was given a sign, not by the Jinn, though it would have had me believe it so. I saw a shining light fall from the heavens in fire, then bloom with white flowers and come to rest somewhere far out in the plains on the other side of the mountains. I think this means there is a great change coming. It has taken me a long time to decide, but I’m sure these are not the MaShaitani of our fathers. We fight now against an enemy we do not understand. So when you say you feel things are not as they should be, I feel it, too.”

  “Do you think all we know and love will be destroyed?”

  “I cannot tell. All we can do is follow the will of the King and his Council, pray to the Almighty as is our duty, and do what we must to survive. If the city has been conquered, then when we return we will have a decision to make, to fight or to run. That is not for us to decide, but for all those who survive with us.”

  “And, you would have us run?” the Princess asked, as if it were unthinkable.

  Ashamed, Rakam bit his lip. He looked down at the solid rock under his feet, the hood of his cloak draped low, and was glad that his new wife could not see his face. “Yes. I would have us run.”

  Negara was stern in her rebuke. “But if all you say is true, wouldn’t they just find us anyway? They’ve already destroyed the heathen lands, fierce warriors as they are. What hope do we have in running away? No, we must come with as much strength as we can and as soon as we can, and we must fight them.”

  Quiet for some time, Rakam finally said, “My heart knows you are right.”

  Speaking more gently now, Negara said, “You’re afraid, as you should be, as we all should be, but do not let fear conquer you. Husband, you are strong as a warrior and a Kasisi and a leader. We need you. Listen to your heart and have courage. Use the gifts the Almighty has given you, and we will triumph.”

  * * *

  Hidden in the deep shadows of the forest, the katabo looked out upon its prey. They walked upright, taking long strides across the uneven stones that lined the riverbank but traveling quickly for creatures that weren’t being chased. As they walked they paid little heed to the noise they made. Their silvery voices rang out over the din of water crashing upon rock. Attracted by the noise, the katabo left the safety of the cave and found this place in a thicket to sit and to watch.

  But this was not an easy prey. The katabo knew the smell of this creature, had dealings with its kind before. They were dangerous, as likely to fight back with their long horns and slung quills as to run away. It saw just two of the little striders, but it had to be certain. These creatures often traveled in larger groups. Indeed, there were seldom so few. If the beast struck before it knew for sure, the predator could become the prey.

  Beyond the place where the katabo waited, the little striders went. It had not been seen or smelt or they would have run. If they had run, it would have chased after them, conquered by the lust of the hunt. But since they passed by unawares, the katabo slowly followed. Using the cover of the forest it gave chase, waiting for the perfect moment.

  Through the darkness it went, sometimes losing sight of them altogether, sometimes so close it might have struck. All the while the silvery voices of the little striders rang out, taking no notice of the world and its hazards. The waterfall was drawing near. At the waterfall the katabo’s prey would be trapped between it and the sheer wall of rock. The waterfall was the perfect place to attack.

  * * *

  “So how do you think Mabetu is getting along?” said Negara as they came to a waterfall and lowered their packs to the ground. “It must be a comfort to him to be treated with such reverence at his age.”

  “No, I should say not. He has become even more willful as the fickle rains have blessed the world. He won’t take kindly to having kings or servants treat him like an old man, in the name of honor or not.”

  Stooping, testing the waters of the little river with her fingertips before she drank, the Princess said, “But such treatment is not meant as an insult.”

  “But that is how it will be received.”

  “Perhaps, but my own nurse has been put in charge of his care. He will find himself under no kinder hand than hers.” She went on with a girlish laugh, saying, “Who can say, maybe he will even find love.”

  “At his age?” said Rakam with distaste.

  Negara straightened and slipped her arm into his. “And, why not?”

  “I don’t know. I just haven’t thought of him like that, and stop it, I don’t want to.”

  “I think it would be wonderful for him to find love at this time in his life, especially with such dangers as there are in the world. You wouldn’t deny him that?”

  Stammering uncomfortably, Rakam said, “Well, no, but I don’t want to think about the, uh, mechanics, of it.” He felt his face grow hot. Negara was watching him intently, not saying a word. He added testily, “Can we talk about something else?”

  Negara kissed his cheek, letting out an amused snort, and then she released his arm and went back to the stream to drink. Rakam set Betu free of his satchel. The river dog went quickly to the water’s edge, drinking heartily and washing her face, her small, hand-like paws working busily.

  Rakam stroked Betu’s soft fur, saying, “I just hope they haven’t burned him alive as a heretic. He isn’t one to let others have their say, especially in times like this, as you point out. Shall we set up camp here, or do you want to go on?”

  Her thirst quenched, Negara took his hand and kissed it. She led him to a large rock, where they sat down together, watching the water run over the falls. She said, “Well, it is our lover’s time. If there is a cave here, it might be nice to stay somewhere other than under the open sky, though we have been robbed of other comforts due us…… Mabetu always seemed kind to me, if not a little impatient with those slow of wit.”

  As Negara spoke, Betu started, pricking up her ears and, turning her head, sniffing the air nervously. Unexpectedly she let out a screech, as if to implore them to pay her mind, and then she went stock-still. Rakam and Negara took no notice. They were more concerned with each other.

  Rakam said, “Impatient? That’s being generous.”

  “At least he’ll be spared the journey. He can’t walk through the wild places of the world forever.”

  “That attitude hasn’t brought him to the age he has achieved,” said Rakam severely. “Labors are what keep a man young.”

  Betu left the river and came to where Rakam and Negara sat, chattering excitedly. Thinking the river dog hungry, Rakam took meat from his satchel and tossed it to her. Betu took the offered food and tasted it, but did so speedily, alternating between sniffing the air and nibbling the meat.

  “Or wear him out before his time. Look at my father. He’s weary like Mabetu, but he can’t show it. He should have passed on the kingship long ago, that’s why he’s so often at odds with the Elders.”

  “Your father is a good man and follows his heart, and,” Rakam said with mock enthusiasm, “he has excellent taste in sons-in-law.”

  “I think so, too,” Negara said, standing, “but the choice was mine long before it was his. The blessing of my father was merely a formality. I had already made my decision or else you would have found some loathsome country girl under the wedding gown at the festival’s end.”

  Betu came up to Rakam’s leg, pawing at him and making an uncharacteristic barking so
und. He tried to get her to go away, but she would not. He finally said, “It looks like someone’s jealous.”

  “Too bad for her, you’re my husband,” Negara said.

  With an impudent grin, she stepped back a few paces, untying the thongs that held the hauberk in place. She let the armor come gently to the ground, holding the gaze of her husband all the while. Under the armor she wore a padded jacket, which she slowly unbuttoned, her every movement fluid and captivating. Finally, only her silken undergarments remained.

  “Ouch!” said Rakam, bringing his injured hand to his mouth. He sucked on a small bite mark, looking down at the guilty river dog, saying, “What was that for?” Betu chattered at him, but Rakam couldn’t understand why she would behave in such a way.

  Folding her arms over her chest, Negara said, “I’m sorry, my little friend, but he is my husband. You will have to share him in some things and have him not in others.”

  “I’ve had enough of this.” Taking Betu by the scruff of the neck, Rakam was going to put her back into his satchel when, lightning quick, she turned her head and nipped his fingers. Surprised, Rakam dropped both the otter and the bag. Betu scampered off into the river. Shouting after her, Rakam said, “Well, stay there if that’s the way you’re going to behave.”

  “She’ll come back when she’s hungry enough,” Negara assured him.

  “Well, she fishes better than I do, and I’ve never been able to train her to eat only from my hand. I think it has something to do with all the time she spent without a master,” said Rakam, watching the otter swim off. “I don’t understand. She’s never acted like this before.”

  Returning to unfinished business, Negara began removing her undergarments, saying, “She’s never had another woman around before, but it’s time to think of your new wife and not of pets.”