Spring Showers Box-set

by Avell Kro

  not break Lozira’s fragile condition.

  Lozira stared at Rhuna and silently mouthed the words she had just heard. Then her eyes

  darted back and forth, trying to comprehend.

  “He wanted them to take you back to Atlán, by force if necessary, and…to kill Goram,

  Damel and me, if we got in the way,” Rhuna said, trying to keep her voice from faltering.

  Lozira’s lips trembled for a moment, and then broadened into a distorted grin as shrill

  laughter burst forth. Between shudders of near-hysterical laughter she asked, “Tozar? My father?

  My own father caused this? He wanted to kill Goram? Kill you?”Suddenly she stopped laughing

  and her lips pursed into a hateful grimace.

  “I hate him!” she hissed venomously. “I Hate him, I hate him!” she began to scream, and

  Rhuna reached out to calm her.

  “Lozira!” croaked Goram, and Rhuna looked to see his wide eyes fill with loving concern.

  “Come to me,” he whispered, wearily raising his arm to reach out to her. Lozira immediately

  obeyed, and grabbed his outstretched hand before lowering herself next to him on the bed and

  stroking his face.

  Rhuna stayed with them until sunset, when she prepared a simple meal for her and Lozira

  before reluctantly leaving and returning to her own home. She repeated instructions for Goram’s

  treatment, speaking to Progress of the Wind who had arrived with some apparel to spend the

  night.

  “If you need me, send the soldier outside to get me,” she said firmly, and after another brief

  examination of her patient, she hurried home. As she walked, sudden fear gripped her, and she

  turned around several times to see if anyone was approaching from behind her. She realized that

  it was an irrational fear resulting from the day’s traumatic events, and when she reached her

  comfortable home, she prepared some herbal remedies for herself.

  Despite the sedating herbs she had taken, Rhuna slept fitful y and awoke tense and agitated.

  The sun’s rays had barely reached across Safu when she walked briskly to Goram’s house, anxious

  to see how Lozira and Goram were faring.

  Rhuna was surprised to see Goram propped on cushions, slowly eating meat broth and

  bread as Lozira eagerly attended to all his needs.

  “Rhuna!” said Goram as she stood at the foot of his bed. “Your power of healing has been

  explained to me, and I am grateful to you,” he said. His voice was still weak, but Rhuna sensed an

  underlying strength and determination to recover quickly.

  “I am deeply grateful,” he said humbly. “Not only for the continuation of my life. Much

  more poignant are my feelings of gratitude for the opportunity to experience true love,” he said as

  he reached for Lozira’s hand and gazed up into her eyes. “Before meeting Lozira, I had not known

  love at all. This cognition had eluded me until recently.”

  Lozira tenderly stroked his cheek with the side of her finger.

  “How grateful I am to be alive and experience the pure love of a wonderful woman!”

  Rhuna ignored Goram’s words and proceeded to remove the bandage and examine the

  wound. She gave the used bandages to Lozira, instructing her how to dispose of them.

  “What has become of him?” Goram asked when Lozira had left the sleeping chamber.

  Rhuna explained that Tozar was being constantly observed by Healers to determine the

  extent of his condition. “He has an ailment of mind and spirit, but like most illnesses, it can be

  healed, with time.”

  “What you requested of me, Rhuna; I shall do,” he said as his strength waned again.

  “Enough talking,” Rhuna interrupted firmly. “Be quiet and get more rest,” she ordered.

  “Your wound is healing well, but your heart and energy pulses are still very weak.”

  Part Seven (The Ubanti)

  Rhuna went about her morning chores with more vigour than usual, finding the physical

  routine a suitable outlet for her pent-up anger at Tozar, and the brooding concern over Lozira. She

  also fought to suppress the fear that Goram’s condition could suddenly deteriorate. She had never

  healed such a deadly wound, and wondered whether his internal organs had been fully restored by

  the energy she released through her touch. The uncertainty of the healing process brought waves

  of fear that Goram might relapse and die, which would have adevastating impact on her daughter.

  As the sun was shining warmly, Rhuna tried to enjoy it as she put out the washed clothes to

  dry, and then breathed in the scent of fresh blooms in the garden nearby. A shuffle behind her

  made her jump, but seeing her husband’s kind face put her quickly at ease again.

  “Our friends are coming,” announced Aradin, and Rhuna said that she was ready to receive

  visitors.

  The Observers arrived, commenting on the pleasant weather and politely inquiring into

  Rhuna’s wellbeing. They ambled around the house and garden talking freely with each other.

  “The High Council of Atlán is thoroughly investigating events concerning The Star Child, and

  they have addressed many individuals, asking certain questions,” said Revealer of Truths. “They

  are striving to ascertain the complete account of events, untainted by emotional prejudice, as it

  was in the case of Harbinger of Solace.”

  “Indeed, they have inquired of me all manner of things,” twittered Echo of the Evening. “No

  doubt the entire truth shall soon be known to all!”

  “When all secrets have been revealed, we shall be relieved of the burden we have carried as

  The Observers,” stated Reaching the Moon.

  “It’s also a relief that we don’t have to fear the Guardians of Knowledge,” said Rhuna, and

  then noticed reluctance and doubt cross their faces.

  “The Guardians have not yet abandoned their ways,” grumbled Divider of Fortunes with a

  deep frown. “However, in view of the current circumstances, we may dispense with the use of the

  special room.”

  Rhuna said that this was worthy of celebrating, and that she and Faleesh had already

  prepared some delicious food. The friends gathered around the table and cheerful y discussed the

  variety of food, the fragrant smell of the garden, and the prospect of a return to idyllic Atlan life.

  “Once the new Atlan Council of Safu has gained full knowledge of facts and past events, it

  shall act to remove all Dark influences in Safu society,” said Designer of Works.

  As the merry conversations continued, Rhuna began to feel more uneasy, even slightly angry

  that their friends were avoiding the subject of Tozar and the attack on Goram. When she realized

  that no one had inquired into the wellbeing of Lozira, she felt hurt, sad and puzzled.

  The food plates were almost empty when the lively conversation at the table was interrupted

  by a commotion from the house. Rhuna turned to see Damell enter the garden with Abu-Malech

  and several attendants representing The Reigning One behind him.

  “The Ubanti are preparing to invade Safu!” Damell announced with urgency. Rhuna felt as

  if a thunderclap had shaken her house and garden.

  “Black man coming!” piped Shandi, repeating the words she had spoken before, and began

  to cry again. Rhuna quickly swept her up in her arms and kissed the top of her head. She felt as if

  she had entered a dream-like state and was observing everything from outside her body.

  “Tel us what you know,
” Aradin told Damell as he shot to his feet in alarm.

  “They have stealthily sent soldiersto crucial areas all around Safu with the appearanceof

  merely undertaking general work on roads andirrigation channels, while in fact they hide

  weapons!” Damell paused to catch his breath and look around at the stunned faces.

  “Furthermore, they appear to communicate by some kind of code, knowing that we can

  observe them by means of the Gazing of the Waters. Certain construction directions are actually

  orders for tactical maneuvers!”

  “How cunning!” exclaimed Designer of Works withawe.

  “Such consequences should have been foreseeable, yet I was too distracted by the most

  recent event and its repercussions to pay the proper attention! Forgive me, Daughter!” Damel

  said, shaking his head and looking at the floor in humble defeat.

  “But you still found out in time, Father!” Rhuna said as she laid a comforting hand on her

  father’s arm. Shandi reached out for her newly-discovered grandfather, and he briefly took the

  small hand and kissed it. Faleesh approached them, confusion and helplessness in her face.

  Rhuna instinctively placed Shandi into her open arms, and Faleesh took the child into another

  room while serious matters were discussed.

  “Rhuna, they have almost outsmarted us and succeeded in a surprise attack!”Damell said

  with desperation.

  ‘But why attack us?” asked Divider of Fortunes, wide-eyed.

  “They think Atlans caused a serious illness-curse on their population,” Rhuna answered.

  “This, coming after so many attempts by the Guardians of Knowledge to stop merchants and

  emissaries from Ubanti coming to Safu to learn our ways…”

  “Beacon of the Night admitted he caused the Atlan Council of Safu to become ill!”

  interrupted Designer of Works angrily.

  “There is more,” Damell said gloomily, taking another deep breath. “Many Ubanti people

  have succumbed to the disease which they believe was an Atlan curse. Several of the dead are

  members of the queen’s own household!”

  “This is terrible, terrible news!” Echo of the Evening twittered nervously.

  “Do we really need to leave our homes?” asked Softness of the Clouds looking around

  helplessly at her fellow-Observers and then at Reaching the Moon who sat next to her.

  “Would they really harm us? We did nothing to them!” Reaching the Moon protested.

  The Dark Ones using Dark Forces- they are the ones who have brought Ubanti hatred and

  anger upon all Atlans!” Revealer of Truths spat angrily.

  “But don’t they know that most Atlans living here in Safu had nothing to do with those

  attacks on their people?” Aradin insisted.

  “They are carrying all manner of weapons,” Damell answered, shaking his head. “We cannot

  risk remaining in Safu, lest the Army has been instructed to harm or even kill all Atlans!” he said,

  his cheeks flushing pink.

  “The only way out of Safu is to cross the Great River and go in the direction of the rising

  sun,” Damell explained. “The Reigning One’s attendants are preparing extra ferries to facilitate the

  crossing of the river, as well as supplying us with pack animals and goats for milk and food.

  Inform everyone to meet at the port where the ferries shall transport us across the river,”

  instructed Damell.

  “Where shall we go? There is no land in that direction,” said Aradin, his usual jovial

  expression replaced with queasy paleness.

  “The Reigning One has offered to send a troop of soldiers to escort us safely out of Safu, and

  others with horses and wagons shall follow to provide us with food and shelter,” Damell told them.

  “This cannot be real!” said Softness of the Clouds as her eyes filled with tears.

  “We must prepare to traverse wilderness for many walking days,” Damell said with rising

  urgency. “We must be prepared to be self-sufficient for some time, until we have observed the

  situation.”

  The Observers finally rose to their feet after looking at each other in fear and disbelief.

  “Pack only the essentials which you are able to carry on a long walking journey.Warm

  clothes for the cold nights!” Damell ordered, and then turned around to instructThe Reigning One’s

  attendants who stood at the doorway to assist in packing and carrying necessities.

  “Relay this message to all Atlans in and around Safu,” Damel told The Observers as they

  prepared to hurry to their individual homes and pack belongings. “Speak messages to Atlans

  everywhere, so that they may assist and guide us through this predicament! Go with haste!” he

  shouted after them.

  “My herbs and other cures,” Rhuna said, trying to get a grip on reality. “I’ll pack the most important ones only,” she said, showing one of the attendants which tinctures and dry herbs to

  pack in a special sack.

  “I have a patient who cannot walk. He will need a carry-seat large enough to lie in,” Rhuna

  told Abu-Malech, who nodded and turned to quickly make arrangements.

  “My Benshi colleague!” said Aradin breathlessly. “He can take care of my business and this

  house in our absence!” Rhuna nodded and then quickly embraced her husband tightly, telling him

  that she will meet him at the ferry dock as soon as possible. Aradin gestured towards a pile of

  clothes and items he wished to be packed, and then dashed out the door to find his business

  colleague.

  Rhuna looked at the long row of body scents and oils among her personal grooming items,

  then across at the garments of fine and exotic textiles she had accumulated duringthree solar cycles

  in Safu. She reached for soap, brush, towels and other basic necessities, and wondered why she

  felt no sadness at leaving her luxurious possessions behind. As she packed, thoughts of her father,

  Lozira, Tozar and her new family overwhelmed her with emotion, and suddenly she understood

  that the people she loved were all that mattered to her.

  With renewed resolve, she finished packing and then entered the room in which Faleesh

  was playing with Shandi, pretending everything was normal in order not to alarm the small child.

  “I go with you!” Faleesh exclaimed as tears welled in her eyes.

  “No, your place is here, in Safu,” Rhuna stated firmly. “With your daughter, and your sister

  and her family. The Ubanti have no issues with the Benshi, so you can stay here safely.”

  Faleesh began to shake her head as tears rolled down her cheeks.

  “Where will you go? Where will you be safe? And little Shandi!” Faleesh asked as anxiety

  overcame her.

  “I don’t know yet,” Rhuna answered truthfully. “Maybe we can come back soon. Look after

  our home while we are gone. Keep living here and go on as usual,” she told the Benshi woman as

  she embraced her. “I hope we can come back soon!”

  The woman nodded sadly and wiped her tears.

  “Black man coming!” screeched Shandi, and Rhuna immediately swept her up into a firm

  carry hold.

  “Yes, Little One, the black men are coming, so we have to go away for a while,” she said as

  calmly as she could, and then walked out the door, wondering whether she would ever set foot in

  her beautiful home again.

  Rhuna had only taken a few steps on the street outside her home when she looked up and

  saw The Reigning One approaching.

  “My s
oldiers and attendants shall accompany and assist you,” he said with his usual blank

  expression. “I have dispatched all the men I can spare.”

  “We are very grateful,” Rhuna said, her voice quivering with emotion. “What about you and

  your Benshi people?”

  “The Ubanti have no issues with the Benshi,” he replied. “Provided the Ubanti do not

  disturb the lives of my people in any way, I shall strive to maintain peace for all.”

  “You are a great leader,” Rhuna began, then swallowed hard to stop sudden tears. “I hope

  we can come back soon,” she said shakily. “I will miss you!”

  For a brief moment, Rhuna thought she saw the stiff face twitch, and his eyes express depth

  and feeling. She waited for the response which she thought was struggling to come out, and then

  suddenly understood that his silence already spoke more than words.

  “Fare well,” he said reaching out a hand and grasping Rhuna’s firmly for a long and

  meaningful moment. Then The Reigning One blinked hard and turned around to leave, his

  measured body movements unchanged.

  Running as fast as she could with bags hanging from her shoulders and Shandi on her hip,

  Rhuna went directly to Goram’s house, patting her daughter’s head to calm her down.

  “We have to leave Safu immediately!” Rhuna called out as she burst into the room.

  Progress of the Wind sprung to his feet, and Goram groaned as he tried to raise his upper body.

  Lozira looked at her mother bleary-eyed and without comprehension.

  “The Ubanti Army is preparing to invade Safu! It’s an attack on Atlans because they think

  we caused their illness and wouldn’t give them what they wanted…and now we’re not safe here!”

  she spluttered.

  “I am unable to travel!” exclaimed Goram. “Rhuna, take Lozira and flee! When I have

  recovered sufficiently, I shall follow,” he croaked with effort.

  “No! I will not leave him!” Lozira shouted, her face turning deep pink.

  “You’re coming with us or else they will probably kill you!” Rhuna told Goramdirectly.

  Lozira gasped in horror at those last words.

  “I’ve already organized a carry-seat to take him with us,”she told her daughter.

  “Once again, I am grateful,” Goram said, and then squeezed Lozira’s hand reassuringly.