by A. J. Ross
Kiina walked down first, as she was the new general of the Fiie army. Her hair was braided flat against her head, and there were symbols in the braids. Her face was smeared with streaks of dark gray and dark red. She wore a red dress that looked like several pieces of fabric carefully wrapped around her body to cover her breasts and lower half. The shredded essence of the dress allowed for a wide range of movement. This was always the case for women on Graiis. They were warriors first. Every decision, even the choice of clothing was made with respect for that fact. Function before fashion.
Kiina took her place to the right of the throne. It was the same place where she had always stood as Grisians bodyguard, but now she was the leader of the army. The second most powerful being on all of Graiis.
Tsamiit walked slowly down the path. She was hardly recognizable. Her entire face had been painted white, covering all of her marks. She had not been able to replicate her original skin color, and it looked as though that may not have been her intent. She had painted black around her eyes in contrast to her bright white face, and her mouth had no color at all. She wore the royal attire of a Grisian, scaled to fit her more feminine form. She reached the throne and sat.
All the army heads, district leaders, and council members in attendance fell to their knees, placing their right hands diagonally across the chest. Without hesitation, Tsamiit leapt from the throne and fell to her knee with a hand over her chest, mirroring the humble salute of her fellow warriors. When she stood, a fiery red burned in the chests of every Griician in attendance.
It had been a unifying gesture, one that was above the constraints or propriety and tradition. A salute to the warriors whom she had trained, protected, and fought with for many years before this moment. The army swooned, eager to serve her as the new Grisian. She was ever the dark, elegant, mystery on Graiis. And for reasons without merit of explanation, she was loved.
Many of the boys on the council had never seen these human-like traits in the Grii. They had never considered the idea these warriors might be tied together through suffering, courage, and endless war. Tsamiit had been the general long before humans even came to Graiis. Graiis had profited from her leadership in battle, and now she would be torn away from her universally acclaimed army. The emotion between the Grii was real, and everyone in the palace could feel it.
She was sworn as the new Grisian, after which she officially appointed Kiina “Kasiik,” the new leader of the Fiie army. After the ceremony, the generals, the Kasiik, the council, and the new Grisian would dine in the palace.
Lincoln saw his opportunity.
He took a seat next to Kiina and didn’t waste a second. He whispered “I have to talk to you. It’s important.”
“After the meal is finished” she spoke softly, “you will remain here when all the others have gone.”
Lincoln gave a quick nod, and focused his attention to the meal in front of him.
When the banquet was finished, and the majority of the attendants had left the palace, Kiina simply commanded Lincoln “Come with me.”
He followed her into the palace garden. As soon as he saw the beautiful flowers, his mind was flooded with memories of him and Braii. It was there in the gardens where she had finally let him into her heart after his many years of longing. His heart ached as he imagined what she may be going through at that very moment.
“Sit,” Kiina said, interrupting his thoughts. “What is it you have come to say?”
“I spoke to the Lawreiis,” he said confidently.
“. . . and its message?” she asked.
“You have to teach me the Fiie.”
Kiina was silent, and her chest shone a curious green-ish yellow. “The Lawreiis said I must teach you the Fiie?” she asked.
Lincoln was sure he was imagining the skepticism in Kiina’s voice. It was something about her phrasing that always made him second guess himself.
“What did it say?” she asked.
He took a deep breath, “It said I must secure the services of the Greatest Fiiesman on Graiis, and be trained to use the Fiie.”
The light in Kiina’s chest changed to a soft pink. “The greatest Fiiesman on Graiis,” she said softly. “This I am not. The Lawreiis has asked something very difficult of you.”
Lincoln was confused. The light in Kiina’s chest was now a strong blue. Was that sadness? “Kiina,” he said firmly, “why is it so difficult? Who is the greatest Fiiesman on this planet?”
“How can you not know? We honored her tonight as the new Grisian. It is Tsamiit.”
Lincoln now understood Kiina’s reaction. He felt fear. In a moment the situation had gone from him asking to be trained by a friend, to him needing to secure the services of the newly appointed Grisian in a time of crisis. Of course Tsamiit was the greatest warrior. Lincoln wondered why she hadn’t been the first to come to his mind. “Can you get me in to see her?” he asked.
Kiina’s head tilted downward slightly. “I will.”
Tsamiit quietly made her exit from the medical bay after the birth of the new Grisian. The child would grow until he was sixteen years old, and then he would become King. She considered it an honor to keep the place of the Grisian until his coming of age, but seeing his birth had reignited a sometimes-forgotten sadness within her.
She returned to her room and closed the door behind her. She stood in front of her full-length mirror and slowly shed her clothing and her armor. She stood naked, moving her fingers along her black-dyed skin. They rested on a hollow spot on the left side of her stomach where an organ used to be. It was hollow in both her body, and in her heart. Her organ was removed many years ago, when she became the leader of the Fiie army. From that moment on she would be unable to bear children.
She was only twenty when she was appointed General of the Fiie army. A designation she accepted proudly, and served her planet with her whole heart for many years. She had waged war in full focus and devotion, and protected her comrades with a selflessness and savagery unmatched by any other warrior. She was celebrated throughout all the nearby Galaxies. Her war efforts brought great wealth to Graiis, and there was never a shortage of planets petitioning Grisian for the use of his famed Fiie army, led by Kasiik Tsamiit.
Still, there was a part of her that hurt every time Lord Grisian would commence his semi-annual sporing. She was one of the few Griician women allowed to stay in his house at this time, because there was no possibility of the spores impregnating her. She would breathe them in, just like the other women, but there was no place inside of her for them to grow. She felt broken. The missing organ only worsened that feeling. She tried to hide it. Taking a mineral from the ground, she dyed her skin as dark as she could get it. If she could disguise the empty space, maybe she would forget it was there. If she could fill the minds of those who saw her with terror, she could hide sorrow growing more and more profound with each day.
There was a soft knock on her door.
“Lord Grisian.”
It was Kiinas voice.
“Yes,” she replied, quickly pulling her dress back up over her naked body. “You may enter.”
“A word,” Kiina said as she slipped into Tsamiits room. “There is a man here, and he has requested to speak with you.”
“Of the council?” she asked.
“Yes,” Kiina replied. “Lincoln Wolfe”
“The betrayer? What is his request?”
“Forgive me, my Lord” Kiina replied, “It is not for me to speak his words to you. You must hear from him yourself.”
Lincoln paced in front of Tsamiit’s throne. Kiina had informed him she would hear his request. Suddenly he was at a loss for words. How could he ask her to abandon her duties as ruler to train him. He knew the Grii despised the idea of humans having any proficiency with Griician weaponry, particularly the Fiie. The former Lord Grisian himself respected the feelings of the Grii, and trained his human daughter to use it in secrecy during the night.
Grisian walked into the room, her long go
wn sweeping the floor as she took each liquid step. She sat on her throne and nodded to Lincoln. “You may approach.”
He walked over to the throne and knelt in front of it, his hand across his chest.
“What is your request?” she asked.
“Lord, I have gone to the Lawreiis on behalf of Graiis and my wife. I have been instructed to undertake a rescue mission and . . . and to kill Rahilius. In order for me to carry out this mission, I must learn to wield the Fiie. The Lawreiis has put me under obligation to receive my training from the greatest Fiiesman on Graiis. My Lord, that is you.”
After a few moments of silence she replied, “Indeed it is. And you have spoken truthfully about your exchange with the Lawreiis. Yet, I am unable to help you at this time. I’m sure you understand why.”
“Yes,” he said quickly. “I know. I know you must serve your planet at this time, but I-” Lincoln choked up on the lump that was forming in his throat. He began to feel small standing in front of Tsamiit. It had just occurred to him she held all of the power. She could help him, or she could reject him. Either way, the outcome was out of his hands.
“I cannot put your cause or any others above my own people,” she said. “I’m sorry, but you must find another way.”
“There’s no other way,” he replied hopelessly. “Please. Just tell me what to do. Anything you ask, I will do. Anything you request, I will give. I will serve you for the rest of my life in whatever capacity you see fit, just please,” he begged, “help me.”
Tsamiit was silent for several moments. “I will teach you,” she said decidedly.
Lincoln gawked.
“Your wife is the daughter of the former Grisian, yes?”
Lincoln nodded, “Yes.”
“Indeed,” she said. “And I know Grisian has given her greater honors than the other human women. He promised her when she married, she would be allowed to give birth to three children. Two more than the normal amount.”
Lincoln nodded, “Yes.”
“So here are my conditions for your training. I will teach you the Fiie, then you will go to Kayora and kill Rahilius. When you return with the woman, you will marry her here in the palace. When she begins to give birth, her first female child will belong to me. If you cannot agree to this, then there is no bargaining between you and I. You have already stated you will give what I request, and this is my price. The day you agree to it, we will begin your training. Only know this contract is binding, and whether or not you change your mind after you have received the training, the child will still belong to me. If she were to bear only sons, well in that case you would be free from this agreement.”
Lincoln stared at the general in disbelief. Her price for teaching him to use the Fiie was the life of his first daughter. He stumbled over his words, “That’s impossible. I-I can’t, I can’t make this agreement with you. The child will belong to her mother too, I-I don’t have the right to say what will be done with her child.”
“I see you are emotional,” she said quickly. “And where there is strong emotion in humans there is also a lack of logic. We both know the male of your species has more power than the female. You are unlike us in this way. I do not believe you cannot make this decision, and what is more, if you do not make it, you will never wield the Fiie. Go. If you should decide to pay my price, return to me, and we will begin your training.”
Lincoln treaded down the dirt path. His pace reflected his state of mind. His thoughts were racing. He kept his hands deep in his pockets, and his shoulders were tense. He knew that under no circumstances could he agree to give what Tsamiit was asking. It was impossible. He needed to find another way. His task was just to find another way.
He stood outside of Logan’s door debating with himself whether or not to confide in his best friend. The last time he had trusted a friend, he was betrayed. Logan must have seen him from the window, because he opened the door.
“Wolfe. What’s going on? You wanna come in?”
Lincoln nodded and came into Logan's house. He sat on the couch with his hands clasped together.
“What are you drinking?” Logan asked.
Lincoln scoffed. “You got Mürk?”
“Do we need it?”
Lincoln shrugged his shoulders. “I have to tell you something, but please don’t tell Raymond.”
Logan’s face turned serious, “I promise.”
“I spoke to the Lawreiis.”
Logan was perplexed. “As in, the Griician weapons system?”
Lincoln nodded. “Yeah. I went to it to find a way to bring my wife back.”
“What did it say?”
“He told me what to do.”
“And?” Logan asked, his eyes wide with curiosity.
“It said I have to learn to use the Fiie, and then go to Kayora and kill Rahilius.”
Logan laughed. “You’re kidding, right? There’s no way for you to do any of that. Where are you going to get a Fiie, and who’s going to teach you?”
Lincoln laughed too, but out of frustration. “It gets better,” he said. “I have to secure the services of the greatest Fiiesman on this planet to teach it to me. I thought it was Grisian’s bodyguard Kiina, but it turned out to be General Tsamiit who is at this moment the ‘acting’ Grisian. I went to her after the ceremony and asked for her help. Of course she said ‘no’, but I kept asking until she agreed to help me. She actually said she would teach me the Fiie in exchange for, get this, the first daughter I have with Braii.” Lincoln laughed bitterly, and Logan was silent.
“You need to talk to Raymond,” he said solemnly.
“No!” Lincoln jumped up from the couch. “And you can’t either. C’mon, don’t act like you don’t already know what he’s gonna say.”
Logan sighed, and the silence resumed. He asked, “How can I help?”
“I don’t know,” Lincoln replied. “Tsamiit said she won’t teach me unless I give her my child. My child. Which of course I-”
“. . . you can’t do,” Logan completed Lincoln’s sentence.
Lincoln nodded, and the room was silent.
Logan said, “Listen man, we’re both smart. We’ll just put our heads together and figure something out. There’s got to be another way. Let me do some thinking, and you do the same. Trust me Wolfe, something will come up. It always does.”
It had already been a few days since the Lawreiis had spoken to Lincoln. He needed to return to it in two months with at least some ability to wield the Fiie. He was back at square one. The Lawreiis’ advice had been utterly useless for him.
He should have walked straight home after leaving Logan’s house. He should have climbed into the bed and slept away his tumultuous reasoning and woke up with a clear mind and a new perspective. Instead he stopped at a Griician bar. He sat down and ordered a shot of Mürk. The Griician woman behind the bar looked at him, the light in her chest a curious yellow. She took a shot glass and filled it with dark liquor. Lincoln quickly took it from her hand and swallowed it in one big gulp. He felt the drink burning in his chest. It felt good. He hadn’t felt any warmth since the last time he had held his fiancée. It wasn’t the same type of warmth, but comforting nonetheless. He asked the bartender for another, but she refused.
He sighed heavily with irritation. The Grii were always so selfish about their way of life, and unwilling to accept the fact many of their abilities could be learned and practiced by humans. He was about to protest, but the effects of the Mürk started to kick in. He felt relaxed, and his worries began to fade. Sitting slouched and dazed, he rolled the glass between his index, middle finger, and thumb. It was such a small glass. He studied it, wondering why the bottom of the glass was so thick, and the top so thin.
He felt a churning in his stomach, and he felt like he was going to vomit. He hated that feeling, but he also knew he needed it. The pain in his stomach would take his attention away from the pain in his heart.
In his peripheral vision he caught sight of a familiar face. “Delphi,
” he said. The woman looked up and saw him. She had been Lincoln’s friend before the sword nation petition. Much to his surprise she smiled softly. Their friendship ended several years ago, because Delphi blamed Lincoln for the death of her father.
She walked over and sat next to him. She looked different from the way he remembered her. Her hair was clean, shoulder-length, and straight. She was fully clothed, and the only jewelry she wore were the earrings in her ears. She looked nothing like the bohemian rock-star chick he had become friends with in high school. She actually looked like some type of professional.
“How’s it going?” she asked. “I heard you joined Logan and Raymond on the Council.”
Lincoln nodded.
“I heard about the slaves from Kayora too,” she continued. “What happened?”
Lincoln sighed, “Long story short, Penny stole my clearance and sent the ship back without the passengers. Rahilius murdered Grisian, took my wife, and declared war on Graiis. I want to go to Kayora to kill him, but I can’t unless I agree to pay,” he sighed deeply, “an impossible price.”
Delphi’s eyes were sympathetic. “You can’t catch a break, can you Wolfe? I guess you’ll just have to decide whether the reward is worth the price. Or maybe Penny can do something? After All, this is her fault, right?”
Delphi’s words rang in Lincoln’s ears over and over again as he walked toward his home in the darkness. The temperature had dropped, there was the occasional streak of lightning in a pitch-black sky, and the smell of moisture was in the air. He saw Penny’s house from the distance as he made his way home. In an instant the anger began to stir up within him. Delphi was right. All of this was her fault. Grisians death, Braiis capture. His current predicament with Tsamiit. None of these things wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for Penny.