The Rise of Nazil

by Aaron-Michael Hall

  “Indeed, Lord Estenbrook. The sentries have already been increased, and they train hard. We’re putting new watchtowers in place, and my father will visit the Neema Outpost soon. Nazil mustn’t be allowed another victory. This time, we’ll stand ready.”

  “As will we,” Nesdin assured, raising his goblet.

  “Take great care, my lords. There’re many spies in the cities and villages. Trust no one.” Julaybeim stood, proffering a bow. “If you’ll excuse me, I must meet with my guards.”

  “Lord Ravenot, a question. How did you come by such pertinent information?” Riok asked.

  “By the Seven’s grace, my lord. There’s at least one Nazilian who doesn’t want this to come to pass.”

  “You trust this Nazilian?” Nesdin asked.

  “We do. He’s earned that trust and our respect. It wasn’t easy to hear his words.”

  “No,” Riok said. “Your father has the same regard for Nazilians as I do. If Hacom takes his words for truth, that’s no small thing. Thank you, Lord Ravenot. Noraa will be ready.”

  “Thank you for receiving me.” As he exited the chamber, the Caretakers looked on in disbelief.

  “Do you truly believe him, Riok?”

  “I’ve never had cause to doubt Lord Ravenot. He’s always served with honor. If he didn’t believe this threat real, he wouldn’t have sent his son.”

  “When Hacom came for the meeting, he didn’t seem interested in your talk about Nazil.”

  “Nesdin, I spoke about what I feared was to come and the pledge. I didn’t have proof of my suspicions. Hacom didn’t rebuke me; he took heed of my warning.”

  “So, what’ll you do now, dear friend? Will you call your sentries and have them stand upon the ramparts until they see the claws of Nazil waving on a flag?”

  “You jest, Nesdin. The threat from Nazil is serious. If the village he spoke of is—”

  A soft tapping on the door interrupted them.

  “Who is it?”

  The chamber door opened, and Nohek Asmaa stepped through. “Pardons, Caretaker. Your men told me that you were in a private conference with Lord Ravenot. I wanted to join the discussion,” Asmaa said, glancing around the room. “I see that he’s already taken leave.”

  “If you knew that we were in a private conference, why would you disturb us?” Nesdin asked, disrespectfully.

  “Because, Caretaker, the Nohek is aware that he’s the only person that I truly trust in this city,” Riok said. “His insight is invaluable to me.”

  “Hacom didn’t want this information shared,” Nesdin said.

  “There isn’t any need to tell me about the news. I know that the Nazilians are preparing for war.”

  Nesdin looked at Riok and then back at the Nohek. “How would you know what we discussed if you weren’t lurking in the shadows?”

  “Speak softly, Caretaker. The Nohek is no spy. He knows many people and hears much. Tell me, Nohek Asmaa, is there more that hasn’t been said?” Riok asked, pouring him some wine.

  “It’s not certain. For more than a full moon, the Nazilians have made plans to attack the human villages. They seek those who escaped their grasp, and the Nazilians who’ve helped them.”

  “Does this village truly exist?” Riok asked.

  “I’ve heard rumors about such a place. There might be some that you’ve known personally who reside there. But if that’s so, I fear they’ll be lost.”

  “Wait, how does he know all of this? Does he aid the very people Draizeyn hunts?”

  “Nesdin, the Nohek serves the temple and the gods. Don’t speak to him in such a manner. He’s loyal to me and to this city.”

  Asmaa nodded. “Your words are true, my lord. Still, I hold no malice toward anyone seeking such peace. The rumor of this village found my ears long ago, yet I didn’t want to verify it. I’ve known goodly people from Nazil and beyond. Even before Hyorin’s fall, I knew many Nazilians who loved humans. What place did a love as this have to grow? If these people chose to live in this manner, who am I to tell them any different?”

  “You’re the Nohek Karab of Noraa. That’s who you are. You’re meant to guide the people, not lead them astray,” Nesdin said, loudly.

  “I do this for all the people, Caretaker, but I won’t lead anyone from the purpose of the gods. There was one from Nazil well known in Hyorin seen fleeing with several humans. They could be in this village, or he could’ve taken them captive. When there’re only questions, how are you to know the truth? No, I’ve never doubted that such a village could exist. But having evidence of its existence wasn’t information that I wanted to have.”

  “I understand, Asmaa. According to Hacom, there is such a village. A boy of human and Nazilian heritage told Draizeyn about it.”

  “Then, his ignorance will end all peace in the village. The Zaxson won’t rest until they’re destroyed.”

  Riok nodded. “There’s more. Julaybeim reports that they’ll attack Noraa. Draizeyn feels there’re some here in the city with knowledge of the village.”

  “He could speak true,” the Nohek said, glancing at Nesdin. He wouldn’t admit his personal knowledge within his hearing.

  “It would seem a likely thing. If the inhabitants of this village were from Hyorin, they might have family in the city and other villages,” Riok said. “The Zaxson won’t stop with them or Noraa. His anger will consume Kaleo and Cazaal, too.”

  “But no one in Kaleo knows anything about it,” Nesdin said. “Why would the Zaxson punish the people there? This scheme seems hatched from Noraa, not Kaleo.”

  “Nesdin, you speak as though you’re not human or didn’t witness the massacre from years past. What was the Zaxson’s reasoning for destroying our great city?” Riok asked, not expecting an answer. “He needed no reason, old friend. It was enough that the city was inhabited by humans. Humans that were too prosperous and became too powerful for the Nazilians.”

  “My mind is as sound as yours, Riok,” he said, rising and draining his goblet. “But I won’t intentionally make an enemy of Nazil. Your Nohek Karab has admitted to aiding those Draizeyn seeks to destroy. Kaleo won’t be part of such deception. Nazilians roam our streets freely, and are welcome in our village. We’ll make no move against them.”

  “Nesdin, no one plans a move against Nazil,” Riok said. “We serve the Zaxson and always have. Nazilian traders come often from Kumasi, frequenting our inns and establishments. Hacom asks only that we ready ourselves in the likelihood that Nazil moves against us. How’s it treasonous to protect your people? As Caretakers, we’re charged to do so.”

  Nesdin scoffed. “Call it what you will. An omission of facts is the same as speaking false. I won’t allow my family or my village to be subjugated to protect people I don’t know.”

  “Pardon me, Caretaker,” Asmaa said. “But you sound like a fool. Do you believe that Draizeyn will spare your village if you inform him of what you’ve learned this day? It’s apparent that you don’t know the man. He loathes those who would turn against their own to gain favor.”

  “How would you know about the Zaxson, old man?”

  “I’ve lived long, Nesdin. I know not only the Zaxson, but also his brother and his father before him. I’ve borne witness to what’s done with informers and spies. As you say, I’m an old man. I haven’t lived this many years by being foolish. It’s your prerogative not to take heed of these warnings and protect your village. But it’s perfidious to reveal what you vowed to keep in confidence. You’ve claimed friendship with the caretakers of Noraa and Cazaal. Don’t turn your back on those who gave you their trust.”

  “The Nohek is right, my friend. If you think this threat is false, so be it. However, there’re others who find the assertions valid. Allow us to protect our people the way we choose as you, in turn, decide for your own.”

  “I’ll take everything under careful consideration. I’m not abrogating the confidence that we’ve always shared,” Nesdin said.

  “Nor the confidences of the Caz
aalians, Caretaker. Nor those,” Asmaa asserted.

  Nesdin glared at him. “I honor what I’ve said, Riok. Now, I must take leave.”

  Change in Plan

  Hushar smiled, hearing the rustling behind her. She gave the herbed tea a quick stir before turning around. “It’s good to see you awake, young one. How’s your pain?”

  Wosen stretched, yawning. “Much less than it was. My strength is slowly returning.”

  “Your color, too. Many of the scars are barely noticeable now.”

  “It’s due to your care, Hushar. Soon, I’ll be able to stand and walk on my own.”

  “Yes, and when you can, they’ll take you from me, just like the others. I’ll miss having you with me, Wosen. We’ve been together for nearly two full moons. Regardless of why, I’ve enjoyed this time with you.”

  “I don’t want to leave you. You and Jahno are the only people in Nazil who’ve been kind. It’s a strange thing. When I was in my village, all I wanted was to get away from the humans there. I thought they were weak. But what they’ve accomplished, the lives that they built, they were brave, Hushar, just like you’re brave. It took courage to oppose a force as strong as Nazil, and they were truly free and happy. I was even to be promised. Why couldn’t I see what was in front of me? My father warned me what awaited here, and I betrayed him and everyone who loves me.”

  “I also committed a great offense in my youth, Wosen, and that’s why I’m here. Nazil is my penance alone. Not yours,” she said, caressing his cheek. “No one knows what causes us to act contrary to our nature. My mother would say we act in such ways only during the Guardians’ merge. For it’s at that time that their eyes aren’t fixed on the lands. Pray to your god, young one. Pray well and open your heart to him. Only he can deliver you from Nazil.”

  “How are you feeling?” a disembodied voice asked.

  Neither of them answered, staring down at the distorted shadow being cast in the corridor. When the guard unlocked the cell, Wosen gripped Hushar’s hand as the door slammed shrilly against the wall.

  “Didn’t you hear me?” the voice rang out again as Beilzen stepped into view, twirling a large cudgel.

  “Pardons, Sir de Braose. I thought that you were talking to the guards,” Hushar stammered. “Wosen is doing better, but he’ll need more time to heal. Sir.”

  “Still on the mend are you, savage?” Beilzen asked, tapping the cudgel on the floor. “I have just the thing to urge you to action,” he said, rushing forward and swiping out at him with his weapon, barely missing. He raised the cudgel again, his second attempt landing hard across Wosen’s midsection.

  “Please, Sir,” Hushar pleaded, moving between them. “Sir Benoist and the Zaxson want him well. Please stop, please.”

  “You dare speak to me?” Beilzen said, drawing back again.

  Forgetting his pain, Wosen sprang up, grasping and pulling Hushar down on top of him. When they landed on the mattress, he screamed.

  “Stay your hand, Beilzen,” Oxilon commanded, stepping into the cell.

  “Sir Benoist!”

  “Have you lost your mind?” Oxilon snatched the weapon from his hand. “You were to check his status, not injure him further! The Zaxson needs him able to lead in seven suns. Why does he now bleed, son of Perrin?”

  “For—forgive me, Sir Benoist. The slave questioned me and was disrespectful.”

  “You dare speak false to me? The slave told you exactly what she was commanded to. It’s her duty to keep him well. That order came from the Zaxson and me.”

  “I didn’t know, Sir Benoist. I thought she was challenging my authority.”

  “Authority? What authority does a milquetoast guard hold in the citadel?”

  “Sir?”

  “These slaves belong to the Zaxson, and Hushar tends all of their wounded. Do you truly believe the Zaxson wants her harmed?”

  “I’m sorry. I—I didn’t think—”

  “No, you didn’t! Go now and bring herbs, fresh cloth, and heated water. Hushar will need to tend these fresh wounds.”

  “Yes, Sir,” he said, scrambling for the door.

  “Beilzen,” Oxilon barked. “You’d better pray to all four gods that he’ll be healed and ready to lead the guard. If it isn’t so, the Zaxson might have another body for my chamber.”

  Beilzen’s eyes bulged, as he turned, running from the cell.

  “Fool,” Oxilon said, extending a hand out to Hushar.

  Reluctantly accepting his hand, she rose up, checking Wosen’s condition.

  “From where does this blood come, Hushar?” Oxilon asked in a surprisingly mild tone.

  “I’ll have to remove his tunic to know for sure, milord. It looks to be from the anus. Mayhaps the wound inside hasn’t had time to fully heal. When I get water and herbs, I’ll flush inside again.”

  “Make it so. I’ll send Jahno to assist.”

  “Thank you, milord,” she said as Oxilon turned, exiting the cell.

  “Wosen? Look at me. Wosen?”

  “I’m sorry, Hushar. I couldn’t let him hit you.” Wosen strained, grimacing with every word.

  “I’m safe because of you, but you’ve been injured again. The blow and the strain has caused more bleeding. I’ve got to mix some herbs and flush inside. Do you understand?”

  He nodded. “Will you put me to sleep?”

  “I’ll give you the tincture after you eat. I’m going to make you well, young one, I promise,” she said, raising the covers. “If the guards allow, I’ll move the brazier into the cell. You’re sweating, but you’ve got the chills. After I take care of you, I’ll lay with you.”

  Wosen clutched her hand, his face contorted in a rictus of pain.

  “Wosen, tell me about your promised.”

  He smiled up at her, still shivering. “Her—her name is Hibret. Since the beginning, we were always together. She’ll be six and ten soon, and able to wed.

  “Her eyes are the most beautiful brown, with flecks of glimmering amber. The way she’d look at me, Hushar, I loved her eyes. There was always such love in them,” he said, taking a staggered breath. “Hibret’s skin is like silk: so soft and smooth. The caramel color glistened in the sun’s light. We’d walk the shores of the Libero and Raphar together. Once, I stole a kiss.” He raised a hand up, feeling the raggedness of his mouth. “I remember how her lips felt against mine. The moment didn’t last long, but the memory is eternal.”

  His eyes closed, recalling every detail. “I loved her hair,” he said, stroking his own. “It was long and dark with tight rings of curls. She always used oils of flowers and herbs to make it smell so sweet. How could I ever hurt her? When I fled the village, I knocked her to the ground and never turned back. I didn’t care about anyone then: not my father, sister, or Hibret. It was madness, and now I’ve endangered everyone who loved me.”

  Hushar stroked his face as Beilzen and Jahno entered the cell.

  “Thank you, Jahno,” she said, taking the basket from him.

  Beilzen scowled, setting the pails on the floor before stomping back down the corridor.

  “Jahno, could you help me undress him? He’s bleeding again and I’ll need your help.”

  “Gods, will his suffering ever end?”

  “It will, Jahno, and yours will, too.”

  Wosen moaned as Jahno lifted him, allowing Hushar to raise his tunic.

  “There now, young one. Only a little further and it’s done.”

  “Thank you, Jahno. Can you help him eat while I mix some herbs for sleep?”

  “Yes, I’m supposed to stay with you until the morrow.”

  She smiled. “Both of my boys will be with me.”

  “Why would you send that fool down to the cells?” Draizeyn demanded.

  “Pardons, Zaxson,” Oxilon said. “Beilzen was only supposed to ascertain the abomination’s condition and report back to me. I thought—”

  “Thought? There wasn’t any thought here, Oxilon. When I assign you a task, I expect you to carry i
t out! You might put your faith in that inept bobolyne, but I don’t!”

  Oxilon’s jaw tightened. “Apologies, Zaxson, the error won’t be repeated. Hushar assures me that his injuries are minor. I’ve ordered Jahno to remain with her in case she needs anything.”

  Draizeyn glared at him, and then addressed the council. “Now, if Oxilon’s idiocy hasn’t impeded our directive, where do we stand?”

  Idiocy! Had it not been for me, you wouldn’t be on your seat of power. Mayhaps your brother, Nikolaj, was the better choice. If you were anyone else, my sword would be embedded in your chest, Oxilon thought, gesturing for wine.

  “We have one hundred ready to move on the village,” Yannick said. “That’s more than we need. The men continue to train and are eager to make the savages bleed.”

  “I’m looking forward to the same.”

  “If we believe what the abomination said, less than thirty of them can adequately wield a sword.”

  “This is true,” Draizeyn said. “But he mentioned their extensive training with the long bow. We must be ready to thwart such action before it can begin. Daracus, what about the villages and outposts? Do they stand ready?”

  “They merely await your order. Yarah will join Brandt and Mahlum to take Noraa. Dovak and Spero will converge on Cazaal. Lempol and Leahcim will move on Kaleo. The commanders of the outpost will join the guards they’ve been assigned.”

  “What about Kumasi?”

  Daracus nearly scoffed. “I ordered fifty guards there. Kumasi is more a liability than a help. Those hedge-born fishermen and herders know little and less.”

  “That might be true, but Mahlum and Kumasi produce most of our food. I don’t need Kumasi to assist in this, I need our supplies protected.”

  “I instructed the guards accordingly, Father.”

  “Good. Have the builders returned from the wood?”

  “Yes, Zaxson,” Reaglen answered. “Halston is managing the stores of wood outside the city. He’ll make a report when it’s complete.”

  Draizeyn rose, pacing the room. “That abomination had better be healed within seven suns. I don’t care if he has to be thrown over the back of a horse, he’s leading us through the wood. The longer we delay, the more time they have to prepare.”