Gone But Not Forgotten, page 23
part #2 of The Jaxon Grey Chronicles Series
“The Scynthians held all the leverage,” he explained, “and would only aid my ancestors if they were provided with Thasolian tributes. They took our people in exchange for their services, and none of those poor souls were ever seen again. My ancestors never knew what became of their brethren, but it was the price they had to pay to restore the water-life.”
“And were the Scynthians true to their word?” I asked.
“Yes,” Ishmae admitted, “and for that my ancestors were very grateful; so much so that, even after the Scynthians disappeared from our world with their tributes, factions of the Thasolian population remained loyal to their newfound Scynthians. After the first clan wars, the population was weak and susceptible, allowing for the Scynthian-based religion to take hold and spread like wildfire. The world was much easier to be a part of knowing that someone else was watching over us, however twisted and misguided that might have been, but this was well before my time. In my lifetime, worship of the Scynthians has begun to diminish, at least in the Sapphire nation, and the old religion is spreading again, slowly but surely. Indeed, our younger generations have all but forgotten or ignored our Scynthian worship, and, until quite recently, many believed the Scynthians to be gods of myth and legend; not real beings from our past. I can only hope that Amentus’ crusade does not provoke a resurgence in the Scynthian faith.”
I found his confession rather interesting. When I first came to Tatora, I thought the Scynthians were highly regarded as the gods of this world, at least that’s what I was told by Amentus in Aanthora anyway, but now, as Ishmae had just made apparent, the clans were reverting back to their original beliefs. For the Sapphire clansmen, that meant a sort of spiritual connection with water, which they had recognized as the source of life. They didn’t have an omnipotent being to dedicate their lives to, and instead worked to live in harmony with their environment. A fair percentage of the Sapphire clan even remains nomadic, changing scenery with the change in seasons. To put it simply, they appreciate the water as much as the Emerald clan favors plant life. Humans could learn a thing or two from these clans, if only we were willing to listen.
"I wasn't aware so much animosity existed between you and the Scynthians," I commented.
"I don't trust them," Ishmae replied. "And neither would you if they'd done to you what they did to my ancestors. I can't expect either of you to understand though; you are in league with a pair of them.”
"Not by choice," Demtrius replied, slightly offended, "but by necessity."
Ishmae looked at both of us, "What are you doing with them?”
Zeek and Mierka leaned in closer, eager to hear the explanation as well.
I had only just met Ishmae, yet I felt I could trust him, and without further thought I began describing how I was transported from Earth to the Scynthians’ world, and then how Nadina, Mya, Minka, and I had been sent to Tatora as banishment. Ishmae listened intently, and Zeek and Mierka were increasingly fascinated, especially after knowing I walked among the Scynthians on their own world. Demtrius told his part of the tale, and together we convinced Ishmae that Pharon and Nadina were here to help us.
“I still don’t like them,” he said after we had laid it all out for him, “but I won’t interfere with your mission.” He focused solely on Demtrius, “For the record, not all Tatorans agree with Amentus’ misguided crusade against your people. There are those of us who just want to live in peace and harmony with your people.”
“I have come to learn that,” Demtrius said, offering a smile. “Thank you.”
"Father," said Mierka, a touch of worry in his voice. "Something approaches from the east."
We all turned and saw Thiesel swimming furiously toward the boats. Only its head was above the waterline, like a periscope sticking up out of the water, and a V-shaped spray of mist marked its fast approach. I knew it thought we were in danger, so I just needed to get its attention before it began to wreak havoc. I thought hard to it, attempting the best I could to convey to it that we were among friends. Zeek and Mierka instinctively raised their spears for protection, but I told them to lower their weapons. “It won’t harm us,” I said reassuringly. They looked to Ishmae, and Ishmae scrutinized my face before nodding his consent. The spears were lowered.
Thiesel rose from the water, arcing in the air and diving headlong into the lake, completely submerging itself. Zeek and Mierka cast each other concerned looks, but Ishmae never took his eyes off of me.
Thiesel sprang from the water on the opposite side of the boat, looking down upon us and showering us with lake water. But, as expected, it stopped there, sensing that no ill will was intended toward us.
Thiesel brought its sizable head down to my level and licked my face affectionately. I patted it on the side of its head, "Good to see you, buddy.” I indicated Ishmae and his two sons, "These are my friends. They are here to help." In acknowledgment, Thiesel bowed its head toward the High Chieftain, licked my face again, and then swam off towards the forest.
The Sapphire clansmen stared at me in clear astonishment, all of them speechless.
“Do my eyes deceive me?” asked Ishmae, still in disbelief. “That anacari reacted as if it actually understood what you were saying. How in the world were you able to do that?”
“It’s difficult to explain,” I replied, “but suffice it to say that I share a special bond with that serpent. It is my friend, and its name is Thiesel.”
“Never before have I heard of anyone domesticating such a beast, let alone befriending one!” Ishmae exclaimed. “You defy death, and speak to anacari. Just who are you?”
“I am Jaxon Grey,” I replied proudly, “of Earth.”
As we approached the massive, wooden city built in the heart of the lake, I was truly awe-struck as I gazed upon its intricate design. The city was several stories high, and the buildings and platforms were connected by a vast network of bridges, docks, and canals. Atop almost every building was a garden, each of varying disciplines, and Ishmae informed us that this was where they grew the majority of their food. Being that Thasol was entirely upon the water, they had to be efficient with their use of space, so rather than leave the roofs bare, they boxed them off, filled them with soil, and planted plenty of crops. Mierka credited his father for the brilliant idea, but Ishmae said he had gotten the idea from an elderly farmer at the People's Fair many years ago.
We entered the floating city through a wide-berthed gate and followed a small series of canals into the interior of the city, where a small harbor provided docking for the city’s many ships and small watercraft. As we pulled up alongside one of the docks, a large crowd began to gather, seeing that their High Chieftain was returning with our motley crew of aliens. They gaped and awed at the sight of Pharon and Nadina, the ‘gods’ of their past, whom, hitherto, they had only seen drawings or paintings of. There were others, however, that booed at the presence of the Scynthians, and some even threw things at them. Demtrius, Mya, and I garnered less attention, but it was equally divided as with the Scynthians.
Ishmae growled and the throng quieted.
A passage opened in the crowd to allow a regal Tatoran female with shiny brown fur to approach. She moved with a graceful authority, and behind her was an adolescent Tatoran that timidly followed. The adult female strode straight up to Ishmae, grasped his outstretched hands, and then greeted him with a loving rub of her head on his neck. Ishmae closed his eyes and returned the gesture, embracing her warmly.
Tatorans, I should add, don't kiss as we humans do. To show affection, they simply rub their heads together tenderly or lick them affectionately, like a cat or a lion would do. It is an endearing display, but I still prefer a normal kiss.
"Meet my tzulara, Simowaya," said Ishmae, presenting her to us. "We have been together for ages, and I love her just as much now as I did the day I met her." He smiled and rubbed his head to hers again. He saw the young Tatoran behind Simowaya, and sprouted a great smile. “Come here little one,” he said to the adolescent, and then scooped the young Tatoran up in his huge arms. As he did this, I could have sworn I saw a glint of menace in Simowaya’s eyes as she peered over at Demtrius and me, but I was sure I was only imagining it. It was only a glance, and then she spotted the Scynthians and her attention was instantly stolen.
“Meet my daughter,” Ishmae said proudly, holding her in the crotch of his arm. “She is the youngest Tatoran to receive her gender assignment. Just four years old!” A year on Tatora is equivalent to about three Earth years, so, in essence, his daughter was about twelve Earth years old. “Shai, say hello to my new friends,” he said. “This is Jaxon, and Demtrius.”
Shai looked back and forth between Demtrius and me. “From the Pit?” she asked her father, to which he nodded affirmation. Shai jumped down from her father’s arms and ran up to us, “My father says you are both excellent fighters. One day, I want to be just like you.” She then grabbed Demtrius and hugged him before he could prevent it. She may have been an adolescent Tatoran, but she was still almost as tall as us. “You are my favorite,” she said to Demtrius. “I’m glad you won.” Demtrius was obviously uncomfortable by the physical contact, and I could only laugh at his uneasiness.
With the important introductions made, Ishmae had us taken to a bath house, which was little more than one-room building with the center of the floor cut away to provide access to the lake. “You can rest and wash-up here,” Ishmae had said. “Simowaya expects her dinner guests to be clean and smelling fresh.” Simowaya had actually requested that Pharon and Nadina accompany her back to her home. She seemed to like them as much as Ishmae was fond of Demtrius and me, perhaps even more.
An hour or so later, our group was brought into a large banquet hall, where our weapons were returned to us. Carnag kissed the long handle of his large hammer, grateful to have it back. We then sat listening to a Thasolian woman sing a soothing song to her clansmen. Three of the colorful maku birds were perched behind her, providing a synchronized back up chorus of low notes with their amazing vocal chords.
“The maku have incredible memories,” said Shai, sitting beside Demtrius. I was on Demtrius’ other side. “They can remember a whole score of our words. Father makes mazes for them and they always manage to find the way out. Sometimes I think they might be smarter than me, but Mother and Father always say I’m the smartest in my age group.”
While Demtrius indulged Shai, I scanned the room and took in the quaint but elegant setting. The hall was packed with Thasolian citizens, and it was completely covered by a tightly-woven net of silk to prevent any insects from disturbing the feast. The netting was definitely reassuring too, as the last time I had been in a feasting hall was in Aanthora when the syers had attacked, buzzing around and stinging with indiscriminate fury. Even with the netting, though, Mya, who sat to my right, was noticeably uneasy. She had lost a sister to the syer attack in Aanthora, and was now on the verge of hyperventilating. I put my hand on hers, and this seemed to relieve her a little, but she was still a far cry from feeling comfortable.
Ishmae ordered his cooks to prepare a special meal for the lot of us, including the common Tatoran fish, Scarp, as well as spotted clams, large red oysters, and crustaceans of varying sizes and colors, most of which closely resembled shrimp, crab, and lobsters. I recognized some of the fruits and vegetables present as those which grew on top of and down the sides of the buildings. Ishmae also had a number of delicacies prepared. We ate feiren, which is similar to a catfish with its whiskers, and very long otter-like creatures called palagins. We also ate fresh water shark that the Thasolians called marn, and it looked eerily similar to the massive salt-water shark that had attacked us in the deep underground cavern, but thankfully tasted much better. It was a splendid array of edible aquatic life, both plant and animal, and the Thasolian chefs that prepared it had truly outdone themselves, especially in the short time they took to make the feast.
Ishmae sat at the head of the table near the back of the hall. He stood up from his seat, and one of the maku birds produced a three-toned chirp, quieting the dinner guests. Everyone turned their attention to their chieftain, and once they were all quiet, Ishmae raised his wine glass, "A toast to our guests.” The citizens dutifully raised their glasses, as did I and the rest of my group. Ishmae proceeded, "Though times may be as tumultuous as ever, I think it is important for us to remember to be neighborly, and treat others with fairness, respect, and kindness. We can all learn a valuable lesson from the Ruby and Emerald clans, who have put aside their differences for the time being and have come together to fight as one. I may not agree with their crusade, but I do believe in such camaraderie. This is why I have gathered you all here this evening. Tonight, we sit as equals with the Scynthians. Tonight we see the Dotarans as they truly are, and not what our fear has turned them into. And we welcome a new race, a hu-man from the land called Earth. Tonight we four races sit together in peace and friendship, as I believe it should be. So raise your glasses high, and push aside whatever difference you think we have. Tonight we celebrate what could be, and what I hope is soon to come.”
At that, the feasting hall erupted into cheers and applause. Everyone was drinking and having a pleasant time.
I leaned forward and spoke to Zeek, who sat across from me. "I thought the Emerald and Ruby clans hated one another?" I asked him. “From what I know of this Barthos character, and the way Amentus and he interacted in the Pit of the Gyx, it just doesn't seem possible that they could have forged an alliance.”
"Under normal circumstances, I would be wondering the same," Zeek replied, and I could tell he had thought of this before, "but Barthos allegedly agrees with Amentus' condemnation of the Dotarans. For the time being, it appears he is willing to follow Amentus, and has sent four battalions to join the Army of the People, which, as my father informed you earlier, has been suffering from desertion. It was a momentous occasion too, for the Dracothian warriors were added to the army in a seamless transition that provoked no unnecessary bloodshed."
"That is all well and good for them," I said, glancing at Demtrius beside me, "but this makes things even worse for the Dotarans."
"I'm afraid that's correct," said Zeek, "but the best thing we can do is remain neutral and advocate for peace. My mother, of course, would rather everyone rip themselves to shreds, allowing the Sapphire clan to seize control of the land when everyone else is at their weakest."
"That is ambitious of her," I said, looking up at Simowaya, who sat regally with her chin pointed in the air.
We slept in the High Chieftain's home that night. The building was its own island, completely surrounded by canals and connected to the rest of the city by one high-arching bridge. The house was a fraction of the size of Amentus' grand chambers, but still rose three stories and was capped with its own sizable garden. We slept on the second floor, out on a spacious balcony protected by a wire-mesh screening. I was looking forward to a night of sleep without being eaten by bugs.
Bright orange lanterns lit the intricate network of docks and canals. Coupled with the starry sky and reflective waterways, it made for one of the most beautiful cityscapes I have ever seen.
The others were all asleep soon after we left the feast. I wasn't very tired though, and, as embarrassing as it might be to admit, my bowels were acting up terribly. I must have eaten something during the feast that my stomach didn't agree with, and it had me stuck in the restroom for half the night. I didn't want to keep disturbing the others by constantly getting up and walking back and forth, so after I got up the second time I decided to get some air on the rooftop garden.
The garden was full and lively, showing a splendid array of flowers that filled the night air with their pleasant scents. It was dark, but the ambient light from the city's lanterns allowed me to fully appreciate the beautiful flower blooms, and among them I even noticed the niruva, with its purple petals and red dots. That same plant had saved Pharon and Nadina from an almost deadly allergic reaction. The garden even had a bird house in one corner, and a peek inside revealed several squalm, maku, and dominitors; all in their separate cages. My presence was exciting them though, so I quietly walked to another part of the garden.
I sat at one of the benches that overlooked the city, providing an even better vantage point than the lower balcony. An artist could have searched an entire lifetime and not found a better picture to paint. A canoe passed by in the canal below, and with it went a drunken Tatoran singing what sounded like a lonely song. He had soon passed by, and that's when I noticed voices. They sounded faint, but they seemed to be coming from the roof. I searched for the source, and soon found a vent in the rooftop from which Ishmae and Simowaya could be heard arguing through.
“I won't hear it,” said Ishmae.
“Don't be so stubborn, my love,” Simowaya responded. “Think of your people and all the good it could do. One small sacrifice for the sake of Thasol.”
“You mean for the sake of your vanity” Ishmae fired back.
It may sound odd, but even in argument the two seemed meant for one another.
I was suddenly aware of a set of eyes peering at me from near the stairwell. “Care to join me?” I asked aloud, and Shai popped out from behind the small fruit tree she'd been crouching near and came to sit beside me. “Do your parents know you're up here?” I asked her.
She shook her head. “I come out here when my parents argue. They don't do it a lot, but I still don't like it.”
Simowaya's voice came in clearly, "But if you hand them over to Amentus, he will reward us with greater riches than we could possibly imagine!"
"No," said Ishmae. "That would not be honorable. They are our guests, and we shall grant them the best Thasolian hospitality we have to offer. Besides, the Dotaran won in the Pit of the Gyx, and now he wears the Detriminium ring. He shall be granted refuge and safe passage wherever he travels."
"Oh to hell with the Detriminium ring, and to hell with honor! This is our future we are talking about!" said Simowaya. “You’ve already put us in disfavor with Amentus by refusing to provide warriors for his army. If he ever finds out that you let them go, he’ll have our heads!”
“And were the Scynthians true to their word?” I asked.
“Yes,” Ishmae admitted, “and for that my ancestors were very grateful; so much so that, even after the Scynthians disappeared from our world with their tributes, factions of the Thasolian population remained loyal to their newfound Scynthians. After the first clan wars, the population was weak and susceptible, allowing for the Scynthian-based religion to take hold and spread like wildfire. The world was much easier to be a part of knowing that someone else was watching over us, however twisted and misguided that might have been, but this was well before my time. In my lifetime, worship of the Scynthians has begun to diminish, at least in the Sapphire nation, and the old religion is spreading again, slowly but surely. Indeed, our younger generations have all but forgotten or ignored our Scynthian worship, and, until quite recently, many believed the Scynthians to be gods of myth and legend; not real beings from our past. I can only hope that Amentus’ crusade does not provoke a resurgence in the Scynthian faith.”
I found his confession rather interesting. When I first came to Tatora, I thought the Scynthians were highly regarded as the gods of this world, at least that’s what I was told by Amentus in Aanthora anyway, but now, as Ishmae had just made apparent, the clans were reverting back to their original beliefs. For the Sapphire clansmen, that meant a sort of spiritual connection with water, which they had recognized as the source of life. They didn’t have an omnipotent being to dedicate their lives to, and instead worked to live in harmony with their environment. A fair percentage of the Sapphire clan even remains nomadic, changing scenery with the change in seasons. To put it simply, they appreciate the water as much as the Emerald clan favors plant life. Humans could learn a thing or two from these clans, if only we were willing to listen.
"I wasn't aware so much animosity existed between you and the Scynthians," I commented.
"I don't trust them," Ishmae replied. "And neither would you if they'd done to you what they did to my ancestors. I can't expect either of you to understand though; you are in league with a pair of them.”
"Not by choice," Demtrius replied, slightly offended, "but by necessity."
Ishmae looked at both of us, "What are you doing with them?”
Zeek and Mierka leaned in closer, eager to hear the explanation as well.
I had only just met Ishmae, yet I felt I could trust him, and without further thought I began describing how I was transported from Earth to the Scynthians’ world, and then how Nadina, Mya, Minka, and I had been sent to Tatora as banishment. Ishmae listened intently, and Zeek and Mierka were increasingly fascinated, especially after knowing I walked among the Scynthians on their own world. Demtrius told his part of the tale, and together we convinced Ishmae that Pharon and Nadina were here to help us.
“I still don’t like them,” he said after we had laid it all out for him, “but I won’t interfere with your mission.” He focused solely on Demtrius, “For the record, not all Tatorans agree with Amentus’ misguided crusade against your people. There are those of us who just want to live in peace and harmony with your people.”
“I have come to learn that,” Demtrius said, offering a smile. “Thank you.”
"Father," said Mierka, a touch of worry in his voice. "Something approaches from the east."
We all turned and saw Thiesel swimming furiously toward the boats. Only its head was above the waterline, like a periscope sticking up out of the water, and a V-shaped spray of mist marked its fast approach. I knew it thought we were in danger, so I just needed to get its attention before it began to wreak havoc. I thought hard to it, attempting the best I could to convey to it that we were among friends. Zeek and Mierka instinctively raised their spears for protection, but I told them to lower their weapons. “It won’t harm us,” I said reassuringly. They looked to Ishmae, and Ishmae scrutinized my face before nodding his consent. The spears were lowered.
Thiesel rose from the water, arcing in the air and diving headlong into the lake, completely submerging itself. Zeek and Mierka cast each other concerned looks, but Ishmae never took his eyes off of me.
Thiesel sprang from the water on the opposite side of the boat, looking down upon us and showering us with lake water. But, as expected, it stopped there, sensing that no ill will was intended toward us.
Thiesel brought its sizable head down to my level and licked my face affectionately. I patted it on the side of its head, "Good to see you, buddy.” I indicated Ishmae and his two sons, "These are my friends. They are here to help." In acknowledgment, Thiesel bowed its head toward the High Chieftain, licked my face again, and then swam off towards the forest.
The Sapphire clansmen stared at me in clear astonishment, all of them speechless.
“Do my eyes deceive me?” asked Ishmae, still in disbelief. “That anacari reacted as if it actually understood what you were saying. How in the world were you able to do that?”
“It’s difficult to explain,” I replied, “but suffice it to say that I share a special bond with that serpent. It is my friend, and its name is Thiesel.”
“Never before have I heard of anyone domesticating such a beast, let alone befriending one!” Ishmae exclaimed. “You defy death, and speak to anacari. Just who are you?”
“I am Jaxon Grey,” I replied proudly, “of Earth.”
As we approached the massive, wooden city built in the heart of the lake, I was truly awe-struck as I gazed upon its intricate design. The city was several stories high, and the buildings and platforms were connected by a vast network of bridges, docks, and canals. Atop almost every building was a garden, each of varying disciplines, and Ishmae informed us that this was where they grew the majority of their food. Being that Thasol was entirely upon the water, they had to be efficient with their use of space, so rather than leave the roofs bare, they boxed them off, filled them with soil, and planted plenty of crops. Mierka credited his father for the brilliant idea, but Ishmae said he had gotten the idea from an elderly farmer at the People's Fair many years ago.
We entered the floating city through a wide-berthed gate and followed a small series of canals into the interior of the city, where a small harbor provided docking for the city’s many ships and small watercraft. As we pulled up alongside one of the docks, a large crowd began to gather, seeing that their High Chieftain was returning with our motley crew of aliens. They gaped and awed at the sight of Pharon and Nadina, the ‘gods’ of their past, whom, hitherto, they had only seen drawings or paintings of. There were others, however, that booed at the presence of the Scynthians, and some even threw things at them. Demtrius, Mya, and I garnered less attention, but it was equally divided as with the Scynthians.
Ishmae growled and the throng quieted.
A passage opened in the crowd to allow a regal Tatoran female with shiny brown fur to approach. She moved with a graceful authority, and behind her was an adolescent Tatoran that timidly followed. The adult female strode straight up to Ishmae, grasped his outstretched hands, and then greeted him with a loving rub of her head on his neck. Ishmae closed his eyes and returned the gesture, embracing her warmly.
Tatorans, I should add, don't kiss as we humans do. To show affection, they simply rub their heads together tenderly or lick them affectionately, like a cat or a lion would do. It is an endearing display, but I still prefer a normal kiss.
"Meet my tzulara, Simowaya," said Ishmae, presenting her to us. "We have been together for ages, and I love her just as much now as I did the day I met her." He smiled and rubbed his head to hers again. He saw the young Tatoran behind Simowaya, and sprouted a great smile. “Come here little one,” he said to the adolescent, and then scooped the young Tatoran up in his huge arms. As he did this, I could have sworn I saw a glint of menace in Simowaya’s eyes as she peered over at Demtrius and me, but I was sure I was only imagining it. It was only a glance, and then she spotted the Scynthians and her attention was instantly stolen.
“Meet my daughter,” Ishmae said proudly, holding her in the crotch of his arm. “She is the youngest Tatoran to receive her gender assignment. Just four years old!” A year on Tatora is equivalent to about three Earth years, so, in essence, his daughter was about twelve Earth years old. “Shai, say hello to my new friends,” he said. “This is Jaxon, and Demtrius.”
Shai looked back and forth between Demtrius and me. “From the Pit?” she asked her father, to which he nodded affirmation. Shai jumped down from her father’s arms and ran up to us, “My father says you are both excellent fighters. One day, I want to be just like you.” She then grabbed Demtrius and hugged him before he could prevent it. She may have been an adolescent Tatoran, but she was still almost as tall as us. “You are my favorite,” she said to Demtrius. “I’m glad you won.” Demtrius was obviously uncomfortable by the physical contact, and I could only laugh at his uneasiness.
With the important introductions made, Ishmae had us taken to a bath house, which was little more than one-room building with the center of the floor cut away to provide access to the lake. “You can rest and wash-up here,” Ishmae had said. “Simowaya expects her dinner guests to be clean and smelling fresh.” Simowaya had actually requested that Pharon and Nadina accompany her back to her home. She seemed to like them as much as Ishmae was fond of Demtrius and me, perhaps even more.
An hour or so later, our group was brought into a large banquet hall, where our weapons were returned to us. Carnag kissed the long handle of his large hammer, grateful to have it back. We then sat listening to a Thasolian woman sing a soothing song to her clansmen. Three of the colorful maku birds were perched behind her, providing a synchronized back up chorus of low notes with their amazing vocal chords.
“The maku have incredible memories,” said Shai, sitting beside Demtrius. I was on Demtrius’ other side. “They can remember a whole score of our words. Father makes mazes for them and they always manage to find the way out. Sometimes I think they might be smarter than me, but Mother and Father always say I’m the smartest in my age group.”
While Demtrius indulged Shai, I scanned the room and took in the quaint but elegant setting. The hall was packed with Thasolian citizens, and it was completely covered by a tightly-woven net of silk to prevent any insects from disturbing the feast. The netting was definitely reassuring too, as the last time I had been in a feasting hall was in Aanthora when the syers had attacked, buzzing around and stinging with indiscriminate fury. Even with the netting, though, Mya, who sat to my right, was noticeably uneasy. She had lost a sister to the syer attack in Aanthora, and was now on the verge of hyperventilating. I put my hand on hers, and this seemed to relieve her a little, but she was still a far cry from feeling comfortable.
Ishmae ordered his cooks to prepare a special meal for the lot of us, including the common Tatoran fish, Scarp, as well as spotted clams, large red oysters, and crustaceans of varying sizes and colors, most of which closely resembled shrimp, crab, and lobsters. I recognized some of the fruits and vegetables present as those which grew on top of and down the sides of the buildings. Ishmae also had a number of delicacies prepared. We ate feiren, which is similar to a catfish with its whiskers, and very long otter-like creatures called palagins. We also ate fresh water shark that the Thasolians called marn, and it looked eerily similar to the massive salt-water shark that had attacked us in the deep underground cavern, but thankfully tasted much better. It was a splendid array of edible aquatic life, both plant and animal, and the Thasolian chefs that prepared it had truly outdone themselves, especially in the short time they took to make the feast.
Ishmae sat at the head of the table near the back of the hall. He stood up from his seat, and one of the maku birds produced a three-toned chirp, quieting the dinner guests. Everyone turned their attention to their chieftain, and once they were all quiet, Ishmae raised his wine glass, "A toast to our guests.” The citizens dutifully raised their glasses, as did I and the rest of my group. Ishmae proceeded, "Though times may be as tumultuous as ever, I think it is important for us to remember to be neighborly, and treat others with fairness, respect, and kindness. We can all learn a valuable lesson from the Ruby and Emerald clans, who have put aside their differences for the time being and have come together to fight as one. I may not agree with their crusade, but I do believe in such camaraderie. This is why I have gathered you all here this evening. Tonight, we sit as equals with the Scynthians. Tonight we see the Dotarans as they truly are, and not what our fear has turned them into. And we welcome a new race, a hu-man from the land called Earth. Tonight we four races sit together in peace and friendship, as I believe it should be. So raise your glasses high, and push aside whatever difference you think we have. Tonight we celebrate what could be, and what I hope is soon to come.”
At that, the feasting hall erupted into cheers and applause. Everyone was drinking and having a pleasant time.
I leaned forward and spoke to Zeek, who sat across from me. "I thought the Emerald and Ruby clans hated one another?" I asked him. “From what I know of this Barthos character, and the way Amentus and he interacted in the Pit of the Gyx, it just doesn't seem possible that they could have forged an alliance.”
"Under normal circumstances, I would be wondering the same," Zeek replied, and I could tell he had thought of this before, "but Barthos allegedly agrees with Amentus' condemnation of the Dotarans. For the time being, it appears he is willing to follow Amentus, and has sent four battalions to join the Army of the People, which, as my father informed you earlier, has been suffering from desertion. It was a momentous occasion too, for the Dracothian warriors were added to the army in a seamless transition that provoked no unnecessary bloodshed."
"That is all well and good for them," I said, glancing at Demtrius beside me, "but this makes things even worse for the Dotarans."
"I'm afraid that's correct," said Zeek, "but the best thing we can do is remain neutral and advocate for peace. My mother, of course, would rather everyone rip themselves to shreds, allowing the Sapphire clan to seize control of the land when everyone else is at their weakest."
"That is ambitious of her," I said, looking up at Simowaya, who sat regally with her chin pointed in the air.
We slept in the High Chieftain's home that night. The building was its own island, completely surrounded by canals and connected to the rest of the city by one high-arching bridge. The house was a fraction of the size of Amentus' grand chambers, but still rose three stories and was capped with its own sizable garden. We slept on the second floor, out on a spacious balcony protected by a wire-mesh screening. I was looking forward to a night of sleep without being eaten by bugs.
Bright orange lanterns lit the intricate network of docks and canals. Coupled with the starry sky and reflective waterways, it made for one of the most beautiful cityscapes I have ever seen.
The others were all asleep soon after we left the feast. I wasn't very tired though, and, as embarrassing as it might be to admit, my bowels were acting up terribly. I must have eaten something during the feast that my stomach didn't agree with, and it had me stuck in the restroom for half the night. I didn't want to keep disturbing the others by constantly getting up and walking back and forth, so after I got up the second time I decided to get some air on the rooftop garden.
The garden was full and lively, showing a splendid array of flowers that filled the night air with their pleasant scents. It was dark, but the ambient light from the city's lanterns allowed me to fully appreciate the beautiful flower blooms, and among them I even noticed the niruva, with its purple petals and red dots. That same plant had saved Pharon and Nadina from an almost deadly allergic reaction. The garden even had a bird house in one corner, and a peek inside revealed several squalm, maku, and dominitors; all in their separate cages. My presence was exciting them though, so I quietly walked to another part of the garden.
I sat at one of the benches that overlooked the city, providing an even better vantage point than the lower balcony. An artist could have searched an entire lifetime and not found a better picture to paint. A canoe passed by in the canal below, and with it went a drunken Tatoran singing what sounded like a lonely song. He had soon passed by, and that's when I noticed voices. They sounded faint, but they seemed to be coming from the roof. I searched for the source, and soon found a vent in the rooftop from which Ishmae and Simowaya could be heard arguing through.
“I won't hear it,” said Ishmae.
“Don't be so stubborn, my love,” Simowaya responded. “Think of your people and all the good it could do. One small sacrifice for the sake of Thasol.”
“You mean for the sake of your vanity” Ishmae fired back.
It may sound odd, but even in argument the two seemed meant for one another.
I was suddenly aware of a set of eyes peering at me from near the stairwell. “Care to join me?” I asked aloud, and Shai popped out from behind the small fruit tree she'd been crouching near and came to sit beside me. “Do your parents know you're up here?” I asked her.
She shook her head. “I come out here when my parents argue. They don't do it a lot, but I still don't like it.”
Simowaya's voice came in clearly, "But if you hand them over to Amentus, he will reward us with greater riches than we could possibly imagine!"
"No," said Ishmae. "That would not be honorable. They are our guests, and we shall grant them the best Thasolian hospitality we have to offer. Besides, the Dotaran won in the Pit of the Gyx, and now he wears the Detriminium ring. He shall be granted refuge and safe passage wherever he travels."
"Oh to hell with the Detriminium ring, and to hell with honor! This is our future we are talking about!" said Simowaya. “You’ve already put us in disfavor with Amentus by refusing to provide warriors for his army. If he ever finds out that you let them go, he’ll have our heads!”
