Diversity Is Coming

by Nicolas Wilson

  ***

  Jezhei led our tribe east across the summer grasses which, while growing weaker, still covered the Roof. They followed on horse, with many of the young jogging alongside their mounted elders and the skilled warriors who had won their steeds. The pace was such that none could stop to rest for long. Few lowlanders could handle it, but the Tribe was accustomed to such living. We have always been people who move. There was much grumbling, because they were losing much of the ground covered the previous night, but a deal is a deal, as we well know.

  By the time the sun was high and bright, they had come to one of the wide shallow lakes which are scattered here. Its older name is lost, but now it is called the Lake of Reflection. It is wide and would be clear if there were not so many tall reeds filling the whole of it. Jezhei led the whole of the tribe to the shore and her tauzak stepped into the water. The reeds rustled this entire time as though from a wind, though the air was still and warm.

  “You bring us to look at a pool of water? What sort of path is that?” Subandi jeered.

  Our Lady and Chiru snorted as one being to his contempt. “My day is not yet over, father. Behold the gift of the Goddess!” Jezhei struck the water with one of her crutches as her mount let loose a loud deep bleat and dozens, then hundreds of tauzak heads rose up from the reeds where they had been eating. “She gives us guardianship of her children. We can lead this herd with wisdom, and in life and death they will support the people. No more will we take without giving. No more will steel be our first word to those who dwell beyond the Roof. So long as we follow the Way, they will be our loyal companions.”

  “You would have us give up our blades and become herders? My former daughter is a madwoman. This is a gift, truly, but one we will harvest now. My Tribe will never bow to a lowland goddess. Surround the shore. We’ll have a slaughter to feed us for months.” Without pause or thought, Subandi rushed forward to do what he always did: take what he wanted.

  “No!” cried Jezhei and rushed forward to get between her father and the herd. This time she was not as graceful as before, and Subandi struck his daughter from Chiru’s back, breaking her arm with the strength of his own. The tauzak, startled by the violence and screams did as was their nature as well, and charged. Subandi’s horse was gored by the rushing beasts, and he fell from its back to meet his death beneath their hooves. The Tribe scattered and fell to chaos as the herd charged forward, just as so many times villagers had scattered before them.

  Then the light died, as the sun covered himself in shame for what the people had done. Nothing was left but a ring of fire in the sky. The Tribe looked up at the eclipse and quailed, fearing that justice had finally found them. But light returned. A bright glow of silver and gold washed over the herd and Tribe, emerging from the center of the lake. Before them stood a tauzak who was woman who was a tauzak. Ever pregnant and beautiful as my words can never describe, Kiritru had revealed Herself. A sense of peace washed over the Tribe and herd, stilling them. Her voice was no louder than that of any mother, but cut through all other sounds leaving room only for itself.

  “Is this truly the path the people of the Roof wish? To fight and take until there is no more room for battle, and war claims them as its own? Should father turn upon daughter as neighbor turns on neighbor, until all bonds are lost. Is this the Fate you wish, to wander always, rejected and hunted even as you hunt others? No gods are friends with the people of the Roof, but you have harmed many of their children.” With each sentence Kiritru walked towards them, like the sun on the earth, too bright and great to face directly, but unblinding in her glory.

  “No!” called out the people, for they saw clearly in the Goddess’ light the depth of their folly. The gods were no longer content to sit back as the Raiders of the Roof harmed there people and took what they wished.

  “Then follow my Way and prosper,” came Her words, as Kiritru reached down into the water and lifted out Jezhei, helping her back onto Chiru’s back as a mother raises up a fallen child. “My path is a hard one, but that is what a people in such a hard place need. It requires not merely forgiveness, but also to right the wrongs you commit against others. Your tribe has hurt many, so much shall be demanded of you to correct this.

  “You will help my children grow. Each of you will raise from calves at least two tauzak, and one of them must be given to a village beyond the Roof where the Tribe has killed or stolen. For every theft, for every life taken, you must raise one of my children, healthy and strong, and give that child as a gift until more lives have been made than lives lost.”