Taken: The Life of Uktesh Book 3

by Hicks, Aaron

  Uktesh had said, “I tell you what. I’m going back there anyway. I’ll take you with me when I go. Any place seems better than here.”

  Talia had rolled to face him in the bed, smiled at him, and had said, “I knew you wanted me.” She had straddled him then and said, “so no more of this nonsense about a wife that may or may not be alive.”

  Uktesh had laughed and rolled her off him before he said, “I won’t believe she’s dead until I get proof, or hear it from her parents.”

  Talia had folded her arms under her breasts, and Uktesh hadn’t been sure if she was trying to draw attention to them or was just annoyed. She had said, “Either take me with you or leave me here. Don’t dangle a life I can’t have over me.”

  Uktesh had said, “You’re right, that’s not fair.” He paused and said, “I tell you what. I’ll take you there either way and if you want to go home, you can go home. If you want to try to make a life in Manori try that too.”

  She had rolled away from him at that and he’d fallen asleep. Time to keep a promise. Uktesh picked up her burnt corpse and Walked back to the Isle de Tramonto, to the leviathan lagoon, and buried her in a corner that was over grown with weeds. He didn’t want any curious person to dig her up. With the help of the dragon, he used earth to split the ground and floated her gently into it, then covered her up with his borrowed earth powers again. He Walked to the top of the volcano when he was finished burying her and let the wind cool him down.

  You know coming here was a stupid idea right?

  Uktesh responded to the dragon, yeah, but I needed to do it. For two reasons: The first is to keep my promise and the second is to ask you what you did without interruption.

  I…, the dragon paused, I don’t know.

  What do you mean you don’t know?

  I just don’t know what I did, if anything. That could’ve been all you.

  Uktesh asked, is that what the Old Ones you kept talking about look like? Did I attempt a god form and fail?

  No, to both questions. The Old Ones look like a normal human except they have wings. The wings come in all sorts. Some are colorful feathers, some are solid one color, some are leathery like my kind, and some transparent like a dragonfly’s. I knew one, once whose wings were invisible! People kept walking into them, and causing him no end of grief.

  Then how did I get wings, claws, and scales? If it wasn’t me and it wasn’t you, who could it have been?

  I don’t know! You have no dragon’s blood in you, I know that! What happened should’ve been impossible!

  What happened!

  You transformed into a Dragoon.

  The thing Laurilli fought? And it wasn’t a failed god form?

  No, and no. The dragoon Laurilli fought was a dragoon but he was a failed god form dragoon. You were somehow a successful god form Dragoon. With a capitol D.

  I don’t understand. I didn’t try to do a god for attack!

  That’s why I don’t know what’s going to either!

  So were my ancestors dragons? Is that why I turned into a Dragoon?

  No. Trust me when I tell you, you’re and Old One through and through.

  Then. What. Did. You. Do?

  I might have, somehow, in my rage, and grief taken over your body and attacked Neftalix in god form.

  Finally! What if you’d failed?

  I don’t know. I have no memory of trying to take over or of attacking him! I saw her dead, and then nothing until I heard her voice.

  That seems convenient.

  It really isn’t! I wish I could tell you, “Yeah, sorry, my bad, I needed to use you to kill Neftalix, I hope you don’t mind, but he was kind of a jerk”’ but I can’t!

  Uktesh took a deep breath, so where does this leave us?

  I don’t know.

  Can you promise not to take over my body again?

  I don’t know. Can you promise not to let Laurilli die again?

  She didn’t-

  I know, but you also know what I mean.

  You know what I can promise about her.

  Yeah, I know. You’ll die before you let her get hurt.

  I guess I should add if I see it coming.

  And if you’re not the cause of it.

  Yeah. Uktesh sighed and asked. Ready to go home?

  Home?

  Yeah, home is where my wife is.

  By the gods that is so corny.

  Shut up. You love her too. You went mad like ten minutes ago when you thought she was dead. Bet you didn’t go mad when I never showed up in Manori.

  What can I say; I like her more than you.

  Uktesh smiled, Maybe, but if I know you, and I’m certain I do, you’ve done something inappropriate and now she probably won’t let you back in, except under desperate circumstances. The dragon seemed to suddenly be too intent on portraying innocence, ha! I knew it!

  Well, maybe, just a little, but I did save your son’s life!

  I have a son! That’s right! I have a son!

  Uktesh Walked back to the Osiris arena and found that it was still mostly full, as people slowly made their way out of the only exit. Laurilli saw him first and Stepped to him, then Rushed as she wrapped her arm around him. He took the Rush and spun her around. Uktesh kissed her and said, “I’m sorry I ran off, I just needed to bury her and yell at the dragon.”

  She said, “Yeah, that was pretty intense for a moment. What happened?”

  Uktesh rolled his eyes and said, “Let’s just say that neither of us really knows, but we think it was his fault.

  Hey!

  Did I lie?

  Laurilli said, “What’d he say?”

  Uktesh replied, “‘Hey!’”

  Laurilli smiled and said, “That sounds like him.”

  Heathyr came over holding a child and said, “Uktesh may I introduce you to your son?” She held him out to Uktesh. Uktesh gently took him from her, and she said, “Make sure to support his head.”

  He was asleep, but he was so beautiful! He looked at Laurilli and whispered, “What’s he named?”

  She said, “I didn’t want to name him without your thoughts first.”

  Uktesh asked, “What do you think of Talios?”

  Laurilli smiled and said, “I thought you might want something like that. We came up with Talio, Talius, Talionus, and Taliovius too.”

  Uktesh kissed her and said, “I love how much you get me.”

  She said, “So which do you like most?”

  Uktesh said, “I kind of really liked Talionus when you said it. He can be called Talionus or Talio, or Tali. It’s a name with nicknames built in.”

  Laurilli smiled and said, “I like that too.”

  Ceftin said,

  “Ha! Told you mine wasss the bessst.

  It was clearly better than all the ressst.”

  He had everyone join hands and Walked them all out of the arena and to the gates of the Storm ludis. Uktesh panted as he’d never tried to carry nearly two hundred people any distance. He was honestly surprised he could, even with the dragon’s help. I told you, you’ve gotten stronger. Maybe I should’ve said, much stronger. Uktesh shrugged at the group and said, “This is the only place I’m familiar with; well, the only public place. I know inside of here, the inside of the coliseum, and the sands of the coliseum.”

  Ceftin said,

  “Not to fear,

  our Houssse is near.

  He slithered away and the rest of the group followed. They found their way to a massive building with lush gardens, a massive sparing arena, and places below for slaves, and gladiators.

  “Ceftin after buying the dragons you were able to afford this place?”

  Ceftin said,

  “Not a firssst,

  but I thought, ‘at worssst

  I’ll be broke

  at bessst we’ll never again wear a yoke.’

  For you I bet all the ressst of our money.

  Win you did, ssso now we’re rich with honey.

  Forty platinum coinsss b
et for you,

  with the oddsss extremely on a ssskew,

  we now have ten thousssand coinsss,

  enough to houssse anyone who joinsss,

  the Houssse of Uktesh.

  You’re our leader, in the flesh”

  Uktesh said, “You mean we have ten thousand platinum coins? And we own a House? And you made me the leader? Thank you! I don’t know what to say.”

  Airos said, “I find in times like these it is best just to say a heartfelt, ‘thank you.’ Too much more and you risk screwing up the moment.”

  Uktesh laughed and said, “He’s right, I would say the wrong thing! So I’ll just say, thank you, you did all this for me and risked your life and possibly soul to fight at my side. All of you, thank you. A man couldn’t ask for better friends. No. A better family. Welcome to our House!”

  Everyone cheered and the kids jumped into the stream that went from the top floors to the sands before it rounded into the lower rooms.

  Laurilli put her arm around him, moved them aside as everyone came into look at their new home, and asked, “So be honest, do you still find me attractive without both arms?”

  Uktesh said, “I’m always honest with you.” She raised an eyebrow at him, which made him smile and say, “for the most part! But I will be totally honest this time. No joking. Okay?”

  She sighed and nodded, “Okay.”

  He put his arm around her and led them toward one of the benches in the courtyard to watch the kids play while he said, “That arm was my favorite.”

  Osiris

  The man knelt before the golden alter and said to the empty room, “Yes my god. It will be as you command.” The man stood and removed his robes.

  “Yes they’ve already purchased a house. Soon they will purchase a House.” The man stepped into the boiling water. A low moan of pain and pleasure escaped his lips.

  “Yes my god soon they will start Spelunking.” He submerged himself completely under the water.

  When he resurfaced his skin peeled off in long strips, “Yes, Darkest of the Darkness, I’ve ensured they have an experienced Spelunker in their House.” He stepped out of the water and let it and his skin fall to the floor. “Once they’ve found your treasure I will either take it or purchase it.”

  “No, I will not fail you, your resurrection is nigh.” He stood naked in the evening air as steam rose from him.

  He had just wrapped his robe around him when the door to his inner sanctum opened and one of the serving girls came in. He knew without turning that she saw him, and she said, “Apologies, my emperor. I did not know you were here at this hour.” She must have seen the pile of skin at his feet, because she asked, “Are you well, my emperor? Is there something I can do to assist you?”

  He turned to her and let the robe fall from his body. He stood straight and let his wings flick off some of the remaining skin that had been attached. The girl shrieked and fled, but didn’t make it more than a few inches when his clawed hands dung into her arms. He let his long tongue wander over her ear, and said, “Why yes, my dear. I believe you can assist me in at least one way. You see the last brood mother I gave my seed to didn’t survive long enough to produce any heirs. Let’s see how long you last.”

  Names

  Uktesh Marrion (aka Tesh) – brown/green eyes flecks of darker brown/ brown curly brown hair sword winner, archery winner, mixed lost to Riu quarter finals and unarmed tied winner with Riu 5 feet (at beginning) 5 feet 4 inches tall (at tournament) 5 feet 5 inches (during play) 16 years old birthday during recovery after tournament. Dragon tattoo on his right arm,

  Laurilli Marrion (aka Li) – Uktesh’s love blue eyes blond hair 5 feet, 4 inches tall 15 years old birthday after saber rabbit. 16 years old a week after the wedding.

  Heathyr Barlow – 32 Li’s mother. 6 feet tall Golden blond hair, blue eyes.

  Thulmann Barlow – 36 Li’s father, muscular with an angular face, black hair that’s graying at the temples, 6 feet, and 3 inches

  Uncle – Heathyr’s uncle

  Belesh – God of the sword.

  Uketar – God of the bow.

  Edih – First boy born of the Beletarians (deceased)

  Elah – First girl born of the Beletarians (deceased)

  Ekir – Uktesh’s father (deceased)

  Bela – Uktesh’s mother (deceased)

  Uktan – Weapons grand master

  Uketess – Weapons master, one of the Beleshian

  Tylor Taylor - 32 sword, axe, and pole weapon Final four – sword, Final four – Axe 6 feet 2 inches red head

  Larut - axe, pole weapons, unarmed, mixed, and sword Won Axe final 8 mixed 6 feet 8 inches bald

  Sara – woman that Larut is marrying – chandler

  Repus - sword, axe, mixed, pole weapon - winner pole, Final four – Axe 6 feet 4 inches

  Leilani – woman that Repus likes, 5 feet and 8 inches, brown eyes, long jet black hair, tan (deceased)

  Esolc - sword, and mixed 2nd best in sword final 8 mixed 5 feet 11 inches (deceased)

  Pamfilo – woman that Esolc likes, 5 feet, dark skin, shoulder length straight black hair, well endowed

  Basam – final four sword lost to Esolc 6 feet 1 inch muscular red spiral tattoo on the left side of his face, and blue hair

  Marylla – Basam’s wife.

  Myranda – Basam’s oldest daughter 19 yrs old, 6 feet 2 inches Blue hair red spiral tattoo

  Rasam – Basam’s eldest son, 17 yrs old, 6 feet 4 inches Blue hair red spiral tattoo

  Fayth – Basam’s daughter 16 yrs old, 5 feet 8 inches twin of Trysha Blue hair red spiral tattoo, scar at hairline

  Trysha – Basam’s daughter 16 yrs old, 5 feet 8 inches twin of Fayth Blue hair red spiral tattoo

  Elysha – Basam’s son 14 yrs old, 5 feet 2 inches Blue hair red spiral tattoo

  Kayla – Basam’s daughter 13 yrs old, 5 feet 4 inches Blue hair red spiral tattoo

  Katy – Basam’s daughter 11 yrs old, 4 feet 5 inches Blue hair red spiral tattoo

  Robyn – Basam’s son 8 yrs old, 4 feet tall Blue hair

  Mychael – Basam’s son 4 yrs old, 3 feet 4 inches Blue hair

  Sy – Basam’s youngest daughter 1 yr old, Blue hair

  Lana – Basam’s wet nurse

  Myrtin – one of Tylors’ best friends – 6 feet even graying black hair (deceased)

  Baloce – The smart bully. 5 feet 10 inches long thin greasy brown hair

  Dekan – The stupid bully. 5 feet 2 inches short black hair

  Belial – Uktesh’s training friend, third best fighter in Uktesh’s class. 5 feet

  Beltin – Fifth best fighter in Uktesh’s class, ran from Belial. 4 feet 10 inches

  Belario – Second best fighter in Uktesh’s class. 5 feet 8 unchiae

  Essra – Fourth best fighter in Uktesh’s class, flirted with him while dating Belario

  Uktan – Grand master of Uktesh’s village.

  Uketess – Master Uktesh was to fight beat Ekir in a dual.

  Davyd, Waarn, and Toomi – The (deceased) men of Thulmann’s group.

  Jysh – The vicious talkative member of Thulmann’s group.

  Gelshaw – Beletarian running trainer.

  Gerwin – other tailor in Manori

  Mother Esrun – healer of Manori

  Scorn – Dekan’s father, Baloce’s uncle and the mayor of Manori’s brother 6 feet 6 inches muscular

  Lord Youreth – Triuvriate of Baenok 6 feet 6 inches, broad chest and shoulders, muscular.

  Irtith – murderer at the tournament 5 feet 5 inches gray skin sickly thin (deceased)

  Charis – unarmed second level dragon clan fighter 4 feet 9 inches

  Riu – final winner of mixed tied with Uktesh as winner of unarmed third level dragon clan fighter 5 feet 5 inches (deceased)

  Mother Ayah – healer of Baenok

  Bjorn – Mayor of Manori.

  Glenn – The widow with the lickmutt

  Annabeth Laurant – woman who goes missing

>   Guy Laurant – man who goes missing

  Curiel – guy who likes Leilani, grandson of Holyt

  Mother Anjali – island healer

  Holyt – Director of the play and owner of the resort 6 feet graying thinning hair, still in good shape, grandfather of Curiel.

  Cimmie – boy who’s friends with Uktesh and Laurilli. 5 feet 5 inches

  Ayala – girl who’s dating Cimmie 5 feet 2 inches

  Byala – lady helping out with the play

  Cyala – girl who’s friends with Cimmie dating Aoen 5 feet 3 inches

  Dyala – Holyt’s wife.

  Aoen – boy who’s friends with Cimmie dating Cyala 4 feet 11 inches

  Dayho – grand master of fire of the dragons voted not to kill Uktesh (deceased)

  Ryth – grand master of water of the dragons voted not to kill Uktesh (deceased)

  Wyde – grand master of earth of the dragons voted not to kill Uktesh (deceased)

  Dusyd – grand master of spirit of the dragons voted to kill Uktesh (deceased)

  Mycha – grand master of air of the dragons voted to kill Uktesh (deceased)

  Triano – first fighter of the play

  Griano – brother of Triano, second fighter at the play

  Ulen – third fighter at the play, Pamfilo’s father.

  Hailsby – fourth fighter at the play son of Dayho

  Royn – fifth fighter at the play nephew of Dayho, right hand missing index, middle and ring fingers

  Yuros – one of Laurilli’s teachers

  Pippy – Pipianny – Leilani’s daughter six years old long black hair

  Abrym – Jewelry store owner, Leilani’s father, Pippy’s grandfather

  Lord Astiau – person who beat Uktesh at Jubay 6 feet 6 inches black hair graying temples, scar over his right eye. Gold ring in his lip

  Money:

  10 copper coins = 1 silver coin

  10 silver coins = 1 gold coin

  10 gold coins = 1 Imperial platinum mark

  Clothes:

  Pareo – see through wrap around

  Guernsey – top

  Ta’ovala – formal dress

  Kiekie – semiformal dress

  Dumpra – male formal dress pinned on one shoulder waistband (gyatomu)

  Gho – male knee length skirt tied at waist by cloth (kera)