The Kota

by Sunshine Somerville

  “Lee, you have to believe me! I didn’t threaten-”

  “I don’t believe you! I don’t even know you, man! I can’t pretend like this is okay anymore!” Lee motioned up and down at him. “You stand there like a statue. You’re barely flesh and blood. It’s creepy!”

  This hurt. “Remember what the Interceder Prophecy says. ‘He alone will do the work, and he will do the work alone.’ I’m not connected to humanity in any real sense. I guess that’s the price I pay to do what I do.”

  “I hate how you speak of humanity as if you aren’t part of it.” Lee shook his head. “I’ve tried to accept that this whole Interceder thing means you’ve changed, but it’s more than that. You think you’re better than everyone – better than me! I’m the one in charge here, Troy! I’m the one who has the responsibility of bringing these children into the world!”

  Trok tried to stay calm. “I understand your confusion about how I’ve changed. I wasn’t exactly a Kota promoter way back when, and now here I am insisting you take it seriously. That must be frustrating. But keep in mind it’s been five hundred years for me – anyone can grow in that time span. And you need to listen to me. I may exist outside of time, but I’ve at least been awake this past half millennium. I watched humanity while you were frozen.”

  Lee rolled his eyes. “Oh, believe me, you’ve made it very clear you think I made a mistake by entering cryo. I have to tell you, the last thing I expected when I woke up was a lecture from you, Troy. I figured I’d be spared all that with you long dead.”

  “Funny how I pushed nothing and yet ended up right beside you, isn’t it? ‘Preservation’ apparently has a few different meanings.” Trok paused to hold down his frustration. Fighting wouldn’t be helpful.

  Lee, however, was up for a fight. “I did what I thought was best, Troy. I stand by that decision even now. It was up to me, since you didn’t believe in any of this at the time, don’t forget.”

  “But I believe it now!” Trok insisted. “That’s what matters. And I’m telling you, you need to listen to what I’ve learned and seen and-”

  “I’m not an idiot! I committed my life to the Kota long before you jumped on the bandwagon! I know what I’m doing. Why can’t you get that through your thick skull? I’m just doing what’s necessary to fulfill the prophecies!”

  I have to make him listen, thought Trok. His challenging the Dominion… His marriage… He hasn’t listened to me this whole time.

  “Lee, you need to be more careful. I don’t think it’s your responsibility to take the weight of these prophecies entirely on your shoulders. Following your own interpretations of the prophecies has caused nothing but trouble. Don’t talk down to me with this holier-than-thou attitude as if you were the great fulfiller of destiny, baby brother. This is bigger than you. Or me. Neither of us has control of this situation. You need to be careful.”

  Lee glared at him. “How hypocritical can you be? You talk about not taking control, but you try to order me around all the time! And now you’re threatening my wife because you don’t think she’s good enough?”

  There was nothing Trok could say. He saw that now.

  Good God, he thought. I’ve lost him. Lee hasn’t been listening to my advice for how long now? And Vedanleé knew exactly how to get rid of me…

  Lee took a noticeable breath to calm himself, then blew through his lips. “Look, maybe it’d be best if we got some distance. Keep warning us of danger, of course, but…leave me and Veda alone.”

  Trok nodded. “Yeah, that might be a good idea.”

  With a final sad smile at his brother, Trok made the hand motion that opened a portal. He heard gasps of awe from the Kota around the warehouse-turned-reception-hall. Before anyone could ask once again about the portal lights, he hurried to leave. Trok stepped into the portal, made the motion to close it, and left Lee to his bride.

  8

  “Let whatever happens happen”

  Three years sped by. Trok didn’t go to the Kota remnant anymore because he preferred to avoid their gossipy whispers about how the Bearers were fighting. When Vedanleé bore Lee a daughter, Trok hoped things might cool down, but they didn’t. If anything, Lee became more arrogant. The child was born with a circular Mark on the back of her arm near her shoulder, and the Kota remnant rejoiced. As was the custom of the Kota, Lee’s child should’ve been given a name resembling that of the mother’s. Lee chose the name ‘Loree,’ and everyone knew he chose the name because it bore a resemblance to his own as well as to Vedanleé’s.

  After waiting five hundred years to see his brother again, all this was rather disappointing.

  Trok had fashioned an armband pager that allowed Lee to signal him whenever he wanted to speak, which was rare. Instead of meeting face to face, Trok and Lee used black market transmitters to communicate. Lee’s was with him in the Kota camp. Trok kept his in an isolated, abandoned cabin in the northwestern region of the North Continent.

  Wind swirled outside the small cabin and blew pine needles and snow through the hole in the window pane. Trok felt nothing as he sat at a table in the otherwise empty room. He paused their transmitter conversation long enough to calm himself and watch the blowing snow.

  Why does Lee get me so riled? he thought. I’ve lived hundreds of years. I’ve had thousands of friends and enemies. No one frustrates me like my little brother. But this is important. What we’re working to accomplish is the only hope for mankind. I have to make him listen.

  Trok turned back to the transmitter and tried to sound patient. “Lee, the Dominion is slaughtering every Kota they find. Those with you are the last – you know this. I understand that means we have to hope the rest of the Marked children are born soon, but what if you mess something up? Look what happened with your ex-wife. You went overboard in your obsession with Loree’s Mark. I’m not sure I blame Vedanleé for leaving you. I warned you she wouldn’t be able to handle this. She never believed in these prophecies, I don’t think. The poor woman was just trying to escape her old life, and you were so kind as to give her a fresh start. The power behind witchcraft is a hard love to get over, and it’s not surprising she turned back to it once you became obsessed with Loree. Veda felt used, so she ran away. I’ve no doubt she’s still bitter because you used her.”

  Lee was silent, which suggested he was starting to listen.

  Trok stifled a big ‘I told you so.’

  Lee sighed into the transmitter. “Vedanleé knew what our life would be like when she married me, and she accepted it. I could’ve lived with her past faults – although the fact that she had ties with the leader of the Dominion should’ve been a blatant red flag, I admit. Trying to sneak away with Loree was unforgiveable, not to mention dangerous.”

  “Yes, ‘dangerous’ is the word du jour. Lee, the Dominion is searching for you with more intensity than I’ve ever seen, and I’ve watched them hunt down a lot of threats to their power. Olander knows Vedanleé had a child with the Mark, and he won’t stop until all threats to his power are gone. Lee, he has access to everything. You won’t be able to hide for long. You, Loree, and your new wife are in danger. You need to be careful.”

  Lee huffed.

  Trok glanced out at the snow. “I might’ve found a way to protect you. You’ve heard of the Underground, the main resistance group? They’re taking in refugees. If things get bad, I can put in a good word for you with Jole Cagod, their leader.”

  “The Kota remnant is hiding us quite well for now. Besides, I don’t dare travel with Zada so close to her delivery date.”

  Trok gaped. “Zada’s pregnant?”

  This explained why Zada had been mysteriously sequestered inside their family tent. Vedanleé, at the climax of her hatred of Trok, had cast a spell on the Kandoya family tent so Trok couldn’t see inside, not even by using his portals. Trok had told Lee about this, but Lee spitefully continued to use the cursed tent even after Vedanleé ran off. Apparently he’d kept Zada’s pregnancy a secret from Trok on purpose until no
w.

  What did he think I’d do? thought Trok.

  “Yes, Zada’s pregnant,” Lee confirmed. “The baby’s due soon, so the second Marked child is on the way.”

  This was news and cause for concern. “So are you going to handle yourself the same way this time? If this child is also born with the Mark, will you treat it as you do Loree? Loree’s only three, but already she’s picked up on your manner toward her. She’s not a god; she’s only a child.”

  “But she’s special. Loree has no reason to have mutate-genes, although granted they’re not abnormal anymore. But she is the only child to ever show signs of genetic abilities before puberty. That’s unheard of.”

  Trok had to concede this was true. “Yes, and Loree knows she’s different. I suspect the child within Zada’s belly will share the feeling. These prophecies don’t come out of thin air. There’s something about these children that’s unique, maybe even miraculous.”

  “What are you hinting at?” Lee’s voice dripped with curiosity. “Did you go into the future and see something?”

  “I can’t go into the future. I’m only shown points in future time when they’re shown to me. So, no, I don’t know anything about these prophesied children yet.” Trok sighed. “Right now, all I’m saying is that I think you need to be careful how you treat these children. We still don’t know what exactly to prepare them for.”

  “Let me handle my own family, Interceder. These children are Earth’s greatest hope, so of course I’m going to treat them differently. I’ll raise them however I see fit. You have no right telling me how to treat my own children.”

  Trok looked out the window for inspiration.

  Crap, he thought. It’s come to this. I have to tell him.

  “Lee, there’s something else I should tell you. I know your interpretations, but listen.

  ‘The Warriors

  The marked children will fulfill

  the work set out for them.

  First the Leader and the Hunter, joined.

  Second the Seer and the Fighter, compelled.’”

  “Yeah, so?”

  This was the major concern on Trok’s mind. It was how Lee might ruin everything. “Lee, I don’t think the prophecies mean for you to have all the children. That’s-”

  “But the Bearers Prophecy clearly says, ‘the one will seed; the other will foster.’ I’m meant to father these children, and you to watch over them. We agreed on that, I recall.”

  “I think,” Trok said slowly, “it only means we’re both to play a part in the Marked children’s lives. We aren’t solely responsible, as I keep trying to tell you. You’ve obviously sired one of the children, so you do play a part. I don’t know what my role as Bearer means yet, but I suspect you’re right and I’m to watch over them.”

  “So what’s your point?”

  Trok debated a moment. “Here’s the thing, Lee… A Marked child was born to another family. She has the exact same birthmark as your daughter.”

  “What?”

  “The girl was born a short time ago, in your camp, but her parents have kept her Mark secret. Both the man and his wife are loyal Kota, and they don’t know what it means that their daughter has the Mark only your children are supposed to have. They’re afraid. You’ve made these people believe your interpretations of the prophecies. But, the Warriors Prophecy suggests that the Marked children will be from two different families. Listen again.

  ‘The Warriors

  The marked children will fulfill

  the work set out for them.

  First the Leader and the Hunter, joined.

  Second the Seer and the Fighter, compelled.’”

  “Who are this girl’s parents? I’ll go to them and see for myself-”

  “They asked not to be revealed.”

  There was a pause followed by an angry, “You’ve talked to them and haven’t told me about this until now?”

  Trok took a breath, himself uneasy about these recent developments. “Lee, I’m trying to help them. I’m watching after the other Marked child. If anything happens, I’ll let you know. And don’t go storming through your camp, asking to see every baby girl. Just trust me, if you still have that in you.”

  Lee was livid. “But we’re the Bearers, Troy.”

  “Yes. You will ‘seed’ some of the children, and I will ‘foster’ them. I think the Warriors Prophecy explains this – the Leader and Hunter will be from one family, but the Seer and Fighter from another. Loree is the firstborn, so she must be the Leader. That would suggest your coming child will be the Hunter. The other Marked girl was the second child born, so she must be the Seer.”

  Go easy, thought Trok.

  He took a breath before saying for the hundredth time, “I don’t think your interpretations of these prophecies are correct, Lee. It’s like I’ve been saying – the newer prophecies seem to show clearer interpretations of the old. Each new prophecy balances out an older one. The Interceder Prophecy complements the Bearers Prophecy. The Warriors Prophecy goes with the Mark Prophecy. See what I mean? I think the newer prophecies only came to the remnant because we needed clarification.”

  As there was a pause, Trok surmised that Lee did at last understand and agree.

  “I still love you, brother. Please, believe me. I’ve been trying to help, not trying to make you angry.”

  And I’m sorry I was right about Vedanleé, he thought.

  “Lee, you might not play as big a role as you’d like, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t important. Just tone it down a little. Raise your daughter and your coming newborn. We’ll see what comes. Maybe for once we need to let whatever happens happen. The Warriors Prophecy says these four children will be Warriors, and I have no idea what that means. We may be wrong in thinking they’ll be genius scientists who’ll cure the virus. We have no choice but to slow down and make sense of things.”

  “Troy, I can’t believe you’ve hidden this from me.” He was irate, even if he was listening now.

  “Honestly, Lee, I wasn’t sure what you’d do if you knew. Until recently, I wasn’t even sure what I knew.” Trok sighed. “And you can stop calling me Troy. You know I go by Trok now. A proper name isn’t necessary in my line of work.” He’d meant this to be funny.

  Lee took it another way. “And I’m the one who’s being holier-than-thou, Trok?” With that, he ended the transmission.

  Trok switched off the transmitter and glared at the ancient machine. He decided they must never speak again unless face to face.

  9

  “Take care of them”

  Three more years later, Trok stood outside his moonlit, isolated cabin. The porch stairs sagged from rotting wood, and the main door hung loose on its hinges. But no matter. Trok only needed this location as a rendezvous. The Collins family wouldn’t stay long enough to need shelter.

  Trok heard the crunching of snow and turned to see them coming down the moonlit trail. He’d told Drake Collins to bring his family here, since Dominion patrols ignored these woods. Also, the Kota camp they were fleeing was within walking distance.

  “Trok.” Drake Collins was a well-built man, appearing even stockier because of the large coat he wore. He reached with a glove to shake Trok’s bare hand.

  Trok only then remembered the cold of this region. As was usual when he entered time, he physically sensed nothing. He wondered if his bare hands even could get frostbite.

  Refocusing, Trok inspected Roux Collins, a pretty blonde, and the two children. Alex, the Marked girl, had grown and was now four. She stood beside her mother, bundled in warm clothes, peeking up at Trok with blue eyes. Roux held her son in her arms. Ryu was only a year old.

  At long last the Leader, Hunter, Seer, and Fighter of the Warriors Prophecy had entered the world.

  Trok swallowed as he examined the children. He had yet to meet Loree or his nephew.

  He faced Drake. “Did anyone give you trouble for leaving?”

  The big man shook his head and exhaled a cloud of
breath. “No one’s known what to do with us since that nurse discovered Ryu’s Mark. Your brother and the rest of the camp… Well, they’ll notice we’re gone, but I don’t think they’ll question why we left. Everyone knows how awkward life’s been.”

  Trok nodded.

  This is so awful, he thought. Lee’s so fixated on being right that he can’t accept these children. Everyone in the camp treats the Collins family like they don’t belong. Now they’re going to leave our people, live in isolation…

  “I’ve spoken with your mother,” he said to Drake. “She’s looking forward to having you stay with her. Are you sure about this?”

  Drake looked at his family. “This is best. It’ll be better to live with my mother in her village. I want my children to grow up in a place where they won’t be stared at as either freaks or mankind’s only hope.”

  Trok had to agree with this. “You can never tell your new neighbors that you’re Kota. I’ve investigated your mother’s village. I think you’ll be safe there, but you must be careful. If the kids are ever reported to Dominion authorities…”

  “We’ll keep their Marks secret.” Roux cradled her son and looked down at her daughter. “We’ll raise them to model the Kota faith, but they’ll grow up oblivious to their…destiny.”

  Drake nodded at me, his eyes serious but kind. “We’ll only tell Alex and Ryu the whole truth when you say it’s time. I promise, when the time comes we’ll prepare them for their work.”

  Whatever that work may be, thought Trok with a frown. I still don’t know what these children are supposed to do!

  But he agreed Drake and Roux’s plan was for the best.

  Trok turned and opened a portal. The burst of red and yellow lights cast a glow over the snowy woods, and Trok heard Alex gasp beside her mother.

  Trok faced the girl and smiled. “Okay. Let’s go meet your grandmother.”