ã€ŠThe Fall of Vaasarã€‹


 Chapter 1

    Her palms prickled and a hollow dread feeling swept from her belly up to her chest. Tamza stood to the side of the stage in the great marketplace, staring at the wooden planks, forcing herself to notice every flaw, raised nail, splinter. To not think about what was coming.

    She had positioned herself behind a group of loitering fire eaters, to keep as much distance between her and the audience. Most performers had been on already, to cheers or boos, depending on the fickle mood of the onlookers. Some, like her, were still waiting their turn. But Tamza¡¯s act was the headline of the Festival of Many Gods, and tonight, for the first time, she¡¯d be performing without her father.

    She¡¯d be the one speaking¡­ from that stage¡­ to the entire town gathered in the square.

    Tamza gulped down the ticklish nerves that crawled up her throat. It was almost time.

    She watched as the first roof runners appeared, leaping like cats and scrambling down from the two and three storey, flat-roofed mudbrick houses, skidding along the narrow alleyways between buildings and into the square. They dashed through the crowds and dodged past stalls selling festival trinkets, beer from great earthenware jugs and roast goat. The runners glided across the shallow River Gharak that snaked its way through the centre of the square, and deftly avoided the handmade deities balanced on floating platforms that bobbed jovially down the river as part of the festival¡¯s flotilla. The competitors took the quickest route to the finish on stage.

    Vizier Hannijad waited there, a wide smile on his handsome, young face, a cup filled with barley wheat beer clutched in one strong hand. He hiccupped. The entire town knew that the Vizier was a drunken idler who could barely walk five paces without assistance, and much older than the image he chose to project. His ability allowed him to contort his outward appearance as he wished, and he wished to be youthful, attractive and as muscular as the agile men and women who now approached him. He sat, wheezing, on a wooden chair intricately carved with inscriptions, decorated with rare wood inlays and shells from the small pebbly beach next to the harbour. The runners had to touch his broad chest to win.

    Next to the small platform, that acted as the stage, was a group of musicians, consisting of strings, percussion and woodwind instruments. They played a favourite Vaasarian tune, that raced along, getting faster and faster. The music had picked up pace as the leaders of the race were spotted, the crowd clapping and bellowing their support.

    Tamza¡¯s heart beat in time with the frantic pace of the music and the audience¡¯s roar rattled her bones. It all became too much. She didn¡¯t see whose fingers brushed the Vizier first as she turned back to the makeshift hut behind the stage where her father¡¯s soothing voice drifted out, calming the occupants inside. He had told her to go and watch the show, her anxious dithering disturbing that night¡¯s star performers. The noise of the festival was agitating them, as it always did, on this first dance of the new season. But tonight was worse than usual. They sensed her fear.

    Tamza pulled back the woollen cloth hanging across the entrance and went in.

    ¡°Papa, you¡¯ve always done the introductions, always led the choreography. Come on with me one last time, I¡¯ll do it on my own for the Celebration of Cultural Activities next month¡­¡± Her voice wavered, her nerves betraying her.

    ¡°Nonsense,¡± Sumear replied, but didn¡¯t look at Tamza. He fussed over Ursah-bear. She allowed him, and only him, to scratch behind her small rounded ears. Bears are not for petting, Sumear had always told Tamza, unless they give you permission. Ursah-bear hummed happily, head bumping Sumear¡¯s chest to ask for more. He rubbed his forehead between her black eyes.

    ¡°You¡¯ll be brilliant, Tamza. You¡¯ve spent weeks training them, and the town will love it. You know they take it as a sign for the coming season when the bears perform well at their first dance out of hibernation.¡±

    Tamza groaned. Yes, she knew. The townsfolk would be spooked for the season if the bears put a step wrong, if Tamza messed this up.

    ¡°This is your season to take over from me.¡± Sumear mumbled into Ursah¡¯s huge head, ¡°I¡¯m getting old, and tired, yes, yes I am.¡±

    Tamza knew this to be false. Her father was almost sixty seasons old and had sun-weathered brown skin and a few wrinkles, but he was as energetic as ever. Tall and lithe with the strength to pick up Ursah¡¯s cub and throw him in the air and catch him. Sumear¡¯s thinning grey hair was closely cropped and he¡¯d been to the barbers the previous day to trim his beard short with precise edges, as was the latest fashion. He looked undeniably sprightly.

    ¡°Old and tired, pah!¡±

    Sumear turned his bright blue eyes to her. ¡°Tamza, you¡¯ve been coming on stage with me since you could walk. And you¡¯re how old now?¡±

    This was a little joke between them. Her father always claimed to forget her age, so he wouldn¡¯t be reminded of his age. She was twenty-four seasons old and he knew it. She didn¡¯t reply, just frowned.

    ¡°It¡¯s time for you to take over, daughter. Now, I heard the roof race finishing music, which means you¡¯ll be on soon. Get your bears ready.¡±

    Tamza turned to Rae-bear. The huge, brown bear was nearly twice her height, but the same age as her, born in the same season. They had grown up together. His coat looked ragged, the winter fur sheaving off in great clumps to reveal glossy new fur beneath. He was stood on his hindlegs, swaying, nose in the air. Eyes glazed.

    Tamza clicked her fingers. Rae-bear looked down at her, but didn¡¯t drop to all fours.

    ¡°Please, focus. We have a dance to perform. The town is counting on us to usher in a new season full of joy, food and festivities.¡± Tamza spoke these words, but they came out as tongue clicks, yowls and chuffs. In the language of bears, as was her ability. She could speak the human tongue and that of animals, birds, bees. Anything that made a noise to communicate to another, she could translate. As could her father.

    Rae-bear grunted in return, growling the words. ¡°Many, many, many.¡±

    Tamza took a deep breath, she didn¡¯t need reminding of all those people in the crowd. But soothing Rae-bear ignited a small flame of bravery in amongst her dark fear. ¡°Yes, there are many people here. But no more than last season, or the one before that. Concentrate on the moves I taught you. Go through them in your mind¡­¡±

    Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. But Tamza didn¡¯t finish as a shout came from outside and a hand thumped the side of the hut. ¡°The Guardian-Of-Many-Gods is on. You¡¯re next.¡±

    Tamza froze, the little, brave flame extinguishing.

    Sumear touched her back hump and smiled. ¡°Come on.¡±

    They left the hut and walked to the stage, the bears waiting to be called.

    Sumear beamed with pride as he kept his hand on her back. He was handing over his duties to her, his only daughter and only surviving child of four. I hope I don¡¯t fail him. As they neared the stage Tamza¡¯s breath caught in her chest at the thought of thousands of Vaasarians scrutinizing her every move, her every word. She hated people looking at her, had always been painfully shy, even as a child.

    They stood by the steps that led up to the stage. Tamza could smell the crowd before she could see them. The heady aroma was sweet, each Vaasarian making an extra effort with their grooming for the festival with fragrant oils rubbed into hair and skin.

    Tamza scanned the audience. Most were in costume related to their personal God of choice, for in Vaasar you were free to worship whatever and whoever you pleased. But some, like her, were not in costume. Tamza wore a loose-fitting, black woollen cloak to the ground, with a fine black woollen headscarf that she tied in such a way that only her forehead and eyes were on show. Both cloak and scarf had belonged to her mother. There was no rule to be covered, Vaasarians were free to wear whatever they liked, Tamza just preferred it. Her identity was not a mystery as her sparkling blue eyes and rare black wool clothing were known to all. But in the past nine seasons, since her mother¡¯s death, only her father and her bears had seen her face.

    The Vizier in his chair had been moved to the side of the stage, the musicians had trailed off and the crowd quietened, in awe, raptly listening to the Guardian-Of-Many-Gods, the patron of this particular festival. He wore a simple, rough-hewn tunic, not wanting to show alliance to any one God, as he chose to worship and celebrate all Gods. He was talking about the coming season, how four more Gods had been added to the flotilla, how they had been blessed with a sunny day¡­

    Tamza wasn¡¯t paying any attention, couldn¡¯t hear his words over the din of dread that clattered between her ears. So many.

    People clung to the legs of the Vizier statues around the square, had climbed the rickety scaffolding of the half-built Vizier Hannijad statue to get a better view, crowded on the small bridge and sat on the levelled tree trunks and wooden planks that were used to cross the river. Some had used their magic to stretch tall or float in the air for a better view.

    Nearly all five thousand of Vaasar¡¯s inhabitants were crammed into the square, on top of roofs and lining the streets and alleyways that led off into the various quarters. Everyone loved a festival in Vaasar, only the sick and mothers nursing newborns would reluctantly stay at home.

    Tamza saw her sister-in-law, Yaseena, and her two children. They had hustled their way to the front. Lil Araf, named after his father, Tamza¡¯s brother Araf, and Baby. Baby was no baby anymore, now nine seasons old and a strapping boy who looked just like Araf. He had been born the day before Araf had set sail and his parents had agreed to name him properly when his father returned from sea. Araf didn¡¯t return, and the baby was never given an official name. Baby had inherited Araf¡¯s ability to change his skin colour to a deep green and was stood flashing his skin at Tamza with a huge grin on his face. Yaseena was dressed up as the God of Harvest, heads of corn dangling from her body. She waved, and the corn rustled. Tamza lifted her hand gingerly in reply. It trembled.

    The silence was complete, only the Guardian¡¯s voice filled the air. Soon to be my voice, I pray to Bear-God that I don¡¯t forget my lines.

    Sumear patted Tamza¡¯s back and nodded at the stage. Tamza looked at the Guardian-Of-Many-Gods.

    ¡°And now, the performance we have all been waiting for¡­¡± The Guardian paused, arms raised in the air. ¡°Our bears!¡±

    The audience cheered and clapped, dimming to an eager silence once again.

    ¡°I¡¯d like to invite onto the stage¡­¡±

    Tamza took a deep breath. For seasons, the Guardian had introduced ¡°Sumear and Tamza¡± and now he would say, ¡°Tamza.¡± Just her name. She put a foot on the steps, took a deep breath, straightened her back and plastered a wide smile on her face that illuminated her eyes. I will make you proud, Papa.

    She waited for the Guardian to speak her name. He was taking a long time about it. Perhaps he¡¯s forgotten? But he looked confused, his arms dropped and he leaned forward, squinting.

    As if he had been struck by lightning, he started bouncing around on the stage, pointing, screaming, ¡°Fire! Fire! Fire in the south, in the reed hut quarter! Fire!¡±

    A low, baffled mumbling came from the crowd, who looked around to try and see, but the Guardian had a higher viewpoint.

    Another shout, from a woman watching the spectacle from one of the rooftops. ¡°Fire! The palace! Fire!¡± She pointed past the stage to the palace on the hill in the distance. Her shout echoed but no one took the information in. The woman shouted again, insistent. It was a few moments before the news clicked and Tamza turned to look at the palace, flames licking up towards the great dome.

    More shouts, about fire in the east ¨C the storehouses! And then shouts about flames from the boatyard in the west.

    ¡°Fires on all sides?¡± Sumear said, eyebrows knotted. ¡°That¡¯s highly improbable¡­¡±

    ¡°Are we under attack?¡± said a musician stood nearby, incredulously, laughing.

    Tamza and those around her, including Sumear, smirked and shook their heads as if to say, ¡°Of course not!¡±

    But the answer was suddenly as clear as the seawater in one of the rockpools by the harbour. Yes, they were under attack. The town of Vaasar was being struck by an outside force, for the first time in its history.

 Chapter 2

    The crowd didn¡¯t panic, not at first. Each townsperson had their own priority. The palace advisors and executives gathered up the confused Vizier to take him back to the palace and tend the fire. Those who lived in the south, ran there, the fisherman left for their boats and the storekeepers edged through the crowd towards their storehouses. The town had practiced putting out fires many times, it was a hazard they had prepared for. The remaining crowd waited to see if the show would go on.

    Tamza looked for Yaseena and the children, but they had disappeared.

    Screams from the distance infiltrated the square. Then shouts of men, many men, and the clopping of hooves. Heavy thuds, the shattering of mudbrick, and cracking of wood. The crowd looked around at those they stood next to, baffled. But still, they waited.

    ¡°Outsiders on horses are in the town,¡± a man on one of the higher roofs shouted. ¡°They are coming straight for the square!¡±

    Then, panic. No one knew where to go, so everyone ran in different directions, bumping into each other, stumbling over children.

    Tamza grabbed her father¡¯s arm. ¡°The bears, we need to get them back to the enclosure!¡± She flung open the woollen door of the hut. ¡°Back home, now!¡±

    Rae-bear muscled forward on all fours, the dominant male, and Ursah followed.

    ¡°Please, my beloved bear, will you let me ride you?¡± Sumear asked of the smaller female bear, his head bowed.

    Ursah-bear kneeled, affectionately, and allowed him to climb onto her back. Rae-bear grunted at Tamza and, although he wouldn¡¯t kneel, he permitted Tamza to climb up onto his back.

    The bears with their riders pushed their way into the street and back towards the palace. People parted for the bears, whose ungainly gait whilst running startled them. Soon they had overtaken the crowd hastening from the square and the bears lumbered through the alleyways unhindered. It wasn¡¯t far to the palace, and the bears kept up their short burst of speed until they rounded a corner and into the palace grounds.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    The bears both stopped dead in their tracks, and Tamza shot over Rae-bear¡¯s head, sprawling on the ground. She hauled herself up and saw what he had.

    Fire loomed large to her right. It was eating away at the grand dome of the main palace building, where the Vizier lived and home to his Five Great Houses, the five divisions of the town¡¯s administration. She saw the Chief-Scribbler and several of her Flock-Of-Scribbling-Scribes attempting to haul water from the Gharak river that passed through the palace grounds on its way to the sea, first cutting across the square they had just run from.

    ¡°To the enclosure,¡± Sumear clicked, still on top of Ursah-bear.

    She turned left, panting, and trudged to her grounds. Rae-bear took off after them, not permitting Tamza to remount, so she ran behind.

    The palace was surrounded by tended gardens, next came the Great Fields, open grassy areas for exercise and leisure. After, a small, fenced, wooded area, that was inhabited by fourteen bears of varying ages, and Sumear and Tamza, who lived in a large mudbrick house. The house was too big for just the two of them, having been originally built for Tamza¡¯s parents and four children, but her and her father were permitted to stay by the Warden-Of-Town-Wonderfulness as the bears would often come in to see them, occasionally sleep in the house and regularly eat there with them.

    Sumear leaned over Ursah¡¯s back and pulled open the enclosure¡¯s small wooden gate and they trundled in. The gate swung shut. It was a pathetic wooden thing, like the ramshackle fence that surrounded the enclosure. It was just for show, the bears could easily jump the fence and leave if they so wished, and anyone from Vaasar could climb over the fence, or simply open the unlocked gate, if they wanted to get in. Since Tamza¡¯s grandfather had gone hunting in the dark forests deep in the mountains and brought back the first bears, a mutual respect between beast and townspeople had developed and both stuck to their sides of the fence.

    Rae-bear disappeared into the woods. Ursah-bear paused to allow Sumear to dismount, and plodded after the dominant male towards her den and her cub.

    Tamza looked at her father, a look of relief on his face. ¡°The bears should be safe in their dens, Papa.¡±

    ¡°Yes. We need to go back and help at the palace, to put the fire out.¡±

    ¡°But what about the outsiders on horses?¡± Tamza shook her head. ¡°We stay here until we know what is happening. Let¡¯s go into the house.¡±

    They looked at each other, and Sumear jogged to the gate. He was much braver than she. Tamza would always prefer to shy away from any challenge, wait for it to pass over her whenever possible.

    He¡¯s right, we need to help. She sighed and ran after him.

 Chapter 3

    The noises of children screaming, men shouting, and fire eating at wood, grew louder as they passed through the gate and ran back towards the palace, taking a short cut through the bushes that surrounded the Great Fields.

    As they burst through the undergrowth and out into the open, they ran straight into a group of horsemen. These men had black skin, far darker than the brown of the average Vaasarian. Small dark eyes, broad noses and thick lips. Their black faces had been daubed with white paint in diamonds, swirls and dots. They looked cat like. On their heads, were gruesome headdresses. Wrapped cloth with bones, horns and teeth hanging from it, that clattered and clacked as they moved. They wore a sand-coloured woven overcoat to the knees, tied with cord around their waist, and baggy trousers in the same fabric, that were tucked into fur lined, knee-high boots.

    On their chest and back, over the coat, they had two solid squares, made from a substance Tamza had never seen before. These squares were roped together over shoulders and under their armpits. The same solid substance was around their wrists, like a large cuff. Tied from the cord around their waists hung long leaf shaped objects that had a cross grip at the top and ended in a sharp point. They each had an axe, similar to those the farmers used, but with the same strange substance instead of stone. Smaller leaf shaped, pointed objects were tied to each bicep. The men stank.

    The horses were small and squat, the men¡¯s feet almost skimming the ground. This explained why they could fit under the low arches that criss-crossed the town¡¯s alleyways. The men with the painted faces rode them bareback.

    ¡°Archers,¡± Sumear whispered to Tamza. ¡°They have bow and arrow like my father used when he hunted. But his arrow point was stone. I do not know what this dark substance is.¡±

    There was shouting and they were surrounded by men on foot, with the leaf objects in their hands.

    ¡°Warriors, take there.¡± A man on top of a horse commanded and pointed to the centre of the fields.

    Tamza and her father raised eyebrows at each other. They understood. Tamza had inherited the ability to speak with animals from her father, as he had inherited the ability from his, but neither were aware they could understand other human tongues. They had only ever heard, and spoken, the language of their country, Drome.

    The sharp object was poked at Tamza¡¯s father and he yelped.

    ¡°We go,¡± Tamza said quickly in the ugly, stilted language of these men. ¡°Don¡¯t hurt.¡±

    The man on the horse stared at her in disbelief, which soon turned to suspicion. ¡°You speak Xayy warrior?¡±

    ¡°Speak all languages,¡± Tamza replied, her voice shaking, cowering from the dark eyes and clinging to her father¡¯s arm.

    The Xayy warrior grunted and gestured to the warriors on foot. They shoved her and Sumear towards the centre of the field. Gathered there were the scribes, as well as a number of townspeople. The Vizier and his executives were all huddled together. The entire field was surrounded by the warriors on their small horses, aiming arrows at the crowd. In flowed more and more Vaasarians, herded by warriors on foot with the sharp leaf objects.

    The Great Fields were larger than the grand square and marketplace, and soon it became clear that they were rounding up the town¡¯s residents and bringing them here.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Tamza whispered to her father.

    ¡°I have no idea who these people are and what they want. Can you see Yaseena and the boys?¡±

    Tamza stood on tiptoes and searched the faces around her. ¡°No.¡±

    He took her hand and they weaved through the crowd, looking, towards where the Vizier stood, which was higher ground.

    The Vaasarians piled in, and started to squash together. No one challenged the outsiders. The Vaasarians were peaceful, never aggressive, and did not use their magic against other humans. Most magical abilities were practical, like making water boil, or pointless, like Baby¡¯s green skin. Not one Vaasarian thought to turn their abilities against these Xayy warriors.

    A horn sounded and in rode more men on horseback. The stocky horses were the same, but the men were different. They had skin paler than the Vaasarians, reddish hair down to their shoulders, thick bushy beards unlike the trimly groomed beards favoured by the town¡¯s men.

    The Xayy warriors watched as this party entered the field. The man at the front reined in his horse and those behind came to a stop. Tamza saw Dabecki, the One-Below-Warden-Of-Town-Wonderfulness get down awkwardly from a horse. Dabecki had a twisted torso, his hump large and deformed, with one shoulder higher than the other. The Vaasarians had descended from the desert people, their humps for storing water as they roamed the sand. But, after so many seasons of living near a water source, the Vaasarian hump had become a barely noticeable bump between shoulder blades. But Dabecki had been born with a large, misshapen hump. He stooped, and because he was always looking up at those above him, his forehead had deep lines and his mouth hung open, nostrils flared. He had scrawny arms and legs but a large, rounded belly. He wore a long robe, which was split up the back to allow his hump to poke through. It was tied haphazardly with cord over the top of his belly and under his back hump.

    Sumear voiced what Tamza was thinking. ¡°What¡¯s Dabecki doing?¡±

    Dabecki bounced up into the air and hovered near these pale men, his skinny legs dangling. His special skill, perfect for planning the town and seeing what could be built where, but also perfect, apparently, for scanning the field.

    The One-Below-Warden pointed in the direction of the Vizier and dropped down. The pale skinned men rode their horses straight for the Vizier, at a gallop. Vaasarians jumped to either side to avoid being trampled.

    The man at the front of the group, red hair flowing to his shoulders, and a polished band of the solid substance around his head, rode his horse up to the Vizier, who still sat on his chair. The pale man dismounted. He wore a finely decorated tunic, a short fur waistcoat and the same solid squares as the Xayy warriors. Over the breastplate, he had leather strapping to hold all his sharp objects. His leggings tucked into knee high leather boots and he had more of the solid substance strapped to the front of his thighs. He stood in front of Hannijad.

    The Vizier¡¯s executives helped their master to stand. It took a long time.

    The red-haired man frowned, no doubt expecting this muscular, youthful man to spring up to face him. He beckoned for Dabecki.

    ¡°Does he have a sword?¡± The man spoke in a different language to the Xayy warriors.

    Dabecki replied in the same language. ¡°A what?¡±

    The man waved his leaf object in annoyance. ¡°One of these!¡±

    ¡°No, we have no weapons of any kind. We have no metal, none of this stuff you call bronze. I believe I told you that already¡­¡±

    The red-haired man snarled in Dabecki¡¯s face and the twisted, scrawny Vaasarian shrunk away. The man gave his sword to the Vizier and pulled another from his waistband. Hannijad grasped the sword limply in his hand, point down, as if he could barely hold its weight. The man lifted his second sword and stepped back, bouncing on his legs.

    ¡°Fight, damn you,¡± he growled.

    The Vizier simply stared at him in bewilderment.

    ¡°Gah!¡± The man bellowed in frustration. He swung his great sword and sliced off Vizier Hannijad¡¯s head. The killer roared, his headband glittering in the sunlight.

    A gasp went up from the crowd as Vizier Hannijad¡¯s body slumped, blood spurting. Then wails and keening as it sunk in, the town¡¯s overseer was dead. Shocked, Tamza and Sumear joined their voices to the mournful cacophony.

    The red-haired man stood aside as his men advanced on their horses to stab the Vizier¡¯s courtiers and executives. It took five soldiers to take down the Custodian-Of-Full-Bellies, who barrelled into the horses, his ability allowing him to swell his body into a ball. The crowd nearest pushed forward, in an attempt to stop the butchery. But they were met by a wall of Xayy warriors, swords raised ready to impale any who got too close.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    Dabecki laughed as he saw the Warden-Of-Town-Wonderfulness fall, his twisted frame bobbing. ¡°I should¡¯ve had your job! Vizier Hannijad snubbed me in favour of you when the old Warden died and went to see his God.¡±

    One of the pale-skinned men gave Dabecki a shove and his mirth swiftly ended. He soared into the sky again. He cast his arms wide and shouted, ¡°The Vizier and all his court are dead. King Edgar of Fertilian is now in charge of this town! All hail King Edgar!¡±

    His announcement was met with confusion. Angry muttering, shouting, boos, as well as wailing and sobs at the sight of the beloved Vizier murdered.

    The red-haired man who had beheaded Vizier Hannijad, climbed back on his horse and pumped his sword in the air. One of the Xayy warriors rode over to him. They slapped each other¡¯s backs and took in the field of herded Vaasarians. This warrior had a headdress bigger than the others. A huge white tusk on the top of his head, curved upwards to the sky.

    Dabecki continued to shouts and hisses, ¡°King Edgar and his Fert soldiers, along with their Xayan friends, would like to make the transition to Fertilian rule as seamless as possible. He asks that all mothers and their babies or young children make their way over here, to my left. All men to stand here in front of me, and every woman who has seen fifteen or more seasons and who isn¡¯t a mother, to stand here to my right.¡±

    The crowd didn¡¯t move, rooted to the spot in shock. Some shook fists at the traitor Dabecki. Sumear and Tamza were both stunned to silence. They clutched at each other, mouths opened, eyes wide with horror.

    The Xayy warriors moved from their positions surrounding the field and into the crowds, poking people with their swords to obey.

    Slowly Vaasarians shuffled to their designated position. Families said rushed goodbyes to their loved ones. Any that refused to move were poked with a sword, drawing blood. The screams and sobs as families were separated was deafening.

    ¡°Go, Tamza, over there.¡±

    ¡°No, Papa, I¡¯m not leaving you.¡±

    ¡°You have to.¡±

    Tamza stood close to her father, until a stinking warrior wrenched them apart and jostled her towards the women.

    ¡°Hurry up,¡± Dabecki shouted from his position hovering in the air.

    Each group was surrounded by the warriors, swords pointed at them. Tamza glared at the hovering twisted man, the Vaasarian who was helping these Ferts, these Xayans. The man who had betrayed his entire town.

    The traitor spoke again, ¡°First, the men. If you are a farmer, come to the front.¡±

    There was some shuffling and almost a third of the men stepped forward. Farming was the dominant profession in Vaasar.

    ¡°Now, where¡¯s Dhabat? Show yourself, man.¡±

    Dhabat was known as the best farmer in the town, every season since Tamza could remember he harvested the biggest yield, and produced the best crops. He raised a shaky hand, but kept his head down. He was roughly seized by a warrior, hauled from the others, a small sword held to his throat. The remaining farmers were surrounded by warriors, four Xayans to every one Vaasarian.

    The farmers looked around, confused, and shuffled closer together. Some of their abilities were on show, one man had inflated his chest, another¡¯s fingers had turned into stone and one had shrunk to half his size. Unperturbed by the Vaasarian magic, the Xayans looked up at the man who Dabecki had called King Edgar and the Xayy warrior with the big headdress next to him.

    King Edgar slowly dragged a thumb across his throat. The Xayan nodded.

    In a flash, the farmers were leapt upon by warriors who stabbed and slashed in a frenzy, whooping and yowling. Each farmer was slaughtered, their magic pointless. The warriors grinned and laughed as they smeared the blood on the skin of their arms and down the cloth of coat and trousers.

    Screeches went up from either side as women saw their beloved fathers, brothers, husbands, sons murdered. Everyone tried to take a step back from the bloody mass of heaped Vaasarian men but were met with the points of Xayan swords and huddled closer towards the centre.

    Tamza comforted one elderly woman next to her who wept for her husband, repeating his name again and again. Tamza was too numb to weep. She kept her eyes locked on her father.

    Dabecki called out the names of the best fisherman, livestock herder, basket weaver, beer fermenter and bee tender as well as several other professions. Each man identified was shoved to stand next to Dhabat the farmer.

    The remaining men, including Sumear, were bundled closer to Dabecki. He beckoned to a warrior to bring one Vaasarian man forward.

    ¡°Now, let me remind myself who each of you are. Although I must say that if I don¡¯t remember you already, it¡¯s not looking good for you.¡± The twisted man chuckled, the deep lines on his forehead wrinkling into great chasms in his face.

    He¡¯s enjoying this, the evil, ugly man. Her father stood near the back of the group, and Tamza¡¯s eyes flicked from Dabecki to him rapidly.

    Dabecki was studying the man at the front of the group held apart by a warrior. ¡°No, I don¡¯t recognise you.¡± He made the same gesture as the King had, dragging a thumb across his throat and laughed as the Vaasarian man, who Tamza recognised as Malack the street sweeper, had a sword thrust between his shoulder blades. The body was lugged away and thrown on the pile of dead farmers.

    The King shouted from behind Dabecki.

    ¡°Get on with it, man,¡± he growled.

    Dabecki flinched and bowed low, still hovering. He quickened his pace, either gesturing for the Vaasarian¡¯s murder or pointing to where Dhabat stood with the other saved men.

    Women who had lost their men already were kneeling and wailing. Tamza carefully stepped around them to the front of their group, placing a gentle hand on shoulder or back as she passed. It was her father¡¯s turn to stand in front of the traitor. Tamza watched, her legs shaking, heart thumping, breath stuck in her chest, praying fervently to the Bear-God to keep her father safe. She couldn¡¯t lose him, her rock, her beloved Papa.

    Dabecki considered Sumear awhile, hesitated, and pointed to Dhabat¡¯s group. Her father''s shoulders slumped and he walked there. Gasping for air, Tamza¡¯s legs gave out with the relief and she fell to the grass, a hand on her heart.

    Soon the only men left were the fifty or so who stood with Dhabat, all skilled in one profession or another. Tamza estimated more than one thousand Vaasarian men had just perished.

    ¡°Next,¡± Dabecki said, ¡°the women and children.¡± He landed and walked over to where the women and children stood.

    They were crying, whimpering, bawling. Babies squalled as loud as women who had just seen their men murdered. Tamza caught a glimpse of corn, and looked harder to see Yaseena, arms around her children, petrified. Baby¡¯s skin was glowing green. Dabecki won¡¯t hurt children¡­ He cannot be that cruel¡­

    The stinking warriors surrounded the group, leering at the five hundred or so women and perhaps one thousand children.

    Dabecki leapt into the air and dragged his thumb across his throat.

    The warriors moved in, howling and yipping as they tore babies from mothers and stabbed swords through their little heads, as they slit children¡¯s throats or stabbed through neck, chest, shoulders and gut. Tamza screamed and surged forwards with the other women in her group, only to be restrained by the warriors. She watched in horror as Lil Araf and Baby were targeted, their terrified faces as they met their end would haunt her forever.

    Sumear, and all the men stood with him, rushed towards the children, tried to fight past the warriors who stood in their way, but were beaten viciously. Sumear shouted for Yaseena, for his grandchildren.

    Screaming, grieving mothers were left, a blood-red sea of dead Vaasarian children swamping them. Yaseena was cradling her lifeless sons to her chest, kneeling in the grass. Tamza could barely see her face, Yaseena had the ability to camouflage her skin and take the colour of that behind her, but her elaborate costume marked her position with ease. A warrior grabbed Yaseena and hauled her up. She fought him, screaming and he punched her in the head so hard that she slumped unconscious, her skin reverting to its normal colour. The women were pulled and pushed away from their dead children and towards Tamza¡¯s group. Tamza looked towards the bear enclosure and mumbled a small prayer to her God, the Bear-God, to welcome these young souls if they come asking for a home. So many souls.

    She rushed to where the warrior had thrown Yaseena and fell to her knees. Tamza hugged her brother¡¯s wife¡¯s limp body to her, rocking back and forth, repeating her name. Yaseena was breathing but her eyes remained closed. She was covered in blood. The blood of my innocent nephews.

    Dabecki landed, his ability did not allow him to fly, and walked towards the final group. Now all women there were childless. The Xayan warriors swarmed around them like flies, and started to grope the women at the edges of the group, squeeze their breasts, lick their faces.

    ¡°Patience,¡± Dabecki shouted at the warriors, who ignored him. ¡°There are a few useful ones amongst this lot. Let me find them and then the rest are all yours.¡±

    The women clutched at each other, weeping, spitting curses at Dabecki. They were pulled in front of the traitor who either pointed to Dhabat¡¯s group or nodded to the warriors. Those women who were deemed useful stumbled over bodies, bloody grass and towards where the surviving men were stood. The men grasped the women in open arms and hugged them, guiding them protectively into the centre of the group.

    Those women who were condemned were seized by the warriors.

    It came to Tamza¡¯s turn, she lingered by Yaseena, tears welling, stroking her sister-in-law¡¯s face, until a warrior grabbed her elbow and snarled. She managed to kiss Yaseena¡¯s cheek before she was heaved to her feet and shoved in front of Dabecki. Tamza stood up straight, tightened her headscarf, and stared at the twisted, evil man. She knew him, and he knew her.

    ¡°Ah, Tamza, my dear, sweet, Tamza. You are useful for your bear taming skills, but¡­ I do believe I kept your father alive. Well, well, we only need one bear tamer.¡±

    Her voice quivered, but she had to be strong. ¡°Keep father alive. He is more skilled than me.¡±

    ¡°But you are prettier. Go, stand with him. I shall keep you for myself when this is done.¡±

    He pointed at Dhabat¡¯s group.

    Tamza pleaded, ¡°Dabecki, save Yaseena, she is skilled at basket weaving¡­¡±

    But a warrior shoved her and knocked the words from her chest. Tamza stumbled, and the warrior dragged her over dead men and towards the group where her father stood.

    She went straight to Sumear, arms outstretched, reaching for him from paces away. She sobbed, barely breathing.

    Sumear pulled her into a tight embrace, his hand cupped her face and held it against his chest as her arms locked around his waist. He was weeping, shaking uncontrollably, mumbling, ¡°Oh my dear child¡­ Yaseena¡­ Lil Araf¡­Baby¡­¡±

 Chapter 4

    The one hundred men and women who were deemed useful by Dabecki were huddled together and driven closer to King Edgar.

    He was laughing with the warrior in the large tusk headdress.

    ¡°Some fine women you¡¯ve got there, Captain Zhaz. Enjoy.¡±

    The Xayan warrior, Captain Zhaz, took a swig from a flask. Dribbles of what looked like milk rolled down his face, smearing the white paint. He licked his thick lips and replied easily in the same language and not in the stilted tongue his warriors had spoken earlier. ¡°We will.¡±

    ¡°But first, before you take your pleasure, sweep the town clean and ensure no more survivors. Hunt down any who have attempted to run.¡±

    Captain Zhaz grinned. ¡°As always.¡± He shouted to his Xayans. The warriors who rode horses cheered and thundered into the now deserted town. The women who were not deemed useful, were crowded by warriors on foot, who pulled down their trousers. Screams and cries for help came from the women as they were abused and despoiled by the warriors. Both Sumear and Tamza repeated desperate prayers for Yaseena. She had not been spared. Her fate is worse than death.

    Tamza gripped her father as they followed in a procession after King Edgar and his pale skinned men towards a palace dining building, that was untouched by the fire. The Ferts dismounted from horses and entered, heading towards the dining hall. Whilst the room was reorganised into a receiving room for King Edgar, Tamza, her father and the other useful Vaasarians waited in the corridor, guarded by orderly Fert soldiers, so unlike the wild Xayy warriors outside.

    Eventually the group was hustled into the hall. There were no chairs here, the Vaasarians ate their meals sat on cushions on the floor, the dishes on low tables. The Fertilian King, the monster who had just caused the death of thousands, sat on one of the tables at the head of the room, elbow on knee and chin on fist. Indifferent. His other hand rested on the handle of his sword. Everything else in the room, including every cushion, had been removed.

    Tamza and her father had been in this hall before, their bears giving exclusive performances for Vizier Hannijad on numerous occasions. It was the largest room of any building in Vaasar, and could comfortably fit two hundred people. The thick mudbrick walls had high, arched windows along one side, pillars in a line down the middle of the room kept the wooden roof in place. Colourful murals and patterns had been painted everywhere, including the mudbrick floor. Statues of many Gods lined one wall, but these were hidden by the King¡¯s soldiers and more pale-skinned Fert men who were unarmed and dressed in simple garb. It was a dark room, mostly used at night, and the candles had been lit.

    A few of the Vaasarians momentarily forgot the horrors of that afternoon to take in the wonder of the hall, never having been in a room ¨C or building ¨C so big.

    The King spoke, Dabecki translated, but Sumear and Tamza understood the monster¡¯s words.

    ¡°You¡¯ve been deemed of value to me and worth keeping alive. Obey my orders and you will live. Disobey and¡­¡± He made the throat cutting gesture. ¡°You¡¯ll each be assigned a Fert partner and a group of Ferts who will learn from you. Teach them well. Burrington will take it from here.¡±

    King Edgar leaned back and swept his hand to indicate another man. This man was of average height and build. He had red hair like King Edgar, but it was thin and straight, hanging lank against his neck, unlike the other man¡¯s bushy curls. Although Burrington must have been similar in age to King Edgar, he had a patchy, short beard, mostly up his neck and not much on his cheeks. There was a meagre gathering of hairs on either side of his chin and a few wisps on his top lip. He had long, restless fingers that he flexed repeatedly. He carried no killing instruments and Tamza guessed he was an administrator. This man glanced sideways at the King, the smallest hint of a sneer on his lips, and started calling out names and professions.

    Unarmed Fertilian men stepped forward and Dabecki matched them with their Vaasarian counterpart. Once matched, a soldier guided them out of the back entrance of the hall. The King looked on with a bored, but watchful, countenance. Soon, the only two people left in the hall were Sumear and Tamza.

    ¡°There are no more professions, Dabecki. Who are these two?¡± Burrington asked, irritated, arms folded with fingers tapping on biceps.

    Dabecki grinned and hobbled in front of the King, ignoring Burrington. ¡°Ahh, these two have a skill that cannot be taught, but only inherited. These two, my King, are the bear tamers.¡±

    King Edgar¡¯s eyes widened and he beckoned for Tamza and Sumear to come closer. Tamza felt the point of a sword in her back and she moved, her father at her side. They stopped close to Dabecki and a few paces from the King. Firm hands gripped her shoulders from behind and soldiers aimed their swords at them on each side.

    ¡°Your allegiance is now to this man, Dabecki? How could you betray your people, your home?¡± Sumear muttered in the Vaasarian language, the emotion quivering in his words. Her father spat at Dabecki, the worst Vaasarian insult there was. Tamza, emboldened by her father¡¯s defiance, spat at him too.

    That earned her father a weak slap from Dabecki, who had to reach up and twist his body further, but with Tamza he peered up at her with his crinkled face and wide nostrils. He cupped her face tenderly and she tore it away from him, leaning back into the soldier behind her. The traitor laughed and turned back to the King.

    ¡°I kept them both alive, my King, as I was in need of your council. This old man, Sumear, is the more experienced, but his daughter here is the more beautiful. Plus, she has another ability.¡±

    ¡°My daughter is younger and will be of more use to you, I will die soon. Keep Tamza alive.¡± Sumear said in the Fertilian language, appealing to the King.

    ¡°Keep Sumear alive, he is the better tamer!¡± Tamza insisted at the same time, her voice lost in the huge hall.

    ¡°Silence,¡± King Edgar bellowed. Tamza and her father were shaken by the soldiers holding their shoulders. Dabecki smirked.

    ¡°How do they know to speak our language? It took you many weeks to learn.¡± Burrington said.

    Dabecki explained, patiently, ¡°They speak in tongues, they can speak any language, of humans or animals. These two specialise in bear-speak.¡±

    ¡°Show me her face,¡± the King demanded.

    Tamza flinched. She had not shown her face in public since her mother died, nine seasons before. She hated the attention. Dabecki¡¯s withered hand reached up on the end of a spindly arm and she jerked her head away but he grabbed her mother¡¯s black scarf and yanked it down, exposing her face and thick, dark brown hair. She sunk her chin to her chest.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    A ripple jumped from soldier to soldier. Burrington gasped.

    Tamza glanced at her father, who nodded gently at her. She took a deep breath and raised her face to the King, staring straight at him and past Dabecki. She didn¡¯t want to see that traitor¡¯s leering expression.

    Dabecki, smug, turned to the King. ¡°As I said, beautiful.¡± He turned back to Tamza. ¡°And even more beautiful than when I asked for your hand in marriage nine seasons ago, when you rejected me, eh, Tamza.¡±

    Tamza refused to look at him. Instead she kept her blue eyes on the King.

    King Edgar stood and came nearer to inspect her. He brought his fingertips out to gently stroke her left cheek. She clenched her teeth but suffered his touch. ¡°What of this scar? I give you permission to speak.¡±

    The weight of the red-haired man¡¯s stare weighed her down, but Tamza willed every last shred of courage into her voice. ¡°Please, King, keep my father alive, he knows the bears far better than me.¡±

    Edgar grabbed her chin between large fingers, her lips squeezing to expose her teeth. ¡°I asked of your scar. Answer me or I torture him and you can watch.¡±

    In a rush, she replied, ¡°A playful tussle with a bear when I was a child, he accidently caught my face with his claws. The healer, Maryam, knitted my skin back together. That is her ability. She is the best healer in Vaasar.¡±

    ¡°Did we keep this healer alive?¡±

    Dabecki bobbed his head.

    ¡°Good, she¡¯ll come in useful.¡±

    The King looked at the scar some more. Five thin lines, where Rae-bear¡¯s claws had connected, striped her cheek from cheekbone to jawbone. Many thought she covered her face because of the scar, but she didn¡¯t. She hated the way people, especially men, stared at her. As soon as she had blossomed into a woman at fifteen they had received knock after knock on their door from boys and men of all ages, asking if they could marry her. Her mother would wrap her headscarf tighter around her face and sweetly turn them all away.

    When Tamza¡¯s mother died, heartbroken over the loss of her three sons, Tamza¡¯s brothers, Tamza wore the black cloak and headscarf as a mark of mourning in public, and never took it off. When she was covered, nobody spoke to her and nobody looked at her. She could go about her business in the background, not blushing when spoken to, not feeling like she might collapse in on herself when someone stared. Hidden was how she liked it.

    ¡°Let us go and see the bears. Bring the archers,¡± King Edgar ordered and he dragged his eyes off Tamza¡¯s face to follow Dabecki as he limped out of the hall. Tamza was desperate to pull her headscarf up but her arms were restrained by the soldier behind her.

    Surrounded by a group of Fertilian soldiers, Tamza and Sumear followed King Edgar, Burrington and Dabecki through the palace gardens and across the Great Fields, which Tamza silently renamed the Killing Fields. Cats, dogs and birds were now picking at the remains of thousands of dead Vaasarians. The party came to a stop in front of the fence. The enclosure sprawled out behind, Sumear and Tamza¡¯s house to the left, near the gate, and then the woodlands. In front of them was the sand training grounds.

    The archers pulled arrows from their quivers and aimed them into the enclosure.

    Not one of the bears could be seen. Tamza caught her father¡¯s eye. He shook his head sadly.

    ¡°Well?¡± King Edgar growled. ¡°Let¡¯s see them.¡±

    Sumear tongue-clicked in the bear language, ¡°Show yourselves bears at the edge of the woods but do not come any nearer. We are with hostile individuals. Do not attack, be ready to retreat.¡±

    He repeated this message over and over until slowly movement was seen in amongst the dark shadows under the trees. Rae-bear, the dominant male, was seen first. He stood on hindlegs, curious, sniffing the air. Ursah-bear stood protective over her cub. The two younger males, Lack and Jori, were together, still nudging each other carelessly as if Sumear¡¯s beckons had interfered with an earlier game.

    The bears all stopped at the edge of the woods, as instructed, and stared menacingly at the group holding their keepers.

    Rae-bear fell to all fours. ¡°Who they?¡±

    Sumear tongue clicked in reply. ¡°Unfriendly. Stay back.¡±

    King Edgar looked impressed and turned to Dabecki. ¡°How many are there?¡±

    ¡°Fourteen,¡± said Dabecki.

    ¡°What can they do?¡±

    ¡°They dance, my King.¡±

    ¡°Can they be trained to fight?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m certain they could be.¡±

    ¡°You,¡± Edgar pointed to Tamza. ¡°Get that big one here and make him dance. I¡¯ve already seen what the old man can do.¡±

    Tamza didn¡¯t make a sound. She feared for her bears¡¯ lives.

    The King stared at her, angry at her defiance. ¡°Archers, aim for the baby.¡±

    The archers pointed arrows at Fir-bear, Ursah¡¯s cub.

    Tamza¡¯s stomach lurched. ¡°Don¡¯t hurt him, please don¡¯t hurt the cub, or any bear. Please.¡±

    ¡°Summon the big bear.¡±

    Holding back tears, Tamza clicked. ¡°Ursah-bear, Fir is threatened. Hide him.¡±

    Ursah-bear roared, baring her teeth and snarling. She stood, pawed the cub behind her and readied herself to charge.

    Tamza said, ¡°Don¡¯t come close. Run, when I tell you. Rae-bear, my beloved, please come here.¡±

    Rae-bear roared and ran at them. The King and his men all took a step back but the huge brown bear stopped a few paces from the fence and stood to his full height, showing teeth with neck stretched high. He popped his jaw aggressively.

    The archers, still with eyes on the cub, bristled at the threat.

    King Edgar, recovering from the bear¡¯s charge and overpowering presence, sputtered, ¡°Archers, on that bear.¡±

    The men gladly pointed arrows at Rae.

    Tamza clicked. ¡°Rae, these men want to see you dance.¡±

    ¡°I attack them all. You and Sumear come with me.¡±

    ¡°No, Rae-bear. They will hurt you. Please, dance.¡±

    Rae-bear turned his gaze away from the men and inwards. Tamza whistled the movements to an easy dance, one that they performed at the close of the Rejuvenate Festival and had practiced many times. The bear swayed, lifted paws in delicate movements and twisted his head. It was a hypnotic display, in stark contrast to his earlier aggressive behaviour. The archers¡¯ shoulders untensed, and all gathered were captivated.

    The dance came to an end gently. Tamza hoped this would quell the bloodlust and save her and her father.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± she told Rae-bear. Who stood in his aggressive stance once again, staring at the hostile men. ¡°Be ready to run back to the woods when I say.¡±

    Rae-bear snorted.

    King Edgar turned to look at Tamza, his head cocked, admiring her.

    She kept her gaze to the ground, but took advantage of his momentary distraction to click, ¡°Now! Run!¡± and Rae-bear turned and at full speed bounded back to the cover of the trees.

    The King wheeled to see the retreating bear. ¡°My archers could still kill him. But I¡¯ll keep your bears alive, for now. Dabecki, what is this other ability you speak of?¡±

    ¡°She too can dance like the bear. She learnt from her mother, an exotic dancer and once concubine of Vizier Hannijad¡¯s father.¡±

    Tamza¡¯s entire body sagged. The soldier behind her held her upright. Her father was crying.

    ¡°I love you,¡± he mouthed at her. ¡°I go to meet the Bear-God, to see my wife again, my Hayat, and my sons.¡±

    ¡°I love you,¡± she replied, tears welling.

    They both knew who would survive now. These men made decisions with their penises.

    ¡°She will dance tonight at the celebratory feast. He is not necessary.¡± The King flicked his hand at Sumear.

    ¡°No!¡± Tamza fought against the soldier holding her, trying to wrench her arms free, wriggling and jerking, kicking at his shins, but it was no use.

    Dabecki, an evil glint in his squinty eye, pulled a long knife from a sheath around the waist of the soldier who held Sumear. With a struggle, he lifted it and thrust it through Sumear¡¯s gut. ¡°Should¡¯ve let me marry your daughter, old man.¡±

    The Fert soldier behind her father dodged out of the way as Dabecki pushed the sword in further, the point coming out her father¡¯s back.

    ¡°Fool,¡± the soldier muttered as the point barely missed his hip.

    Tamza¡¯s screams were drowned out by the boom of Ursah-bear¡¯s roar. She started to charge at the fence. ¡°I kill that stinking one, he smell of old, dying lilies.¡±

    The archers readied themselves for the King¡¯s order.

    Tamza, her voice hoarse, ordered, ¡°No, Ursah! They will kill you too, think of Fir. You must look after your cub. Go bears, run and hide. Now!¡±

    ¡°I will never forget that murderer¡¯s scent!¡± Ursah turned, kicking up dust in the training grounds and ran back into the woods, following the departing bears and catching up with Fir who lumbered away.

    The soldier pulled his sword out of Sumear and dropped the body in a heap by the fence. King Edgar strode back to the palace.

    Tamza lunged for her father¡¯s body, desperate to reach him, to touch him, but the soldier dragged her away. The tears gushed and she didn¡¯t think they would ever stop.

    The bears would mourn Sumear¡¯s loss as deeply as her. And they would have to watch as his body rotted, crumpled there by the fence, blood oozing from the wound.

 Chapter 5

    Tamza was thrown in with the other useful Vaasarians in a makeshift prison at the palace. One of the larger rooms in a smaller outbuilding had been turned into their cell. There was barely enough room for each person to sit.

    She wrapped her headscarf tighter. It was growing dark and the high, open windows shed no light. A cool breeze blew in and she shivered. Her fellow Vaasarians, about one hundred of them, fell into distinct groups. Those who sat alone, silent, shocked, rocking or staring intensely at nothing. Those who gathered near others and mumbled, angrily, and those who wept, arms around each other, distraught.

    ¡°Tamza,¡± a female voice said from deeper inside the room.

    Tamza squinted in the half-light and saw the healer Maryam, sat with a group of women who cried or wailed. Maryam was soothing them with quiet words.

    ¡°Tamza,¡± Maryam said again, ¡°here.¡±

    Tamza edged over to the woman who had healed her face all those seasons ago when she was nine. A woman of similar age to her mother, and at the time of the accident, a new healer with little experience. Her mother had trusted Maryam, and they had become firm friends. Maryam was a short, comely woman, with a cloud of greying curls that framed her face. She had kind eyes, a warm, welcoming presence and a soft voice that naturally drew people to her. Tamza sunk to the floor and into the healer¡¯s embrace.

    ¡°Dabecki killed Sumear,¡± Tamza sobbed.

    ¡°Dabecki killed many people today,¡± Maryam replied.

    ¡°He stabbed him, in front of the bears.¡±

    ¡°My husband had an arrow in his head.¡± Maryam¡¯s steady voice wavered with emotion.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. So much death.¡±

    ¡°And we have survived. We should be grateful to be here and not taken by the wild, dark skinned warriors.¡±

    Tamza shook to the core. Yaseena. ¡°Could we save them somehow? Is there nothing we can do?¡± Tamza¡¯s voice rose to a high pitch and drew glances in her direction. She started to wail loudly, overcome with despair, for once not caring what attention she drew.

    Maryam shushed her and stroked her hair. ¡°We¡¯ve had the same conversation, over and over already. It is hopeless. We are here now, and we must accept it. Let us think of something else¡­ why don¡¯t you tell me how your mother and father met, how they fell in love? It is one of my favourite stories, one your mother recounted to me many times.¡±

    Tamza sobbed harder, tried to speak but couldn¡¯t shape the words on her tongue.

    ¡°Shall I tell it?¡± Maryam asked, and Tamza nodded into her chest. ¡°Ladies,¡± Maryam said to the other women gathered around her, ¡°I am going to tell a story. A story about love. If you wish to hear it, move closer.¡±

    Some women frowned or stood and walked away. But a number shuffled nearer. Tamza understood what her mother¡¯s friend was doing. Maryam healed physical and mental anguish, and was attempting to distract them fleetingly from the horrors of the day, to heal their pain by reminding them of the good in the world. Tamza¡¯s mother was proud of this story, would recount it with elation to whoever listened. Hayat had been so in love with Sumear, from the moment she met him until her last breath and Tamza believed it would please her to know her story was being shared once again.

    When the women were settled, Maryam began.

    ¡°Hayat was born at the palace into luxury, largesse and power. Her mother, Tamza¡¯s grandmother, was an exotic dancer called Sallah, famed as the most beautiful woman in all Vaasar. From the blessed day that Hayat took her first steps, Sallah taught her daughter how to dance. As she blossomed into a young woman, Hayat became the most accomplished dancer history had ever known. But not just any dancer, for Sallah, and now her daughter Hayat, were blessed with the ability to perform the exquisite Enchanted Dance which mesmerised all who viewed it ¨C and if the dancer so desired ¨C she could enchant one in particular by bestowing upon that individual her undivided, intense attention. Sallah had chosen one of the most powerful men in Vaasar, the Keeper-Of-Things-That-Come-Up, who had succumbed instantly and passionately to Sallah¡¯s magic, and sired Hayat.

    ¡°The young Hayat was more ambitious than her mother, and when the time came, her beauty blooming into something so breathtaking that men would fall at her feet, Hayat selected the son of Vizier Mafak, who was similar in age to her. Hayat, ever the dreamer, believed she would be happy with the handsome Khalled, who would grow to be the next Vizier of Vaasar. She performed her first dance with her mother to an audience that included her father, Vizier Mafak, his son Khalled and the Vizier¡¯s executives. Khalled fell under Hayat¡¯s spell in a heartbeat and claimed her immediately, declaring his unwavering love for the dancer.

    ¡°Hayat was ecstatic, her years of practice had borne fruit and she had the man of her dreams. But, alas, far from falling in love with Khalled, Hayat was miserable. He treated her courteously, and kindly, but he could not see her, not truly, for he was blinded by her exterior beauty. He saw only her voluptuous figure, smooth skin, dainty hands and feet. He saw only her fine features, full lips and striking eyes. He did not listen to what she had to say, or encourage her in her interests ¨C namely horse-riding ¨C and he had no conversation. Hayat grew bored and restless in his company, and resigned herself to believing that this was love.

    ¡°Hayat did not bear any children to Khalled, which surprised her, but also confirmed her unhappiness. She believed her womb was miserable too and rejected his seed. Seasons passed, Khalled became the Vizier and every night Hayat danced for him, weaving her enchantment deeper. He was utterly besotted with her.

    ¡°On a day no different to any other, Hayat trotted her horse around the palace gardens and out on the Great Fields for a canter. But the Gods had other plans for her on that day, and as she came close to the bear enclosure, she saw two men training their huge beasts. Suddenly a bear¡¯s roar split the sky and her horse reared, viciously throwing her from its back. She lay crumpled on the grass, stunned, and all went dark.

    ¡°The younger of the two men dashed to her rescue, effortlessly scaling the enclosure¡¯s fence and kneeling at her side, checking gently to see if she was hurt.

    ¡°Slowly Hayat came to her senses and opened her eyes to be overwhelmed with the purest, most joyous light. It came from her rescuer¡¯s eyes, a dazzling blue, like the sun shimmering over the ocean. In that moment, with every shred of her being, she fell in love.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

    ¡°This man, Sumear, was the son of the bear tamer Lacki, who had first captured and brought the bears back to Vaasar. Sumear delicately helped Hayat to her feet and escorted her carefully back to the palace. He formally said his goodbyes and wished her well.

    ¡°The next day, she heard that the bear tamer¡¯s son had caught her errant horse and brought it back to the palace stables with a message asking after Hayat¡¯s wellbeing.

    ¡°On the third day, Hayat went to the bear enclosure and waited patiently for Sumear to appear, elegantly sitting on a tree stump nearby. Hours later, Sumear strolled up from town, carrying his vegetables and whistling. He saw Hayat by the gate, stopped in his tracks as if confronted by a great wall, and promptly dropped everything, his turnips and onions rolling down the hill back towards the marketplace. She rushed to help him retrieve his produce, but he just laughed and told her he¡¯d rather spend his time with her than looking for his vegetables and he left them exactly where they were. They walked, they talked, they laughed, as if they were two halves blissfully slotting together as a whole. Sumear introduced Hayat to his half-wild bears who nuzzled her and ¨C much to the bear tamer¡¯s surprise ¨C permitted her to fuss over them like docile pets.

    ¡°On the fourth day, Hayat knew she had to unravel herself from the Vizier. She had never performed the dance in reverse, and no exotic dancer had ever attempted such a feat. Her mother Sallah did not think it possible and begged her daughter not to do it. But Hayat was determined. Night after night Hayat danced for Khalled, and he became more and more disgusted with her until he banished her from his sight. He believed he¡¯d simply fallen out of love with the woman.

    ¡°To hide her beauty from other men, Hayat took to wearing a black cloak and headscarf, made from the wool of a rare flock of black sheep. Slowly she melted away from palace life and the court¡¯s awareness. On the sad day that Sallah died, all links to the palace were cut, and Hayat snuck away to marry Sumear and live forever with the man she adored.

    ¡°Within a season, they had their first child, Araf. Hayat finally knew love. But more importantly, she learnt something that her mother hadn¡¯t learnt, nor her grandmother or great grandmother.

    ¡°Hayat learnt that a man could love her without her having to enchant him. And she was set free.¡±

    Tamza¡¯s eyes stung from weeping, and she glanced up at Maryam. The healer was smiling kindly, silent tears streaming down her plump cheeks.

    Tamza took a long breath, and with effort, said, ¡°I do believe that where my father fell today, is the place where he first met my mother, when he helped her up from her fall.¡±

    The noise of the door opening startled Tamza and her little group from its reverie. A Fert soldier walked into the room, a candle in one hand and his sword in the other. A second soldier waited outside. The first soldier indicated Tamza, and beckoned her to come with him. Her heart fluttered as she slowly stood, praying to the Bear-God that she would be delivered back to Maryam soon.

    She followed the soldier, all eyes in the room on her. She didn¡¯t squirm, as she would have previously. I have more to fear now than my fellow Vaasarians looking at me.

    Outside hunched the traitor, Dabecki. He thrust a pile of clothes into Tamza¡¯s hands and a bucket of water, in it a round sponge made of the plant root they used to wash themselves. ¡°Found these in the concubine quarter, wear something suitable for your performance later, and don¡¯t forget to scrub up. I¡¯ll be back for you in an hour.¡±

    The door slammed in her face and she staggered back to Maryam, carrying the clothes and bucket. Mercifully, the prisoners had all been provided with food and water, so no one lunged for the bucket, but everyone watched with curiosity as Tamza placed it down and slumped next to Maryam once again.

    ¡°What is he talking about? What are those?¡± Maryam asked, eyes wide with alarm.

    ¡°I must dance for that monster King in an hour.¡±

    ¡°Dance? Do you know how?¡±

    Tamza sighed. ¡°Yes, I know. Papa taught me how to tame bears along with my brothers, before they left to go to sea, and Mama taught me the dances. I¡¯ve never performed a dance in public, I chose bear taming.¡±

    Maryam¡¯s eyebrows shot up. ¡°You had better get ready then.¡± The healer stood and ushered up the surrounding women, ¡°And we had better help her.¡±

    They commandeered a corner, the women surrounding Tamza as she undressed. The Vaasarians were used to public bathing, there were bathhouses that used water from the river, near to where it flowed into the sea in the small harbour. Personal hygiene was important to Vaasarians, who washed every day. One side of the river was for the women, the other for the men. The water warmed by those with the ability to heat it. Not one of those talented Vaasarians remained.

    Tamza scrubbed herself with the cool water, vigorously, as if attempting to scour the day¡¯s atrocities from her memory. Blood, so much blood. The heap of dead Vaasarian men and women being picked at by scavengers. Yaseena given to those wild warriors, her children murdered in front of her... A shooting pain split Tamza¡¯s head, and she placed a hand on the wall to steady her. My father dead. And now I must dance for his murderer.

    Tamza¡¯s teeth clenched as she ran the sponge in long strokes down her legs. Use my dance, enchant Dabecki, find a way to murder him, as he murdered Sumear. Thoughts of sticking one of those swords through Dabecki¡¯s gut entered her mind. She pictured the disgraceful man wailing for his life pitifully as she pushed it in deeper, deeper.

    She shook her body like a dog when it leaves the river, droplets splattering on the ground. She stood for a few moments, air drying, gooseflesh all over her skin. She fought the shivers. I must be brave if I¡¯m to take another¡¯s life.

    She pulled on the dancer¡¯s clothes. A bright pink cropped tube with straps that fell seductively down her upper arms and was split at the back to show off her small hump. It was cut low and squashed her breasts together. She pulled on the matching flowing trousers, that hung from her hips and dipped at the front under her belly button. The trousers were cuffed at the ankles, but had slits from waistband to ankle on the outside of each leg. Her midriff was exposed, and she felt naked. She¡¯d never worn such little clothing.

    Her body was lean and muscular from caring for the bears, but still showed glimpses of her mother¡¯s sensual, curvaceous figure. A small waist, ample bosom and hips. A round bottom. The thought of all those men ogling her made her scowl.

    But I¡¯ll get revenge.

    She combed her fingers through her thick brown hair that fell to her shoulders and put on the trinkets. A rope with dangling shells went around her waist, small ties with shells around each ankle and each wrist, the final around her head, a glistening tiny shell sat perfectly between her arched eyebrows, to draw attention to the eyes of the dancer. My father¡¯s blue eyes.

    ¡°Maryam,¡± Tamza said tentatively.

    The healer turned. ¡°You look exquisite.¡±

    Tamza pulled her cloak and headscarf on over the top of the costume. She looked desperately up at Maryam. ¡°I don¡¯t think I can remember what to do.¡±

    ¡°Take some time for yourself, go through the dances in your mind. You¡¯ll soon remember.¡± Maryam moved the women away to give Tamza some space.

    Tamza turned to face the corner and closed her eyes. She had last danced with her mother shortly before her death, in a bid to raise her spirits. That was nine seasons earlier, but they had stopped practicing when Tamza was thirteen. Tamza picked a dance and started to hum it, running through the movements in her mind. Her body swayed as the choreography came back to her. She pictured eight more dances in this way.

    She was surprised that she could remember them all. But will my body remember? Can it still bend and flex as the movements require? Am I strong enough to hold my balance in some of the trickier postures? Tamza started to limber up, stretching muscles and fluidly contorting into positions, precisely how her mother had taught her.

    A bark from the soldier at the door. Tamza hugged Maryam and walked through the room, her shells jingling. The prisoners murmuring well wishes and good lucks to her. She dipped her head to acknowledge them, thankful for the encouragement.

 Chapter 6

    Tamza was told to wait outside the dining hall and to get ready. She had been frisked by a leering soldier, and left. Two soldiers waited in the hallway with her, and watched with great eagerness as she pulled off her headscarf and then cloak.

    One licked his lips and said in his tongue to the soldier next to him, not aware Tamza could understand, ¡°Wouldn¡¯t mind fucking that from the front. That¡¯s a face I could look at, not like those scraggy whores we brought from Fertilian.¡±

    The hollow dread from earlier that day built up again in her belly. Her palms prickled. Here she was, about to perform, but no longer with her bears, no longer with Sumear stood nearby, and no longer in front of her people, with Yaseena waving from the audience. Anger flared, searing a bright light through the fear. I need to channel that hatred.

    Tamza turned and deliberately bent to show the men her bottom. Her entire body fought against the decision, and she thought she might vomit. Instead she folded her cloak and headscarf carefully in a pile on the floor, taking advantage of the soldiers¡¯ distraction to hide something there, a doorway, under the headscarf.

    She stood again and turned to them. In their language she said, ¡°You should watch my performance. I think you¡¯ll like it.¡± Her voice was small, barely audible, but they heard.

    The two men gaped at each other, surprised that she knew their language, and guffawed. One opened his mouth to speak, displaying blackened teeth that made Tamza grimace inwardly, but before he could reply, the door to the hallway opened and a female servant ushered Tamza into the hall.

    King Edgar was sat on floor cushions, at the head of two lines of his men, also sat on cushions. In the middle were low tables, covered with plates of food. The Fertilian men sat awkwardly on the cushions. Dabecki lounged comfortably, used to sitting to eat food on the floor. He was sat to the left of the King, and next to him was Burrington, back rigid, his fingers tapping rapidly on the table.

    To the right of the King was the Xayan captain, Zhaz. He looked smug and sat easily, crossed legged. He had removed his tusk headdress and Tamza was surprised to see his head was completely bald. Zhaz was using his short sword to eat with, the same that had killed thousands earlier that day. He had stabbed a hunk of meat and was licking and nibbling at it, just like her nephews eating sweetmeats on sticks in the marketplace. A pang of longing for what was, gnawed at Tamza¡¯s insides. I¡¯ll never see that again, Lil Araf and Baby are dead. The anger bolstered her.

    There was raucous laughter and chatter, numerous Fertilian servants, both male and female, flitted about serving a red liquid from huge jugs to the seated men from behind, keeping their cups topped up. Dabecki had a jug of beer next to him. No one heard her jingle into the room, or noticed when she stood at the bottom of the two lines, at the opposite end to the king.

    ¡°Ah,¡± said Dabecki. ¡°Our entertainment has arrived.¡± He pointed at Tamza and slowly down the line, all heads swivelled towards her. She felt eyes on her face and body. It repulsed her. Her mother had taught her to take on a different persona when she danced. Become who you think a dancer should be, Hayat had told her. Be brave, confident, self-assured. You know what you are doing, what is there to be afraid of?

    Tamza took a long inhale, filling her lungs with her mother¡¯s words.

    Holding her head high, Tamza gazed haughtily back at each of the men in turn, held her gaze a moment longer on Dabecki, and then locked onto the King¡¯s eyes.

    The men were cheering and raising cups to her, but she simply surveyed them all with pursed lips and a look of contempt. Head slightly cocked, hands on hips, one slightly higher than the other as she raised the toes of her left foot and tucked the heel against her ankle. She would stand there until they were silent, until they respected her presence. ¡®Stand in this pose as long as it takes for the men to understand that they are beneath you, Tamza, that they are privileged to see your body and see how you are about to move it.¡¯

    Silence quickly fell. The King stared at her.

    ¡°We should move the food off these tables. Give her space,¡± said Dabecki, in hushed tones, leaning into the King but not taking his eyes off Tamza.

    The King clicked his fingers and the servants hurried to take away the dishes and platters, leaving the tables as a platform down the centre of the men for Tamza. Good, they can all see me and will all fall under my spell. But only one will be enchanted. And I have selected my target.

    Most of the men grabbed their drinks off the table, leaving a clear run. But the two men closest to Tamza, gawped up at her in awe, unable to move.

    When all was still, and the servants stood by the walls, Tamza begun. She shimmied her waist, the shells there jangling. She sped up until the rest of her body joined in, until it vibrated. She raised her arms, her hands flicked at the top and she trailed one hand slowly down the other arm and bent her knees. She snapped her legs to standing hip width apart, arms wide. She turned, her back facing the men and started to jerk her hips, her bottom shaking at them, and looked over one shoulder.

    She was expecting some jeers or lewd comments as she showed them her rear, but the men were silent, mesmerised. Good. Arching her back she placed both hands on the edge of the first low table and picked up one foot, then the next, toes pointed and brought her legs up, until she was standing on her hands. Gracefully she brought her legs over and stood upright again. She crouched low, her back to the King, and picked up the two cups. She stood, and swaying her body she held out her arms and tipped them, the red liquid spilling. As expected, the owners of both leant forward and lapped at the trickle. Pathetic, she thought, as she blessed them with a closed mouth smile. She threw their cups with such force at the floor that both men recoiled, eyes wide.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!

    She back flipped down the tables in quick succession until she reached the centre, turned to face one line of men and banged her feet, contorting her body, and turned to the other banging her feet. Swiftly up and down the tables she jumped, spun, flipped and tumbled. Scissoring her legs flat on the table. She ensured she never got too close to the King and his important men. She needed them to be begging for her.

    The men¡¯s eyes tracked her wherever she went. The movements came back to her as if she had danced with her mother earlier that day. Her heart raced and a light sheen of sweat coated her brown skin, the glistening only serving to arouse the stupid men more. ¡®You¡¯ll know when you have them,¡¯ her mother had said, ¡®you¡¯ll see it in their gormless faces, they won¡¯t be able to move a muscle, scared they might miss a movement you make.¡¯

    Tamza finished one routine at the end of the tables where she had started, and then faster than a bird dancing in the sky she leapt, tumbled, back flipped her way up to the King, landing with her toes on the edge of the table in front of him. She dived, her hands landing on his shoulders, kicking up her legs so she went over the top of him, her long hair sweeping his face as she stood on her hands on his shoulders for a heartbeat before landing her feet on the floor behind his cushion. That will make his heart race. Tamza glided around the cushions skimming her hand along each man¡¯s neck or touching their cheek until she came to the King once again.

    Now, every man wanted her, every man was hers if she wanted him. She took a run up and leapt over the King¡¯s head landing back on the table. She turned to the King and stopped, panting.

    Edgar¡¯s eyes were transfixed on hers, mouth slack, chest heaving almost as much as hers. Captain Zhaz stood up and grabbed his crotch and with the other hand went to grab her breast. Dabecki leaned forward and licked the sweat off her foot. She knew she should turn to that twisted fool, to perform the final enchantment on him, favour him so that she could kill him and revenge her family.

    But in a blink, the King was standing, the point of his long sword on Dabecki¡¯s neck and the point of his short sword almost touching Zhaz¡¯s eye.

    ¡°Don¡¯t touch her,¡± he growled. A rumble so menacing that even Captain Zhaz snapped back his hand as if bitten by a snake. Dabecki shrunk into his cushion.

    In that moment, Tamza knew what she needed to do. She leapt onto King Edgar, her legs wrapped around his waist, the tip of her nose so close to his that the fine hairs tickled but the skin didn¡¯t touch. He looked into her eyes and she blinked, before throwing her head down to his ankles, winding slowly around to the left. He stood firm as she blinked at him again then thrust her body around to the right, coming up to blink at him a third time. She cupped her hands against his red beard, tenderly, a sliver of air still between her flesh and his. Slowly she pressed each fingertip above his cheekbones. His eyes glazed.

    She pulled her feet to his hips, anchored them there, took hold of his hands and stood, his face between her thighs. She jumped over him and clapped her hands.

    A second doorway opened behind the King and she jumped through it and into the invisible portal.

    Tamza travelled instantly from the second doorway to the first, that she had hidden under her headscarf whilst the guards were distracted by her bottom. She landed outside in the hallway. She clapped her hands and both doorways dissolved. Her headscarf fell on her. Her trick had worked. The hallway was empty, the two soldiers having taken her advice and crept into the hall to watch the show.

    She could hear confused shouts from inside, the King bellowing, ¡°Find her!¡±

    She wrapped herself quickly in her cloak, tied the headscarf around her face, relieved to be covered up again. That was not the end to the dance that her mother had taught her. Tamza had a third ability, one which only her brother Naath knew about, one which she had kept secret, not wanting the interest it would bring. Every Vaasarian had one magic ability, some had two. It was a rare, celebrated occurrence when a child was born with three. Tamza was a Three.

    She could open two doorways and transfer objects and sounds from one to the other through an invisible tunnel. Each doorway, as she called them, was circular, with swirling light around the outside, like wisps of smoke after a candle is blown out. These delicate wispy threads became more solid as they neared the centre of the circle. This distinct ring looked similar to cracked pottery, with harsh lines that ended in a jagged, serrated edge around a black hole in the very heart of the circle. It reminded her of a pupil inside an iris. Looking at the doorway front on, you saw the circle, but if you looked at it from the side, you saw a thin strand of twisting smoke. Both doorways were a striking bright blue, the same colour as her eyes.

    Whatever was to be transported had to go through the black hole, avoiding the sharp edge, which cut like a thorn. And touch the whirling edges and it singed you like fire. She knew because she had tested it, many seasons before when Naath was alive. Naath¡¯s ability was to perfectly mimic any sound or voice, and they had played many a prank on their two older brothers with his imitating their mother¡¯s voice and Tamza¡¯s portal delivering the sound to where her brothers were misbehaving. It never failed. A twang plucked in her chest and she stifled the tears that threatened to fall. That time felt so long ago now.

    Until tonight, she had never transported herself, never having made the circular doorway big enough for her to fit through. She had cared too much about living for it to potentially go wrong and for the portal to swallow her up. But tonight, she had nothing to lose. She had focused hard to make her doorways big enough, had travelled through the portal and lived.

    The big, wooden doors to the hall opened and soldiers spilled out, they gawped at her.

    ¡°Here!¡± one yelled. The King came storming through, pushing his men out of the way to see her. He relaxed as soon as he did.

    ¡°Tamza,¡± he said with relief, with love, with a deep emotion that she knew he had never experienced before, as if his entire life would end if she was not within his sight.

    It worked. The King is mine.

 Chapter 7

    But I¡¯m getting ahead of myself.

    King Edgar snored gently next to her. His hairy chest rising and falling. She studied him. His red beard crept down his neck and met the hair on his collarbone. This body fur spread over his shoulders and down his back. All the same colour as the hair on his head. His broad chest and shoulders narrowed into a lean, rippled stomach, large buttocks and muscular, squat legs. A fighter. A body honed for violence.

    Tamza had never taken another being¡¯s life. It was just not the Vaasarian way, they were peaceful, they valued and respected others. No fibre of her being wanted to harm another. But the image of her father, stabbed by order of this man, of Yaseena clutching her dead sons to her, murdered by order of this man, of Yaseena dragged away by the reeking warriors, by order of this man, hardened her resolve.

    He had left his long sword and short swords outside the room with the soldier posted there. She doubted she¡¯d ever have the chance to take one. Edgar snorted in his sleep and his chin jutted, his hot breath grazing her cheek.

    She grabbed a pillow, and placed it gently over his face, increasing the pressure.

    His hand shot up and grabbed her wrist, the other pulled away the pillow and cinched around her neck. His eyes narrowed and hardened. Not the glazed look he had given her earlier. His grip tightened and her breath hitched in her throat. Tamza panicked. I have snapped the spell!

    His lips tightened and he started to sit up, glaring at her.

    She pressed slightly on his chest and forced an amused snort. It was the only thing she could think to do. He paused, his grip slackened

    ¡°Oh, that woke you didn¡¯t it, sleepy,¡± she whispered seductively. His glare softened, his back sinking into the mattress. ¡°I¡¯ve been trying to wake you for a long time now. I¡¯m ravenous, and only you can satisfy my craving.¡± She tweaked his nipples.

    He released her neck and started to kiss the scar on her cheek tenderly, he was fascinated by it. ¡°Happy to oblige,¡± he mumbled into her hair. Hand creeping between her legs.

    One of the King¡¯s gruff men had joked as Edgar passed, indicating Tamza, ¡°Hadn¡¯t you better keep your new dog on a leash?¡±

    So fast that Tamza barely saw what happened, Edgar smashed his forehead into the man¡¯s nose, shattering it with a sharp crack. Blood rushed down the man¡¯s lips and soaked his beard, slowly dripping through the coarse hair and onto his chest. Edgar had carried on walking to his seat, without saying a word. He had flicked his hand at the servants, pointed to Tamza and then to a spot on the floor.

    Dabecki had glared at Tamza as servants brought her cushions to sit on, his mouth hanging more open than usual. Another servant pulled out the roughly made chair at the head of the table, and Edgar sat. The others took their seats.

    Edgar placed his elbows on the table and rested his chin on his knuckles, his bushy beard bunching either side. The men were silent. He looked around the table, but not one man could look him in the eye. Even Captain Zhaz continued to study his fingernails. Edgar flicked his eyes to Tamza, checking she was still there, before staring intently at Burrington, who sat to his left.

    Burrington felt the powerful man¡¯s gaze on him and looked up. An imperceptible raise of Edgar¡¯s eyebrow and Burrington spoke.

    ¡°This is the first council session since taking Vaasar. We have a few things to discuss.¡± Burrington scratched at his patchy beard. ¡°Let¡¯s start with an update on the town¡­¡±

    A gruff voice cut in from down the table. The man had the same bushy beard and hair to the shoulders as Edgar, but his was speckled with grey. ¡°The only town men and women left alive are in the Useful prison, at the Xayan camp or here.¡± He shot a quick glance at Tamza, but continued. ¡°One hundred in the Useful prison. Captain Zhaz and his warriors ably hunted down and sniffed out any remaining yesterday. A few had taken to their boats, but we let them go. The sea will eat them soon enough. It was looking hungry last night. Men are stationed around the town walls, as pathetic as they are, on the lookout for any retaliation from¡­ what¡¯s this country¡¯s capital called again, Da¡­ Dab¡­¡±

    ¡°Dabecki,¡± said the traitor with an obsequious nod. ¡°This country is called Drome and the capital is Parchad.¡±

    The gruff man grunted.

    ¡°Parchad is a five or six-week camel ride away, depending on the changeable desert weather. The falcon that we saw leave the town yesterday carried a message of Vaasar¡¯s seizure. There was one falcon, and that was its sole purpose. I don¡¯t know who released it, no doubt one of the scribes, but all were killed before I got to ask.¡± Dabecki looked pointedly at Captain Zhaz. The warrior looked bored.

    Dabecki continued. ¡°However, there is a camel train expected in two weeks or so, due to take water and goods back to the capital. It will come into the unloading area just outside the walls from the desert. There is only one way through the dunes, it is obvious enough for the lookouts to keep an eye on.¡±

    This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.A surge of hope flooded Tamza¡¯s chest. Parchad will come to our rescue! The capital had fighters, the leading Wakrime clan had trained men to quell the various clan uprisings there. Vaasar had been formed by the same nomadic desert people as the crater city of Parchad, hundreds of seasons earlier. The Vaasarians were from the Khumarah clan, and a group had gone north to discover the monstrous, dangerous dunes giving way to barren flatlands before raising up to looming mountains. At the flatlands, they had decided to go east. The land looked greener that way.

    It was a wise choice as they reached fertile land, the sea, and a natural harbour. The sea touched the mountainous dunes to the south, and to the north it touched steep, treacherous cliffs that led into the mountains. The clan settled by the river, and the town of Vaasar was born. The Wakrime clan went south and discovered a giant crater, blasted into the sand, with a water source at the centre, and settled there, naming it Parchad. Most of the smaller clans, and the remaining Khumarah clan members, had followed the Wakrimes to Parchad. There had been many clan wars over rule, but the Wakrimes held out. Tamza had heard stories from the workers running the camel caravan trains that a tentative peace had been agreed, one the Wakrimes kept in check using violence when necessary.

    Parchad will send fighters, they cannot afford to lose the town. Vaasar was important to the ruler in Drome, huge camel trains trudged back and forth through the desert taking water from the Gharak River to the crater city. Ruler Wahakbi el Wakrime had visited once, when Tamza was a child, and had demanded a statue of him be built in the market square. Vizier Khalled had agreed wholeheartedly, but the statue was never built. The Vizier considered himself as an equal to Ruler Wahakbi, but not to his face. Parchad sent glass trinkets, baubles and jewellery back in exchange for the water. The Parchaders had found a way to melt sand and form it into a precious substance they called glass, and Vizier Khalled, and his son Hannijad, desired it.

    Parchad will not allow Drome to be split in half like this, we are from the same people. The Dromedars were desert people, the nomadic clans who roamed the desert still having huge back humps. Although Vaasarian humps had slowly shrunk as there was ample water, they were still prominent.

    ¡°Wall,¡± said Edgar. In such a way that Tamza wasn¡¯t sure if it was a question or not.

    Burrington replied, ¡°We¡¯ll start building the wall today. As with the small holdings, villages and towns we¡¯ve taken before, we¡¯ll put it four hundred paces out from the furthest edge of the town to give the place room to grow in the future. The Fert masons will start with the stone they¡¯ve carted from Fertilian and then will seek out suitable from the nearby mountains.¡±

    ¡°This wall needs to be like nothing we¡¯ve ever built before. Thicker, higher, impenetrable. The bastards in Parchad will not give up this place easily. They¡¯ll be on their way. If not now, soon. They¡¯ll try to take this place back again and again. Mark my words. We want the sea, and all the opportunities that brings. They need the water. Tell the masons, Burrington, if that wall isn¡¯t a giant, I¡¯ll personally take their heads.¡±

    This man is evil, he even threatens to kill his own kind. Tamza¡¯s body involuntarily shuddered, but no one paid her any attention. The sooner he is gone, the better.

    Captain Zhaz stood, stretched his arms above his head and grunted. ¡°I go to see my men.¡± He walked out of the room.

    Burrington¡¯s eyes shadowed him, annoyed. He ran his fingers through his lank hair. ¡°He can¡¯t just walk out on a council meeting!¡±

    Edgar shrugged. ¡°He¡¯s served his purpose, as he¡¯s served his purpose many times before. The Xayans are the advance warriors who storm the target, they thrive on death and bloodshed and get restless when that¡¯s done. We¡¯ve captured all of Fertilian, with their help, and now we¡¯ve captured this little stronghold and have a link to the sea. We should think about paying them off and sending them on their way.¡±

    A gurgling voice came from the mouth under the shattered nose. ¡°But we need them here a little longer, to fight the Drome army when it comes.¡±

    ¡°Aye,¡± said Edgar, the earlier altercation forgotten. ¡°Find them something to keep them entertained until then, Orpey.¡±

    ¡°How about a bear fight?¡± Dabecki piped up, sneering at Tamza.

    ¡°No!¡± Tamza blurted.

    Edgar glanced at her and then his weighty stare found Dabecki. ¡°We keep the bears for fighting enemies, not each other. I gave the order to Orpey, not you.¡±

    Dabecki shrivelled from Edgar, eyes down.

    Edgar looked at Burrington, who couldn¡¯t hold the King¡¯s gaze. ¡°Have the messengers gone back to my brother?¡±

    ¡°Aye, early this morning. And a messenger arrived from Horace. He says all is well, he is holding the country, there¡¯s been no more uprisings. People are adjusting to the idea of one chief. One King. And if they¡¯re not, Horace says he¡¯s dealing with them. Also, he notes the stone building you ordered is progressing well, we¡¯ll soon be living in grand structures fit for the King of the country and his court. No more huts for us.¡±

    Edgar grunted. ¡°I¡¯m impressed with the buildings here. These people were more advanced than I was expecting.¡±

    The grey-haired man said, ¡°Aye, but they don¡¯t have metal, they don¡¯t know how to make bronze. They have no weapons.¡±

    A few voices spoke at once. Burrington coughed to get their attention. He was ignored until Edgar thumped the table.

    Picking at his doleful beard, Burrington said, ¡°We need to decide what we¡¯re calling this place, now it belongs to the country of Fertilian.¡±

    ¡°Lian-by-Sea,¡± Edgar said, without hesitation.

    A ripple of agreement. The King stood, his chair scraping back. The men around the table stood hastily. ¡°I¡¯m going to look at my new town, my Lian-by-Sea. Tamza.¡± He stalked from the room, not looking back at the men around the table. Tamza rose to follow. As did Dabecki.

    The traitor beat her to the monster¡¯s side, in the hallway.

    ¡°My King,¡± Dabecki slimed.

    Edgar turned to him.

    Dabecki flinched, but pressed on, ¡°When will I be taking over from Burrington? As warden of the town, as promised?¡±

    Edgar¡¯s thick hand shot out and pinned Dabecki awkwardly to the wall, the skin of his bare hump slapped against the mudbrick.

    ¡°There¡¯s something you should know about me, you snivelling rat, I don¡¯t always keep my promises. You¡¯ve served your purpose, you got us into this maze of a town. Now you¡¯re my translator, nothing more.¡± Edgar released his hand and Dabecki slid down the wall into a blubbering heap. Edgar patted his creased forehead. ¡°Enjoy the women, be thankful I¡¯ve kept you alive.¡±

    The King took Tamza¡¯s hand and stomped from the building.

 Chapter 8

    Outside the day was bright, the sky dotted with fluffy white clouds, but a cool breeze snapped at Tamza¡¯s cloak and headscarf. In the distant north, dark clouds hid the snow-capped mountains, and Tamza expected heavy rain later. She tightened her scarf. Edgar had ordered his servants to bring her more clothes, whatever they could find, but she insisted she wear the cloak and scarf over the top. He acquiesced, telling her he was happy just to see her eyes. To her left was the still smouldering main palace building. A black scar in the palace grounds.

    Edgar took a few steps and stopped. He turned to Tamza. ¡°You lead the way. I want to see the sea.¡±

    They left the palace grounds and headed downhill. Tamza took the main thoroughfare to the marketplace, where only yesterday the entire town had been celebrating the Festival of Many Gods. The path ran parallel to the river and was a route she had taken nearly every day of her life to the washing area, to collect food from the market, to pay visits to family and friends, to take her bears to perform at various festivals and celebrations. Always bustling, full of life and happy faces. Now, it was deserted and wretchedly silent. A few Fert soldiers were dotted about the town, on the roads where they could take their horses, but she knew from the council meeting that most were on the outskirts, building the new wall and watching for retaliation from Parchad.

    Tamza staggered to a halt when she came across the first body. A child. Her head snapped back at an ugly angle, her hand still grasping a woollen doll. Edgar pushed Tamza on, blind to the death, the horror, and impatient to get to the sea.

    They reached the marketplace, which was dotted with dead Vaasarians. Some of the statues of past Viziers were splattered with blood. The stage she had almost stood on the day before had been smashed to pieces. The square stank of festering beer, spoilt food, and a stomach-churning smell like old meat. Rotting bodies. Tamza cupped her hand over her nose, pushing her scarf tight to her nostrils.

    Edgar stopped, not affected by the smell, and looked around at the statues. ¡°Who are these?¡±

    I must treat this as part of the performance. Be brave. Tamza found her voice. ¡°These are the past eight Viziers of Vaasar. The town was founded eight generations ago, by that one, Vizier Gharak, who was the chief of the Khumarah clan who settled here. And this statue half built was going to be Vizier Hannijad.¡±

    Edgar looked blankly at her.

    ¡°The one you beheaded,¡± she said, trying hard to keep the emotion from her voice.

    He shrugged, and kept on walking in the direction of the sea. From the marketplace the town continued downhill and a blue expanse stretched out in front of them. Tamza followed him, he slowed so she could catch up and show him the way. In front of him stretched the most densely populated part of Vaasar. Sandy coloured mudbrick houses for as far as you could see, crammed together, all sharing walls. In between the houses were winding alleyways, often under archway bridges built from the flat roof of one house to the next. Off the alleyways were steep steps leading up to more houses or another alleyway. A labyrinth, for any who didn¡¯t know it. But as familiar to Tamza as her own face.

    She led the way, the alley was barely big enough for two people side by side, but the corpses pushed up against the walls made it even smaller. Scavengers feasting on the remains scattered as they approached. Silent tears streamed from Tamza¡¯s face, and she dabbed at them with her scarf. She passed the path up to Yaseena¡¯s house, and the butchers where she got the great slabs of meat for her bears.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

    The emptiness of death had settled over everything. Shadows like ghosts of the townsfolk who should be there but were now forever absent.

    Soon they passed through the houses into an open space. The harbour. It stretched in a half circle, and they stood in the middle on pale rocks that had been smoothed from generations of feet, where the original settlers had chipped away to make pathways. In front of the rocks was pebbly beach and then the sea. A few small wooden boats bobbed in the harbour, further out the angry sea foamed and waves chopped into one another. Wooden piers had been constructed from the flattened rocks out into the sea at regular points around the half circle. There were six of them, but to Tamza¡¯s left, the last pier was now charred remains, and the boatyard had been razed to the ground. Another black scar on the town.

    Edgar took in a deep breath and stretched out his arms, head up, eyes closed. ¡°I told you, father,¡± he shouted at the sky, ¡°I told you I would take this place!¡± He rushed towards the nearest steps cut into the rocks and down onto the pebbles, towards the sea that gently lapped at the beach. He kneeled in the waves and thrust both hands in the sea, dipped his head in the water and flicked it back. A great arc spraying over his head. He sat on his heels and splashed.

    ¡°The sea!¡± he bellowed and laughed, slapping at the surface like a child. ¡°I found the sea, father, something you never managed did you. Ever since those Xayans put the idea in your head, but you never got here, did you? But I did. Your youngest son. I was ambitious, you always said. I killed you, and your favourite Daneil, and bettered Horace. I took Fertilian and now I take the sea. Ha ha ha!¡±

    Tamza watched this frenzied, half mad outburst and looked around for something she could kill Edgar with. A large rock? A fisherman¡¯s hook? Anything?

    ¡°Come here, Tamza.¡±

    Edgar stood and walked a few paces away from the shore and sat on the pebbles. She walked down the steps and went to him. He patted the stones and she sat.

    He took her hand and leaned back. ¡°What do you call the sea?¡±

    Tamza looked out at the bobbing boats. ¡°We call it the Sarenky Sea. Sarenky means unknowable in our language. The unknowable sea.¡±

    ¡°Ha! Well I plan to know it. I plan to find whatever is out there. Even if I sail in a circle and land right back here, I will do it.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°Trade. Find other people out there to sell our bronze too. My father sent his people south, there was nothing there apart from a never-ending salt flat. Great for salt, but not much else.

    ¡°We went east, there was nothing there but wastelands. We went north and met the Xayans, the crazy bastards. They didn¡¯t want to trade, they wanted blood. But father made a deal. He gave them what they desired ¨C better weapons. Bronze swords, knives, arrow heads, spear heads. Everything they needed to bring more destruction on their own warring tribes. And in return they brought destruction and ruin to all those who opposed my father.

    ¡°We went west, but only ever found fucking desert. It was the Xayans who told us to stick closer to the edge of the mountains, in the strip where desert ends and before mountains begin. And here we are. Here I am. At the sea.¡±

    He stopped talking, Tamza wondered if he wanted her to say something. To congratulate him, or some such. She wasn¡¯t about to praise a murderer and didn¡¯t utter a word.

    ¡°Come here, you, I want to fuck.¡± He grabbed her cloak and pulled her down to the pebbles.

    She squirmed, ¡°No, not here!¡±

    ¡°Why not? There¡¯s no one here.¡±

    ¡°No, because you killed them all,¡± she shrieked and pulled away from him. The silence of the usually heaving harbourside unsettling her more than she realised.

    Her outburst and defiance angered Edgar. ¡°I said now, woman. Open your legs!¡±

    He hauled himself on top of her and pinned her to the pebbles. She wrangled with him. This man is strong-willed, he is difficult to enchant. Her mother had warned her that some wild men can¡¯t be controlled. Tamza quickly pressed her fingertips to his cheekbones and blinked. Soon his eyes glazed and he kissed her cheek and rolled off her.

    He sighed, looking up to the sky. She lay very still. Not wanting to move in case the spell wore off. I will need to keep administering the enchantment, to dance for him every night, to entangle him deeply.

 Chapter 9

    Each day for two weeks, Tamza walked King Edgar around Vaasar, answering his questions, pointing out landmarks, showing him the artisan quarters, the Scribery where the scribes had invented a way to mark animal skin to record daily life, as well as the Record of Relics building where they kept interesting objects from their past. Each night, she danced for him. Sometimes just for him, sometimes in front of his high-ranking men. She repeatedly asked to see her bears, but was forbidden. Edgar assured her they were being taken care of, that his soldiers threw food over the enclosure fence.

    Edgar was alert, suspicious, cautious. His reactions to any threat to his life were like lightning, instinctive. She tried again to smother him with a cushion, attempted to wrap her scarf around his neck to strangle him. Once she tried to pull his dagger, as she learnt his short sword was called, from its scabbard on his sword belt whilst she danced for him, but he caught her before she¡¯d even drawn it a finger¡¯s width out and had shook his head slowly.

    Before she knew it, weeks had passed. And with every day that went by, Tamza¡¯s will faltered, her courage waned.

    Every walk around the town ended in the same place, by the sea. Edgar liked to check in on progress at the new boatyard, the original burnt to the ground. It was slowly being cleared and rebuilt, larger, to make bigger boats that would venture into the Sarenky Sea.

    They were sat on the open rooftop of what used to be a thriving public eatery, looking over the harbour. Edgar gazed towards the frothy ocean. ¡°Soon we¡¯ll be conquering out there.¡±

    Tamza, familiar now with conversing with this man, asked, ¡°Why are you so obsessed with the sea? There is nothing out there but death and sadness.¡±

    He snorted. ¡°How would you know?¡±

    ¡°I had three older brothers, they went to sea. The eldest leaving his wife and two children behind. They went off to conquer the Sarenky, to find new lands, new peoples, on an adventure.¡± Tamza paused, remembering. It almost broke my mother¡¯s heart, to say goodbye to them. But she wasn¡¯t going to tell Edgar that. ¡°They set off early one morning, the entire town crowded around the harbour to see them off. The biggest boat we had made, the furthest any Vaasarian dared to go. Our fishermen stayed close to the harbour. We watched as the boat, manned by twenty of our bravest men, disappeared out to sea.¡±If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    Tamza took a deep breath, noted how Edgar was listening eagerly, hanging off her every word, and continued. ¡°One week later a man washed up in a small row boat, he had left with my brothers. He was half starved and in shock. He couldn¡¯t speak, only shook his head when asked of the others, and wept. This man died a day later. The sea claimed them all. My three brothers, dead.¡± And that did break my mother¡¯s heart. She died a month later. Her death nearly broke my father. But he was strong, for me.

    Edgar gazed at her and said, ¡°Our boats will be better.¡±

    Tamza pointed towards the boatyard, at the buzzing activity there. The Ferts scurried around one man, a Vaasarian, following his commands. A Fert soldier stood behind the boatbuilder, a sword in his back. Dabecki lounged to one side, no doubt drunk, translating. ¡°Your men follow the instructions of the Vaasarian boatbuilder Farouk, he is who built our boat.¡±

    Edgar shrugged. ¡°That is so, but we will improve on his designs. You know, you Vaasarians are smarter than I thought. I should¡¯ve kept more of you alive.¡±

    ¡°You regret the massacre?¡±

    ¡°No. I have Lian-by-Sea. I find your people curious with your many Gods and love for your rulers. I¡¯m the God amongst my people, and I¡¯d rather they fear me. This town is chaotically built, yes, but it is remarkable in its own way. If I¡¯d realised you wouldn¡¯t put up much of a fight, we could¡¯ve taken it differently. Kept more people alive. But I assumed you¡¯d battle or rebel, like the peoples I conquered in Fertilian. The only way to make them kneel is violence. You lot would¡¯ve knelt if I¡¯d asked, I¡¯m sure.¡± He laughed at that, but Tamza was disgusted.

    Edgar stood and walked over to the edge of the roof. It was a sheer drop down to the rocks below. He contemplated the sea, his back to Tamza.

    She stood, crept forward and held out her hands.

    A shove is all it will take!

    She moved closer, fingertips hovering a hair¡¯s breadth from the monster¡¯s back.

    Tamza hesitated. Fear rattled her insides, paralysing her. I can¡¯t do it, I can¡¯t take another¡¯s life.  She recoiled.

    Coward. I¡¯ve failed you father.

 Chapter 10

    She forced a smile onto her lips, and in the voice she used to speak to her nephews with when they were small, explained sweetly, ¡°The mud mixture is put in moulds and left to bake in the sun. Once solid it is strong enough to hold up walls. Specially shaped mudbricks were used for the palace domes, but they burnt in the fire the day you arrived. Out by the crop fields, to the east, are the brick works. Have you not seen them?¡±

    ¡°Aye, that is near where the Xayans are camped. And that is where we go tonight. With the bears. An invite arrived last night, I accepted.¡±

    Here goes, let¡¯s try my influence. ¡°No. I¡¯m not taking my bears into that camp with those¡­ animals.¡±

    Edgar laughed. ¡°The bears are animals, not the Xayans. You want to see your bears, now you can. They¡¯ll dance. I¡¯m the guest of honour at some feast tonight. I¡¯m bringing the entertainment.¡±

    Push harder. ¡°I will dance, not my bears.¡±

    ¡°No, you¡¯re not dancing tonight. They¡¯ll all just want to fuck you. The Xayans are not to be stopped when it comes to women. They have some strange honour codes¡­ The bears dance.¡±

    Failed.

    Edgar had told her before they set off, ¡°Do as I say, otherwise we die, bears and all. The Xayans are easily offended. They have invited me here with three companions to test my bravery and strength. They do not frighten me, don¡¯t let them frighten you or the bears.¡±

    Tamza had decided to bring her two strongest bears, in case of any trouble, and the two best dancers, to perform the dance that they had learnt for the Festival of Many Gods. She hadn¡¯t trained them in many weeks, and she prayed to Bear-God that the choreography was still etched in their minds.

    Edgar reached the edge of the Xayan camp and paused. It was gigantic, perhaps half the size of Vaasar. And it stank worse than the public latrine in the marketplace. They had set up circular dome tents in rings around one large dome tent, like a pebble dropped in water. Each tent was made from animal hide, and had a pole flying flags of various patterns and sizes. The little homes housed a family. Women tended to animals in pens, children ran around after chickens and men either lazed, brushed their stocky horses or sharpened their swords, some even played with the children. An idyllic scene, in complete contrast to the brutality Tamza had witnessed on the day of the attack. The entrances to the tents all faced the mountains, towards their home, Tamza guessed. She scanned the crowds for a glimpse of Yaseena, but did not see one Vaasarian woman.

    A Xayy woman walked up to greet them. Tamza thought she was stunning. Black skin, almond shaped eyes, slim nose and small mouth. Her ears slightly pointed. More feline in appearance than the men. Her hair was braided in thick rows from forehead down to her nape and then as loose plaits that touched the back of her knees. She eyed the two bears, looked steadily into Edgar¡¯s face, and waved at them to follow. The bears lumbered through the well-worn path between tents and sniffed at the warriors, women and children who ran to stare at them.

    The woman pulled back the flap of the large, central tent and went in. In the Xayan language, Tamza heard her announcing Edgar. The flap was drawn back and she ushered them in. A small fire burned in the centre, the smoke rising in great plumes through a small hole in the tip of the dome.

    Captain Zhaz sat cross-legged on one side, next to him sat twelve warriors. Although none wore the headdresses, and the white paint was gone, all had their weapons strapped to them. Edgar edged in around the fire, Orpey and Burrington followed, then Tamza. The bears waddled in, making it suddenly feel very crowded. Tamza asked them to sit and they both slumped heavily on their rumps, backs arching in a crescent moon shape, hind legs spread out and front paws resting between them. Both grumbled and took in their surroundings.

    ¡°Well, King Edgar,¡± said Captain Zhaz, in the Fert language. ¡°Two men, two women and two bears come to attend my feast. What an honour.¡±

    ¡°Burrington is no woman,¡± Edgar laughed. ¡°I know he has a pathetic beard, but he¡¯s older than me, would you believe.¡±

    ¡°If that is a man, why have I never seen him fight?¡± Zhaz replied, looking intently at Burrington.

    Burrington¡¯s cheeks flushed and he rapidly tapped the tips of his middle fingers to thumbs. He glanced away from the two men and Tamza caught his eye. She dipped her head slightly, in sympathy at the slight, but he sneered at her and looked down to his fingers.

    ¡°He has some skill with throwing daggers,¡± Edgar said.

    ¡°Throwing daggers, eh.¡± Zhaz raised his eyebrow. ¡°What of the bears?¡±

    ¡°They will perform later, I know you worship your animals,¡± Edgar said, amused.

    Captain Zhaz picked up on it and his face tensed. The two men stared at each other until Zhaz grinned. ¡°There you are wrong. We worship fish, water, anything that lives in water. Water is life.¡±

    Orpey scoffed, ¡°Aye, that¡¯s why you all stink, you don¡¯t wash do you? And you only drink goat¡¯s milk, never water.¡±

    Zhaz¡¯s tone turned icy. ¡°Water is too precious to waste.¡±

    Orpey, as if to antagonise the captain further, pulled up his flask, which was tied by string to his belt, unstopped it and took a swig, allowing water to trickle down his beard. He licked his lips, wiped his face with the back of his hand and flicked droplets into the fire.

    Zhaz scowled. ¡°Careful. I invited you here and you are guests, and no guest will befall any harm under Xayan custom. But insult me or my people again and you will regret it.¡±

    Edgar put a warning hand on Orpey¡¯s forearm and turned back to Zhaz. ¡°What¡¯s for dinner, man, you told me this was a feast.¡±

    Zhaz jutted his chin to the woman who had collected them and she left the tent, returning moments later with six more women and a gaggle of children, ranging in age from newborns up to teens. They all looked at the bears, fascinated.

    ¡°First, I introduce you to my family. These are my wives and my official children.¡±

    Edgar and Burrington gave a curt nod at the women. Orpey graced them with a brief look and turned back to the fire.

    Tamza stared, thankful the scarf hid her gaping mouth. Six wives! These are Zhaz¡¯s official children and there are perhaps fifteen here. How many unofficial children does he have?

    If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.Zhaz waved his hand and his family dispersed. Six cooked goats were brought in by the wives. Charred and crispy from roasting on a spit. The smell made Ursah-bear drool. These were placed around the fire, within reach of all who sat there.

    Zhaz pointed to the meat in front of Edgar. ¡°We eat together.¡±

    ¡°Goat?¡± Edgar asked, amused, clearly used to this custom.

    Zhaz grunted. At the same time, they reached for the nearest goat, pulled off a hunk of meat with their hands and shoved it in their mouths.

    Edgar chewed happily and with a mouthful said, ¡°Delicious. I declare this the best meat I have ever tasted!¡±

    The Xayan men cheered and dug into the meat nearest them. Zhaz clapped Edgar on the back. Orpey and Burrington reached forwards and started to rip off hunks of meat. Tamza didn¡¯t move. One of Zhaz¡¯s wives came in and knelt next to her, pulling off strips of meat and jabbing them at Tamza¡¯s face.

    Aware of this wife¡¯s growing frustration, Tamza gingerly pulled down her headscarf to expose her mouth. The wife fed her the meat, delicately. Tamza chewed and smiled at her. She beamed back. Perhaps this was the cook. Fearlessly, the wife took a hunk of meat and held it in front of Rae-bear. His nose crinkled, and his great mouth opened wide, showing his sharp teeth.

    All the men stopped eating and talking to watch.

    ¡°Be gentle,¡± Tamza said, tongue clicking in the bear¡¯s language.

    Rae allowed the woman to drop the meat into his cavernous maw and he munched greedily. The wife did the same for Ursah and grinned, satisfied. The Xayan woman patted Rae¡¯s leg and he lurched at her, snarling.

    Tamza grabbed the wife¡¯s hand and pushed it off the bear, putting her hand on Rae-bear¡¯s snout. In the clipped Xayan language Tamza said, ¡°Bears no pet.¡± Her father had long ago told her, you do not gain an animal¡¯s respect from fussing the thing. You are their master, you are not their mother.

    Unfazed, the wife patted Tamza¡¯s knee instead and left the tent.

    Leather pouches filled with goat¡¯s milk were passed around. Orpey complained loudly that he would¡¯ve preferred some wine, the red drink the Ferts had brought with them.

    Edgar and Zhaz talked and laughed, regularly slapping each other¡¯s back. Burrington watched silently, with what Tamza noticed was a hint of jealousy. Orpey ate what remained of the goat in front of him, snapping bones and sucking off the meat and juice.

    ¡°Let us see these bears,¡± Zhaz announced and stood.

    ¡°It is time, my bears. Will you dance?¡± Tamza asked Rae and Ursah.

    Both bears clacked their jaws. Tamza stood and edged past, holding the flap open for them. She led them to a clear area of grass a few paces away. The men piled out of the tent and stood in front of the bears. Xayan warriors, their women and children gathered in a circle.

    ¡°Give them space!¡± shouted Tamza as the Xayans started to encroach. The presence of her bears, after so long apart, had galvanised her confidence. For a bear to respect you, Sumear used to say, you must respect yourself.

    Rae-bear stood on his hind legs and roared, Ursah paced in a loop, pushing out the front row and came to stand next to Rae. The two majestic brown bears were a sight to behold.

    Tamza positioned herself in front of them. She whistled and the bears swayed gently, in time, in unison, from side to side. They wiggled their body, up and down as if scratching their backs against the bark of a tree trunk. Tamza stomped her foot and the bears flipped onto their front legs, kicking their back legs up so they stood on their forelegs. The audience gasped, cheered and clapped.

    She clicked her fingers and the bears walked forward two paces on their front paws and then back two paces. Stomped her foot and they dropped their legs to all fours. Clicked her fingers and the bears stood on hindlegs and started bouncing in time, waving their forelegs, clapping their paws and weaving around one another. They were in perfect time.

    Tamza started to dance with them, and they followed her lead. She somersaulted. Both bears copied her movement. She spun on one leg, they did the same. Ursah-bear roared, she was enjoying herself. The crowd edged backwards at the sound.

    At a click of Tamza¡¯s fingers, the bears dropped onto their backs, stuck their legs in the air and rolled from side to side. The audience laughed. They flipped onto all fours and Tamza walked towards them and turned. She put a foot in Ursah¡¯s paw, and a foot in Rae¡¯s paw, and the bears gradually lifted her up in the air as they both stood to full height and pushed their paws above their heads.

    Tamza focused intently on her balance. This was a new move learnt for the Festival of Many Gods performance and they hadn¡¯t practised it. ¡°Keep steady,¡± Tamza told them. ¡°Rae-bear, do not raise my foot higher than Ursah. That¡¯s it.¡±

    The bears held her steady, she gazed up to the sky and took a deep breath. I feel free. Looking down on the camp, her elation was short lived. Thousands of faces looked up at her. My audience of Xayan murderers, who should not be here, should not be in my town. Tamza¡¯s concentration ruptured and she lost her balance.

    Rae-bear broke her fall, his forelegs out wide to catch her. He rolled her onto the ground and she stood and bowed, as if this was part of the show.

    ¡°The end, my bears, well done.¡± Tamza clicked her tongue.

    Both bears, confused by her fall, sat. Catching their breath.

    The audience applauded, whooped, stomped their feet.

    Zhaz stepped past Tamza to stand in front of Rae-bear. ¡°Make him lift me up.¡±

    Tamza did not reply. Rae eyed Zhaz. The bear¡¯s bottom lip quivered, his nose wrinkled and he emitted a low, warning growl.

    ¡°Tamza, make the bear lift Zhaz,¡± Edgar said.

    Tamza shook her head. ¡°Neither will do it. They have finished their performance and now need to go back to their enclosure to be fed and given water in thanks. Otherwise things could turn nasty.¡±

    Edgar considered her a moment. To her surprise, he agreed. ¡°Show is over, Zhaz. The bears only lift the woman.¡±

    Zhaz turned, his knife drawn and at Tamza¡¯s throat in a heartbeat. Edgar went for his sword, pulling it half way out the scabbard, but Zhaz shook his head. ¡°Make the bear lift me, or lose your bitch.¡±

    Tamza¡¯s eyes widened as Rae-bear rose behind Zhaz, to full height, bringing his paws around the warrior¡¯s head, so the long, sharp claws enclosed the warrior¡¯s face. Zhaz¡¯s posture changed, his eyes flicked down to the claws. Rae-bear brought his snarling mouth over the warrior captain¡¯s head and roared.

    The force made the Captain¡¯s tunic ruffle. Specks of spittle flew from Rae¡¯s vast maw and smacked Zhaz¡¯s bald head like hail. Zhaz¡¯s entire body tensed.

    Tamza knew Rae would rip this man¡¯s head off. None of the Xayan warriors moved a muscle or went for a weapon. Perhaps it is not done to save a captain from a fight? Zhaz must¡¯ve known he was close to death as he lowered his knife from Tamza¡¯s neck and said, ¡°I yield to a stronger opponent.¡±

    Rae-bear dropped down to all fours behind Zhaz, ramming the man¡¯s back with his shoulder before turning away and stalking back towards the town, and the enclosure. The crowd parted to let him through. Ursah-bear followed. Tamza tailed them, not waiting for permission. Her heart pounded from Zhaz¡¯s blade so close to her throat and the exhilaration that she had influenced King Edgar.

    She glanced over her shoulder to see Edgar clapping Zhaz on the back. ¡°Well, quite a show, Captain. Thanks for the feast, we¡¯ll be on our way.¡±

    Zhaz slapped Edgar in return and laughed.

 Chapter 11

    A bang on the door. Tamza pulled the blanket up to her eyes, but Edgar lay naked. He had no care for what another thought of his body.

    ¡°What?¡± he bellowed.

    Orpey entered. ¡°The Xayans are gone.¡±

    ¡°What the fuck? We left there a few hours ago!¡± Edgar got out of bed and started to dress, pulling on his woven leggings, his leathers.

    ¡°They left one at the camp, to give you a message. But he refuses to come into town, to the palace. Says he¡¯s not leaving his horse. It¡¯s a Flame, too big for the alleyways, skittish in enclosed spaces.¡±

    ¡°Fuck.¡± Edgar tied up his boots, then looked at Tamza. ¡°Get dressed.¡±

    She followed behind the King as he marched from the palace towards the brick works. The King walked with Orpey, and behind them an entourage of soldiers.

    ¡°What of the lookouts, did they not see them packing up and think to inform us?¡± Edgar said.

    ¡°We¡¯ve not located either soldier yet,¡± Orpey replied. ¡°Not at their posts, both missing.¡±

    ¡°Zhaz knew we were watching him. Those men are dead.¡±

    ¡°Aye. Bastards.¡±

    Edgar stopped on the threshold of the grasslands where the Xayan camp had been. Tamza came to stand by him, and the entourage paused behind. In front of her, the sun was rising on trampled grass, burning mounds of rubbish, old rags, bones from animal carcasses and broken wood. And dotted in between these bonfires were corpses, all naked. Dead Vaasarian women. Somewhere out there was Yaseena. Tamza¡¯s stomach flipped.

    ¡°They took everything they wanted, including our weapons and the Flames, and left everything they didn¡¯t,¡± Orpey said.

    ¡°Could¡¯ve left the women for our men,¡± Edgar replied.

    Tamza turned from Edgar, pulled back her headscarf and vomited.

    A Xayan warrior materialised in front of the King, dismounting from a huge horse that appeared when his foot touched the grass. The horse¡¯s eyes glowed a deep red, and its coat blazed and rippled yellow, orange and crimson, as if a fire burned beneath it. Tamza stared at the horse as it snorted and stomped the grass impatiently, tail flicking like a whip.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°King Edgar, my name is Pallaz. Captain Zhaz received word from Xayy that the tribe war has escalated at home. Our tribe has been raided, many killed. He returns with his warriors at the beckon of his Melokaz. He thanks you for your gifts of weapons and Flame horses.¡± Pallaz smirked.

    Edgar drew his sword and had it at the warrior¡¯s neck. ¡°Those weapons and those horses were payment for a job. That job is not finished. Captain Zhaz has left before time. He agreed to stay until either the Drome army arrived or my reinforcements from Fertilian. Neither has come.¡±

    Pallaz didn¡¯t flinch, he glanced down to the blade and back up to Edgar. ¡°He obeys his Melokaz. His Melokaz¡¯s orders come before yours.¡±

    Edgar pushed his sword into Pallaz¡¯s throat, drawing blood. ¡°What¡¯s to stop me killing you right now? That fucker has broken his word.¡±

    The warrior grinned. ¡°I am the messenger. If you kill me and I do not return to my warriors, you will face the wrath of Captain Zhaz. Killing the messenger, in my culture, shows the greatest disrespect.¡±

    Edgar snarled, as he raised his elbow ready to slice his blade through the Xayan¡¯s neck and lop his head off. ¡°I don¡¯t give a shit about the captain¡¯s respect.¡±

    ¡°Maybe not, but Zhaz will come and take this town from you. You know he would. And you know he could. He admires you for taking control from your father, he recounts that clash as one of the best sword fights he has ever seen. And he sees the beauty in the bronze weapons, in the metal you forge. You taught us your language, far more expressive than our own. Zhaz appreciates your bond. The Melokaz has a great desire to remain friends with Fertilian, so the choice is yours.¡±

    Edgar dropped his sword, a vein in his forehead throbbed. ¡°And we want to remain friends,¡± he spat the word. ¡°The timing is inconvenient, but I will not kill the messenger for that. Fuck off, Pallaz.¡±

    Pallaz grinned, smeared the trickle of blood across his neck and mounted his great horse. As soon as he sat on its back, he and the horse were invisible. Tamza gasped. Edgar listened carefully, to what noise, Tamza could not tell, but moments passed until he yelled in frustration.

    ¡°Told you not to trust the bastard,¡± Orpey said.

    Edgar turned back to his men. ¡°Get every soldier not working on the wall on lookout duty, keep eyes on the dunes. If the Drome army attacks now, they will take back the town. Until reinforcements arrive from Fertilian, we have too few soldiers here to hold it. Horace should¡¯ve sent them by now, send a rider to hurry them on.¡±

    The men acknowledged the command, but didn¡¯t move.

    ¡°Go,¡± Orpey thundered, and the soldiers started back to town. Orpey barking orders.

    Edgar surveyed the trampled grass where the Xayan camp had been, where they had eaten just last night. Tamza stood by his side as Edgar calmed his breathing.

    She touched his elbow and he turned on her, dagger raised in hand. A wave of realisation came across his features and he sheathed the blade, took a deep inhale and started back to the town.

    As they walked, Tamza asked, ¡°What was that horse?¡±

    He turned to her, hatred in his eyes, grabbed her cloak under her chin and pulled her face close to his. ¡°You¡¯re not the only people to have magic, you stupid bitch. Keep your fucking mouth shut. I don¡¯t need your whining right now.¡±

    Tamza lowered her head, submissively. The exhilaration she had felt the previous night evaporating.

 Chapter 13

    Tamza danced for Edgar the following night, in their chambers. He¡¯d eaten dinner with her and then had a long bath. He was in a pleasurable mood and she took advantage, wanting to strengthen her enchantment long enough to find a way to end his life. She had just finished her dance and was sat in his lap as Ursah-bear¡¯s voice soared through the little square window of the second floor room. The thunderous roar came again.

    Tamza jumped off the King, pulling at his tunic. ¡°Ursah is in danger, I must go to her!¡±

    Edgar frowned. ¡°My order is for no one to go near the bears. It¡¯s nothing.¡±

    She took his face in his hands, grateful she had strengthened her spell moments before and said, ¡°I know my bears, and I know Ursah-bear is in danger. I must go to her, now!¡±

    Edgar¡¯s eyes rolled. ¡°Stay here, I¡¯ll go.¡±

    ¡°Edgar! Ursah needs me.¡±

    His eye twitched, his temper was fraying. ¡°Do as I say, woman.¡± He stood, tapped on the door and the soldier posted there let him through. As the door locked behind him, Tamza heard Edgar¡¯s order, ¡°Don¡¯t let her out.¡±

    Ursah-bear¡¯s roar sounded a third time, shaking Tamza into action. She pulled on her cloak and headscarf, took a deep breath and clapped. A blue doorway appeared between her palms and grew to the size of a turnip.

    ¡°This has to work.¡± She pulled the chair that Edgar had just been sat on, to under the little window, climbed on it and could just reach the ledge. The doorway rested in one hand, the smoky blue swirling into the jagged edge and the purest black she had ever seen in the centre. She held it in her mind¡¯s eye for a moment and dropped it out the window.

    Usually, the doorway had to be placed exactly where she wanted it. Tamza had never attempted to drop it into place.

    Concentrating to will the circle down, down, to the dirt ground, she prayed that there was nobody around to see it. She made it bigger, so she could step through it. If this didn¡¯t work and she ended up falling from height, it could be the end.

    Or if the doorway hadn¡¯t expanded, she would be speared on the sharp, serrated edge. I have to try, even if I die trying. I cannot sit here and not help my bears.

    She clapped her hand a second time and the adjoining doorway opened in the room, she widened it, took a deep breath, and stepped into the portal. This was the second time she had transported herself and the feeling was still strange. A sudden nausea, an intense pulling on her insides and a fast wind against her face.

    In an instant, she was through the other doorway, her foot landing on ground. She ducked low, but there was no one to be seen. She looked back at the portal. It was glowing bright blue, like a beacon. She clapped her hands a third time and it disappeared. Knowing from experience, that the doorway left in the room would dissolve at the same time into nothing.

    She edged her way along the outermost part of the garden, now overgrown and straggly after weeks of not being tended. It was dark and deserted. She crept through the bushes and out onto the Killing Fields, trying hard not to look at the piles of bones that lay there, stripped bare by the vultures. She stumbled in the dark over ribcages and skulls, repulsed, but her desire to help Ursah forced her on.

    Tamza reached the bushes that marked the end of the Killing Fields, the enclosure fence a few paces away. Men laughed and cheered. Peeking from the bush she saw Burrington, Orpey and a few other men on Edgar¡¯s council, inside the fence, on the sandy training ground.

    Soldiers surrounded Ursah-bear, prodding her with sharp spears. The brown bear was reared up and roaring, trying to lurch forward to get to her cub, Fir, who was tangled up in a net hanging from a tree, just skimming the grass. A huge slab of meat on the floor under him. A trap, they sprung a trap to catch him.

    Fir-bear was agitated, trying to wriggle free but only managed to entangle himself further. Ursah-bear was furious, trying to get to her son. In between roars, she growled, ¡°Fool boy! Told you, no trouble. Due to leave me soon, then this! How you plan get out? Can¡¯t help, stinking humans block me.¡±

    Fir didn¡¯t reply, he whined and pawed at the net, swinging.

    ¡°Stick her in the gut,¡± Burrington slurred, swaying like Fir-bear in the net, a jug of beer in his hand. He and Orpey stood a few paces away from the group who taunted the bear. A soldier took up the challenge and prodded with his spear,

    Ursah-bear roared as blood was drawn across her belly.

    Tamza scrambled through the bushes but froze at the sight of her father¡¯s body. Still laying where it had fallen. She dragged her eyes away to see Edgar stride up the path and through the gate.

    ¡°What the fuck is going on here?¡± he growled.

    The men¡¯s faces dropped, and the laughter subsided. Ursah-bear dropped down to all fours, sensing the threat from the spears lessening.

    Burrington sauntered over to the King, knocking into him, his beer sloshing over the top of the jug. ¡°Cousin, we are having a bit of fun. We are taking bets on how many spears this big one will take before she abandons her baby.¡±Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

    Edgar stared hard at Burrington. ¡°I told you not to touch the bears.¡±

    Burrington shook his head and tutted at himself, running fingers through his thin hair.

    Orpey answered on his behalf. ¡°After that slaughter yesterday we needed a bit of a challenge. Those camel folk didn¡¯t even put up a fight. The men needed a strong adversary, to sweat a little.¡±

    The King brought a hand up to scratch his beard. He took a long time to consider his answer. Tamza knew her spell had saved her bears up until now, he had ensured no harm came to them. But now, he faltered.

    ¡°Call them off,¡± Tamza muttered under her breath, willing for those words to form in Edgar¡¯s mouth.

    Edgar placed a hand on Orpey¡¯s shoulder and grinned. ¡°Carry on, lads! I bet ten spears before the beast falls.¡±

    Burrington glared enviously at Orpey, shook his head and patted his own shoulder, mumbling.

    The men¡¯s merriment started up again, as did the prodding. Ursah-bear reared up on her hindlegs and roared. Tamza ran along the enclosure fence, past her father, and through the gate.

    ¡°Stop this, Edgar!¡± she screamed as she ran past him and towards Ursah-bear.

    But Edgar grabbed her arm and yanked her back. ¡°What the fuck are you doing here?¡±

    She turned to him, eyes opened wide, locking his eyes with her gaze. If she had any influence over this man, it had to work now. ¡°Stop this,¡± she said quietly. ¡°Release the cub.¡±

    Burrington sniggered, ¡°Cousin, you¡¯re going to let this little camel humped bitch tell you what to do? Granted she¡¯s lasted longer any of your other women, well, apart from your wife, the Queen you left back home, but¡­¡±

    Burrington trailed off as Edgar glared at him. The King considered Tamza and then his men, who looked eagerly at him.

    Tamza knew he couldn¡¯t lose face in front of his soldiers, that internally he was fighting against Tamza¡¯s spell.

    He glanced back at Tamza, opening his mouth to speak. But Dabecki crashed through the gate.

    ¡°What am I missing?¡± the hunchback snorted. He, too, was drunk. His tunic was damp and he grasped a jug of barley wheat beer in his hand.

    ¡°Know smell, dead lilies,¡± Ursah-bear rumbled. ¡°Sumear murderer! He die now. Fir-bear, you old enough to take own care. I kill this human.¡±

    Fir-bear let out a wail, but replied. ¡°Yes, Mama.¡±

    Ursah dropped to all fours, brought her head down and charged through the men with spears, swiping them out of her way with great paws. Yowling when one stuck in her neck, but not stopping.

    Edgar and Orpey stood their ground, Burrington dove to one side. Dabecki attempted to stumble backwards but fell on his rump, staring at the great hunk of brown bear hurtling straight for him. He was so drunk he forgot his ability, leaping in the air would¡¯ve saved him.

    ¡°Call the beast off, Tamza!¡± Edgar squeezed Tamza¡¯s arm but she remained silent. ¡°Call it off!¡±

    Ursah-bear had reached Dabecki and loomed over him, snarling, great globules of drool hanging from her sharp fangs. Her pink gums glistening as her lips receded. Her forehead knotted as she brought her snout down close to his face. Her paws scraped at the dirt next to Dabecki.

    The traitor was whimpering, trying to crawl backwards. A spreading wetness between his legs.

    The soldiers, recovering themselves from the charge, surrounded Ursah, spears pointed.

    ¡°For fuck¡¯s sake, Tamza, call off the bear,¡± Edgar growled.

    Tamza narrowed her eyes at him, then clicked. ¡°Ursah-bear, you will not survive. And Fir-bear may not survive.¡±

    The bear grunted back, ¡°I know. Go meet Bear-god. Go see Sumear. If Fir-bear comes, I welcome him.¡±

    ¡°Tell Sumear I love him when you see him, Ursah. I love you.¡±

    Ursah lifted her two great paws and slammed down onto Dabecki¡¯s chest, crushing his body. A crack sounded as she broke his ribs and shattered his spine. Blood spurted from his mouth and nose. She ripped at his body with long claws, her teeth latching onto his neck and wrenching most of it away.

    ¡°Kill it!¡± Edgar ordered his soldiers.

    The soldiers positioned themselves to Ursah-bear¡¯s sides and behind, thrusting spears into her thick fur coat. Jabbing and pulling back, jabbing again. When spears lodged in the bear¡¯s flesh and would not tug free, the soldiers let go, drew swords and continued their stabbing. Orpey pulled out his sword and stormed into the fray.

    Ursah fought back viciously, whirling on her attackers, biting off arms and splitting faces with her great claws. She snarled and huffed. She reared on her back legs and pounced on two soldiers, smashing their chests into the ground with an almighty roar. She rolled and barrelled forward, taking out the legs of two more soldiers who dropped as if cut in half. Orpey slashed a deep wound in her shoulder and she yelped in pain before turning on him, holding her injured foreleg close to her chest she lunged for his neck with jaws wide.

    Edgar grabbed a sword from one of his fallen men and dove into the fight.

    Tamza grabbed the fallen man¡¯s dagger and ran to Fir-bear. She started sawing at the rope that held up the net. Fir-bear was whimpering. Tamza looked over at Ursah, bloody wounds crisscrossed her chest and spears stuck from her haunches. With an effort, the bear reared on back legs and went to slam down on Orpey, but Edgar sprung forward and buried his sword in her chest. Her pitiful, low moan echoed throughout the enclosure.

    Ursah slumped to all fours, and the surviving soldiers swarmed her.

    Tamza, with the unfathomable pain of loss swelling once again in her chest, sawed faster. ¡°Fir-bear, when I get you down you run for the forest. You run and hide and don¡¯t look back. Search out your father, Brea-bear. Understand?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± replied the cub, his voice still squeaky with adolescence.

    ¡°Stop her!¡± Edgar shouted.

    Tamza hacked at the last threads with the dagger, her muscles burning and the net dropped, spilling Fir-bear onto the ground.

    ¡°Don¡¯t look back, run!¡±

    Fir-bear shook his fur out, stood and ran into the forest. A soldier raced after him but as the man reached the tree line a huge paw stuck out from behind a trunk and knocked the man off his feet and back five paces. It was Rae-bear. He huffed at Tamza and ran off up the hill, deeper into the forest behind the cub.

    Edgar reached Tamza and punched her in the stomach. He dragged her to Ursah¡¯s bloody dead body and crushed Tamza¡¯s cheeks to turn her face. She squeezed her eyes shut, refusing to look. Refusing to see the fallen bear, who was older than Tamza and had mothered her when she was a child, had snuffled Tamza¡¯s belly with her huge snout to make her giggle, had done what she could to comfort Sumear and Tamza when Hayat had died. Ursah, another family member brutally murdered.

    Edgar hissed, ¡°You just lost me eight of my best soldiers, and that whiney little shit of a translator. And you just lost your bears. We will come back and hunt the rest of them in those woods until there¡¯s not one left, you understand, bitch? We will make them suffer, I will make you suffer.¡±

    He threw her at Orpey¡¯s feet. ¡°Put her with the other prisoners.¡± To the soldiers, he said, ¡°Take its head. I¡¯m going to mount it on the wall of my new castle.¡±

 Chapter 13

    Tamza danced for Edgar the following night, in their chambers. He¡¯d eaten dinner with her and then had a long bath. He was in a pleasurable mood and she took advantage, wanting to strengthen her enchantment long enough to find a way to end his life. She had just finished her dance and was sat in his lap as Ursah-bear¡¯s voice soared through the little square window of the second floor room. The thunderous roar came again.

    Tamza jumped off the King, pulling at his tunic. ¡°Ursah is in danger, I must go to her!¡±

    Edgar frowned. ¡°My order is for no one to go near the bears. It¡¯s nothing.¡±

    She took his face in his hands, grateful she had strengthened her spell moments before and said, ¡°I know my bears, and I know Ursah-bear is in danger. I must go to her, now!¡±

    Edgar¡¯s eyes rolled. ¡°Stay here, I¡¯ll go.¡±

    ¡°Edgar! Ursah needs me.¡±

    His eye twitched, his temper was fraying. ¡°Do as I say, woman.¡± He stood, tapped on the door and the soldier posted there let him through. As the door locked behind him, Tamza heard Edgar¡¯s order, ¡°Don¡¯t let her out.¡±

    Ursah-bear¡¯s roar sounded a third time, shaking Tamza into action. She pulled on her cloak and headscarf, took a deep breath and clapped. A blue doorway appeared between her palms and grew to the size of a turnip.

    ¡°This has to work.¡± She pulled the chair that Edgar had just been sat on, to under the little window, climbed on it and could just reach the ledge. The doorway rested in one hand, the smoky blue swirling into the jagged edge and the purest black she had ever seen in the centre. She held it in her mind¡¯s eye for a moment and dropped it out the window.

    Usually, the doorway had to be placed exactly where she wanted it. Tamza had never attempted to drop it into place.

    Concentrating to will the circle down, down, to the dirt ground, she prayed that there was nobody around to see it. She made it bigger, so she could step through it. If this didn¡¯t work and she ended up falling from height, it could be the end.

    Or if the doorway hadn¡¯t expanded, she would be speared on the sharp, serrated edge. I have to try, even if I die trying. I cannot sit here and not help my bears.

    She clapped her hand a second time and the adjoining doorway opened in the room, she widened it, took a deep breath, and stepped into the portal. This was the second time she had transported herself and the feeling was still strange. A sudden nausea, an intense pulling on her insides and a fast wind against her face.

    In an instant, she was through the other doorway, her foot landing on ground. She ducked low, but there was no one to be seen. She looked back at the portal. It was glowing bright blue, like a beacon. She clapped her hands a third time and it disappeared. Knowing from experience, that the doorway left in the room would dissolve at the same time into nothing.

    She edged her way along the outermost part of the garden, now overgrown and straggly after weeks of not being tended. It was dark and deserted. She crept through the bushes and out onto the Killing Fields, trying hard not to look at the piles of bones that lay there, stripped bare by the vultures. She stumbled in the dark over ribcages and skulls, repulsed, but her desire to help Ursah forced her on.

    Tamza reached the bushes that marked the end of the Killing Fields, the enclosure fence a few paces away. Men laughed and cheered. Peeking from the bush she saw Burrington, Orpey and a few other men on Edgar¡¯s council, inside the fence, on the sandy training ground.

    Soldiers surrounded Ursah-bear, prodding her with sharp spears. The brown bear was reared up and roaring, trying to lurch forward to get to her cub, Fir, who was tangled up in a net hanging from a tree, just skimming the grass. A huge slab of meat on the floor under him. A trap, they sprung a trap to catch him.

    Fir-bear was agitated, trying to wriggle free but only managed to entangle himself further. Ursah-bear was furious, trying to get to her son. In between roars, she growled, ¡°Fool boy! Told you, no trouble. Due to leave me soon, then this! How you plan get out? Can¡¯t help, stinking humans block me.¡±

    Fir didn¡¯t reply, he whined and pawed at the net, swinging.

    ¡°Stick her in the gut,¡± Burrington slurred, swaying like Fir-bear in the net, a jug of beer in his hand. He and Orpey stood a few paces away from the group who taunted the bear. A soldier took up the challenge and prodded with his spear,

    Ursah-bear roared as blood was drawn across her belly.

    Tamza scrambled through the bushes but froze at the sight of her father¡¯s body. Still laying where it had fallen. She dragged her eyes away to see Edgar stride up the path and through the gate.

    ¡°What the fuck is going on here?¡± he growled.

    The men¡¯s faces dropped, and the laughter subsided. Ursah-bear dropped down to all fours, sensing the threat from the spears lessening.

    Burrington sauntered over to the King, knocking into him, his beer sloshing over the top of the jug. ¡°Cousin, we are having a bit of fun. We are taking bets on how many spears this big one will take before she abandons her baby.¡±Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

    Edgar stared hard at Burrington. ¡°I told you not to touch the bears.¡±

    Burrington shook his head and tutted at himself, running fingers through his thin hair.

    Orpey answered on his behalf. ¡°After that slaughter yesterday we needed a bit of a challenge. Those camel folk didn¡¯t even put up a fight. The men needed a strong adversary, to sweat a little.¡±

    The King brought a hand up to scratch his beard. He took a long time to consider his answer. Tamza knew her spell had saved her bears up until now, he had ensured no harm came to them. But now, he faltered.

    ¡°Call them off,¡± Tamza muttered under her breath, willing for those words to form in Edgar¡¯s mouth.

    Edgar placed a hand on Orpey¡¯s shoulder and grinned. ¡°Carry on, lads! I bet ten spears before the beast falls.¡±

    Burrington glared enviously at Orpey, shook his head and patted his own shoulder, mumbling.

    The men¡¯s merriment started up again, as did the prodding. Ursah-bear reared up on her hindlegs and roared. Tamza ran along the enclosure fence, past her father, and through the gate.

    ¡°Stop this, Edgar!¡± she screamed as she ran past him and towards Ursah-bear.

    But Edgar grabbed her arm and yanked her back. ¡°What the fuck are you doing here?¡±

    She turned to him, eyes opened wide, locking his eyes with her gaze. If she had any influence over this man, it had to work now. ¡°Stop this,¡± she said quietly. ¡°Release the cub.¡±

    Burrington sniggered, ¡°Cousin, you¡¯re going to let this little camel humped bitch tell you what to do? Granted she¡¯s lasted longer any of your other women, well, apart from your wife, the Queen you left back home, but¡­¡±

    Burrington trailed off as Edgar glared at him. The King considered Tamza and then his men, who looked eagerly at him.

    Tamza knew he couldn¡¯t lose face in front of his soldiers, that internally he was fighting against Tamza¡¯s spell.

    He glanced back at Tamza, opening his mouth to speak. But Dabecki crashed through the gate.

    ¡°What am I missing?¡± the hunchback snorted. He, too, was drunk. His tunic was damp and he grasped a jug of barley wheat beer in his hand.

    ¡°Know smell, dead lilies,¡± Ursah-bear rumbled. ¡°Sumear murderer! He die now. Fir-bear, you old enough to take own care. I kill this human.¡±

    Fir-bear let out a wail, but replied. ¡°Yes, Mama.¡±

    Ursah dropped to all fours, brought her head down and charged through the men with spears, swiping them out of her way with great paws. Yowling when one stuck in her neck, but not stopping.

    Edgar and Orpey stood their ground, Burrington dove to one side. Dabecki attempted to stumble backwards but fell on his rump, staring at the great hunk of brown bear hurtling straight for him. He was so drunk he forgot his ability, leaping in the air would¡¯ve saved him.

    ¡°Call the beast off, Tamza!¡± Edgar squeezed Tamza¡¯s arm but she remained silent. ¡°Call it off!¡±

    Ursah-bear had reached Dabecki and loomed over him, snarling, great globules of drool hanging from her sharp fangs. Her pink gums glistening as her lips receded. Her forehead knotted as she brought her snout down close to his face. Her paws scraped at the dirt next to Dabecki.

    The traitor was whimpering, trying to crawl backwards. A spreading wetness between his legs.

    The soldiers, recovering themselves from the charge, surrounded Ursah, spears pointed.

    ¡°For fuck¡¯s sake, Tamza, call off the bear,¡± Edgar growled.

    Tamza narrowed her eyes at him, then clicked. ¡°Ursah-bear, you will not survive. And Fir-bear may not survive.¡±

    The bear grunted back, ¡°I know. Go meet Bear-god. Go see Sumear. If Fir-bear comes, I welcome him.¡±

    ¡°Tell Sumear I love him when you see him, Ursah. I love you.¡±

    Ursah lifted her two great paws and slammed down onto Dabecki¡¯s chest, crushing his body. A crack sounded as she broke his ribs and shattered his spine. Blood spurted from his mouth and nose. She ripped at his body with long claws, her teeth latching onto his neck and wrenching most of it away.

    ¡°Kill it!¡± Edgar ordered his soldiers.

    The soldiers positioned themselves to Ursah-bear¡¯s sides and behind, thrusting spears into her thick fur coat. Jabbing and pulling back, jabbing again. When spears lodged in the bear¡¯s flesh and would not tug free, the soldiers let go, drew swords and continued their stabbing. Orpey pulled out his sword and stormed into the fray.

    Ursah fought back viciously, whirling on her attackers, biting off arms and splitting faces with her great claws. She snarled and huffed. She reared on her back legs and pounced on two soldiers, smashing their chests into the ground with an almighty roar. She rolled and barrelled forward, taking out the legs of two more soldiers who dropped as if cut in half. Orpey slashed a deep wound in her shoulder and she yelped in pain before turning on him, holding her injured foreleg close to her chest she lunged for his neck with jaws wide.

    Edgar grabbed a sword from one of his fallen men and dove into the fight.

    Tamza grabbed the fallen man¡¯s dagger and ran to Fir-bear. She started sawing at the rope that held up the net. Fir-bear was whimpering. Tamza looked over at Ursah, bloody wounds crisscrossed her chest and spears stuck from her haunches. With an effort, the bear reared on back legs and went to slam down on Orpey, but Edgar sprung forward and buried his sword in her chest. Her pitiful, low moan echoed throughout the enclosure.

    Ursah slumped to all fours, and the surviving soldiers swarmed her.

    Tamza, with the unfathomable pain of loss swelling once again in her chest, sawed faster. ¡°Fir-bear, when I get you down you run for the forest. You run and hide and don¡¯t look back. Search out your father, Brea-bear. Understand?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± replied the cub, his voice still squeaky with adolescence.

    ¡°Stop her!¡± Edgar shouted.

    Tamza hacked at the last threads with the dagger, her muscles burning and the net dropped, spilling Fir-bear onto the ground.

    ¡°Don¡¯t look back, run!¡±

    Fir-bear shook his fur out, stood and ran into the forest. A soldier raced after him but as the man reached the tree line a huge paw stuck out from behind a trunk and knocked the man off his feet and back five paces. It was Rae-bear. He huffed at Tamza and ran off up the hill, deeper into the forest behind the cub.

    Edgar reached Tamza and punched her in the stomach. He dragged her to Ursah¡¯s bloody dead body and crushed Tamza¡¯s cheeks to turn her face. She squeezed her eyes shut, refusing to look. Refusing to see the fallen bear, who was older than Tamza and had mothered her when she was a child, had snuffled Tamza¡¯s belly with her huge snout to make her giggle, had done what she could to comfort Sumear and Tamza when Hayat had died. Ursah, another family member brutally murdered.

    Edgar hissed, ¡°You just lost me eight of my best soldiers, and that whiney little shit of a translator. And you just lost your bears. We will come back and hunt the rest of them in those woods until there¡¯s not one left, you understand, bitch? We will make them suffer, I will make you suffer.¡±

    He threw her at Orpey¡¯s feet. ¡°Put her with the other prisoners.¡± To the soldiers, he said, ¡°Take its head. I¡¯m going to mount it on the wall of my new castle.¡±

 Chapter 14

It¡¯s time, Papa. It¡¯s time for me to go on stage.

 Chapter 15

    Tamza had a new trick for them tonight.  She wore her usual cropped top, but had ripped her trousers to a pair of tiny shorts.  Her buttocks were on show, which made her feel exposed, but was perfect for the purpose she had in mind.  She had her usual jewellery on, apart from her ankle cuffs.

    The gap-toothed soldier held his cup in his hand by his chest, although he hadn¡¯t taken a sip in a while, too rapt by Tamza¡¯s performance. She leant forward, giving the soldier a good look at her cleavage and plucked his drink from his hand.

    She cupped her palm above his face and he looked up, mouth still open.  She poured his wine from her elbow down to her hand so it dripped off her fingers, splashing his face and dribbling into his mouth.  He lapped it up like a hungry kitten as she knew he would.  The cup emptied and she threw it at the wall, running her wet hand down his face and shoving her fingers in his mouth before pushing his head away.  He licked his lips hungrily.

    Tamza turned and aimed her sights on the King.  She leapt and tumbled along the low tables to the gasps of the men and landed in front of Edgar.  She graced him with a smile and a wink.  He, too, held his cup against his chest. She knew he was drinking the wine the new soldiers had brought with them, and she also knew that his food tasters would¡¯ve sipped it before it was given to the King, as they did with all his food and drink.  He was relentlessly cautious.

    She stood slowly on one leg, her other going to his cup.  Her toes clasped it and brought it back to her hand.  The King relinquished his cup without a second thought.  Her foot went back to his chest, pressing there a moment before kicking up his chin. She put her big toe in his mouth and poured his wine down her leg.  He sucked it off her toe, drinking greedily, his eyes locked on hers.

    When the cup was almost empty, Tamza brought her leg down and knelt on the low table, her knees spread wide.  She beckoned Edgar towards her and poured a few drops of the wine in her belly button.  He leant forward, grabbed her hips and pulled her nearer, then brought his head down, a hungry smile on his face, to suck at the wine around her stomach.  She dipped her fingers in the wine and smeared it up her thighs, Edgar¡¯s tongue followed. She dribbled the last between her breasts, and he obliged by licking it all off.

    She laughed and whispered in his ear. ¡°Let us go to bed, my King.¡±

    Edgar grunted and stood up from the cushions.  He picked her up from the table and she wrapped her legs around his waist, clinging to his chest and kissing his forehead. He stared up at her in wonder as he walked to door.

    ¡°Carry on, men, I¡¯ve got some fucking to do.¡±

    Laughter and claps from around the table.  Orpey shouted, ¡°Bring the fresh whores!¡±

    The gap-toothed soldier stood and followed Edgar and Tamza out of the dining hall and to the King¡¯s chamber.  As usual, Edgar removed his sword and daggers and left them outside the room.  Gappy took up his position in the hallway as Edgar shut the door.

    Rise and fall, rise and fall.  Tamza peeled herself off the bed and scrubbed herself silently, washing away all the poison.  Before the dance, she had eaten the leaf, mixed the powder contents of Maryam¡¯s packet with water to form a thin paste and then covered her body in the stuff, standing still until it dried.  It felt tight on her skin and had left a greyish sheen, but the men hadn¡¯t noticed.  They were too busy staring at her exposed buttocks.

    Edgar twitched in his sleep.  Tamza stared intently at his chest.

    Rise and fall.

    Whilst she dressed, she heard a clang from outside. She crept to the door, putting her ear to it, but could hear nothing. Edgar coughed.  She turned to stare at him.  His face in shadows from the candle that flickered at the end of the bed. She took a step towards him.

    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.He coughed violently, his eyes sprung open and he clutched at his throat, choking.  His pale skin went the colour of the raw meat she used to feed to her bears.  His eyes rolled in their sockets, but he fought it, he fought it hard and it took all his will to stare at Tamza.  With extreme effort, he shifted his feet off the bed and to the floor, his eyes on Tamza, one hand around his throat.

    A foamy blood dribbled from Edgar¡¯s nose as he pushed himself off the bed and took a step towards her.  His entire body trembled. He jerked a hand out, reaching to her.  She wanted to move out of his grasp but her body was rooted to the spot.

    With a great lurch, he took a step towards her, his breath ragged, foam bubbling from his lips, dropping in clumps in his beard.  He forced out words, but they were incomprehensible gurgles.

    His eyeballs bulged as he fell on his face.  A heavy thud on the wooden floorboards.  His body twitched and went still.

    Tamza¡¯s heartbeat banged in her eardrums.  She nudged him with a foot, his face was purple and bloated, his throat swollen.  His tongue lolled from his mouth, a pulpy, wet mass.  Satisfied, she spat on him.

    ¡°That is for Papa, for Ursah, for Yaseena, for Lil Araf and Baby, and for all the Vaasarians you murdered, you monster.¡±

    She pulled on her cloak and headscarf, listened at the door.  Slowly she opened the handle, and peered out.  Gappy was dead on the floor.  Stepping over the soldier, she looked down the corridor.  She grabbed Edgar¡¯s daggers.

    With one in each hand she crept down the hallway. It was quiet.  This entire floor was empty apart from the King.  He had one soldier posted at the door, and the rest at the bottom of the stairs.

    The light of candles glowed from the circular stairwell, and the noise of laughter ¨C male and female ¨C rose in great waves.  Grunting, women¡¯s yelps, as well as singing.  There was a party going on.  Tamza tiptoed down each step, until she had the last step in front of her.

    The stairs ended in a room which led off to the downstairs hallway.  The bulk of this room was to her right, as well as the entry to the hall.  She knew there was a large cupboard against the wall, immediately to her right. To her left was a door to the palace gardens.  The way out. In front of her was a pile of floor cushions and low tables.  The voices and laughter was emanating from her right.  If she could stay close to the wall, the cupboard would shield her from view.  She cautiously came to the bottom step, held her breath and peeked.

    The soldiers and the whores were on floor cushions to her right.  The way was clear, for the moment.  Tamza gritted her teeth and placed a foot on the floor of the room, shuffled along the wall to the left.

    In front of her a man grunted.  A soldier, his leggings around his ankles, was taking his pleasure of a Fertilian whore in the corner, against the wall.  His back was to Tamza, but the woman was facing her and opened her eyes just as Tamza took a step.

    They stared at each other.  Tamza stood as still as a statue. The man, oblivious, continued to thrust. Tamza put all her thoughts into her eyes.  ¡°Please,¡± she tried to communicate with the woman, ¡°Please don¡¯t scream.  Please forget you saw me.  Please.¡±

    The whore stared at her for a long time and Tamza held her breath.  The woman blinked and looked down, closing her eyes, grunting along with the soldier she entertained.  Tamza took this as a signal, and ran.  The door was open ajar and she squeezed through, scared to pull it and make the hinges creak.

    The cool air embraced her and she crouched low, catching her breath.  Drawing her black headscarf tighter, she faded into the shadows.  A group of five soldiers stood at the entrance to the palace gardens.  One was pissing against the low wall. They looked bored, clearly frustrated not to be enjoying the women.  There was no threat in Vaasar, apart from the prisoners locked away, there were only Ferts in the town.

    Tamza trod carefully on the pebbly path, the pebbles brought up from the beach, and away from the entrance and the soldiers, and disappeared deeper into the palace gardens, across the Killing Fields and towards the bear enclosure.

 Chapter 16

    Tamza pushed the King¡¯s daggers into the soldier¡¯s back, just below his shoulder blades. Blood spurted onto her face. It was surprisingly easy, the blades sharp. Tamza had never stabbed anyone before, but knew she had one chance.

    The soldier posted to watch the bear enclosure had been asleep in the long grass a few steps from the gate. He lay on his front, his arms crossed above his head and his forehead resting on the elbow of one, face turned away from Tamza.

    The soldier yelped as the blades bit and tried to turn, his arms flailing, hands snatching at his attacker. Tamza was kneeling on the back of his thighs so he couldn¡¯t stand. She pulled the daggers out and stabbed again, lower. And again, either side of his waist. The man yelled. I need to quieten him or he¡¯ll have the entire Fert army on me!

    She pulled a dagger from his side and, using all her strength, stabbed him in the neck. His torso slumped and blood gurgled from the wounds. Tamza was panting. She unpeeled her fingers from the hilt of the daggers and looked at her bloody hands. That was the third life she had taken that night.

    She whispered to the stars, ¡°Forgive me, Bear-God. But it is necessary, it is something I should have done weeks ago, but until now I was a coward.¡± She wiped the blood on the long grass and stood. ¡°But I am not a coward any longer.¡±

    Tamza barked to get her bears¡¯ attention, to reveal her position. A noise that was often heard at night in Vaasar from the dancing bears, and one which soldiers nearby wouldn¡¯t be alarmed by. She barked again and could sense the bears approaching the tree line.

    Rae-bear answered her with a loud huff, blowing air through his nostrils.

    ¡°We leave. Now. Come, all of you. Be silent,¡± Tamza said.

    Rae-bear ran to her, across the training ground, past her old home, past the headless body of Ursah-bear, ripped apart by the vultures and already stripped clean. Twelve more bears followed him. She opened the gate for them, and they slowed to pass through it one by one.

    ¡°Pilly-bear, please get Sumear¡¯s bones. Jori-bear please collect Ursah. We take our loved ones with us and send them to Bear-God properly with a burn.¡±

    Pilly-bear, the second largest male after Rae, ran around the fence and grabbed the skull of Sumear in his strong jaws.

    The adolescent Jori snatched up one of Ursah¡¯s huge paws, claws still intact.

    ¡°Rae-bear, may I ride you?¡± Tamza asked with a respectful bow.

    He snorted and lowered his head so she could climb up.

    Tamza looked one last time at her old home and whistled directions to Rae-bear. To the bears behind she clicked,

    ¡°Follow us, if you sniff any other human nearby, kill them. Do not let any live.¡±

    They ran past the enclosure, away from the palace and towards the houses that sprawled up the hill. Rae turned up a steep, winding alleyway, the bears followed. The smallest, Fir-bear, lagging behind.

    The alleyway was deserted, the houses dark and empty. The little procession of brown bears met nobody as it ascended the hill. The buildings suddenly stopped, as the slope became too steep to build on. This was where the mountains began. There was a strip of scrubland which led into large rocks and scree before a near vertical cliff. Above this cliff were tall trees, their roots growing over the lip of the cliff. This was the natural northern edge of town. Tamza tongue-clicked for Rae to pause and allow the others to catch up.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

    This spot afforded a magnificent view over the town, of the harbour and out to sea. Beyond, the dunes spread for as far as the eye could see. She used to come here with Ahmed, before he left on the boat with her brothers. To the east, the palace glowed with the candles burning there, and a line of lights glimmered in the south, along the new wall.

    The bears waited her instruction.

    ¡°Up the cliff, into the forest!¡±

    They scrambled over the rocks with ease. Using the long claws on their paws to find gaps and small ledges, they hauled themselves up the sheer cliff face, reaching the top and scrambling over the lip. Brea-bear was the first over, and he turned back to help the others up.

    Rae-bear waited for the group to go before him, stood on the rocks at the bottom of the cliff. He turned back to the town, his deep voice rumbling, ¡°A man comes.¡±

    Tamza clapped and a small blue circle appeared. She cupped her fingers around the doorway and held it in her hand.

    ¡°What the fuck do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± It was Burrington, his face coming out of the shadows at the edge of the town.

    Rae-bear snarled, and Burrington stopped, twenty paces away from where the rocks began. He clutched two daggers in his hands. Tamza glanced back, all twelve of her bears were up the cliff, peering their snouts down at her.

    Her voice steady, Tamza said, ¡°The King is dead. We are leaving. You can try to stop us, and be mauled by my bear, or you can let us go. I do not want to take another life tonight.¡±

    ¡°Edgar is dead?¡± Burrington bent in half, as if the wind had been knocked out of him.

    Rae-bear growled.

    Burrington¡¯s shoulders started heaving.

    Is he crying?

    No, he¡¯s laughing.

    The man stood up, chuckling, clutching his sides with his hands. They still clasped the daggers.

    ¡°What¡¯s funny?¡± Tamza said.

    ¡°I came up here as it¡¯s the only place in this entire town that doesn¡¯t stink of fish and here you are, escaping. You tell me you¡¯ve just murdered the King! What I¡¯ve wanted to do for years! That means I, as his nearest kin in this shithole, take command. Lian-by-Sea is mine. You¡¯ve done me a favour. By all means, be on your way.¡± Burrington gave her a little bow. ¡°Just never come back.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s go, Rae-bear.¡±

    The brown bear turned and jumped at the rocky cliff, scrambling up. Tamza clung to him with one hand, her other still clutching the second doorway, looking up at the lip as it came nearer.

    A sharp pain blazed between her shoulder blades and she lost her grip on Rae-bear. She fell fast, her body slammed on the rocks, head smashing. Her vision blurred, she struggled to breathe, the impact forcing all the air from her lungs.

    Rae-bear roared.

    Burrington shouted, ¡°That brute Edgar kept me alive for two reasons. Not because I¡¯m kin. He killed his father, brother, his cousins. First, because I¡¯m clever, and second, because I¡¯m a champion dagger thrower. Bet you didn¡¯t know that... not as pathetic as you thought, eh?¡± He laughed some more and Tamza heard a whooshing noise. The second knife was flying for her.

    Rae-bear stood over her and took the dagger in his chest. He huffed. That would barely penetrate his thick skin. A nick. Burrington, out of daggers to throw, started running back towards the town, shouting for soldiers, for archers.

    Rae-bear attempted to pick up Tamza with his teeth, but she was too heavy and slumped awkwardly between rocks.

    ¡°Take this. When you¡¯re safe in the forest drop it on the ground. I have enough strength to open it from here. Humans will come through the doorway, Vaasarians like me, protect them in the forest. Help them to find safe ground.¡±

    Tamza uncurled her fingers, and the circle doorway glinted in the starlight. Her palm was singed and burnt raw from squeezing the smoky swirls. Rae-bear stuck out his tongue and she carefully dropped the doorway there. It floated a hair¡¯s width higher than the pink flesh. He pulled his tongue back and carefully closed his teeth around it.

    ¡°Go, Rae-bear!¡±

    The brown bear grunted and Tamza sunk back into her rocky resting place. I must stay alive long enough to open the portal¡­

    She felt her body shift, lifting clear of the rocks. Bears surrounded her, biting her cloak. Hauling her up and over the rocks towards the cliff.

    Pain shot through her and all was black.

 Chapter 17

    Tamza¡¯s consciousness returned in pieces.  First was the pain, throbbing, obstinate. Then, under the left side of her body she could feel twigs, cool earth, something damp and squishy like moss.  The smell of the forest, trees, dirt.  Her mouth tasted of blood, and she was thirsty, very thirsty.  Gradually she became aware of where she lay, in a small clearing in the forest.

    Her headscarf was loose and Fir-bear licked at the scar on her cheek, his rough tongue scratching her skin.  The cub¡¯s breath hot and acrid on her face.  It was comforting yet also, uncomfortable.  It sharpened her senses.

    She forced herself to see.

    Rae-bear had dropped the doorway a few paces away.  She channelled all her attention on that circle, drew all her energy up from the depths of her toes, from every space in her body and, in her mind, threw it at that doorway.  It shimmered, and slowly grew large, a perfect circle that glowed bright blue in the dark forest.  It lit up the eyes of her bears.

    Please, Bear-God, grant me the strength to have opened the first doorway just as wide, back in the hall with Maryam and the other prisoners.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

    A few moments passed and then Vaasarians started stepping through into the forest from the black hole.  Tamza tried to count the people, one, two, three...  But her strength was faltering, her energy pouring from her body in the blood that flowed from her wounds.

    Her eyes flickered.  No, do not lose the connection, do not close the portal, not yet¡­ not yet¡­

    Fir-bear licked her face again and she prized open her eyelids, the doorway was shrinking.  The people clambering through scratching themselves on the thorny edges around the centre of the blackness.

    She felt a hand on her face. Maryam. ¡°Close it Tamza, close the doorway, we¡¯re all through!  The soldiers¡­¡±

    Tamza glanced at her doorway as a sword came through the black hole, followed by a head and torso.

    ¡°What the fuck?¡± the soldier yelled.  ¡°They¡¯re all here¡­¡±

    But he didn¡¯t get a chance to finish as Tamza tugged one hand to the other, that was burnt and raw from holding the doorway too tight.  With everything she had left, she clapped.

    The circle shrunk and the sharp teeth around the black hole cut the man in two before disappearing.  The soldier¡¯s torso rolled on the forest floor, just as his legs would be rolling in the Usefuls¡¯ hall back at the palace.

    Tamza had nothing left.

 Chapter 18

    She awoke with a cool breeze on her back and Maryam¡¯s soft fingers working their magic, knitting her flesh back together.

    The Vaasarians sat around a fire, huddled together, warming their hands. She saw Farouk the boatbuilder, and Dhabat the farmer, Laila the baker and the famous butcher, whose name Tamza couldn¡¯t recall in her hazy state.  They have a new life, no longer prisoners.

    Tamza could sense her bears.  They surrounded the little Vaasarian camp, at a distance, out of sight, but watching, noses high to sniff out any danger.

    Rae-bear grunted from the shadows and she managed a faint huff in reply.  He emerged from the woods, followed by Fir-bear.  The Vaasarians parted respectfully to give the bears plenty of space, only Maryam didn¡¯t move, intent on her healing.  Rae paused in front of Tamza and dipped his head so she could see what was there. Between his teeth was Sumear¡¯s precious skull, and Fir-bear carried his mother Ursah¡¯s huge paw. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    They padded to the fire and flung the bones into the flames.  A proper send off to the Bear-God.  The huge brown bear roared, and Fir joined in with his little voice. Unseen, eleven more bears roared from the forest.  Tamza¡¯s lips twitched into a weak smile.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± she clicked, as the bears withdrew back to the shadows.

    Tamza drifted in and out of consciousness, but heard the urgent words from Maryam.

    ¡°She¡¯s lost a lot of blood¡­ too much blood¡­ Knife wound, head wound, broken bones and ribs, possibly some internal injuries.  If I had my herbs and tools here¡­¡±

    Tamza groaned and Maryam leaned in to her.  In her soothing voice, the healer repeated, ¡°You¡¯re going to get better, my love.  You¡¯re going to get better, my love¡­¡±

    Tamza¡¯s awareness of the world darkened.  I may have taken three lives tonight, but I have saved plenty more.

    And then, it darkened still.

    I finally got up on that stage on my own, Papa.  And what a show.