by Jeff Gunzel
“But my lady,” he replied with a quick nod. “Whether or not the threat is real remains irrelevant at this time. We must not incite panic. Rumors of impending war will only further damage your standing with the people.” Despite the sudden awkwardness in the room, Azek kept his posture upon broaching the delicate subject most avoided at all costs. But he knew it needed to be addressed.
Ilirra looked thoughtful, as if silently weighing her options. “Agreed,” she said at last. Both Berkeni and Addel let out the breaths they were holding. “Be as vague in detail as possible while preparing your men. Reinforce to them that this is more or less a drill. But keep them sharp. Even under sworn oath of silence, men tend to leak information. The only way we can stop that completely is to offer them none. Understood?”
“Yes, my lady.” Azek spun on his heels and marched from the room. Addel and Berkeni each gave a slight nod before following his lead.
Once she was alone, Ilirra dropped back into her throne and threw both hands over her face. The crytons have turned on me. The people have lost faith in their Queen. I no longer possess the resources to protect the Gate Keeper...or even my own daughter! By the gods, I can take no more...
Alone, she wept silently.
* * *
Amoshi slashed away at the dense brush with his machete, then stomped down the stubborn stalks, allowing Jacob to follow. He had been slashing away for hours but still had made very little progress. “How could they have possibly gone this way?” Jacob complained, trying to push back a thorny branch clinging to his cheek. “How could they manage to get through brush this thick?”
Amoshi slashed another substantial branch then stomped it down under his boot. He let out a breath, wiping sweat from his brow. “They’re not delicate humans like you and I. It doesn’t appear all these bushes and vines would even slow them down.” He bent low, running his hand along the ground, then up a patch of bent grass. “See, they slide right through without any problems.” He thumbed a broken thorn hanging off a vine. “I’m guessing they’re either covered with fur, or have a very thick hide. The must possess some way to protect themselves against this rough terrain.” Amoshi stomped on a spot of dirt repeatedly, then pointed down for Jacob to look. “You see that?”
“Sure, more of those same paw prints.”
“Notice anything different this time?” Jacob just shrugged. “These prints are much deeper than the others. Also, they’re right next to each other as opposed to stepping with one paw, then the other. In other words, they can jump...high. That must be how they are clearing most of this brush.” Amoshi looked up, gazing at the canopy of green leaves above them. “For all we know, they can swing through the trees as well. We can’t be certain of anything until we find them.”
Jacob looked puzzled, scratching his head thoughtfully. “But if Athel is with them, well, she can’t jump like that.” He kicked a bush, sending leaves fluttering around. “She has no fur or thick hide to protect herself from this. None of this explains—”
“Jacob,” Amoshi interrupted gently. “The last time we saw Athel, she was in the midst of a...change. The Aken-Duri is an extremely rare and complicated thing. And as far as we know, there is still no cure. Jacob, you have to accept the possibility that...Athel is no longer the person we remember. And she may not recognize you either.”
Jacob stared down at his feet for a time. What could he say? There was plenty of truth in Amoshi’s words. He needed to accept the possibility that she was no longer the same person he remembered. Even if they found her, the girl he loved might truly be gone forever. He angrily kicked the same bush again. “Let’s just keep moving, alright?”
Amoshi nodded, then continued to swing away, carving them a path. He understood where Jacob was coming from. Even the slightest shred of hope was more than enough.
* * *
There came a light rapping on the door. “Jade, are you in there? Jade?” Nima repeated before rapping on the door a second time. Jade ignored her while lying on her back, sunk deep into a swinging hammock. She continued to stare at the ceiling just as she had done for hours now.
“I know you’re in there. I’m coming in.” The sliding door snapped open and Nima entered. Jade didn’t even acknowledge her. With one foot planted on the floor, she just kept swinging lightly. “Are you just going to lie there all day doing nothing?” said Nima.
“If it pleases me.” Jade’s words were not angry or defiant, just empty, void of any emotion.
“This doesn’t help him, you know.”
“Nothing I do can help him,” Jade mumbled, more to herself. “Those are the rules, lest the spirits strike us both dead, correct?” she hissed.
Nima didn’t respond. Instead, she moved over to the other side of the room, her back to Jade. She could hear the light creaking while Jade kept on swinging. Nima pulled an apple from the fruit basket sitting on a small table. She took a big bite, crunching away while finding some strange interest in the walls. Her back still to Jade, she patiently took another big bite. “I hear he passed the first trial,” she mumbled softly, her mouth still full of apple. The creaking stopped. Nima took yet another bite. “We believe he may be the first to have gotten this far,” she said, crunching away casually, as if they were engaged in idle gossip.
“Why,” Jade swallowed the lump building in her throat, “why didn’t you tell me?” She sat up, eyes wide.
“Because you chose to lie here like a worthless stone instead of assisting him in other ways.”
“What other ways? Every minute that passes, the man I love is in danger, and there is nothing I can do!”
“In this, you are not alone, Jade.” Nima sighed, tossing the apple aside. “The man I love has also put himself at risk. He is out there as we speak, aiding Jacob in a fool’s quest, and not because he wanted to. He’s doing it because I asked him. And make no mistake, Jade, I would do the same for him in a heartbeat.”
She walked up to Jade, kneeling down to look her in the eye while she sat in the hammock. “Our men are in danger, and now it’s our turn to do something. Eric must walk this road alone, but when he returns—” she placed her hands on Jade’s knees, “and you must have faith that he will return—you will retake your rightful place as the Guardian to the true Shantie Rhoe. When the time comes, you must become a human weapon, one that is feared by Eric’s enemies. And yes, that includes the Crimson Empire.”
Jade hopped out of the hammock. “You are correct,” she said, sounding ashamed. “Lying here worrying about the things I can’t control doesn’t help Eric; or anyone else for that matter. He’ll find a way. He always finds a way. And when he returns—”
“When Eric returns, he will find a woman far stronger than the one he left behind. I warn you, he will be changed. But so will you. Come now, follow me. We resume your training immediately.”
They left the hut and walked out into the street. “Do you remember how to find my favorite hiding spot?” asked Nima. Jade nodded. “Good. Go now, and I’ll meet you there shortly. I just need to gather a few things first.” The two separated. Jade hurried off to their private cove at the edge of the forest, while Nima headed back to her home. But when Nima turned the corner leading to her door, there was someone waiting for her.
“I knew you would show up sooner or later,” said the plump woman. Heavyset, with far too large a nose, she stood with her hands on her hips, tapping her foot.
“Iwa,” said Nima dryly with a slight nod of her head. “It’s been too long.”
“Where is he?” asked the heavyset woman while she scratched at her shoulder. “He hasn’t been back to his home for quite a while. And I know you know where he is.” The angry woman wore a long, black dress that was far too tight, and a red cloth wrapped around her gray-streaked black hair. She continued tapping her foot impatiently while scratching away at some itch she just couldn’t seem to satisfy.
“It’s good to see you too,” said Nima with a roll of her eyes. “I can only assume you’re spe
aking of Amoshi, since you seem to follow the poor man closer than a shadow.”
“And why shouldn’t I?” Iwa protested, puffing out her ample breasts like a strutting peacock. Her eyes narrowed. “After all, he has been promised to me. Someone needs to look after him. He is a man, after all. And like any other man, he can’t be trusted to stay out of trouble on his own. Now, I ask you again: Where is he?”
Nima sighed. “Well, I’m sorry you seem to have lost your pet. You might want to try tying him up next time. Or maybe a cage. I hear they do wonders for keeping animals in place.” This time Nima’s eyes narrowed. “Or maybe he has more important things to do than to be your slave.”
Iwa’s face turned red; her flabby cheeks jiggled with rage. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. The entire village knows. Do you think I don’t see the way you look at him? You ogle him like a piece of meat. Well, luckily, he’s been too naive to even notice your less than subtle advances. Let me remind you for the last time. He belongs to me! Feel free to keep crawling around on your belly like a snake, lurking and waiting, trying to steal him from me the first chance you get. But it will never happen!”
Iwa slowly approached Nima, the corners of her lips turned up in a dark grin. Nearly a head shorter, she had to stand on her toes to get close enough to whisper in Nima’s ear, “The truth is, despite our vast differences, I pity you. Amoshi and I will soon be married, no matter your protests. Which leaves you with only one foreseeable future.” She paused, forcing Nima to feel her heavy breathing in her ear. “You will grow old...and then die...alone.” Grinning, Iwa turned and left without another word.
Nima found herself grateful Iwa never looked back. She didn’t want her to see her lip quivering, or the moisture filling her eyes. What does that cruel little snake of a woman know, anyway? But no matter how much she tried to ignore Iwa’s cruel words, Nima knew she was correct. Amoshi could never be hers. The day would come when Iwa and Amoshi would be married, and all Nima could do was watch the love of her life be handed off to someone else. I know he can never be mine, but he deserves better than that...that...
She tried to shake away the horrible experience as she went inside. My focus must be here and now. She hurried over to an old brown trunk and flung it open. Inside were several bags sorted by color, and a few smaller boxes. There were yellow, red, blue, green, and white bags.
She grabbed a white bag, unstrung it, then shook it over her hand. A clear-jeweled dy-chita dropped into her palm. Gripping it tightly, she slammed the trunk and headed for the door. But she only managed a few steps before coming to a halt. Opening her hand, she looked down at the beautiful piece. This particular shade of gem was used for training novices. It had a particularly high resistance to one’s Chi, making it safer for beginners. She reached up and touched the jewel embedded in her own dy-chita, a green one. The color used by master Palins. It allowed for far greater flow of Chi, but at the price of rather limited control.
Nima wrapped her fingers around the clear-jeweled piece again, then lightly tapped herself in the forehead several times. “I just know I’m going to regret this.” She went back to the trunk and exchanged it for a green one, then rushed out the door.
The streets were unusually crowded today, buzzing and alive. As always, folks were spreading rumors involving the Shantie Rhoe. Nima couldn’t help but overhear while moving through the crowds, bumping shoulders with many as she passed. They hardly seemed to notice her. They were far too involved with their gossip.
Admittedly, there were more than a few half-truths floating around. A few claimed the Shantie Rhoe had enraged Ilenaya Moki, Empress of the Crimson Empire. Of course, this may or may not have been true. The only thing they had to go by was the desperate word of a tortured Tryad. But at least these rumors contained a speck of truth to them.
Nima caught bits and pieces here and there, but a few rumors turned out to be rather cringeworthy. The Shantie Rhoe had run off to live in the forest alone. He found it safer to live the life of a hermit. The Shantie Rhoe had lost his mind and was now on a mad killing spree. Soon he would hit every town in a fifty-mile radius, collecting the ears and lips of his victims. Where are they getting this stuff? Nima thought to herself. These tales almost make the truth sound believable. Almost...
After a few twists and turns through the village, she found the hidden trail, a path she had used many times as a child to escape from life for a while. After a final check to make sure there were no unwanted eyes nearby, Nima began her careful steps into the heavy brush.
When she peeked her head through the clearing, she saw Jade resting on a small pile consisting of leaves and woodchips. “Hello, dear,” said Nima, smiling. “I’m sorry to have kept you waiting so long.”
“I started to get worried. Is everything alright?” said Jade with genuine concern.
Nima’s smile faded, and her eyes fell to the ground. “Everything is fine, dear,” she lied. He deserves so much better than that slimy little vermin. She shook away the thought and forced a smile. “I hope you are prepared to be challenged today. Let’s just say I’m not in the mood to go easy on you.”
Jade nodded. “Nor should you be,” she replied sharply. The mood became tense. “You were right: I’ve been nothing short of worthless since Eric was sent away.”
“My dear, I never said—”
“But you were thinking it.” Nima dropped her eyes and said nothing. “And you’re correct. I lay around sulking while the man I’m sworn to protect walked alone in the darkness. My idleness brands me a traitor.”
“A traitor? Jade, you go too far,” gasped Nima.
“Do I? I will spare you the horrors of my childhood, spent training for this one purpose. I was bred and molded since birth to become a weapon. My only job was to find the Gate Keeper and protect him at all costs. And this I have done.”
“Of course you have, my dear. No one is faulting you for the lonely road Eric must travel. This day was inevitable. It is his destiny.”
“But it is a road I can’t follow,” said Jade flatly. Nima nodded. “So what have I done in the meantime? I should have been dealing with issues that are still in my control.” Jade sighed. “I now accept that the gods have smiled on me for some reason, given me a gift I nearly wasted. Is that not treason? A traitor to the Gate Keeper?”
“But you didn’t waste it,” Nima pleaded. “Mistakes are only fatal if you’ve learned nothing from them. You are here with me now, and that is the first step.”
“Protecting Eric is all that drives me,” said Jade, her voice shaky. “I need you, Nima. Whatever the gods have done to me—curse or gift—I must harness it. Control it. Use it to aid the Gate Keeper no matter where his destiny takes him.” Her eyes were pleading. “I need you to push me to my breaking point. I’ll do whatever you tell me to.”
Nima searched her eyes, seeking confirmation. She needed to know that this was what Jade truly wanted. The soul never lies... “Very well, then. I will accelerate your training from this point forward. But remember, this was at your request.” She grinned again. “Let’s just see how dedicated you really are.” Nima pulled the green dy-chita from her pouch.
Jade stared at the chained jewel dangling from Nima’s fingers. “I...I thought the green was only for master Palins.”
“They are indeed,” said Nima. “I don’t think we have much choice in the matter. Your Chi rages like an untamed river, smashing over rocks and carrying off anything in its path. It’s wild and chaotic. Worse yet, it’s unpredictable. You simply do not have enough control over it yet, and this is the only dy-chita that can harness its fury, without shattering.” She handed it to her.
Jade strung the stunning piece around her forehead. It glittered boldly as she moved her head back and forth. “Thank you. I don’t know what to say.”
Nima just laughed. “Don’t thank me yet. I gave you a masters’ dy-chita out of necessity, not because you earned it.” Jade blushed. Nima seemed to have that power over her. She
was so confident and sure of herself. Jade wished she could be that way too. “You remember what happened the last time you tried to use the arts unsupervised.”
Jade’s blush deepened. “I broke my dy-chita,” she muttered.
“And you’re lucky that’s all that happened,” barked Nima, sounding a bit angry. Or was that fright in her voice? She lowered her tone. “You just don’t understand what you’re capable of. Your Chi became liberated because you let your anger get the best of you. Never mind that your control was already limited, due to your lack of training. If you ever let your emotions take over like that again—” Nima shivered. “Jade, you could have killed us all.”
Jade knew it was a stupid thing to do and felt ashamed. That day was nothing but a blur, a mixture of distorted emotions due to the impending death of Eric. She had nearly lost her mind with rage. At the time, revenge was all she lived for. “It was stupid of me. I was out of control and didn’t know what I was doing.”
“Very stupid,” Nima said with a wink. “So the first thing we are going to do is force a little discipline into that stubborn head of yours. You must learn to control your emotions and remain functional under stress.” Nima began to scoot woodchips into a pile using her foot. When she was done, she dropped to one knee next to the pile. “Are you ready, Jade?”
“I...I guess so,” said Jade looking around, confused. “What do you want me to do?” A large woodchip ricocheted off her shoulder. “Ow! What are you doing?”
“Like it or not, your training has resumed.” Nima threw another woodchip. It glanced off Jade’s shin, making her wince.
“Hey, stop it.”
“You stop it,” she taunted in a whiny, mocking voice. She began flinging them in groups of three and four, causing the warrior to duck and dodge. Nima wasn’t throwing with any particular proficiency, and the skilled assassin could dodge them all day if she needed to. But she didn’t want to. This childish act was infuriating.
