The Entean Saga - The Complete Saga

by C B Williams

  “Where?”

  “That’s the point. It’s invisible. Magic. Don’t you remember?”

  “Remember what?”

  “The crater that’s supposed to be in front of us. That valley is much further away than it looks.”

  Haku grunted. “Crater? How am I supposed to know about a crater on someone else’s hunting grounds? And how do you know about it?” He fell silent and looked at Pika with narrowed eyes. Then his eyes darkened, and he punched Pika’s arm “You idiot! You’ve been sniffing around here before, haven’t you? Haven’t you? And more than once, if you remember some nonexistent crater. Or have you been out in the heat too long?” He punched him again, “I can’t believe you’ve been here before! What if you’d been caught?”

  Pika caught Haku’s forearm before he could strike him again. “Cut it out, Haku!”

  Haku shook off Pika’s hand and lowered his fist. “What if you’d been caught, fool? We’re Nuri. They could have done anything they wanted―held you ransom, killed you, especially because―”

  Pika cut him off. “I wouldn’t get caught. I know what I’m doing,” he answered through clenched teeth. “I’m the careful one, remember? Now keep quiet and wait.”

  “Wait? Why?”

  “I want to be sure we won’t be seen.”

  Haku allowed his gaze to wander around the sparse and barren lava and scowled. “By who?” he scoffed. “There’s nobody here.”

  “Watch this.” Pika took a chunk of lava and heaved it toward the valley. The lava chunk disappeared in midair.

  Haku’s mouth fell open. “Where’d it go?”

  “On the other side.” Pika grabbed his brother’s arm and pulled him back. “Stay down,” he hissed. “We’ve got to wait and see if anybody saw the rock and comes looking. I nearly got caught last time.” He glanced at Haku. “And I was being careful.” He scanned the place where the lava chunk had disappeared. “Wait until you see what’s on the other side. I can’t explain it, so don’t ask. That’s why I brought you here.”

  “How’d you find this place?”

  “Hsst! Keep your voice down. Dance histories.”

  “Dance histories?” Haku whispered.

  “Yeah. You think they’re just for the pretty women to catch a man? They’re our history.”

  “Wrong. Just stories. Myths and fables.”

  “Priestesses don’t think so.”

  Haku snorted. “Then what are all those sexy gyrations telling you, huh?”

  “They tell me why The Ancestors came here to live. Because of crystals.”

  “Healing crystals, ones used by priestesses. I know that dance.”

  Pika nodded. “Those and the other crystals, too.”

  “Others?”

  “Our Goddess is creator and destroyer. The other crystals destroy.”

  Haku shook his head. “I’ve never heard of the other crystals.”

  “It’s because you’re not listening to their stories. You’re ogling women. They talk about two kinds of crystals in two separate places. I think this is one of those places.”

  “Which crystals?”

  Pika shrugged. “Don’t know. But when I find out, I’ll know what kind the other place has.”

  “This place. How’d you find it?”

  “Dances. Can’t you hear?”

  “No, really. How?”

  Pika huffed. “I observed how our priestesses stood and where they pointed when they danced the crystal story. I also studied the dances of other tribes’ priestesses when we visited them. The stories were the same, but they pointed to different places. Then I realized they must be pointing to the same places as our priestesses, but from their tribe’s location. And I was right.” He grinned over his folded arms.

  “No wonder you haven’t gotten laid as much as I have. Idiot. You’re supposed to be looking at what they’re offering, who they’re choosing to pleasure.”

  That stung. Haku had a reputation with the women. His handsome features and flashing white teeth set against dark gold skin made it easy for him. Pika knew he was just as handsome. How could he not be, thanks to his extremely attractive parents? But it didn’t matter. Neither did it matter he was a prince of his tribe. He was always ignored, and Haku was always chosen. Perhaps I’m too serious, Pika thought, then noticed Haku waiting for him to answer, an I’ve-just-been-pleasured-look on his face. “That’s all you think about,” he said.

  Haku scowled. “No, that’s not all.” His features tightened, and his mouth twisted, transforming him from an easygoing seducer to something ominous and possibly deadly.

  Pika swallowed and looked away. “I think it’s safe.” He rose and crept toward the valley.

  Haku followed his brother, heard a slight buzzing sound when Pika disappeared just as the rock had. He walked to where Pika had been and put out a hand, testing. He sucked in a breath when his hand disappeared, hissing when someone grabbed it and yanked him through.

  Before he could think, before he could react, Haku’s arms were pulled behind him and restrained. He glanced around for Pika, saw he was in the same situation, with a guard standing on either side holding him by his biceps. And then he looked past Pika and felt his jaw drop as his thoughts scattered in all directions. In that brief instant he was glad for the grip on his arms. It saved him from the embarrassment of falling.

  “What is this place?” Haku’s voice sounded strange. He looked at his brother. “Pika? What is this place? Who are these strangers?” The strangers wore many clothes. Didn’t the heat overcome them? he wondered vaguely. And the words spewing from their mouths! What dialect was that? He thought he’d heard them all. And those strange little huts! Like boxes. How were they made?

  “It’s a crystal mine,” Pika told him. “They’re off-worlders.”

  “Off-worlders?” His ears rang. He shook his head to clear them. “Off-worlders? The Ancestors?”

  “I’m not sure. But who could they be if they aren’t?” Pika’s face took on the dreamy expression Haku knew so well. “Where are they from, I wonder?”

  “We’re from no place. We live on our ship.”

  Haku’s head whipped around as a man approached. An off-worlder, large and dark-haired, with the scruff of a two-day’s growth on his face, but with white skin, and almost completely covered with clothes that concealed his body. Was his bulk fat or muscle? Should Haku fight his way out? Or should he wait for his chance?

  The off-worlder, apparently the leader, held a slim black box in his hand and waved it when he saw Haku notice it. “A translator. We can understand each other now. Name’s Grale. This is my operation.”

  Haku looked at him blankly; his mind felt scrambled.

  Grale laughed. “And now you’ve got nothing to say?”

  Haku opened his mouth to respond, but Pika beat him to it. “Where are you from? Why are you here?”

  “We aren’t from any single place,” Grale answered. He squinted at Pika. “You’ve been here before,” he said. “More than once, too. Nearly caught you that last time.” He grinned, white teeth flashing like a pirate. “You’re a quick one, I’ll give you that. Slipped right between those two guards like a fish. I like your guts, kid.”

  Pika scowled. “Are you stealing Her crystals?”

  Grale grinned again. “Stealing? Not at all. We made arrangements.”

  “But they belong to the Goddess! They’re sacred. You shouldn’t be taking them.” Pika struggled against the two guards holding him fast.

  “I don’t believe in goddesses,” Grale said. “The old woman seemed perfectly happy to make a deal. Said she owned the place.”

  Pika shot Haku a furrowed glance before he replied to the off-worlder. ”Nobody owns this place. It’s sacred.”

  “The old woman does. She proved it to me. You’ll meet her. We’ll keep you here until she decides what to do with you.”

  “We’re prisoners?” Haku scoffed and flexed, forcing the guards to readjust their grip. “You can’t hold us. We
’re Nuri. Let us go, or you’ll be sorry.”

  Grale snorted. “Not nearly as sorry as you’ll be if you don’t shut it and stop struggling. The old woman said she wanted any trespassers taken alive. She said nothing about your condition. My men here have itchy fingers.” He nodded at one of the guards, a big burly guy.

  The man held up something Haku could not identify. A magic stick?

  “Show him, Jocko,” Grale said.

  Jocko chuckled wickedly, aimed the magic stick at Haku’s feet, and pressed on a small lever. Out shot a beam of light, and the earth exploded in front of Haku, making him cry out and jump back. The men holding him shook him with their laughter.

  He glared and hissed. They won’t be laughing later.

  “If that weapon had touched you, you’d no longer have a leg to stand on,” Grale explained matter-of-factly. “So let’s all play nice, shall we?”

  “Why are you taking the blue crystals?” Pika asked, glancing at a pile of clear rocks, each with a core that glowed deep blue.

  “We plan to sell them to med labs and med techs,” Grale exclaimed.

  “Med labs? Med techs? What are they?” Pika asked, eyebrows disappearing under thick, black hair.

  “Do you always ask so many questions?” he growled.

  Pika leaned back a bit, his eyes round. “How else can I understand?”

  Grale scowled, glaring down at Pika before he turned away. “I don’t have time for this,” he said over his shoulder. “Take them away. Lock them up in Storage Room C. Give them a bucket and some water for now. We’ll feed ’em later.”

  “Wait!’ Haku said. “There’s another kind of crystal. One that destroys.”

  “No, Haku!” Pika shouted. “Don’t. The Goddess forbids it. They’re Hers.”

  Grale paused and ignored Pika’s outburst. “One that destroys?” he repeated. “Does it happen to have a red center?” he asked Haku.

  “How’d you know? You could sell those too.”

  “No, Haku, you mustn’t!” Pika pleaded.

  Grale narrowed his eyes at Haku. “Where?”

  “Free us and we’ll take you there.”

  “I think not. We let you go, and you’ll bring others. The old woman wouldn’t like that. She’d shut us down.” He paused and thought. “There are other crystals!” He slapped his leg. “That’s what she must have used when she demonstrated her power.”

  “We’ll take you to them in exchange for your help,” Haku said.

  Grale eyed him. “You want our help, eh?”

  Haku nodded. You may be a big man where you come from. But here? The women would pick me over you any day.

  “What for?”

  “Revenge.”

  “Ah,” the leader nodded. “We won’t fight your battles. Another rule.”

  “I can fight my own battles,” Haku retorted. “I want your weapons. Those fire sticks.”

  “Haku―“

  “Quiet, Pika.”

  “Your eyes!” Pika hissed.

  Were his pupils slitting? He paused, felt the sting. Not the time. He slowed his breathing and glanced at Pika with a nod. “Quiet, now. We’re bartering.”

  “We’re thinking of bartering,” Grale corrected. With fists on his hips, he rocked back on his heels. “Okay, kid, bring me one of your red-centered crystals, and then we’ll barter.” He nodded at Haku and gestured to one of the men who held him. “Cut him loose, Rabbie. Keep the other one.”

  “No! Both of us,” Haku said, nodding toward Pika. “He’s the only one who knows where to find them.”

  “And not have any collateral?” Grale scoffed. “Cut the other one loose, and we’ll keep the negotiator with us.”

  “Haku!” Pika called as his captors freed him and his brother was led away.

  “It’s okay, Pika!” Haku called over his shoulder. “We’re Nuri!”

  Pika nodded and walked back through the invisible barrier. He trudged back to the lava mound with the tree form tunneled into it, ducked behind it, and wedged himself into the opening to wait.

  They were Nuri after all.

  Haku wouldn’t be long.

  “No!’ Makini said, her voice louder than normal. She thrust out her chin. “No! It’s not fair, Mother. He’s ugly.” She shuddered at the thought of Likeke’s clammy hands touching her.

  “Look beneath the surface, Daughter,” her mother soothed. “Likeke is a good man. A strong man. And one day he will make a fine leader.”

  “And he’s huge and fat. I will not marry him.”

  “To seal the peace, you must, Makini.” Her mother patted her daughter’s hand. “You’re my daughter, a princess. Not only that, you’re Nuri.”

  “Kalea’s Nuri. Let her marry him to keep your precious peace.” She hissed and shook her mother’s hand off.

  “Kalea cannot. She’s a priestess. The Goddess will select a mate for her. You know that.”

  “I hope he’ll be just as ugly.” She stood abruptly, stamped her foot, and turned away from her mother. “It’s so unfair.” She studied the woven rug covering the earthen floor in her mother’s hut.

  Queen Ululani rose and moved near. “I know it is,” she said gently. The fabric of her colorful pareo whispered as she placed her hands on Makini’s tense shoulders. “I felt the same when I was told to marry your father.”

  Makini turned around. “You did? I thought the Goddess would want to please you.”

  Ululani smiled. “Didn’t matter if the Goddess was trying to please me. She selected him. What young woman doesn’t want to pick her own husband?”

  “At least Father was beautiful.” Makini frowned. “The most beautiful man. My sons will never look like Haku and Pika if I marry―” She couldn’t finish and shuddered again instead.

  The queen sighed. “Yes, your father was very beautiful. And he died trying to create peace between Rafa’s tribe and our own. It is he who planned to offer your hand to Likeke, Makini. I am only following your father’s wishes.” Her mother reached out to gently touch the crease that had formed between her daughter’s brows. “This mark, even as a baby, would show when you were upset. It was the only way I could tell you from your sister.”

  Makini said nothing. Just glared as she felt her stomach tighten.

  Ululani sighed again and dropped her hands to her sides. “I am well pleased with Likeke. He is kind and respectful. It could have been a much different circumstance. Likeke could have been cruel, my daughter.”

  “Perhaps if he got some facial tattoos,” Makini offered.

  “I’m sure he would if you asked nicely. I’m sure he will want to please his beautiful new wife. And besides, your promise is all that is needed for now. You have a year to adjust to the idea.”

  A year to think of a way out. Makini would surely find a way out in that amount of time. “A year is a long way from now. A lot can happen.”

  “A lot can. Perhaps you will grow to love Likeke while he courts you as I grew to love your father.”

  “Perhaps.”

  “You have made me proud, daughter. Now go find Kalea. I wish to talk with her.”

  Makini blinked. “Have you forgotten? It’s the time of her Calling. She left this morning.” She noticed a crease form between her mother’s brows. Just like my own.

  “Oh.” Ululani said after a moment “Yes, I’d forgotten this moon cycle would be a Calling Moon cycle. She left this morning, you say? How very disappointing. I would have liked to say goodbye.”

  Makini felt a familiar surge of emotion, and her face heated. How could her mother look so sad when her other daughter—her first daughter—stood right in front of her? At times like these she hated Kalea. Hated her with all her heart. It’s unfair. She’s everyone’s precious favorite. Even the Goddess picked her over me.

  “Well, Mother,” she threw out through gritted teeth, “I suppose you’ll just have to settle for me this moon.” She swept the curtain back and marched out of her mother’s hut.

  “Find your brothers
and have them guard Kalea as is their duty!” her mother called after her. “Not until you’re married can we be certain of anyone’s safety.”

  Makini pretended she hadn’t heard.

  “Thank you, daughter!” her mother called again.

  Makini hissed and took off toward where she’d last seen her brothers. She paused when a thought struck her. What if she couldn’t find her brothers? If anything were to happen to Kalea, it wouldn’t be her fault, would it? Maybe she wouldn’t search very hard. She changed directions.

  Chapter 3

  Fire Sticks

  She’d been so deep in thought Makini hadn’t realized how far afield she’d gone. She recognized who this ancient lava flow belonged to and couldn’t quite squelch the shudder that ran through her. Rafa’s land. Far from her village. What had her mother said? Something about it not being safe until she’d married Likeke?

  If found here on these lands, she’d be taken captive. Used as a bargaining chip. Most likely forced into an early marriage, and all hope of escaping the betrothal would be lost. “Fool,” she hissed to herself and stopped dead. The heat radiating off the ancient flow interrupted her train of thought. She slipped into a collapsed vent, where it was cooler, to gather her thoughts. She was well aware of its fragility, but not afraid. She had a sense about where to step. All Nuri did.

  Despite the heat, lengthening shadows told her the day was drawing to a close. People in all the tribes would be heading home, coming in from casting nets, hunting the wild pigs and goats, farming their root vegetables, and collecting the tree nuts. She’d done all those tasks. Being Nuri, unfortunately, didn’t mean you could shirk your duties.

  And she wasn’t shirking her duties now. She just hadn’t looked for her brothers right away. But when she was no longer angry, she’d gone to find her brothers, hadn’t she?

  And she hadn’t stayed angry for long. She hated Kalea, but she loved her, too, wanted her safe. That’s what angered her so much. Everyone loved Kalea, and so did she. Her brothers could guard Kalea. Now she’d calmed down and wasn’t feeling very safe herself, all huddled in the dirty lava tube on Rafa’s lands, she actually began to worry just a little about her sister. If Kalea were captured, even if it wasn’t Makini’s fault, it would be bad.