Kirmizi Gunes and Mavi Ay made their way toward the staging area. Gumus Ay had not stirred since Mina left. Kirmizi didn't think he would make it another week. Nwa Chapo Yon Sel had recovered and floated by Mavi's side while Nwa Chapo Fo Dife floated next to him. Jikutokushikazu waved at the familiar figures as they entered Du Beon Jae Dosi through one of the side gates.
"They're here, the party can start now!"
A festive atmosphere of dancing, singing, and talking Aventyrare gathered in Du Beon Jae Dosi. They would win or die trying. Some still swung tankards of drink or finished gnawing what was left of their dinner. Friends who hadn't seen each other since the last attempted invasion waved and formed parties. The Generals tossed medical supplies and magic enhancers down to the Aventyrare. "Don't use them all at once! I can't guarantee when you'll get more," the Generals warned. Cheers rang out as Aventyrare caught and applied the various potions and ointments ignoring the warnings.
The bells stopped and the sudden lack of sound hushed the Aventyrare. It was almost time.
"Aventyrare," roared Tomutan Okuz. "You're finest hour is at hand! We fight for our way of life in Dong Tochi. We do not invade the Chim Sung Saram. They invade us. We want only our little piece of freedom from all in Varlid. Drive them back from our home!"
A roar went up from most in the crowd, while others laughed and booed.
"Bah! I don't know why we bother sometimes," said Tomutan Okuz into his Skal. "We should just find a nice beach and settle there."
"This used to be a nice beach," said Ahm Rahis.
The ground started to tremble. From their positions at the top of the walls the Generals could see a group of Mikachiari slinging arrows at the Chim as they approached. As Tomutan Okuz had warned the Chim swatted at the Mikachiari who easily dodged out of the way. The arrows were scratched off without slowing them down one step.
The Aventyrare started to split up into parties. Some of the more adventurous ones headed toward the main gate into Du Beon Jae Dosi to be the first to attack the Chim as they entered. Other, less experienced Aventyrare, hung back and used the stone stalls, stairs and low walls for cover.
Chim were three times as large as the largest Kertenkele. The leader's voice growled as the first Chim clashed with the Aventyrare. "Pitiful vermin. Wreckers of the land. Meet the wrath of Goddess Yu Shi!"
The massive horde of Chim, their half-tamed battle animals and mechanized automatons forced their way through the entrance and scattered into the Du Beon Jae Dosi. The action was a blur of flying weapons and bursts of magic. The Generals yelled out weak points they saw from their perches above. The Aventyrare for all their faults knew how to fight.
The tide of the haphazard battle flowed back and forth. Badly hurt Chim withdrew. Their automatons fell in pieces. Chim took the time to throw the parts on the backs of their animals to be salvaged for another time.
Tomutan Okuz yelled above the din, "Who in Goddess Gudina's name is that?"
All eyes swiveled to the main gate as a blur cut through the Chim and their automatons. Aventyrare cheered. A break in the fighting showed a lone Kertenkele wielding a massive axe. He mowed a path through Chim as Aventyrare came together in his wake to clean up.
Kirmizi's party noticed the lone Kertenkele and the Generals saw them swing around to intercept. He refused their help and continued on his lone path through the Chim. Asistan Ti launched spells to assist him as best they could. The Kertenkele continued on oblivious to the support.
Tomutan Okuz caught Kirmizi's troubled eye across the battlefield.
A single horn blew and the Chim retreated. The lone Kertenkele followed them past the outer gate while a cheer went up from the rest of the Aventyrare. The drunk ones who where still standing chased after him laughing and cursing. "Our hero!" became the rallying cry along the walls were the spectators had watched the battle unfold.
Kirmizi made his way to Tomutan Okuz's perch. "Brother, we have a problem."
"We always have problems. What makes this problem so special to try and talk to me in the middle of defending Dong Tochi?" Tomutan Okuz asked as he directed Aventyrare to pick off Chim stragglers not retreating fast enough.
"That Kertenkele is Gumus Ay. He was far gone in the Cinsel Iliski when he arrived here because of Onyx Ay."
"I don't have time for religious fanatics. I'm busy repelling a hoard at the moment."
"Ofkelenmek."
"Lanet tanri!" General Tomutan Okuz cursed. "How do we stop it?"
"Other than killing him, I don't know."
Country: Varlid, Nation: The Bred Hav between Dong Tochi and Seo Jog Mo Seo Li
The ship pitched up and down as it scaled waves three times as high as the vessel. Seo Jog Mo Seo Li was across another part of the Bred Hav from Dong Tochi and only the second settlement the Aventyrare were able to hold from the Chim Sung Saram.
"We are boxing ourselves into a corner," complained Luru.
Teke grabbed her glass as it slid along the table. "No one will follow us. The Kertenkele sympathized but only if we stayed within easy reach."
"I was speaking more of the Asistan Ti," Luru said with ears flattened.
"I'm counting on them following us."
Luru hissed.
"Our revenge has been a long time coming."
Mina slid into the cabin. Luru caught Mina as the ship lurched to one side and tossed Mina into her lap.
"How much farther? This sea trip is too long," Mina said not masking her distress.
Teke bared her small teeth in a smile and scooted closer until all three cuddled together. "Not long now. How are you?"
Mina turned her face away. Teke pulled closer to nip her ear. Mina swatted at her face and missed. "Not happy."
"Mina, how many times have we apologized. The Mikachiari cannot trust anyone. We had to leave. We had to give you the gift we've kept hidden all this time," Teke purred.
"Hmmm," Mina made a noncommittal tone. "We can trust Gumus. You should have brought him."
Teke and Luru both started stroking Mina's arms, shoulders, back. "You know he couldn't follow now. It's too dangerous," Teke said.
Mina broke their embrace and said on her way out, "You should have done it for me."
Luru turned to Teke and asked, "Do you feel bad about lying to her?"
Teke shook her head. "This is her fate. She had no future with the Kertenkele and now the Mikachiari have a future for the first time in many years."
Country: Varlid, Nation: The Far West Wilderness, City: Dong Tochi
Gumus Ay strode through Dong Tochi. Aventyrare lifted their hands in mock salute, swung mugs of wine, and cheered as he passed. Brackish colored liquid streamed down his body, the blood of all the Chim Gumus Ay had slain that day.
Kirmizi and Tomutan watched from the perch on top of the wall.
"What do you mean you don't know how to stop this?" Tomutan said.
"This behavior is old and barbaric. It was the last resort when we were overrun by the Bocek. No one has seen it since tales that Golo succumbed to the madness."
"If the other generals find out they'll cage Gumus and only let him lose to fight the Chim Sung Saram. If he gives them too much trouble they'll just put him down," Tomutan said.
"I can't let that happen. Golo was driven mad because of Onyx Ay. Gumus is different. Look at him, he seems to have his senses, unlike the Kertenkele used in the war against the Bocek."
Tomutan had a more expressive face than most Kertenkele. He narrowed his eyes and lowered his chin. "You don't know how far gone he is or if it'll get worse. Can we take the chance he won't turn on all of us?"
Kirmizi did not answer and stared on as Gumus Ay marched stone-faced past the cheering and saluting. He headed to the port, jumped the gate blocking off the loading and unloading docks and slipped into the water up to his neck. The Elyun guards on duty looked around knowing they shouldn't have let him pass but unsure how to stop him.
"What is he doing?" Tomutan asked.
Kir
mizi didn't state the obvious, he didn't know.
Gumus waved his arms to part the trash floating around him before splashing water on his face and through his hair. With long strides he made his way back to the gate. Jumped it again and strode back to Du Beon Jae Dosi. Mugs of alcohol were shoved toward him as Gumus passed but he ignored it all and marched back through the massive gate.
***
Gumus Ay saw General Jikutokushikazu screeching orders to the clean up crew. She saw Gumus and started to issue him an order to pick up loose stones that had been knocked off a staircase leading to the upper deck but never got the full sentence out. Gumus used his finger and thumb to encircle her neck, lift her up and slam her against the closest wall.
"Where is Mina?" Gumus snarled.
General Jikutokushikazu's eyes popped forward as she struggled for breath. Her nails scratched at the surface of Gumus's hand without leaving a mark.
Bystanders staggered back shocked at the gall of a lowly Aventyrare attacking a General.
"Mi-na!" Gumus banged the General against the wall twice for emphasis.
The General composed herself enough to lay her ears back flat and snarl. She pushed her legs off the wall and flung them around Gumus's wrist loosening his grip enough to take a breath. "I'll have you drawn and quartered before the sun sets for daring to lay a hand on a General of Dong Tochi."
Gumus pulled his arm back to fling her to the ground when Kirmizi and Tomutan intervened.
"Put her down!" General Tomutan shouted.
"I was just about to," answered Gumus.
A stream of Mikachiari entered into the square, weapons drawn. Generals Ahm Rahis and Nwa Chapo Le Sel followed close behind.
"Gumus," Kirmizi said. "You won't leave this square alive if you don't put the General down, unharmed." Kirmizi expected to see defiance in Gumus, instead he saw a flicker of despair followed by a slight sag of his shoulders.
"Teke promised I could stay by her side. She promised I would be allowed to watch over Mina."
General Kwa Chapo Le Sel threw a blue-white air spell at Gumus. Several more Asistan Ti appeared, magic swirling in their palms.
The magic attack flung Gumus backwards. He sprang up and was immediately hit with multiple spells: red, orange, purple. His steps slowed to a crawl and smoke rose from his skin.
"We know nothing of Teke's plans!" General Jikutokushikazu shouted to Gumus above the hiss of magic. The Mikachiari gathered around her and they blocked the Asistan Ti's attack on Gumus. "I know the real reason you cast your spells, wizard demons. Don't bother!" General Jikutokushikazu spat at General Kwa Chapo Le Sel.
"What are you talking about? We've always used our magic for everyone's benefit in Dong Tochi," General Kwa Chapo Le Sel said.
"You think by protecting us we'd take you into our confidence? We'd trust you after what you're planning to do? You must think us fools, General Kwa Chapo Le Sel."
"That's enough!" General Tomutan interrupted. "This is not the time or place for your personal war."
A popping sound overheard drew all eyes toward a swirling grey cloud. "Oh, but it is exactly the right time," Two Asistan Ti floated above, one clothed in white, the other in grey. The one in grey addressed Nwa Chap Le Sel. "The Prezidan will be pleased with this new development."
Nwa Chapo Fo Dife cried out, "They attacked Nwa Chapo Yon Sel! Blan Chapo Yon Sel you defy our own laws to follow the Prezidan's madness!"
The response to Nwa Chapo Fo Dife's words was swift. Multiple weapons and magic flew through the air. The Asistan Ti in white, Blan Chapo Yon Sel, spread her hands and multicolored shields of magic closed around her and the Asistan Ti accomplice in grey. The black hat magic sizzled against the shields and weapons clattered to the ground. Blan Chapo Yon Sel flung her arms out once more and a second later they winked out in a ball of white.
The Mikachiari huddled together in agitation. The Asistan Ti withdrew to General Nwa Chapo Le Sel's side. General Ahm Rahis took a stand between the two groups as they hurled insults at each other.
Kirmizi caught General Tomutan's arm as he rushed forward to help General Ahm Rahis. "Banish Gumus. You have bigger problems to deal with in Dong Tochi right now."
General Tomutan gave a dismissive wave. "I banish him and you. If I ever see him again I'm holding you responsible. If he becomes a massacring monster, I'm holding you responsible. Your time is done here in Dong Tochi."
Kirmizi gave a slow nod and pulled Gumus toward the massive outer gate the Chim had retreated through not too long ago. "Teke must have had her reasons. You're going to have to trust they moved Mina to keep her safe and they couldn't confide in you for the same reason. Within moments Prezidan Jules will know something is going on which puts Mina in grave danger. That was Blan and Gri Chapo Yon Sel, the two highest White and Grey hat magic users." Kirmizi paused. "Brother, what woke you? We thought you wouldn't find the strength to go on after Mina was taken."
"I felt bound in body but my spirit drifted. I saw back in time to before the Bocek invaded. Then I saw Onxy Ay tie the dead body of his mate and daughters to his waist and drag them during the Sabah Yuruyusu. My spirit gathered at a cave covered with paintings on the walls."
Kirmizi inhaled sharply. "Kutsul Magara."
"Then my spirit returned and I was no longer bound."
"Your Ofkelenmek was given a focus."
Gumus agreed. "I must find Mina and help her. She is part of something greater but exactly what is unclear to me."
Once outside the cacophony of the Chim wilderness filled the air. Kirmizi continued. "Go to the east corner of the wall and wait for me. I'll bring supplies. It's a long trek through Chim strongholds to reach the other outposts and Seo Jog Mo Seo Li."
"How will I know the way, brother?" Gumus asked.
"I'm coming with you."
Country: Varlid, Nation: The Far West Wilderness between Dong Tochi and Seo Jog Mo Seo Li
Gumus was used to being a giant in his own right but the beasts here were regularly twice his size. They had to dodge and stick to the shadows, following small paths through thick underbrush to reach heavily guarded outposts. Kirmizi had transport papers from Dong Tochi so the only hard part was reaching one of the outposts without having to engage Chim or other wild animals. On several occasions they had to make a run for the outpost after being spotted and chased all the way to a fortified gate. There the guards were keen to keep Chim and animals away and repelled the attack while cursing Kirmizi and Gumus for not being more careful.
For Gumus there was a particularly nasty animal that plagued him. A tiny specimen that bit his ankles and caused them to swell. That only lasted through the heavily wooded areas. Next on their journey came a shore line they followed for days and then a hot, dry volcanic landscape that stretched on forever. When the landscape finally changed to another heavily wooded area, Kirmizi announced. "We're almost there."
"This trip has taken us many months. How do we even know they're still there?" Gumus asked.
"I've checked at the outposts along the way. There is communication with Dong Tochi. Mavi Ay said they arrived by ship and the ship left again but with no Mikachiari on board. They had to have made camp somewhere outside Seo Jog Mo Seo Li."
"Any sign of Asistan Ti?"
"No, but they just need scouts. The Grey and White hats both have spells similar to the Black hats. They can use magic to transport long distances as long as they've been their once and set up a marker."
"How do we fight their magic?"
"We don't. The Mikachiari were right. Although the Black hats are still on their side they cannot be fully trusted. Nwa Chapo Fo Dife said as much because the Prezidan still holds some kind of power over them."
"There must be some weapon or shield the Black hats can help us make."
Kirmizi shook his head. "None that I know of and they wouldn't make one that could be used against their own kind. The Asistan Ti do not possess magic. Maybe in the beginning it was so but not now. Now they are magic. Th
e most I've seen them do is make small objects that hold power for the Manskliga and Elyun. The Black hats made the Suk Chae that powers Dong Tochi. What works in our favor is the White hats can only cast protective and enfeebling spells. The really strong ones like Blan Chapo Yon Sel can revive the dead. Since the Black hats revolted against Prezidan Jules, he created Grey hats. Their magic is similar to the Black hats but far less powerful. It is unclear if they can kill anyone but they definitely can maim."
"But the Black hats can still kill."
"Yes."
"Good thing they're on our side."
"Yes, for now."
Country: Varlid, Nation: The Far West Wildernes outside Seo Jog Mo Seo Li
A door closed cutting off the panting of a Mikachiari in labor. "Mina's with at least five cubs," Nori said.
"Thank you, Goddess Jimotekuari!" Teke cried. "How soon?"
"A couple more hours."
"How soon until we can impregnate her again?"
Noki sobered, her ears turned down. "Why? No one has discovered us."
"They're looking. We know they're somewhere around Seo Jog Mo Seo Li. It's too dangerous to move any farther away. All it takes is for one Asistan Ti to let the Prezidan know and we're done."
"But this, sacrificing her, after all she's done?"
"She will be remembered forever with our words. It is her fate."
"A fate you've decided for her. What of your fate?"
"I—I will be cursed. I will be cursed for far more than what I've done to Mina."
A muffled cry sent Noki back into the small room. Hours later she brought five cubs for Teke to hand over to five Mikachiari.
"Take them to the sanctuaries, protect them with your life. Our existence depends on it," said Teke as she handed each mewling cub to it's new mother.
"Should we name them before we go?" one Mikachiari asked.
Crowning Fantasy Book 1 Page 9