DiPacha Lore
Short Stories Volume One
By N.P. Francis
DiPacha Realms – Connected Worlds
Copyright
Copyright 2017 N. P. Francis
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage or retrieval system, without prior written permission from N.P. Francis except for the inclusion of quotations in a review.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Contents
DiPacha Lore – Short Stories Volume One
DiPacha Realms
Introduction
Lateef’s Story
Aka’s Story
TuyTuy Pacha
Disconnected: Free exert
Books
Disconnected
Connecting… (Planned release 2018)
More at
www.npfrancis.co.uk
Introduction
Through various times in Earths long history, mankind has been aware of connections to other realms, worlds beyond Earth. Collectively these realms were known as DiPacha. Their stories and legends pepper our histories and cultures giving glimpses of a knowledge once central to all we knew.
Lateef’s story is the first that will begin to bring this knowledge back to the fore. There are many others that will help you understand the realms we once knew as neighbours and that will pull together the threads of our joint histories.
Lateef was an early explorer who helped lead his people to a new beginning and lead the first humans away from Earth. Over many generations, Earth would become known as WaytaPata, the Garden Realm, and it would be the most important of all the sixteen Pacha Realms.
DiPacha Realms
Lateef’s story –
Connecting worlds
Lateef didn’t know it yet but he would soon have some unexpected decisions to make. Right now, however, he was lying on the ground at the crest of a slope and looking out over a grassy plain with adrenaline beginning to course through his veins. After days of searching his quarry were suddenly standing only a few hundred paces away. In that moment all Lateef was focusing his hunter’s mind on was how to get the animals they needed all the way home?
For many days he and his team had been searching for the damma, wild herds of horned antelope, which used to run in unchecked numbers throughout the Black Lands. Until recently the damma would have been found close to home and life had been good. Now the rich alluvial grasslands that had sustained the herds for generations were turning to dust. The hunters of the Black Lands had to go further and further up the shrinking river and tributaries to find the target of their desire. Their people’s fortune had turned, every day was now a struggle. Right now the largest herd he had seen in many seasons stood grazing before him. Any number of these would be acceptable to their new King, Mer-Sen-Ra. He who demanded large sacrifices on the altars of his god's in penance and payment, appeasement and honour.
Since Men-Sen-Ra had inherited the Kingdom of Badar in the Black Lands no rain had fallen. The land was dry, the rivers low. Crops were failing and his people starving and restless. Mer-Sen-Ra believed sacrifices would persuade the gods to restore the rain and the river that was the lifeblood of the Black Lands and his kingdom. He believed that when the rains came this would be the sign that the gods had anointed him as King. He had faith that sacrificial gifts to the gods would persuade them of his worthiness. With each passing season that failed the new King's thirst for blood and sacrifice grew ever larger, his offerings only matched by his frustration. With his priests feeding his ego and his paranoia, the new king’s resolve was unwavering. The temple altars had now run so thick with blood that they were stained a deep crimson red. Yet still, no rain fell.
For Lateef and his hunters that meant increasingly long journeys away from home and family to track their prey and herd them back. The expeditions taking them into dangerous territories and the perils of wild tribes, big cats, and river beasts. However dangerous their journeys though, the nightmare of returning empty-handed plagued all their dreams. Lateef’s predecessor had returned from a hunt with too few damma. For this, he had forfeited his life to make up the sacrifice.
Being Head Hunter had not been a promotion Lateef had wanted. He was not keen on his own head being hunted by the King.
Right now he and his band of hunters were many days from home, further than they had ever been before. Their route had taken them up towards the mountains and along new tributaries they had never explored before. That night they had camped the night by a small outcrop with a waterfall that tumbled down the rocks. Waking at sunrise they could see the small waterfall and stream had swollen and turned grey with sediment, the first sign rain had fallen upstream, and rain meant plant growth which may mean grazing animals. Encouraged by this sign Lateef and his men burned some herbs as an offering to their own gods so that they themselves may be blessed for the day ahead.
Carefully skirting around the small outcrop that formed the waterfall the five men headed toward a dry grassy slope that ran up from the left. Full of quiet anticipation together they silently walked up the slope. Coming to the top they could see a wide open plain open up in front of them. A large expanse of fresh green grass was just springing to life could be seen through a misty haze and through the haze mountains could be glimpsed in the distance. Lateef instantly hit the ground lying still, not daring to breathe, his hunters followed his lead without question. There before them was a large herd of damma attracted by the sweet new grass, hundreds of animals. Enough to appease the King and his gods. If they were fortunate there would be enough to feed their families as well as the temple sacrifices.
“This surely is a sign, my friends. We may be blessed yet.” Whispered Lateef as they looked quietly out over the grasslands and into the distance. His heart sang for joy and his body tightened with the anticipation of the forthcoming hunt. He needed to calm the adrenaline and lead his team to success.
“Let us head down to the camp before we spook the herd.” He stated simply and quietly.
Obediently Lateef's four hunters turned and stealthily returned down the slope to their previous night's camp. Each man on full alert, the pre-hunt rush having to be tempered with control that only came from hunts previously lost. None wanted to make any foolish decisions that could cost them their prize. Each man knew when to be calm and when to explode into action. Right now calm heads were needed. This was too large an opportunity to be lost. The risks of failure too high.
Eating some stale bread rations and fruit they had brought with them they drank a little water from the stream. Fuelled and refreshed they readied themselves for the hunt. They needed to get around the herd and drive them back downstream away from the grasslands. It would take a well-organised team to achieve this and avoid stampedes of panicked damma as the animals would want to stay on the plains with their food.
Gaining their composure the men planned their strategy and headed back up the slope to carefully move into position. Lateef’s second, Aka, kept low and did not follow his comrades. He kept to the side of the river to guard that flank while Lateef and the other three headed away from the river to circle away to the second flank and behind the herd. The wind was in their favour blowing from the herd down toward the waterfall. All men keeping as much distance between themselves and their quarry as possible. They needed the herd to remain ignorant of their presence.
At the flank position, Rabiah and Raad dropped off and began slowly moving in from the side to nar
row the gap between themselves and Aka by the river. Meanwhile, Lateef and Thi had carried on circling behind the herd. Everyone was finally in position, crouched and ready to rise up on Lateef's signal. The size of the herd was so large that the distance between the men great. Lateef could only just see his men. Looking from each, in turn, he checked they were set and gave the signal. Lifting his arm slowly he then dropped it suddenly. Each man rose on queue with arms spread wide and a spear in one hand and yelling they ran toward the damma.
At first, all went well, the damma were suitably spooked and bunched together as they ran for cover building up speed. The herd headed toward the gap intended, the path of least resistance and apparent safety, the opening left by the men that lead back down the slope towards the river.
Across the grasslands, they raced and on toward the misty heat haze that lay across the plains. Lateef and Thi watched the herd run away from them and felt satisfied that all was well. Giving chase they continued to drive the herd as their comrades protected the flanks. The damma ran on in the direction of the waterfall and the slope. As they passed Rabiah on the furthest flank position the damma in the centre of the stampede suddenly disappeared, not run away but vanish completely from sight. It looked like they were running through a door that was not there. None of the five hunters had ever seen anything like it. All stopped dead in their tracks.
The herd was not stopping in its bid to escape and was so wide that as the animals in the centre disappeared those on the flanks ran on leaving two lines running toward the slope and river beyond that. Slowly the two lines of animals came together, like water breaking around a rock. Those animals that were left slowed and bunched together at the top of the slope. The herd that remained was significantly smaller, many animals had simply vanished from the plain.
With the hunters now far behind, and none chasing them, the small damma herd felt the danger had passed and simply began grazing again as the instinct to eat took over. Their pursuers stood still frozen to the spot where they had seen the damma disappear. All were trying to understand what they had seen. Recovering first Lateef knew what he had just seen was a sign, how else could it be explained? But right now he still had a task to do and there were enough animals left to fulfil that task. He had to rouse his men, and himself. Lateef knew he was there to do a job but inspiration had struck him. New unexpected ideas were germinating in his head. Hope being one.
“All to me, NOW!” he yelled.
Lateef’s men ran to him. All looked white with fear. Lateef knew what he was about to ask would strike more fear into them. He would have to lead by example.
“I know we all just saw what happened. That shimmer in front of us is no heat haze. I believe it is a sign from the Gods.” Lateef paused as he considered exactly how to continue. “What it means I have no idea. But if these dumb animals trust it – if they are not scared of it – like they are of other dangers then it must be safe. It may offer salvation from our bloodthirsty King. To save our families we must return with his tributes but we must also understand what this is. I need one of you to go with me into the haze while the other three drive the damma home. We will then catch you up on the return journey.”
“Lateef, what you say is madness!” Replied Aka sharply. Then as if thinking aloud he continued, “But Mer-Sen-Ra is also gripped by madness. Let us all go to this haze and see if you can go through and return immediately. If this is so I will go with you into this unknown place in the hope it will bring us salvation.”
With all five in agreement, they gathered themselves. Their team spirit was strong and Lateef was proud of them all, although he himself was increasingly scared. As they approached the shimmering wall a wry smile spread across his face as he considered the wind direction. He was sure that damma could smell them now, were they not already aware of the hunters’ presence.
The five hunters came and stood before the shimmering apparition. They could now see that it was significantly different from any heat haze they had seen before. It stood as a regular shape about forty strides across and seven men high. It was just there.
The five had approached from an angle and now stood about ten strides from the centre of the shimmer. As they looked at it the men could see what looked like another plateau through the haze, except this plateau looked like it was bare grey rock. No grass.
Lateef stood staring at the sight in front of him terrified by what he was seeing. His legs felt like they were the weight of gold but made of water. He swallowed. He knew the price of leadership, he also wanted freedom for his family, his two young children, and his wife. He wanted his children to grow up without fear. He wanted to see them grow up.
Thinking of them and with no words, he stepped toward the unknown. Walking shakily forward he approached the shimmering haze. He could go through slowly, poke a finger at it or just go. He decided on the latter, the damma had run through, after all. No point in prolonging any pain he reasoned. He almost ran the last three steps.
Lateef had no words to describe what he experienced. He just felt as though his body had been ripped apart and then stuck back together in the blink of an eye but with absolutely no pain. His body was fine but his mind was spinning as he collapsed on a cold hard floor. Panting he stood up and turned around. There, where he had come from, was the same shimmering haze but from his new vantage point, he could see a grassy plain and four blurry figures in the centre of the haze. Gathering himself he ran back through. The second time was no better but he was back with his friends, his team. He knelt panting on the warm grassy ground. Never had he been so happy. This was the happiness of survival. Not the bliss of marriage or the birth of a child.
“There is another world through there. The gods may have given us a new home!” Panted Lateef. “Aka will you come back through the haze with me? This may be a home we can share with our families and loved ones so we can escape the fear of Mer-Sen-Ra and benefit from a new beginning”
“I will Lateef.” Aka simply replied.
“My friends we will see you within three days but if we are not there I ask you to wait one days' travel from Badar. If we have not found you by the last day of this moon go on without us, you must be in Badar before the new moon rises. Thank you and be blessed.”
Lateef and Aka watched their three friends run after the herd before turning to the haze that had not changed. Together they stepped through the barrier between worlds. This time Lateef held his footing but Aka collapsed as he came through into the new realm.
“What in the name of the gods!” Cried Aka.
“It becomes bearable.” Replied Lateef trying to sound more confident than he felt. This time Lateef took in his surroundings. Immediately he noticed further shimmering shapes spread out around them. The shimmers formed an almost a perfect circle but no two apparitions were the same, each a different size and through each a different shade or colour could be seen. Lateef’s heart felt heavy yet excited. He turned and looked at Aka who was now beginning to stand up.
“Do you see what I see my friend?”
“Soon I hope,” said Aka. He was shaking his head trying to clear his mind of the sensations he’d just experienced. He had initially wished Lateef had warned him but now realised that if Lateef had he would not have come through, or that no description could have prepared him. He felt like his body had been stretched the horizon and then beyond to the stars and finally snapped back together faster than he could click his fingers.
Now looking and taking in the same shimmers that Lateef had seen Aka counted them against his fingers. “Three hands, fifteen?” he questioned.
“That’s what I see too. Each looks different. How do you feel Aka… brave?”
Aka grinned at Lateef. Yes, he felt brave adrenalin was flooding his system. This hunt would be spoken of for generations and Aka wanted to be part of it.
The two friends prepared themselves and then headed for the first shimmer to their left. Determination marking their stride, neither wanting to show fear to the
other as they strode through the barrier and into a second realm.
Emerging into the next realm felt like stepping into fire. Aka stumbled in the loose sand beneath his feet and losing his balance he landed on his hands and knees which blistered on the searing sand. He sprang up immediately yelling in pain. Scanning his surroundings through watering eyes all he saw was sand stretching before him. Turning quickly he could make out Lateef struggling for breath in the intense heat, and there behind Lateef he could see cliffs riddled with caves. The sun was baking and both men and both were struggling for breath. Lateef and Aka’s eyes met.
“To the caves!” gasped Aka.
“Agreed.” Whispered Lateef. Running across the scorching sand for the shade of the first cave they could reach the two men tumbled from the blazing light into the cool darkness of the cave. Neither had time for their vision to adjust. If they had they would have seen the large pool of dark clear water. Instead, both ran headlong and panting into the water, the shock of which taking their breath away as they sank beneath the surface.
Lateef’s head filled with panic as he tried to fight the impulse to breathe. Kicking his legs as hard as he could he reached for the air with flailing arms. As he kicked he could feel his sandals flapping loosely on his feet. It felt like they were dragging him down away from the light. He feared he would not get another breath. Looking up through the clear water he could see the brightness of the cave entrance tantalising close. Hope, he felt, was suddenly fading. With arms still thrashing a hand touched what felt like a root or a vine. Like new air in his lungs hope surged through him again. Scrabbling with both hands now he found purchase. Grabbing hold he hauled himself up and as his head broke the surface he gasped dragging in deep lung-fulls of sweet cool air. Panting he turned to look for Aka in the dim light. As he was about to dive Aka’s head appeared gasping for air exactly as he had just done. Lateef embraced Aka with one arm whilst firmly holding on to the roots with the other arm and pulled him into safety.
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