The council members laughed. "That always adds a bit of excitement every month or so. The work no one wants to do piles up and causes a mess or interferes with other work or falls on the same people too often so they quit... . There are some interesting, often heated, discussions following one of these episodes but it always works out in the end," Maja said.
"Why doesn't someone just assign the work?" Befrielse asked.
"That isn't how we decided Refuge would run. Varlid looks like a giant upside down funnel. Everything that is produced, manufactured, and labored for is funneled upwards into the hands of the few. We purposefully set up Refuge to be the exact opposite of the rest of Varlid. That's not to say that we stay the same. We are open and willing to experiment with how we live along some basic guidelines which we'll share with you in the coming days. You've already learned one, we're committed to non-violence and part of that is no weapons are allowed in Refuge at any time other than work implements."
"What if you're attacked?" Hem asked.
"We are committed to meeting that attack without the use of violence. But we are realists. That's why the portal was created. That's why you will be worked into life in Refuge in stages," Maja said then pushed back from the table. "I'm about all talked out. Someone else want to take over?"
Albin nodded. "I think that's the most I've heard you speak in a week. Please ask questions if you have any but maybe you'll learn more by doing."
"I have a question," Befrielse added. "So who owns Refuge, how is it divided up?"
"No one owns Refuge," Albin said. "It is a small community. It's another aspect of Varlid we are trying to turn on it's head. There is no personal ownership of property or most items."
"But you can't produce everything you need here on this small area."
"No, we can't. Full members come and go into Varlid and trade or buy the things we need. We operate on mainly necessities: food, shelter, clothes, pursuit of knowledge and interests. The basics does take up most of your time but the load is shared."
"We don't claim to have all the answers," Nova said. "As you talk to other members you'll probably hear a different view on what we've been talking about and that's fine, encouraged even."
"One more question," Furstinna ventured.
"Of course."
"What about the Goddess?"
"Our first rule is to non-violence in any form. You are free to express your beliefs however you like but they cannot include sacrifice or violence. That's all we ask. Again, we don't have all the answers and we are not implying we're experts on everything about Refuge. Once you join daily life here and talk to others you'll have a better idea of what we're trying to build," Nova said. With that the council bid them farewell and they were free to get started in Refuge.
***
Caj walked up a grassy path to a pasture overlooking the Bred Hav. The council members who had spoken to the newcomers were there plus fifty other members of Refuge. Nils opened the discussion. "We're gathered to talk about the loss of Kunskap and Lurazat."
"Is there a problem?" Caj asked.
"That's why we're here. Kunskap recommended Kvinna to be appointed to the dignitary specifically so she could facilitate a meeting with Lurazat. The fact that she is with the newcomers, was trusted by Kunskap and also had access to Lurazat warrants some discussion. The fact that two of these three people known to Refuge is either missing or dead concerns me," Nils explained.
"You're not the only one concerned," Albin said.
"It could be a coincidence," Caj said.
"Refuge is still alive because we don't believe in coincidences," Maja said. "We've dealt with infiltrators before."
"The rest of the group seems to trust Kvinna, they brought her here to save her."
"True," Maja said. "Kunskap never had any reservations about Befrielse and trusted him to add people who were trustworthy."
"Kvinna's explanation is reasonable given the history of Stark Harskare's government. They could have found out about Lurazat's research and his correspondence with Kunskap and tried to frame Kvinna to undermine their group," Caj said.
"I think Befrielse may have more information to share than he thinks. He wasn't supposed to gain access to Refuge yet. There was a broader plan with Kunskap to bring a larger group to Refuge in a couple of years. We need to ask him about that."
"Could Befrielse be a part of some plot?"
"If we really want to get paranoid they all could be."
"Caj, I'm putting you in charge. Use anyone from this group to search everything they brought with them, their clothes, their rooms, the baths, wherever they stay or work in Refuge. Maybe one of them will be eager establish contact outside of Refuge," Maja said.
"What about the Grampas?" a member asked.
"We haven't had one breakthrough in communication with them in all these years. Unless something drastically changes we'll have to put that aside for now," Nova said.
"And the Vapen?" another member asked.
"They might intend to threaten all of Varlid with a weapon like that," someone else answered.
Caj moaned. "Start another Varlid War? If the Asistan Ti withdraws their magic support it makes many more smaller machines, like the Skal, useless. The Elyun would stop shipping raw materials and could seriously disrupt the flow of money plus having the Kertenkele on their side in a fight is a huge advantage. I don't think one weapon will cripple any of the other nations enough to make them surrender."
There was a minute of silence then Maja spoke slowly and clearly so everyone gathered could hear. "There is one place they could cripple with that kind of weapon. Us. Refuge."
"The three items not only guard the portal but also our location," Nova said. "It makes a weapon like Vapen useless against us."
"We're so close to finishing what the founders of Refuge started," Caj said. "We need to take the next steps. Our secret location has kept us safe for many years, but we can't take that for granted."
Maja paused to let the murmuring among the group die down then issued a decision. "Step up the memorization of the Phases and the Ninety-nine Ways. Once we do a final check that everyone in Refuge knows those two books by heart, burn all physical copies. They can't kill an idea, they can't stop a leaderless movement and they can't purge what they can't find."
Country: Varlid, Nation: Patri Peyi (Nokashikatekiariku), City: Vil Peyi (Nokushilukumichi)
Whatever you change, changes you. - Mina Rinkishikamitaku
Mina floated, semi-conscious, while Asistan Ti worked around her prone form. Her homeland floated above, clear blue skies, white wisps of clouds, and snatches of green leaves on branches. She was home. How? Then Mina remembered, it had all been a trick. While she was in the Far West Wilderness she thought she'd delivered babies. Noki was by her side. Luru and Teke came and went. Small, mewling sounds of babies, alive, she was almost certain there had been babies. When she awoke again it was to a scene out of a nightmare.
Asistan Ti surrounded the clearing, floating along the tops of bushes like large insects. Teke held Mina at arm's length, offering her to the Asistan Ti. She spoke about a trade, Mina in exchange for the rest of their race. Teke assured them, Mina was whole so the Asistan Ti could use for their final experiments to heal themselves. To grab this opportunity that would not come for another hundred years since Priestess Tado from Dohla mutilated all whole females through the ritual, Nodoshiku.
Mikachiari howled in anguish at Teke's words. At her betrayal. The only thing holding them back from tearing Teke limb from limb was the Asistan Ti's magic.
Mina lost her mind at that point and wondered at how easily she was able to grab the shiny dagger from Teke's belt. Dark purple liquid flowed from the stab wounds Mina repeatedly inflicted upon her even after Teke sunk to the ground.
All that training and Teke never fought back. Mina wondered if in her heart Teke knew what she was doing was beyond the ability to forgive.
Mina's anger at what had happened throbbed like a dull
ache in her belly. So much deceit from her own kind. Gumus was one of the few who'd kept his word. Where was he now? Did Gumus know she was in the hands of the Asistan Ti?
A mass of green leaves entered her peripheral vision, then larger and larger branches came into view until a massive trunk blotted out the sky. She could see magic swirls of different colors float and move around her. An archway carved from the tree plunged her into cool shade.
Chishikuku, the sacred tree. She was entering the sacred tree of the Mikachiari she'd only heard about in stories. Mina wanted to spit and swipe at the magic users surrounding her. She could not move a muscle. It had to be a paralyze spell. No one spoke directly to her.
They guided her through rooms and down a long ramp in the bowels of the tree. Once in a dimly lit room they fastened her to a table. All around the room the stench of magic filled the air, a combination of singed hair and static. Jars of every size, filled with every color of liquid and gas lined the shelves in the room.
Blan Chapo Yon Sel barked orders to the other magic users. They poked needles in her. Rows and rows of needles in every part of her body. Mina tensed every muscle to make it harder for them to insert the needles. She squirmed and twisted an inch here and there. They cut her open and took things out. When the pain grew too much she arched her neck and howled.
Mina would awaken to see Blan Chapo Yon Sel standing over her cloaking them both in an immense and blinding white and peach colored light. Then the pain would begin again.
***
The surviving Mikachiari from all over Varlid had massed at Port Nomoshichi in Aririnkatata. The Grey hats could only annoy them with their weak magic spells. Mikachiari archers brought some of them down before the White hats could assist.
Priestess Tado had refused to send the Mikachiari from Rasima with the blessing of the Elyun government. Batu and Kazi managed to lead a small group and escape with the help of a few Kertenekele.
The Mikachiari didn't have long to wait. The Asistan Ti had used Mina immediately and during the next skirmish the Grey hats dropped out of the air, dead. The White hats cried out. Blind they flew into buildings and trees. When they dropped to the ground the Mikachiari pounced on them and ripped them apart with teeth and claws. Others used weapons to skewer them, laughing and shouting, "They taste bad!"
Gumus watched at the entrance of Port Nomoshichi, waiting for the carnage to be over. Luru walked up the main alley towards him spitting out a White hat's head and flinging it's body aside like the inedible skin of a piece of fruit. She laughed and jumped on Gumus's back. "Are you ready?!"
Noki, Batu, and Kazi joined her and they screamed, "Sisters, Nokashikatekiariku is ours!" They marched through Aririnkatata where the Faglar joined them. Dried purple blood stuck to their bright colored feathers, beaks and talons.
Gumus Ay entered Nokushikulumichi with his great axe swinging killing any Asistan Ti who crossed his path as he made his way to Chishikuku.
"If Mina is alive, that's where they're keeping her," Luru said. Gumus grabbed Noki in case Mina needed help.
The giant tree stood quiet, impassive to the chaos and violence happening under its shade. Gumus ignored the cries of the scattered White hats crawling on the floor. "Mina!" he called over and over again.
***
Mina lost count of how many times Blan Chapo Yon Sel had revived her. This time was different. The intense light snapped out instead of fading. Mina gasped at the fresh pain. Blan Chapo Yon Sel faltered above her wiping at her eyes.
With tiny hands outstretched Blan Chapo Yon Sel felt her way down to Mina until their faces met. "What have you done?" she cried in an ear splitting, high-pitched voice. Her eyes covered with an opaque film.
Mina gathered what little moisture was left in her mouth and spit in Blan Chapo Yon Sel's face.
The other White hats in the room cried out for guidance. Blan Chapo Yon Sel withdrew and Mina could no longer see any of them. Soon the room was completely silent. She looked down at her body. She squirmed and tugged at her straps. The needles felt like tiny fires, except her legs. Below her waist Mina felt nothing. Time passed, the colors in the jars faded and then vanished. No one came back for her.
Hunger clung to her belly and thirst made her delirious. She thought she heard her name. Then she recognized the voice. It was Gumus, she was sure of it, shouting her name over and over again. Mina could only whimper in reply. She heard wood splinter and crack then he was above her. The axe he brandished slipped from his fingers and clattered to the floor. "Noki!" he called.
Gumus's hands floated above her unsure of what to do first. Mina tugged at her wrists and with one snap of his finger she was free. She began picking needles from her body. Noki entered whispering, "Oh Goddess. This is a miracle."
Mina threw needles at her.
"No—it's okay!" Noki stammered. "Your babies live. Five strong males, they are safe!"
Gumus pulled a canteen from Noki's back and placed it to Mina's lips.
Once all the needles were out Mina could still not move her legs.
Tears rolled down Noki's face.
Gumus picked up Mina and carried her outside.
Mina closed her eyes.
When Mina opened her eyes she was immersed in water. A giant animal, again something she'd only heard about in stories, splashed through the water. It had long legs and a long neck and was munching on leaves from branches high above. Mina heard a snuffle and turned her head to see Noki still crying.
"They kept the zoo open. These animals are from all over Aririnkatata," Noki said as she wiped her nose.
Gumus raised his hand dripping with water and let it splash over Mina's head. "Bring me a large piece of cloth," he told Noki.
Mina didn't speak, didn't know when she would want to again. Her eyes drifted over the rich greenery, her other senses filled with the smell of flowers thick in the air, the buzz of insects and animals nearby. Across the pond where Mina floated, Mikachiari pulled a sobbing White hat from a house onto the patio and methodically ripped her apart.
***
Among the uppermost branches of the Chishikuku, Prezidan Jules floated in a clear bubble, one milky white eye darted about as his body twisted in pain. He was half the size of the other Asistan Ti gathered around him.
Blan Chapo Yon Sel knelt at his side weeping. "They have overrun Patri Peyi. Give me your blessing and I will drive them into the Bred Hav!"
Prezidan Jules took a small drag of air that sounded like rusty springs. His tiny hand broke through the bubble and touched Blan Chapo Yon Sel. "I would have been happy to make you the next Prezidan."
Blan Chapo Yon Sel's face turned as white as her clothes. "No—"
The Prezidan withdrew his hand and the bubble began to glow and then burst into a sprinkling of gold colored dust. Before the dust faded hundreds of popping sounds filled the air as Nwa Chapos, Black hats, filled the branches of the tree.
Where The Prezidan had vanished Nwa Chapo Yon Sel appeared.
"You don't deserve to be Prezidan! You have forsaken the Deyes nan Magic! Look at what has happened to Patri Peyi now!" Blan Chapo Yon Sel screamed.
Nwa Chapo Yon Sel called out to all the Asistan Ti. "I am your new Prezidan, Prezidan Boni." He reached forward and grabbed Blan Chapo Yon Sel's hand. "The White hats loyalty to Prezidan Jules has blinded you all." At his touch she relaxed. He tucked her hand into his waistband. "Hold on." To the rest he called out, "Nwa Chapos our exile has ended. Find every Blan Chapo still alive and protect them."
The new Prezidan Boni rose from the branch and floated out to the main courtyard in the center of Patri Peyi. Mikachiari and Faglar who had been dancing and singing stopped at the sight of Black hats floating down from Chishikuku.
A cry went up and weapons flew at the Asistan Ti. Black magic whistled through the air knocking Mikachiari and Faglar to the ground in bursts of color. Blan Chapos cast protection around the Nwa Chapos.
Prezidan Boni yelled from above, "Where is Teke?"
> A Kertenkele he recognized carrying a Mikachiari in a sling across his chest spoke, "She's dead."
Noki hissed. More weapons sailed through the air and were swatted away with bursts from the hands of the Nwa Chapos.
"You cannot hurt us. The Gri Chapos are dead. The Blan Chapos are weakened and blind, but us," Prezidan Boni spread his hands toward the Nwa Chapos. "We're fine. We are leaving Patri Peyi. Every single Asistan Ti you kill from here on will be avenged." He drew close to Noki ignoring the screams and hisses from the Mikachiari. "I know you have five Ri's so talk your agitated sisters into settling down, or I'll find those Mikachiari babes and kill them now instead of later."
Luru flung herself forward from behind a small group of Mikachiari with dagger raised. Noki grabbed her by the waist. "No!"
Prezidan Boni rose into the air and bowed. "Orevwa, for now. I'm sure we'll see you soon in Enade."
Country: Varlid, Nation: Unknown, City: Refuge
To challenge who determines who lives, who dies, and how they live and die—that would be revolutionary." - Refuge diary
Furstinna wiped the sweat from her brow. Growing food was hard work.
The soil in Refuge wasn't the best to start with. It was hard to find between the numerous rocks her hoe hit every other time she used it. Furstinna had learned a great deal about soil, how to make compost out of food scraps from the cafeteria and dead leaves and grass, whether it was alkaline or acidic, how deep it had to be to properly support plants. Goddess forbid you should ever walk on the mounded rows of soil and compact the earth. Her ears burned from the scolding she'd received from the 'earth steward'. Weeks afterward he still shot her looks of contempt.
That was just preparing the soil, the foundation for growing food. If done right then the work continued to planting, weeding, mulching, crop rotation, and the constructing, taking down and moving of cloches to extend the gardening season. Then there was the never ending battle with pests, insects and animals, looking for a free meal. There were also seeds to be saved in order to start the whole process over again for the next season.
Crowning Fantasy Book 1 Page 12
