by Kate Sander
Senka smiled, scar twisting over her face. Tory thought she looked kind of cute, small woman with a terrible scar grinning ear to ear, “Trust me honey,” she signed, “If we wanted to try anything, you’d all be dead already.”
Jules turned to her, “No. I’m not saying that,” he said out loud.
Senka stared back, “Yah, you are. You promised you would translate.”
Jules sighed and rubbed his brow, “It’s called having respect, Senka.”
“What did she say?” Tory asked.
“This is all her, don’t shoot the messenger. She said: trust me, honey, if we wanted to try anything you’d be dead already.”
Tory, Eli and Ujarak put their heads back and laughed. The rest of the Melanthios followed their lead and chortled around them.
“You know, that’s fair. We have to keep you bound anyway so we don’t scare the kids when we hit the village. Let’s move, boys. I want to be home before dinner.”
They all took their positions and headed towards the village. They walked for an hour or so more, too tired to speak. A steep hill emerged from the forest.
“The village is at the top,” Tory said as they stopped at a creek to drink, “It backs on to a mountain you’ll see when we clear the hill. We will be there in fifteen minutes.”
They trudged up, and when they crested the top of the hill, Senka couldn’t help but stop and gape. It was beautiful. She didn’t know how she had missed a mountain this large in her travels, but she had. It rose in front of them, jutting to the sky. A white cap at the top sparkled with snow. She had never seen snow, she just knew it existed. The village, which was massive compared to the last one she had seen, backed up to the prominent cliff. Hundreds of sturdy cabins built into the landscape. A waterfall spilled from behind and coursed its way around the village, turning into the creek they had drank from at the bottom of the hill. A large clearing separated the houses from the forest, giving the village time to see an attack.
Tory smiled, “Welcome to our home.”
People were starting to come to the edge of the village. Senka could see their small forms pointing at the party.
“We sent word we found you yesterday. We followed you until you got too close. The Shaman is expecting you.”
They allowed themselves to be led into the village. It was full of men, women and children. They smiled and waved at the scouting party, and the men waved back. Senka could feel her stomach grumble as she smelled meat cooking. The Melanthios symbol adorned each doorway.
“The Shaman must have ordered a feast,” Tory said, “I don’t know who you guys are but apparently he was expecting you’d stay for dinner.”
They walked slowly through the village, and stopped at the base of the waterfall. It poured into a stone pool intricately carved stone pool, the falling water forming rainbows. Most of the people from the village had followed them, so they were numbering in the thousands. A man, so wrinkled you could barely see his eyes, was waiting for them at the edge of the pool. He had a staff with a red gem affixed on the top. He had long flowing white hair and bright green robes that complimented his black skin.
“Welcome, visitors. Tory, undo their hands. I feel that those would do little to stop them,” the Shaman spoke in a pleasant baritone. Senka checked his aura and found that it was gold, like her master’s. Tears started to well in her eyes.
Tory took a knife off her belt and quickly dispatched the leather binding their wrists.
“Step forward.”
Jules and Senka obeyed. Senka signed to him, “You must say what I say, exactly how I say it. Got it?”
Jules nodded. They heard a ripple of whispers behind them as she signed.
“Fear not!” The Shaman said, holding a hand above his head. The whispers were silenced immediately, “I trust you can see the scar on her face.” Senka blushed but kept her head held high. “She has seen more atrocities than you can imagine. She cannot speak, and this is how they communicate.”
Senka nodded to him in acknowledgement, “Ready?” she signed to Jules. Jules nodded. “Tell him that I am the last apprentice of Master Apollyon and I alone saw his destruction. Tell him that I am a Zoya, and I spent two years in prison at the hands of Intelligence in Solias. Tell him that I was sent by the Queen for a truce, and all our lives depend on it.”
Jules stared at her and signed back, “I’m not telling them you’re a Zoya.”
Senka’s eyes blazed, anger rising, “Yes, you will. They already took my voice, don’t take it again.”
Jules sighed and looked at the Shaman for support. He had a feeling that the Shaman had understood what they were talking about. The Shaman smiled, his eyes glinting, and Jules spoke loudly, “I am Jules. I was a guard of the Queen in Solias,” he heard whispers start behind him, but he ignored them and pressed on, “This is Senka. She was the last apprentice of Master Apollyon and she alone saw his destruction.” The whispers grew louder. Senka had her head held high and stared the Shaman in the eyes. Jules continued, “The Queen and I broke her out of prison. She had been kept there for two years and was held by Intelligence. The Queen sent her to negotiate a truce between Solias and the Melanthios. She alone can save us.”
The whispers grew to yells. The crowd started to press forward. With a quick whistle, Tory had her crew surrounding the two visitors, ready to defend them against the pressing mob.
“Finish it,” Senka signed to Jules.
“Don’t make me,” Jules signed back, tears forming. He was sure they would kill her if they knew.
“Finish it,” the Shaman repeated out loud.
Jules sighed, and sentencing her to death said, “She is a Zoya.”
The people started screaming in fear, pushing forward to destroy that which they did not understand. Tory’s crew launched into the defensive. Jules turned to help them in any way he could. Senka stood, back straight, head up, staring at the Shaman, ignoring the pressing mob.
They were fighting with their fists, no one wanted to fight to kill. They were just trying to protect. Tory punched a woman in the stomach. Ujarak had a large man by the front of the shirt and was punching him repeatedly in the face. Eli was blocking a woman attacking with a beading needle. Jules was trying to pull the children out of the way of the pressing crowd.
“ENOUGH!” The Shaman’s voice rang out over the crushing noise of the mob. Ujarak punched the man once more in the face then set him down woozily to his feet.
“I am ashamed of all of you!” The Shaman cried again, “This woman has been through hell, and you wish to destroy her? Based on some stupid superstition? Go back to your homes and think about all of this. We will be having a feast in her honour tonight. The last apprentice of Master Apollyon and the messenger of the Queen deserves our respect. BEGONE! Think about what you have done. Pray you never see a fraction of the horrors this woman has seen.”
With that, the mob dispersed, their heads hung low in shame. The only people left were the Shaman and Senka, still staring at one another, with Jules, Tory and her crew panting in a semi-circle around them.
“Thank you,” Jules said when he caught Tory’s eye.
She shrugged and walked away. Ujarak walked by and smacked him on the shoulder, almost sending him sprawling.
“Means he likes you,” Eli said as he skipped away.
They were down to the three of them, standing in front of the waterfall. Senka still hadn’t moved. Jules was watching her, unsure of what to do next. The Shaman approached, and before Jules could stop him, wrapped Senka in a hug.
Jules’ jaw dropped and his eyes went wide when, instead of killing him, Senka put her head into the old man’s shoulder and wept like a child.
18
Senka
The feast would be one to remember. The village had been sufficiently chastised, and all had brought food and gifts to the two new visitors. Jules and Senka had more clothing, boots, beadwork and ceremonial weapons than they knew what to do with. Word had gotten out that Senka
didn’t like to be touched, so the villagers would place the gift at their feet and bow to them. Jules would rise and give the ceremonious Melanthios handshake, and Senka would nod smiling at them.
Sitting by their pile, the man who Ujarak had been punching approached. The man had not fared well, it looked like Ujarak had broken his nose. He was surrounded by five or six hulking adult men, all who looked the same, and all who looked ashamed. Senka figured it was a father and his sons. The father bowed and said, “We wanted to destroy you. We are sorry. My sons and I have pledged to build you a house. It will be on the corner of the village where you will be close to the forest as that is where you are comfortable. We have already started gathering the wood. The other men have offered their help as well. You are currently guests of Tory, but in one week’s time you will have your own house. Welcome to our village. It will forever be your home.”
Senka’s eyes were wide and she had to brush a tear away. She nodded, and buried her head in her hands. The men blushed, and the father said awkwardly, “We are sorry if our gift displeases you. We will find another skill to use to gain your favor.”
Jules jumped up, tears in his eyes as well, and skipping the handshake gave the man a bear hug. The men blushed again, though some of the sons laughed. “You misunderstand,” Jules said to him, “She’s crying because she is happy. We both are. There is nothing we could ever do or say that could thank you enough for calling this our home.”
The man patted Jules’ back and chuckled. He managed to untangle himself from Jules’ embrace and bowed with his sons to Senka.
The feast was in full swing in the center of the village where there was a large opening with no houses and dozens of large fire pits. The fire pits were blazing, and surrounded by logs and chairs. Thousands of people milled about the grounds. It was a potluck feast, and everyone brought something, resulting in thousands of different dishes on a table. There was no ceremony and no head table. All were equal in the Melanthios village. A band played the drums and people danced and laughed. The guests of honour, Senka and Jules, had picked a spot by one of the fires, and everyone in the village seemed to be able to find them. The Shaman wasn’t present.
Tory walked up, swaying slightly, with Eli and Ujarak beside her. Ujarak had two large mugs of ale in each hand. Dropping beside Jules on the pile of clothes, Ujarak passed Jules and Senka a mug each, keeping two for himself.
Jules slapped him on the shoulder and took a long draught of beer. Tory stared at Senka, who was looking at the beverage questioningly.
“It’s ale,” Tory said, “It’s homemade, and will get you drunk in no time.”
Senka looked up, and blushing, signed to Jules, “I’ve never had ale. I’ve never been drunk.”
Jules looked shocked, then laughed. Senka’s blush deepened. Jules said to the others, “She’s never been drunk before. This will be a fun night!”
They all laughed. Tory noticed Senka’s face and said, “Don’t worry, honey, we’re not judging you at all. You were locked up young. We expected something like this. Tonight is your night! Overindulge. We won’t let anything happen to you and if you do anything stupid, everyone will be too drunk tonight to remember! Enjoy the finer things in life!”
Shrugging, Senka took a massive swig of ale. It was delicious, with bubbles that went up her nose and a hoppy flavor. She lowered the glass beaming, and her crew raised their glasses to her and drank as well. She took another swig, enjoying the bubbles in her stomach and the heady feeling it was giving her. Looking at Jules, Tory, Eli and Ujarak, a funny feeling of belonging wheedled its way into her. They were her crew, they were her family. They would be there for her no matter what. Nausea and dizziness bubbled up from her stomach. This ale was hitting her fast.
She tried to stand and stumbled slightly, sitting back down on the log heavily. Concerned, she tried again but couldn’t get her feet to hold her weight. Tory noticed and a look of unease crossed her face, “Hey honey, you alright? You don’t look good.”
Eli, Ujarak and Jules stopped chatting and looked. Senka looked terrible. She had gone very pale and was sweating profusely. She was shaking her head back and forth, trying to clear it. They jumped up and went to help her, forming a semi-circle around the log where she sat. No one wanted to touch her, but no one knew what to do.
“How much did she drink?” Jules asked Tory. Tory shrugged.
Senka tried to stand again and this time fell heavily to her side. Her mug of ale slipped out of her hand, spilling to the ground. She twisted onto her back, her eyes rolled in her head. Their faces and voices were fading in and out. She tried to focus on their auras, but she couldn’t. Her body started shaking violently. Pain erupted through her entire body. She tried to scream, but her mouth distorted in terror and she couldn’t make a sound.
Tory watched as Senka fell and dropped her mug. The whole glass spilled out. It wasn’t the ale.
She rushed to kneel at Senka’s side as Senka started convulsing on the ground, foam coming out of her mouth. Tory grabbed Senka’s shoulder and rolled her to her side. Senka vomited more foam and kept jerking violently, eyes rolling.
“Somebody do something!” Jules yelled desperately.
Senka felt herself vomiting again. She couldn’t see much, the world was spinning. She faintly heard Tory yell, “Get the Shaman! Ujarak help me get her out of here!” Ujarak lifted her gently in his massive arms and walk away from the fire.
The world and everything in it faded to black.
“Somebody do something!” She heard a familiar voice yell. She recognized it, but she couldn’t place it. It wasn’t Jules or Eli, but it was so familiar. She tried to open her eyes, but she couldn’t. They felt like they were glued closed. She could only hear.
“Sir, we need you to step back, okay? We need space to help her,” A female voice this time, one she didn’t recognize.
“What did you do to her?” The male voice yelled in panic, “What did you do?” She could hear scuffling and a beeping noise beside her head. The beeping was slowing down.
“Pulse is under thirty, we’re going to have to cardiovert,” the woman’s voice said.
She heard the man yelling a name as he was being dragged away. She tried desperately to open her eyes but she couldn’t.
“Okay, set. Get the stickers on. Everyone clear?” She heard the female voice say. The beeping was slowing down.
“Charging. Clear!”
A fiery hot burning pain rifled through her chest. She couldn’t breathe. The pain intensified, and she her body lurched. She heard a man weeping and she faded back down into nothing.
She sat up quickly and took a deep breath. Her head was swimming, the world was turning and nausea hit her like a ton of bricks.
“Easy there honey,” she heard Tory say, her gentle black hand firmly touched her shoulder and pushed her back down to the bed, “You’ve been out for a couple days, take ‘er easy.”
Senka tried to speak, but only gurgling came out. It started coming back to her.
She couldn’t speak. She had no tongue.
“What. What happened?” Senka signed. The world was starting to focus. She was lying in a bed, staring at a wooden ceiling.
“You collapsed at the feast. We all thought you were poisoned, but the Shaman said that you weren’t. He said it was something to do with being a Zoya. He was worried sick about you. None of us thought you were going to make it.”
Senka tried to keep her eyes open, but her head hurt too much and she was having trouble focusing. “Water,” she signed to Tory, firmly closing her eyes.
Tory nodded and went and got her a glass of cool fresh water. Tory helped boost her up so she was half sitting, with Tory taking most of her weight. Tory held the glass to her lips and she helped her drink slowly. When she was done, Tory lowered her back down to the pillows.
The water helped clear her head.
“Wait,” she signed, “How come you can understand me?”
Tory chuckled, “I was
wondering when you were going to notice. Jules and I have barely left your side. Eli and Ujarak wanted to stay too, but the Shaman didn’t want too many people here. They are out with the other men building your house. The village knows what happened and everyone pitched in. You should be able to move in tomorrow.”
“Well that’s amazing, but how can you understand me?” Senka signed again.
“Let me finish,” Tory said with a laugh, “You’re always so pushy. Like I said, me and Jules barely left your side so he started to teach me. I figured it would be helpful for me to know. Eli and Ujarak volunteered to learn as well, and Jules is going to start teaching them as soon as they are done your house.”
Tears formed, and Tory busied herself with warming some soup to give her some privacy. When Senka had composed herself, Tory raised her again and helped her slurp some warm broth, one small spoonful at a time. When Tory lowered her back down, Senka signed, “Why are you doing this for me? I barely know you.”
Tory looked at her, brow furrowed, “I don’t really know. I trust you. I’ve trusted you since you shot that arrow a half inch from my ear. You could have killed me easily, instead you didn’t.”
Senka nodded and signed, “I trust you too, I don’t know why. I figured you would have been scared of me ‘cause I was a Zoya.”
Tory shrugged and busied herself rearranging the pillows around Senka’s head so she could sit up a little, “I probably would have been, if I had known from the start. But people just don’t understand the Zoya. We’re told they are demons. Honey, as scary as your face is, you ain’t no demon.”
Senka snorted and started to laugh, then stopped when it hurt her head. Her whole body hurt, every joint when she moved, every breath in.
“Gotta love your honesty,” Senka signed. “Where’s Jules?”
“I was wondering when you would ask that,” Tory said, taking her chair beside the bed, “You two have something going on, hey?”