Finyaka gave him a half-smile. He looked on the verge of collapse.
“We’re going to be okay.” Matasa squeezed his cousin’s good shoulder.
Finyaka just nodded.
Across the way, Tamika, Finyaka’s brother, released his sling. Matasa ducked under cover just in time. The stone whizzed across the top of his short-cropped hair. That had been far too close. “They’re moving to encircle us.”
Finyaka nodded. He closed his eyes and began to hum.
“Tsimunuu, unless you want to face the same thing Nahrem did, I’d leave. Finyaka’s gathering his Radiance.”
Tsimunuu and his cronies just laughed at that. “You expect me to believe that waste of water has a Radiance? He hasn’t even gone on a pilgrimage. But I expected such lies from you Matasa. You’re as bad as that busybody mother of yours. She never knew when to shut up.”
Matasa gripped Sinaya’s staff until his knuckles ached. His mother had died two years ago in an accident. The only witnesses were Tsimunuu and Kadarash, and they had said little about it. But there was no love lost between his mother and her brother-in-law.
“Rot in the dark,” roared Matasa.
“Such a wordsmith!” Tsimunuu laughed.
Finyaka stepped up beside him. “Give me the bundle.”
Matasa unslung it and handed it to Finyaka, who quickly untied it and found the balm, which he applied liberally to his wounds.
When their adversaries had gone quiet, Matasa dared a quick peek but barely avoided being brained by another stone. Tamika watched their position, but the other three were hidden among the broken stones.
Matasa glanced again at Finyaka. The balm was already knitting his cousin’s wounds back together, rejuvenating Finyaka.
He smiled at Matasa. “I’m going to have to learn how she made this.” Finyaka held up the balm then replaced it in the bundle.
Matasa saw the glint of steel just in time to avoid the strike. He twisted right, and the staff smacked his left side. As he twisted, he dropped the end of his staff tight and twisted his forearm. The staff connected hard with Fadya’s face. Finyaka’s other brother stumbled away, dazed and bleeding from his nose and mouth.
Matasa had little time to recover. Tsimunuu and his remaining crony, Juraysa, were closing on him. Matasa threw his knife before Juraysa could dodge, and blood blossomed on his tunic. His knife protruded from the tough’s abdomen. Juraysa stumbled away, dragging his spear through the dust, revealing a pale but determined Finyaka standing with his fists raised.
Tsimunuu thrust with his staff, and Matasa countered. Tsimunuu thrust again and again, sending a flurry of short, powerful strikes at Matasa, but he used his superior reach and speed to dodge them. A stone whizzed past his ear.
“I’ll take care of Tamika.” He heard Finyaka say.
Matasa danced with Tsimunuu. Thrust, parry, counterthrust, attack—the two of them came close, but neither landed a blow. Tsimunuu had been a notable fighter in his youth, but the debauchery of his current lifestyle had not slowed him down much. He was still more than a match for Matasa.
“I’m going to gut you, boy. Then I’ll string your guts up for the vultures to feed on.” Tsimunuu feinted then thrust; the tip of his staff struck Matasa’s left side, bruising his ribs.
Tsimunuu smelled of sweat and stale alcohol. He was just toying with Matasa now. For every jab he made, Tsimunuu parried it.
Matasa leveraged his height and pushed back against the attacks. He parried a blow and knocked Tsimunuu’s staff aside then jumped back, disengaging from the fight. He had won a respite and a moment to weigh his options.
Tsimunuu circled him, stirring up a dust cloud.
Dust and sweat stung Matasa’s eyes. I need to think of something or I’m dead. “Finyaka made short work of Nahrem.”
Tsimunuu laughed. “That wasn’t the Doe’s work; it was the witch’s.”
The older man swung his staff, and Matasa parried it. Behind the older man’s back, the sun shone brightly, making it hard to see where the next blow was coming from. Matasa sidestepped a leg sweep and ducked a head strike. He rolled to the left, springing to his feet to dodge another strike.
His agility was his saving grace. Matasa was much faster than his opponent, but he was losing ground. The shale was breaking up under his feet into palm-sized chunks and sliding around, knocking Matasa off balance. He slipped, and Tsimunuu bypassed his defences to land a solid strike to the shoulder.
Matasa cried out. Fuelled by rage and hate for the man before him, Matasa turned his fall into a lunge and snapped out four quick strikes in succession to the head, the chest, the groin, and the face. Each quick jab was aimed to startle and confuse, but Tsimunuu blocked, ducked or stepped back before each blow could land. Matasa howled in frustration.
Matasa ducked and wove as Tsimunuu swung and jabbed. He slid about on the loose shale, trying to maintain his footing. By the looks of it Tsimunuu wasn’t faring much better.
Matasa stabbed at Tsimunuu’s belly, but the older man slid when he tried to dodge, and the blow landed without any force. Tsimunuu was now broadcasting his moves as he thrust and swung, but the shale made it hard to bob and weave.
I will not die here at the hands of this man. Matasa planted his feet and threw a head shot, but Tsimunuu countered it by leaning to the side to avoid the jab. Matasa slid backward on the shale outside the reach of the older man and regained his footing by wedging his foot into a crevice in the broken rock to stabilize him.
Matasa ignored his throbbing shoulder and focused his attack on several lightning-fast jabs, which landed glancing blows to his opponent’s shoulders and legs. He was going to finish this, now.
The old man gave him an opening, and Matasa struck. Tsimunuu twisted out of the way with practiced ease and dropped low, so he could slam his staff into Matasa’s shin.
Matasa’s ankle popped, and his leg exploded in pain as it was knocked out from under him. He fell and hit the ground hard on his back. He forced himself to roll as blows rained down around him, showering him with sharp shards of shale. Matasa kicked out with his good leg and connected with something solid.
The rocks stopped pelting him. Tsimunuu bent over with pain. Matasa scooped up a handful of grit and shale launching them at Tsimunuu’s face before the older man could recover.
Tsimunuu raised an arm defensively as Matasa levered himself up enough to jab the older man in the gut. As Tsimunuu twisted to get out of its way, he lost his balance. There was a resounding crack as Matasa’s staff thwacked Tsimunuu in the chest, breaking a few ribs.
The older man dropped his staff and gripped his chest in pain. Tsimunuu was covered in sweat and breathing shallowly. Matasa tried to stand, but he winced when he put weight on his right foot. Tsimunuu picked up his staff.
Where is Finyaka? Matasa wondered. He could really use some help right now.
Tsimunuu rushed forward, driving his staff into Matasa’s chest and knocking him down on the shale again. “You’re dead, maggot.”
A howl sounded from behind them. The gore spattered ghost hound stalked toward them; her gaze intent on Tsimunuu.
Finyaka crept around the stone column and froze. Tamika was in front of him, hunkered down beside an oblong chunk of sandstone, searching for ammunition in the loose shale. Finyaka snuck behind his brother while Tamika loaded his sling.
Finyaka heard the sounds of combat and realized his brother was aiming for their cousin, Matasa. He needed to do something. Finyaka looked inside himself for the emotions to draw forth his Radiance. Tamika begun twirling his sling.
Finyaka grasped his emotions and pushed out with his Radiance, humming as he did so. The sling went flying from Tamika’s grasp, landing ten strides away in the scree. Tamika swore and looked at his hand in confusion.
Finyaka smiled. It had worked. He reached deeper into himself and hummed louder, using his Radiance to lift his brother into the air. Tamika cried out, and Finyaka came out of his hiding place.
Tamika’s eyes narrowed when he saw Finyaka, and he spat. “Doe, where’d you find a witch?” his brother’s voice seethed with such hatred.
It slapped Finyaka, and he faltered. Tamika broke free of his Radiance.
His brother scrambled to his feet and drew his knife. “I will kill you.”
Finyaka couldn’t even look at his brother. Pain and anger warred within him. “Why? What would you gain by that?”
“Father's praise.” Tamika brandished the knife at Finyaka; its edge gleamed in the summer sun.
It seemed he was more like his brothers than he had thought; all they wanted was their father’s praise too. Finyaka had never liked his brothers.
“There’s no witch, Tamika. I lifted you.” Finyaka began humming again, and the power within him grew. He was surprised at how calm he felt.
Understanding dawned on Tamika’s face, and his brother lowered his knife. “I never meant to do those things, Finyaka. But it was a sure way to get father’s praise.”
“You could have said no. You could have defended me. Instead, you laughed and hit me.” Finyaka felt hollow. All he had ever wanted was to be accepted. “Now the tables are turned; all you can do is beg.” Finyaka hurt so much. He finally had a chance to pay someone back for all the years he had been abused, and all he wanted to do was cry.
His emotions were tearing him apart in frustration. Finyaka could feel his anger rising. He wanted to lash out and hurt someone.
Tamika gagged. Finyaka gasped. He had been crushing his brother with his Radiance without realizing it. Finyaka forced himself to calm down.
Tamika gasped. “Don’t kill me.”
“Why would I? I’m not like you.” Finyaka was breaking apart inside. His emotions were overwhelming him again. He wanted to cry and scream at the same time, but he forced himself to calm down. His Radiance ebbed, letting his brother go.
Tamika grinned. “You fool!”
Someone crashed into Finyaka from behind, sending him sprawling on the broken ground. He flung his Radiance behind him and heard a grunt as it slammed into his assailant. Finyaka rolled and regained his footing.
Nahrem lay on the ground, slowly pushing himself to his feet.
“I thought I had killed you!” Though Finyaka hated him, seeing Nahrem alive lifted the burden of his death from his shoulders, tears of joy fell down his face.
“You broke me, but the witch’s herbs work wonders.” Nahrem stood and brushed himself off. The grin he shared with Tamika was full of malevolence. “Ah, the Doe is crying again. What a waste of water. Time for me and Tamika to end this.” Nahrem drew his knife from his belt sheath and advanced.
Finyaka gained his feet and ran. Behind him, his brothers hooted and called after him. Finyaka reached for his Radiance again and found nothing. His emotions were so jumbled; he couldn’t concentrate, so he ran like he’d never run before.
He snaked through the scree and slipped and slid over the shale, keeping the pillars and piles of sandstone between him and his brothers. Finyaka was a dead man if they caught him.
Finyaka had no idea where he was going. He felt like an antelope chased by hungry hounds as he ducked around a pillar and slammed headlong into another.
Finyaka fell backward, dazed. He scrambled to his feet, but it was too late to run. His brothers had him trapped between columns. He put his back to the warm sandstone pillar and faced them. They were both grinning now and holding knives pointed at him.
“Oh, this will be slow and painful, Doe. Call it payback for what you did to me.” Nahrem laughed, but there was no mirth in it.
Finyaka didn’t want to die, but he didn’t want to kill his brothers either. Regardless of how horrible they were, they deserved to live. Finyaka reached for the emotions he needed to fuel his Radiance and found only turmoil. His eyes widened in alarm.
“I want in on this too,” barked Tamika as he pointed his finger at Nahrem. “The little Doe ruined my shot at Matasa.”
“You can play with him when I’m done. Right now, I want him to sweat.” Nahrem chuckled as he advanced. “Where’s your song now, freak?” Madness had touched his older brother’s eyes.
This was how it ended, toyed with by his brothers and painfully tortured. “Why?” Finyaka searched for the calmness that had eluded him, feeling only despair.
Nahrem hesitated. “Is that simple question worth so much?”
Finyaka nodded.
Nahrem’s face twisted into a sadistic smile. “A bit of sport perhaps.”
“Why? All I ever wanted was to be your brother. I never did anything to hurt you or earn your hatred.” Tears flowed down his cheeks. Finyaka raised his head, and the calm returned. “You were father’s favourite. You could be anything you wanted. Why was I such a threat to you?”
“Stick him already!” Tamika threw up his hands in frustration. “Or by the dark, I will!”
“Hold yourself. The Doe wants an answer. I will give him one before we take his life.” Nahrem grabbed Finyaka by the throat. “Neither of our parents praised us. No matter what we did. The only child in our family that received any recognition was you, and that was from mother. I hate you for that. You’re weak and useless and yet, she was willing to take father’s wrath for you. So, if we’re asking questions, Doe. Why? Why did she care for you?”
Nahrem squeezed Finyaka's throat. His eyes were wild with rage. Finyaka could smell his brother’s stench. His spittle flecked Finyaka’s cheeks.
Finyaka forced himself to relax and find the calm he so desperately needed. “I never asked anything of her. I showed her only love.” Finyaka pitied his brother. Nahrem was so caught up in his anger; he couldn’t see the love that been there all along.
Nahrem punched him and pain blossomed in his abdomen. “You worthless piece of goat excrement!”
The blows kept coming. Finyaka felt himself detaching from the situation as if he was watching it from afar. But he wouldn’t just accept his death, not this time. He had cowered for so long.
Nahrem struck him again in the chest this time. Finyaka reached inside himself. All his emotions were gone. What had once been a whirlwind of pain and anger was now a radiant calm. This would stop now.
Finyaka reached out with his Radiance and enveloped Tamika in its light. His brother cried out. Nahrem raised his fist. Finyaka threw Tamika at Nahrem, and the two men fell in a tangle of limbs.
Finyaka collapsed into a heap on the ground. He heard shouted accusations as his brothers righted themselves. Tamika pointed at Finyaka. But Nahrem pushed Tamika, and Tamika pushed back. Enraged, Nahrem tackled his brother, and they crashed to the ground again.
Finyaka reached for that calm again, found it, and bathed in it. He let it spread throughout his body like the warm glow of the spring sun. All his aches and pains receded. He closed his eyes and basked in that glow. That’s how Sinaya did it. Finyaka laughed and started crying tears of understanding. He was still alive.
Finyaka heard a growl and opened his eyes. His brothers lay nearby, unmoving. He sat up, blinking away tears. The alpha ghost hound slowly approached him. Her ears were laid back, but her teeth were borne, and her eyes were fixed on his brothers.
Finyaka touched the hound with the calm of his Radiance. She whined and began licking his face. He laughed. He had never felt such joy. He gained his knees and hugged the hound.
“By the darkness, what happened?” Nahrem rolled over onto his stomach and tried to get up. He swayed unsteadily on his hands and knees then laid back down.
Finyaka laid his head on the hound’s shoulder. “You wanted to kill me. I couldn't allow that.”
“What are you going to do to us?” Nahrem attempted to rise again but decided against it.
Finyaka smiled at his brothers and laughed. Nahrem flinched. But Finyaka just stood up and dusted himself off. The hound sat beside him, and Finyaka absently scratched her ear. “Is Tamika still alive?”
“I am, but I find it hard to believe it.” Tamika touched his face and tentatively
moved his limbs.
“Thank the Great Sun Anuu. I was worried for both of you.” Finyaka had never felt so happy to be near his family before. His brothers were alive.
“But we were going to kill you.” Nahrem got to his knees. He wobbled but stayed upright.
“You didn’t. There’s hope for you yet. Go home. Be a better man than you are now. Make our mother proud of you.” Finyaka felt connected to his siblings. He turned his back on them and walked away, the hound at his side. “Let’s go find Matasa,” Finyaka said to her.
Finyaka followed the ghost hound toward the combatants. He was filled with the Radiance of the Great Sun Anuu. The man who had once frightened him stood before him, and all Finyaka wanted to do was talk with him, understand him.
Matasa attempted to scramble away from Finyaka’s father, but Tsimunuu stomped his foot down on Matasa’s chest, pinning him. Both his father and cousin were covered in blood from nicks and cuts.
His father raised his staff. “Come any closer, and I will kill him.”
Finyaka reached out to the hound and called her to him. She growled once more and then trotted back to Finyaka’s side.
Tsimunuu looked at Finyaka and laughed until it turned into a hacking cough. “Finally, you’ve amounted to something more than a snivelling coward.”
Finyaka let his Radiance flow through him until he started to rise into the air. Fire filled his eyes. “Leave now.”
Tsimunuu held up a hand to shield his eyes from his son’s Radiance. Matasa squinted as he pushed his uncle’s foot off him then crawled toward Finyaka. The hound leaped in between Matasa and Tsimunuu before Finyaka’s father could react.
Blood trickled from the older man’s mouth. He wiped it away with back of his hand. “I’m not leaving, boy, not until I’ve been repaid for what I’ve lost. I want that one’s head on a stick.” Tsimunuu pointed the butt of the staff at Matasa.
Finyaka settled back on the ground, but his Radiance had not diminished. “Defiance always was one of your better traits.”
Magic Underground: The Complete Collection (Magic Underground Anthologies Book 4) Page 22