Zele snorted and started to pull back.
"I do too, it fits," Jak said giving her a pat on the shoulder.
"What's wrong girl?" Rasha asked as the beast fought the direction they were headed.
"Either she doesn't like the name or there's something down there she doesn't like. Let's go down and take a closer look."
Rasha steered Zele the best she could to the ground. It was difficult since the dragon wasn't convinced that a bridle of any kind could tell her where to go. Instead, she usually went along with Rasha but today she was having none of it and she couldn't put them down fast enough. In fact, the moment they were on the ground she made two angry circles before going straight up into the air and flying off.
"I guess, that's it for our ride," Jak said watching Zele fly off.
"What's gotten into her?"
"I think we better find out. Let's keep on in the direction we were heading."
When they came upon a small village, they were hopeful that they'd find someone who'd seen Ladi. The area was too small to hide anyone for long. In fact, it was so small it was almost dead quiet.
"Did we come on a celebration day?" Jak asked in a whisper.
Rasha shrugged. Even though he'd whispered, she held up a hand to signal him to be quiet. The small village had no activity. The only thing moving were animals that had appeared to have gotten out of their pens and cages. Where were all the people? Just then they caught sight of a young girl. She was wrapped in peasant clothing and she had dark smudges on her face. The yellow of her hair caught her eye and she moved to speak with her.
"Excuse me, where is everyone?"
The startled girl dropped the bucket she'd been carrying and dashed off into the trees.
Before they lost sight of her Rasha called out to her.
"I promise we just have to ask a question, we're not going to hurt you."
The girl ran headlong into the woods and over a creek bed. When the trees opened to a small clearing, a log cabin home came into view. Rasha slowed down and Jak was right behind her with the girl's large bucket in his hand. Rasha looked down at his hand with one raised eyebrow.
"What? I'm not going to have her get in trouble for losing perhaps their family's only bucket on top of scaring her to death." He flashed her his killer smirk.
Rasha shook her head and couldn't resist smiling. He was the type to be concerned about the little fellow. Perhaps it was her upbringing in the castle but she always found it difficult to remember those things. She'd seen a lot of that in him while they were living in the palace and she'd improved but she could still do better. She took the bucket from him with a nod and walked up to the house and tried to put on her most non-threatening smile.
The front door was slightly ajar and instead of walking in she knocked on the front door. When no one answered she tried again. On the third knock Jak reached out and put a hand on her shoulder. He shook his head and indicated she look to their left. On that side of the house were two freshly dug graves. The mounds were still well above ground.
"What's going on here?" Rasha asked.
It was Jak's turn to shrug. He stepped in front of her and into the log cabin home. At first Rasha barely made out anything beyond Jak's shoulder but there in the corner were two smaller children huddled together. One was a mix of mermaid and Buku from the look of her pink ombre hair and the other child with jet black hair must have had Karmirian ancestry. Then the girl with the yellow hair that they'd seen earlier entered the room. The others ran to hide behind her even though she wasn't much taller or bigger than the two of them.
"Where are your parents?" Rasha asked the girl.
"They're dead," the girl said.
"They're all dead," said the little boy behind her.
Rasha caught Jak expression. It had changed to something she wasn't sure she'd seen before. Was it fear?
"How did they die?" He asked.
"They got sick and died."
"What kind of sickness?"
"They get the flu but when their lips turn blue, they go to sleep, and they never wake up." The girl with the yellow hair kept her face neutral and her voice flat and without feeling. "You can't stay here." She placed her hands protectively over the children behind her.
"We're not going to hurt you," Rasha said taking a step forward and raising her hands when they retreated a step. "I'm Rasha and this is Jak we're friends with the prince of the eleven kingdoms, we might be able to get you some help."
"No!" Her voice shrill. "Don't send anyone here. They just keep dying. I can't bury any more bodies, I'm tired."
"How many people from your village are left?"
The two younger children glanced up at the older girl with hope in their eyes only to be disappointed as she shook her head.
"You are the first people we've seen alive in over a week. I was afraid you'd try to take the children."
She was referring to the younger ones and they clutched at her dress as if daring anyone to separate them.
"It's not safe for you to stay here among the dead. You must leave this place."
"No, this is my home and I know how to care for them here. I can't protect them in the forest or on the trails,” the girl said with defiance.
Rasha thought for a moment. It was true. Someone of her age maybe no more than twelve or thirteen wouldn't have the resources for herself or anyone else away from this place.
"Okay," Rasha took a step back.
"Okay?" Jak asked, turning to her.
"Stay here and we'll see what else we can find out. You'll need food and supplies, will you at least accept help?"
The younger children again gazed up with hope on their faces to see the older girl's reaction.
She nodded.
"Tell us, what is your name?"
"My name is Yinka."
9
"THEY NEED MORE THAN THIS," Jak said looking down at the small pile of food and supplies.
"Yes, I know," Rasha said as she lay down the last sack of roots she'd gathered and dropped it on the on the doorstep.
The children huddled inside. After they'd walked out she'd locked them out refusing to let them back into the house. The fear in their eyes was real and valid. In their search they discovered lots of graves and no other people. Jak still had a wary look on his face and didn't appear to be very eager to be near the children or the village. Something strange was going on and it was more than a flu.
"We thought it was the beasts but, Zele didn't want to come here for a reason. It's possible she can smell the death here," Rasha said.
"I can smell the death here," Jak said as he dusted off his clothing.
"We need to find out if anyone else is dying of this new flu."
"I'm not going to like this next part am I?"
"Someone needs to stay here to look after the children."
Jak ran a hand over his hair and rolled his eyes.
"They don't want to be looked after."
"All the more reason, we need to make sure that they're okay and none of them get sick."
Rasha put a hand on his shoulder and gave him two pats. "I'll be quick."
Rasha dashed off into the forest on the trail towards the next town in the area. The sun was going down and she had to hurry or risk dealing with whatever beasts used this area for hunting grounds. The idea made her stop. They hadn't seen any beasts in the area. She wondered if like Zele they could smell death in the air and avoided it on instinct. It was a working theory at best but for now she had to get help for those children before she continued her search for Ladi.
The moment she stepped foot into the town she felt something was wrong. It was late it had taken her three hours to walk and the sun had long since set. The eerie glow of the two moons was all the light she could see. The pubs were dark the homes were dark there wasn't a single light on in a town of hundreds. She walked along until she saw a dim fire burning in the woods. But when she reached the fire, she realized they were cremating dead bodies. T
he man didn't hear her approach as he placed another dead body on the fire.
"Hello there," Rasha said getting his attention before the stench of the bodies overwhelmed her. She held up her arm to her nose but gagged whenever she took a breath.
He waved her upwind of the fire and they stepped to one side. He pulled the cloth down from his face and she noted the pink skin.
"What are you doing out here?"
"I'm came over from the village, looking for help. They've almost all died out from sickness over there and from the looks of it, you've got the same problem here."
"We can't be of much use, it's better to keep a tight quarantine anyway. We've started burning the bodies because it's too much to bury and we don't want to pollute our water."
"Pollute the water with what? What are they dying from?"
"The flu is as much as we can tell. They get the normal symptoms then their lips turn blue before they slip into a deep coma. Sometimes it's days sometimes its weeks but they always die at the end."
"What have you tried as a cure?" Rasha felt her heart racing in fear. If it was as bad as this, they would need to move the children to a safer distance.
"What haven't we tried? The two doctors were at one point working together but they didn't find anything that might even slow it down."
"The doctors, where are they? We need their help."
"Those are the doctors over there," he said pointing to the bodies on the fire. "They won't be helping anybody else."
Rasha had to hold back from gagging again as the wind shifted slightly in their direction.
"Look, there's not a lot we can offer any survivors. If they come in the day, it will be better for them since there will be people about doing their chores. At night, don't expect a warm welcome here. People are tending to their sick."
Rasha remembered then the young children and their pleas not to bring anyone else that they might have to bury. Could they be better off on their own as they'd suggested?
"Other than burning bodies, is there anything anyone can do?"
"Yeah, stay away," he lifted the cloth again and tied it back around his face before continuing to tend the fire, leaving Rasha staring after him.
Things were worse than she'd imagined. Rasha didn't bother looking for a place to stay. The man was right, a quarantine was better for everyone. If one is infected, they all were and she didn't want to risk bringing the disease to another uninfected area it would only spread the disease faster. Rasha tracked her way back in the woods, it was difficult with the lack of light but the well trodden trail between the town and the village was clear enough. It was early in the morning when Rasha reached the village again. Jak was sitting at a fire he was still awake as if he were waiting for her.
"Well," he said before she reached the fire.
"The news isn't good," she said.
"What good news can come when people are dying from this and no one even knows about it."
"So, you think its contained here?"
"I wouldn't risk bringing the survivors anywhere else."
Rasha nodded. That had been her own conclusion. That meant only one thing. The children would stay and they'd stay alone. Rasha held on to her amulet and said a silent prayer for them. Jak caught her eye and he nodded to her amulet.
"I think you've got the right idea this time. It feels like we might be a bit over our own heads."
"Agreed, we need to inform the palace and let them know what's going on here. Besides that I'm sure the doctors in Tero-Joro can get to working on something."
"For all we know they could already be working on a cure," Jak said.
"True."
Rasha wondered if this thing would literally die out on its own or if they would have to help it along. How many would they lose before it was too late? She kept thinking about all the graves between the village and the town. It made her sick again just thinking of the stink of burning bodies.
"The children here will be fine on their own. We'll leave at first light and get someone to come back here to bring them the cure once it's found," Jak said.
They curled up next to the fire. Rasha tucked her head into his shoulder and he wrapped his arms tightly around her. She dreamed of death and woke up alone.
The early morning sun was rising up in the sky and the two moons were fading into the distance. The fire was now only burning embers. Rasha looked around and didn't see or hear Jak nearby. She was about to get up and go to look for him when the door of the cabin opened and Jak came out.
"What's wrong?" Rasha asked him in a loud whisper.
"They're still asleep, I went hunting and skinned them some meat. It took a while to find a beast since they've all fled from these parts but I managed to get them something to keep them for a bit. It might help keep their strength up."
Rasha smiled at him. He was that kind of person. It made her warm inside to think of him caring for her in such a way if she should ever need it.
"Let's go," she said. Before she could get too sentimental, she kicked dirt over the fire and turned away. She looked back at the cabin once and she saw one little face staring out at them as they left. The sad little girl with dirty blonde hair with the look of determination on her face.
"May the Universal Eye keep watch over you, Yinka," Rasha said as they walked away.
10
RASHA DIDN'T HAVE TO WAIT long after sending her message before the call from the palace of Ishola came. Prince Bashir sent her a private communication while she and Jak were traveling through the woods of the Twinlands.
"Prince Bashir," she said, trying not to show her discomfort.
"Princess Indari, it's a pleasure to see you."
"You received my message."
"Yes, and I have the council looking into it immediately. However, I'm calling in regard to some other business."
"Of course, how can I be of assistance, your highness?"
"No need to be formal with me, Rash. I'm not calling about anything so serious. We're having a little party tomorrow night and your attendance is requested."
"Tomorrow?" Rasha almost dropped the communicator and had to sit down on a nearby log.
"Yes, I'm sure that dragon of yours will be able to manage it. Come by early, we'll have some gowns available for you to try on. I know how much you hate that sort of thing so I took the liberty of preparing a few items for you."
It was a good thing they'd reunited with Zele. She’d been waiting for them well away from the village. She'd been pacing the ground, hoping for their return.
"Um, thank you?" she said since he seemed to be waiting for a response from her.
"Of course, we'll see you after breakfast." He signed off and Rasha sat staring at the device in her hand.
"Prince Bashir?"
Rasha looked up into Jak's kind blue eyes and nodded.
"He sent me a written message. I guess I didn't warrant a face-to-face communication," Jak said.
He smiled and took a seat beside her on the log.
"You hate this," he said.
"I hate this."
"Let's get out of here."
"And go where? Anywhere we go they can follow us."
"Not if we go off planet. Some of the couriers from other places are making their way here for trade. We could find a place where we're not royalty and no one cares who we marry." Jak's eyes lit up with excitement as he spoke.
Rasha loved the idea. She wondered why she hadn't thought of it before. Granted, she'd never imagined leaving the planet on her own. But with a partner, she’d be unstoppable. They could live where and how they wanted. She thought about those she'd have to leave behind. A dragon wouldn't be easy to transport off world. Not that Zele would want to go, anyway. Then there was Ladi. It must have shown on her face because Jak put an arm around her shoulders.
"We won't leave, just yet. Let's get to the bottom of where Ladi has gotten off to and find a cure for this disease first."
Rasha nodded. Jak knew she wouldn't rest un
til they found Ladi. That mystery needed solving. They'd been all over the Twinlands looking for anyone with information on her. She'd disappeared. Rasha had been discreet when contacting the Morens to ask how they were doing. With the sickness going around, Rasha wanted to rule out her being at home. When they asked if she'd seen Ladi, it was clear they hadn't spoken to her either and neither of them had gotten sick.
"Why didn't she just tell me what's going on?" Rasha asked aloud.
"Maybe it's related to your very different beliefs about the Courier's Keep. Maybe we should go back there."
"It will have to wait. We're expected at the palace of Ishola tomorrow morning."
"Impatient fellow, isn't he?"
"I never knew anyone in such a hurry to be rejected."
* * *
The palace of Ishola made the former palace of Adalu look like a small shack. When Prince Bashir put his mind to rebuilding, he didn't want it to resemble the former in any way. The palace extended in all directions, with over two hundred and fifty bedrooms and a hundred guest rooms designed to entertain every royal in the kingdom and some. Some thought it elaborate, with its sprawling garden design in the middle of the desert and a large enclosed pool with a retractable roof. However, during the construction of the new palace, Prince Bashir spoke of the loss of his family and the princesses. He dedicated so many of the rooms and buildings. People soon forgot the heavy price tag that the building carried.
Rasha and Jak landed on the stony path leading to the palace entrance. That left the dragon plenty of room to avoid the manicured lawn. The intelligent beast had learned that it displeased Rasha when she destroyed the shrubbery around a castle. She took the same precautions here, curling up under a tree and keeping her large wings and tail tucked in to avoid smacking the saplings.
The palace was full of activity this morning. The servants bustled about, hanging lights and baskets of flowers. Most of the plants and trees wouldn't flower their first year. By next year, though, the place would be covered in several hundred varieties of imported flowers. The servants carried trays and boxes from one side of the palace to the other. The kitchens in the back held a steady flow of servants dressed in pressed whites carrying trays and ready to work.
The Courier's Quest (The Bolaji Kingdoms Series Book 3) Page 5