Almakia_The vilashi and the Dragons

by Lhaisa Andria

  — Garo-lin!

  Unable to avoid being attacked by the heiress Dul'Maojin as soon as she saw her, Garo-lin allowed herself to be suffocated by her typical embrace. But this time the squeeze was short-lived, since Kandara needed to grab her face and almost lift it from the floor, checking to see if everything was in the right place, as she rattled in the same amazement shown by the others before:

  — Are you alive?! What happened?! Where were you?! How did you escape the fire?!

  — Pfuiexpfufa – she managed, her cheeks pronounced by the heiress.

  — What?

  — She was expelled, Kandara – Kinaito translated patiently – If you let her go, she'll be able to explain it in a way that you understand."

  — Oh, yes – she released – Explain yourself, vilashi.

  Getting to the Fire Capital on a mombelula was nothing compared to the trip on the express. Despite his discomfort with the flight, it was vastly faster. When they left Routes, it was only a short time before the sun went down and it only took a few hours to see the lighted Fire Capital on the horizon, with the hill of the Institute standing out like a beacon full of little misshapen lights.

  True to its name and fame, the almakins' most important Capital was able to shine with all its splendor even on the darkest nights.

  But they did not come very close to the center and landed on the periphery, in a place that even seemed distorted from the pattern of the proud Capital, where probably the simplest people lived, who tended to the basic maintenance of the city and small businesses.

  Alerted by the Metal Dragon across the sphere to await them, the heiress Dul'Maojin was already waiting where they had arranged: a large courtyard of an old warehouse, which seemed abandoned at first sight.

  The high walls helped hide the mombelula, before the noise of its wings aroused the interest of the residents around. When the passengers disembarked, Kandara was the first of the group to run to them.

  In all, there were five people with her, and none were known to Garo-lin. Two women and three men, and they all seemed to be almakins, with that typical arrogant air that emanated from them and that she would recognize at first glance.

  — Should not we go in, Kandara? – Suggested the Kodorin politely, showing that he was perfectly able to circumvent the Dul'Maojin's impulsive style without offending them.

  — Of course, let's get in – she agreed, motioning for them to follow.

  The assembled people bowed to Sumerin Gran'Otto, who nodded, and Kinaito greeted them. Not knowing how to act, Garo-lin only followed him, as if it were a shadow, greeting those strangers with a restrained gesture.

  To her astonishment, which, in her Vilashi way of thinking, she hoped to find inside that storehouse piles and more piles of something, it was nothing but a huge void with a few crates spread out in a corner. A total waste of space, which never ceased to arouse in her a feeling of revolt: if the almakins could have such a useless place as this, why could not the vilashis continue those few lands and take advantage of it?

  As soon as the doors were closed, Kandara set fire to a flame holder that had picked up the next wall and lit the way, leading them forward. They went down a side corridor and down a few flights of stairs, falling below the ground. Soon they entered another ample place, that could easily compete with the hiding place of Kinaito in Routes, losing only by the organization organization of the mess, since there it seemed to follow certain order. The whole way was crammed with shelves of bottles of empty, grimy, dusty drinks, spider webs sprouting up on all sides, heaps of piles and shards of glass strewn across the floor.

  — Watch your step – Kandara warned her, indicating the ground – We have to keep things as unpleasant as possible for unwanted visitors.

  Understanding the logic, she began to take more care of where she was going, relieved to have left her disguise of mother Kodorin stored in the mombelula and returned to its vilashi clothes, that allowed to him to move freely.

  After walking through a labyrinth of bookshelves, it was possible to see an illuminated place and soon arrived at a reasonably habitable space, where there was a big wooden table with benches and more fire-flames. There were two other women, one of very advanced age, who stopped analyzing a large map of Almakia lying on the table as soon as they arrived.

  Immediately, after hanging the flame holder on one of the bookshelves, Kandara took Garo-lin by the shoulders and pushed it forward, displaying it:

  — This is a vilashi, So-ren!

  The old lady gave him an appraising look from head to toe, and Garo-lin felt extremely uncomfortable.

  She remembered her masters of the Institute very much, with that superior air of which she was an almakin who lived a great deal, but looking infinitely more cruel.

  — Is not that amazing?! – Asked the heiress, happily, squeezing her cheeks. – This little thing was able to cross the thorny scales of the Fire Dragon!

  — Was not she dead? – Asked simply.

  — That's what we'll find out right now!

  And Garo-lin was obliged to sit at the table and tell what had happened the night she had been expelled. As everyone there seemed to be aware of the version of the fire at the Institute and of its supposed death, they made their own conclusions, without needing to be told all the details.

  — Exactly as expected! – Kandara clapped her hands on the table. – She knew they would all be on top of the fire trying to find out what really happened. And this is the decisive proof that all the masters of the Institute faithfully follow his orders. That old woman of...

  — Kandara! She warned at the healer's exaltation, getting her immediate silence, and letting her sit comfortably in her place at the table.

  Garo-lin watched the scene quickly and did not understand how the heiress Dul'Maojin managed to be silent with only one call from that stranger. But he did not have time to formulate theories about it.

  Your stunned state was cut off by the other woman – already present in the room when they arrived – who began to report:

  — We received information about situations from all borders. Although from the beginning we acted in the certainty that everything would happen between the Maojin Plateau and the Rocky Highlands, keeping the spotlight in the Fire Capital and the Royal Capital, small events occurred on the southern borders. Now they are expanding in an organized way and with the support of the Royal State, which guarantees them a legalized façade. Almakia is not yet aware of the siege being mounted.

  — The vilashis are aware – Kinaito said, indicating the representative of the men. – Garo-lin could tell us exactly what's going on.

  She swallowed. Even though she had all the will in the world to use her strength to defend her people, it was not exactly simple to speak in front of unknown almakins who, despite being on the same side as her, clearly saw her as inferior. Then, keeping her gaze fixed on the map of Almakia stretched out before her, she began, forcing herself to pronounce the words well:

  — Pirates surrounded us. First they took everything we had stored away and now they will not let us out. We have some food inside our village, but it is not enough for everyone and we do not have more resources for an upcoming harvest. We had to give them our stock of oil, the animals, and even the tools we used. And after facing Nanfan Storm, our gardens are frozen.

  — I've heard of it – said one of the Almakins, not speaking directly to her, but to the others beside her. – It's a time of high winds and snow that leaves the whole Inland Valley isolated. That is why that region is not inhabited by almakins.

  — It would be fun to see almakins planting... – Kinaito commented randomly, with a little smile of who provoked, and Kandara contained a laugh in time of not being perceived by the elders.

  The Almakins looked at him with contempt, making it clear that they only tolerated his presence there, and Garo-lin understood quickly why he spoke those thoughts aloud without fear. The kodorin was not on the same level as Kidari, and had it not been
for the curious relation it seemed to have to the heiress Dul'Maojin, it was evident that he would not even have entered Almakia. His aversion was also clear, and the bold tone he wore showed the awareness that those words were an explicit challenge for the almakins to pulverize him.

  For a moment, she wished she had all the courage to act the same way. Perhaps half of her problems could be resolved if she were not so conditioned to hold on to almakins.

  — Sorry, So-ren – he said, evidencing that there was at least one person he respected enough to redeem himself for the comment.

  — This is no time for that, Kinaito – said Mrs. Almakin, casting an ugly glance at him and then at Kandara. – It's good you're here. We need you to discuss what we are going to do from now on.

  — It's time we got the Dragons together – said the other man in the group – Since we do not have the support of the Fire Dragon, we have, at least...

  — Of course we'll have the Dragon's support! – Kandara cut her off – As soon as Krission knows that Garo-lin is here, he will come...

  — No!

  Everyone looked at the little vilashi, who shrank, regretting that she had let her despair act when she understood what plans Kandara was formulating for her. To the heiress, Garo-lin was a perfect bait to attract his brother, no matter if she agreed to it or if she somehow wanted to see the dragon. He was determined to approach the heirs again, especially the Fire Dragon, if it was too necessary to help the Vashashis.

  Then, shrinking and not knowing what to say before that silence in which she could feel prejudiced thoughts hovering in the air, all she did was grumble something indefinable.

  — I'll talk to her – Kandara said, rising from her seat.

  — No, Kandara – the old lady said in a tone of command. – It will be my responsibility from now on.

  Garo-lin felt his legs tremble, and the fact that old lady stood up and walked with the support of a cane until it did not help.

  — You're going to take root in this bank, vilashi? – She asked impatiently, banging her cane on the floor and motioning for it to rise. – Follow me!

  Giving one last desperate glance to the heiress Dul'Maojin, who only returned him with a smile of one who thought he was leaving her in good hands, Garo-lin had no choice but to follow his wife.

  ***

  As he led her to the top floor of the warehouse, where there was a platform in front of a large grimy glass window that allowed a diffused view of the Capital's lights, Mrs. Almakin suddenly turned to her and said,

  — Kandara said a lot about you.

  Garo-lin heard those words, said in a way that did not suggest anything, and once again felt himself being evaluated.

  — But do not think her opinion can influence mine – Mrs. Almakin continued – Kandara is an innocent girl who often relies on people's eyes, no matter what face they may be on. I have not lived for so long to be deceived by a vilashi!

  — Excuse me. I do not want to fool anyone – Garo-lin asked, being polite and not bouncing those accusations from the stranger.

  As much as it was natural for her not to expect Almakins polite attitudes toward her, there was no need to pick a fight with someone she saw for the first time in her life, especially in that situation. Besides, the old lady were old enough to be considered your grandmother, that is, old enough for her principles to bind her and make her respect even in the face of the worst insult possible.

  However, unlike the vilashis grandmothers circulating through Godan, there was nothing to remind her of sweet and cozy stories on cold nights. She had a way of looking bleak, as if she had the gift of reading all the bad things that went through people's heads. And that was reflected in her face too, with deep circles under her eyes and her forehead much more wrinkled than natural. Other than that, it was evident that it was an almakin, since, even with its back curved, it maintained the same arrogant air of the younger ones that remained behind.

  — You do not want to fool anyone, do you? – She stared at it suspiciously – So how did you fool the Fire Dragon?

  At the question that had sounded much more like an accusation, Garo-lin took a deep breath and replied firmly:

  — If I had any intention with the Fire Dragon, it was to keep me as far away from him as possible.

  — And why did you want to stay away from him? – She replied quickly.

  — Because...

  — That's just what you say! I guarantee you planned everything to get close to him!

  — No!

  — Everybody wants to be near the Fire Dragon!

  — I did not want!

  — And why not, vilashi? Why you would not he want to be near the Fire Dragon?

  — Because he's a stupid and proud almakin! – She let go, then paralyzed, expecting at least a cane to remind her of her place in Almakia.

  But instead of the aggressive reaction, the old lady pondered and then asked one more question:

  — And why do you think he's a proud idiot?

  This time, Garo-Lin did not answer, just stared at her.

  — Because he is! – The lady answered with a sigh – Krission Dul'Maojin is a proud brat! Kandara was right, after all – and even with the dim light coming through the window, Garo-lin could see a satisfied smile forming on his wrinkled face – Looks like our Krission did it.

  — Our? – She asked uncertainly, since she recognized that way of speaking, but had never heard him out of her village.

  — I may not have inherited my father's yellow eyes, but I assure you that my hair was once very much like his vilashi. So much so that they treated me like a foreign.

  — As well?

  — My name is So-ren Dul'Maojin, little Garo-lin, one of the only half-breeds of the Almakia Families and the only non-fully almakin who has dared to be near a Fire Dragon. Until you appear.

  Not knowing how to react to that, Garo-lin just stared at her, his mouth parting in mute choking.

  ***

  — Do you really live here, Grandma? – Asked Garo-lin worried, looking at the cramped room, which was mostly occupied by a bed and a low table much like the one in his house in Godan village.

  — Find a place and sit down – she said, instead of an answer, pointing to one end of the table, as she began to skillfully turn around in the cupboard for the necessary utensils – You must be tired and hungry. You can stay here tonight.

  — But what about you?

  She just blew out a breath and slapped the air, telling her not to care about details like that:

  — It is you, and not an old woman like me, vilashi, who needs the energies to be able to continue with a mission. I've done my part, it's up to you to continue. – She set a pot on a simple wood stove and then focused on the pieces of wood. Soon small flames began slowly and then they were alive and crackling.

  — I still know a few tricks – she said proudly.

  — Is it a fire almakinl? – Garo-lin asked curiously.

  — Fire almakin, third order – she recited – I also attended the Institute for a while...

  Thinking it was a good time to ask, Garo-lin ventured:

  — Are you really a Dul'Maojin?

  — My mother was a Dul'Maojin. – She opened the lid of the pan to check out the contents that were heating up, and counted as if it were nothing extraordinary. – I am one of the best kept secrets of the Fire Family. My mother, the sister of the mother of the Lady of the Fire Capital, fled the Capital when she was young. In order for the Dul'Maojin's tradition not to be tarnished, she was found and brought back – the lady laughed and went to sit with her at the table, lowering herself with difficulty, but looking much more comfortable sitting on the floor as the vilashis – But evil was done, and I came with her.

  — So your father was a vilashi? – Garo-lin asked, knowing he was being controlled by his curiosity and could not resist.

  — That's what my mother told me. I did not know him and all he reminded me of was a vilashi name. They may not have done som
ething so elaborate with him as his death, but the fact is that my mother never found him again. Fortunately for the Dul'Maojin this story was not known and my vilashi traits were not enough to denounce me as a half-breed... my mother did not live long to be able to make me understand my situation and I was disregarded by my grandparents. So I simply hated the vilashis more than anything else, believing they were responsible for not being able to be a real Dul'Maojin heiress. With my lower level, despite being part of the Fire Family, I lived solely to try to please them, in order to somehow be able to be part of them. So when Kronar was born in the right way and managed to be the Fire Dragon, I became only a shadow between them. The only thing that supported me was my family name, which somehow gave me the security of always having a place to stay, even if it was not recognized.

  Garo-lin tried to process that story. Then that wrinkled lady in front of her might well have been the Lady of the Fire Capital if it were not for being a half-breed?

  Virtually confirming the suspicion that she had a special ability to know what was going on inside people's heads, you said:

  — Knowing that I could never take the place of heiress Dul'Maojin, I was always at Kronar's side, helping her wherever possible. When she went from Dragon to Lady of the Fire Capital, I assumed all her responsibilities that were not tied to the administration of the Capital or to the Institute. That is, who always took care of Kandara and Krission was me.

  Now it made perfect sense why the impetuous heiress Dul'Maojin was silent with the slightest gesture of rebuke from the lady and why Kinaito respected her.

  — Kandara's always been an intense girl. It was a perfect replica of her mother and seemed to have inherited the same will to command. Since she was little, she knew it was important and demanded respect from everyone. When she became the Fire Dragon, it was as if she had been given permission for all her desires to be supreme orders. At the same time, she clung to her brother and pampered him, giving insolent freedom to the boy, who from the moment he was born was imperious. I took care of them until they entered the Institute, but I never dared to put myself in the place of the absent mother. So, despite the age difference, those two always had a very strong connection to fill this vacant space, since they knew from a very early age that they could only count on each other.