Speechless in Achten Tan: Book 1 of The Sands of Achten Tan, page 17
“Oh." Sozi deflates. "Well, Tyila said there was no reason you couldn't bring a pumble into the library. In fact, she was thrilled to hear there was an An`cher who could read."
Kamal opens his mouth, ready to protest, then reconsiders.
"That's probably valid, but my mother is…" he pauses and swallows several times, grief carving deep furrows into his forehead, "was… the town healer. She taught me to read not long after she adopted me."
I squeeze his shoulder to lend comfort, and Kamal leans into me for a moment. He's already forgiven me for upsetting D'or with my ignorance.
Kaii steps forward, taking charge as he so often seems to do. "Do you know where the Craven texts are?"
Sozi shakes his head. "You didn't want me to tell Tyila what we're looking for, so I can't ask her, but there's a section on cultures." He points into the depths of the stacks. "I figure we can look there."
"This could take hours," Kaii mutters as we follow Sozi into the narrow pathways between the shelves. I reach out, letting my fingers run along the piles of scrolls and book spines. They tingle with so much hidden knowledge.
We finally reach the end of the row and find out that the section is actually several rows side by side. "How does a rough town in the middle of the desert have such an extensive library?" Geb asks, mainly talking to himself, but Sozi replies.
"It's rough now, after years of war, but a tribe of scholars called the Primes founded this town. Fleeing from a terrible plague in the outer regions, they set out on an expedition across the desert, not knowing what they would find, drawn only by their thirst for knowledge and adventure. When they discovered the massive skeleton, they made it their home. They created many of the texts you see here and collected countless others."
"Huh, that's actually kind of cool," I sign. Geb nods.
"This would go faster if we each take a row," Sozi suggests.
We spread out, checking scroll after dusty scroll. The afternoon light fades, shadows growing longer. I can still see the text by the glow from my fingertips. I reach the end of my row, turn into the row to my left, and find Geb close to the end there.
"I'll help you finish this one, then we'll move on to the next," I sign.
We work back-to-back. I check the shelves on the left as Geb checks the shelves on the right. The row is narrow and we keep brushing against each other. Every touch ignites tingles all over my skin. After a few minutes, arms thread around my waist. Geb's breath is hot against my neck.
"We've earned a break, don't you think?" he whispers in my ear, sending shivers through me. I turn into his arms, my lips finding his and opening as his tongue claims my mouth. I'm well aware of the presence of the others close by, so we try hard to keep quiet. Geb runs his hands down my thighs and lifts me to wrap my legs around his waist, bracing my back against the shelf. I thread my fingers through his soft hair and grasp the nape of his neck. Geb groans softly at the sensations as my fingers press into him. Our skin glows brighter as our pulses race.
"What's that green glow?" Kamal asks from the row behind us. I bite my lips to hold in my laughter. Geb buries his face in my neck, his body shaking against mine.
Kaii snickers and his voice drawls from nearby. "Trust me, you don't want to know."
I start laughing, dragging Geb into uncontrollable giggles, as well. I nip Geb's ear one last time for good measure and sign. "Let me down."
Geb backs away from the shelves, leaving me enough room to slide down his body till my feet touch the floor. His hands remain on my hips, pulling me tight against him, when I hear Kaii's voice right next to us.
"Sorry to interrupt, but I think I found it."
Geb and I step away from each other and follow Kaii. Instead of carrying the scroll back to the main entrance, Kaii plops down on the floor at the end of the rows and rolls out the parchment on the ground. Kamal grabs one edge to keep the scroll from rolling up again, and Kaii props the other end under his foot. Sozi opens his mouth to protest the treatment of the precious document, but Kaii holds up a finger, silencing him.
"We're being careful. We need more light. Glow worms, come closer.”
Geb mutters through his teeth at the nickname, but we sit on each side of Kaii, pressing close enough to light up the parchment in the dimming light.
"Why was it so bright before?" Kamal asks, looking from me to Geb.
Kaii snorts. "Because they were making out, you bashdun. They get glowier when they're excited."
"Oh." Kamal gets a horrified look on his face. "Ugh. That's my sister."
"I told you not to ask," Kaii chuckles.
"All right. Can we focus on the scroll, please?" Geb shoves his shoulders closer to the parchment, obstructing the view. Kaii moves him back gently and leans in to run his fingers over the inscription on the scroll.
"Do you feel that?" He turns his head towards me. We're sitting so close I feel his breath on my face as he speaks. Kaii takes my hand, brushing my fingertips over the raised letters he'd touched. I feel it at once. The letters are inlaid with bone fragments. I gasp as I hear a voice talking inside my mind. Before I realize I'm doing it, I repeat the words out loud. My voice is soft and strange. I don't understand the words I'm saying. Kaii's hand guides mine, his eyes wide and his mouth open. The words spew out of me, louder and faster than before. The surrounding shelves rattle and shake, scrolls falling to the floor.
"Mila, I don't like this," Geb says, reaching out to grasp both my hand and Kaii's, trying to remove our joined hands from the scroll. A jolt goes through his body when his fingers connect with the raised letters. He flies back, hitting his head on the shelf behind him with a cry of pain. I want to go to him but I can't stop reciting the words. Something is speaking through me. Deep inside me, I know it's trying to enter our world through the scroll. I glance at Kaii, seeing shadows take shape in his eyes, black crowding out the gray. His face is fearful as our gaze locks and my voice rises to a shout. As my voice reaches a crescendo, Kamal lets go of the edge of the scroll. It jerks out from under my fingertips, rolling closed against Kaii's foot. He kicks it away and pulls up his knees, hugging them to his chest.
Everything stops.
The only sound is Kaii's ragged breath. My heart is beating so fast it's painful. Geb stirs, his hands rustling against the fallen scrolls.
"What was that?" Kaii asks, staring straight ahead as if in a daze. "Mila, did you see that? Did you see those things?"
I nod. My mouth is on fire, as though the words burned my tongue. I crawl over to where Geb sits stunned, rubbing the back of his head.
"What was that?" His golden eyes are fearful. "What just happened?"
"It took control of you," Kaii whispers. "You couldn't stop, just like you couldn't let go when you touched the staff. Something was using your power to get through."
I tremble, remembering the terrible eyes I saw in the mist when I touched the staff.
"What?" Geb grabs my hand, squeezing tight in his alarm. "Has this happened before?"
I chew my lip. Geb knows me well enough to know when I'm lying.
Kaii glares at me, then turns his furious gaze to Geb, revealing my secret. "It has. She knew it was dangerous, that there's something waiting to take hold of her when she touches the staff... And she's doing this anyway."
I drop Geb's hand so I can sign. "When I have the staff, I can defeat them. I'll have my full power. Trust me," I sign.
Geb translates my signs to Kaii, but Kaii shakes his head, moving forward to grasp my shoulders. "This is a bad idea. I wanted to help you, Mila, but I won't help you kill yourself."
Kaii gets to his feet and leaves as I stare at his retreating back in dismay.
Kamal and Sozi get up too. Sozi retrieves the scroll, careful not to touch the raised letters with his bare hand.
"I should keep this safe," he says. "Do you know where Kaii found it? Maybe the translation was nearby."
We shake our heads. "He was holding it when he came to get us. We could try asking him…" I sign.
"He was pretty clear about not helping," Geb responds.
The library is completely dark now. Our glow provides the only light as we make our way towards the exit. Ahead of us, lamps cast small pools of light on the tables and the light shines in a room off to the side of the main hall.
"Tyila's office," Sozi whispers.
"What will you do with the scroll?" Geb asks as Sozi walks us to the door.
"I'll keep it safe. It turns out it's much more important—and more dangerous—than we thought. Tomorrow I'll search the archives again for the translation."
"I'll talk to Kaii," I sign, but Geb just huffs, refusing to translate.
"How did Rapaecio Pallor touch the scroll if it's so dangerous? Is he a bone mage?" Sozi wonders out loud.
"Maybe it doesn't affect people without powers," Kamal suggests.
"Kamal touched the edge of the scroll and nothing happened," Geb says.
"But I didn't touch the letters," Kamal points out.
"It attacked Geb when he touched it. Maybe because he was trying to pull them away."
"Was it using both Mila and Kaii, or was Kaii just sucked into it because he was touching Mila?" Sozi regards me intently.
I shrug and tap. I DON'T KNOW.
"Kaii always says he has no magic. That's what Gerwyn believes too." Geb adds, looking thoughtful. "But is that true? Maybe he doesn't know himself." Geb looks at me, his face pale. "What was trying to get through, Mila? Was it the wraiths? The Unborn?"
"Hmmm," Sozi taps his mouth with his finger. "Could the translation be wrong? They mention the ‘Frozen Ones' in the scroll. Do you think the ‘Frozen Ones' are the 'Unborn'? Maybe they aren't frozen. Maybe they aren't alive yet. And through the scroll or the staff, they can be born into our world..." Sozi shudders. "Why would you mess with things like that?" His words hit like another blow on my already raw nerves.
We bid Sozi goodbye and pause on the steps outside the library. Vitaloom shines down on us. Kamal runs his hands through his hair.
"I need to find D'or and Bobbin. I thought they'd be back hours ago." He turns to me. "I'll find you tomorrow. If we still have a plan?"
YES, I tap. Geb looks pained.
"I have a night shift at the Healing Rib," Geb says. His golden eyes bore into mine. "I'll see you back in our room?" Despite the tension, that makes me smile.
"I like that," I sign, pulling him down for a kiss. "Our room." I don't want to go back to Gerwyn's. Not after the last stunt she pulled.
"Oh, I see the glowy part now," Kamal remarks from close by as we illuminate the gloomy street. “Okay, I'm out of here."
Walking back to the Healing Rib with Geb, I wonder if I'm making a mistake. Kaii was adamant he wouldn't help me. Geb is reluctant and I'm still shaken from the experience with the scroll. I'm no longer confident I can overcome the wraiths, but I can't think of any other options. The staff has the answers, I reassure myself. Once I have it, I'll be all powerful.
I just pray I'm strong enough with it to keep the wraiths at bay.
Chapter 21
The Caravan
It's Frestner, two days to Reebfest. I drift aimlessly through the morning. I still don't have my voice, and Kaii refuses to help with the heist. Making things worse is the fact I've never been away from home at Reebfest. I won't have my father's booming laugh as he recites the holiday tale, or my mother's sticky algae cakes with berries picked from the bushes above the falls.
Lakshmi is still out of town and I'm avoiding Gerwyn, so I'm hanging out with Valla when Geb arrives, panting and flustered.
"Mila, come quick!"
“Oh, Gods—what's happened now?" I sign. "I can't keep up with the disasters in this town."
Geb's smile is huge. "Nothing bad. Something very, very good. It's a surprise. Come on, we have to find Kamal." He grabs my hand, taking off towards the An`cher barracks. As luck has it, we run into Kamal and D'or by the marketplace. Droves of people stream by us as we walk. It seems all of Achten Tan has come to view the excitement.
"What is going on?" I sign as Geb pulls me into the center of the market by the well. I stop in my tracks. The square is full of gnomes. They're setting up tables laden with algae bread and fish. My mouth drops open as I spy a familiar face.
"Isn't that your brother?" I turn to ask Geb. He nods excitedly and when I turn back, I'm engulfed in a broad chest and my father's familiar scent.
"Mila!" My mother's voice pierces the bustling marketplace and then I'm tugged away from my father and into my mother's arms. She hugs me so tight she squeezes all the missing my family right out of me.
"What are you two doing here?" I sign, my eyes filling with joyful tears.
"We heard about the disaster in Achten Tan and we wanted to come help," my mother supplies, motioning over Geb's folks. "We had added motivation knowing you two were here."
Geb's mother and father approach to say their hellos. We'd sent back notice with the gnome merchants that Geb was alive and in Achten Tan, but I hadn't expected the whole family to come for a visit. Now I get a closer look, I spot four of Geb's six sisters by the table.
"You knew," I sign at Geb and punch him in the shoulder for good measure.
"I found out a few minutes ago." He pulls me into his arms, pinning my fists and whispering in my ear. "I wanted to surprise you. Don't be mad."
My mother and Geb's mother exchange glances, eyeing our embrace.
"Are you two...?" Geb's mother begins with a wide smile.
"Yes, Mother, we're finally together," Geb answers her unfinished question.
Geb's mother breaks into a wide smile. Both our mother’s squeal and hug each other. My mother hugs me, then she hugs Geb, while Geb's mother hugs me, then my mother hugs me again.
"Gods, calm down," I sign when everybody who can be hugged has been hugged. "It's not like we've announced our engagement." I glance at Geb, wondering if I'll see terror on his face at the mention of a wedding, but he meets my gaze with a smile.
"I'm ready when you're ready," he grins.
"I'm not ready," I sign with a soft smile. "But I'll let you know when I am."
Speaking of being ready, in all the excitement I'd forgotten about Kamal. He stands to the side with D'or and Bobbin eyeing the cavern folk nervously. I walk back and take his hand, drawing him closer. He resists at first, glancing back at D'or for reassurance as I draw him close to my parents, who eye him with polite curiosity.
"Who's your friend?" my mother asks. I hesitate, unsure how to break it to her.
"Mom. Dad. This is Kamal. He was raised in Achten Tan by their healer, Otara. She found him ten years ago, down the Everflow. He'd hurt his head and leg..."
My parents exchange a look. "How old are you, son?" my father asks in gnomish.
"Sixteen." Kamal is stroking Bobbin's head, his eyes shifting between my parents.
"He looks just like you, Nadir," Geb's father, Luven, comments. He clamps his mouth shut, as all four adults seem to reach the same realization at once.
"You're not saying…" My mother begins, then whimpers and claps a palm to her mouth, her eyes brimming with tears.
"I used to have a tattoo." Kamal turns his arm to show them the black band on his bicep.
"Turosh?" My father takes a trembling step towards Kamal.
"I—I hit my head when I was injured. So, I don't remember my parents. I don't remember you." Kamal's eyes shimmer with tears.
"But we remember you," my mother says, launching herself at Kamal.
"Careful! Bobbin…" Kamal gasps as my mother yanks him down. He's over a head taller than her, but he's no match for the strength fueled by an outburst of motherly love.
"Jooma, don't smother the boy," my father stands by her, not even trying to wipe the tears running down his cheeks. "He doesn't even remember us."
"I don't, but I'd like to… get to know you," Kamal says when my mother finally releases him.
"Of course you will." My father claps a hand on Kamal's shoulder, almost knocking him off his feet. "So, you're an An`cher?"
"Yes," Kamal answers and beckons to D'or, who is hanging back on the edge of the circle. D'or steals silently to Kamal's side and slips his hand into Kamal's. "And this is D'or. He's a Tar-tule rider," Kamal says, a blush pinkening his cheeks. My mother doesn't hesitate and pulls D'or in for a hug.
"Thank you for taking care of my boy," she murmurs in his ear. D'or wipes his misty eyes and hugs my mother back just as tight.
"How long are you staying?" Geb asks his father.
"We'll all be here for Reebfest," Luven announces.
I don't know if I'm happy or sad at the news. I'm delighted to celebrate the holiday with my family, but my plan seems to get farther away from fruition. It feels wrong going ahead without Kaii.
As if my thoughts had summoned him, Kaii joins our group, accompanied by Opu Haku.
"Father, this is Kaii Haku, the chief's son.” Geb introduces Kaii, but steps instinctively away from Opu Haku. My fists clench at the memory of Opu throwing Geb off the Rib, but I can't say anything. I tremble with helpless anger as Opu Haku plays the part of the noble chieftain, clapping my father on the back and shaking hands with the other gnomes. He ignores me, which is for the best. I don't know what I would do if I had to talk to him.
"Thank you for coming to our aid," Opu Haku says to my parents. "I assumed you'd have your own troubles at the caverns." He looks between the gathered gnomes, waiting for information.
"We did.” Luven nods gravely. "When the Everflow burst its banks, our caverns flooded. The lower levels filled with water, and soon we were no longer safe even on our house boats on the lakes. If not for the efforts of two young gnomes, it would have ended in disaster. We were in grave danger, but we banded together as a community when the waters rose and saved our people and most of our crops. Shashi discovered a route into the upper caverns and Aanis guided us to safety…" He pauses and shudders. “Then word got back to us about the disaster in Achten Tan. For many years our two towns have been neighbors—and I believe friends.” Opu Baku nods in agreement. “And so we came to help. We've brought food and our famous healing elixirs."
