Crowning Fantasy Book 1 (6 page)

She tried to share but he lowered his bulk until he could look her in the eye and said, "Stay here until I come back."

By now Gumus knew every inch of Free Port. He headed to the shadier parts of town, under the buildings in dark corners, places of desperation. Anger rolled off of him in waves and he used it to scare the Elyun and Manskliga. Other than paying passage, no one knew of a way to get on board a ship. They were locked up tight to prevent stowaways.

In the darkness under a building a purple flame flickered close to the ground. "Ho, there!"

Gumus grunted in reply.

The purple flame swirled higher in the air until it lit the face of the Asistan Ti they'd first come across at the oasis. "What did I do to deserve being dismissed by someone so unfortunate as you?"

"You have nothing I want."

Child-like laughter rang out. "You're so wrong. I have valuable information. Now, in exchange, what have you got that I want?"

"Nothing, the Vartalf stole everything."

"Wrong again! Are you still traveling with that lovely Mikachiari? From the look on your face I would say you are. Good, we can make a deal. Tell me where she is and I'll see you get on the boat to Dong Tochi."

Gumus swelled with hatred for this little, petty being. He growled in answer, taking a swig of anger from the Cinsel Iliski.
Why not just take what I need like everyone else?
He moved forward his torso glowing.

A purple flame shot through the air and burned a streak across Gumus's bicep. Pain coursed through his entire arm making him drop to one knee.

The Asistan Ti sighed. "I don't believe you have what it takes to be Aventyrare. Before you get any more big, stupid ideas let me give you a hint. I have seen another Kertenkele. He works on the boat going to Dong Tochi. I'll wait while that information penetrates your flea-sized brain."

Gumus grabbed a handful of sand and flung it at the Asistan Ti as he launched himself in his direction. Another purple flame coursed across his leg. 

"Modi!" cursed the Black hat Asistan Ti. "It's a simple exchange. I take you to the Kertenkele and you tell me where I can find the Mikachiari. Not just any, mind you, the one you are traveling with. I'll take care of the rest."

Panting, Gumus hung his head. "Take me to my brother first and then I'll tell you."

There was a beat of silence before the Asistan Ti answered, "Fine. You know I will turn you into charcoal where you stand if you try and back out. And then, I'll just find her myself."

"Why not do it now?"

"Because I'm bored. Meet me by the docks at sunset. Don't be late."

***

M
ikachiari sat right where Gumus left her. She had long since finished the fish and was scanning the area. When she saw Gumus Mina brightened. When he drew closer and she noticed his limp and burnt arm, she raced to him.

"What happened?"

"I'm okay. Sit down." Gumus positioned her back on the bench and sat in front. "I may have found a way to get you on the ship but it will be difficult." He explained what happened and what he'd told the Asistan Ti about handing her over. He didn't want Mina surprised or to mistrust him by playing down the seriousness of the situation or his part in it.

As Gumus spoke and searched her face and eyes for comprehension he realized he didn't have the faintest idea what she was thinking, how her mind worked, or, Gudina help him, if she understood half of what he was saying. Gumus paused in his explanation. W
hy am I doing this? Why have I tied myself to her?
It would have been far easier to accept his punishment at the hands of his brothers and gone wherever Kertenkele went in the next life. Even though he hadn't lived a full life, hundreds of years, dying was beginning to look easier than living.

"We try again." Mina said, pointing to the gate that led to Sanddyner.

"No. I can't. I don't have the strength. I was sentenced to die. I don't know a way to reverse what I have become. In that sense Onyx Ay's decision was correct. I will get you on the ship, somehow." He didn't voice the rest of his thoughts. After she was gone he'd have to take his own life before the Cinsel Iliski turned and the Ofkelenmek took over.

Mina shook her head. Gumus knew she didn't understand all his words. His frame bellowed in and out with a loud sigh that made passersby stop and stare. It didn't matter. He handed Mina a cloak that he'd taken off a drunk Elyun sleeping off a night at the Free Port saloon. She wrinkled her nose at the smell.

"Come on."

Gumus had no idea if the Asistan Ti was watching them so he wandered down as many alleys as he could before finding a hiding place for Mina. He took an equally circuitous route to get back to the meeting place by the docks. The Kertenkele Gumus was supposed to meet stood out. He was enormous. The Asistan Ti slid out from his side.

"Ah, ah, ah. Where is she?"

Gumus sped up trying to take him by surprise. The Asistan Ti rolled his eyes and drew back to fire at him.

"Stop!" Mina cried.

No! Why did she pick now to not follow my words?

The Asistan Ti smiled. "We have an arrangement then. Mavi Ay will take you from here."

Gumus stepped in front of Mina and addressed his brother. "Mavi Ay, I am Gumus Ay. We're from the same clan. It is this Mikachiari that needs safe passage to Dong Tochi, not I."

Mavi Ay drew a step closer. "Brother, you don't appear well."

"I am not."

Mina shot forward to attack the Asistan Ti. She screeched "Teka torin!" as a purple flame met her halfway. Mina collapsed on the ground.

"Kindly tell her to stand down," said the Asistan Ti. "I don't want to harm her."

Gumus lowered himself to charge.

"Enough!" Mavi Ay stepped between them. "Nwa Chapo Yon Sel return to the ship."

After a pause the Asistan Ti said, "As you wish." Then spread his arms wide creating a black swirling whirlpool of smoke. When it winked out he was gone.

"Mina?" Gumus picked her up.

She moaned cradling her head. 

"I am sorry about Nwa Chapo Yon Sel. She was never in any danger from us. And she did try to attack him," Mavi Ay said.

"Because he is Asistan Ti. You know what they did."

"Of course, but not all Asistan Ti condoned the war. The Black hats have revolted entirely against Prezidan Jules. They are being hunted by their own and have sought sanctuary across Varlid. Surely, she knows that."

Gumus shrugged in reply. He had no idea what she did or did not know. "Why didn't he speak frankly to me then?"

"I have never known Asistan Ti to be frank and Nwa Chapo Yon Sel even less so. Unlike us he likes to play games. I am sorry for the confusion. Where have you come from brother?" asked Mavi.

"Rasima."

"Ahhh. You follow Onxy Ay."

"You know his teachings?"

Mavi Ay said carefully, "After a fashion. What ails you brother and how can I help?"

While Mina crouched and rubbed her temples, Gumus Ay gave an abbreviated story of how they came to be at Free Port and seeking passage to Dong Tochi.

"I am not well and ask for Mina's safe passage, not myself, except that I will pay off her debt in any way I can."

Mavi searched Gumus's flame colored eyes. "How exactly are you unwell?"

Gumus bowed his head. "Does it matter? I don't believe I have long and would like to give what time I have left in her service."

Mavi's face scrunched up in true puzzlement. "Forgive me, but your words sound as if... I don't know how it is in Rasima but brothers in general are frank with each other. How are you unwell."

Gumus shifted from side to side. "If I am frank brother will you still promise to help her?"

"You have my word."

"I suffer from the Cinsel Iliski."

"And you left before the brothers in Rasima could help you?"

"There is no help. Onxy Ay teaches us to control our minds and bodies and I failed his teachings."

Mavi Ay was silent for a full minute. "Brother, I will take you both to Dong Tochi. There is a doctor there, Kirmizi Gunes who will help you. No harm will come to her. Mina, is it? We learned from other Mikachiari in Dong Tochi about rumors one had escaped. They are frantically searching for her. She is special to them. They believe she is... whole, is it true?"

"I'm not sure what you mean... was it that Cita? Loana! She sent the Vartalf after us and they stole everything."

"I know nothing of her and the Vartalf but we did pay her for information about Mina. It is very unusual if she is whole. There is great interest in Dong Tochi about a Mikachiari in her condition."

Mavi Ay leaned over to make eye contact with Mina. "Forgive me, Mina, there is a Mikachiari in Dong Tochi who will want to talk to you. Her name is Teke."

Mina stammered, "Nodoshiku, no. She hate me. Or trick me."

"She's been betrayed by every Mikachiari so far except her best friend over this ritual called the Nodoshiku. I don't understand all of it." Gumus explained.

"Neither do I but Teke is a friend of mine." Mavi addressed Mina again. "I know Teke and she will do neither of those things. In fact, I think she'll be very happy to meet you."

Mavi Ay was not the captain of the ship but his influence as someone needed and strong enough to defend the ship against pirates and haul impossibly heavy loads such as the anchor and cargo meant he could walk up to the captain and ask safe passage for Gumus and Mina. Gumus noticed Mavi was also clothed in a mixture of armor and civilian dress.

The captain of the boat to Dong Tochi exclaimed after Mavi finished. "Goddess Gudina save me from your bleeding heart." He motioned at Gumus. "What is he the runt of the litter? No matter, they bunk with you and they help, understood?"

Mavi nodded and shepherded them down below. He pulled out some clothes for Gumus. "We don't dress so simply in the rest of Varlid."

"Thank you." Gumus had lost so much weight the clothes meant for the usual massive frame of a Kertenkele billowed around him like the sails of the ship.

A
week went by as they sailed the Bred Hav. They passed Rasima in the distance and kept sailing until they reached Port Plaj in Asistan Ti territory just long enough to restock before they headed out again to Dong Tochi. Mavi Ay led Mina and Nwa Chapo Yon Sel to a hidden compartment behind the cargo. Nwa Chapo Yon Sel cast magic at Mina.

Mina slapped at the air. "What that?"

"To hide your smell. Otherwise I couldn't stand being locked in here with you."

Mavi motioned for them to be quiet. "Behave," he told Nwa Chapo Yon Sel.

After they left Port Plaj the next stop was Dong Tochi. During the trip they didn't encounter pirates but Mavi Ay warned this was an exception, not the rule. With better food and care Gumus let his guard down. The Cinsel Iliski overtook him as they drew near to Dong Tochi.

The port authorities and the captain had wanted Gumus Ay dead. Nwa Chapo Yon Sel fired magic at Gumus to keep him contained in a circle so Mavi Ay could summon Kirmizi Gunes.

Kirmizi Gunes organized ten Kertenkele to restrain Gumus. "Why was he allowed to reach this stage?" he shouted to Mavi Ay.

Mavi shouted back, "He is one of Onyx Ay's disciples."

"Lanet! Even Onyx knows the results if it's allowed to progress this far."

"Onyx killed them."

Kirmizi cursed again, "Lanet tanri! Onyx you mad fool!"

Teke and her crew milled around. Some crying hysterically over the Mikachiari who'd been brought into Kirmizi's office with the ill Kertenkele.

"Get them out of here!" Kirmizi yelled.

A struggle broke out between the Mikachiari with long strings of unbroken language the Kertenkele didn't understand.

"She won't leave him," Teke said.

"You're going to want to get out of here," Kirmizi warned.

Mina clawed her way to Gumus's side.

"Mina!" Teke and several others took hold of her limbs to pull her back.

Kirmizi gave up. "I can't wait." He brandished an impossibly long needle and inserted it through a spot in Gumus's abdomen. The commotion in the room continued in the background while Kirmizi worked. "There! Stand ba—" He was interrupted by an explosion of green slime in the room that brought everyone to a standstill.

"It's all over me!" screamed Teke.

"It's all over everyone," Mavi said.

"Is it poisonous?"

"No," Kirmizi answered.

Mina drew closer.

"He'll be fine now after a few days rest. Do you want to help?" Kirmizi asked Mina.

"Why would she help a Kertenkele?" Teke asked.

Kirmizi tossed some rags to Mavis and began wiping down the walls. "Mavi Ay seems to think they're bound."

"Not possible." Teke said shaking her arms to fling off some of the green goop.

Kirmizi tossed a rag at Teke with a frown.

"Mina stayed with Gumus when the Cinsel Iliski overtook him on the ship," Mavi explained. "Clung to his chest as long as she could. It was the only reason Gumus didn't tear apart the ship before we reached Dong Tochi. The only thing that prevented the captain from throwing Gumus overboard until we docked."

Mina shrugged off Teke and the others. "I stay."

***

T
hree days later, Gumus sat in a corner of Kirmizi's now clean office with Mina curled up in his lap. Kirmizi, Mavi, and several others stood while half a dozen Mikachiari, including Teke, discussed their predicament.

"Whether you like it or not Gumus has bound himself to her," Kirmizi said.

"For what purpose?" Teke said. "Never matter. That means nothing to Mina."

When Mina protested Teke shouted at her, "You can't! Look at us. We're deformed by our own kind. It is a miracle you've come to us whole. We must protect you."

Teke turned to Kirmizi. "It's possible a female Kertenkele exists somewhere in Varlid for him. Let him search!"

Nwa Chapo Yon Sel hung in the air in the corner of the office on a black cloud and said, "Like it's possible there's a male Mikachiari somewhere in Varlid?"