NAAN (The Rabanians Book 1)

by Dan Haronian

  Daio woke with a start and sat up in his bed. His heart was pounding and his eyes gazed at the darkness around him. His face was burning and his skin was wet with sweat. Suddenly he realized why they really multiplied so much on this planet. He stood up from his bed and walked to the bathroom and put his head under the running water.

  Hundreds died during the next few days, and thousands accompanied them in the endless processions that straggled away to the White Planes. The children's smiling faces from his dream came back to his mind every time Daio saw one of the little coffins. He was furious at the thought that Naan would never change unless he saved it from this damn plague. This became clearer in his mind with every step he took on the way to the White Planes.

  Two weeks later the plague was over and everyone went back to their business, everyone but Daio. For him the plague was his only focus. He believed with all his heart that a cure was out there and all that was needed was a concerted effort to find the origin of the plague. He thought about the things the Doctor had said and focused on improving the daily life on Naan. He worked to gain the trust of Naan's leaders and the support of its people. A year went by. Naan’s Economy soared but to him it was nothing.

  A noisy truck, loaded with fruits, drove slowly down the road from the plantations. It stopped at the crossing and the driver stared at me, stunned. A long time ago when I’d walked this road it was narrow, barely wide enough for one truck. Now it was smooth and black and as twice as wide. I’d watched the town from the mountaintop and I could tell things had changed. Of course they had to have changed because the town was severely damaged during the attacks.

  I gazed at the street leading into town. It felt as if I’d walked here before in a dream. The stunned look on the driver’s face remained, until he finally shifted his focus back to the road, and gunned the engine on the truck. The vehicle let out a long groan before starting forward and moving heavily towards the town.

  With a pounding heart I followed it, holding the horse’s reins. Countless times I’d wondered how this meeting with the townspeople would go. Were they even the same people or were they invaders? Either way I doubted they would remember me. A group of young boys and girls were speaking loudly on the sidewalk outside the entrance to one of the houses. Their voices faded as I passed by them. They were just as short as I remembered. This encouraged me. The rebels had been regular-sized people and if they hadn’t eliminated the smaller people in the town, then maybe they wouldn’t rush to hurt me.

  A large group of children and adults began following me along the sidewalks, growing as I walked farther into town. From time to time someone pointed at me and said something. Others laughed pointing to the horses and sheep that followed me.

  Before leaving my house I’d chopped all the vegetables and pulled all the roots in my garden, then put everything in baskets. I’d filled all of my containers with water and loaded everything onto the mare. Many days had passed since my illness, but not a day passed without my thinking about what happened. I worried that it might happen again and this time I might not be as lucky. Eventually I gave in to the discomfort these thoughts caused and headed out to look for a safer place to live.

  I hadn’t planned to go back to the town, and even now, walking down the street with pounding heart, I didn't know why I was here. Maybe it was the illness that had nearly killed me. Maybe it made me understand that living alone made me vulnerable. I wasn't sure. No one needs to experience such an illness to understand how dangerous it can be to live alone. There are lots of other ways to die, it's enough to stumble and break a leg, or get an infection from a minor cut. Maybe I simply got tired of my lonely life and was willing to take the risk and to turn myself in just for the company. After all, I might spend the rest of my life in the local jail. Or worst of all, they could turn me in to Seragon.

  Thoughts of returning to the town came back to me every time I reached a crossroads. Every time I postponed the decision until the next crossroads. Eventually I found myself at the same mountaintop gazing down at the town. I hoped that time had dulled the memories of the people there, and that they would not connect me to the events that took place back then. But the sight of the rays hitting the town was still as fresh in my mind as were the scars on my body. It only seemed reasonable to assume that their memories were just as clear.

  On top of this was the simple fact that I looked even stranger than I’d looked the last time I was here. I looked like a wild man from some legend as I walked down the street. My head towered above everyone else on the sidewalks, and I was wearing leather clothes while leading a small herd of horses and sheep through the streets.

  One of the children from the crowd that followed me was brave enough to go into the street and run along behind me. I heard him yelling things and when I turned back I saw someone rush into the street and pull him to the sidewalk. They were too late to stop him from pulling the little stallion’s tail, causing him to buck and jog forwards.

  Eventually we reached a large crossroads with tall buildings all around. The news of my coming had spread and now the sidewalks were filled with people. Many of them were laughing or whispering to each other. Others gazed at me silently. No one was indifferent. Policemen suddenly appeared and spread out along the sidewalks. They moved between the people and me as if they were afraid I would jump on someone.

  One of them walked up to me, hesitantly. I turned to face him when he was close. Something attracted his attention and he pointed at my leather shirt. I looked down and realized he was pointing to the metal badge I had stitched to it. He had a similar badge on his shirt. I didn't know what to do, so I lifted my shirt so that he could read what was written there. He gazed at it then looked back at me.

  “Raban,” he said.

  “Raban,” I repeated after him and looked at the badge. I assumed this was the name of the man who had protected me with his life.

  “Raban,” he said again, this time with more excitement. He pointed at the badge and waved his finger at me. “Raban,” he said and then touched the badge lightly as if he was trying to sense it. I thought he was trying to make sure it was real. He waved his finger at the badge and backed away from me.

  Someone pushed through the crowd behind him and walked in to the street. The policeman spoke to him, and the newcomer walked towards me hesitantly. His face changed when he saw me. He started speaking rapidly and pointing to one of the streets in the junction. At first I thought he was trying to tell me where to go, but I was too afraid to react. I looked at him and at the policemen standing next to him and wondered why they weren’t jumping on me. The man tried again, motioning with his hand to the street. I lifted my hands to the sides and said, “I don't understand what you want.”

  Someone else pushed through the crowd. I identified his large face immediately as he broke through the chain of policemen. He suddenly halted as if frozen. His eyes were locked on me. After a few seconds he moved his hands forward slowly as if he was reaching for something that hung right in front of him. Suddenly his gaze changed and his body relaxed. He jumped forward as if he was leaping from a hidden step. He halted again, stabilized himself and then walked towards me with quick steps.

  “Sosi?” he asked.

  I swallowed and nodded. “You are the Doctor,” I said, my voice sounding odd to my ears. I couldn't remember his name.

  He walked forward until he stood right in front of me.

  “Sosi,” he mumbled to himself.

  He touched my arm, and I assumed he wasn't sure it was I. After all he’d only seen me for very short time. I wanted to resist his grip, but his grip was incredibly strong and his fingers dug into my arm as he pulled me. We started to walk, surrounded by policemen who pushed away the curious crowd. After walking along narrow streets the Doctor said something to one of our escorts. He ran forward toward a large gate at the end of the street. When we arrived at the gate it was wide open. We walked through it into a large plaza in front of a big, fancy house. Two men suddenly
ran out through the main door. I could not believe my eyes.

  Daio stopped some distance away and looked at me. I felt dizzy and my legs started to shake. I took one step forward and stopped. It cannot be, I thought, I must be dreaming.

  “Sosi,” Daio said.

  “You are alive,” I said.

  He walked forward with tears in his eyes. “You are alive?” he said and hugged me. I gazed at Dug who was standing behind him. His mouth hung open and he looked as if he still believed he was about to wake up from a dream. The moment passed and we all saw that this was no dream. He walked forward and laid his hand on my shoulder. “You are alive!”

  The three of us stood there hugging for long minute. Tears dripped from our eyes and choked our throats. Daio suddenly pulled himself from me, held me at arms length and looked at me. “Is it really you?” he asked.

  “I guess I’ve changed a bit,” I said.

  He shook his head and looked me over from head to toe. “I can’t believe it's you,” he said passing his hand over my beard.

  “What happened?” I asked.

  He shook his head. “I don't know where to start,” he said and sniffed. “There isn't a day that goes by when I don't think about what happened and what I should have done differently.” He wiped the tears from his eyes. “There was a blast, the hovercraft fuel, we all were thrown into the air. But the fire…”

  “Yes, the fire was huge,” I said, lifted the leather shirt and exposed my twisted skin.

  “I guess it was the blast that separated us,” said Daio lifting his head to the sky and taking a deep breath. “And the fire, the fire made us think the worst had happened.”

  “Where did you go?” asked Dug.

  “To the mountains. I saw the attack on the town. I didn't think there was anything left for me here.”

  The mare snorted behind Sosi and stepped forward. The sheep had started grazing on the green grass of the carefully landscaped garden.

  “I see you’ve upgraded to a truly advanced vehicle,” said Dug looking at the mare pushing her head towards me as if she was also wanted a hug. He gazed at the stallions that followed the sheep. “And spare parts,” he added.

  I smiled and Daio wiped away the tears that were still dripping down his cheeks.

  “They were the only vehicle around in the mountains,” I said.

  Someone else walked up from the back. He gave me a worried look and then gazed suspiciously at the horses and sheep that stood on the green lawn.

  “This is Moah, the house father,” said Daio.

  I nodded towards him.

  “Let's get inside,” said Daio.

  We walked towards the entrance, the mare following us. Daio stopped and gazed at her with a smile.

  I patted her long neck. “It's time for you to go home,” I said.

  The mare snorted when I gave the rope to Moah. “Take her and the others to the forest, they will find their way home.”

  Daio translated. I looked at him, surprised that he was speaking a language I didn't understand. It was so strange. Moah looked at the horses and sheep and wondered how he was supposed to guide them through the streets.

  I saw his look and said, “Take the mare, the rest will follow.” Daio translated my words.

  “Yes sir,” said Moa with a faint voice, held the rope and pulled the mare towards the gate.

  “I think the police can take care of this,” said the Doctor and stepped forward. He nodded to one of the policemen who walked toward Moah and took the rope.

  “I will let you three catch up,” continued the Doctor and Daio nodded.

  “Come tomorrow for breakfast,” said Daio.

  “I would be delighted,” said the Doctor and waved to his people to clear the place.

  Daio laid his hand on my shoulder and led me into the house. We walked into the living room. I looked around stunned by the luxury and wondering again if I was dreaming. I brushed my hand against one of the padded armchairs and smiled, thinking about the log in my home on the hill.

  “Mom's shepherd,” said Daio and laid his hand on my shoulder again.

  I smiled faintly, and Daio continued, “It's amazing to think her dream actually came true.”

  I looked around at their living room, “The dream is even weirder now,” I said.

  “Come on, let's sit down,” he said.

  I sat in the armchair. It felt soft and I stroked the fabric. Daio and Dug sat in the double armchair across from me.

  “How did you go from the horror in the forest to all this?” I asked.

  Daio looked around as if he was surprised too. It was clear he had already gotten use to it. “It's not what it looks like,” he said with a sigh.

  “Are you hungry or thirsty,” said Dug and stood. “I am sorry we didn’t even offer you anything.”

  “No, I am fine,” I said.

  “It's okay,” said Dug, “I’ll go and prepare something. I’ll ask Moah to prepare a festive meal for this evening.”

  Daio looked at me and shook his head. "I don't know what the shepherd in mom's dream looked like, but I don't think he could look any better than you.”

  “It's not what it looks like,” I said smiling. I gazed at the tall ceiling. “So this is your home?”

  “I wouldn’t call it ours, but I don't think we are in any danger of getting kicked out.”

  “How did this happen?”

  Daio twisted his lips as if he wondered himself. “I suppose, after what happened, we became Naan's heroes. We were detained for a little while but after Mampas realized we had nothing to do with the takeover attempt, and that you got killed during the attacks,” he stopped for a moment before continuing in a steadier voice. “We became heroes on your behalf.”

  “My behalf?" I said. "You didn't know. You thought I was dead."

  “Yes of course,” said Daio and swallowed a lump in his throat. Tears started to fill his eyes and he started to talk but his voice choked.

  Dug returned to the living room with a plate of sandwiches and drinks. Daio wiped the tears from his eyes and swallowed again. He got up from his armchair and pulled up a small table on which Dug laid the plate.

  “It's not much. Moah will spoil you,” said Dug looking at me and smiled. “This doesn't bother you?” he asked pointing at my beard.

  “Not anymore,” I said and pulled on my short beard.

  “Where were you? What where you doing all this time?” asked Daio hoarsely.

  “You must have gone through a lot if you felt comfortable enough to walk into town like that,” said Dug.

  I chuckled, “I thought so too, but it was already too late.”

  “Stop needling him,” said Daio scolding, “Give him space to breathe.” He gazed at me with a sad smile. “Where have you been? I know you were injured. How did you manage so long all by yourself?”

  We sat there until it started to get dark. I told them about all of my experiences in the mountains and they listened carefully. I ate a sandwich as we talked. When my story was finished I took a long shower. After an amazing dinner, we came back to the living room.

  “So you are the governor of Naan now?” I asked.

  “I am not the governor,” said Daio, “We are only consultants.”

  “We are much more than consultants,” said Dug. “Consultants don’t give their soul to their clients like we do for these people.”

  Daio started to pace the living room looking for the right words, but he was still too excited and his thoughts wandered.

  “They are wonderful people,” he said standing at the window. “You won't find any more reliable and kind people anywhere in the galaxy.”

  “Yes,” I said thinking of the toothless people I saw long ago while wandering in the plantations.

  Daio shook his head. “But something in their culture makes their life hard.”

  “Makes your life hard you mean,” corrected him Dug.

  “Yes, that is true,” said Daio. He shook his head disagreeing with a
thought running through his mind. “They accept the changes we bring,” he said eventually. “Only they don't actually take part in them. They don't connect to new things. It's as if there is something that is holding them back. Some genetic flaw.” He wasn't happy with his last words.

  “Take for example the Sinners' Plague,” he said. “They don’t have…”

  “Plague?” I cut him off.

  “The plague,” said Daio and gazed at me wondering.

  “He doesn't know about it. He wasn't here,” said Dug.

  Daio shook his head, chuckling, and sat next to me. “I am so immersed in this that I tend to forget basic things.”

  “What plague?” I asked curiously.

  “There is a plague that strikes this place once a year, killing and crippling hundreds of people, mainly children.”

  I shook my head. This was the last thing I was expecting to hear.

  “We were in shock when it happened.”

  “And there is no cure?” I asked.

  “That is exactly the point. I have no doubt there is, but they don't want to look for it. They consider it to be as inevitable as dying of old age. It is part of their lives and they will make no effort to change it.”

  “They won't refuse a cure if one is found but they won't look for one,” said Dug.

  I pulled at my beard. “When does this plague take place?”

  “It starts around the end of the year and last for few weeks,” said Daio.