"Come on."
Gumus had no idea if the Asistan Ti was watching them so he wandered down as many alleys as he could before finding a hiding place for Mina. He took an equally circuitous route to get back to the meeting place by the docks. The Kertenkele Gumus was supposed to meet stood out. He was enormous. The Asistan Ti slid out from his side.
"Ah, ah, ah. Where is she?"
Gumus sped up trying to take him by surprise. The Asistan Ti rolled his eyes and drew back to fire at him.
"Stop!" Mina cried.
No! Why did she pick now to not follow my words?
The Asistan Ti smiled. "We have an arrangement then. Mavi Ay will take you from here."
Gumus stepped in front of Mina and addressed his brother. "Mavi Ay, I am Gumus Ay. We're from the same clan. It is this Mikachiari that needs safe passage to Dong Tochi, not I."
Mavi Ay drew a step closer. "Brother, you don't appear well."
"I am not."
Mina shot forward to attack the Asistan Ti. She screeched "Teka torin!" as a purple flame met her halfway. Mina collapsed on the ground.
"Kindly tell her to stand down," said the Asistan Ti. "I don't want to harm her."
Gumus lowered himself to charge.
"Enough!" Mavi Ay stepped between them. "Nwa Chapo Yon Sel return to the ship."
After a pause the Asistan Ti said, "As you wish." Then spread his arms wide creating a black swirling whirlpool of smoke. When it winked out he was gone.
"Mina?" Gumus picked her up.
She moaned cradling her head.
"I am sorry about Nwa Chapo Yon Sel. She was never in any danger from us. And she did try to attack him," Mavi Ay said.
"Because he is Asistan Ti. You know what they did."
"Of course, but not all Asistan Ti condoned the war. The Black hats have revolted entirely against Prezidan Jules. They are being hunted by their own and have sought sanctuary across Varlid. Surely, she knows that."
Gumus shrugged in reply. He had no idea what she did or did not know. "Why didn't he speak frankly to me then?"
"I have never known Asistan Ti to be frank and Nwa Chapo Yon Sel even less so. Unlike us he likes to play games. I am sorry for the confusion. Where have you come from brother?" asked Mavi.
"Rasima."
"Ahhh. You follow Onxy Ay."
"You know his teachings?"
Mavi Ay said carefully, "After a fashion. What ails you brother and how can I help?"
While Mina crouched and rubbed her temples, Gumus Ay gave an abbreviated story of how they came to be at Free Port and seeking passage to Dong Tochi.
"I am not well and ask for Mina's safe passage, not myself, except that I will pay off her debt in any way I can."
Mavi searched Gumus's flame colored eyes. "How exactly are you unwell?"
Gumus bowed his head. "Does it matter? I don't believe I have long and would like to give what time I have left in her service."
Mavi's face scrunched up in true puzzlement. "Forgive me, but your words sound as if... I don't know how it is in Rasima but brothers in general are frank with each other. How are you unwell."
Gumus shifted from side to side. "If I am frank brother will you still promise to help her?"
"You have my word."
"I suffer from the Cinsel Iliski."
"And you left before the brothers in Rasima could help you?"
"There is no help. Onxy Ay teaches us to control our minds and bodies and I failed his teachings."
Mavi Ay was silent for a full minute. "Brother, I will take you both to Dong Tochi. There is a doctor there, Kirmizi Gunes who will help you. No harm will come to her. Mina, is it? We learned from other Mikachiari in Dong Tochi about rumors one had escaped. They are frantically searching for her. She is special to them. They believe she is... whole, is it true?"
"I'm not sure what you mean... was it that Cita? Loana! She sent the Vartalf after us and they stole everything."
"I know nothing of her and the Vartalf but we did pay her for information about Mina. It is very unusual if she is whole. There is great interest in Dong Tochi about a Mikachiari in her condition."
Mavi Ay leaned over to make eye contact with Mina. "Forgive me, Mina, there is a Mikachiari in Dong Tochi who will want to talk to you. Her name is Teke."
Mina stammered, "Nodoshiku, no. She hate me. Or trick me."
"She's been betrayed by every Mikachiari so far except her best friend over this ritual called the Nodoshiku. I don't understand all of it." Gumus explained.
"Neither do I but Teke is a friend of mine." Mavi addressed Mina again. "I know Teke and she will do neither of those things. In fact, I think she'll be very happy to meet you."
Mavi Ay was not the captain of the ship but his influence as someone needed and strong enough to defend the ship against pirates and haul impossibly heavy loads such as the anchor and cargo meant he could walk up to the captain and ask safe passage for Gumus and Mina. Gumus noticed Mavi was also clothed in a mixture of armor and civilian dress.
The captain of the boat to Dong Tochi exclaimed after Mavi finished. "Goddess Gudina save me from your bleeding heart." He motioned at Gumus. "What is he the runt of the litter? No matter, they bunk with you and they help, understood?"
Mavi nodded and shepherded them down below. He pulled out some clothes for Gumus. "We don't dress so simply in the rest of Varlid."
"Thank you." Gumus had lost so much weight the clothes meant for the usual massive frame of a Kertenkele billowed around him like the sails of the ship.
Country: Varlid, Area: The great sea Bred Hav
A week went by as they sailed the Bred Hav. They passed Rasima in the distance and kept sailing until they reached Port Plaj in Asistan Ti territory just long enough to restock before they headed out again to Dong Tochi. Mavi Ay led Mina and Nwa Chapo Yon Sel to a hidden compartment behind the cargo. Nwa Chapo Yon Sel cast magic at Mina.
Mina slapped at the air. "What that?"
"To hide your smell. Otherwise I couldn't stand being locked in here with you."
Mavi motioned for them to be quiet. "Behave," he told Nwa Chapo Yon Sel.
After they left Port Plaj the next stop was Dong Tochi. During the trip they didn't encounter pirates but Mavi Ay warned this was an exception, not the rule. With better food and care Gumus let his guard down. The Cinsel Iliski overtook him as they drew near to Dong Tochi.
Country: Varlid, Nation: The Far West, City: Dong Tochi
The port authorities and the captain had wanted Gumus Ay dead. Nwa Chapo Yon Sel fired magic at Gumus to keep him contained in a circle so Mavi Ay could summon Kirmizi Gunes.
Kirmizi Gunes organized ten Kertenkele to restrain Gumus. "Why was he allowed to reach this stage?" he shouted to Mavi Ay.
Mavi shouted back, "He is one of Onyx Ay's disciples."
"Lanet! Even Onyx knows the results if it's allowed to progress this far."
"Onyx killed them."
Kirmizi cursed again, "Lanet tanri! Onyx you mad fool!"
Teke and her crew milled around. Some crying hysterically over the Mikachiari who'd been brought into Kirmizi's office with the ill Kertenkele.
"Get them out of here!" Kirmizi yelled.
A struggle broke out between the Mikachiari with long strings of unbroken language the Kertenkele didn't understand.
"She won't leave him," Teke said.
"You're going to want to get out of here," Kirmizi warned.
Mina clawed her way to Gumus's side.
"Mina!" Teke and several others took hold of her limbs to pull her back.
Kirmizi gave up. "I can't wait." He brandished an impossibly long needle and inserted it through a spot in Gumus's abdomen. The commotion in the room continued in the background while Kirmizi worked. "There! Stand ba—" He was interrupted by an explosion of green slime in the room that brought everyone to a standstill.
"It's all over me!" screamed Teke.
"It's all over everyone," Mavi said.
"Is it p
oisonous?"
"No," Kirmizi answered.
Mina drew closer.
"He'll be fine now after a few days rest. Do you want to help?" Kirmizi asked Mina.
"Why would she help a Kertenkele?" Teke asked.
Kirmizi tossed some rags to Mavis and began wiping down the walls. "Mavi Ay seems to think they're bound."
"Not possible." Teke said shaking her arms to fling off some of the green goop.
Kirmizi tossed a rag at Teke with a frown.
"Mina stayed with Gumus when the Cinsel Iliski overtook him on the ship," Mavi explained. "Clung to his chest as long as she could. It was the only reason Gumus didn't tear apart the ship before we reached Dong Tochi. The only thing that prevented the captain from throwing Gumus overboard until we docked."
Mina shrugged off Teke and the others. "I stay."
***
Three days later, Gumus sat in a corner of Kirmizi's now clean office with Mina curled up in his lap. Kirmizi, Mavi, and several others stood while half a dozen Mikachiari, including Teke, discussed their predicament.
"Whether you like it or not Gumus has bound himself to her," Kirmizi said.
"For what purpose?" Teke said. "Never matter. That means nothing to Mina."
When Mina protested Teke shouted at her, "You can't! Look at us. We're deformed by our own kind. It is a miracle you've come to us whole. We must protect you."
Teke turned to Kirmizi. "It's possible a female Kertenkele exists somewhere in Varlid for him. Let him search!"
Nwa Chapo Yon Sel hung in the air in the corner of the office on a black cloud and said, "Like it's possible there's a male Mikachiari somewhere in Varlid?"
Teke hissed at him. "Silence demon."
Kirmizi crossed his arms. "Enough, I'm telling you what is, nothing more. Cinsel Iliski in it's true form is a bonding ritual between male and female Kertenkele. The Ofkelenmek is only one of the changes that have occurred since the destruction of our race. This seems to be another. Gumus had no control over what happened. If he had gotten to us sooner maybe, but not now." Kirmizi held up a hand to silence Teke. "We cannot hold Mina or insist she honor the ritual since she is not Kertenekele."
Teke turned and prostrated herself before Gumus. "Mina is the first whole Mikachiari we've seen in many generations since the war. With Goddess Jimotekuari's blessing Gumus you will be worshiped as a savior for bringing her here."
Gumus finally spoke. "It's not my decision. I can't make Mina honor the bond."
Kirmizi stooped close to Teke. "Be careful what you do. If the bond is true and Mina does not honor it, Gumus he will sit there until he dies. Kertenkele bond for life."
Teke jumped at the opening. "But we won't take her away. She's free to come and go as she pleases, who do you think we are? We won't imprison her, only protect her."
"Does Mina understand what is happening?" Mavi asked.
"Mina was held by our priestess Tado in Rasima who has exceeded her authority. I hear you have the same problem with one of your own?"
"Onyx Ay? I wouldn't argue with that."
"It's been difficult to explain to Mina. We need time. Do you know anything about our language?"
"Other than when you explain something that takes us a paragraph it sounds like you're saying one word."
"You're not wrong. We can speak the entire history of parts of our culture with one word. The details are contained in the small chunks of the word, that's why when we talk about the war everything is contained in these two words - Chikitofu Meikizikashiteari. If something significant happens we add or detract from that word. Talking with you is like running halfway across Varlid. It's exhausting. With Mina we're getting there but our language has changed being separated from our priestesses and scholars, our shared experience."
Teke spoke to Gumus, "She has to come with us for a couple of days at least. We will bring her back. We will honor her decision."
Mina looked up at Gumus and patted his cheek.
After they left Kirmizi laid his hand on Gumus's shoulder. "Rest, Gumus. I've known Teke for a while and trust her judgement."
Nwa Chapo Yon Sel snorted from where he'd been watching the whole exchange. "I wouldn't."
***
Mina waited until she was out of eyesight before letting herself relax into the embrace of her kin. Her memory flashed on the traitor, Cita and then on Tado in Rasima. It made her hesitate even though Teke and the others stroked and reassured her.
"We never thought this day would come. Our priestesses turned on us so absolutely. Goddess Jimotekuari must have wept for us." Teke shook herself out of the painful reverie. "And here you are. Now, we are going to clean you up. Goddess knows you have wandered in the wilderness to reach us. This is Dong Tochi. It is not a safe place, so don't wander by yourself. We'll post guards to protect you at all times."
Mina heard Teke but there were gaps in her understanding. New words she had never heard before to describe events she had no knowledge of. Dong Tochi was made of wide stone avenues with winding alleyways branching off again and again. She immediately lost all sense of direction. Only the vague salty smell of Bred Hav let her know which direction the harbor might lay. A dense, rotting smell of vegetation was carried on the wind to her from the opposite direction.
She was hurried along until they came to a door that gave way after Teke spoke through a slot to someone. The rooms Mina entered were as luxurious as the Sayid's house in Rasima. Colorful carpets and cushions covered the floor. Water trickled nearby. Fresh water that made Mina realize she was so thirsty.
They pulled and pushed her down corridors to a wide open bath. Against the walls were faucets with stools and cups for scooping up water. In the middle of the room was a large tub with steam drifting up from the surface. The smell of a flower from their homeland, Nokashikatekiariku, brought tears to her eyes.
The entire group stayed with Mina and ran their hands over her, grooming, picking sand and dirt from her ears, mites from her tail. They cleaned and filed her nails. Hot, scented water flowed down her body until she was more at ease than she'd been since leaving Rasima. She wasn't allowed to assist. It was as if she were a priestess. When she was sparkling they led her to the bath and everyone eased in to relax.
Mina dozed off as Teke petted her, spoke to her about the changes to their common words to fit a life in Dong Tochi. It made Mina a bit uncomfortable being asked to change her understanding of their history without a priestess or scholar's blessing.
"We have decided we would like to grant you a Priestess name to commemorate our rebirth, Mina." When Mina shifted uneasily Teke added, "It is only to honor you and your sacrifice."
"Sacrifice?"
After a brief pause, Teke said, "Your journey to us must have been filled with sacrifices."
"It was eventful. Except for Gumus's condition we might have stayed in Sanddyner."
"We will honor Gumus Ay at all our celebrations. You were very lucky to find him."
When Mina didn't answer, Teke added, "We are considering the name Mina Rinkishikamitaku."
Mina blushed at the honor. "I have had no formal training. Surely Rikijiri Noshikikuarichiari would not approve."
"We don't see ourselves beholden to her or their ways any more. Goddess Jimotekuari has delivered us from the curse of the Nodoshiku by bringing you to us." At Mina's look of concern Teke added. "Gumus Ay Rinkishikamitaku will also be remembered."
Mina smiled. "He will be a good ally for us. Gumus is different now, I could feel it." As Mina's vision grew blurry she realized too late that she had been drugged. Mina thought she heard a whisper before she slept, "Forgive us... Forgive me."
***
Mavi Ay cradled Nwa Chapo Yon Sel in his arm as he entered Kirmizi's office.
"What happened?" Kirmizi said.
"I found him. I'm not sure he still lives." He laid Nwa Chapo Yon Sel on a cot.
"His pulse is very weak." Kirmizi sniffed the air just above him. "White hat magic. Who attacked him?"
"I saw no one. We need to send a warning to Teke. Nwa Chapo Yon Sel knew why they were hiding Mina."
"There's no need."
"Why?"
"They're gone."
Mavi glanced at Gumus still sitting in the corner like a rock placed there as decoration. "What do you mean gone?"
"A ship left in the early morning hours for Seo Jog Mo Seo Li and the Mikachiari were aboard."
"What in Varlid could Teke be thinking? We offered her our protection. They have no better ally than Gumus. Bonded to Mina, there's no limit to what he would do to protect her."
Another Black hat, Nwa Chapo Fo Dife, hurried in. "Where is he?" Her voice chirped.
Mavi Ay motioned to the cot.
After a minute of inspection she confirmed Kirmizi's earlier analysis, "It's white magic."
"How can white magic hurt? I thought it could only heal and protect," Mavi said.
"Healing and protecting magic when cast at Black hats hurts us." Nwa Chapo Fo Dife rested her hand on Nwa Chapo Yon Sel's forehead. "He is the strongest Black hat. If he was hurt it must have been Blan Chapo Yon Sel."
"Why?"
"There are only three Yon Sel's at any one time. Next to the Prezidan they are the strongest. If anything happens to the Prezidan, Nwa Chapo Yon Sel would replace him. I think Blan Chapo Yon Sel tried to kill him to take his place."
"What about the Grey hats?"
"They're too weak. Only if the Black and White hat Yon Sel's perish can a Grey hat take over. It has never happened but in all likelihood a Grey had would inherit the Black hat magic." Nwa Chapo Fo Dife straightened. "Only time will tell if he survives. If Blan Chapo is caught she will be punished."
"So far from Patri Peyi?" Mavi Ay asked.
"The Prezidan can reach an Asistan Ti anywhere in Varlid. Asistan Ti may not harm each other, even if they turn Aventyrare and no matter how far they stray from the Prets nan Magic, it is our law."
Kirmizi and Mavi exchanged a doubtful expression.
"Nwa Chapo Fo Defe, why are the Asistan Ti so keen to capture a child-bearing Mikachiari?" Kirmizi asked.
Crowning Fantasy Book 1 Page 5
