When finally the winds passed and the village Godan began to wake up, preparing to begin what would culminate in a new harvest, unwelcome visitors passed through the portal of the village and they invaded its interior without difficulties. A group of armed pirates managed to easily hand over the men who took their guard duties to the fortress of the trunks and ordered everyone in Godan to gather in the center of the village.
Garo-lin wondered if those could be the same pirates who had kidnapped her, but it was not them. Upon realizing this, she also considered the possibility of using his almaki to attack them, but it would be stupid. She would not think twice about going over the statement she had signed saying that he would never use her almaki again if it were to defend one of your own. However, it was just one and I did not know how many souls could be in the group. To attack them without a plan or without a certainty that she could face them was the same as condemning the whole village. So she simply joined the others, obeying the order they gave. I would wait and listen, and, whatever happened, I would decide what to do.
Their first surprise was that they did not act like the rogue pirates of whom they had fame. They seemed very well organized, as if they were a delegated group for a mission. When they received confirmation that they were all there, they called the father of Garo-nan, the village leader, at the front, and handed him a letter. Even though he was sick and struggling for his age, Father Godan obeyed, aware that at that moment he was still the leader of the village.
With a satisfied smile from those who had sensed the vilashi's weakness, the representative of the invaders announced, so that all could hear:
— From now on, this village and all of you belong to us!
Thinking that he had heard very wrong what he had said, Garo-lin looked around and found only frightened eyes that said he had heard exactly the same thing. How did they belong to the pirates?
Father Godan, shocked, opened the letter and read. Then he just turned to the others, clearly stating, with an alarmed look, that this was true.
A general murmur burst forth among the vilashis, and then a shout ordered everyone to be silent. Then the pirate who had spoken pointed to the warehouse where the seeds, sprouts, and what they had traded in Routes before the winds were, said:
— Load it up now!
***
— What are we going to do without food? – Asked an old lady, the one responsible for the stocks in the warehouse, shaking hands with each other, not hiding her concern. – We have more children and old men in the village than at any other time. How are we going to survive like this?
— Our gardens will not be enough to feed the whole village – one man said – and until they produce again, we will have nothing.
— Our oil stock has been withdrawn. How can we go to the Routes to buy more if we have nothing to sell?
— Why did the royal state do this to us?
That was the question that haunted all the residents of Godan. Where was the royal state?
The Inland Valley had been given to the Vashashis for an annual tribute, which was charged in the Routes when they took what they produced. It had been that way for years, since their first ancestors entered Almakia. How had the Royal State suddenly passed the Inland Valley to be run by a group of pirates? And how did they simply do it, as if vilashis were something that came to the land given?
Even if they were a group that did not even seemed the bad guys they knew, it was just an organized way to rob them. They had a document stamped with the Royal State that gave them permission to do as they pleased. But Garo-lin had serious doubts about the legitimacy of the document.
As Garo-nan explained to her, whether it was true or not, it was risky to answer. If not, they would run the risk of facing a group that had no scruples about using the image of Almakia's greatest authority. If so, they were at risk of breaking an official order and would suffer the consequences.
— Greater consequences than starving and surrendering everything we have in their hands? – She asked perplexedly, unable to accept that situation at all.
But what could they do?
After the pirates had taken everything they had in the community store, with the promise that they would return in a few days to show what the new order would be, they left only two of the group to settle at the village gate. Faced with a lack of vigilance in the inner area, the vilashis gathered to discuss what they should do. Using Godan's house instead of the central floor where they could speak without the attention of the pirates on guard, some people were summoned to try to find a solution, and Garo-lin was among them, as was his father Chari-lin and Mira-lin too.
According to information that came from outside, people who had crossed the bridge to visit their relatives and managed to return after being thoroughly interrogated by the pirates, Godan was not the only one in that situation. They started in the western villages and were using the Yue River to carry what they used to pile up. In some places there was an opposition that had been violently overthrown, but most acted sensibly and obeyed, knowing that it could not resist.
— I think we should first confirm that this really happened – said Garo-nan.
— As well? Asked Father Godan.
— I think we should go to the Routes and know what's going on.
— But they will not let us out – Chari-lin argued.
— We need to try. We just need someone to go there. – He explained his idea.
— If it is confirmed that this is a rack of pirates, that person can ask for help. If it is true, we can at least have a chance to put what we are going through and ask for action.
Garo-lin held himself so as not to let out a grunt of disbelief. Had they not understood when she had explained that they could not count on the rest of Almakia?
Reaching for her thoughts, Garo-nan continued:
— I know that what we take to the Rotas goes to the whole of Almakia. Whoever takes him there, if they are pirates or vilashis, does not make the slightest difference between them. But if we can not produce it, there is nothing to carry into the city and there is no balance. Surely these pirates are aware of this.
Surprised, she understood the breadth of what he was saying. The reason why the almakins did not get rid of the vashashis – since they were considered undesirable – was because they were aware that the reality was totally contrary to what they wanted it to be. If the Inland Valley failed to produce the staple food, the whole proud Almaki Society would not stand. What was the use of wealth and power when there was no food? She knew the soul-life of the almakins, and she knew they would not know how to live without the wealth they were accustomed to, and they would not know where to begin to recover it if they suddenly lost it. To deprive the Vashashis of the means to continue their work was to condemn all Almakia to stop. Unless...
— Do you think they would be able to do that to force us out of the Inland Valley? – Asked in disbelief, and everyone present was silent and stared at her.
— You know them better than we do, Garo-lin. Do you think so?
She did not have to answer, because the answer was clear in her expression.
Suddenly a perfect plan from the point of view of the soul-snobs arose in his mind: they would leave no means of subsistence for the Vashashis and compel them to seek refuge elsewhere, giving way for more acceptable ones to take their place.
Something bubbled inside her, releasing all that long-restrained anger against those who controlled Almakia, awakening her sense of justice that had been heavily shaken within the Institute.
— Would you go to the Routes for us, Garo-lin? – Father Godan asked in a weak voice, unable to hide his expectancy. – Besides understanding the outside world more than any of us, you have a way of defending yourself."
Even if the atmosphere had been filled with the hopeful air of everyone present, this was not necessary to influence his decision.
— I'll go – she said, aware that she was the only one who could leave Godan with
a chance to come up with a satisfactory answer.
Chapter 23 – A tip of the conspiracy
With borrowed clothes from Chari-lin – to look more like a curious Vilashi boy than a suspicious fugitive – Garo-lin faced the cold of the night and went hidden to one end of the fortress of the village. It was a well-known place of yours and practically everyone who was a child there, where there was an opening near the ground where one could pass if it were small enough. Although she was not so small as to be able to pass without difficulty, she had not grown much in time away from the village and managed to drag herself without attention. Once outside the edge of the village, she looked carefully around to see if she had not been seen by anyone and, in the face of silence, pulled her backpack through the hole and ran through the shadows.
Although the worst part of the Nanfan Storm period had already passed, the snow would still remain for some time, until the cold gave way to warmer air. Walking was not easy for anyone who had been unaccustomed to the frozen scenery, but her willingness to do her best was what guided her to find passageways through those inaccessible places.
She slipped through the very forest where she'd been kidnapped, treading carefully, for the fear that place made her now. He jumped down the stream and climbed the rocks, plunging deeper and deeper into the trees. When she was far enough not to be seen, she did something she hoped she would never do again: she waved an almaki flame for light.
For a moment, she stood there with the absurd idea that one of her masters would come before her and accuse her of breaking her oath and never again using her almaki. But it was obvious that that would not happen, and there were things more troubling now than the fact that she was breaking an oath she had taken before going through the Black Gates.
His father had explained to him about a division that she could take by passing through the plantations, where at most a two-day walk he would reach one of the great roads that led to the Rotas. There, almost outside the Inland Valley region, she could get a ride to get to town. Godan's people clandestinely gathered up the few valuable possessions they had and handed her over, in case she needed the resources to accomplish his mission at that point. Even knowing that many of these things had been in the families for years, Garo-lin accepted the help only because they represented to them a hope that nothing bad would happen. Since there would only be real chances of reaching the city by going alone, without arousing suspicion, that was the way they found to be able to help her. But she had decided that if she found herself in a situation she needed, she would first use what she herself had: the sphere and her Piece of Almakia. Even though they had not been able to get rid of them, they could now be useful and have no regrets.
However, had no idea to ask for a ride.
As soon as he reached the road and spent some time on the shores, watching the movement, he realized that there was another way.
This was the road that connected Routes to the High Valleys, where the Royal Capital was, and the movement was intense, whether it was wagons, trains, wagons, or travelers on foot. There were no rails for an express like on the road that linked to the Fire Capital by which she had come. The rails of the Royal Capital were also linked to the Fire Capital, not directly to the Routes, a preferred route by major travelers. That road was more of a trade route, so what happened was cargo, both ways.
Seeing an opportunity, she waited until it was darkening and waited for a large convoy to pass. When one of them appeared, she stepped onto the road, walking in disguise as one of the walkers, following him closely. Making sure no one was watching, she jumped into the tall wooden body and climbed up with all the agility of her size, past the canvas that covered her and slid into the cargo, finding an empty space between crates where she could accommodate. Immediately she listened to the movement outside, but there was nothing to show it had been seen. But at the same moment a strong odor struck her nose and she twisted in a grimace, since she could not move her arms to cover her face. It was a load of garlic and the air was impregnated. Then, arranging a way to open a crack in the canvas that was enough to breathe a little better, she began to hope that the Rotas was not too far and hoping that getting out of there was not that difficult.
***
-WHAT IS IT?!
Garo-lin woke up in a frightened manner and looked around, seeing the frowning face of a man who was staring at her as if he were not believing her daring.
— A vilashi?! – He asked, more surprised still.
Even if she wore a hood that covered her hair, her yellow eyes betrayed her completely.
Then, without much thought, Garo-lin jumped from his hiding place and forced his sleeping body to run as hard as he could, mingling in the crowd of the Routes and soon disappearing from view. When she thought she was safe, she turned in an alley and hid behind large garbage cans, out of breath and bending with aching muscles.
Tired of the days she had walked, she ended up sleeping unnoticed, even in that uncomfortable position inside the body. Fortunately, the person responsible for the train had been so amazed to find her there that she exclaimed loud enough to wake her.
When she'd been able to breathe again, she let herself slide down the wall and sat on the floor, pulling the bag from her back and checking if everything was there. Luckily, she'd let nothing fall in her run. Then she took an old, stale potato muffin from the package Juri-lin had made for her. Even though she had told her sister she did not need it, that she would arrange it with food and keep it for them, her sister had been more convincing on the grounds that she would never forgive herself if she collapsed from hunger and could never make it. Now, with her stomach bellowing like never before, she felt immensely grateful and the loaf of bread tasted like the tastiest thing in the world. There were still three more of them, which he would try to save for an emergency. In that big and busy city, could get something. The most important thing was to fulfill his mission.
She picked up a paper in which Garo-nan had scribbled a map for her. All she had to do was get to the center of Routes, in the mosaic that pointed in all directions. Once there, there was no getting around to the Royal State department building, where the vilashis paid their tribute every year. If there was a place where could know what was happening, it was there.
The only problem would be to get to the Center of Routes.
The time she had been in the city with the Fire Dragon, he had led her through the narrow streets, taking shortcuts that to him did not seem complicated at all. For her alone, not knowing at least which of the various entrances had passed, it was like being there for the first time.
Then, without much certainty, she left the alley, holding the paper firmly in her hands and moving in the opposite direction to the one she had come running. If she did not find the channel, she would have to ask someone how to get there, which she did not want to do.
For a long time, walked to no avail. When she passed the fifth time in front of the same pottery shop and other metal utensils, decided it was time to ask for information.
Using a husky voice to make her boyish guise more believable, she approached a store clerk who sorted out the items on a sample stand and asked:
— Young man, can you tell me how to get to the bridge that leads to the city center?
He stared at her momentarily and then looked both ways and answered rudely:
— What are you doing here?! We do not want problems! Go away!
Not understanding his reaction, but not wanting to tease him in any way, she pulled away. She took one last look back, just in time to see the clerk whispering to a companion who went out to see what had happened, and by the way they looked at her, she felt there were problems. Then, quickening his pace, he quickly disappeared among the people and did not venture to ask for information again.
It was close to noon when finally found the channel and followed it, until she could still recognize the sign of the bookstore where he had passed the other time. She could not resist looking through the shop win
dow and seeing that the store owner was there behind her counter, just like that day. Giving an involuntary smile, she prepared to continue his journey, when he caught a glimpse of the word vilashi written in large letters on a billboard affixed to the wall next to the window. Approaching, she read:
By order of the Royal State, vilashis are permanently forbidden to move through the cities of the Realm. Any person from the Routes who trade with any vilashi will be breaking the law and will be reprimanded. The denunciations against vilashis in the city should be directed to the sentinels of the Routes.
What did that mean?!
Suddenly, his mission to get to the Royal State building was totally meaningless. That poster said that the Royal State itself forbade the entrance of vilashis in the Routes. Clearly, there would be no help.
Understanding the reaction of the conductor of the train when he discovered her and the attendant of the store, Garo-lin looked around frightened and tried to immediately hide his hair better under the hood and keep her eyes on the ground. Then she hurried out, shrinking and trying more than ever to be missed by the people passing by. She needed to find a place to hide, or get out of the city... but go where? She grabbed the straps of her backpack and began to think fast about all the possibilities she had.
— Hey you! With the hood and the backpack!
Garo-lin felt his heart freeze at the sound of his voice, calling it in order, and without looking back, began to run. She had been discovered and had to flee. How she could you help her village in jail?
— Stop right now! – She heard the voice scream, already a little farther away.
Turning away from the people and pushing them to open the way, Garo-lin entered all the corners and paths before him, hoping that this would make anyone who followed her. When she managed to get out on a less crowded alley, she glanced back, still running, noticing that no one was following her. And it was when bumped into someone and fell to the ground, and the impact made the hood plucked from her head and revealed her mismatched hair.
Almakia_The vilashi and the Dragons Page 31