by R J Kaldanis
“I’m Aardriyah Veros.” she said by way of introduction. He nodded and said nothing, giving her no explanation of who he was or who he had just grabbed the apple from. Teme and Baba continued to bicker behind them, while Kit scratched at Aardriyah’s leg.
“We’ll have to go and find you something Kit, I’m sorry I didn’t pack any meat.” To this, the man now rose slightly from the table, trying to see what she was talking to. His eyes widened upon the sight of Kit, he jumped back and made a quick yelp in shock. Aardriyah turned to face him, along with Baba and Teme who had finally stopped fighting.
“What is that?” The man asked, pointing a shaky finger at Kit.
Aardriyah was confused, most people loved Kit and enjoyed his company, no one had ever been scared of him, no one until now at least.
“It’s a fox; his name’s Kit.” She explained. The man didn’t move, almost plastered to the wall in fear.
“Oh come on now Ven, it’s not going to bite.” Baba said, waddling over to the food store.
“Here you go, feed it this.” She said, offering Ven a piece of sliced meat that she was also handed from an invisible hand. He took it cautiously, slowly crouching on the ground, he held it out as far as he could and swallowed his breath, while Kit slowly approached. Normally Aardriyah would scold Kit for playing games or stalking his prey, but right now it was too amusing for her to stop him. As he slinked under the table and lowered his body to the ground, he suddenly pounced at the outstretched hand, snatching the meat off before chugging it down in one bite. Ven let out a petrified squeal, while Baba, Teme and Aardriyah all laughed at his expense. He rose from the ground, staring around in disbelief as the laughter echoed through the room.
“Oh very funny. Yeah well, you should know that those things carry disease and I wouldn’t put it past them to attack someone, kill them without a second glance.” He tried his best to sound dominant and manly but was failing miserably. Aware of this, he stormed out of the front door, slamming it behind him.
“So you have raised him as your son.” Teme remarked, pointing out the uncanny similarities between the overreaction and melodramatic performance by Baba, the night before, and Ven just now.
“If you’re going to stand there and insult me, at least put on some tea!” Was Baba’s response. Old Man Teme smiled at her, taking this as an invitation for them to stay a little longer. She offered Aardriyah a chair and took the second chair for herself. Old Men Teme brought a makeshift hay bed to the table and the three of them sat quietly, inhaling the sweet scent of the tea.
“So, how do you two know each other?” Aardriyah asked, trying to break the awkward silence filling the room. The two elderly people looked at each other, neither of them sure how to explain a history so complex.
“You could say we used to work together.” Baba offered in response.
“Oh wow, where? At a birthing clinic? Are you a practitioner too?” Aardriyah chimed in excited to learn more about Old Man Teme’s past. Baba glared at him,
“You told her you were a birthing practitioner?”
“Well what did you tell Ven?” Old Man Teme retorted.
“The truth!” Baba exclaimed, slamming her fist on the table and spilling the cups of tea around them.
“That would be a refreshing change.” Aardriyah mumbled. Although her first introduction to the ugly old woman had been less than pleasant, and she had more questions than she had time to ask, she was beginning to warm up to her. Perhaps she could finally get the answers she’d be seeking all this time.
“We need to find the tomb. Today.” Old Man Teme changed the subject.
“I can’t see why, it’s not any different from any other day, unless of course you know something you are keeping to yourself.” Baba said. With a deep sigh, a look of trepidation and a sip of tea, Old Man Teme finally spoke.
“She’s being hunted, by the Abolitionists. They’ve attacked twice now and I fear she’s manifesting quicker than I had hoped.” He sighed, refusing to look at Aardriyah.
“Teme, what are you talking about?” Aardriyah pressed.
“Your brother, Chastion, was right. I do know more than I told you, I’ve known since you were born that you had the curse.”
Hearing the word, curse, Baba scoffed.
“Or whatever you choose to call it. I know because I was once tasked with finding those born with it, on behalf of a group called The Abolitionists of Yatha.” He now looked into her eyes, begging forgiveness for all the years of secrets and lies between them. Aardriyah shook her head, rage flaring inside her.
“What did you do once you found them?” She asked. He didn’t answer, so she asked again, though she feared she already knew the answer he was refusing to speak. She was breathing heavily through her nose, her chest heaving with the weight of knowing one of her oldest friends, her confidante, her protector and saviour, was a corrupted man one of those very people she had been running from, that caused her to desert her family.
“Some of us broke free from The Abolitionists, we decided to no longer carry out their requests and have stayed hidden ever since. Ven Digo was my last task, so I’ve watched over him, raised him as my own just as Episteme has done with you.” Baba reached a skeletal hand out to rest upon Aardriyah’s, smiling faintly in an effort to cheer her up. Aardriyah moved her hand away before she had a chance to touch it. The chicken on Baba’s shoulder made a quiet trilling noise, as if it too was trying to cheer her up.
“We have all had to pay a price, Aardriyah, one way or another.” The old woman rose from the table, grabbed a piece of paper and returned passing it to Aardriyah. It was a portrait of a young woman, the most beautiful Aardriyah had ever seen. Her large eyes stared into Aardriyah’s soul, the full lips parted slightly showed a set of perfect teeth beyond and her high cheekbones radiated beauty from the page she held. Aardriyah rose her eyes to Baba’s who looked forlorn at the painting.
“I sacrificed my beauty, for all the wrongs I committed.” She quietly spoke the words, as if she was still haunted by her choice to this very day.
“He sacrificed his death.” She said, nodding towards Teme.
“You’re…you can’t… die?” Aardriyah asked. To which he simply nodded. She laughed, feeling like Old Man Teme got the clean end of the stick. “Seriously? That’s your punishment?”
He shot her a stare that was as cold as it was sharp. The years of torment and despair now showed on his face, as he spoke swiftly,
“I would never wish eternity on anyone, Aardriyah. I have watched anyone I love go from birth to death in what feels like the blink of an eye. I have seen my great, great, great, great grandchildren pass before my eyes, unaware of who I am and why I wept at their burial rights. I have lost the desire to know anyone or anything, because in the end, they will disappear, disintegrate to nothing, and I will remain alone to carry the burden. I watch life being brought into this world, sparks so bright that shine and hope and wish and dream, only to be torn before their time has barely started. Yet here I am, someone who has done things that no human ever should, and I remain in this realm, unable to even rid myself of my last breath.”
Aardriyah’s mind ran a million miles, she began to understand how he had survived the perilous fall into the ocean and the days of tracking the ships under the water.
The old man hands shook as he carefully lifted the cup of tea to his lips. The warm mist swirling above his mouth as a single tear fell within the cup, sending ripples to the edges. As she watched the ripples, she realised how like that single tear, his single admission had completely changed her life, shaking everything she thought she knew. A feeling of hatred for him filled her entire being, wishing he had never set foot in her house to deliver her in birth. She rose from the table, aware that the next words she spoke, might very well be the last words she ever uttered to him,
“How can you protect me, when you’re the very thing I’m running from?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ON
E
kit’s last leg
Aardriyah ran down the steep and winding footpaths, embracing the wind as it pushed through her hair. She was no longer able to cry, she was so sick of feeling weak, alone and needing protection. As she neared the square, Kit landed beside her, barking slightly in an attempt to get her to slow down. The square was more marvellous in day than it had been the night before, she found herself lost in the moment, smiling as she looked up and took in each carved symbol, each painted pattern, every last inch of the buildings surrounding her. Aardriyah wandered aimlessly, not paying attention to where her feet were taking her, lost in a quiet appreciation of the marvellous city around her. It wasn’t until Kit growled and barked, that she had realised a group of three men approached her, thin sharp swords in hand.
“Oi, you. What are you doing in Rovik?” The middle man, burliest of them all, yelled out to her. He was covered in scars on his face and wore a dirty and torn array of mismatching and ill-fitting clothes. She turned, panic suddenly arising in her stomach realising she had no weapon or way to defend herself, once again realising she was weak, alone and desperately needed protection.
“What do you want?” She asked, hopeful that she could perhaps bargain with them, maybe they just wanted a friendly chat and that would be enough to satisfy them. The three men smiled menacingly at each other, sniggering under their breath and approaching ever closer. The fall of their footsteps echoing loudly in the otherwise completely silent city only competing with the growl and bark of Kit who was now fiercely trying to defend his owner.
“Doesn’t look like you have much on you, girly. What could you possibly offer us?” The tallest now echoed out. His ears sticking largely out of his head, while his scrawny body lingered forth. Aardriyah felt like congratulating their skill of perception, she in fact had nothing to offer apart from -
“I have naughts and crosses - I can give you as much as you want!” She pulled the chain from around her neck and exposed the array of money, it was the most she had ever possessed yet if it came down to her living one more day or being destitute, she knew which she would prefer. After all, she’d lived most of her life not owning more than a few bronze naughts to her name, so going back to that position would have little impact on her. She’d learnt from Old Man Teme how to make the most of the land around and the fruits and vegetables, seeds and legumes that could be found in different landscapes - and how a little bit of seasoning with some herbs could turn a paupers meal into something you could serve to a queen.
“Leave her alone!” Came a voice that echoed out across the square. Aardriyah turned to look as Ven Digo ran gallantly towards her, his hair pushed back by the wind, his shirt flying open revealing his sun kissed olive skin, powerful legs pounding on the cobbled pavement. She realised in this light, possibly strung on by the fact that he was rescuing her, that he was quite attractive. She struggled for a moment to reconcile that this was the very same man who only moments earlier jumped in fright from a little fox, barely the height of his knees. Right now, that person seemed entirely devoured by the brave warrior standing in his place.
When he finally arrived at her side, he nodded in greeting, keeping his deep brown eyes on the men in front the whole time. He clenched his fist as tightly as his jaw and putting one foot in front of the other, he braced himself for the oncoming assault. The thugs stopped when he arrived, muttering between themselves as they looked over Ven. Noticing he had no visible weapons, nor did he seem to have any of the markings of a blessed, they sneered and resumed their approach.
“So what is your plan, hero?” She muttered under her breath in exasperation to Ven. He looked at her, eyes wide and slowly shook his head.
“Oh I was just hoping they’d have run away by now.” He explained, shrugging his shoulders.
“Crap!” Aardriyah remarked, completely confused how Ven had possibly thought this rescue mission would work. Aardriyah thought she could even feel Kit sigh in frustration at the failed heroic rescue, and deciding he was the only one who possessed weapons of a sort, he ran forward barking, teeth bared. The smaller of the men, bald with a large hook nose, paced forward to Kit and raising his thin right leg, he kicked Kit right in the stomach. Aardriyah screamed out to Kit, whose body hurdled across the sandstone pavement, his eyes shut and body going limp as he came to a sudden stop by the wall.
It is one thing for a thug to attack another human, though attacking someone smaller, completely unarmed in a three against one battle is cowardly, hurting an animal was inexcusable cruelty and wickedness. Aardriyah was fuming, she looked around for anything she could use against them and noticed a rock on the ground at her feet and threw it at aiming for the face of the man who had just kicked her faithful sidekick. All her anger and frustration were put into her throw; everyone watching as it hurtled across the square. Unfortunately, her aim was terrible, and instead it hit the thug square in the crotch, causing everyone to flinch at the pain that now clearly spread across his face. He collapsed to the ground, cradling his crown jewels and cursing her. His two colleagues, refusing to be taken down by unarmed, unblessed opponents, ran now at full speed towards Aardriyah and Ven. But before they had even moved more than ten steps, a thick line of flame trailed across the path and rose, licking and leaning towards the assailants.
“Are you…?” Ven asked under his breath, not wanting to risk a look of surprise towards Aardriyah, she didn’t respond. The men tried to shield their faces and bodies as they leapt through the flames, they were determined to get revenge for their fallen comrade.
Without any warning, a large lasso of fire reached itself out and around the neck of the taller of the two assailants remaining, he screamed in agony and fell to the ground trying to rid his neck of the noose. The burly scar faced thug tried to help, both of them severely burning their hands before they decided to get up and run in the opposite direction to the apparent fire blessed now causing them excruciating amounts of pain. As they ran out the black gates of the city entrance, Aardriyah heard an instantly recognisable high-pitched laugh that filled her heart with happiness and relief.
“Chidi?” She called out, looking down one of the laneways spidering off the main square. A short woman, dressed in red billowing pants, simple slippers and an orange cropped top appeared. Her face was covered by a sheer red and orange scarf, while her hair glistened deep auburn through the material. She ran towards Aardriyah, hugging her tightly and warmly, before turning to Kit. The two women ran towards him, trying to rouse him but to no avail.
“We have to get him back to Teme.” Aardriyah said, Rachida agreed nodding her head and just as they set to take off, Aardriyah holding Kit in her arms, she realised she couldn’t remember which of the narrow laneways to take. Ven Digo walked over to the women smugly,
“So, what is your plan hero?” And with a wicked smile, he escorted the women up the laneway that led to the tall yellow building he called home.
They pushed open the door, Aardriyah praying and hoping that regardless of the hateful words she had spoken earlier, Old Man Teme would still be willing to help Kit. She placed the small canine on the cracked marble table, while Ven raced up the stairs to find Teme and Baba. They followed shortly after, the red hen accompanying them also. It flapped down to the table, pecked at Kit a few times, perhaps hoping that this would be enough to wake the sleeping dog up. But noticing Kit didn’t flinch an inch, the chicken gave up and flapped back up to the shoulder perch of Baba. Upon seeing Kit lifeless and unmoving, Old Man Teme grabbed a small satchel from his canvas bag and placed it on the table. It was a deep purple velvet, and when he rolled it open there were three items laid in front of the party - a vial of clear liquid, a knife made from what appeared to be bone and an amethyst amulet in the shape of an eye. Ignoring the glowing crystal, Teme grabbed the vial and poured one single drop into Kit’s mouth.
After a few moments, that felt like a lifetime to Aardriyah, the fox opened its eyes and looked around at the party no
w crowded around the table. Spying Aardriyah, Kit rose and walked over to her, kissing her cheek enthusiastically. For a moment, the near loss of life was forgotten as everyone took the opportunity to breathe a sigh of relief and share a laugh at the reunited pair. Aardriyah completely ignored the three objects still sitting on the table and the humming glow from the amethyst amulet, as she showered Kit with kisses.
She was too grateful to show any anger towards Teme, but the second Kit hopped off the table, she stared into Teme’s eyes and simply said,
“Tell me everything.”
Once everyone was seated at the table, Rachida introduced herself to Ven and Baba and explained how Prince Chastion relieved her of duties at first light only if she promised to find Aardriyah and look after her. Of course, that required further explanation, which meant that by the time she had finished asking all of her questions and Prince Chastion’s voice was hoarse, it was almost peak sun. Aardriyah was grateful that at least Rachida valued honesty and had no issues with sharing it openly. Once her story was done, silence fell upon the room. Aardriyah stared at the amulet, still glowing strongly and finally said,