Pentanimir glanced around again, putting his heels into his mount. “Come, Brother. We’ll talk more soon.”
They rode a while longer, planting stakes to mark their path. Pentanimir veered away from his usual route, staying alert for any sign of the villagers. It wasn’t until they reached the farthest point where the brush became the thickest did he dismount, resting on a toppled tree.
“Join me,” Pentanimir said. “Did you notice the path that we took?”
Danimore’s brow creased. “Yes. The trees appeared much the same. Now, they change, and the brush grows thicker.”
“Good. It’s important that you commit it to memory. The trees we passed will remain the same throughout the cold season. Their leaves are unchanging and will be simple to recall. Also, we veered to pass over the third hill. This is of great importance.”
“Why?”
“Dani, are you certain that you’d leave Nazil to protect Zeta?”
“I’ve never been more certain about anything or anyone. I’m in love with her, Pentanimir. If there’s a way to keep her safe, I’ll do it.”
“There is a way that I’ve known about for some time. There’s a village where humans and Nazilians live together…freely. They’ve wed and have children, too. They’re beautiful, Brother, beautiful children who resemble both parents.”
“Do you mock me, Pentanimir? If there was such a place, Draizeyn would’ve destroyed it long ago.”
“He would if he knew of its existence.”
“Where is this place? Where would I need to go?”
“I’ll tell you more when it’s time to leave. For now, remember our path. It’ll be integral to you finding the village, and them finding you.”
“But this doesn’t explain why you left Nazil.”
“No, it doesn’t,” Pentanimir said, taking a deep breath. “Remember when I returned and you thought that I was angry about my pledge?”
“Yes.”
“I was angry at myself and what I allowed. I didn’t want to face my pledge while my heart belongs to another. It wasn’t my intent to fall in love, but I am, and knowing that it can never be is a pain that no man should suffer.”
“Who, Brother, who do you love?”
“Her name is Brahanu. When I say that I understand your situation with Zeta, I’m speaking true.”
“But how could you—” Danimore paused as a flicker of understanding reached him. “She’s human? Is that it? The one you love is human?”
Pentanimir nodded. “She’s the most beautiful woman that I’ve ever seen. Her eyes, it was her eyes that drew me. They are dark as the night, only one thousand times more beautiful. If you could love upon first seeing, that’s what I did, and my love grows stronger each day.”
“Why haven’t you told me this before?”
“I wouldn’t plague you with my dishonor. If not for Zeta, I couldn’t tell you now.”
“There’s no dishonor in sharing your heart,” Danimore said, resting a hand on his shoulder. “Does she live in this village?”
“No, she lives far from there. When I left Nazil, she was awaiting me. I led her to the village to keep her safe. We didn’t intend to fall in love or to become one. It was like we were drawn to each other, and I could only feel whole when I was a part of her.” He closed his eyes, taking another deep breath. “I have more to tell you.”
“Tell me of it and remove some of the weight from your mind.”
Pentanimir sighed. “Brahanu lives near Dovak in Cazaal. When we made love, she had never…she was maiden.”
“She gave herself, willingly?”
“I wouldn’t force myself on her,” Pentanimir said, with irritation. “She was maiden, and now, she carries my child.”
“What! She’s with child? Your child?”
“Yes. Now do you understand why I don’t want to marry Denotra? Had it been anyone else in Nazil, I wouldn’t honor the pledge. It’s Brahanu that I want to marry and build a life with. She’s having my child and a part of me dies each day that I can’t be near her.”
“I’m sorry, Pentanimir, I didn’t know. Can’t you send a message or…or find some way to see her? When your child comes, it could resemble you. What’re you going to do?”
“I don’t know anything right now,” he said, roughly rubbing his face. “Brahanu promised to meet me in the village, but I hope I can see her sooner.”
Pentanimir clenched his eyes, and then met his brother’s. “I need to tell you something else. I spoke to you about ghosts; ghosts of the past. I’ve kept this from you out of love, but Uncle recently said something that alerted me that he knew of Father’s betrayal.”
“Father? What betrayal?”
Pentanimir smiled wistfully. “We’re like our father in many ways, Dani. Something happened when we were young, something that haunts my dreams. The man’s name is Crissu , though the guards called him a savage .”
“Crissu? I don’t know anyone by that name.”
“You wouldn’t. Crissu was our brother.”
“Brother?” Danimore leapt to his feet. “What are you talking about?”
“Sit, Dani, the memory is pain enough.”
“Pentanimir, how? Why wouldn’t they tell us about our brother?”
“Mother mightn’t have known about him.”
Danimore’s mouth gaped. “He was a bastard? But who? How?”
“Father never told me. If I hadn’t been there to witness his death, I wouldn’t have known about him.”
“Pentanimir, speak plain. My head swims at your words.”
“Crissu was only half-Nazilian, Dani. Do you understand now? His mother was human.”
“The hell you say! No, that can’t be. Father wouldn’t…he couldn’t…no. Father led the battle in Hyorin. He might’ve regretted it, but he still led the guard. He didn’t hate the humans, but he wouldn’t have a bastard son. No.”
“We place Father above those in Nazil, but he wasn’t a god. He was wonderful to us, Dani, and held an honored position. But his son, our brother, died by his hand. That image will forever haunt my dreams. He said AvHotther, and called to our father, his father, and he killed him for it. Crissu fell to the ground and looked into my eyes. He…he…died with the word brother on his lips.”
“What? No. AvHotther ? What’s that to mean?”
“I’ve learned that it means, ‘father’ in the arcane Mehlonii language. Our father.”
“This is too much. I can’t believe Father would kill his son. And—and—half-human? Why? Please tell me this is a bad jest.”
“I’ve prayed for the same since that day. Father might’ve loved this woman as we love Brahanu and Zeta. Having his son come to Nazil—” he sighed again, shaking his head. “He would’ve been tortured and killed if anyone knew.”
“So, instead, he murders his son? It makes no sense.”
“It never has, but that’s the truth. You wanted to share what haunts my dreams. Now, we’ll suffer it together.”
“What’re we going to do, Pentanimir? What if this woman had another child?”
“That’s a truth that died with our father. We need to continue with our plan,” he said, checking their surroundings. “Firstly, we’ll finish our duty. I’ll position the stake and return the way we came. You travel south until you hear the Raphar. Then turn eastward until you reach the stones.”
“Will you tell me more about all of this when we return to Nazil?”
“Yes. There’s more you’ll need to know. However, of Father, I have no more to tell. Just know that we had a brother, and remember his name. Crissu was no savage. He was our blood.”
Men of Nazil
Hosdaq rushed to Wosen’s room, wrenching the door open with such force it banged loudly against the wall. Wosen jerked, his eyes widening, meeting his father’s. He’d donned Hosdaq’s hauberk and plackart with the rest of his armor sticking up from a haversack as he clutched his Xtabyren.
“What is this?” Hosdaq demanded. “Why have yo
u removed my armor and sword from the chest?”
“They needed care.”
“Care? What do you know about caring for such armaments? These are rare and honored tools of war. They’re not to be used as toys.”
Hosdaq reached out, snatching his Xtabyren away. “Take all of this off immediately, and put it back in my chest. These are earned through honor and duty,” he said, holding his Xtabyren aloft. “You can’t claim them without proving yourself worthy to wield them.”
“How can I prove anything when you won’t allow it? You’ve trapped me here away from our home and honor. Why am I forced here with humans when our people are the rulers of Faélondul?”
“I tire of this foolishness, Wosen. You’re human, too, or have you forgotten about your mother?”
“I could never forget your wife. All anyone here does is remind me about Esme and how wonderful she was.” His eyes rolled. “You talk about her as if she was one of the gods, Father, but she was human, and beneath our people.”
Hosdaq’s hand was a blur, landing a blow that sent Wosen stumbling sideward.
“How dare you speak about your mother that way! She loved you more than herself! When she learned that she was pregnant with you, she was the happiest she’d ever been. You don’t know what she suffered, what we both suffered to be together and have this family. Now you dare speak about her as nothing? Not while I draw breath will that be. My son or no, you’ll never defile her memory again.”
“How dare me? How dare you. You’re the one who always talked about Nazil’s greatness and the honor of the Chosen Guard. You dangled it in front of me all my life just to snatch it away from me now. Why! Why should I be satisfied here when the life I want is there? Why must I be satisfied with being human? You’re my father, and you’re not human. When Malkia speaks about home, you tell her that she might see it one day. Is it because she looks Nazilian and I don’t? Is it?” Wosen’s voice rose in pitch, his eyes welling with tears.
“I’m sorry, Wosen, all right. I’ve already told you the why of it. Mayhaps I shouldn’t have shared such stories with you, but I wanted you to be proud of all your heritage. Within the white city, there have always been honorable men, but the leaders corrupt all that we are. True honor should’ve prevented the atrocities of the past, and those yet being committed. It was that same honor that caused me to aid the people in Hyorin, not destroy them. Why can’t you understand that?”
“Oh, I understand. You don’t want me to have the same honor bestowed upon you.”
Hosdaq grunted in frustration, running his hands through his hair. “Why won’t you listen? If the honor could be bestowed, you’d have already received it. You’re half-Nazilian—half . Only your eyes are like mine, and that alone would be offensive to those that you worship. As soon as you approached the gates, they’d throw you in irons. If allowed to live, you’d be slave to those who think of you as an abomination and an insult to their purity. You have the best of both your mother and me. Why isn’t that good enough for you? Why can’t you find pride in being both human and Nazilian?”
“Pride,” he scoffed. “There’s no pride to be had living amongst cowards. At the first whisper of war, they plan to run instead of preparing an attack. I want to be a Chosen, like you were, and Pentanimir is. That’s where true honor lies. I want to plan the attack, not run from it. I’m Nazilian, not some mewling caitiff!”
“There aren’t any cowards here. Cowards couldn’t have built and maintained everything that we have in Bandari. Here, we are one. There’s no need for fabricated titles or the subjugation of others to elevate ourselves. We are equal, as it should be. The cowards are the Nazilian soldiers who destroyed Hyorin, steal and rape children, and enslave the populace. There’s no honor in that.”
“They attacked the enemy! It makes no difference the age or gender. They posed a threat to Nazil and had to be destroyed.”
“What the hell are you saying?” Hosdaq’s astonishment was beyond words. His mouth gaped, staring into Wosen’s hate-filled eyes. “What madness is this? Surely, this isn’t how you feel. How could you have been raised in this village yet speak like you’re in service to the Zaxson?”
“I’d rather serve our Zaxson than to allow another sun to rise with me living with these caitiffs,” Wosen shouted, turning away from him.
“How dare you show your back to me!” Hosdaq gripped his arm, spinning him back around. His Xtabyren clanged to the floor as Wosen struggled against his tight hold. “You talk like a damned fool! The Zaxson you worship would have you tortured and enslaved! The guards you want to join would take turns raping and beating you. That’s what awaits you in Nazil!”
“Liar,” Wosen screamed, fighting to break free. “You’re just trying to keep me away because you can’t ever return. You’re the one who’d be tortured for your treachery and desertion. You! That’s what you truly fear. If they learn about me, they’ll come for you. You’re a liar and a traitor to our people. You won’t keep me from my honor!”
“Take these things off. You won’t wear them in my presence. Remove them now, Wosen,” Hosdaq said, grabbing the plackart and jerking it away. Wosen lurched sideward, unable to keep his footing. When he crashed to the floor, Hosdaq reached down to him.
“Get away from me coward,” Wosen shouted, clutching the Xtabyren and slashing wildly. “You’re a damn traitor! Get away from me!”
Hosdaq’s eyes widened, his hands grasping his abdomen. He glanced over at his son and then back down to the blood gushing from his wounds.
“Wo—Wosen,” he breathed, stumbling back woozily. “Why? I—I love you. Why?” His breathing was labored as he tried to turn, staggering toward the door.
Wosen’s chest heaved, leaping up to his feet. Flipping the Xtabyren in his hand, he raised it high, landing a hard blow to the back of Hosdaq’s head. His eyes clenched as the subsequent spray of blood covered his face.
“You love only yourself,” Wosen said, kicking the still body sprawled out on the floor. He wiped the blood from his face, frantically looking around his room. Grabbing up his haversack, he quickly finished packing and ran from his home.
“Wosen,” Hibret called to him. “My aunt and I made some sweets. I was coming to bring you some.” She hesitated, noticing his demeanor. “Wosen? Are you all right?” Hibret asked, taking a step back. He didn’t respond, never ceasing his rapid run. Wosen collided with her, continuing to the stable.
“Oy!” a guard shouted. “What’re you doing in there?”
When Wosen emerged atop his horse, he slashed at the guards, galloping toward the wood. Villagers spilled into the courtyard, hearing the loud shouts from the guards.
“What in all hells?” Emet said, rushing to Hibret’s side. “Are you all right? What happened?”
“I—Wosen—he knocked me down.” She nearly swooned, grasping the gushing wound on her forehead.
“Elders,” Nurul interrupted. “It was Wosen. He knocked her down and then fled into the wood. He was wearing some type of chainmail and attacked the guards with a sword.”
“By the gods,” Vot said. “Where’s Hosdaq?”
“I didn’t see Elder Hosdaq,” Hibret said. “But Wosen ran from his home.”
“Nurul, will you take Hibret to the dawa so Saifu can tend her?” Vot asked. “Aizen, tell your mother what happened and then find Nzuri and Kuhani. Ahni, come with Emet and me. We need to check on Hosdaq.” As they rushed toward Hosdaq’s home, Vot paused, addressing the guards. “Wake the others and ensure they’re armed. We need to begin a search and protect our borders.”
Vot looked over the village, a feeling of loss and regret encompassing his soul. As he pushed open the door to Hosdaq’s home, that feeling only intensified.
“Hosdaq. Elder Hosdaq,” Vot’s shaky voice called out. “Are you here?”
“Wait, Father,” Ahni said. “I hear something.”
Vot couldn’t move. He stared blankly across the room, watching his son disappear around the corner.
“Here, Father, he’s here,” Ahni shouted. “Father, Elder, come quickly!”
“By the gods, no,” Emet said, lowering to his knees. “Hosdaq…Hosdaq…can you hear me?”
Hosdaq’s swollen eyes fluttered, his lips quivering. One blood-covered hand raised as a flux of blood oozed from his mouth.
“Ahni, make haste,” Vot said. “We need Nzuri now. Tell him about Hosdaq’s condition and then go to the dawa . As soon as Saifu’s tended Hibret, we need him here. Hurry!” Vot grabbed a stack of cloth.
“Emet, put pressure on the wounds, we must stop the bleeding. Until Nzuri comes, we must do what we can.”
As they worked, Huname and Olam entered the chamber.
“Wosen did this? No, no, he couldn’t! Why?” Huname wept, swaying to the floor. She wiped the matted hair from Hosdaq’s face, nestling a cushion beneath his head.
“What can I do?” Olam asked.
“Help us move him to the bed,” Vot said.
Hosdaq’s hoarse scream echoed through the chamber as they lifted him from the floor.
“We need something to wrap his head, and then we’ll have to remove his tunic to see his injuries, Emet. Hold him still while Huname helps me.”
She wiped away her tears, unclasping his tunic, and exposing the long gashes beneath.
“Emet, heat some water,” Vot said, stifling his emotion. “Huname, keep pressure on the cloth while I search for some herbs.”
“Hu—Huname—” Hosdaq’s voice was weak.
“Shhh…don’t try to talk. Please save what strength you have to heal.”
“I—It’s too late for me.”
“No, we won’t lose you, Hosdaq. Nzuri and Saifu are coming, they’re coming.”
“Lis—listen. Wo—sen, goes to Na—zil. Le—leave,” he struggled to say, gasping between each syllable.
“Where is he?” Saifu asked, running down the corridor with Nzuri. He skidded to a stop, gasping when he saw Hosdaq upon the blood-sodden bed. After a steadying breath, he went to his side, checking beneath the cloth.
“Nzuri, we must tend and seal these wounds. Heat the iron in the brazier, make haste,” he said, gently lifting Hosdaq’s head and raising a flask to his lips. “Drink this, Elder. It’ll dull your senses and lessen your pain.”
The Rise of Nazil- Complete Epic Fantasy Trilogy Page 32