Mundahlia (The Mundahlian Era, #1)

by RJ Gonzales

  “I can and I will. I need to get her back. She is sure to die in Mundahlia. I don’t want her to pay for my mistakes!”

  “He won’t have to go alone,” a voice called.

  “We can go with him,” another added.

  “Yeah, I’m in,” the final third voice called.

  Nicolas’ triplets volunteered to go with me.

  “Kids,” Nicolas declared. “I can’t risk losing you. I’m sorry but you may not go.”

  “But, Pa!” all three whined.

  “Kids!”

  “I’m sorry Pa, but we have to go. Jett’s our friend and if there is any hope that we could stop this war before it begins, we have to try,” Nina said. She was clearly the leader of the three. Headstrong and intelligent. Swift and lethal. “I can take out a few guards on my own, and I’m sure Vicktor could as well. We’ll be safe!”

  “You are not going...” he paused after giving it a long thought. The war would be chaos. Utter madness. None of us wanted that. “—without me,” he finished.

  The three of them cheered.

  “You kids will be the death of me,” He laughed.

  “But Nick, I don’t want you to go!” Martin protested, suddenly looking as worried as I’ve ever seen him.

  “I’m sorry, but I have to. They are all I have left—besides you, my darling. But I wont have to worry about you.” He put a hand on Martin’s chin. “You’ll be here safe—here. I’ll come back, I’ll—”

  “Please?” Martin’s eyes grew glossy as he nearly got on his knees to beg.

  “I’m sorry, but I need to do this.”

  “Then I’ll go with you.”

  “I can’t let you do that.”

  Martin shoved his hand away gently, “I’m not asking you, I’m telling you.” They exchanged sweet smiles with each other, the kind that usually led to kissing.

  Mark and Del got their coats from a closet.

  “Where you all going?” Martin asked, moving his attention to them.

  “Well, as much as we would like to be the extra couple that says ‘count us in too!’ Uh—we have a child to take care of. An infant child that couldn’t fend for itself incase something bad were to happen. Anyway, we need to go grocery shopping to stock up. I don’t want to have to go out if all this nonsense starts.”

  Max headed over to his cellphone, sitting on the coffee table. “Babe!” he said panicky, as soon as he dialed a number and waited for the person to pick up. I knew from the squeal on the other line that it was Sarah. “Pack a bag of things and get over here now!”

  “Why,” I heard her speak. She spoke loudly, almost as if she were on speakerphone.

  Max disappeared into the hallway explaining of the war possibly starting again. I didn’t know what his rush was, it would take us about two days to get to the dock. The dock I’d only seen on the night my mother disappeared into the fog. I gulped. I was going back to my land, where the bounty on my head was the most prized reward to attain. I was basically heading into the face of danger—but deep inside, I knew it was something that had to be done. I needed both my Mom and Rini back. This was just the push I needed to return to the land I was told never to return to again.

  “Then it’s settled!” Martin said. “We leave tomorrow.”

  After dinner, I lied awake in my bed feeling lonesome. I was used to going to sleep on my own before Rini. But now, it just wasn’t the same. My bed felt empty. Like a missing puzzle piece that I’d lost. Everyone else was sleeping comfortably next to somebody tonight. Everyone but me.

  I wonder what she’s thinking of right now, wherever she is...

  Rini

  32

  Jett. What had I done wrong? Why did he hurt me? Why did he have to change? Why?! Why?!

  “Rini,” a voice nudged me awake. “You were speaking in your dreams again.” Angela’s voice was low, trying not to disturb the others curled on the floor asleep. A thing I’ve noticed about the Enthiduans over the past few days I’ve had of observation, is that when they are tired or weak, their light dims. As if charging an inner battery.

  “Would you like to talk about Jett again?” She yawned.

  “No. It’s okay. You go back to sleep.” I’d already burdened her with my whole life story. It was my fault. I was too chatty. I’m sure she’s beyond irritated with me by now.

  “Are you positive?”

  “Yes.”

  Angela rolled to her side. “Then, goodnight, Rini.”

  “‘Night.”

  I stayed lying on the floor thinking about him. I wonder what he’s doing right now and what he’s thinking of? He’s probably moved on with Vera already. I wasn’t anything special anyway. I’m just the nerd that always gets the short end of the deal. The girl that’s left without a prince. The girl who’s prayers get left unanswered, and wishes left un-granted. I should have known better.

  I couldn’t lie to myself, I did miss him. It was something that no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t bring myself to hide. Maybe I was too young to be in love, and maybe it was too early to be calling it love, but I had never felt that way before. This was different. It was real. It was pure. He was all mine. Was. No matter how much I tried to push him out of my heart, I couldn’t. That was over now. I’ve been in this same dark room for what seems like a decade already. Eating once a day, and spending my time talking to the Enthiduans. They are nice beings. With dreams and hopes, just like us. Some say that when they get out of here, they are going to go where they’ve always wanted to go since they are not allowed back into heaven with their tainted bodies. It’s somewhat comforting and sad to hear them speak of their dreams. However, in reality, they all know their days are numbered. Just like mine. As a human, I can only live in these circumstances for a while. Eventually, I’ll grow sick and perish. Die on the floor, a young girl—who even when in the presence of company, still feels the loneliness that looms over her heart.

  Jett

  33

  It was sunset.

  We had been driving for hours stopping only to eat. Martin, Nicolas, and the panthers were in the SUV ahead of me. I, on the other hand, had the truck. I sat in the driver’s seat. One hand out the window, the other on the steering wheel, as I watched the orange sun, that appeared to kiss the ocean’s edge, sink into the horizon. We were almost there. There was still about a day of journeying to go, but I could feel it. The emotion that struck me strongly in the stomach and made me feel sick.

  Soon.

  Rini

  34

  It was the time of day when the guards brought us our rations.

  They threw open the door and set the large dirty bowl of food on the ground. The Enthiduans—paired up in twos—all formed a single file line and were handed their rations by the men. Yesterday, it was a piece of the purple fruit I’d seen one of the old woman eating when I’d first arrived. It was bitter like a lime, but tasted almost like a combination of sour cherries and watermelon. The day before was bones, with just a little bit of meat left on them. Angela taught me how to crack them just right so that I could pull out the marrow from inside incase I was still hungry—like pulling out a chunk of meat from a crab leg. Today, the rations were small pockets of nearly burnt to black bread with a mixed meat filling. Of what, I didn’t bring myself to ask. Neither did Angela, as she took painful bites and swallowed once we’d returned to our corner.

  Angela and I overheard the extra guards behind the servers chatting to each other about a celebratory ceremony to be held later on today before they send the troops and the King at sundown to the council hall at the farthest end of the nation to get word on wether or not they can progress to my world and begin the war. Immediately, my parents, Celeste, George, Sarah, and the other humans I knew popped into my head. They wouldn’t stand a chance. They’d be ripped apart limb by limb and I couldn’t do a thing about it. Things have definitely turned on me. Everything was perfect, but now it was far from that. Very far.

  “What’s on your mind?” Angela
asked, finished with the last of her food and looking grossed out. Before the guards left, they set a new barrel of water in the center. “May we go for some water?” she pointed.

  “My family. My friends,” I said, getting up and following her to the barrel one foot at a time. We had to walk in a specific way to keep from tripping or stumbling. It took a few tries at the beginning, but now we got the hang of it.

  “I’m sure they will be fine,” she soothed. She took the metal ladle hanging from the brim and scooped up some water to sip.

  “I hope so.” I’d become quite attached to Angela. She reminded me of Sarah, only with a rich, eloquent articulation, and pale skin tone.

  This was not the place for them to be. The kind angels who’d been condemned for sticking up for themselves. It was inhumane. Even so, I admired Angela. No matter how much she was into her depression, she always held her head up high and kept a promising smile wide on her face. Using her optimism to mask her sadness.

  The guards were right about the ceremony. We could hear the muffled sounds of music and cheers blaring from behind the thick stone walls. It had to have been about two hours after our early supper. Various instruments united, as if greeting one another in the air and deciding to ban together into a pleasant melody.

  “What do you think will happen?” I asked Angela, bothered about what is to unfold on my people.

  “It is hard to say. My guess is that the King and his army will murder many of your people and enslave the others. Using them for labor and for their sole purpose to be pleasing the Mundahlian race.”

  A warm tear slid down my face and I thudded the back of my head against the wall. “Why is this happening? This is only supposed to exist in fairy tales.”

  “Fairies tell the humans their tales?” Angela asked, suddenly interested. As though I’d just said something she couldn’t believe.

  “No. I mean stories about mythical beings that aren’t supposed to exist.”

  “Well, to you this may be a ‘faerie’s tale’ but to us this is part of our daily lives. It is normal. You are the mythical being who isn’t supposed to exist.” She verbally pointed to me. “I guess what I am trying to say, is that what those stories failed to include, was reality. This is what really happens when fairy tales exist. There is nothing magical or enchanting about it, my dear.” I was desensitized from reality. I didn’t know what was real and what was fictitious anymore. Right now, I’d believe that a unicorn smells like apples and pixies barfed glitter. Angela saw my discomfort. “Look. There are far more beings in this one planet than you can imagine. It’s just that your ancestors many centuries ago decided to rid their land from the filth of those they deemed unacceptable to live in their ‘clean and peaceful’ land. But, I have a gut wrenching feeling that this battle will bring all the creatures that have been hidden from sight, out in the open.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “There is not much I can foresee. But from this battle, I can say that you will gain allies—as well as enemies.”

  I didn’t quite understand, but didn’t question further. It was simple. Creatures I thought to only exist in literature of mythology or other fiction, existed. In the flesh—in front of me. “You know, had I known all this was going to happen, I would of just stayed watching Spanish soap operas with my aunt!”

  “If things do indeed happen, then it was out of your control. One must simply take the days of their lives as they happen. If you spend time worrying over what is to come, which may or may not happen, then you will only be wasting precious days you will wish in the future you could have cherished a bit longer. The world works in mysterious ways. It is living its own life day by day. Never fully knowing of what is to come, or what awaits it on the other side of each rotation. But, even so, it keeps on spinning.” Funny, how morbid it works though.

  A few hours had passed. The music had died down and all that was left was small mumbles and foot steps from above as they scurried across the floor. Angela and the others had all breathed sighs of relief when no one came down to select a pair of Enthiduans to be eaten. Now, we were trying to sleep. Well, I was at least. The other’s were sound asleep, recharging themselves after growing dim. But I wasn’t tired. I couldn’t, for the slightest moment, even dare slip into my dreams tonight. Something didn’t feel right. Like a firm heavy hand was perched on my shoulder, as though someone was trying to show mercy and comfort me for what was about to happen.

  The doors flung opened, and the titian glow—a clash of a deep red and gold, lit the room. The Enthiduans by the door were startled awake, flashing for a moment, as though their inner-light mimicked the jolt they felt with the sudden rush of panic. The shadows who entered, or rather nearly unhinged the door with their mighty strike, were two men—one familiarly shaped, the other—a stranger, and a woman. Petite and stout, with a slightly hunched back. Their faces were hidden, as was the rest of their bodies. They were nothing more than silhouettes. I watched as they entered the room and for a moment, panned across—as if looking for someone in particular. Then, one of them—the familiarly shaped man, froze. His gaze locked onto me, a missile to its target. He pointed over to me and the trio strode down the wet, dirty floor. The scout walked with a slight limp as though he were intoxicated. I positioned myself up and tried to nudge Angela awake at the nearing shadows.

  When they got to us, the one who’d pointed to me let out a sound of accomplishment. As though he’d found the gold amongst the duds. “That one,” he said with a drunken slur, pointing at me again as though I were miles away in the distance and not mere inches from him. “She needsss a good lesson on respect and disscipline. And I’m the one thatsss gonna teach herrr.” I recognized the deep voice, even though it was inebriated and hoarse now. Bane. He was drunk. I could smell the alcohol from where I was sitting. He suddenly burst into laughter as though he’d thought of something hysterical. He pointed at me again but shifted his attention to the taller, buff man beside him who I didn’t recognize at all. His hair was dark and razor cut. He looked in his late twenties, even in the dark—which meant he must only look older in full view. “Hehe. Tell her that class is in session.” Bane snickered. “Tell her,” he urged, even though I’d already heard it.

  The guy let out a hearty laugh, equally as hysterical as Bane’s.

  I looked to the old woman beside him. Her eyes sizing me up as if I were a nice portly pig at an auction and she were crucially thinking of bidding. “Come along,” the woman said. “Let’s get you washed up.” I saw she was dressed in a plain brown frock with a beige apron over it when she turned to the newly appeared guards that had stopped by the door. Was she a servant? Or was she a cook?

  “Uh, no thank you,” I replied. “I’m fine right here on the floor.”

  Bane leapt at me. Immediately halting from his childish laughter. He was now raging mad—his blood, boiling beneath the confines of his skin. A shift in emotions in the flash of a second. His hand clenched around my jaw, forcing my mouth open. His face touching mine. I groaned as my head hit the wall behind me. Angela finally awoke, as did the rest of the Enthiduans who weren’t already up with their vexatious laughter.

  Bane huffed. Exhaling his toxic breath in my face. “What is it you don’t understand!” he clamored. “You don’t have a damn choice! Do you understand?!”

  I didn’t respond.

  He slammed me against the wall again. “I said ‘do you understand?!’”

  “Yes,” I managed to get out. I put my hands around his on my jaw to try to move them, but he shoved them aside—letting go on his own.

  “Good. Now get up!” he ordered. “And you too,” He kicked Angela, who’d been staring up at him in confusion. She let out a small whimper.

  I did as told. Angela did as well. I didn’t want to see what he would do if I disobeyed again.

  Bane looked at her and huffed. “Don’t expecttt me to say—” He burped. “—sorrrry. I’m not!”

  The old lady left after putting Angela
and I in a deep white tub, filled to the brim with nearly scalding hot water. We were given a dirty bar of what used to be white soap to clean ourselves. She didn’t have to worry about us trying to escape. This room had no windows and only one door. The one I’m sure she was standing on the other side of.

  “It’s been too long since I’ve felt what it was like to be clean,” Angela said, raising a cupped hand of water to wash her chest. “I never realized how much I’d miss it.” The chains were still wrapped around our feet under the cloudy water.

  “Yeah,” I said, lathering my wet hair with soap. The bath felt good. Something that grounded me with a glimmer of hope at returning to reality.

  “What do you think they are going to do?” I asked her. Asking a question I’m sure was set heavy on both our minds.

  She raised another cupped hand of water to her arms. “Like I’ve said, live your life as it happens, not for what may or may not come.” I couldn’t ignore the undeniable masked worrisome in her voice.

  I washed away the soapy suds from my body and hair, feeling it soft and silky with a pleasant clean scent now instead of the dusty and smelly hair I had picked up from being confined to the chambers. I had grown nearly senile and insane after only spending a few days locked up and underfed. I couldn’t bare to imagine what the Enthiduans must feel like being trapped in there for months—years at a time. The door opened again. “Enough!” The lady said, pulling the cork to release the water from the basin. “Step out, now!”

  We did as followed one set of feet at a time so that we wouldn’t risk tumbling to the floor. The old woman dried us both off with a towel. She was rough, like sanding away layers and layers of my skin. She tossed Angela an old white frock. I, however, got nothing.

  “What do I get?” I asked the woman, covering myself with my hands.

  “Nothing, but talk to me like that again you ungrateful little twit, and I’ll give you a pop in the mouth!” She pointed her boney finger at me. “You don’t need to wear much clothing, so here!” She tossed me the damp towel. What does she mean ‘I don’t have to wear much clothing?’ I wrapped it around my body, wanting to get covered as soon as possible from the chilly air as well as exposure. I didn’t like being naked or being so exposed. I don’t know why—I just don’t like it.