Speechless in Achten Tan: Book 1 of The Sands of Achten Tan, page 5
Glancing around to make sure no one can see me in the dark shadows of the stall, I pull out the stopper of the glowing green vial. Geb lies silent. Light snoring has replaced his gibbering and laughter. If it weren't for his disheveled appearance and rancid smell, I could almost imagine he was back to his usual self. I place my hand on his check, feeling the scratch of his whiskers, and tilt the elixir into his open mouth. One drop, two. I hesitate, then add a third to be on the safe side. I press my fingers to his lips, ensuring none of the precious liquid is lost. Then, without thinking, I bend and brush his lips lightly with my own. He tastes sweet and minty and like Geb, and a tear falls from my cheek onto his.
As the liquid rolls down his cheek, I feel Geb stir beneath me. I hurriedly sit up and brush the tear off with my thumb, leaving a cleaner streak in the dirt on his face. Geb's eyes open, golden and clear. I press a hand to my mouth to stem a fresh bout of tears.
"Mila?" Geb's eyes widen. "What are you doing here?" He sits up and looks around in surprise at finding himself on the ground in a market stall. "Where are we?"
I want to slap him. I want to hug him, and I want to kiss him.
While I'm frozen in indecision, Geb chooses for me. He grabs my shoulders, pulling me into his arms. I bury my face in his shirt, wetting the fabric with my tears, my shoulders shaking with relief. The hope I hadn't allowed myself to feel before floods me, making me feel warm and light. I want to hold him tight and never let him go, but the smell… I try breathing through my mouth for a few moments, but I can't take it for long before I push him off.
"You stink," I sign, making a face at his rank odor. "What happened to you?"
Geb's face falls so fast, I'm suddenly staring into an abyss.
"Don't ask," he snaps, pushing himself to his feet. He sways, and I jump up to steady him. I don't know how much the green elixir can do. Is he completely free of the substance, or just momentarily revived? He places his hands on my face again, looking into my eyes with a mixture of sorrow and guilt. "It's good to see you Mila, but you shouldn't have come here."
Pushing away from me, he turns and walks away, disappearing into the crowd.
Chapter 6
Under the Bones
Standing in Lakshmi's stall, dumbfounded at Geb’s behavior, I’m locked in indecision. I want to run after Geb, but I don't want to leave Lakshmi's stall untended. I should thank for her help, but I need to ensure he takes no more of that awful substance.
Thankfully, I spy Lakshmi approaching, guiding the girls through the crowds. I wave to her, impatient to get going. And finally, I approach her.
I GO, I tap frantically. THANK YOU.
"What about your friend?" Lakshmi asks in concern.
HE GO, I tap.
"He left?" Lakshmi's lavender eyes open wide. "He was passed out a minute ago." I shrug. I can't tell her about the elixir and I don't have time to explain.
"Huh. It must affect gnomes differently from how it affects humans and elves," she says.
I nod. Sure. Let's go with that explanation. I give Lakshmi a quick hug to thank her for her help.
“Oh." She sounds surprised as I give her a squeeze, but her smile lights up her face, making her radiant. So many people walked past, but she gave me shelter, information, and compassion. I won't forget that.
"Come back and tell me if you find him," she calls as I dash away.
I pause at the edge of the market, scanning the crowds for Geb's fair head. He's tall enough to be seen over most of the crowd, but there's no sign of him.
No, you don't. I ran away and hid after my ascension trial, and Geb sought me out. Something bad must have happened for him to flee from me. It's my turn to find him. It's what friends do.
I pluck a feather from my hair and hold it in the palm of my hand, placing a finger on it to keep the wind from snatching it away. I run a finger over my tattoo and mouth FIND. My magic may not be good for much, but it's still strong enough to do something like this.
The feather struggles against my fingers, taking on a life of its own. I open my palm and release it. Instead of fluttering away and disappearing, like it would if snatched by the winds, it floats at eye level in a straight line a few lengths ahead of me.
This way.
It's subtle enough not to draw attention. I follow it easily across the marketplace and between the covered vertebrae. The curved spinal column of the long dead behemoth that stretches all the way from the Skullgate to the God Tree splits Achten Tan into North and South. The feather wafts into the gap between two curved bone segments, and I shiver as I follow it. The shadows beneath the vertebrae are cool and dank. I've never been to this area with Gerwyn. This vertebra hides the entrance to the subterranean caves beneath the city, solidified around the sternum of the prehistoric beast. This isn't a safe place, but my feather persists, so I must risk it. For Geb.
I follow the feather down into the underbelly. In the pitch-black cavern, my skin's natural glow gently lights my surroundings. These caverns don't glow like the algae caves, but my eyes are used to functioning in low light. To avoid stumbling, I take my time picking my way over rocks. I consider using the blue algae elixir to enhance my eyesight in the dark, but I don't want to give up my other senses in such an unfamiliar place.
Soon the feather hovers into a narrow passageway that ends in an alcove. Even before I step into the space, the glow of Geb's skin is visible, shining in the darkness. He's lying huddled on a pile of rags, but he sits up as I step into his hideaway. His face is sorrowful, but he also looks relieved.
"Can't get away from you, can I?" he asks. His shoulders slump and he barely meets my eyes.
"Why would you want to?" I sign.
"I don't want you to see me like this. I'd rather you remember me the way I was.” His mumble is faint, but the sound echoes in this cave.
"You foolish, infuriating, awful…" Taking a step closer with every sign I move till I'm standing over him. His pupils are large in the darkness, but no larger than they normally are in the caverns of my home. His lip quivers and I fall to my knees, wrapping my arms around him. Pulling him close.
I thought I lost you. I can't sign because my hands are busy holding him. I thought you died.
Geb's hands wind into my hair and around my waist. His face is wet with tears against my neck.
"I'm so sorry Mila. Leaving was a mistake. I couldn't bring myself to return after…" His voice breaks and his breath catches in a sob against my skin. I breathe through my mouth, focusing on the joy of having him back, and plan the fastest way to get him cleaned up so I can hold him without gagging.
I let him cry out the worst of whatever he’s been bottling up. Then I pull back and take his face in my hands, recalling the taste of his lips in the tent. This isn't the time for it. I place a quick kiss on his cheek and lean back on my heels so I can sign.
"You don't have to tell me, now or ever. But when you're ready to talk, I'm here." He opens his mouth to protest, but I hold up my palm. "Stop. I talk. You listen." He closes his mouth with a snap and a grin. "First, we need to get you washed and changed. Because—and I say this with love—you stink."
He hangs his head, nodding in agreement.
I clap to get him to look up and continue signing. "Second, and this is even more important than the smell, you are never to touch that Invicta stuff again, Geb. EVER. It can kill you. Do you have any more? Tell me the truth." I run my finger lightly over my TRUTH tattoo. I hate using it to compel him, but this is life and death importance.
"No. It's gone.” I know it's true.
"Promise me."
"I promise. I–I wanted to forget…" He clams up again. The pain in his eyes makes me pull him into my arms again. I thread my fingers into his hair and they get stuck in the greasy tangles. Ugh.
We both giggle as I extract my hand. His hair is disgusting, but it feels so good having him back.
"All right, and three. What have you been doing with yourself? I saw you come out of that… pleasure house." My nose wrinkles at the thought. Geb pales. My disgust must be clear on my face.
"Oh, no, Mila. It isn't what you think. Not at all. I've been doing the kitchen chores for food and enough coin to buy Invicta. I would never... do that." He whispers the last words, blushing furiously.
I push back my shoulders, stiff with tension. "You'd have every right to... do that. If you wanted to. I'm not judging…" I lie shamelessly. "You're a free gnome."
His eyes burn brighter in the gloom. "No. I'm not, and I don't want to be." His voice is like fire burning away my doubt. "I'm a disgrace right now, but I promise I'll put myself back together, enough to be worthy of you."
I'd kiss him if he didn't stink so badly.
"You're worthy," I sign. "You always were. Stop talking nonsense and let's get you out of those filthy rags."
"Mila." Geb's eyebrows shoot up into his messy hair, a teasing grin lighting his face. "We should probably wait till I clean up first…"
"Quiet, you bashdun." I slap his chest. He grabs my hand, dragging me a little closer, staring down into my eyes. For a moment we lock eyes, my body gravitating towards his, inching closer. Till the smell hits me again. I extract my hand, smiling up at him. "I'm going to get you some clothes, water and soap to wash, and some food. Don't go anywhere."
"I promise," he says. I hate leaving him here, but there's nothing I can do by staying. At least not while he's in this state.
Blinking as I step back into the bright sunlight, I take several deep breaths and exhale to clear my head and my nose. Water and soap are easy to come by. Food I'll purchase with the coins I have stuffed in my pockets. Gerwyn always has me buy enough to last us for a few meals, and she won't notice a missing roll of bread or a few pieces of fruit. But where do I find men's clothing?
Recalling Kamal's promise of help, I hurry to the An'cher barracks. I'd love to see his friendly face again. I pray he isn't out on patrol.
I'm in luck. As I approach the G'ant paddock, I hear Kamal instructing several younger boys as he moves confidently around Namala.
"We check their hide after patrols," Kamal tells the An'cher cadets shadowing him, demonstrating how he examines the G'ant's rubiginous exoskeleton. "Stones and sand can get stuck under the harness and cause irritation, and believe me, you don't want an irritated G'ant." Kamal gives the G'ant's antenna a loving rub.
"Watch out—she's going to mesplond!” he cries. Several of the boys scoot back in disgust. "Oops. Too late. Better change those shoes," he tells one unlucky cadet.
He looks up and notices me, a wide smile splitting his cheeks. Damn, he's cute, but I know who his heart belongs to.
"Class dismissed," he calls out gaily. "Take Namala into the stable for her food."
The herd of small boys hurry to do his bidding and he strides over to the fence. Before I realize what he's doing, he leans through the slats and sweeps me off my feet and into the corral. The spaces between the slats are narrow enough to keep a ten-foot G'ant inside while admitting a person. Kamal fits me easily through the slats and hugs me to his chest. I purse my lips, pretending to be annoyed with his oafish behavior, but after a second my lips quirk into a smile to match his own.
PUT DOWN. I push on his chest and tap my tattoo. He deposits me on my feet.
"How have you been?" he asks.
I wish I could answer him properly. Maybe in the future I can teach him to sign… Or maybe I will finally get my voice back.
GOOD, I tap and point to him. HOW'S… I don't have a symbol for a Tar-tule, so I slide my hand sideways, undulating like a Tar-tule swimming through the moat. Kamal's face reddens.
"Good," he mumbles. "I haven't seen him since we last talked." I squeeze his arm. Maybe I can do some matchmaking when I have the time. "What are you doing here? Not that I'm not happy to see you. I'm thrilled," he beams at me.
I NEED HELP, I tap and alarm flits over his features. No. I shake my head. I tap the symbols. MY FRIEND NEEDS HELP.
“Oh." Kamal runs his hands through his fair hair. "What does she need?"
I shake my head and point to him, then the other boys in the yard.
"He?" Kamal grasps my meaning. A big grin lights his face. "What does he need?" Now it's my turn to get red in the face.
I tug at his loose clothing.
"Clothes? Men's clothing?" I nod. "Sure, I can get him some clothes. Is he my size? Bigger, smaller?" He flexes his muscles comically. Show off.
Geb is as tall as Kamal, if not taller, so I raise my hand to his head to show height, then hold my hands apart parallel to show width. It pains me to depict Geb's diminished frame, but I intend to make sure he's well fed from now on.
"So tall as me, but not as wide. Okay. No problem.” He grabs my hand, dragging me after him to the door of the barracks. "Wait for me here. I'll be right back."
He returns shortly, carrying an assorted pile of fresh clothes and a small parcel on top. "I thought he might need some food as well, so I swung by the mess hall and liberated some supplies."
I fling my arms around his neck, pushing myself up on my toes to give him a kiss on the cheek. His cheeks pinken.
"If I'd known that was my reward, I'd have brought twice as much." He grins, giving my waist a squeeze with his free hand. He takes my hand. "Where is he?" I look up at him in surprise. I hadn’t imagined he'd be coming with. "What?" He shrugs. "I want to meet him."
I twist my lips, but let him accompany me to the town well, where I fill a water cask and purchase some soap.
"What happened to your friend?" Kamal asks, though he knows I can't explain.
BAD. I point my finger at him, eyebrows raised in a silent warning. Be kind. Kamal nods as if he understands me and follows me into the town's underbelly, treading carefully. Soon we leave the brightness behind and are in full darkness.
"Mila, you're glowing," he gasps. "It's beautiful."
He'd seen me glow at night in the desert, but the full effect was less notable in the moonlight. I retrace my steps to the alcove Geb had occupied. He rises in surprise when I enter with Kamal. The two boys eye each other warily.
"Who's this?" Geb asks. Only because I know him as well as I do can I hear the slight edge to his voice.
Kamal drops my hand and strides forward, holding out his hand to Geb. "Wow, you glow too. That's so cool. I'm Kamal. I'm an An'cher. Mila said you needed some clothes."
Geb's gaze flits from Kamal to me, questioning. I stare him down.
"No. Nothing is going on here," I sign. "He's a friend. He helped me. His patrol found me in the desert."
Kamal's gaze travels between my furious hand signals and Geb's worried frown.
"Oh no," he grins, "nothing like that. Mila's like a sister."
Geb exhales, relaxing just the tiniest bit, and taking in more of Kamal's appearance. "Are you Gnomish?" he asks. "Do you have relatives in the caverns?"
Kamal frowns. "No. I don't think so. We don't know where I'm from originally. I can't remember my childhood or anything from before my accident when Otara found me."
"Otara?" Geb asks.
"Otara Subjuvate, Achten Tan's head healer, and my adoptive mother," Kamal says with affection and pride in his voice.
"Geb is a Healer." I point to my tattoo and to Geb.
"Oh. Maybe I should introduce you two then. She's training several new healers to cope with the many disasters that befall Achten Tan. We're in sore need of healers."
Geb looks doubtful, but I nod encouragingly. THAT'S GOOD, I tap.
"I suppose it's better than washing dishes," Geb concedes.
"Well, I have to be getting back to Gerwyn's. She'll be wondering where I am. Can you…" I gesture vaguely to the soap and water.
"Yes, I can wash myself," Geb sighs. "I haven't lost the ability."
"Could have fooled me," Kamal mutters under his breath. Geb gives him a dark look. "After you're washed and changed, I'll take you to meet my mother and see about finding you a decent place to stay."
THANK YOU, I tap, tears welling in my eyes again, and give Kamal a quick hug.
"Thanks," Geb mumbles. I'm sure it's hard for him to accept help. I hug him too, holding Geb twice as long as I did Kamal.
Gerwyn might throw me off the rib for being late, but I have Geb back now. Nothing can ruin my good mood.
Chapter 7
Listen Up
I make quick work of my shopping and return to Gerwyn's at top speed. At the top of the stairs, I pause to catch my breath and smooth my clothes. I don't want to look too flustered. Standing outside on the landing, I'm about to open the door when I hear her speaking to someone inside. That's interesting. Gerwyn doesn't get a lot of visitors. I can make out her voice and a man's through the carved bone door.
"It's a bad time to hold a celebration," an unfamiliar voice says. It’s deep and raspy. "I've told him a thousand times. With everything going on, the Svaalti unrest, the lights in the mist and now the issues with Saphira and her misguided Invicta slurpers… and he wants to throw a party."
"A little party never hurt anyone," Gerwyn replies. There's some rustling around the room. "And it's the only time of year he parts from that blessed staff…" She pauses. I wonder if she can hear me out here on the landing. I don't want to interrupt and I'm very curious to hear the rest. Placing my packages carefully beside the door, I slip back down the one flight of stairs and then another. I sit down on the landing there, leaning against the smooth cool bone beside someone's door, and pull out the blue elixir. I'm close to safety, and if I enhance my hearing, I can sit still until the effect wears off.
I uncork the vial and take one sip. LISTEN, I mouth.
My eyesight and sense of touch dwindle until they disappear. My nose can no longer pick out the many odors wafting through Achten Tan. That would have been useful in dealing with Geb before. I could have turned off all my senses except touch and kissed him silly. Another time.
