by CK Collins
“So we came with our bread and cheese and purloined citrus and sat here, by the wall right here, with the sun just as it is now, and I remember looking out at the city and saying that I was going to pass interrogation and become a Brother and never leave.”
“You knew yourself.”
“And little else.”
“What did your friend say?”
“Almost nothing, as I recall — ate the cheese and oranges and let me go on saying silly things. Here, shall we sit?”
Tchori follows Carodai to the limestone bench, stained and pitted by centuries’ rain, that encircles the cistern’s edge.
“So. You had no difficulty?”
“Only the wait for that ridiculous bridge.” She lowers the glasses perched on her head — a librarian’s habit, Kistulo says, and he’s right — and removes the tobacco tin from her sack. A thumbnail slice through the paper seal, and she twists the tight lid free. Sule’s letter is on top, neatly creased. A compact script.
“He’s not used a cypher.”
“Interesting.”
“And it’s brief.”
“It appears to be, yes.”
Setting the tin aside, looking out on the city. “If it’s . . . what are we going to do?”
“Go on living, I expect.”
“Right, yeah.”
She extends the sheet, which he declines with a smile: “Won’t you read it for us, dove?”
“Why?”
“Well, you’ve a better speaking voice.”
“I haven’t. It’s too high.”
“That’s just rubbish. And if you read, then I can sit back and relish this view. We’re blessed to live in a beautiful country, Miss Vidaayit.”
“I tend to agree.”
Beloved Brother in Grace,
I pray this letter finds you safe and well. And that dear Tchori and Liashe are well.
Forgive my silence. Circumstances have been adverse. I must be brief. Be assured that I write in obedience to your command that I make no other record.
It is my responsibility, first, to tell you that Rika Murai was brought to Jaya by Hilm Hivaa and that we were, through his sacrifice, delivered from them. I am aware of none in Hilm Hivaa who survived. Further elaboration must wait.
That night, it came that Callie and Ephraim were abandoned in the storm. I came to them, and it was in the course of providence for us to reach Dominion Hall, a place you know well, Brother. The basement inaccessible, we sheltered in the reading room and made barrier against the storm. Callie fell into anguish, and the howl of the Skythk was in our ears. We experienced there the dread assault of Oblivion.
In that horror we were cast apart — then at wicked last the end. I rose and Ephraim rose and in debris we found Callie. She had breath, Brother, but woke in weeping. For in her womb was stillness and cold.
We cared for her as we could.
Fire was about us and there fell a steady rain. With no hope of imminent aid, we joined a forlorn procession to the city. Accounts of that day will be written, Brother, and some may attain eloquence, but the greatest will be false to the horror of Jaya that day.
The road was a strewn mire. Callie would not permit herself to be carried. Death floated and was contorted in trees. There was all about us the torment of suffering and loss. No hospital had survived the night. At the Jaya Cricket Grounds, a medical centre was to be established. Through great carnage, in wet and fetid heat, we made our way.
At the stadium, so heavy was the throng clamouring for care that we were hours in chaotic queue. Ephraim found water, from where I do not know, and took for himself only the last draught. Callie leaned heavily upon him, for there was no place to rest. With a gaze set far, she prepared for the unique cruelty of stillbirth. As panic and anger spread around us, her labour grew, and at the fall of night we abandoned the teeming danger of that place.
We walked without hope or direction. I despaired, Brother, at my impotence.
It came then that a Talid woman, observing Callie, offered aid. Past destruction and smouldering fires she led us, halting only to throw stones at dogs that threatened to desecrate the dead.
We reached a large structure, once a distillery, that had become a crowded shelter. The dear woman located a place of relative privacy, and it was there that Callie came finally to rest.
Water was found. And a ball of cold-pressed cogis. Callie refused both until Ephraim prevailed with whispered words.
A Runai girl brought something of a blanket, which she wrapped around Callie. A curtain was fashioned. A midwife was found. Many worked, though they were weary, and enough of everything was found. Through her labour, Callie clutched the arm of Ephraim.
It came at last, before dawn, that the girl Sira was born. The child was motionless and cold, but Callie kissed and cradled her. She sobbed and rocked and repeated her name in infinite grief.
The people felt her sorrow and shared it. They cried for those they had lost and they cried for the child that Callie had lost. The rain fell and their sorrow became her sorrow, and their need became her need, and their warmth became her warmth.
And there came then a quiver.
A breath. A twitch of tiny fist. Colour in her skin.
It seemed delusion to believe it — but then a kick, then a vital cry.
Callie laughed, such sudden joy, and brought the wailing girl to her breast.
Brother, it is here I end.
There is much I cannot grasp and less I understand, but this truth I know: The daughter of God was born, was loved, and became alive.
End
Pronunciation Guide
Visit www.thegodling.com for more detailed information about the terms and characters included in the Pronunciation Guide.
Vowel Markings
* * *
[a]
tan, lamb, clam
[ahy]
eyesight, site
[ey]
rain, shame, say
[ah]
father, colander
[air]
pear, stare
[aw]
tall, saw
[e]
sell, pen
[ee]
please, repeat
[er]
after, platter
[i]
finishes, pin
[oh]
load, stow
[or]
store, poor
[ow]
now, loud
[oo]
true, clue, food
[uh]
ton, come
[ur]
curly, stir
Principal Characters
* * *
Aarum Sidaarik
AHR-uhm SID-ahr-ik
Caida Daar
KAHY-ee-duh DAHR
Callie Voros
KA-lee VOR-ohs
Carodai
KAR-uh-dahy
Disiri
di-SEER-ee
Ephraim
EF-ruhm
Ikidris
i-KAHY-jris
Rika Murai
RAHY-kuh muh-RAHY
Sule
SOOL
Tchori Vidaayit
CHOR-ee vi-DAHY-yit
Principal Locations
* * *
Anartha
uh-NAHR-thuh
Ghaatasira
GAH-tuh-SEER-uh
Jaya
JAHY-uh
Liashe
lee-AHYSH
Masalay
MAS-uh-ley
Patchil-Kinaat
PACH-il ki-NAHT
Rith Idiiye
RITH i-DEE
Sagaro
suh-GAHR-oh
Additional Terms & Phrases
* * *
Aaldinen
AWL-di-nen
Aarong
AWR-rawng
Aarup kam
AHR-uhp KAHM
Adarist
AD-uh-rist
Addi
AH-dee
>
Akaasht
uh-KAHSHT
Alimi
uh-LEE-mee
Anarthaka
uh-NAHR-thi-kuh
Ani
AH-nee
Arokee
AIR-oh-kee
Ashma
AHSH-muh
Askita
uh-SKI-tuh
Astim
AH-stim
Av Udaan
AHV oo-DAHN
Ayin milai
AHY-in MIL-ahy
Baakdirin
bahk-DEER-in
Baradisu
bah-ruh-DI-soo
Bidaan
bi-DAHN
Birodik
bi-RAH-dik
Bri
BREE
Callum
KAL-uhm
Cauwal
KOW-ul
Chatyn
CHAT-in
Chowgule
CHOW-gool
Cogis
KAH-gis
Daadik
DAH-dik
Daaga
DAH-guh
Daajris
DAH-jris
Daaka
DAH-kuh
Dasalism
DAH-suh-lism
Datilik Radaasis
dah-TIL-ik ruh-DAH-sis
Deirin
DAIR-in
Digrel
DIG-ruhl
Disk dinai
DISK di-NAHY
Dode
DOHD
Domid
DOH-mid
Durna
DER-nuh
Essio
ES-ee-oh
Faadiv
FAH-div
Fori
FOR-ee
Gaalit
GAH-lit
Gaan
GAHN
Gaarik
GAIR-ik
Gilu
GI-loo
Grith Padonai
GRITH pa-duh-NAHY
Hidutha
hi-DOO-thuh
Hilm Hivaa
HILM HI-vah
Ifidians
i-FID-ee-yuhns
Igmaki
IG-muh-kee
Iirik
EER-ik
Iliise
i-LEE-zen
Imurna
IM-urn-uh
Isaan
i-SAHN
Istayim ki
is-TAHY-im KEE
Isteyo
i-STEY-oh
Ivurtigaan
i-VUR-ti-gahn
Kainra
KAHYN-ruh
Karskan
KAHR-skin
Katraam
KAH-chrahm
Kaylin
KEY-lin
Khaadum
KAH-duhm
Khaadumites
KAH-duh-mahyts
Kinvolim
kin-VOH-lim
Kistulo
kis-TOO-loh
Lidayim
li-DAHY-uhm
Lirim
LEER-uhm
Mariden
MAIR-i-din
Mashin
MASH-in
Masirkiyn
muh-SEER-kin
Midaarist
mi-DAHR-ist
Mikel
MAHYK-uhl
Mikidaites
mi-ki-DAHYTS
Misilo
mi-SEE-loh
Miskal
MIS-kuhl
Miskat
mis-KAHT
Murai
muh-RAHY
Naadu
NAH-doo
Naalis
NAHL-is
Niconammek
ni-KAH-nuh-mek
Nirkathi
nir-KATHEE
Nova
NOH-vuh
Ocolum
AH-koh-luhm
Oriydu
or-EE-doo
Paado
PAH-doh
Padistan
PAH-di-stahn
Padistu
PAHD-i-stoo
Parias
puh-RAHY-uhs
Parund
puh-ROOND
Pashi
PAH-shee
Pasqua
pas-KWUH
Passua
pas-WAH
Pidaatik
pi-DAH-tik
Piraadi
pir-AH-dee
Pisaalik
pi-SAHL-ik
Pollyander
PAH-lee-an-der
Pursti
PER-stee
Que
KEY
Radaasine
RAH-duh-seen
Rivaadi
rih-VAH-dee
Riyain
ri-YEYN
Riybe
RAHY-bey
Runai
ROO-nahy
Saadim
SAH-dim
Saadit
SAH-dit
Saida Tal
sahy-EE-duh TAHL
Sajesti
SUH-jes-tee
Saldish
SAL-dish
Sellin
SEL-in
Sha iduur
SHAH i-DER
Shii-haidaam
SHEE huh-DAHM
Sideal
si-DEEL
Silis
SIL-is
Sitaalo
si-TAHL-oh
Skythk
SKAHYTHK
Spolu
SPOH-loo
Stiyalo
stee-YAH-loh
Suapartni
soo-uh-PART-nee
Sudin
SOO-din
Talid
TAL-id
Talidic
tuh-LEE-dik
Tenthip
TEN-thip
Thaadi
THAH-dee
Ti Pairdun
TEE pair-DUHN
Tujin
TOO-jin
Vaalis
VAH-lis
Vawdra
VAW-druh
Viyka
VAHY-kuh
Yabaren
yuh-BAIR-in
Map of Masalay
The following map is adapted from a version provided by the Masalay Tourist Council. The first is optimized for black-and-white; the second will display in color on compatible devices.
Visit www.thegodling.com for more maps of Masalay.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Acknowledgements & Dedication
Part One: The Thicket
Part Two: Down the Nights
Part Three: The Snare of the Fowler
Part Four: A Lower Deep
Pronunciation Guide
Map of Masalay