Primeval Origins : Paths of Anguish - Award Winning, New Epic Fantasy / Science Fiction (The Primeval Origins Saga Book 1)

by Brett Vonsik

  “They took ‘em, Pax,” Suhd sobbed with her head still buried in her brother’s chest. “They broke in and took Ma. They dragged her in the street and bound her to Father.”

  Suhd sobbed harder. Pax kept silent while tears streamed down his face. “Father was hurt bad. His head and shirt . . . so bloody.”

  Pax held his sobbing sister tighter for a few moments before he caught sight of Rogaan motioning for them to move where they would be out of sight under the stairs. Pax slowly walked his sister into the shadowy spot under the stairs while she clung to him with an iron grasp. Though not the best place to hide, under open-sided stairs, it would keep them from being easily spotted from the streets, and they would see anyone approaching.

  “Suhd…why they no take ya?” Pax questioned softly.

  Suhd’s sobs slowed, just a little, before she raised her eyes to meet his gaze. “Ma hid me under her dirty clothes in her room. She fought ‘em hard after they kicked in the door and they never checked her room before takin’ her away.”

  Tears fell from Pax’s cheeks as Suhd reburied her face into his tunic with uncontrolled sobs. Rogaan fought back tears of his own at the sight of brother and sister sharing pain he could only imagine. Rogaan greatly respected and liked their mother, Phobe. She was a strong woman who sacrificed much for her family, and she always had a kind word for Rogaan; he was not the least surprised by her selflessness. It was her nature.

  “Pax . . . Suhd,” Rogaan said quietly. “We need to go before the guardsmen find us.”

  Pax shot Rogaan a strained look with red, puffy eyes and tear-streaked cheeks. Chills ran down Rogaan’s spine. Never had Rogaan seen such a look on his friend’s face. Suhd kept her face buried in her brother’s chest. She squeezed him tighter, if that were possible. Pax then said something to Suhd that only she could hear. She slowly lifted her face to look at Pax, and then at Rogaan.

  “Help us, Rogaan,” Suhd pleaded with renewed tears. “Help us get back our parents. We can no do this on our own!”

  Rogaan stood stunned and a bit dumbfounded. He realized he must have worn a stupid expression or something close to it, from the strange looks on their faces. He had never considered trying to free their parents from the Tusaa’Ner and especially not from the Farratum guard. His parents taught him to respect authority, despite their also insisting that he be aware of the town’s happenings and for him to think critically about everything. To make his own decisions as to what was right and what was wrong. Confronting the enforcers of Brigum and Shuruppak laws was simply something that he had never considered…before now.

  “Please, Rogaan,” Suhd pleaded with tear-filled eyes. “They did nothing to deserve this.”

  Rogaan readily agreed with her on that point. Their parents were hard-working, law-following people and he knew of nothing of them worthy of being arrested and hauled off…to where, he only could guess. Pax was another thing. He often skirted rules, the Tusaa’Ner, and just as often the law. He disobeyed nothing serious or harmful to others, just rules and laws he thought were stupid. Pax just did not like anyone setting limits for him except for his parents . . . sometimes…whom Rogaan knew he respected more than he let on. Was it possible they had been arrested because of Pax? A wave of regret rippled through Rogaan at that thought, followed by trepidation over just how far the town’s leadership might go to gain their ends. What are their ends? What would the town’s leaders have to gain from arresting honest citizens? Kantus’ father, Ugulauru Jir, as leader of Brigum’s Council, seemed capable of many unfriendly things when it came to running the town and ensuring there was no challenge to his authority. The Council did little to restrain him, but even the baraan’s dislike of Pax would not warrant arresting his parents. Even the new Ensi seemed more interested in governing over Brigum than worrying over a no-name youngling and his parents. It made no sense. Neither Jir nor the Ensi had anything to gain by arresting Pax’s and Suhd’s parents. Nothing made sense at all. Still, challenging the Tusaa’Ner, as he was sure Pax would insist upon, would only get them arrested. Rogaan stewed over limited options and his torn desire to help Suhd and Pax get their parents back. What could they do, after all? They were only younglings. Maybe they could not do much, within the bounds of the law, but maybe someone else might.

  “Pax,” Rogaan spoke sternly to his friend. “If I help, no headstrong charges into the guardsmen and no sneaking through windows at night unless I agree to it. We cannot challenge the law keepers and expect anything less than a switching or worse.”

  Pax gave Rogaan a clenched-jaw look with narrowing eyes that confirmed to him that Pax wanted to do more than he was willing to allow. Suhd just looked at him with those glassy, radiant blue eyes that made him feel as if he were going to melt. He had to help her. He just had to be her hero. Rogaan cursed himself for being so weak around her and forced himself to stand taller and clear his throat, as if he had a great announcement. “We should seek Mother’s counsel, and help from the House Isin. They are familiar with matters of law, where we are not.”

  Pax barked several curses in protest at his suggestion. Rogaan was caught off guard by his friend’s open disapproval and started to feel small at his suggestion to seek help instead of freeing their parents themselves. As Pax worked himself into a heated tirade and separated from his sister, Rogaan watched Suhd look at her brother with sad eyes. She reached out to him, gently grasping his arm and gaining his attention. “I no wish to lose you too, Pax. Maybe Rogaan’s right.”

  Pax stopped his tirade then stared at her blankly without saying a word. His response must have surprised Suhd as much as it did Rogaan, as she retreated from him a little. “Ya just sided with Rogaan since ya like him.”

  Suhd’s cheeks reddened deeply as she dropped her eyes to her feet and began wringing the front of her tunic with nervous hands. Tears started to pour down her face as she spoke with a cracking voice almost too faint to hear. “No, brother. What if we no get them back and ya be taken away? What will happen to me, then?”

  Pax stood stunned before he took his sister in both arms and held her to his chest as she sobbed. He looked at Rogaan with glassy, heated eyes. “All right, Rogaan. We try it ya way, but first I want ta see where they be takin’ our parents. I want ta know they not be hurt.”

  A wave of relief swept over Rogaan. He feared Pax would insist on rescuing his parents immediately, with reckless plans, and only half thought out. Pax whispered something to Suhd before she ran upstairs. Her tunic rose high on her legs as her dark hair swung about her back and arms while she ran up the wooden steps, revealing enough of her slender legs to hold Rogaan’s complete attention. His heart pounded – she was beautiful – and he could not take his eyes from her until she disappeared into her home. He continued looking at the apartment door, expecting… no, wanting…her to emerge from it at any moment when he realized Pax was clearing his throat louder than necessary. Rogaan gave a start and felt his face flush warm at the sight of Pax standing with arms crossed on his chest, and wearing a half-amused, half-angry look. Embarrassment washed over him in waves at his blatant boyish behavior, especially with all that had happened to them.

  “Pax ...I am...” Rogaan started to apologize.

  “If it be anyone, but ya,” Pax broke in, wearing a half-smile that might have been a little forced. “I would take ta defendin’ her honor. But ya, I know how much ya like me sister and would do her no harm. I be glad ta have ya as a friend.”

  Rogaan’s embarrassment deepened. He did not know what to say, to apologize for his actions. He was not accustomed to Pax speaking so openly of friendship. Usually, the best he could do was a friendly punch on the arm. Fortunately for Rogaan, Suhd reappeared from the apartment dressed in a knee-length blue tunic that clung to her waist by a black belt. She carried her sandals in one hand and a small gray bundle in her other hand. Pax looked surprised at the sight of her, for some reason that Rogaan did not understand.

  “Where ya think ya be going?” Pax asked her whe
n she reached the bottom of the steps.

  “With you,” Suhd replied as if just stating the sun had risen that morning. She continued with a wrinkled nose. “And stop talking like that. Ya be better than what ya want the world to know of ya. And, Pax . . . you smell terrible.”

  Pax was working out a reply to his sister when Suhd thrust the gray bundle into his stomach. Suhd looked up at her brother with defiant eyes then spoke. “This be what I thought you might ask for? And, yes, I be going with ya.”

  “Rogaan....” Pax seemed to be about to ask for his help to talk sense into Suhd as he kept stern eyes fixed on his sister.

  “She is as strong-willed as you, Pax,” Rogaan stated flatly. “You know she will do what she wants, and nothing I say will change that.” Rogaan admired her determination and courage, but she would only add to Pax’s volatility if he got it in his head that she would be put in danger.

  “Suhd,” Rogaan started in a cracking voice he barely recognized as his own. “You might do better at my home with my parents instead of on the streets with us.”

  Suhd stared at him blankly for a long moment, with those blue eyes that he could lose himself in for a lifetime, maybe more…then her face saddened. “You no know? The Tusaa’Ner also have your father. They spoke of his arrest a day ago.”

  Rogaan staggered backwards a step as he fought a sinking feeling in his guts that threatened to do worse. He did his best to fight off the shock of her words. After a few moments, he regained most of his former composure then forced himself to stand taller and forced several, evenly paced deep breaths. His father had not sent the guard after him. Relief filled him at that thought. He felt a pang of guilt and shame for his incriminations. Selfishness was something his father disliked more than disobedience, and Rogaan felt as if he had let his father down. Instead of his father chasing after him, the Tusaa’Ner had chased his father, too…for what purpose Rogaan could only guess. This made less sense to him than before. Many things did not make sense anymore. What was driving all of this? Why would Father and Pax and Suhd’s parents be arrested? A heavy heart weighed on Rogaan like a boulder over their families being torn apart. “What of my mother?”

  “They spoke nothing of her,” Suhd replied with glassy eyes.

  “Will House Isin keep ya ma from harm?” Pax more stated than asked, in a jealous tone.

  “My father thought so,” Rogaan answered as he fought back a swelling of anger and tried his best to ignore Pax’s insinuation that they need not be concern for her because of her family name. Despite his simmering anger, Rogaan agreed with Pax that his mother was likely safe from harm because of her birthright as daughter of the second most powerful House in the Brigum area. Rogaan’s anger subsided, a little, and he resigned himself, first, to discover the fate of his father and Pax’s parents. “Let us go and find out about our parents.”

  “Suhd.” Pax did his best to speak authoritatively. “Return home. Rogaan and me will follow da.... “

  “We,” Suhd interrupted with a stern look in her eyes. “We...Pax. I no sit at home while Ma and Father need our help.”

  “Ya only slow us down,” Pax stated flatly and with a hint of old frustrations, maybe even anger. “We be better off without ya followin’ us about da streets -- and besides, there might be a fight and ya might get hurt.”

  “No worry about me.” Suhd spoke as if Pax had not said a word. She started up the stairs, then looked back over her shoulder at her brother, then glanced at Rogaan. Rogaan lost himself again at the sight of her. “Neither of ya will be slowed by me. I’ll keep up with no complaint. Besides, ya might need my help.”

  “No!” Pax barked at his sister’s back as she bound up the last few creaking steps. His face deepened in color as he stood with his fists on his hips. Pax followed Suhd with his eyes as she ran into their apartment. Anger was clearly visible on his face, and he did his best to look and sound authoritative, forcing his voice lower than he normally talked. “Ya be my charge now and I say ya no go with us. Stay home.”

  Pax spoke the last few words to an empty balcony. He looked as if he were about to jump out of his skin with frustration. Rogaan had witnessed them arguing more than a few times before, with Suhd usually ignoring her older brother in the end. For all of it, Pax seemed to expect his sister to disobey him, and he was not pleased about it. Then, Rogaan could not recall a time when Pax was satisfied with the outcome of one of their sibling disagreements, except this time danger lurked in every shadow. Rogaan agreed with Pax. Suhd needed to be out of the way and in a place safe from harm. She was as stubborn as stone when she wanted to be, and she certainly had that way about her now. The Tusaa’Ner had already invaded their home, but might return. He needed Suhd safe, but where, so she would not be able to follow them? For Rogaan, Suhd was too dangerous to keep close. She would be distracting to him and a problem, especially now when he needed to think clearly, but what were he and Pax to do with her? A few tormented moments passed before he had a plan he thought well enough to recommend. Rogaan opened his mouth to speak, but Pax had already started grumbling aloud.

  “I be going ta go up there and tie her ta da table,” Pax announced as if he really meant it, then started for the stairs.

  Rogaan grabbed his friend’s arm, keeping him easily from ascending the steps. Pax shot back a heated look that made a shiver ripple down Rogaan’s spine. “Pax, you know she will fight you like a leaper and we do not know if the Tusaa’Ner will return. She might be in danger if she stays.”

  Pax gave Rogaan a perplexed look, as if he had just spoken a great riddle that had no solution. Rogaan shot back a wide-eyed, stiff-jawed look of impatience and a hint of frustration. “I have a plan. We take Suhd with us while we sneak a look at what is going on then take her to my mother before we do anything. She will be safe with Mother. Then, we can get your parents back.”

  Pax looked ready to break bricks with his teeth. Act first was Pax’s way. It often enough got him and Rogaan in trouble. In a sudden change of demeanor, Pax appeared calm and lost in thought, as if he were considering Rogaan’s suggestion. “Ya have an idea there. She no refuse ya mother. This might work.”

  Suhd emerged from the doorway, half-dressed, in a short blue tunic with a matching knee-length skirt. Rogaan stood open-mouthed with heat rising in his cheeks while watching her struggle with her tunic and black belt that were not quite in place. He caught a peek at her naked breast as she bounded down the creaky stairs when she made one last adjustment of her clothes. His heart skipped a beat, maybe two. Sweat formed on his brow and he felt uncomfortably warm all over as he stood dumbfounded, unable to recall any of his thoughts while intensely watching her approach. Only Suhd filled his world. She was beautiful, with a lean runner’s body of brown, yet with enough of a young woman’s curves. She gave Rogaan a glance when she was halfway down the stairs and nearly stumbled when she realized he was looking at her…in that way. Her waist-length jet hair blew in all directions as she jumped from four steps up down to Pax where he caught her. Yes, Rogaan concluded, she would be a distraction, and a beautiful one at that.

  Chapter 9

  Paradise Broken

  Rogaan and his friends carefully made their way through Brigum’s almost deserted streets, moving in the shadows south toward the center of town. Observations from their terrace perch saw the Tusaa’Ner taking prisoners to the Hall of Laws, where Shuruppak laws were increasingly tightening a noose around the necks of the townspeople. While on the move, Pax complained about the new Ensi, the governing ministers, and the hand-picked Tusaa’Ner acting as their personal guard, now carrying the title of Sakes and all were dressed in black instead of their traditional uniforms and colors. Pax did not like authority, and he certainly made it clear that the new hand governing Brigum was less liked than what it replaced. Rogaan was not as certain. The streets before the Ensi came to Brigum were safe enough to walk with the occasional cut-coiner to worry over, but the night brawls around the taverns made him uneasy. Serious law-brea
king was uncommon, but the Town Council and the Tusaa’Ner did little to keep drunkards and those quick to fight out of the streets once the sun went down. The Ensi quieted the streets as his first order of business and set the Sakes out to clean them up, which they made quick work of. Rogaan welcomed the Ensi’s running Brigum, in a selfish way he admitted to himself, mostly because Dubsa Jir was not. Jir still led the Town Council and made every effort to keep up the façade that he was the one running the town, but those caring to look past Jir’s claims saw the Ensi in control and that Jir and the Town Council were now merely tools of Shuruppak’s rule.

  Their footfalls on the smooth paving stones drew little attention from the few passers-by out and about. Folks nowadays tended to keep to themselves more and not loiter in the streets. Despite her lithe frame and light body, Suhd sounded as if she were twice Rogaan’s size by the way she slapped her sandals down, and was a bit clumsy as she struggled to keep up. Pax, leading, must have taken notice of the noise she was making and slowed down, though he kept them moving toward Market Street and the Hall of Laws. Concerned that Pax was about to charge right into the Hall grounds with reckless abandon -- not an act Rogaan would be surprised at despite his friend’s assertions -- Rogaan reached out to grab Pax and bring him to a stop. Pax veered to the right before Rogaan could close his grip on his pack then trotted south down the back street paralleling Market Street. Red-brown brick and tan limestone buildings with mostly groomed shrubs and broadleaf trees lined both sides of the ten-stride-wide paved street that separated them from their goal. Pax came to a stop crouched behind a stack of discarded crates near an average-sized building on their left. Rogaan and Suhd caught up with him moments later. Rogaan sucked in a couple of breaths before settling into a calm, quiet crouch. Suhd bent over with hands on knees, struggling to catch her breath. The smell about them reminded Rogaan of the alley behind the Dusty Shovel tavern...a day-old chamber pot. All he could do was wrinkle his nose and do his best to ignore the stench.