Rise of the Red Harbinger

by Khalid Uddin

  Baltaszar put his cup down and peered at the book, despite knowing he wouldn’t be able to understand it. His eyes narrowed, “What do you mean? The prophecy is something bad? What if I don’t want to know it then? Why is it so important for me to know this thing? If you don’t tell me, I can leave here and be perfectly happy not knowing about whatever bad thing is going to happen.”

  “It’s important that I tell ya this thing, Baltaszar. Prophecies are set in stone, so it is not as if ya can change it. But emotionally, at least if ya have this news, ya can prepare yerself for the worst.”

  Baltaszar sighed, twisted his mouth and, after a few moments of deliberating, consented to hear Munn’s prophecy. “Fine, tell me this terrible thing.”

  Munn slid his hand over the writing again, as if to confirm that it said what he thought. “Baltaszar, yer goin’ ta kill yer brother.”

  Baltaszar’s eyes bulged. What? “What are you talking about? I would never kill my brother! Are you sure this is what you saw? You said yourself that you didn’t even remember the vision in your head!”

  “I may have forgotten, but I did write it down. We always do. What it says here is that, in a fit o’ rage, ya will stab yer brother ta death. Yer exact words in the vision were, ‘I am the hand o’ justice. An’ I cannot forgive ya. Ya will pay fer yer sins an’ ya will hear the Song, brother.’ An’ after that, ya proceed ta stab him.”

  “No. That cannot be. Although I fight with Bo every now and then, I love him. I could never even imagine harm coming to him, much less kill him. How can you be sure? Did you see his face?”

  “When we see prophecies about people, we tend ta assume the point o’ view of a person in the vision. According ta what I wrote down, I saw things from yer brother’s point of view. I saw ya attack me. I felt the stabbin’ an’ everythin’ went black. Although I didn’t actually hear the Song, but, well…that’s ta be expected.”

  “What song are you talking about?”

  “The Song o’ Orijin. It is an ancient belief from the time o’ the Harbingers. It is said that when we die, we hear the most unimaginably beautiful melody. It is believed that it is the Orijin’s last gift ta us in the physical world, regardless o’ where our souls end up in the afterlife.” Baltaszar slowly shook his head. Munn continued, “Do not lie ta yourself, boy. Ya seem like a nice enough young man, perhaps there is good reason for such a thing ta happen.

  “Accept it for what it is. As I said, ya cannot change things like this. In the history o’ Blind Men, there has not been a prophecy that hasn’t come true. This is simply the will o’ our creator. The longer ya live in denial o’ this truth, the worse it will be fer ya. I know my words may seem cold, but ya are not the first person I have had ta give horrible news. But in my experience, it’s better ta resign yerself ta this fate, an’ prepare yerself emotionally an’ mentally fer what will happen.”

  Baltaszar hung his head, puffed his cheeks, and stared down at his boots. “I’m sorry, I must go. I don’t really know how to handle this right now. Perhaps in time I will see wisdom in your words, but right now, I simply can’t grasp how your vision could be true.” He stood and pushed in his chair. “It was…a pleasure…I think, to have met you.” He looked over to Farco, who stood in the doorway to the other room, “Thank you for the tea, Farco.” Before Munn could rise, Baltaszar turned and walked out the door.

  He walked back onto the road, looking for Anahi. She had been talking to the shop owners next door and came to Baltaszar upon seeing him exit.

  “How was it? Ya were in there fer a while.”

  Baltaszar turned away and looked down the road. “Not so great.” He turned back to her, “Tell me, do these things always come true?”

  Anahi frowned. “That bad, hmm? Everyone I know who’s been given a prophecy has had it come true. That’s how we all knew about Cyrus’ wife. Good or bad, these things always end up happenin’.” Baltaszar could see the concern in her squinted eyes. “What did he say, Baltaszar?” Baltaszar considered whether he should tell her, and walked on up the street. Anahi caught up, “Talk ta me. Whatever it is, it’ll only be worse if ya keep it in. I can help ya deal with it.”

  He shot her a cold glare. “You barely even know me. How do you plan to help?”

  “That’s not fair, Baltaszar. I’m not yer enemy here. I know how difficult things can be.”

  “You know nothing about how difficult my life has been. You have your friendly little city here where everyone loves each other and your welcoming inn with Cyrus to go to everyday. What, in the name of Orijin, do you know about difficult?”

  With that, Anahi returned the icy glare he’d given her moments ago. “My parents died when I was barely seven years old. I watched from a fishin’ boat as my mother fell over the side an’ my father jumped in after her. In all the commotion, the damn sea snakes were on them in seconds. With all the bites they suffered, they likely died before they even had the chance ta drown. I stood there, screamin’ an’ sobbin’ as my older brother held me back. If not fer him, I would have jumped in right after my father an’ would have died as well.

  “Five years later, my brother went off ta the House o’ Darian. He had one o’ those lines on his face, just like yers. On his way, not far past the town o’ Khiry, one o’ the King’s squadrons ambushed him an’ killed him. Just because o’ the line on his face. I have nothin’ left. Cyrus took me in because I had nowhere else ta go. He’s the closest thing I have ta family anymore. So don’t ya dare stand there an’ think yer the only person who’s ever had trouble in yer life. Be grateful that, whatever this stupid prophecy is, ya have the blessin’ o’ knowin’ about it in advance. At least ya can deal with it, prepare yer mind for it.”

  Knots were forming in Baltaszar’s shoulders and back. “Look, I’m sorry. You’re right. Can we just end this? I don’t really want to fight right now. Let’s just go back to the inn. If you still want to talk to me, I’ll welcome it. But I’d rather wait until we have some privacy.”

  Anahi nodded in agreement. “I’d like that.”

  ***

  Just over two hours later, Baltaszar sat in a cushioned wooden chair beside the bed in his room, biting his lip. He leaned forward, head cradled in his hands, waiting for Anahi to come in and trying desperately to clear his mind. What’s happened in the past few months? Everything’s become so crazy.

  A knock came at the door and then it opened. “Ya do realize that ya can lock the door from the inside, don’t ya? I mean, anybody could just come on in while yer sleepin’. Not that that’s a normal thing here, but ya can never completely trust the foreigners.

  Baltaszar lifted his head slightly. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  Anahi still wore the same long skirt and modest blouse she’d worn when they walked the streets of Vandenar. She sat on the bed, legs crossed beneath her. “Still bothered, are ya? I wish I could tell ya it gets better, but I honestly can’t if ya don’t tell me anything. Baltaszar, I…”

  “All right, enough. Look. I’ll tell you some things. But not everything.” Baltaszar took a deep breath and twisted his mouth to one side, then sat back in the wooden chair and pressed his fingertips together. “We have certain things in common. My mother died when I was young. Our house caught fire and, according to my father, she sacrificed herself to save me and my brother and father. For the past seventeen years, my father has let me believe that this line on my face was some strange scar from the fire. Then, in the past couple of months, my father was given a death sentence for supposedly setting fires throughout our town.”

  Anahi interjected, “What do ya mean? He actually set fire ta homes an’ such?”

  “Well, he happened to be around when fires were started in a few homes and a shop. I don’t really know how to explain it, to be honest. I think he was blamed because he was the common link. Regardless, the people of Haedon fell in with one person’s accusation, and our Chancellor, Oran Von, passed the sentence.”

  “Well if ya knew anythin’
about our King, that kind o’ justice is common in Ashur.”

  “Why?”

  “He doesn’t like any o’ ya Descendants. Has his son’s army hunt an’ kill ya. Did yer dad have a line on his face?”

  “No. Never saw anyone else with it. Like I said, I thought it was a scar up until a few days ago. Don’t know anything about the line otherwise.”

  “O’ course ya don’t.”

  Baltaszar smirked at her, then quickly grew solemn. “Anyway. My father was hanged only a few days ago. I left the forest the day after he was hanged. My brother was skeptical about how well we could trust the world beyond The Never, and so he returned to our home. I honestly don’t know if he’s still there, though. I truly hope he isn’t. It’s only a matter of time before our home is destroyed.”

  Anahi shifted so that her legs stretched out in front of her and she leaned back on her arms. “If he’s anythin’ like you, I’m sure he’s just fine.”

  Baltaszar snickered reflexively. “That’s the thing. He’s always so afraid of things. Of life. I know that sounds bad to say, and he has tried many times to be bold or daring, but his first instinct is to always choose the option that prevents him from having to try something new. And that’s why I worry about him now. He’s always had me and our father around to guide him. Look at me, I can hardly even handle the world beyond my town, and Bo’az is worse than me. By the Orijin, I hope nothing has happened to him.”

  “Ya just have ta pray fer him, then. Ye’ve mentioned the loss o’ yer parents an’ yer brother. But what o’ this girl that ye’ve sworn yerself ta? Ya haven’t mentioned her.”

  Baltaszar sighed. Blast it, why do you need to know? “I don’t…fine, I’ll tell you. But only because I brought her up before. I courted her and we had something special for a time. She’s the most beautiful girl in all of Haedon. The thing is…”

  “Doesn’t she have a name? How rude! Ya boys always speak about us girls like we’re objects.”

  “She is no object. It’s painful enough to even think of her name, much less say it. But very well. Yasaman. Her name is Yasaman. May I continue?”

  Anahi waved her hand dismissively.

  “Thank you. As I was saying, her parents never approved of me. In fact, they thought our romance ended much earlier than it did. They wanted her to marry a rich man, so that they could elevate their status in town. I was never sure why that really mattered. Then came the news of my father. They were strong supporters of the decision to hang my father. And once the decree was made that he would definitely die, they would probably have killed her to keep her away from me. Of course, the easiest way to make a boy and girl desire each other even more is to tell them they can no longer see one another. And that’s what happened. We grew even more passionate. Talked about marriage. Children. Running away. They all seemed like possibilities for a time. For me, anyway. I think for her, they were fantasies. Ways of temporarily escaping the reality that she would go along with her parents’ wishes.

  “The last time I saw her, she implied that we could be together once my father was dead, as if that would make everything normal again. I left her in anger. But the more time that goes on, the more I miss her, and the stronger my love grows. I’m constantly torn between continuing on this journey and just turning back to go see her. I mean, what if I could convince her to come with me, you know?”

  “Ya mean ta the House o’ Darian?”

  “Yes. And wherever else I go in my life.”

  Anahi shot him a doubtful stare. “Baltaszar, I don’t think ya fully understand what yer going off ta do. They train ya at the House o’ Darian. It’s almost like a school an’ army trainin’ in one. Help ya learn about yer…what do they call it…yer ‘manifestation’. They’ve got no place there fer family or friends or lovers.”

  “I’m sure there’s a chance they could let in outsiders. If I reasoned with…”

  “Baltaszar, trust me. Do ya know how badly I wanted ta go off with Arden, my brother? Don’t ya think he would’ve brought me if he could have?”

  “Yeah, that makes sense.” Well, I suppose, at least…that decides about turning back. “How much do you know about the House of Darian? And what is a…manifestation?”

  Anahi shrugged, “I suppose I know a thing or two, seein’ as how I knew a couple o’ Descendants well. Though Arden didn’t know much about the House. All Arden really knew was where ta go. Most who go there don’t really discuss what goes on, but I assume it revolves mostly around yer manifestations…the ability ya develop when the line appears on yer face. Arden got the line on his face when he was about six years. They say most Descendants get the line when they’re between four an’ eight years. When did ya get yers?”

  “So Master Keeramm was right? The line develops? To be honest, until a few days ago, I was under the impression that this line was a scar on my face. That’s what my father told me my whole life. That I got this black…thing…on my face in a fire. I never had any reason to question it. What abilities are associated with the manifestations? Keeramm implied magic. Can that be true?”

  “To be quite honest, Baltaszar, it is inappropriate fer me ta discuss it. Those o’ us who do not bear the Mark are not supposed ta discuss yer manifestations with ya. It is seen as disrespectful ta ya Descendants.”

  “Anahi, does it look like I have been disrespected? I’m the idiot here, trying to understand all of this. Believe me, the last thing I would be in all of this is disrespected! Can’t you just tell me generally what they are?”

  She moved to the edge of the bed and let her knees bend over the edge. “The only two people in this town I ever knew very well who had the Mark were Arden, who has been dead fer four years, an’ Desmond, who just left fer the House o’ Darian about a week ago. Hopefully he hasn’t been killed along the way, too. Truthfully, neither o’ them actually shared the nature o’ their manifestations with me. I never saw my brother use his, but I suspect Arden’s was quite dangerous, because certain people in this city were strangely afraid o’ him. And it is rumored that he managed ta kill quite a few o’ King Edmund’s soldiers before he died. I wouldn’t call it magic. More like a blessing from the Orijin. As fer Desmond, he was always a rather private person. Not unfriendly, just private. With the way the King treats ‘em, Descendants don’t really like ta talk about themselves. At least not ta people without the Mark. I’m sorry Baltaszar, I know that’s not much help, but that’s all I know.”

  “That’s all right. It will have to be enough.”

  “So yer really goin’’ ta the House, are ya? Yer sure ya don’t want ta stay here with me?”

  “Trust me, Anahi, it is tempting. But there are a great deal of questions that I need answered. If you were able or willing to give me those answers, perhaps I could stay.”

  “Well then I apologize fer my ignorance,” Anahi smirked. “Baltaszar, if yer goin’ ta go down there, ya have ta be careful. The king’s soldiers stalk the roads every day. Arden was a good fighter an’ even he died. Don’t take my words the wrong way, because I’m not askin’ fer selfish reasons. But are ya positive that ya have ta go? It’s dangerous out there, especially fer someone travelin’ alone.”

  “I have to go. Though I enjoy your company, there’s not much for me here. Anahi, I don’t even know what my manifestation is. I need to be down there. Instead of persuading me to stay, tell me how to get down there alive. Is there no coverage, like forests, mountains, rivers?”

  “There is nothin’ but grass fer miles on both sides o’ the road. To the west is the sea, which is why they call it the Way o’ Sunsets. Travelers can clearly see the sun setting from the road. And in recent years, the Way o’ Sunsets has also taken on the meanin’ o’ death fer Descendants who travel it. There is no hidin’. I would suggest crawlin’ through the tall grass, but ya would be Master Keeramm’s age by the time ya reached the City o’ the Fallen.

  “One thing I have heard, though, is that many Descendants can be found in the City o’ the Fall
en. If ya reach it, ya will have many allies. They say it is the last city before the House o’ Darian an’ is very accommodatin’ and friendly toward Descendants. I know Desmond planned ta stay there a bit before going ta the House. Perhaps ye’ll come across him there, if ya leave here within the next day or so. He’s around the same age as ya, ya might get along.”

  “So you’re saying I should head to this city, which is quite friendly to Descendants, and keep lookout for a man with a line down his face?”

  Anahi laughed at that. “I wasn’t saying just approach everyone who has the Mark. There are certain inns the Descendants stay at down there. Go to them and ask around. His skin has the yellow hue like everyone in Vandenar, and he’s got crazy black hair that doesn’t fall in any sort a pattern. It’s sorta all over the place, an’ sticks up a lot.”

  “I suppose that makes things a bit easier.” Baltaszar leaned forward again and looked Anahi squarely in the face. “You know, under different circumstances, I wonder if there could have been something for the two of us. Not that I’m implying that I think anything should happen between us, but…”

  “Then why even bring it up, fool boy? You ‘men’, I swear!” Anahi waved her arms about overdramatically, “What do ya think it does fer a girl ta hear, ‘I would love ta court ya darlin’, but under different circumstances.’”

  “Wait, wait. That’s not what I said. I definitely did not call you darling,” Baltaszar smirked. “Besides, is it not a compliment to hear that a man would be willing to court you?”

  Anahi smirked, “You are a dimwit, Baltaszar. Am I some hag that needs yer pity? Or a dirty street beggar with no prospects? Ya sound as if ya would be doin’ me a favor ta fall in love with me.”