Tempest Song: Unraveled World Book 2

by Alicia Fabel

  “Healer.” She bowed. “I’m afraid we’ve wasted your time. Nisaba is only afflicted by nerves.”

  “Maybe, but the prince asked me to check on her so here I am,” Kuwari replied lightly.

  “He knows best,” the woman conceded.

  “Ishtar, this is my apprentice, Vera,” Kuwari said when the woman’s eyes landed on Vera.

  Ishtar clicked her tongue. “We’ve come to this. Bringing outsiders into our home because there aren’t enough of us left to keep the village going.” She ran a finger over the weathered wood she’d been caught admiring. “What a life it must have been to have no cares except to create useless art.”

  Vera wanted to argue that art wasn’t useless but bit her tongue.

  “Nisaba,” Ishtar called into the hut. “Healer Kuwari is here.”

  “She is well enough to get out of bed?” asked Kuwari.

  “Oh, yes.” The woman waved a hand. “It’s only nerves. I’ve told her she must behave better, or Ashur will not wed her at all. Still, she excuses herself to rest and does not eat.”

  “Thank you for coming, Healer,” said a young woman with a purple scarf wrapped over her head. Her eyes were trained on the ground. “I believe my mother is correct. I am determined to try harder.”

  “That’s my good girl.” Ishtar beamed. “You will make a strong mate and a worthy mother for the prince’s children.”

  “Yes, Mother,” agreed Nisaba.

  “Why don’t you go prepare tea for our guests,” Ishtar told Nisaba.

  “Perhaps Vera could help?” suggested Kuwari. “Being around a lady from our herd will help Vera learn our ways so she can better serve our community,” he explained when Ishtar began to protest.

  “Of course,” Ishtar relented.

  He gave Vera an encouraging nod. She rose to follow Nisaba, biting her tongue to keep from asking if he wanted a sandwich or foot rub while she was at it. In three days, she might have the thing chewed off.

  Nisaba didn’t look at her. “If you fill that pot with water, I will prepare the tea.”

  Vera picked up the metal pot. It looked like someone had taken their anger out on it. With a hammer. Instead of a faucet, the sink had a pump. She’d seen something like it before and knew how it worked in theory. She lifted the pump handle and lowered it quickly. Nothing happened. A couple more tries, and she hadn’t summoned even a trickle of water.

  “You must have strange water pumps in your village,” said Nisaba. She moved around Vera and lifted the handle high. Water poured out of the spigot. Apparently, no pumping was necessary.

  Maybe if I’d drunk any water since arriving in Nibiru, I’d know how to work the kitchen plumbing. The thought of eitr made her mouth water. “My home is definitely different,” Vera finally said.

  “I’m sure it’s much better than here.”

  “Your village seems nice,” Vera said diplomatically.

  “It is dusty, decaying, and hot as Kurmugi.” Nisaba placed the pot over a small fire. “But we are doing our best with what we have.”

  Vera hadn’t expected Nisaba’s honest assessment of the village. Addamas said kargadan women were docile and not opinionated. Perhaps he hadn’t met Nisaba.

  “What do you do for fun?” asked Vera.

  “Pull weeds, prepare meals, and mend clothing,” Nisaba answered.

  Vera made a face before she caught herself.

  “Now you agree with me.”

  “There has to be something fun,” Vera said optimistically. “Do you guys have plays? Or somewhere to dance?”

  “Not anymore. Before my grandfather died, he played his drum for us. There’s no one left to play now. No time to be wasted on learning either.”

  “You don’t have any time to relax or have fun?”

  “During a claiming feast and mating ceremony.”

  “Claiming?” asked Vera.

  Nisaba gave her a strange look and said, “When a male claims a woman and presents her to the village as his intended.”

  “Oh, well that sounds nice.” Lie.

  “It’s not. The scorpions come play the drums for us now that we’ve forgotten how. Is it different where you’re from?”

  “A little. We call it an engagement.”

  “Do you pick your mate?”

  “Yeah,” Vera said slowly, feeling guilty, as if she were somehow rubbing Nisaba’s nose in her privilege. A privilege she’d always taken for granted. And without the ability to fall in love, Vera would probably never marry at all. Also a privilege not afforded these women. “I’m surprised you invite the Tablilu Clan.”

  “I take it you’ve met them.”

  “Yeah.” Vera hadn’t but decided a lie was best since the villagers were supposed to think she’d traveled through the world-gate and scorpion territory. “It was crazy. Their claws are massive.”

  “You saw their claws?” Nisaba’s eyes widened. “I thought they only displayed them when they’re going into battle. I can’t imagine what that must have been like for you. The tails curling over their shoulders, with barbs as big as my head, are enough to terrify me. And it’s indecent how they never wear shirts.”

  “Yikes,” Vera said, thinking about violent scorpions with venom dripping from their tails.

  Nisaba misunderstood. “Don’t worry. When they come into the village, they are required to wear shirts.” She patted Vera’s arm reassuringly.

  It was a good reminder that in case of exposed male pecks, Vera needed to feign shock and dismay. No ogling—at least not overtly.

  “When they’re here, the men keep a closer watch on the women too. You’ll be safe,” added Nisaba.

  “Are they coming any time soon?” Vera wondered if Nisaba’s warning even mattered.

  “For my mating ceremony in five days.”

  Good deal. I’ll be long gone. “Are you excited to be marrying the prince?”

  “It could be worse. The head of Prince Ashur’s guard nearly won. I was worried for a while.”

  “Won?”

  “When more than one male is willing to mate with a female, they hold a challenge. The winner gets to claim her.”

  “The prince literally won you?”

  “I think his guard let him win, but I’m glad he did. The other male has a temper.”

  “Why challenge at all? Why not let you choose?”

  “The best chance for our kind to survive is to pair each female with the strongest available male.”

  Vera had already heard that, but for real, it seemed crazy. “Would you pick someone else if you could?”

  “That’s not how things work here. I am happy to be the prince’s future mate,” Nisaba lied. “If he decides he doesn’t want me, I will go to his guard, and I do not want that. So please do not bring it up again.” She poured boiling water over the leaves she’d crushed in the bottom of the clay serving pot.

  “I’m sorry.” She’d struck an unhappy chord with the young woman. “People say I ask a lot of questions. I can’t seem to help myself.”

  “Your father doesn’t mind that you are so curious?”

  “I don’t have a father. And my mother’s gone too.” Vera thought of Suzie. “It’s just me and my friends now. They’re always trying to keep me from getting myself into trouble.”

  “Is it safe for a female to be on her own in your village?”

  “For the most part. Women learn to take care of themselves just like men. I’m different from most people, though, so it’s more dangerous for me sometimes.”

  “How are you different?” asked Nisaba.

  “Oh, well…” There you go again, running your mouth without thinking about it. I can’t tell her I’m a half-breed siphon. But maybe… “I can’t project my horn or use glamour.”

  “Your magic is weak?” Nisaba wiped her hand on her apron, then reached out and pressed a thumb to the center of Vera’s forehead.

  In Vera’s void, one of the doors shivered. A thread Vera did not recognize burst free. It speared thr
ough her and sliced through the flesh of her forehead. She could see the tip of a horn—her horn—jutting out past her brow.

  “Oh, I should not have pulled so hard.” Nisaba yanked her hand back. “Forgive me. I assumed your magic was weak. I was wrong.”

  Once Nisaba released her, the thread snapped back, retreating behind one of the doors. Vera tried to follow it to its hiding spot, but it moved faster than she could track with her mind. She still had no idea which door it hid behind. Tentatively, she ran a hand over her forehead, half expecting to find a hole. There was no indication that a magic horn had emerged from her head a moment before.

  “How did you do that?” Vera asked.

  “Call your horn forward? Any kargadan can call forth another’s horn. It’s how we know a person is who they say they are, even though they can appear to be anything. I’m sorry I did that without permission, though.”

  “No, it’s okay. Can you teach me how to do that?” Vera waved at her forehead. “How to pull my horn out?”

  Nisaba seemed uncomfortable. “Your guardian will teach you.”

  “I don’t have a guardian,” Vera reminded.

  “Maybe you didn’t use to, but you have Kuwari now. He will teach you.”

  “He says I have to learn to clear my mind first—by meditating.”

  “That sounds like Healer Kuwari,” Nisaba said. “Trust him. He knows what he’s doing. I’d probably hurt you.”

  “What if I’m willing to risk getting hurt?”

  Nisaba shook her head. “I can’t.” She picked up the tray to carry out of the kitchen and paused in the doorway. “I like to swim. When everyone is asleep and the stars are out. Everything else flies away for a few minutes. Please don’t tell anyone. If they found out, I would have to stop. I’m only telling you because this is your home now too. You should remember that there are always ways to squeeze joy from life, even a tough life. Grab onto those moments. They’ll get you through the rest.”

  Nisaba walked out of the kitchen. If Vera was staying longer, Nisaba would probably become a great friend. Trailing after her, Vera sent her mind into her void to poke around. There was no sign of the moisture-sucking air stream of her kargadan. But it existed. She really was part kargadan, and she knew what that magic felt like now.

  “Vera?” Kuwari called to get her attention.

  “Huh?” Vera replied inelegantly.

  Nisaba’s back stiffened, but she didn’t turn around.

  “I said thank you for helping Nisaba.” Kuwari lifted his cup in thanks.

  “Oh, yep. Not a problem.” Vera plastered on a smile.

  Ishtar looked like she was sitting on a tack.

  “You seem to be doing better, Nisaba,” Kuwari observed.

  “I do feel better, thank you, Healer.” Nisaba took a cup for herself. “Your apprentice steadied me.”

  “Then I am glad I brought her along. She nearly chose to stay home and meditate.”

  Nisaba ducked her head to hide a knowing smile.

  “Oh yes, I was having such a great time.”

  The crease between Ishtar’s brow deepened at this exchange. Banter was not something kargadan women engaged in. Vera ducked her head, the perfect semblance of a contrite lady. No doubt, Kale would be able to trace deception marks all the way to her neck if he was there.

  Kuwari, likewise, turned his attention to more proper interactions. “I think your daughter would be a great example for my apprentice.”

  Ishtar sized Vera up. “She does have a wildness about her.”

  “Vera was the perfect lady, Mother,” Nisaba interjected. “I could not have prepared this so well without her help.”

  Vera was stunned. Nisaba’s words were inexplicably the truth, but all she’d done was stay out of Nisaba’s way. That and run her mouth, plying the girl with questions. Vera’s heart twisted as understanding dawned on her. Nisaba was lonely and about to enter into an arranged marriage. She hadn’t needed help preparing tea. She’s needed someone to talk to. Kuwari took a slow sip of tea. Then he set the cup down and removed a stethoscope from his bag.

  “You still think that is necessary?” asked Ishtar. “As you can see, she is well.”

  “I would be remiss if I did not heed Ashur’s concern.”

  “Of course.” Ishtar bowed her head. “He is a good male to worry so much for my daughter.”

  Kuwari went through a familiar process of listening to parts of Nisaba and looking through various facial holes. “I do not sense any toxins in your blood, and all of your responses seem normal. I think all you need is rest and calm until after the ceremony. Let me know if anything changes, though, and I can run some tests.”

  Vera wanted to smack the smug smile off Ishtar’s face just then.

  “I will inform Prince Ashur that having my apprentice around improved your disposition and recommend another visit in the coming days.”

  Ishtar’s mouth pinched unhappily. That’s not what the old sourpuss wanted to hear. Vera owed Kuwari a high-five for that.

  “If that is amenable to my apprentice, of course,” Kuwari added.

  At first, Vera didn’t realize he was speaking to her. “Oh yes,” she said quickly.

  “It’s settled then.” Kuwari dropped the stethoscope into his bag. “We should be going. Vera has an appointment to be presented at the cultural hall.”

  “Thank you for your concern for my daughter. You are a generous soul,” said Ishtar

  Is she flirting with Kuwari? Vera had to keep from laughing. He looked clueless.

  “My pleasure. Any time either of you needs anything, I am happy to help.”

  “You are too kind.” Ishtar batted her eyes.

  “It was nice to meet you, Vera,” said Nisaba.

  Her mother frowned at her.

  “See you soon.” As Vera passed through the door, she realized it was not a crab carved into the door. It was a scorpion. Beneath it was a mound of what looked like bodies.

  Once on the street, Vera asked Kuwari, “Do I really have to be presented? They already know I’m here.”

  “Unless you prefer to be arrested.”

  “You have cops here?”

  “What is a cop?”

  “Someone who makes sure that people follow the laws,” explained Vera.

  “We have guardsmen to protect our village and marduk. They maintain order.”

  “Out of curiosity, what else would get me arrested?”

  “Stealing, assaulting a member of our community, singing.”

  “Whoa.” Vera halted and then skipped a few steps to catch up with him. “Singing is a violation of peace?”

  “Addamas didn’t tell you?”

  “No. But I don’t sing anyway. It probably didn’t occur to him. Or he meant to tell me, but I slept half the day, so he gave up waiting for me and left without saying goodbye.”

  Kuwari twisted his hands together. “Kargadan are sensitive to the change in pitch of a singing voice. It disrupts our ability to glamour and gives us a feeling similar to seasickness.”

  “What about birds?” Vera asked.

  “There are none here.”

  Vera turned in a circle, listening and scanning the sky. She hadn’t noticed the lack of birdsong. Insects hummed, the wind rustled the gardens, but there were no birds. Now that she was aware, it weirded her out.

  “All right. No singing,” Vera said. “So when I meet these guys, what should I say?”

  “Nothing,” Kuwari said.

  “Seriously?”

  “You should speak less while we are moving about the village too. People are noticing.”

  He was right. Several men who’d been working in the gardens watched the two of them curiously. A medley of hot guys. Almost all with silvery eyes. And all frowning at Vera.

  “Head down, Vera,” Kuwari mumbled.

  Vera tucked her chin down and noticed a pair of feet heading their way.

  Before they reached her, Kuwari grabbed her by the arm and guided her in the
opposite direction, down a side street. “We’ll go the long way. You draw too much attention.”

  “I didn’t do anything,” Vera objected.

  “You are an unknown female. That is enough, but your bold looks and tongue are drawing curiosity you do not want.”

  “I don’t know.” Vera smirked a little. “I don’t mind having the attention of some of them. I mean, I know they’re probably toads, but they make my eyes happy.”

  “Even if it gets them killed?”

  “What?” Vera’s voice rose on the word.

  “Males who nose around where they have no place, get challenged by stronger males. Often to the death.”

  “None of these men would challenge anyone for me. In a few minutes, they’ll know I’m an off-world half-breed if they don’t already. I’m pretty sure that makes it safe for me to admire all I want, without fear of a proposal.”

  “Don’t be so sure. In these times, even someone with impure lines is better than no one.”

  “Gee, that’s flattering,” she said. “You know, the whole challenge thing doesn’t sound like a good plan when you’re trying to save your species.”

  “By giving the strongest a chance to mate with the remaining females, we’re trying to do just that. We have males to spare.”

  “You do know how awful that sounds, right?”

  “Once you watch your kind nearly disappear, you let me know what you would and would not be willing to do to stop it.”

  Vera fell quiet. She’d already faced that catastrophic event, and the answer was anything. She would do anything to save her kind. They passed a hut with no windows, just a clay cube with a single door. A man lounging in the doorway nodded at Kuwari. His eyes flashed silver as he took in Vera. When Vera turned her head to avoid his gaze, she’d swear it looked like the big tough man was superimposed over an elderly hunched one. When she looked straight on, the double vision went away, leaving just the hulk. He noticed her staring and gave a look that made her skin crawl. She hurried to walk closer to Kuwari.