Itai stood, extending out his hand. Although he resented what he alone knew about Pentanimir, he couldn’t deny the good that he’d done, or the passionate way Gali and Zeta spoke.
“I don’t fault you for loving Brahanu,” Itai said. “When you met, I wasn’t known to you. What you’ve done for Zeta and Gali is honorable. You brought my wife back to me when it could’ve cost you your life. For that alone, I owe you much. If you have more to say, I’ll hear it.”
As he moved to sit, Brahanu gasped, cradling her womb.
“Brahanu, what is it? Are you all right?” Itai asked.
“The babe…it dances inside me.”
Itai’s smile was immediate as he rested his hands atop hers. “It does,” he chuckled.
Pentanimir was apprehensive, but longed to feel his son moving.
“Itai, Brahanu, if it won’t offend, may I please feel as well? Zeta allowed me to do so, and the experience was remarkable.”
Brahanu looked at Itai, and he reluctantly nodded. Carefully, Pentanimir placed his hand on her womb, and the babe kicked hard, fluttering beneath his fingertips. Pentanimir laughed aloud, enjoying his son’s movement for the first time. “He’s strong,” he said, looking up at Itai. My son is strong.
Although he longed to continue the connection, he slowly moved away, retaking his seat. Itai’s and Brahanu’s closeness grieved him, and not being allowed his son grieved him even more.
“Pentanimir, why do you think that Draizeyn will come to Cazaal?” Hacom asked.
“The one imprisoned is named Wosen Neufmarche. His father was a Chosen of Nazil named Hosdaq. Soon after the attack on Hyorin he fled to Bandari. Though Wosen’s mother was human, Wosen wanted to be a Chosen like his father.”
“A Chosen? Was he mad?” Hacom asked.
“He ignored the truths before him. Hosdaq didn’t tell him everything he should’ve, but others did. Wosen chose to believe otherwise, and felt that the villagers were cowards for fearing the Nazilians.”
“Had he only feared, too,” said Danimore, solemnly. “He wouldn’t be chained in the dark chamber.”
“Wosen will tell everything once he’s put to question,” Pentanimir said. “Draizeyn won’t stop until he’s learned the location of the village and everyone who had knowledge of it. Already, the Guard prepares in the Nazilian villages and outposts. They await only his word.”
“Why haven’t we heard anything about this? Only the reveries of one Nohek warned me of trouble. Does anyone know?”
“Hacom, Draizeyn won’t reveal his plans to invade and slaughter. His victory is assured by the surprise of the attack. I love Nazil, but what he’s planning isn’t honorable. I’ll take no part in it.”
“We must ready our sentries, Father,” Julaybeim said. “There’s no choice. I’ll ride to Noraa and warn the Caretaker. They must be ready.”
“Young lord, there’s more,” Pentanimir said. “They’ll certainly move on Noraa, but they’ll come here, too.”
“Why would they come to Cazaal,” Julaybeim asked, incredulously. “We don’t know anything about a hidden village.”
“I do,” Brahanu said. “Wosen didn’t hide his feelings about my arrival in the village. He’ll tell them who I am and where I can be found.”
“I’ll kill them all if they come near you!” Itai said.
“Itai, your bravery isn’t in doubt,” Pentanimir said. “I’ll continue to aid you in this, but I have more to ask.”
“Ask what you will,” Hacom sighed.
“I’ve sent a message to Bandari, and they’ll travel to the Animus Wood ahead of Draizeyn’s attack.” He paused, meeting Hacom’s eyes. “Brahanu should travel there as well.”
“What? My wife isn’t leaving my side. If the Nazilians come, I’ll protect my wife and child. I’ll kill them all before they even come near Cazaal.”
“I must agree with Itai,” Hacom said. “Brahanu will be well protected in the village.”
“With all due respect, Hacom, she won’t be. Danimore and Zeta are taking a carriage through the pass and into the wood. It would be wise to send Brahanu, Amani, and Ameya, too. The journey will be long, but they’ll be safe. I’ll return here and fight at your side to protect the village. But know this: Wosen will tell about Cazaal. When he does, they’ll march on your village just as they did on Hyorin.”
Wounds That Heal
Hushar massaged his feet and ankles, rubbing in the ointment that she’d prepared. When he moaned, grimacing, she looked up at him with empathy. After wrapping his feet in cloth, she moved up to face him.
“Wosen?” she said, resting a hand on his cheek.
His head jerked up and he cried out, wincing with the jarring pain the sudden movement caused.
“Don’t try to move. I’ve got some herbs for your pain. Can you hear me?”
Gradually, his eye began to open. The poultice allowed much of the swelling to diminish, and he could again see. His face was no longer misshapen or discolored. Although not completely healed, he looked like a man again.
When Wosen saw Hushar, he tried to move away, but the pain seized him, causing a dry cry to escape his lips.
“Shhh, don’t try to move. I won’t hurt you. I’m Hushar, and you’ve been with me for a bit. Do you remember?”
Wosen shook his head, warily.
“It’s all right. Firstly, you must drink. When you didn’t wake, I feared the worst. But your body needed the time to heal. I’ve put some herbs for pain in the water. You’ll need them.”
Wosen looked unsure, but he lifted his head, sipping from the bowl.
“Good. I’ll have Jahno bring more mulled wine and bread. You ate well after I soaked it, and you haven’t taken food for some time.”
Hushar dipped a cloth in water, cleaning his face and moistening his lips. After removing the crust from his eyes, one of them fully opened. Gods, he is Nazilian , she thought, staring into his pale eye.
“Where am I?” he asked.
“You don’t remember?”
“I—I’m in Nazil.” His voice trembled with the words.
“Be calm. I’m going to take care of you, Wosen. You’ll stay with me now.”
“Are you a slave?”
“Aye, young one. I’ve been in Nazil for more years than you’ve been alive. What about you? How were you brought to the city?”
“I was a fool,” is all he offered, feeling the complete—and painful—weight of those words.
“A fool?”
“I wasn’t brought to Nazil,” he said, coughing and whimpering in pain.
“There now, be still. You need water; your throat is raw and red,” she said, pouring the last of the water in a bowl, and peering out at the guards, as she stirred in the honey. “Here, young one. Drink this.”
He reached for the bowl, drinking down the sweet mixture. “I don’t deserve your kindness. Because of me, everyone in my village will be killed. I was a fool to believe that I could become a Chosen like my father. They tried to warn me, but I wouldn’t listen.”
“Your father? They said his name is Hosdaq.”
“Yes, he was my father—my father—and I—I... Our god has turned his back on me. He’s punishing me for what I’ve done. I—I killed my father.” Wosen wept.
“No, no, young one. The gods and Guardians don’t punish us. This isn’t the work of the gods. It’s the depravity of man.”
“I’m the one who’s depraved. I killed my father.”
“Do you know this for sure? Did he die before you?”
“No. But I know what I did.”
“Wosen, you’ve endured more suffering than anyone that I’ve seen and lived. Allow yourself some time to heal. It’ll take time to become yourself again.”
“I’ll never be the man that I was…that I should’ve been. They’ve taken that from me forever.”
Hushar shushed him, glancing in the corridor. “The guards will come if you aren’t quiet. You can’t change what’s passed, young one. You might
still regain what’s been taken.”
When a guard paused near their cell, she raised up, pretending to adjust his covers.
“Young one, did you know that I was from Hyorin? I heard that your mother was from there, too. I might’ve known her.”
“My mother? You knew my mother?”
“Could be. If your father is Hosdaq Neufmarche, then that would make your mother, Esme Ilani. Is that right?”
“It is,” Wosen said, as a slight smile creased his lips. “How did you know her?”
“I knew not just her, but her family, too.”
“My mother died when I was very young. There wasn’t time for me to learn about all of my family.”
“Oh, well, I must tell you about them. They were both kind and quite prosperous. Let me think…Esme had three elder brothers, and one younger, if I recall.”
“I have four uncles?”
“Indeed. Handsome and strong, just like you.”
“What about my grandparents? Did they live there, too?”
“Hey, old woman!” One of the guards shouted, hitting the bars with a cudgel. “It’s his wounds you’re ‘sposed to be tend’n, not tellin’ him tales!”
Hushar turned, lowering her gaze. “Yes, sir.”
“Mayhaps he’s missin’ that spike up his arse,” the guards laughed. “Look at him, he’s cryin’ for it!”
“No,” the first guard jested. “Could be a hard cock in his mouth is what he be need’n. I hear his tongue moves sweetly,” he said lewdly, licking his lips and wriggling his tongue. “Daracus’ moans were loud with the suction of his sweet mouth.”
“Yeah, I hear he finally learned to swallow,” the second guard japed.
“Yannick made sure ‘a that. He only had to lose six teeth ‘fore he learned how to please the Second Chosen. Shame Symeon wasn’t here. He’d a choked on that cock.” They continued to laugh. “I wish she hadn’t sewn him up, he might like the feel of my cock in his arse.”
“What? After that massive bondin’ spike, your cock would be like a twig!” The guards continued to joke, walking away from the cell. Hushar regarded Wosen with sadness. His torment was only beginning.
“Is that the truth of it, young one?”
Wosen turned away. The little happiness she’d brought to him was taken away in an instant.
“You needn’t feel shame. You chose none of it, just like all those that they bring for me to tend. None of them wanted to be used, Wosen. Not one.”
“It’s my fault. I fled the safety of my home to come here, to be part of the honorable Nazil. My father is the one with honor. He had the right of it. I hated being human…looking human. I thought the Nazilians were strong, and I admired that strength. Now, I understand why my father begged me to stay. He knew what would happen to me, and I named him a liar.”
“The Guardians will keep your family safe. You’ll heal in time, and might be with them again.”
“Heal? No, Hushar, I’ll never heal. The wounds which are the deepest will always remain. There aren’t any herbs to soothe such an ache.”
She understood, and made no attempt to tell him otherwise. Her wounds had been with her since before her arrival in the white city. In all those years, that pain had never faded.
“Take your mind from such thoughts, Wosen, and try to rest while I attend my duties. When I return–”
“You’re leaving me?”
“Like you, I must do what I’m commanded,” she said, kissing his brow. “You remind me of my son, and I’ll pray for you as I pray for him.”
Hushar strained to stand, calling out to the guards.
“I ain’t forgot ‘bout that sweet mouth of yours, savage,” he said in a vomitous tone, stroking his manhood.
Hushar turned. “Guardians, keep him safe,” she whispered, returning to her duties.
“Hushar!” Oxilon barked from behind her.
“Yes—yes, sir, Sir Benoist.”
“You’ve saved me a trip to the cells. How are the savage’s wounds?”
You don’t give a damn about his wounds. He suffered at your hands and the other monsters here who pretend to be men.
“They’ll take some time to heal, milord. I fear the large wound on his arse might fester. I flushed inside, and applied the ointment, but I wasn’t allowed the hot water that I needed.”
“I instructed those fools to give you whatever you needed to tend him. The Zaxson won’t be pleased if you fail, Hushar, and neither will I.”
“Yes, Sir,” she trembled, recalling Oxilon’s cruelties. He hadn’t demanded her pleasures for years, but the memories still haunted her. “I’ll need more herbs, clean cloth and—”
“I don’t take orders from you, old woman. Tell Surma what you need and get it done. Until that abomination is healed and can walk, you’ll remain with him. Am I clear?”
“Yes, milord. I’ll tend to him right away.”
Hushar waited for Oxilon to round the corner before continuing to the kitchen. Thank the gods. I’ll have what he needs to heal.
“You’re late,” Surma snapped.
“Pardons, Surma. Sir Benoist needed to have words.”
“Words? With you?”
“Yes. He wants me to get what I need to treat the boy Wosen, and stay with him until he’s well.”
“And who’s supposed to take charge of your duties while you rest in your cell?”
“That, you need to ask Sir Benoist. I’m following his order, so you’re questioning him. I can fetch him if you’d like to ask him directly.”
Surma scoffed. “Take what you need quickly and leave.”
“As you wish.” She couldn’t suppress her smile, gathering her supplies. While Surma tended the vegetables, she grabbed some fish and honey, hiding them beneath the hard bread.
“Surma, I need some hot water. Could you put some on to boil and have Jahno or Micah bring it? I’ll also need more clean cloth. Sir Benoist instructed me to use what was necessary.”
“Yes, yes, you’ll have your cloth and water. Now, leave my kitchen so I can finish my preparations.”
Hushar nodded, hurrying away. As she rounded the corner, she nearly collided with someone in the corridor. Immediately, she bowed.
“For—forgive me, Sir d’Garrion. I’m on an errand for Sir Benoist. Please, please, forgive me.”
Allister bent down, retrieving her fallen items. He smiled, nestling them back into her basket. “There’s no need for forgiveness, Hushar. If you have business for Sir Benoist, don’t allow me to hinder you. He’s most unforgiving when his demands aren’t met. Even toward me.”
“Thank you, Sir d’Garrion. Thank you,” she said, rushing down the stairs.
“Where do you think you’re goin’, old woman?” the guard asked, holding out his arm to block her.
“Sir Benoist instructed me to tend the boy. He said the Zaxson wanted him well soon.”
The guard’s face paled, hearing Oxilon’s name. He stepped back, allowing her to pass.
When she entered the cell, Wosen flinched, cowering toward the wall.
“Easy now, young one. You don’t want to tear a stitch or aggravate your ribs.”
“I thought that you had to leave.”
“Only for a bit to get what I needed. Until you’re well, my duty is here with you,” she said, leaning in and whispering, “I brought some fresh fish from the kitchen. Not just bread for us this night.”
“Thank you, Hushar. You offer prayers to the gods and your Guardians. It’s you who’ve been that way for me. Only you.”
“I’m no god or Guardian, but they’re with us, even in such a place as this. You need to ask for forgiveness and get better.”
“The Nazilians will force me to lead them to my village when I’m able. That’s why they push you so. Without me, they won’t find it. I know my life will end shortly after they see the smoke from our eternal fire.”
Hushar mashed some fish in her hand, feeding it to him. “I don’t think that at all. If they can
’t find the village without you, mayhaps they’ll be unable to find you once you near your home.”
She glanced at Wosen, nodding as she pulled more fish from the bone.
“Hushar, do you think that I could escape in the wood?” he whispered.
“Hush now. Just eat and heal. The Guardians will provide the opportunity. It’s you who must take advantage of it.”
Flee or Fight
“Do you believe him, Hacom?” Amani asked, taking a seat beside him.
“Brahanu says the same. This village does exist, and this young man is a captive in Nazil.”
“I don’t understand why Cazaal would be in danger. If this young man is from Bandari, why would he mention us?”
“Pentanimir and Brahanu insist that he’ll tell the Zaxson about her visiting his village. If he believes that we knew and didn’t inform him, he will attack.”
“What’re we to do? From what you’ve said, our options are few. Either we flee Cazaal, or stand and fight. Either way, lives will be lost.”
Hacom nodded. “Well, I’m not fleeing our home. Pentanimir suggested that you, Ameya, and Brahanu travel to the Animus Wood with his brother, Danimore. At least you’d be safe.”
“We’ve never met his brother until this very night, and know little about the Caretaker. How are we to trust such men? He could turn us over to the Nazilians himself.”
“One thing that I don’t doubt is their heart. He’s taking his promised and their son with them. He wouldn’t put them in danger.”
“Promised,” she scoffed. “Humans and Nazilians aren’t allowed to wed. His own Zaxson would kill them both.”
“Apparently, their love is greater than their fear,” Hacom said. “That alone speaks to the heart of the men. Pentanimir protected Brahanu and now this Gali, too. He says that these Bandarians allow such bonds and families. This is why they were hidden within the mountains. It’s astonishing to learn about them after all these years. To have survived Hyorin and created this new life. That’s no small thing. Brahanu speaks of the village with great affection. I would’ve enjoyed seeing such a place while it yet stood.”
The Rise of Nazil- Complete Epic Fantasy Trilogy Page 48