“Dani, sit. This is about Zeta, is it not?”
“Yes, and no. She might’ve opened my eyes, but no. It’s just seeing what I saw, Pentanimir. She’s pregnant. Not because she chose it, but because it was forced upon her in the most sadistic way. Even some dark slave was forced to do the same because of his—his enormous member. Draizeyn and Daracus enjoyed watching her suffer as he violated her. You’ve seen Zeta. Her build is that of a child. Even though she’s reached womanhood, her body barely shows sign of it. How could anyone claiming honor take such innocence?
“When I first saw her, she could barely move. I had to carry her to Hushar for treatment after begging Daracus for permission.” He paused, regaining his composure.
“I’m not weak, Pentanimir. I just couldn’t do nothing. Draizeyn and Daracus spoke of her as filth and a whore. They planned the slaughter of her babe right there in front of me. How did we turn into such monsters? This isn’t the Nazil of our father.”
“Dani, you’re not weak, and what happened to Zeta isn’t honorable. I honestly believe that you both might care for each other more than you realize. I see how you look at each other. Mayhaps you suppress your feelings due to her ill treatment. But you’re not them. Your heart isn’t weak; it’s strong. Those you keep within it are blessed by that strength. I only need to look at you to know that she’s won your heart.”
“I care for her, yes, but not like that. Zeta loves what I’ve done for her. She misses her promised and wants to be with him. My arms comfort her when thoughts of him overwhelm. She’s only beginning to trust me, Brother. I won’t sabotage her healing by complicating it with such thoughts.”
“Your arms might soothe her now, but soon that may not be enough. She might miss her promised, but she cares for you.”
Danimore sighed. “She’s come to my bed before.”
“You told me that you didn’t lay with her.”
“No, we’ve never been intimate, but we’ve lain together.”
“And did nothing?”
“She thought that it was payment for her clothing and service. That isn’t love. However, we shared my bed that night. If not for your return, we’d still sleep together. It’s a comfort for her…and me as well.”
“My return? Why should that stop you?”
“I won’t dishonor you, Brother.”
“Dani, I’m not Uncle. If this is your desire, let no one keep you from it. But soon, mere comfort might lead to passion. It’s possible that Zeta would want more from you. Is that something that you even want to consider?”
Danimore leaned back, running his fingers through his hair. “I don’t know. I can’t, I don’t want to think about it, truly. I’ve never…I don’t know, Pentanimir. It’s not right to do so, and I’d prefer to save my seed for my wife. I’ll not use Zeta or any woman in this fashion. I can wait.”
“And you will, Dani. This is but one reason why you’re the stronger brother. Father saw that strength in you and admired it as I do.”
“We admire each other.”
When the front door opened, they turned, seeing Zeta entering with a large sack.
“Zeta, you shouldn’t be carrying that,” Danimore said. “When will you heed my words? Is there much more in the cart?”
“Oh yes,” Zeta said. “I was able to purchase everything that you requested and more. I knew that you’d need salted meats and provisions for your journey. They had fresh sweepers and soaps, too. There’s honey and wine and berries and oh so many things!” She beamed. “I purchased some sugar. I’m going to make you a cake before you take leave. It’ll be delicious, I promise.”
They chuckled, enjoying her exuberance. “It’s a fine idea, Zeta. Now, let Pentanimir and me empty the cart. You can organize what we bring.”
“As you wish.” Once they moved to the door, her humming made them pause.
“She’s a delightful young woman, Dani. I understand why you’ve grown fond of her.”
“She’s filled a part of me that I didn’t know was empty.”
“Then we mustn’t allow anyone to take that feeling from either of you. We’ll speak more of your feelings and hers. You might have a change of mind. In any case, we’ll find a way.”
Matter of Honor
“It’s past time that we discussed this, Hosdaq,” Vot said. “We’re not insinuating that this is a simple matter, quite the opposite. But the more you delay, the more difficult this becomes. Wosen’s capricious behaviors could inevitably endanger this entire village.”
Hosdaq sat silent, his chin resting on balled fist. His usually neat hair hung loose and unkempt with tinges of debris strewn throughout. The evidence of sleepless nights showed in the dark, puffy bags encircling his eyes. The vigor he’d expressed in their last meeting was replaced by ambivalence and heartache.
“Vot,” Hosdaq’s distraught voice whispered. “I’m not ignorant of what we face. We, all of us, have tried to reach my son. He’s grown defiant and distrustful of our accounting of Hyorin. Mayhaps his relationship with Pentanimir has fueled this. He envisions all of Nazil in their First Chosen.” Hosdaq sighed, looking up at the Elders. “What am I to do? My son is proud of his heritage, and this, too, makes me proud. How am I supposed to convince him that the very people he worships would’ve slit his throat at birth?”
“Hosdaq, your wife was very dear to me,” Huname said. “When we lost her, I almost didn’t recover. You both left your homes to begin a new life here, and Esme loved you and Wosen with all of her heart. When she birthed a son for you, it was the happiest anyone had ever seen her. It pains me that each time Wosen denies his humanity, he’s denying his mother.” She rested a hand atop his. “It’s normal for him to want to be like you. You’re a strong and honorable man, Hosdaq. But he isn’t only Nazilian, he’s human, too.”
“She’s right,” added Olam. “As Wosen ages, he detaches more from his humanity. Soon, he’ll come to loathe and reject it outright. When he appeared in my vision, it was disjointed, but one image remains unchanged. If you can’t reach him, I fear the worst.”
“How am I to do this? No one has answered that question. He’s my son, and a son of Nazil. Why can’t he have pride in that?”
“No one is saying that,” Vot said. “Not everyone from Nazil is in allegiance with their Zaxson. If this were so, Bandari wouldn’t exist. There are many Nazilians who reside here, and Pentanimir moves freely about our village. Would this be allowed if we feared all Nazilians? We are, none of us the same. It’s those differences that have helped us grow. However, Wosen is rejecting half of who he is. He refuses to accept who he is and how that heritage would effect him if he went to Nazil. You can’t ignore this anymore.”
“Ultimately, this lies in your hands, Hosdaq,” Emet said. “Even Kuhani counseled you against assigning such greatness to the Chosen. Children often stray toward those very things that they feel they’re denied. You speak of the glory of the city, yet nothing about the horrors that are also found there. Nothing we have here could compare with the stories that you’ve told.”
“I was attempting to shield him from the atrocities of Nazil,” Hosdaq said, his voice raising. “I didn’t want Wosen to think that all Nazilians were savage and brutal. I never lied to him. He knows why his mother and I couldn’t live in Nazil. This just furthered his curiosity. To him, his mother was the cause. He believes that they’d accept him as my son.”
Emet sighed. “That’s all the more reason to dissuade him from such thoughts. I just pray that he hasn’t moved so far beyond reason that you can’t reach him.”
“Indeed,” Olam said. “And what about his sister? Have you spoken to Malkia? She appears withdrawn of late. She’s burdened enough to know that her mother died giving birth to her.”
“I don’t blame her for that,” Hosdaq nearly shouted.
“We don’t blame Malkia either,” Olam said. “Malkia has spoken of her own guilt. We didn’t impart this to her; Wosen has placed that blame at her feet.”
&nb
sp; “Enough!” Hosdaq slammed a hand on the table. “You speak as if all the problems in Bandari are as a result of my son. He loves his sister and places no blame on her for what happened to their mother. He was a boy when Esme was taken from us.”
Huname tried to grasp his hand, but he pulled away. “Hosdaq, be calm. You’re allowing your anger to cloud your mind. We’re not your enemy. Some truths are difficult to hear, but ignoring them doesn’t change or resolve the issue.”
Hosdaq’s chest heaved, the trepidation and anguish showing in his every inflection.
“What we must contend with now is a young man confused,” she continued. “If we don’t act, he’ll no doubt find his way to Nazil. I don’t need to expound on the consequences if this comes to pass.”
With that, Hosdaq’s thoughts turned to their first meeting. The grief that was in Huname’s eyes that night was present in them now. Bandari was the only place that had brought peace for so many. He couldn’t allow his son to undermine all that they’d accomplished.
“You have the right of it, Huname,” Hosdaq said. “I don’t know what to do. Wosen isn’t the son that we all raised. Daily he asks of Nazil, of training, of becoming a Chosen as Pentanimir is, and I was. Even though I’ve warned him in the past, his ambition overrules my words. What am I to do that I haven’t done?”
“Tell him the truth,” Olam said. “If Wosen is allowed to meet the pale serpent from the vision, the consequences will be dire. We’ll be consumed by it. In turn, it’ll slither about his neck as a garrote, squeezing the life from him. He must be told. Not only for Bandari, but to save himself.”
Hosdaq stood, turning away from them. After several sobering breaths, he lifted his head, hoping that he could convey his thoughts without being overcome by his emotion. “I’ll speak with Wosen and pray that he heeds my words. Albeit, I take no comfort in those prayers. His mind is lost, and I must try to help him reclaim it.”
The hall was virtually quiet with only the click…click…click, resonating off the walls as Hosdaq exited. The Elders waited until the door closed and then turned their attention to Vot.
“We’re not only facing an invasion from Nazil, but the catalyst of that invasion might’ve been revealed,” Vot said. “It’s time to take a more proactive stance and find a new home for Bandari.”
“But how can we make such an audacious move without alerting Wosen?” Olam asked.
“Aizen and Ahni have reached Noraa safely. Upon their return, they’ll travel southwest toward the Animus Wood.”
“To what end?” Emet asked.
“We can’t sit idle debating whether Draizeyn will attack. Whether it’s by force or building their new city, they’re coming. Bandari’s location has kept us hidden from Nazil. However, it’s also given us few avenues for relocation. Traversing the mountains or Raphar isn’t an option. But we can travel the narrow pass between the Libero and Raphar, leading to the Animus Wood.”
“No one travels to the wood due to the dangers said to reside there. Can we take such a risk?” Emet asked.
“You speak of tales,” Vot said. “Until someone seeks the answer, only questions remain. Mayhaps the Nazilians began such tales to keep us from the wood. We no longer have an option. To protect our people, we must abandon our home.”
“What about the western isle?” Emet asked. “We could construct larger boats or at least have a few smaller ones make the attempt. It isn’t that distant. Surely, it could be reached within seven suns. This could be a place for us.”
The Elders exchanged a look. The western isle sat distant in the Libero, appearing more an expanse of dense trees than anything else. They’d always noticed the patch of greenery amongst the vast waters, but never endeavored to journey there. With the smaller boats and uncertain seas, the risk was greater than their curiosity.
“No,” Vot finally answered. “We haven’t the time or the men to spare for such a quest. Aizen and Ahni will arrive soon with a detailed report. I pray that this path is the correct one.”
“If Wosen learns about our plan, wouldn’t he question?” Olam asked.
“He might, but it’s of little matter,” Vot said. “Hosdaq needn’t ready his home as we coordinate the rest of the village. Saifu and Kuhani could organize the dawa and temple as we prepare the rest. Once everything is organized, it’ll be easy to load once we’re prepared to move.”
Emet nodded. “Yes, if we work together, the transition shouldn’t take long.” He paused, glancing around the hall. “It’ll be difficult to leave Bandari. We were blessed to find such a place, Elder Vot. Surely, we’ll not find another like this.”
Huname sighed wistfully. “No, there’ll never be another like this, but Bandari is a part of each of us. It’s not the location that makes a home, it’s those who reside there.”
“Elders, we should return to our homes,” Vot said. “On the morrow, I’ll speak with Saifu and Kuhani, and Huname will assign families to each of you. They’ll be told to prepare to leave, but not when or where we’re traveling. That information shall remain with this council to ensure our safety.”
“You are wise, Elder,” Olam said. “Wosen knows that we’ve been planning a move ahead of the Nazilians impending attack. He wouldn’t suspect anything if everyone prepares for that move.”
“The boy is a fool,” Emet said. “Both my brother and I are half-Nazilian, just as he. He’s ignorant of the evils that rule Nazil, yet labels us cowards for protecting our families. Had it not been for the home that he loathes, he would’ve never been allowed to live. Yet he praises them and shuns those who’ve loved and nurtured him.”
“You aren’t wrong,” Olam said. “Had his mother survived, mayhaps things would’ve been different. Hosdaq did what he thought was best. No one could’ve foreseen this change in Wosen.”
“No, but it’s Hosdaq’s pride that caused this rift,” Vot said. “I feel that if he could, he’d return to Nazil.”
“That may be so,” Huname said, taking his hand. “But choices can’t be unmade. My heart aches for what Hosdaq faces, but we can’t allow one man to rule the future of the entire village. Wosen may be lost, but Bandari can be protected.”
Road to Cazaal
Leaves littered the ground as their cart moved down the rutted path. The seasons were changing, enhancing the beauty of the road. Although Brahanu was relieved with being home, she was afraid as well. It wasn’t merely what she needed to reveal to Itai, it was accepting what she’d done, and the ramifications left to suffer.
She hugged Itai’s arm, snuggling closer to him. She’d never tired of such closeness, or smelling the differing wood scents pervading his clothes. She’d never told him that, but feeling his warmth and smelling him beside her, was more comforting than anything else.
She smiled, inhaling deeper.
“What are you thinking about, Brahanu?”
“I’m thinking about you.”
“Oh? And what is it that you’re thinking of me?”
“So many things, Itai. I remember when we were young and used to play together. We were always close. Father used to worry about my playing with a boy,” Brahanu giggled. “He didn’t think it was proper for me to do so. That’s when mother started taking me with her to visit other young ladies. Oh, how I hated it.”
Itai’s laughter joined hers at the memory. “I recall it as well. My papa tried to keep me away from you, you know? He thought that your father’s position was too high for me to consort with his daughter. He didn’t want to anger your family.”
“My father’s position? You know we don’t believe in such nonsense. Father might be forced to bear his title, but he refuses to behave in such a way. We are the same, you and I.”
“Yes, we’re exactly the same except that you’re highborn. Regardless of anything else, your father is a high lord and the Caretaker of Cazaal.”
“That may be his title, but that’s not who he is,” she said, turning to look at him. “Father welcomed you and many others to join
the Nohek’s lessons. He still trains our sentries and anyone interested in properly wielding a sword. He could leave it to Aiden, but he doesn’t want anyone willing to learn to be left out.”
“Aye, he does. I still have bruises and scars that tell of your father’s training!”
Itai’s head leaned back, a hearty laugh escaping his lips. Brahanu joined in his mirth for a moment, but her laughter soon faded, her mind returning to what she needed to reveal.
“Itai, may I speak with you?”
“Isn’t that what you’re doing now, Brahanu?” He chuckled.
When she didn’t respond, he noticed her solemn expression, and slowed the horse’s pace.
“Brahanu, it was only a jest. I didn’t mean to—”
“It isn’t that, Itai. It’s—it’s something far more serious. I’d like to talk with you alone…before we return to Cazaal. You’ve always been patient with me, even now. I’ve always loved that about you, you know?” she said, smiling wistfully. “But there’s more that I need to say about my journey, and I’m uncertain how to do so.”
His brow creased. “You don’t need to explain anything to me. You’re home with me now and that’s all that matters, Brahanu. The gods placed the right people in your path and I’m thankful.”
“I’m thankful, too. There were times that I didn’t think I’d ever see you or my family again. So many things went through my mind that night.
“The storm arose from nowhere, it seemed. The sun disappeared, leaving darkening clouds in its place. I moved to turn, to return to Cazaal, but…but…something,” she said, looking down at the healed scars on her hands. “It was the lightning. That’s what frightened him. Ared had never behaved so, and I thought that we’d both be hurt. I couldn’t control him and…and he wouldn’t respond to me. You know Ared, I’ve had him since his birth.
“The pain…there was so much pain. Once the reins broke, I couldn’t hold on anymore. My hands were slick with blood, clutching at the remnants left behind. I remember falling and waking up in pain. I was surrounded by darkness and the water, it was so cold. I thought that I’d never be warm again after waking in the pool.”
The Rise of Nazil Page 19