Arnica

by I. Christie

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  Tukuli nearly jumped out of his skin when a voice angrily started yelling in a foreign language. Listening to the tirade reminded him of himself not so long ago when he verbally abused a shonae servant in his Ju'n teacher's home.

  But that was another life. He mentally cursed at the situation he was in but not with the same intensity as he did months ago. Was that how long he had been here? No, it could not be. It only felt that way. Probably only a week, his conscience taunted him. He tuned in again to the voice. It sounded like he was making a list of something. Probably all his complaints against life, Tukuli snorted. He had more problems then him, he thought with some smugness. Anger will get him nowhere.

  Tukuli rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Anger. He was always angry. That was why his teacher had invited him to his place because living on Allint was starting to give him headaches.

  That, he reminded himself was why he was ordered not to return to Allint…until he was considered cleaned. His anger again flashed. His cousin had no business telling everyone he could not safely reside on Allint. She publicly shamed him. He was not going to be marring anyone that was that rude. Her position as Queen obviously went to her head.

  A voice near his ear suddenly shouted at him.

  Tukuli lashed out an arm in startlement, trying to push away the invader of his personal space, and then he became angry. He was going to shout obscenities when his pride reminded him that he was at a disadvantage. Whatever familiar retorts he had used in the past would do him more harm then good in his present circumstances.

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  He heard someone shouting the call for a police officer. That word he recognized.

  Finally he found his voice. "How dare you shout at me!"

  "Tukie, Tukie!" his young helper called frantically. He felt small hands grab his hand and tug at him to follow.

  "What? What? Where are you taking me?" Tukuli tried to follow the boy without tripping over anything. They took the same steps he had been using since his arrival; he knew how to hurry down them without falling so he allowed himself to be pulled by the boy not understanding the situation, but trusting his young guide.

  His guide did not follow the same route to the baths, instead he pulled him along a road, smooth, and well maintained. Tukuli guessed he was in a wealthy town if there were no holes in the road, then he fell as his foot caught on a slight rise of the road.

  "Tukie," the young boy whispered urgently, "get up, get up!"

  "What is wrong? I have not done anything wrong!"

  "You cannot live in private temples!"

  The boy had told him that almost everyday, encouraging him to move to the healers' hospice, but Tukuli had flatly told him he was not going to go anywhere until whoever put him where he was, removed him themselves. What Tukuli could not understand about shoane was what the big deal it was for him to live in a temple. Monks did it all the time, and the temples were his cousin's. Now that caused him to think a little more. If the temple was part of M'Lu's holdings, why was he not feeling ill? And how did the person that was making all that noise manage to enter the temple without hurting himself.

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  He would have asked the boy but he had to concentrate on the change of the road.

  They were now on a rough path. Finally the boy stopped and pushed him until he sat on a tree stump.

  "Where are we?"

  "My camp," the boy answered from a distance. By the sounds he was preparing for something.

  "What kind of a temple was that?"

  "Don't you know?" the boy asked closer, sounding surprised.

  "No."

  "The Turnkey built it over his son's mound. He built it as a memorial and called it a temple, but it has no real function except that the dead man's son visits it every now and then and curses his grandfather and father for their mistakes."

  "It must have a lot of bad energy in there," Tuluki muttered. "Why does anyone allow it?"

  "It's part of his healing," the boy answered further away.

  "What are you doing?" Tuluki asked finally.

  "I am preparing you a place to sleep. You must not go wandering around here and you must not shout."

  "Ah. A squatter," he nodded.

  " We are."

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  "Yes…we are." Tuluki realized that maybe his pride was putting this boy's livelihood in jeopardy. He was feeling more than out of his element. He sighed.

  "It will be okay, Tukie. Maybe it's better you didn't go to the healers' cottage. You would have had to work for your board and keep and you would not like what work they have for you."

  "What would that be?"

  "Washing."

  Tuluki's hands reflexively curled with the repugnance of doing menial work.

  "Don't they have machines to do that?" Maybe he was mistaken and this was not a wealthy town.

  "Contemplation through work," the boy stated easily, and by the sounds, he was doing some.

  "Must you always be busy?" Tuluki demanded, for some reason feeling uncomfortable.

  "If I don't finish this, we will be found and evicted. I will be sent away and you will go to the healers' hospice," he warned.

  "Well, what are you doing? Maybe I can help," he added gruffly.

  "Stay where you are and don't move…and be quiet!" he hissed fiercely. "Sound travels at night," he softer.

  Whatever he was doing, it sounded like a lot of trouble. Tuluki was wondering just where they were that needed so much secrecy and then why the boy was helping him.

  Tiredly, Tuluki pulled his legs up and attempted to sit the solui pose but realized he had not done it for so long that his body was not limber enough for it. So, he sat in a modified version. If he had to remain quiet and not move, to protect his sanity he would meditate.

  He nearly laughed. His teacher had said meditation was for people who had nothing to do, and here he was.

  Chapter 14

  Queen M'Lu had been sitting on the elaborately carved throne for four hours listening to petitions from various clan members for exemption on one rule of Drosu or another for their special project. Just as Guardian had feared, those who stood to lose prestige as well as privilege were trying to talk the young monarch out of enforcing the mandate…as if she could or would. These were citizens of Arnica that seldom visited Allint, and who were apathetic to the royal presence until their personal interests on Allint were to be brought to an end.

  The new cabinet was present and were disgruntled that such petitions were being allowed to be heard. With amusement the Queen watched the play between the next group as they nervously approached the throne, and the Guardian and the Sacred Jester.

  Smiling to herself, she could feel C'Lea and Ji'am make a silent agreement. The Guardian and Sacred Jester had decided to put a stop to the petitioners who were not listening to those before them, asking for the same exemptions and after all that, getting the same reply. Or, perhaps they were weary of protecting them from the high energy of the palace.

  "My Queen, it is Lord Besame from the Hiyanta mountains and his cousins from 4th continent, Octuple. We have heard of Lord Besame's talents as a speaker and 342

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  storyteller and how on winter days he can spin a tale that would make one forget the howling cold weather outside one's home," the Sacred Jester commented to the Queen, loud enough for everyone in the hall to hear.

  The young Queen managed not to laugh.

  "So far all those that have been before us have been referred to read the noble book on Drosu living, therefore, I would like to hear the noble Lord read from this inspirational book. It is said, My Queen, that hearing inspirational words aloud, reinspires even the uninterested."

  The Queen nodded wordlessly to the Jester. Ji'am l
ooked expectantly at C'Lea who presented him a book which he handed to the Dwarf who was uncertain to feel honored or out maneuvered.

  From the podium, he cleared his throat. "And to those noble souls that wish to walk with an open heart…." began the Dwarf, "is the journey along the compassionate path…"

  Queen M'Lu listened to the words and the rhythm, realizing that the Dwarf indeed had a gift for verbal presentation. However, she could also see that he had fallen in of late with cousins from the 4th continent that presented an easier life for him. She watched the colors that played about him, content that as he read, he also heard on a multitude of levels the truth of the words and was responding to the messages. Even his cousins were positively affected, though it would take a lot more than hearing an inspirational reading.

  Momentarily, she touched her connection with Guardian and Sacred Jester and decided they were handling the meeting well. Queen M'Lu let her thoughts wander to the Queen 343

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  Mother. She was sure that there was a change in her mother's condition but now was not the time to approach her.

  Mentally she searched the palace grounds then moved to the outer parameters, testing energy and anything that may have changed since her last inspection. Kiuzi guards blended in with the citizens, looking for anyone that was using artificial means to be on Allint. The reason for anyone to make the effort to come to Allint would be to harm a member of the royal family. Commander O'Malley felt it would be a simultaneous attack against her mother and her, thus splitting the Kiuzi guards of the palace. The Queen left that for her commander while she was more concerned with the off-world soldiers. She worried about the physical changes in their bodies from their inability to adapt to Arnica's energy.

  The Queen sighed and returned her attention to the Dwarf's reading. He was at the part she loved to hear.

  "Heart to heart…communion. Intimacy of divineness surpassed by cosmic blowouts and wondrous emanations weaving realities beyond imagination… Everlasting life flowing through seen and unseen, felt and unfelt, imagined and unimagined, yet unlimited by dualities. We are limited only by what we think…"

  Again the Queen's thoughts wandered to the worlds she shared with the creatures of Arnica and from other dimensions. Suddenly she sat up.

  When the Dwarf finished his reading she nodded to him.

  "My Lord Besame, let a proclamation go out that the Queen has been honored to hear a voice as compelling as yours read an inspirational book that Allint holds as their 344

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  guideline for living. If possible, WE would like to hear you read from Johan Se's book of collected praises to the Beloved. The Royal Secretary will arrange a time that would be convenient for both our busy calendars."

  Queen M'Lu thought the Dwarf was going to faint.

  "I believe at one time the royal house did have a loremaster. If you care to fill that post, Lord Bisbane, then it is yours and from the moment of your acceptance, let your new title be Loremaster to the Queen." Queen M'Lu looked toward her secretary who was already planning the necessary preparations.

  The Sacred Jester and Guardian both knew that Lord Bisbane was just given a role that would require a lot of work with the monks to rise his energy level and instruct him in the profound and mundane works the Queen loved to read and hear read.

  "I…My Queen…" he bowed toward her overwhelmed. "I would be most honored to take such a position in your cabinet."

  "Good! We shall all benefit Loremaster. So it shall be announced that I have found a Loremaster. Guardian will find you a suitable Librarian. One that knows my tastes." She smiled and nodded to the Guardian that she was finished for the day.

  The Guardian closed the meeting.

  "WE will be having visitors. The monks that were Mother's advisors will be at the Queen's Lodge in two days. Since Commander O'Malley is working with the off-worlders Kaili Maipuga will be in attendance." Queen M'Lu spoke to her sister and Ji'am as she led the way quickly to the palace garden.

  "What is it?" C'Lea asked her sister as she looked around her, looking for any danger that may headed their way.

  "I know what mother is holding!"

  Further conversation was stopped when the three suddenly felt the change in the air. The alert Kiuzi were ready and met the attack. Weapons that were from the offworlders lit up the sky as they were launched from a residence nearby and headed for the three.

  Chapter 15

  Their movement in the tunnel echoed, thus making it difficult for JG to know if there was anything ahead or behind them. Nameer was uncomfortable with so many around him and his agitation was translating into a headache for her. The smell of the mixture of species only exacerbated the darkness and closeness of the walls around them.

  It was worse than being in an underground rail station during the summer.

  "Hold up," JG called softly. Horiku sent a mental order to the rest. The water bags were passed around. Small murmurs between the survivors were too loud for JG and she found her temper rising. If she were not carrying the Dwarf on the plank she would be pacing as Nameer, perhaps escaping by running up the tunnel with the excuse that she was scouting out its safety. That realization tipped her off that her connection to Nameer was affecting her. Perhaps she needed to disconnect from him, though she hesitated because she liked the feel.

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  JG turned to Horiku who was sitting next to her, watching her. "Horiku, about this mind thing…" she sighed heavily and almost laughed at herself.

  "Though we're not sharing mental thoughts, our combined nervous energy is causing a buildup of force that will need to be displaced or we will all be ill," Horiku explained. "I have been using various Drosu techniques; however, I am not skilled in dealing with so much at once."

  JG rubbed her forehead. "I'm not feeling too comfortable with this situation either.

  Maybe if all of us practice these techniques. Are they secret or…" she swallowed as her own anxiety at the closeness of the place turned into a nauseous stomach.

  Horiku shook her head. "It's a visualization of a comfortable place," Horiku explained. "However, every time I think I have the thought something comes and dissolves it. It is replaced with anxiety."

  "One of these people?"

  "I am too anxious to know."

  Nameer's grumpy mood suddenly got worse. He let out a mental roar, or was it physical. JG's head jerked up and she peered into the darkness behind her and in front of her. No one else appeared to have heard it. Not even Horiku who was drinking deeply from the water bottle. The roar cleared her mind.

  If this were a group of soldiers whose spirits were low, they would be singing marching songs or… "How about a chant?" JG was surprised at her choice of words.

  Song was what she meant.

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  Horiku nodded, looking older than she had when JG first met her. Was all this aging them? It was a funny thought, JG told herself, but thinking about it more she realized that it was a common belief that dreary thoughts aged the thinker. JG shook her head, ruefully reminding herself that on Arnica, thoughts were as real as…

  "Whatever we choose must not be powerful or we will have a clash of energy and a disruption of the purpose of this site that many feel is sacred," Horiku pointed out.

  "What would you suggest?" JG asked, totally out of her element.

  Horiku rose and glanced around the scattered group. "We shall ask them each what gives them comfort. The color of their aura will be the tone for them to hum. We will then see what the combination of vibrations have on the energy as a whole."

  This was really out of her league. JG nodded. Horiku began her collection of information among the group. JG squinted and then after a while, relaxed her sight. She was startled to see different glows around each person Horiku questioned.

  They spent t
ime with everyone humming or thinking of the sound until Horiku was satisfied on who should hum out loud and who should mentally hum. JG was not just amazed at what she was seeing but that something so subtle could effect so strongly what was around them. She shook her head, bemused with herself at the continued reminders that Arnica was not like any other planet she had visited. It made her curious to know what the cities were like and how business was conducted since some of the mental games played with buyer and seller would take on a different flavor here. It probably would be a lot more complicated than the gambling games she played in the villages.

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  JG felt a pop inside her head. Her tension was gone. She promptly jumped up, wanting to move on.

  "Are we ready?" she asked glancing around. The people nodded and Nameer growled.

  "Excuse me," a small voice at her elbow said.

  "Yes?"

  "If we go further, the tunnel will be too low for the others to follow…"

  "Then we'll pick another exit. No one gets left behind," JG told him gently.

  He nodded. "If the left tunnel is taken, it leads out. I remember hearing a story of the Well. To the right is the way to the top of the mountain. The others will not be able to follow the right because they are not meant to."

  JG nodded understanding what he was trying to say. "Thank you…?"

  "Jac."

  "Jac. We'll split up then." JG went to speak with the others. They were happy their exile would be ending soon.

  JG turned to Horiku. "I would feel better if you guided them out. I can take Master Dwarf from here."

  Horiku thought of the two paths being presented to her. Opening her heart, she realized that JG had to finish her singu without her. The tunnel, like a birth canal to many species, was JG's movement into another phase of her growth. Horiku refocused her attentions to the group of survivors that still had an uphill climb in the dark to the exit.

  She heard Chumka's recitation of the story for JG and the rest of the groups benefit. It told of further tests for them whichever tunnel they chose. This was the Well of Despair that was used as an initiation for the higher drousan's and if these people wanted to get out, they would have to take on the mantle of the initiate. She could feel the group's slight hesitation and then a collective sigh, as they all accepted it. Because they lacked her training she would attend to them. However, leading them, she would not. This was their journey. She gave a prayer to the Beloved and a message of her progress to the Queen.