Song of the Earth: Book Four of the Firebird's Daughter series

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