by Kyrja
“Oh!” Nieva exclaimed, “that’s perfect!”
“You should probably visit her too,” Oculis suggested, hugging her closer.
“It looks like we have lots of friends to visit,” Nieva replied, thinking of Jarles and his parents. “But first, we should go home to check on Grandmother the Goddess. She’ll be worried about us.”
“Any time you’re ready,” Gaku stepped forward. “Yakuza and I will help get everyone home.”
“I’m glad you’re still with us,” Denit told him. “Both of you,” she looked at Yakuza.
“For the time being,” Gaku nodded. “One day, we will both join the Song, but for time being, we’re going to see if we can find where in the world my daughter has settled.”
“And we’re going to do some fishing too,” Yakuza added, smiling.
* * * * * * * *
In Nohoyo, the goddess Jahari was restless. For hundreds of years, she had roamed the planet searching for threats which might be harmful to Giya, and now she was here, in this one relatively small land, doing the same things day after day. Her responsibilities were challenging, but they were also confining. Her people were beginning to learn new ways of working together to solve their own problems, the land was flourishing, and there was plenty of water for all, here in their desert homeland. And yet … she felt … left behind. As an Ahadi for Giya, she had been witness to great events and small gestures which often lead to interesting challenges. But this time, instead of watching as events and circumstances played themselves out, she was here, in this one place, all the time. Waiting. Wondering. Having no part in it.
And that, of course, was the real problem, and she knew it – no matter how loathe she was to admit it. She could do nothing to affect the outcome. As an Ahadi, she could do many small things to change the course of matters, and of history, cloaked and invisible, though she had always been. It was too much to ask – all this waiting. She thought she might go mad.
“Have you felt it?” she heard the voice to her left, a moment after she’d felt Borja rise up out of the sand.
“What do you mean?” Jahari felt herself frown. With Borja, she knew she could never be too careful. No matter how close they had once been, since Lumas had left, and Giya had freed them of their responsibilities as Ahadi, Borja could no longer be trusted. If she was honest with herself, where she was once sad, she was angry now.
“The poison is retreating,” Borja said, kicking at the sand. “Diminishing.”
“So Giya is free then?” she asked cautiously.
“Oh yes,” she smiled at Jahari. “And Jarles has become the Sea God, in truth.”
“You said you would never let that happen,” Jahari reminded her, on guard.
Laughing, Borja said, “I was wrong, Jahari. I never should have said that. I was just jealous and being petty.”
“Huh,” she made a noncommittal sound. “So now what will you do?”
“Why, just what Giya said to do, of course. You and I will work together to make Nohoyo thrive!” As enthusiastic as Borja appeared to be, Jahari wasn’t convinced, but there was no point in voicing her doubts, she knew. Borja would either prove herself to be an ally or an enemy, and only time would tell which she would be.
“And Ozahm?” she asked, “Will he be joining us in this undertaking, too?”
“No,” Borja shook her head. “He was careless and became a part of the Song. He is no longer with us.”
“I see,” Jahari nodded, probably relieved if she was being truthful. But there was obviously so much more her counterpart wasn’t telling her. Suppressing the urge to sigh, she said, “If Giya is free, then we can send our guests back to Bila. We could begin our work together making sure they are returned safely.”
“That sounds like a wonderful idea,” Borja replied, knowing full well Jahari didn’t trust her. Then she smiled to herself, eager for the day when it would be she who would control the seas.
* * * * * * * *
“Do we really have to take them back with us?” Kraas asked Rajesh, staring down at the bodies of the emperor and Councilor Fumaini. “Can’t we just bury them or something? Maybe turn them to ash first?”
“If we want to help Rhian’s transfer of power to go smoothly, we really need to have a body so the proper protocols are observed,” Rajesh told her. “I’ve seen it done a couple of times in the past couple of centuries, so I have a pretty good idea of what’s expected.”
“Still … “ having seen far too many dead people in her short life, Zaria was in agreement with Kraas.
Shrugging, Rajesh said, “It’s the right thing to do, so that’s what we’re going to do. It’s not like I’m asking you carry them,” he smirked. “Just kneel down to make sure you’re holding on to their clothing so the bodies go with us. Hang on to my legs,” he reminded them. It will only take a minute and we’ll be back in the palace. Are you ready?”
“Fine,” Kraas rolled her eyes, kneeling down next to Rajesh, holding out her right hand to grab the emperor’s shirt, while she wrapped her left arm around Rajesh’s right leg. Zaria echoed her movements, holding on to his left leg and Councilor Fumaini.
Raising both of his arms, Rajesh drew the portal into being, a short distance in front of them, then moved the energies to envelope them. As soon as the portal surrounded them, they all screamed, then they were gone.
Glossary
Afya – A Usawa symbol used to add emphasis to Uchawi symbols. Also marks Kweli’s descendants by glowing when drawn.
Ahadi – “Promise” in an ancient language. Eternal beings Lumas has used to keep Giya safe.
Alqamar – “Moon” in an old language; most commonly used to describe a type of flower which only blooms at night.
Andhera – A race of beings from another realm / dimension / time ruled by a Regent.
Andhera Stone – Used to call the Andhera. Also seals the portal so the Andhera may not enter the rest of the world from Badala.
Arak – An alcoholic beverage.
Badala – A second portal created by Lumas in which others may visit the planet from other realms, dimensions, and times. Translates as “Revenge.”
Bahari – Race of individuals who live in the sea. May be part human and part sea creature.
Baraka - Blessing
Bila – Southern desert Empire
Campania – A group of desert people traveling together who may or may not be related.
Candentis Vine – A rare fruit-bearing vine which grows only in arid/desert regions only propagated by those cuttings which give off illumination after harvesting of the fruit is completed. Created by Ozahm, the Lord of Death. Also known as “Giya’s Tears.”
Chi Tomo – Blood Bond taken by the mate of the Emperor or Empress of Bila.
Fire Tender - People of Nohoyo who are born with the ability to draw the life out of one living thing, usually to transfer it to another living thing. The term is a bastardization of an ancient title for those who were to tend fires through the night so that the others of their clan or family would be safe and warm. Now known as Magami no te: Hands of the Goddess.
Havah – A type of plant which can be used as an intoxicant. Often used for ceremonial and/or religious purposes.
Himitsu - “Secret” in a language long dead used by Sahil and Sakari.
Jadu – A certain kind of magic used to draw life from the person inside to another person.
Jikangai – A portal outside of time created by Lumas where others may visit from alternate realms, dimensions, or times. Where Lumas placed Deiserin, the first empress of Bila.
Joojinta – A Singer who has not yet surrendered to the Song of the Earth.
Kasais – In Nohoyo, those who were once charged with enforcing laws. The term is a bastardization of an ancient tile for those who were to guide others in how to serve Sov. Since Denit’s rise as the Sun Goddess, they are now teachers.
Kinji - All of the land, including the desert, north of Bila.
Laknor – A t
ype of crunchy nut, native to the desert, said to be sweet.
Magami – “Hands” in an old language. Those formerly known as Fire Tenders.
Magami no te – Hands of the Goddess
Merlarn – A man who is specifically tasked with the holy duty of impregnating women from the desert in an effort to produce the prophesized savior/Amphedia’s heir.
Mezhdu - Those whose spirits are born into the wrong-gendered body.
Midbar – That area of the known lands which is mountainous; it lies between the desert and the sea. Can also be used as an adjective to describe a person who lives in this region.
Nagy’ – Shortened version of “grandmother.”
Nohoyo - A land long hidden in which only Sov may be worshiped. Also known as Taiyo no Hoyo, which means “Embraced of the sun.” This land is no longer hidden.
Puj’hom – An individual who lives near the sea, particularly in the City by the Sea.
Qatyeh – A head wrap used by desert dwellers to protect an individual from excessive heat. Also used to absorb sweat.
Sylnad - “Flower” in an old language.
Taiyo no Hoyo – Also known as “Nohoyo,” which was once a place for Sov to teach his people how to worship him, but is now open and rules by a Jahari, a goddess.
Tulki – “Fox” in an old language
Tuq’deb – An individual who lives in the desert.
Uchawi - A certain kind of magic used by those from Bila, using words, gestures, and grid lines.
Undia – A person from the desert who can feel the water beneath the sands.
Usawa – Magic which is mostly used to harm others.
Yahlah – The leader of a compania.
‘Yapa – Shortened version of “grandfather.”
People
Abalah – High Priest of the Blue Dolphin Order
Afdal - From Bila / Magic Maker / Sahil’s son
Aidena – Tuq’deb / heir to Siri Ventus / daughter of Hadia / mother to Nieva / Undia
Aken – From Bila / Sakari’s friend / Magic maker / Died helping her leave Bila
Akilah – From Midbar / Joojinta / Helped Yakuza when he returned above the mantle.
Aku – Chared’s daughter / Can see the future.
Amphedia – Goddess of the Seas / Sister to Sov, the Sun God
Ashika - Bahari / Shark
Baltu – From Nohoyo / Male / Former Kasais
Batal – Priestess of the Silver Swordfish Sisterhood / True daughter of Amphedia/ Bahari
Baya – Chared’s Daughter
Binti – From Bila / Second stolen daughter of Deiserin / Killed her brother and sister
Borja - Ahadi / Female / water goddess in Nohoyo
Ceirat - Mezhdu / From Midbar / female spirit in male body / knows the potential of a thing.
Chared – Tuq’deb / son of P’onyem / son of Zemer / Undia / Chained Man
Daiti – From Bila / Deiserin’s stolen son / Father of Kweli and Sahil
Dayam - Kaya’s mother / Direct descendant from Deiserin, of the Tadashi line
Deiserin - First Empress of Bila / Rajesh’s mortal mother
Denit / Maw’ki – Tuq’deb / Jarles’ paternal grandmother / Kerr’s lover / Jonath’s mother / created by Giya and Sov / Sun Goddess
Drena / S’ray – Tuq’deb / Jarles’ mother / Jonath’s lover
Easif – Tuq’deb / Warrior / Female / Picked by Kerr to accompany Jarles
Eazim – Emperor of Bila
Eruitt – Tuq’deb / companion of P’onyem / apprentice of Giya
Fanaan – From Midbar / Female / Granddaughter to Gaku and Sangeet
Fumaini - From Bila / assistant to Councilor Tojiru before his death
Giya – Goddess of the Earth / Lumas’ other self
Hadia – Tuq’deb / Aidena’s (human) mother / acts as eyes for Siri Ventus / Nieva’s grandmother
Heiken – From Nohoyo / Male / Former Fire Tender / Dead
Honsa - Mezhdu / From Midbar / male spirit in female body / knows the land
Iruka - Bahari / Dolphin
Ishra – Tuq’deb / Warrior / Male / Picked by Kerr to accompany Jarles
Jahari - Ahadi / Goddess of Nohoyo / first to pledge herself to Giya
Jarles – Tuq’deb / son of Drena and Jonath / the Savior/Heir / Sea God
Jikan – Chared’s daughter
Jonath – Tuq’deb / Jarles’ father / Drena’s lover
Kani - Bahari / Crab
Kaya – From Bila / former prince / may be engaged to Rhian
Kerr / Sabbah – Tuq’deb / True son of Amphedia / Jarles’ paternal grandfather / Denit’s lover / Jonath’s father
Keyho – Tuq’deb / Aidena’s aunt
Khadras – Tuq’deb / one of Drena’s instructors
Kraas – From Bila / Sakari’s lover
Kweli – From Bila / Daughter of Daiti – Deiserin’s stolen son / Survived Binti’s slaughter
Ladakee – From Bila / Deiserin’s second stolen daughter
Loris – Kaya’s (fake) brother
Lumas – Goddess of Beauty / mate to Sov / Other Self of Giya
Mahdar – From Midbar / Joojinta / Daughter of Gaku and Sangeet / Mother of Yakuza / Pregnant when she left, years ago
Maji - Puj’hom / very old woman who met a Bahari
Manawa – Chared’s Son
Masu - From Nohoyo / Fire Tender
Maw’ki - Tuq’deb / Jarles’ paternal grandmother / Kerr’s lover / Jonath’s mother / created by Giya and Sov / Sun Goddess / Nickname for Denit
Mizu - Puj’hom / very old man who met a Bahari
Moyo – Tuq’deb / Husband of Hadia
Muuaji - From Nohoyo / Kasais
Nieva – Tuq’deb / Aidena’s daughter / Transforms into an owl / Granddaughter of Hadia and Siri Ventus
Nomani – From Nohoyo / Sina’s best friend
Oculis – Acts as the Eyes of Siri Ventus / Drena’s (unknown) father / Jarles’ maternal grandfather / Aidena’s (unknown) father / enchanted owl creature / grandfather/(unknown) father to Nieva
Ordan - Mezhdu / From Midbar / male spirit in female body / knows the emotions of others
Ozahm - Ahadi / Lord of Death
Payhar – Chared’s son
P’onyem – Tuq’deb / Jarles’ maternal grandmother / Chared’s mother / Oculis’ lover / Dead
Qoraa – From Bila / Raised Kweli and Sahil when their parents were killed by Binti
Quarn – Kaya’s (fake) brother
Raito - Moon God / Formerly named Serat Caeli / Former God of Air / Created by Lumas
Rajesh - Ahadi / God of Bila / Firstborn son of the first Empress of Bila, Deiserin
Ramil – Tuq’deb / Accompanied Kerr from the desert
Rayisyn – Puj’hom / High priest who raped Drena/S’ray / Of the Blue Dolphin Order
Rhian - From Bila / Emperor’s daughter / Kaya’s intended as a child / Now is Empress
Rigam – Kaya’s father
Sabbah / Kerr - Tuq’deb / True son of Amphedia / Jarles’ paternal grandfather / Denit’s lover /
Jonath’s father
Sahil – From Bila / Extremely powerful magic maker / Afdal’s father
Sakari - From Bila / Secret student to Sahil
Samaya – Chared’s daughter
Sangeet – From Midbar / Singer / Gaku’s wife / Yakuza’s grandmother
Sashio - From Bila / Magic maker / Accompanied Afdal to find Sahil
Savaar – Puj’hom / True son of Amphedia
Senkensha – From Midbar / Old woman with onion breath / ‘Kenshi for short
Serat Caeli – Twin brother of Siri Ventus / Moon God / Former God of Air / Created by Lumas
Sharun – Son of Chared / Second “version” from another time / Original is dead
Shihoru - Bahari / Seahorse
Shio - True daughter of Amphedia
Shiru – Bahari / Seal
Sina - From Nohoyo / Daughter of council member / Last Fire Tender / Taken t
o Jikangai
Siri Ventus – Goddess of the Air / Formerly blind / Twin sister to Serat Caeli / Raito
Sora – From Midbar
Sov – Sun God / Firebird / Taken away by Lumas
S’ray – Tuq’deb / Birth name: Drena / Jarles’ mother / Jonath’s lover
Suket – From Midbar / Non-Singer / Father to Fanaan / Couldn’t hear The Song
Tadashi – Kaya’s family name
Tako - Bahari / Octopus
Tatjana – From Nohoyo / Female / Former Fire Tender
Than - From Bila / Magic maker / Accompanied Afdal to find Sahil
Tyran - Mezhdu / From Midbar / female spirit in male body / knows the dreams of others / Joojinta
Umi - Bahari / Water
Vray - From Nohoyo / Former Fire Tender / Has red eyes
Vory – Undia / Diviner / Female / Bahari
Wakati – Chared’s daughter
Yakuza – From Midbar / Singer / Gaku and Sangeet’s grandson / Son of Mahdar
Yeni - Tuq’deb / New to the city by the sea
Youni – Singer / Takes form of a rooster / Hawk / Owl
Zaria - From Nohoyo / Former Fire Tender
Zemer – From Bila / Deiserin’s husband / Keeper of the Second Circle of Jikangai / Chared’s father
