“I’m sorry,” Hushar whispered. “His skin is so delicate. I took great care, but—”
“It’s all right,” Pentanimir said, nestling the babe in the crook of his arm, though there was no physical need to do so. “He’s beautiful. Thank you, Hushar.”
“Would you like me to wait?”
“Yes, but please do so on the divan in the corridor. I’d like these moments to be private.”
When Pentanimir turned, Danimore was seated at the edge of the bed, looking at him longingly. His hands continually rubbed his thighs, as his entire body trembled.
Pentanimir managed a smile, walking over to the bed and carefully presenting Danimore’s son to him. His hands shook, reaching out for his son.
Pentanimir choked back his emotion, watching Danimore rock the tiny infant in his arms. Danimore kissed every exposed area of skin, caressing the crown of his hairless head. After cradling him close, Danimore lifted his son to Zeta, bringing his cheek to her lips.
“Godfrey Jansen Benoist,” he whispered, holding his son to his chest.
“Par—pardons.”
“His name. Zeta and I wanted our first son to be named Godfrey for Mother’s father and Jansen for her own.”
“It’s a beautiful name for a beautiful boy.”
“He’s my son, Pentanimir,” Danimore said with an aggrieved smile and empty eyes. “Like Tardison is for you. Godfrey is my son. My firstborn son.”
Pentanimir winced, feeling the pang in his chest increase. Danimore had been there when Tardison was born. Even after the suffering Brahanu endured during his birth, Tardison was healthy. Eytan had grown just as strong, although he had been as still as Danimore’s son when Gali had delivered him.
Now, his brother sat holding his son. A son that would never cry or reach for the hands of his father. This was a greater pain than he’d ever known, and he could do nothing to soothe it.
“Drink, Brother,” Pentanimir finally said.
“I have no thirst.”
“I know, but you need to drink it. Nzuri has put herbs in the wine. Without taking food, you’ve become weak. Zeta will need you strong when she wakes.”
At that, Danimore relented, draining the cup.
“Good. Mayhaps you should lie next to Zeta and enjoy the comfort of your son for now.”
Danimore smiled wistfully, nestling Godfrey in his arms. He turned toward Zeta and laid him upon her womb, draping an arm over them.
Pentanimir watched as Danimore’s eyelids began to close.
“Dani, Godfrey cannot remain.”
“I know. But he’s with us now,” was the last thing Danimore said before giving in to the herbs. Pentanimir sat quietly, listening to the rhythm of his breathing. After nearly half a glass, he scooped Godfrey up, leaving the couple to rest.
Gift of Friendship
Sahma skipped barefoot down the corridor, nibbling one of the muffins she’d sneaked out of the kitchen. Her tousled ringlets bounced as she hummed, waving to the guards she passed.
Once she’d turned the corner, she paused, hearing muffled curses from a nearby room. Glancing around, she inched forward, listening intently and approaching a half-open door.
Sahma perched on her tiptoes, and then stifled a giggle as she peered into the room. Ahvixx was seated at his desk, struggling to untangle a comb twisted in his hair. He grunted, attempting one more tug before lowering his head on the table in defeat.
Not waiting for an invitation, Sahma tapped on the door, and stepped into the room.
“I heard you from the corridor,” she said. “I didn’t think that heldings knew such words.”
Ahvixx’s head snapped up, and he stood, backing against his desk. “You—you heard me?” he asked with the comb still hanging from his hair.
“Well, I wasn’t eavesdropping, you know,” she said, approaching where he stood. “Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me.”
Ahvixx flinched when she reached for him, disentangling the comb.
“Tha—thank you,” he said, bringing his hair forward and looking at the new knots he’d created.
Sahma smiled, reaching out to stroke his hair. “You should start at the bottom when you brush it.”
“Yes, well, thank you.” He flipped his hair to his back, meeting her eyes. “You’re Nazilian?”
“My mother is Nazilian. You didn’t know?”
Ahvixx’s brow furrowed, scrutinizing her closely. He’d seen her many times, but hadn’t noticed her features. He usually kept his eyes lowered, avoiding any potential interaction with others.
Now, he noticed Sahma’s pale eyes, sparkling and full of life. That paleness accentuated her smooth, caramel skin, framed by her thick pecan-colored hair. Neither gave hint of her Nazilian heritage. He could tell that she was young, yet her body was showing obvious signs of her budding womanhood. This was the first that he’d truly seen her.
“Is Yeshe your mother?” he asked.
“Yes, and Saifu is my father. You dine with us daily and you still don’t know who I am.” She smiled again, picking up a brush from the table. “Sit and I’ll show you the best way.”
“Thank you…” He paused, not knowing her name.
“My name’s Sahma, and you’re Ahvixx. Now sit and allow me to help. I brush my mother’s hair every morning, but not even hers is as long and thick as yours. It’s beautiful.”
He smiled nervously, lowering on the stool. “It—it’s become too long, and I need to have it cut. The time seems to have gotten away from me.”
“Cut? Why would you do that?”
He observed her reflection in the mirror on the table, seeing her pleasured expression as she brushed.
“I don’t have the patience to care for it, and it tangles easily.”
“Well, I can do it for you,” she said, never turning from her task.
Ahvixx’s eyes widened. The last thing he wanted was intrusion. He missed the solitude of the temple and the comfort that isolation awarded him. Having Sahma interrupting his desired routine wasn’t a pleasant prospect.
“I appreciate your offer, but it isn’t necessary. It’s past time that I cut it, and my sister always assists me.”
“Your sister? Droxahn went riding with Aizen. I’ve barely seen either of them of late. It’s no bother for me, I’d enjoy doing it.”
She never looked up, as he continued to stare at her in the mirror.
His eyes reflexively closed when the brush moved higher, gently massaging his scalp. A pleasured sigh escaped his lips, enjoying the relaxing sensation. Sahma looked up then, continuing to brush. It was much the same with her mother.
“There,” she said, sliding her hands over his hair. When Ahvixx opened his eyes, he smiled, running his thick fingers through.
“I can’t remember the last time my fingers could pass through without being caught in a tangle.”
“Well, I can come and brush it for you. I love the way it feels.”
“I—I wouldn’t want to impose or—or keep you from your studies.”
“You wouldn’t. I’d come before morning meal,” she said, gathering the hair behind him and starting to braid.
Ahvixx said nothing, continuing to watch. When Sahma tied off the end, she draped the braid over his shoulder, taking a step back.
“Mayhaps if you keep it bound, it wouldn’t tangle, so you’d have no need to cut it.”
“I—I don’t know how to braid.”
“I do. So I’ll see you before the morning meal,” was the last thing she said, before handing him one of her muffins and skipping back out of the chamber.
Ahvixx turned, observing as she left as unexpectedly as she’d come. When he looked at his reflection, his hands went to the neat braid. His face appeared different somehow.
“You are beneath no one,” he said. Slowly, his broad shoulders moved back from their typically slumped position.
“Was that Sahma leaving your chamber?”
Ahvixx spun around as the slump returned to h
is shoulders. “I—I didn’t touch her.”
“Ahvixx, be calm,” Olam said. “I wasn’t accusing you of anything. I only asked because I thought I recognized her familiar skipping and humming. If there’s anyone to bring you from the shell in which you hide, it’s Sahma.”
Ahvixx’s head lowered. “It isn’t easy after so many years, Olam. My sister doesn’t have any problem adjusting to life here, but she’s always had that spirit. Mine is much different.”
“I don’t think that’s true. Droxahn certainly has no trouble socializing or expressing herself, but you’ll learn the same, in your own way and time,” he said, pointing to the braid.
“It’s good to see your entire face, Ahvixx. I’m glad that you’ve moved your hair from shielding it.”
“Sahma brushed and braided it for me. She’s offered to do it daily if I would allow.”
Olam noticed his uncharacteristic smile. “I warn: she’s true to her word. Soon you’ll become addicted to the massage of her brush.” He laughed aloud, and Ahvixx soon joined in his mirth.
“I welcome that,” Ahvixx said to Olam’s amazement.
Olam studied his usually solemn face, nodding. “I believe that you do.”
So it was over the next several full moons.
As promised, Sahma came before each morning meal and sat with Ahvixx as she brushed and braided his hair. She talked about Bandari, meeting the Guardians and Protectors, and all the tales that she knew.
In turn, Ahvixx shared stories about his family and studies with the Nohek. He began to enjoy her company and the relaxing sensation her movements caused.
Their conversations were so engaging that they usually missed the morning meal. Ahvixx was surprised at how quickly he began looking forward to their time together. Sahma’s warm smile and heart penetrated his protective shell, offering an innocent honesty that was refreshing. With the abuse he’d suffered in the past, it had been difficult to trust anyone. But that wasn’t so with Sahma.
She accepted everything about him openly and without judgment. There was no gain for her. She only wanted to brush his hair and see his smile. Ahvixx found himself doing more of the latter with each sun’s rise.
“There,” Sahma said, admiring her work. “I think that you look more handsome this way. Yes, you have a very handsome face. No more hiding behind your hair, no matter how beautiful it is. Your eyes are even more beautiful, you know, and now everyone can see them.”
“Only you would think such a thing.” Ahvixx blushed. “Tha—thank you. I mustn’t ever leave the city or I fear my hair might tangle again.”
“Well, just make sure that you bring me along.” She held out her hand, motioning to the door.
Ahvixx looked up, confused. He was unsure, but accepted her offered hand anyway.
“Are we going to break our fast?”
“No,” she said. “I have something to show you. We can get some food from the kitchen later.”
“I don’t think that we should leave without the Caretaker’s approval.”
“We aren’t going out into the city. I have something that I think you’d enjoy. Don’t you want to see?”
He shrugged, following behind the excited young girl. When they moved through the postern door to the citadel grounds, Ahvixx halted.
“Don’t worry,” she chided.
He sighed, continuing where she led. After they reached the side of the stable, she stopped.
“They’re just there,” she said, pointing and entering the far side of the stable. Before Ahvixx’s eyes could adjust to the darkened area, he heard the whimpering cries of the puppies. Sahma held one in her hands as she approached. “Are they not the sweetest?”
He smiled, snuggling the puppy beneath his chin. Stepping farther into the stable, he saw several black and tan puppies in the hay with their parents. He sat at Sahma’s side, cradling the pup.
“Dogs? From where did they come?”
“Tika and Odahg aren’t dogs; they’re jaenitu,” she said. “You can’t keep them as pets, well, not unless they allow it. Tika birthed them a few weeks ago, and I check on them every morning and ensure she has food and water. Odahg doesn’t always remain, and it’s a lot of work to take care of six pups.”
“Jaenitu?” he asked, staring at the large animals.
“Yes, the woods near Bandari was full of them. Haven’t you ever seen them before?”
“No. I didn’t really leave the temple grounds,” Ahvixx admitted. “Did you name them?”
“The jaenitu name themselves.” Sahma giggled.
“I’ll help you take care of them if you’d like.”
“Would you? I’d love that, Ahvixx,” she said, leaning against him.
He flinched, but when he looked down at her serene visage, it comforted him. It would take time for him to become accustomed to such closeness. Well, to get used to her closeness. She saw no boundaries as far as he was concerned.
Howbeit, no harm would come from Sahma. She was the only one besides Olam that he enjoyed being with. Droxahn was gone most days with Aizen, and Ahvixx had grown lonelier than he wanted to admit.
Not so anymore. He gave thanks to the Guardians for bringing Sahma to him when he needed her. And most of all, he gave thanks that he was able to accept the friendship that she offered him.
Ahvixx reminded himself that Sahma wasn’t a young girl in body, but in her heart alone. She’d soon be five and ten, and appeared to have blossomed over the few full moons they’d spent together. But he’d see her as she was the first time she’d come to him—skipping and humming barefoot down the corridor. That memory brought a smile to his face and he raised his arm, draping it over her shoulder, enjoying the peace of the stables and the comfort of his friend.
Deciphering the Past
“But what does it mean, Nzuri?” Thalassa asked.
“That’s what I hoped you could tell me.”
“I can tell you the words, but not the meaning behind them. Even the words themselves are a mystery. The Doh’Mahn Vwazi Tr’Eon means little without knowing the context. Not all words in the Mehlonii language have an appropriate equivalent. There’s just no definitive way for me to give this a proper meaning. Only ‘dark’ and ‘gate’ translate.”
“If that’s so, shouldn’t we expedite our trek to Sanctium? Mayhaps there are more scrolls there that would help us clarify these passages.”
She shook her head. “I wouldn’t recommend venturing to Sanctium until learning more. If this place of darkness inscribed here is literal, mayhaps the isle is where it could be found. The phrase could mean a passageway to, or of darkness. Alternatively, a door could be opened. The variables are many and the dangers unknown. Without certainty, no one should travel there. The risk is too great.”
“But we have no answers. The more scrolls and codices that we translate, the more questions we have. None of these have provided any definite answers to our queries,” Nzuri said, pushing the parchments aside.
Thalassa rested a hand on his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “We’ll find the answers, Nzuri, it’ll only take more time. Many scrolls were removed from the temple and even with the ones that Emet brought from Noraa, the picture won’t be complete. All we can do is present what we have to Pentanimir and let him decide.”
“That isn’t all we can do. Angelaris can help us decipher the scrolls. Perhaps she can provide the answers we seek.”
“This isn’t something that we should ask the AsZar, not yet. This we must accomplish on our own. Drah’kuu Kuhani can assist us in time. If we need more answers after our task is complete, the Guardians may provide clarification. However, we must continue our efforts and decipher the remaining scrolls. Of one thing I’m certain: this isle was visited by the Cha. They alone knew what or who is there. Given what we now know about these men, I grow fearful of what the scrolls might reveal. We must be sagacious.”
“You speak true.” Nzuri sighed. “I merely grow tired of these cryptic riddles. Can no one just spe
ak plainly and have us know what they want? If this darkness is contained on Sanctium or even accessible, then Nazil and possibly all Faélondul could be in grave danger. If there’s something otherworldly on Sanctium, why didn’t the Cha use it against us?”
Thalassa chuckled as more questions presented themselves. “We’ll get there,” she said, taking a seat at the table. After sipping some tea, she reached for a slice of bread, and immediately paled. With a lurch forward, she rushed to the basin, emptying the contents of her stomach.
“Thalassa! What’s the matter?” Nzuri asked. “Are you all right?”
She patted her face, taking a deep breath. “I—I’m fine. It’ll pass.”
His brow creased, examining her closely. After checking her forehead for fever, he held her out at arm’s length, searching her face.
“What?”
“Have you told Jahno?” he asked.
“Wha—what?” She stammered, turning away from him.
“Have you told him?”
Thalassa craned around, not meeting his eyes. “No. Only my mother and I know.”
“Why, Thalassa?”
“It’s too soon.”
“Too soon? Too soon for what? Jahno has awaited this news since your marriage.”
“It’s too soon, Nzuri. I know that Jahno and I are blessed, but how much joy can I express learning about my pregnancy when Zeta recently lost her son?”
“I understand, but isn’t it unfair to your husband? Dani and Zeta have suffered a great loss, and I continue to pray for them, but neither one of them would deny you this joy, and you need to consider Jahno’s feelings. Have you forgotten the horrors that he suffered here?
“Thalassa, Jahno prays and asks for guidance regarding the life growing inside you right now. It’s his greatest desire to share this blessing with you.” Nzuri cupped her chin, raising her head to meet his. “He deserves this happiness, Thalassa. You both do.”
“I know. Jahno is the most loving man that I’ve known. Even after everything he’s suffered, he cares so much, and it shows in all that he does and says. I love him, Nzuri, truly.”
“He loves you, too.”
Thalassa sighed, glancing at the parchments on the table. “Do you think that you can continue without me until the morrow?”
The Rise of Nazil- Complete Epic Fantasy Trilogy Page 98