The Thief

by Rama Nugraha

  Escaping death, both of Ubaga’s children were found safe in the basement. Kila Jarhal (11) and Selio Jarhal (15), claimed that they knew nothing of the murder that night. Presumably, Joris took them out of their room, cast a protection mantra on them and hid them in the basement as he felt the household was endangered.

  The motive of the gruesome murder remains unknown. The investigator found an item missing from Thar Ubaga’s collection, his prized possession, the infamous blue necklace of Zu stone.

  He took another leap to another paragraph. His vision was getting blurry.

  Two unharmed guards claimed that they saw a green-eyed man dashing out of the house. He was chased by a Ludaj, the Anag summoned by Joris the Wizard.

  Datan moved to another article. His breathing got heavier as his heart pounded erratically.

  Was it the Royan or the Serial Killer who Brings Havoc upon Fardas?

  By: Igor Ladda

  There are numerous witnesses who saw an unknown man running for his life as he was chased by a Ludaj around the city. The man was suspected as a member of the League of Royans, an amateur one. He was the prime suspect of the manslaughter in Thar Ubaga’s mansion.

  Considering that the League of Royans is an unreachable organization, investigating this man will be difficult. Even so, the Prime Thar, Sher Moata Hakish addressed this dreadful issue.

  “I don’t understand how someone could be that vicious? I will talk to the Royal Highness King Lucas Mandova to discuss this matter. Even if that man is a Royan, justice must be served!” Moata said when interviewed in his dwelling, which is relatively close to the crime scene. Despite being ill, Moata was determined to perform his job well as the Prime Thar.

  He has full support from the people of Fardas. They want King Lucas Mandova to help them solve this problem.

  Datan felt his throat dried. He proceeded to read another passage.

  Despite the accusation towards the Royan, Hidi, a witness who lived in the street claimed that he saw a woman with an orange ape walking out of the mansion before the Royan did.

  “I was not lying! They went out through the side fences to avoid the guard. Boy, what a horrid sight that woman was. She was just skin and bone… her face was pale as a corpse!” he claimed. “Oh, and the ape carrying her was even more terrifying. I almost got flicked when I saw them. I had just woken up but I know what I saw!”

  Adding to Hidi’s statement, Guma the Guard said something along the line, “Like the previous victim of the serial killer, the people in the Thar Household was slashed in their necks.”

  Is that woman the serial killer on the loose, the one that was claimed to be captured? Zami Mala, the Security Sher of Fardas did not provide any statement regarding the matter. While Wam Tantaka, the former Thar, who took part in Full Moon Ceremony when the unfortunate event was happening, stated that it is not a Royan’s way to slaughter their victim like a butcher.

  “This is a warning from Unum,” he concluded. “Maybe it’s time to choose an honest man to lead us.”

  “I don’t like this Igor Ladda person,” Datan grumbled. “Who is he, again?”

  The property damage that night is estimated to reach the value of one hundred thousand Kurrs. Up until the writing of this article, the people at the Fardas Department of Urban Housing is still calculating the exact number.

  There was more news about the update of the investigation. There was even a brief response from the King, but Datan’s eyes were clouded. He threw the paper onto the table, took a wobbly step to sit on the sofa as his face turned blue. He grabbed his head, pulling his coarse hair due to overexposure to sunlight in the sail.

  “What did the Lady say about this?” Datan remembered Irirana, remembering her position over him.

  Kanas shrugged. “She sighed,” he answered.

  Datan blinked. “She’s not furious?” he asked. “I thought she was ready to lock me down.”

  “The Lady has expected something like this to happen—you didn’t hear as she said. I helped you go to Fardas. She did say she was curious of your true capability.”

  “And I disappointed her.”

  “Well, she did not expect the theft to turn this bad.”

  Kanas blew the smoke upwards. After that, he took something out of his pocket, a ripe blood orange.

  Ignoring Datan, he peeled the orange. Datan saw how mouthwatering the flesh of the fruit was as the skin was peeled. Kanas licked his lips. Not bothering to offer him some, Kanas ate it.

  Datan felt offended.

  “Sorry,” Kanas said. “There’s only one left in my pocket.”

  “Nevermind, just eat it,” Datan responded crudely.

  “Why are you so stupid, pan?”

  Datan’s body slid from the sofa. One of his hands caressed his forehead that burned. “Because this is my first time?” he complained.

  “I could hate you, Datan, if you disappointed the Lady, that is.”

  Datan straightened his back. “Oh good, you’re talking about feelings, now?” he sneered. “You talk as if I wanted this to happen.”

  Kanas did not retort back, his mouth curved downwards. His marble blue eyes glared, demanding, making it really hard for Datan to keep looking at him. Datan sighed. He shifted his focus to slide the ashtray on the table, creating a squeaking sound caused by the friction of wood and stone.

  Datan finally told him the gist of what actually happened that night. His voice was nasally and dragged. Although Datan hid the parts that humiliated him the most, like when he was pinned to the floor by Nymeria.

  “There were many ill people in Fardas,” Datan told him. “Even the Red Necks. It was a plague, similar to one caught by Tannu. Perhaps it was because of some kind of poison. They were weakened by it, so maybe that explained how this one woman managed to slaughter all seven of them.”

  Kanas paled. He swallowed hard. “I told you about the serial killer. You’re not supposed to meddle with this matter!” he jabbed. “You’re supposed to back down that night.”

  “And lose the Zu? No. I couldn’t bring myself to do that. This is my first mission, Kanas.”

  “Oh, for Unum!” Kanas barked. “Can’t you see what it caused, pan? You ran all around the city with an Anag in your tail! The town was damaged heavily! You are suspected as the murder of the Thar. Everything’s a mess.”

  “I know, my bad. I need more practice, do I?”

  “Indeed. Next time, act rationally and carefully. Act like a Royan, an elite. Don’t rush into things like a dumb village boy. Don’t be embarrassing. You must have forgotten our operational code.”

  Datan felt like a paper being crumpled down. He tried to just accept Kanas’ scolding. “Now, what should I do?” he asked as he could not figure it out.

  Kanas exhaled loudly to tame his irritation. “Face it,” he stated. “You cannot run away from it, pan? Your client arrived here two days ago, they wanted to know what happened.”

  “My client?”

  “The situation had become more complicated than our assumption,” Kanas rose to his feet. “Let’s meet them now.”

  “Wait, who are these people?” Datan glanced at Niko and Lilia in the aquarium, swimming lazily. He was too afraid to face it, just like what Kanas said.

  “You’ll see.”

  “Alright, let me feed my fish first, though. It’s a miracle they haven’t died of starvation.”

  ◆◆◆

  Datan felt his shoes turned into iron as he followed Kanas

  They walked in a corridor in the deepest part of the castle. It was a path leading to Kahisar Irirana’s dwelling. Seeing the eye of the owls, they were allowed in after the owl scanned with eyes of suspicion. The sky was cloudy that afternoon, light breeze and fragrance of flowers filled the air. The Three Wonder Child (the name Datan gave to Irirana’s children) were nowhere in sight, while Irirana and Pollo were accompanied by two guests. On the table under the tree, of which the four people sat surrounding it, were snacks and tea.

&nbs
p; Puyuh Polloh could be spotted amongst the food, now sprinkled with red sesame.

  The male guest reached for the cup of green honey tea. He starred at the steamy surface of the liquid. He sipped it after swallowing the food he just ate. He took a white napkin from beside the plate, wiping his mouth gracefully.

  Datan felt the air getting thinner as he recognized the man. This would be the worst first meeting, what a way to worsen an already bad day.

  The Royal Highness King Lucas Madova was there.

  He ruled the Kalidas Kingdom of the Southern Land, the ruler of the entire Sarayan Country. He was known to appear in the newspaper cradling wolf cub. He had Haedin blood, visible from his reddish-brown skin, and was probably seventy in age. His face resembled an oval with wide blue eyes, always polled with passion. His long hair was wavy and shiny, constantly brushed by olive oil and pine flower powder. Navy blue tunic made of silk with golden sewing covered his slim yet hefty figure. He always appeared charming and graceful with it on. More gold was embroidered in the garment, forming the shape of a wolf right on his chest and in the middle of blue Rukh Kirki he used as a turban.

  Datan felt his legs turned into liquid. His customer was a king?

  King Lucas was known to be stern and courageous in ruling Sarayan. Although the Thars knew that every single thing he decided depended on his mood. This made it difficult to know if something was actually right or wrong. He could fire a Thar if he even felt slightly offended by the other.

  He was known as a man living in moderation. He loved to share with his people and was not insane about gold or silver. Though, it did not mean that he loved nothing. The king was obsessed with gemstones.

  Many people actually thought King Lucas cared more of his gemstones than the Queen. He did not put on his collection like normal jewelry, he simply collected them, talking to them all night long at times. He had a private museum in which the gemstone throughout time and land were exhibited.

  Datan wondered what Sarayan people would say if they found out that the one taking the Thar’s gemstone was the King himself.

  Shifting his gaze, Datan saw the second guest. The Urgut man looked simple, he was wearing a light blue tunic with embroidery of wolf snow in the right chest area. His expression looked cold and calm. In his forehead was a tattoo in the shape of three red lines falling downwards into his pointy nose. His eyes looked unfriendly and deep, the thick eyebrow did not soften his look either. He looked as though he could read his interlocutor's thoughts.

  Hin necklace surrounded his long freckly neck. Strands of black hair were apparent among his silver hair. His old age was apparent from the wrinkles in the corner of his eyes. Next to him was a black oak staff with Red Silver lines lighting up like a burning fire. The wood was grasping a crystal in the shape of a hand.

  Datan was sure it was Sal Elgama, elder brother of Ayesa Elgama, The Queen. He was a wizard as well as His Majesty’s Privy Council. The 190-centimeter man was known to be the greatest wizard in Sarayan. They said Sal could perform the wind whisper. His name echoed dearly in the hearts of the entire wizards and witches all around the world. Datan could not say much about him, though. The wizard shared a little to nothing about himself.

  Their conversation stopped as Kanas and Datan arrived. The King blinked once at Datan. The newly-arrived Royans bowed before the King. Datan could feel his heart thumped faster than it should.

  “Your Majesty.”

  “Gentlemen,” King Lucas greeted back. “We meet again Kanas Malluka… Kahisar Irirana, they shall join us today. You don’t mind, do you?”

  Irirana nodded. “Of course I don’t, Your Majesty,” she said.

  “Well, Kanas and…” King Lucas hold his breath, his pupil dilated as he saw something he had not seen in a while. He stood up, taking two steps towards Datan who was still on his knees. From where he stood, he starred at Datan’s right hand on his knee. “Datan, right?” he made sure, still found it hard to believe to see a Malika in Datan’s middle finger.

  “Datan Woudward?”

  Datan lifted his head, welcoming inquisitive eyes of the King. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  King Lucas nodded. “Stand up, my boy,” he said. “Come on up, you two. Sit right here.”

  Sal brushed his lush neck-length beard as he watched the King.

  Datan met Irirana’s eyes for a brief moment. Her wide bronze-like eyes glowed like it had always been, showing complete trust of Datan. It made him felt embarrassed and anxious. He shifted his gaze elsewhere after just a moment.

  They sat in one chair, but Datan’s movement looked like he was sitting on a burning chair. His nose kept smelling another vanilla scent. As he realized Sal had been watching him unblinking the whole time, everyone else stared at him. King Lucas gave him a long stare. Datan coughed away his anxiety which was crawling in his throat. He mustered a fake smile as his hand started to starch the sides of the chair.

  “Well, Datan. It’s nice to finally meet you. I believe this is not a mere coincidence,” King Lucas said clearly. “How was your first task? Was it fun?”

  Datan pondered. Should he answer carefully with white lies or should he just be honest? “As you might already know, Your Majesty…”

  “Did you get what I want?” King Lucas cut him, his eyes looked hopeful. He watches every part of Datan’s face which tensed.

  Datan took out the desired item from his right pocket. His hand was drenched in cold sweat as he put the warm Zu stone in the middle of the table, next to Irirana’s one-hundred-year-old antique colorful ceramic teapot. For the first time in his life, Datan was stunned by an odd feeling as he saw Zu. Somehow it was hard for him to like that item.

  Zu was just pulsated.

  It felt like a breathing creature, smirking at those holding it. That stone gleamed beautifully under the sunlight which passed through the leaf canopy of the tree. It was apparent that the stone was rare and extraordinary. It was not from this time. It was a glorious ancient creation, a flawless one.

  Datan could smell how foreign Zu was. It smelled like burnt soil.

  Across the table, Pollo widened his eyes as he sunk to his chair even more. He did not say anything but his grey eyes in the dark socket looked visibly frightened as though he was seeing the death itself. He started to sweat.

  Kanas reacted differently. He looked at Zu as if it could be the best present for a dearest one. While King Lucas starred at the stone as if it was the fairest princess there ever was.

  “Oh… oh, Zu,” the King whimpered. Both of his hands trembled as he reached for the item. He hesitant, as if the stone, which was now a pendant, had ten of times its size. “My heart is racing. Can you see it, Sal? Its beauty is indescribable…”

  But Sal did not look impressed like the King. He glared at the stone in suspicion with narrowed eyes. “What a bizarre thing,” he hissed.

  King Lucas turned towards his counselor. “What are you saying, Sal?” he glowered. He looked very offended as if his taste was mocked.

  Sal returned the look. “Please do not be offended, Your Majesty,” he asked. “In my eyes, this gem isn’t like any other item.” He shifted his gaze to Irirana who was lost in thought with crossed arms, staring at Zu still, as if the gem would escape her sight.

  “You see it too, right, Kahisar?”

  Irirana opened her mouth, then closing it again. “This is the first time I saw Zu, Counselor Sal,” she said, sounding unsure. She finally made eye contact with Sal. “How could Thar Ubaga withstand this item in his neck and didn’t choke?”

  “He had a neck tougher than steel, it seems,” Sal insinuated. “Is it black?”

  “It appears so,” Irirana nodded then returned her gaze to Zu as an attempt to make sure of what she was witnessing. “It is black in every layer. It is not blue like the ocean. This is like a… void… a void into nothingness…”

  Sal nodded. “I agree. This is such a rare occasion, Kahisar,” he admitted. His earbuds moved, reminding Datan of Uncle Joe. “I c
ould hear its whispers, oh how its voice brings a shiver to my body.”

  “That was a scream of the plea, Counselor. A scream of many people.”

  Sal shivered. His hand reached for his staff, holding it tight like it was about to collapse due to exhaustion. “It couldn’t be.”

  “That’s how it sounds in my ears,” Irirana whiffed the air before her. “And this smell of burnt soil… this thing has a dark past.”

  “Many people died for this stone, Kahisar.”

  “You are right,” Irirana agreed. “However, up until now, nobody knows what Zu really is. Why is it always surrounded by adversity? I can only conclude that there is something more about it than just beauty that made people crazy about it.”

  “Do you think Arka had seen its true form?”

  “It depends,” Irirana shrugged. “Had Aska read the Scripture of Essa in his lifetime? Is he an El Essa? We don’t know that for sure.”

  “How about the owner after him?”

  “Thar Ubaga couldn’t possibly read it before. He was too busy with his advertising business in Fardas. He couldn’t be brave enough to embark upon such a journey to read the Scripture of Essa. The previous owner, Queen Shika, she was not a smart woman. In her diary, I can see that all she cared about was her beauty, so I don’t think she has read it either. The same goes for the Serma Merchant. Sermabiru Cape was known to be very busy with trading activity. Considering that they hardly had any holiday, their stores were opened the whole days for four seasons. Do you think it’s possible for them to left the store to find the Scripture of Essa?

  “The same goes for King Wilinka, the tyrant ruler who knows no compassion. Even Prince Sollo, I heard he read the Scripture of Essa but after Zu was no longer his possession, so no, he must have never seen its true form. There are more… we both know that ever since a long time ago, there are too little people who read the Scripture of Essa themselves.”

  Sal’s gaze was on fire. “Well, you do know so much of it, Kahisar.”

  “I tend to look deeper, Counselor,” Irirana responded. “Just like you do.”

  Sal and Irirana exchange a smile. They quieted and stared at the Zu again.