Inner Sanctuary

by D. Jordan Redhawk

  Valmont took up position at the window, his casual stance somehow revealing a deeper level of peace within him. His expression was more open than Whiskey was accustomed to, the last couple of days taking its toll. She liked the switch, finding him incrementally closer to the Valmont of Elisibet’s memories, less acrimonious, less inclined to sarcastic flippancy. His confession had been good for his soul, his second swearing of fealty a balm against the punishment he’d meted out against himself for murdering his best friend. It would be stupid for Whiskey to ignore his history, but this easing of his acerbic nature did wonders for her ability to forgive him for past actions.

  Castillo, too, had changed, his bearing more confident than it had been over the months. He bowed to Whiskey and sat in a chair across from her. He carried himself taller, assured of his place on her board of advisors. Although the others were strong enough to destroy his mind on a whim, he had come to trust in his capabilities and those of his companions’.

  Chano sat beside the padre, easing his old bones into the second chair and leaning his cane against the arm. Whiskey hadn’t known him long enough to see any alterations in his behavior, but that didn’t matter. He was there, a wise voice to offset her first youthful inclinations and a level head bringing balance to the group as a whole.

  Together they made a formidable team, one that would take The Davis Group far and wide. Whiskey remembered the old Agrun Nam, the one of Elisibet’s time. They had been strong together, as well, but the death of their Usumgal and centuries of manipulation by the Sweet Butcher had weakened them.

  They had fought each other when they should have banded together against her. Nam Lugal Nahib had realized this truth, and had taken steps to correct it. His actions had come too late, the disastrous repercussions still ringing to this day. From what Dorst had reported to Whiskey, things hadn’t changed much in their council chambers. They still fought and clawed against each other to keep their shreds of power. Only the appearance of Whiskey, their Ninsumgal reborn, had begun the change in their power structure. She was certain that this was exactly what Mahar’s prophecy meant. I will bring order to chaos, compassion to corruption, and peace to warring people.

  She smiled.

  Glossary

  Aga Gasan - lady crown, [“the crown” and “lady”]; term used for a princess of the blood.

  Aga Maskim Sañar - Bertrada Nijmege’s title; Judiciary of the High Court of the Agrun Nam.

  aga ninna - fearsome crown [“the crown” and “fearsome lady”].

  aga’us/aga’usi - security, policeman, soldier [“the crown” and “to follow”].

  Aga’gída - the Ninsumgal’s personal guard [“the crown” and “just” and “to protect”. Literally - to protect the just crown].

  Agrun Nam - council [“inner sanctuary” and “fate, lot, responsibility”].

  Baruñal - midwife to the Ñíri Kurám process.

  gasan - lady, mistress, queen.

  Gidimam Kissane Lá - ghost walker, a talent, able to move through solid objects.

  Gúnnumu Bargún - shape shifter, a talent, able to change appearance.

  Ki’an Gasan - Margaurethe O’Toole’s title [“beloved” and “lady, mistress, queen”].

  kizarus, kizarusi - vessel [“large vessel” and “to tap” and “blood”], vessels.

  lúkal - dear one.

  m’cara - beloved (not Sanguire, but an affectation of Margaurethe O’Toole for Elisibet Vasilla).

  minn’ast - beloved (not Sanguire, but an affectation of Elisibet Vasilla for Margaurethe O’Toole).

  Nam Lugal - Lionel Bentoncourt’s title; leader of the Agrun Nam.

  Ninsumgal - lady of all, sovereign, dragon, monster of composite power; official title of Elisibet.

  Ñíri Kurám - the change, the turning [“path” and “strange” and “to take/to traverse”].

  Saggina - local magistrate for European Sanguire.

  sañar/sanari - councilor of the Agrun Nam.

  Sañur Gasum - eunuch assassin [“eunuch” and “I will” and “to slaughter”]; Reynhard Dorst’s title.

  Ugula Aga’us - Captain of the Ninsumgal’s personal guard, the Aga’us.

  Usumgal - lord of all, sovereign, dragon, monster of composite power; official title of Elisibet’s father.