"So I see. The same arrangement applies. Please inform your sisters."
Luru gave a slight bow as he moved off then they gathered around and Luru and Batu brought everyone up to date on what had happened so far. Batu decided it was safer to tell them about the High Priestess out in the open than inside their room where they might be monitored.
The High Priestess had sought sanctuary in a place called Refuge. She had hid her true identity while living there. She happened to be in Free Port Sanddyner when the place was attacked by the Manskliga and nearly destroyed.
"She's dropped her official name and goes by Riki now," Batu added.
"Why?"
Batu shrugged. "She hasn't explained much except that she learned a great deal in Refuge and was changed."
After they were done catching up they retreated to their room to wait.
***
Mina had just started to respond a bit to Kazi when the gaunt Vakt came knocking. Several stewards followed him carrying freshly laundered clothes.
"A council meeting has been called for tomorrow right after lunch. Who may I say is representing the Mikachiari?"
"I am," Luru said. "But I will require Batu, Noki, Gumus and Mina to attend as well."
"There is only one dignitary and secretary allowed at the meeting."
"Batu, then. However Gumus will be attending with a matter that concerns the Elyun and the Kertenkele."
The Vakt shook his head. "Whatever that is will require a separate meeting—"
Gumus rose to his full height, his eyes and torso aflame. "I will speak tomorrow. There really isn't anything you can do to stop me."
The Vakt narrowed his eyes. "If they have time to hear you, make sure it is brief and to the point." He arched an eyebrow as his eyes looked Gumus up and down. "Do you require a change of clothes?"
"Yes."
The Vakt sniffed and motioned for the stewards to place the clothes on the table. "They will deliver them shortly."
The next day the group picked at their lunch. Kazi wandered around the market to see what she could hear and the news across Varlid was not good. An Aventyrare ship had tried to dock at the Enade port but was denied. Some of the crew had hurled rotted food at the Vakt while others had climbed up on the railing of the ship and relieved themselves in the harbor before they sailed away.
"There are reports of clashes in the Bred Hav between pirates, Aventyrare, and the nations. The trip back home will not be easy," Kazi worried.
"Pirates were bad before on the way to Dong Tochi. Now they'll be circling the nations and the ports," Gumus said.
"Why doesn't the Asistan Ti just make another Suk Chae?" Noki asked. No one knew the answer.
Luru threw open the door when the Vakt knocked. "I take it your are ready," he stated.
"More than ready," Luru said as the small group left. Gumus looked back at Kazi.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of her. She's almost ready to start talking again. I can feel it," Kazi said.
They walked to a heavily guarded door none in the group had seen before. Inside was a lift that was pulled upwards by several more Vakt. At first they were unable to move because of Gumus's weight. Gumus sent the Vakt to help with the other pulley while he maned one by himself. They rose upward until they reached the top.
***
The upper tier of Enade was made entirely of glossy white stone. In the center of the circular area was a fountain made out of black stone. When the sunlight hit it at a certain angle, rainbows reflected off it's surface. To the left was a market place. Unlike the rowdy ones on the lower levels this one was quiet. Well dressed citizens traveled between the stalls with servants carrying baskets.
The group walked around to the right until they came to a hallway on their right. There was a large staircase and further down the hallway they could see a garden. Beyond that were the living quarters for the dignitaries from the nations.
The gaunt Vakt led the way up the stairs and to a room. He threw open the double doors. Seated in the council room were a Manskliga, an Elyun with their secretaries. Prezidan Boni also sat at the table with Blan Chapo Yon Sel at his side.
Luru felt the skin around her mouth pull tight. She wanted to snarl. Instead she forced herself to relax. Batu's tail didn't stop twitching. Gumus's fists were clenched. Luru took in a deep breath and realized no place had been prepared for them at the table.
"Are we to stand during this meeting?"
"I'm afraid so. We'll make it brief."
Luru cocked her head to one side. "Brief? I think we'll need some time."
The Manskliga cleared his throat. No one introduced themselves.
"I'm Luru from Nokashikatekiariku—"
"We know very well who you are." Prezidan Boni said. Blan Chapo Yon Sel cringed at the sound of Luru's voice.
"We are here to be recognized as a nation once again in Varlid," Luru said.
"There are treaties in place between the Manskliga, Elyun and Asistan Ti. We have not received instructions to alter them from the heads of our nations. I'm sure you've heard of the fall of Dong Tochi. Our nations have more pressing matters to deal with across Varlid," The Vakt said.
"We are prepared to take our place at the council and assume the cost and joint maintenance of Enade and the outposts," Luru replied.
"That is not necessary," The Elyun said. "Since the Asistan Ti have been ousted from Patri Peyi. They have asked and have been given Enade and the Trask and Falt Galen to manage. They are going to assume all costs of running these areas which relieves the burden from Rike and Dohla to focus on other issues."
"The Asistan Ti are still going to be recognized as a nation?" Luru asked.
"Yes," Prezidan Boni asked. "Or would you rather we be eradicated, left to wander Varlid?"
"For now I'll keep to myself what I would like to see happen to your kind. I only ask that if the Asistan Ti are allowed to stay on the council that the Mikachiari also have their status restored. We would also seek assurances that our borders will be respected."
The Manskliga motioned to his secretary. "Is that your formal request?"
Luru curled her lips back to reveal her teeth. "Yes and that all Mikachiari be repatriated immediately."
"My secretary will make a note of it and pass this along to the heads of our nations."
"In the meantime we will leave a dignitary here—"
"That won't be necessary."
Before Luru could argue further, Gumus moved forward and threw a sheaf of papers in front of the Elyun. "The Asistan Ti left behind some things in their haste to get out of Nokashikatekiariku."
The Elyun sat motionless.
"It seems the Bocek carried out their attack on the Kertenkele with if not outright assistance from, encouragement by, the Elyun."
The Elyun swallowed and scooted back in his chair. "I don't know anything of this matter. I don't even know if these documents are legitimate."
Gumus shoved them across to Prezidan Boni. "Maybe you can help explain?"
"These records are from Prezidan Jules who has passed to the Deyes nan Magic. I have no knowledge of them nor do I care."
"Then I will inform my brothers and I'm sure they will be requesting a place at this council as well in the coming months."
The Elyun looked sideways at Gumus. "Onyx Ay has declared you dead and the Elyun will not permit your presence within Dohla."
"Stop me."
"You can't take on the whole Sudawa of Elyun."
"So stop me."
"That's enough," The Manskliga said. "This council is not open to threats from outsiders. Vakt!"
"What about our assurances?" Luru asked.
"Return to your homeland. I'm sure in due time a decision will be reached."
"We are at war then?"
"Nothing has been decided at this council. We've merely taken your requests and will present them to our respective nations. I realize this is new to you but there is a process."
The dignitaries and
their secretaries stood up from the table and without another word left the room through a door in the back.
"This way," the gaunt Vakt said as he stood just outside of the double doors they'd entered from and direct Luru's group to exit as well.
***
"Teka! Teka torin!" Luru said as soon as they were outside. She marched past the Vakt and everyone but Gumus struggled to keep up.
"Excuse me!" The Vakt called out but Luru ignored him and instead of the lift made for the stairs that would eventually wind them down to the last level.
Noki and Kazi were quickly brought up to speed when they returned to their quarters.
"We're leaving now. Noki go get supplies at the market," Luru said.
"It's not safe to travel at night," Noki said.
"We have Gumus."
"I'm afraid not, Luru. I must go to Dohla. Kirmizi has walked in blind to the Elyun's plans and I have no idea what Onyx Ay will do. They may be in danger."
"What about Mina?"
"She is responding to Kazi more than she's responded to me in days. I'll build a litter so you can take her with you. I'm sorry. I wouldn't do this but it's important. Maybe you should stay here until I return?"
"I doubt they'll put us up for that long and we have to get back as well since the High Priest—Riki, has returned. She needs to know what has happened here as soon as possible. We need to figure out what to prepare for first."
"I have a favor to ask."
"Of course, if I can."
"Can I have assurances the Kertenkele would be welcome among the Mikachiari?"
Luru looked around the room. "I have no final authority but as far as I'm concerned, the Kertenkele will always be welcome."
"I'll leave tonight," Gumus said picking up his few belongings. "Rest and take off first thing in the morning. Travel only by day, stick to the road and stay with a caravan if you can."
"We'll be fine. We only have to clear the Falt Galen. After that we're in Aririnkatata and Faglar are in charge. You have a much longer journey and if the Elyun council member was speaking the truth you will be in hostile territory much of the way."
"I know the mines. It's just a matter of staying clear of Padda."
"Be careful. I'm sure Mina will be waiting for you."
Gumus made no reply. He brushed Mina's cheek with a fingertip and then was gone.
Country: Varlid, Nation: Dohla, City: Rasima
Every game of skill teaches a lesson that must be learned about war: use your forces wisely with every bit of intelligence at your disposal, otherwise you will lose. - Manskliga scholar
Gumus traveled back to Dohla a different route then how he'd left. If Mina hadn't been with him he would have taken this route to escape but thought it was too dangerous for Mina with Padda using the tunnels. Now he didn't care for anyone's safety. Not even his own. If he found Padda he would attack them and kill them.
The Elyun mining operations followed along the Great Nahara's underground tributaries that had carved out tunnels long ago and then been widened by Padda. In Slat, instead of heading southeast towards Zeroob sahaerat Gumus turned eastward to an abandoned mine shaft. Once there he was able to grab a southeast tributary ending up at the bottom of the Great Nahara. This way he bypassed the outpost between Zeroob sahaerat and Slat Galen and the other one at the Great Nahara.
Gumus sat down to rest and think about his next move. He could eventually find a tributary that would lead up to the surface. Dil Hill might be the safest place to get a feel for what was going on with the Kertenkele and how Kirmizi and Mavi had been received. The problem was he had no idea when the Kertenkele would gather at Dil. He couldn't recall any upcoming ceremonies. That would still leave him outside Rasima and he would have to return here to start over. Or he could make his way north into Shimel sahaerat and join in one of the mining camps returning to Rasima and with luck meet up with Buclu who might be sympathetic. The biggest hurdle in this plan would be Padda. The last option was to follow the main tributary into Rasima but Gumus liked this option the least. If the grates were closed and he had no reason to think otherwise he would drown or be dumped out into the Bred Hav before he could find a way to enter Rasima.
The shadows grew long as mist from the river drenched his skin. Gumus drew his great axe and stashed it between two rocks. He fingered the axe handle reluctantly leaving it behind. He should have felt an over-powering hatred for Onyx after seeing his name in the records left behind by the Asistan Ti. Gumus was determined Onyx and the Elyun would finally pay for the downfall of the Kertenkele. Above him, ages ago, he had laid out under the stairs with Mina. Gumus had feared turning into a monster then. Now he was comfortable in his role by Mina's side for however long she needed him. He even dared to hope that his brothers could build a life with the Mikachiari and Faglar.
His mind made up, Gumus set off to enter Shimel sahaerat and intercept a mining group.
***
Unknown to all the brothers in his care, Onyx Ay never walked alone. The ghosts of his mate and his daughter followed him day and night. He had drug their bodies across the Buyuk Col until there was nothing left. Their bones lay scattered across the sand. Sometimes, especially during the ceremonies on Dil Hill, the ghosts of all the mates and daughters would hover close. Onyx knew why they haunted him and accepted his fate. He still had many years yet to live with what he had done.
Kirmizi and Mavi had returned to Dohla. At first Onyx was over-joyed. Then they began to speak of a way to control the madness brought on by the Cinsel Iliski. They mentioned Gumus and how he had recovered. Only Onyx's most trusted followers helped him drug and lock Kirmizi and Mavi in the cages on Dil Hill. He told the rest they had moved on. Gumus had to stay dead. There was no cure for the Cinsel Iliski, even with Kirmizi's procedure the Kertenkele would become unstable and dangerous. Onyx had controlled many more through his teachings. Kirmizi and Mavi had also lost their mates and daughters. He had hoped given time they would see the error of their ways.
Things had not returned to normal. The news reached Dohla of the Mikachiari winning against the Asistan Ti and driving them out of their homeland. The Faglar were free once again. Not long after a full-blown riot erupted in the Ashiha Esarotarahis house. A small group of Mikachiari armed themselves and escaped to join the rest of their sisters. Onyx tried to approach Tado and offer some way to work together in the future. Tado had refused to even hear him out.
The Sudawa had payed him a visit and let it be known they would not accept him losing control over the Kertenkele as Tado had lost control over the Mikachiari under her care. Onyx was left with no choice, he had to get rid of Kirmizi and Mavi before anyone knew they were still alive or heard their heresy.
Onyx's mind was occupied with all of this as he plodded through the Kertenkele area of Rasima. The full-blown cries of Kertenkele from the mines brought him up short. A tremor of horror passed through him. It can't be.
Ahead, Gumus marched out of the mines, his brothers fanning out behind him. Their chests were glowing, their eyes bright swirls of yellow, orange, and red flame. Gumus was spreading the Cinsel Iliski to the Kertenkele who had not mated. What Onyx had been trying to prevent all these years had come to pass.
The madness of the Ofkelenmek had begun.
Areas of Varlid:
Nation of Dohla, capital Rasima on the Bred Hav:
Shimel sahaerat
Mining operations on the edge of the great desert, El Kebida.
Minor strongholds of Padda.
Zeroob sahaerat
Dil Hill
Northwest Slat Galen
West Waha
Slat Galen:
Southeast Zeroob sahaerat
Northwest Sanddyner
Northeast Trask Galen
Sanddyner, city Free Port Sanddyner on the Bred Hav:
Northeast Hojder Galen
Southeast Slat Galen
South Portal to Refuge
Hojder Galen
North Rike
/> South Sanddyner
Nation Rike, capital Fond on the Bred Hav:
South Hojder Galen
Numerous caves that lead to Grampas strongholds and other areas of Varlid.
Trask Galen
Southeast Hojder
Northeast Enade
Enade, Jointly held capital of Varlid on the Bred Hav
East Falt Galen
Falt Galen
West Enade
East Aririnkatata
Aririnkatata
Faglar stronghold
Port Nomoshichi (Port Plaj) on the Bred Hav
East Nokahikatekiariku (Patri Peyi)
Nokashikatekiariku (Patri Peyi), capital Mikanokichikata (Vil Peyi) on the Bred Hav
West Aririnkatata
East El Kebida
Background of the areas of Varlid:
THE ELYUN
During the Varlid War the Elyun invaded and captured the area of Dohla bordered by the Bred Hav and El Kebida. Their capital is Rasima. Thier language is Loha. Their nation has taken in two different races: Kertenkele and Mikachiari. The Kertenkele immigrated to Dohla after the Bocek invasion of Buyuk Col. They mine the minerals, precious metals and stones for the Elyun. The Mikachiari immigrated after their homeland was invaded by the Asistan Ti during the Varlid War. Sudawas are the military of Dohla.
The nation Dohla consists of three areas - Shimel Sahaerat, Zeroob Sahaerat, Waha. A river with underground tributaries runs through Dohla - The Great Nahara. They accept the Varlid Goddess Gudina but also their God Gala.
Elyun in Rasima
Emperor - Rehis Abja
Sayid Esarotarahis
Ashiha Esarotarahis
Lurazat Esarotarahis
Phrases in Loha:
Curse you - Loana
Bless you - Miralikalafike
Beseha Gala - Enjoy your meal
THE KERTENKELE
Kertenkele lived in vast underground caverns and tunnels in the great desert, El Kebida, called Buyuk Col. An insect-like species, Bocek, infested the tunnels and laid their eggs in the wombs of the female Kertenkele, eventually wiping out the female race. The Ketenkele made the 'Sabah Yuruyusu' 'March of Morning' to Rasima and laid their lives before the Elyun to be used as they saw fit. Kertenkele live hundreds of years but they will eventually die out since. Their dead language is Dil since they no longer speak it except for ceremonial purposes. The Kertenkele like the Mikachiari live hundreds of years.
Crowning Fantasy Book 1 Page 15