《Guardian of the Green Ones》 Chapter 1 It was the culmination of so many efforts that led to this perfect, certain kill. As the hero plunged his sword through the heart of the foul temptress, a decisive and mortal blow, the theatrics of the production triggered. The remnants of the broken world fell away in a brilliant burst of blinding holy light; the orchestra hit its climatic peak and abruptly ended. After the dramatic pause, the lights shut off and the curtain fell as the audience¡¯s thunderous applause began. On the other side of the curtain, the hero smirked as he pulled the sword free and took a step back. The tip of the sword embedded in her heart. ¡°You were splendid, Maelyn.¡± he looked at the prop sword with its now missing retractable tip, ¡°You are free. And I will follow you soon enough.¡± His knees wobbled as reality weighed upon him, but Maelyn caught him and held him close. He took in the smell of vinyl and fresh leather from the costume, her rose perfume and of her perspiration. A soft whisper escaped her lips, ¡°Thank you¡­ my hero¡­¡± Her foot shuffled forward as she leaned on him, her weight pulling him down to the floor of the stage. The two collapsed atop one another, a surge of warmth seeped through his faux armor. Staring into one another¡¯s eyes, there was no more need for words as the blood gushed from her breast. With the last of her strength, she embraced him. There was to be no curtain call; panic already spread throughout the cast. The audience, blind to the truth, continued to applaud as Maelyn¡¯s body was pulled away, as the sword was ripped from his hand. A moment later he was knocked unconscious. Time passed. Confined to a dark and barren cell, the hero was stripped and bound with brilliant chains anchored into the ceiling. The four chains bound his wrists and ankles, forcing him to stand without rest. A standing crucifixion. Denied food, water and rest. Deprived of light and sound. The puddle of blood and tears beneath him should have been of anguish, not joy. It was enough to break anyone. Repeating her name over and over, shifting in his bindings, on the edge of insanity, a final chance at ¡®salvation¡¯ was offered. The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. The heavy steel door unbolted with a thunderous snap and blinding light bore through his eyelids and overwhelmed his senses. Screaming in agony, the chains caught as he fell forward, but not enough to let him actually fall. Biting into his wrists, he groaned and struggled to stand, but his body and mind were at their limit. ¡°Confess.¡± The deep voice demanded. ¡°I saved her.¡± he began to weep. ¡°You killed her! Stabbed her through the heart! Maelyn is dead because of you! CONFESS!¡± The voice bellowed. ¡°She lives!¡± Fresh tears welled up and ran down his face, ¡°She is free!¡± The door slammed shut and the bolts engaged with another thunderous crack; the after image of the light slowly turning to red and fading back to darkness. Moments felt like hours, hours as if days. The pain ebbed and flowed, silence consumed him and the void beckoned. Such a cruel fate. That door to life is now forever closed. You would choose death? Silence. Complete and utter silence, but the voice in his head was that of Maelyn! By your hand, the deed was done. You killed her. And by your silence, condemn yourself to a far worse death. Was it worth it? An imposter. They would invade his mind and defile his memory of her! He raised his head and uttered his final words, ¡°Get out of my head and let me die.¡± Your place in the next world has already been chosen. The memories of your sin and your defiance are yours to keep. May the burden of your sins cultivate some humility and repentance. For stealing a light of this world, suffer in the darkness of the next. A thin smile graced his lips as the void took him. Chapter 2 V rolled in the cubby, the tattered and soiled blanket strained and pulled, but held together like a stiff sweat-tempered sock. The scratchy threadbare and patching weave strained against her green skin, foul beads stirring her from slumber. The din of the constant squabbling snapped into focus, the twisting tunnels of the warren offered no privacy or refuge. Her yellow eyes opened to see that hook-nosed and boil-riddled brute, Muck, shoving and pushing his sister aside to claim V¡¯s to the sleeping nook. ¡°Get! Get!¡± Muck bellowed, turning his attention to V, ¡°GET!¡± His bony, gnarled digits reached out, but V rolled towards him. The blanket unfurled and her hand caught the top of the rocky frame to turn and deliver the soles of her feet straight into Muck¡¯s ribcage. With feline grace, V twisted and drove Muck into the mud and began to frantically slap him as Leaf stole away into the vacated cubby. Muck flailed his hands in a bicycling motion and V stepped off his chest no sooner than he roared, ¡°Feh! Feckless qued!¡± Leaf¡¯s smarmy grin disarmed Muck and the brute shrugged and dismissively flung his hands into the air, ¡°Did me a favor, Leaf! Enjoy smelling like a qued.¡± V turned to Leaf as Muck retreated from the cubby, disappearing down the tunnel towards the common room. Perhaps in search of a bed or an easier fight. Neither mattered to V. Leaf, named for her beauty and skin color of the poisonous oaks, giggled and curled up in the soiled blanket, ¡°Muck never changes.¡± ¡°Could have gotten me that time,¡± V raised her foot and scraped the sole against the bottom of the stone frame of the cubby, ¡°Got Muck¡¯s muck on me.¡± ¡°Not the worst kind of muck to step into,¡± Leaf continued to grin, ¡°Bear his child and move up. You will be family. And I will give you a true name.¡± ¡°Never.¡± V crossed her arms, ¡°Never!¡± Leaf''s eyes widened and she rolled over with a grumbling, ¡°Filthy qued.¡± V¡¯s mouth fell open at the insult, but no words followed. Realization set in that she had rejected her. Her breath hitched for a moment and an apology got stuck in her throat. She choked on the words and Leaf cautioned a backward glance. She was not allowed to utter an apology to a qued, but she offered her hand willingly for a slap or a twist. V stared at it and turned away. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°The dream?¡± Leaf asked. ¡°Yes,¡± V raised her hand to her forehead and began to vigorously massage her bald scalp, ¡°Those creatures¡­ Mahn was it? Mahn killing Mahn. The tortures of Mahn. I do not understand it, but I am¡­¡± ¡°You are Gobbo!¡± she insisted with frustration, ¡°Qued or not! You were born into the same sacred mud as the rest of us. You have to fight this curse! Tame the nightmares! That is what the Great Mother would say.¡± ¡°How?¡± V glanced back at Leaf with a curious look. ¡°Ask the Great Mother; she would not refuse even a qued child. She has to listen. She always listens to children. And help them.¡± Leaf forced the smile, unsure if that was true, ¡°Tell her of the curse. She will guide you. And while you are there; find your path before it is chosen for you.¡± ¡°Or beat me senseless and throw me out of the warren,¡± V snapped. ¡°That is better than what will happen if you don¡¯t choose a path before the Black Moon.¡± Leaf turned over and sought the comfort of sleep, ¡°Better Muck''s mate then Chief Mudohoon''s slave. If you lose your name, you will be bound to the pits and that is where someone brand you as less than a qued. You will not even be a Gobbo anymore. Even you would beg for death long before it comes. Those Bura are still alive...¡± Her legs trembled at the whispered horrors Chief Mudohoon had inflected on them. Her gut twisted at the sounds of their wailing, the sounds of chains. Chains. No. She forced down her fear and the dream. Desperation and panic washed over her and she let out a whimper as the seriousness of her situation. "Leaf... Help me." V whined as she bowed her head, ¡°You have the brains. Tell me, Leaf. What to do? How to do it? Please.¡± Leaf groaned and once more turned to face her friend. She did not like being manipulated, but V had her back more times than she could count. V did not feign obeisance to her like the other qued and did not seek favors. It was strange. It did not make sense to her, but there was still hope for V. And perhaps, for her. ¡°Will you listen, and do exactly as I say?¡± ¡°Yes, Leaf!¡± ¡°Squeeze in,¡± Leaf motioned for V to join her in the cramped cubby hole. There was only a brief moment of hesitation before V squeezed into the cubby, the bulk of her gaunt, green form resting on the edge of the stone frame as she aligned herself with Leaf. The two separated now only by the soiled, tattered blanket. It had been years since V had felt the warmth of another or the kindness of a friend. It reminded her of the nursery and the Great Mother. And the fun they used to have before Leaf''s own coming-of-age ceremony stole it away ten moons ago. Leaf began to whisper softly into V¡¯s thick green pointed ear a plan of deception, ¡°First of all¡­.¡± Chapter 3 Deep in the depths of the twisting and winding tunnels lay the ventilation chamber. The high domed ceiling was the heart of the warren¡¯s air system in the form of a dozen artery tunnels branching out to the various rooms and quarters. The central fixture was a large hearth surrounded by four large tubs. Two of each were filled with charcoal and rainwater for maintaining the proper airs within. The ceiling above the hearth was punctuated by a series of boreholes around a central chimney and smoke catch. At the base was an eternal flame and its guardian, ¡®Flamekeeper¡¯ Agog who sat upon a soot-stained throne. Others would see it as little more than an upholstered noble¡¯s chair pilfered from a caravan, but they would not be of the Gobbikin. V¡¯s arrival in the room prickled Agog and he curled his fingers on the mahogany armrest, deeply scarred from raking his fingernails across the surface over the years. ¡°Why are you here?¡± He tilted his head much like an owl, furling his brow and licking his chapped and bloody lips in the dim firelight. The smoldering embers of the eternal fire suggested he had been asleep only moments before. Agog was once a favored raider who enriched the warren with a great many luxuries. His glory days ended with a grievous injury to his legs forcing him to hobble around. He was known for being bitter and spiteful as well as being a competent flamekeeper. An important duty, but he acts as if the warren lives and dies by it alone. She entered the room and came before his throne and his open hearth. With a submissively sweet tone she replied as smoothly as she could manage before the bloated gnarled mass of bone and spite before her, ¡°I must cleanse myself before I see the Great Mother and my chosen mate.¡± ¡°Mate!¡± Agog shook with laughter at the obvious lie and beat the armrest, ¡°Do not tease me, V! Who would be so desperate as to want a qued? No. I refuse.¡± V stared at him in silence as she approached the large tub and sought out a jug to collect the water. Agog¡¯s mirth faded, and he rose up to stand upon his throne, looking down on her with all that he could muster. Ignoring him was difficult, but she managed it. She took up the terracotta jug and dipped it into the water and brought it to the center of the room. With a grandiose bow she placed the jug at his feet and dipped into outright groveling, with her head on her hands. Prostrating herself on the ground, begging for favor, she pleaded so deeply that her back was almost completely flat, inviting him to step upon her. ¡°You¡­. You give me no choice¡­¡± Agog¡¯s voice wavered as stepped forward and stood on top of her back. His considerable weight pushed her face into her hands, but there was no malice or grinding of his foot into her back. Instead, he quickly stepped off of her as gingerly as he could, stumbling and barely catching himself from a fall, ¡°Formalities finished, but wait just like that. My craft is one of secrecy! Once I tend to the fire, you¡¯ll have more than a jug to wash yourself. I¡¯ll oblige just this once and draw you a bath.¡± He grumbled and huffed unintelligibly, but he moved about her with purpose. V could hardly believe the words that escaped his mouth, but the foul creature before her was actually moved by her plea and groveling? Had Leaf cast some charm upon her? Did she appear different? Was there something in the air? She noticed now the fresh air being pulled into the depths; it was unique. It was somehow fresh and carrying more than the scent of the forest. It was refreshing and invigorating. Was this what the outside world smelled like? In short order, the stone chimney¡¯s flues were opened and the fire surged to life. Plates of iron clattered as Agog tended to his duties. Keeping her head down as he worked, she heard him grunt and strain in his duties. Then she heard sounds from above. Rain. Soon rainwater began to flow into the two basins behind her, the trickle of water became louder as she waited. Then it was the sound of charcoal being shoveled out and into the central hearth. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. ¡°Head down.¡± Agog said even before she had the chance to look, ¡°If there is one night which you should be treated as more than qued, it is when you devote yourself for the first time.¡± V knew what it meant, but she did not protest, the ruse had to be maintained. Agog moved over her and disappeared. Returning with the sound of a tub being dragged through the tunnel, clattering with every rock along the way. Setting it up in front of the fire, the bath was drawn and the boiling water mixed with the temperate rainwater from the basins into a steaming bath. A strange scent caught her nose as strange lumpy chunks were tossed into the mix. Was this soap? ¡°Raise your head and climb in.¡± Agog dipped his hand into the steaming bathtub to show it was not dangerous, ¡°Hot as anything you¡¯d ever know, but not painful.¡± With a little nod, V slipped into the bath as Agog resumed his perch on his throne. The bloated foul creature had no intention of averting his gaze, but now it was anything unlike she had ever known. Merciful. Was that the word? V was not sure. Did it matter? ¡°Thank you, Agog.¡± She said as she slipped into the bath and embraced the warmth and the pleasant scent of fruits and flowers, not one could she name. The relaxing sweet scent of a citrus fruit and the floral bouquet of spring fields sprung to mind. The embrace was complete and spread throughout her entire being. Such a luxury could never be forgotten! ¡°If only your mother could see you now.¡± Agog¡¯s voice became soft, almost doting in tone, "You are still more than a qued in my eyes. You will always be Malmahar to me. Never grovel like that again. Not to me, not to anyone.¡± V felt the blood rush to her cheeks, and it was more than just the heat of the bath affecting her. Having endured life as a lowly qued, and a child at that, she was expected to bear it and struggle at the bottom of the caste. Yet her treatment had been markedly better than any other qued child. Agog still saw her of the ruling caste, by virtue of birthright? Had he lost his mind already?" Agog left the chamber for a moment only to return with a brown bundle of fabric. Tossing the top piece into the bathwater, he hobbled over to his throne and laid out a small knit tunic, ¡°This one is clean. No blood. I got this for your mother. Same night I got my chair.¡± ¡°My mother?¡± V sat upright in the tub and grabbed the brown piece of fabric that could only have been a knit shirt fit for yearling. Except yearlings never wore clothing. It was unsullied. It was of the same color and texture. Her heart sank with it. She remembered the Bura. ¡°Why did you not give it to her?¡± Agog stayed silent, but V already knew. Agog had been conducting a raid with the others when it had happened. Belaer had killed her parents and assumed control of the warren. She survived solely because of the Great Mother who cared for all those still shy of their first year. Belaer¡¯s grip on power was weak and he was disposed of by the time she was weaned. As an orphan child, she was made a qued and had to survive on charity and pity. They would not let her starve, but she was often on the verge of it. Like all qued. ¡°Agog.¡± V began to scrub her green skin with the cloth, a lather of filth rising to the soapy surface, ¡°Did you love her?¡± ¡°Enough.¡± he turned away, but still she saw him bury his head in his hands. ¡°Sorry.¡± V whispered. ¡°I am going to make sure the drains are working. I do not want to see you when I come back. Once you are done washing yourself, dry yourself by the fire and put on the dress. Hurry to the Great Mother.¡± Agog said before taking his leave. After drying herself and donning the tunic that was long enough to be a dress, V stared into the crackling flames. The storm above raged with howling wind and the roar of thunder. A flicker of lightning briefly illuminated the hearth before the ground shook and the whole of the warrens carried the booming thunder through the tunnels. Echo after echo, the sound gave way to ringing in her ears. It was the same as the lock releasing in her dream. The thought broke the hypnotic trance of the flames. Collecting herself, she rushed down the tunnel to see the Great Mother. Chapter 4 V carefully moved through the dark tunnels with care, more than ever before to not soil the tunic turned dress in the filth-streaked earthen tunnels. Her eyes had difficulty adjusting to the darkness. An afterglow of the flames imposed itself over her vision, a fog like bright haze all but blinding her. She managed to stay clear of the walls with a guiding hand. Dwelling in the warren and skulking overland in the dead of night was the order of the night and now the warren was coming alive as the day-walkers woke the night-prowlers. The rumble of thunder through the warrens would only hasten this change over. The sounds of bickering carried through the tunnels, round the bends and from one room to another. The way it carried was deliberately confusing to the ear, but it was no surprise when the two brothers rolled down and crashed into the far wall of the tunnel before her. Of the dozens of feuding kin in the warrens few were stupid enough to fight in the twisting pathways between the chambers. Recognizing Rock by his half-bitten off right ear and the other wearing a metal bangle as a thick gaudy necklace as Metal, she slinked back as she watched the tussle. They were about as intelligent as their self-declared names were. The scouting rats were smarter than both of them combined, but what they lacked in brains they made up for in brawn and violent attitude. Ear pulling, biting, slapping, scratching, and grappling one another. Nothing truly violent by either Gobbo. Metal seized a scrap of hard bread from his younger brother. Rising up in the small of the tunnel with a victorious exclamation of, ¡°Heeeeheeeee mine!¡± the fight had come to a predictable end. He grinned and took a huge bite out of the hard mass and laughed triumphantly, but Rock in his defeat noticed something far more valuable, ¡°Cloth! Brother! V has clothing!¡± ¡°Eh what?¡± Metal¡¯s head turned to look, and he passed the bread to Rock, ¡°Mine!¡± Bounding forward, hands and feet scrambled towards her in a lizard-like skitter, V could barely react. Hands reached out to seize the cloth and she recoiled, somehow slipping past that desperate leap. Her bald head grazed the top of the ceiling as she rushed towards Rock, barely at a crouch in the narrow confines. Rock rolled upright and tried to snatch her as she darted down the tunnel, further into the depths. ¡°Head her off!¡± Metal ordered as he pursued her. The tunnel system having numerous interconnected pathways of which to ambush one another meant she had to sprint for the safety of the Great Mother¡¯s den or else they would catch her and strip her. Clothing was a status symbol, and many would fight to the death over a single garment. ¡°Leave me alone!¡± she cried out as she darted behind a bend and ran through the Hunter¡¯s quarters. Four hunters preparing for the nightly raids watched with curiosity as she sprinted into the room. ¡°QUED!¡± howled her pursuer, gaining ground as she still attempted to keep the brown tunic unsoiled. None helped, but he was faster. As she entered a long descending straight, he closed the gap. ¡°GREAT MOTHER!¡± she yelled as her left leg was snared by a tight grip, the sharp fetid nails digging into her flesh. Blood streaked down her leg as his fingers flexed and dug in like hooks into her left calf. ¡°GOT YA!¡± Metal pulled hard and raised his arm to unbalance V. Spinning on the palms of her hands, she rolled and stomped her right foot right into his bulbous nose. The hard flesh flattening, blood erupting. His howl of pain turned to a vicious and murderous growl as he dug further into her flesh, refusing to let go. Another kick. Another. Another! Smashed repeatedly yet unyielding, she turned to look at Metal just as Rock appeared at the far end of the tunnel. Trapped between the two, she was unable to overpower them. Rock had not come to his brother for aid. He wanted the tunic for himself. His hands quickly moved to strip it off her back as she was brought down on all fours. Grabbing the hem and pulling it up, he succeeded in only snaring it against her armpits where the cloth bundled and caught. Pulling with all his might, V arched back and straightened like an arrow before it could be torn apart. The sudden lack of resistance carried him off his feet and down on his back with his prize in hand. As Metal pulled, V snapped her foot back, twisting the whole of her body and pivoting on her palms, her legs drifting lower and straight into the center of his pot belly. Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! Her left foot dug into his guts as she pushed herself backwards, but instead of falling he grunted and stood in place. A fleeting thought surged through her, and she let out a piercing scream; strength spilled forth from deep within her. With her right foot she swung it up, arching to her head in a wide arc. With the movements of a graceful dancer, she twisted herself again as her right foot snapped down. Heel to neck. Finding enough to push against, she thrust herself forward and knocked the wind out of him. Her left leg was freed. As Metal recoiled, she fell onto the other brother, dropping her knees into Rock¡¯s stomach. With a shrieking grunt his hands moved to get her off of him, but she was already on the move. Snatching the tunic up, she stepped on his face and bounded forward in a desperate scramble that became a life-or-death sprint. Bloodthirsty howls of murderous rage erupted, and they gave chase. There was no turning back now. All the more reason to leave the warren. Could the Great Mother even save her now? Run! Run! Faster! Run! A primal roar came from just behind her as Metal clawed at her feet, but the end was in sight now. A thick rug curtain marked the den of the Great Mother in the deepest depths of the warren, and few dared to disturb her. V plowed through the thick rug, tucking and rolling as she passed the heavy barrier. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw further down the tunnel. Another thick rug at the far end. Another!? The stagnant air was immediately noticeable. Struggling to breathe she forced herself forward without having to worry about soiling the tunic in her arms. Just a little further. Just one more barrier. Make it! The two brothers pursued her, but the rug tripped them up over one another, rolling over one another before clawing after her. The bloodlust and growling sounded wild, feral even. All the rage proved for naught as she thrust her shoulder into the rug and fell into the den of the Great Mother with a desperate cry, ¡°Great Mother! Help!¡± The interior of the den was aglow with purple and green lichen that lined the great circular room, but it paled in comparison to flames of the burning brazier in the center of the room and the large figure standing before it. Even Agog¡¯s flame was pitiful in comparison. The Great Mother turned to the source of the intrusion, the mass of tattered shreds whirling as a black cloak about her towering form swirled about in a wondrous dance of silver and gold. Her great nose, large ears and innumerable wrinkles on her cracked face spoke of an age far beyond any other in the warren. The Great Mother had been ¡®Great¡¯ long before her mother was born, before any of the elders in fact. While most could measure their years by their hands and toes; the Great Mother used generations. ¡°Such bedlam!¡± the Great Mother¡¯s voice creaked and hissed in irritation. The folds of her brow nearly blinded her, but she caught sight of V¡¯s tunic as the two brothers emerged from behind the curtain and the old crone raised her hand to the brazier and picked up a chunk of smoldering charcoal. It whisked over V¡¯s head and struck Rock. Another coal was already in hand, by the time they fled through the thick rug turned curtain. ¡°Great Mother.¡± V watched in awe. ¡°Ah¡­¡± she tossed the coal back into the brazier, disappointment in her voice, ¡°More and more brazen.¡± The Great Mother slowly made her way forward. Unlike other members of the Gobbi Tribes, the Great Mother had been blessed with an unnaturally long life and in that time had become so shriveled and twisted with age that her appearance itself was physically revolting to most. The wrinkled mass of her flesh was akin to gatorskin, hard and unyielding. The flaps of skin hanging from her arms might as well have been bat¡¯s wings before they turned as hard and unyielding. Barkskin. No tooth or claw could harm her. Time had made her strong in strange and magical ways. ¡°Great Mother?¡± V said as she got up and maintained a hunched position, bowing her head in respect, ¡°It is V. Thank you for saving me.¡± The Great Mother¡¯s face ever so slightly twitched, was that wrinkled mass beginning to make a smile? It was impossible to tell if gaunt cheekbones had twitched higher or if she simply was opening her mouth to chide her, ¡°Vinaraeya.¡± ¡°Great Mother!¡± V rushed forward to hug her. The small girl buried herself into the tattered scraps of her cloak and kept repeating the same words over and over again. Soot and ash from the cloak splotched her face long before the river of joyous tears flowed. The Great Mother slowly embraced her as she let out a soft whisper, ¡°Let it all out, child. The night is young, and I have all the time in the world for you.¡± Chapter 5 Vinaraeya. She thought it was strange, but the Great Mother would know. Of course she would. Donning the tunic she paced the room as if it was her first time having seen this private sanctum. This sparsely furnished room lined with glowing plants still had a sizable nook for sleeping and two wooden chests as big as herself. ¡°Tell me how you have been! It has been years since I last saw you.¡± The Great Mother had a good ear and encouraged her to tell her all about what she had been doing and what she was learning. V happily told her of squabbles between others and swiping meals during fights, she went on about how Leaf had changed since becoming an adult and of her fears of being stuck with Muck. Bit by bit, the Great Mother came to learn how Leaf had pushed V towards her, and of the foolish attempt at deception. She was left troubled and lost in her own thoughts before long, but nodded along as V continued even as she began to pace and look around the room. The fire in the large brazier caught her attention and she slowly left the Great Mother¡¯s side to approach the strange metallic bowl. The fire within was slowly dying and the charcoal were struck with glowing veins of red. Something called out to her, the warmth of the fire, the beautiful orange red light. She continuing rambling on about others, having almost nothing to say of herself as she drew closer and closer. ¡°Vinaraeya? What are you doing?¡± The words broke upon her and went unheeded. The flames beckoned. Her hands grasped the worked iron bowl and she began to pull herself up. The heat warmed her flesh, but unlike the hot bath, it did not spread throughout her. Leaning on the edge she reached out with her right hand to grasp the dancing light. At first the flame licked the palm of her hand, breaking around her and then the heat and pain made her withdraw, the flame ¡®caught¡¯ in her palm beginning to spread. Someone screamed. The Great Mother clasped her cloak around her and smothered the flames, pulling her back into her embrace. ¡°Do you not know what fire is?¡± the Great Mother asked with concern as her bony hand tore a piece of the tattered cloak free and wrapped it around V¡¯s hand, ¡°Even those two knew to run.¡± The flames had begun to devour her flesh and the searing pain, and the heat mixed with the sensation of the touch and the wraps merged into a new understanding of pain. At a loss to explain, she leaned her head forward in shame. ¡°V,¡± the old crone¡¯s hand hovered overhead, ¡°Why have you come here? Not to give yourself to Belos. Not to declare your decision.¡± V looked at the shriveled face of the Great Mother and blurted out exactly as Leaf had told her, ¡°I have been having this nightmare about Mahn. Killing and blood. Chains and death. It does not change. Whenever I sleep. Mahn killed Mahn. A female Mahn. To save her. Then¡­ I¡­ die.¡± The words spilling out of her sounded more and more ridiculous until she could barely finish. The Great Mother¡¯s hand came gently down to rest upon her head as she responded, ¡°Describe what the female looked like.¡± V struggled to find the words, ¡°She wore clothing to cover her flesh¡­ I cannot remember what she looked like. She smelled strange. She wore leather like the Head does. Her blood was warm. She died thanking me. I cannot remember much else.¡± The Great Mother seemed irritated as she insisted, ¡°What was the last place you remember in your dream?¡± This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. ¡°It was like having my eyes closed when they were open¡­¡± The Great Mother nodded and after a moment asked, ¡°Do you know why you may be suffering this? V nodded and without Leaf¡¯s guidance repeated the words that had etched themselves into the memory. Just as the searing fire had made its mark, so did the words she repeated as if in a trance: ¡°Your place in the next world has already been chosen. The memories of your sin and your defiance are yours to keep. May the burden of your sins cultivate some humility and repentance. For stealing a light of this world, suffer in the darkness of the next.¡± The Great Mother nodded slightly and asked, ¡°What do you think it means?¡± ¡°That I was put here as a Gobbo and a qued as punishment for killing that female Mahn. That I upset something with the power of life and death and now I must suffer for killing that Mahn female. It wants me to beg for forgiveness. It was not V who killed her, it was just V watching through the eyes of one of them. Why do I have to suffer for what one Mahn does to another?¡± ¡°You were the other Mahn?¡± the Great Mother stretched her hand out to pluck the tip of fire with her thumb and index finger, but the fire bent away, ¡°Do you remember a name?¡± ¡°Ma¡­Mae something.¡± V couldn¡¯t recall now, it was gone for today, ¡°I will try to catch it tomorrow. I have been having it for years, but lately it has been every day. Even during naps.¡± Agog¡¯s cough announced his arrival into the chamber and V turned to see him carrying a basket of charcoal on his back with both arms struggling to support the weight. His hunched back straightened as he came into the chamber, some coals spilling out as he approached the brazier, ¡°I do not mean to interrupt, Great Mother. The rain was strong, but it should still be dry enough for the ceremony.¡± ¡°The Dark Moon?¡± V tilted her head up to ask, ¡°When is it?¡± ¡°Tomorrow.¡± Agog snorted and saw the bandaged hand, ¡°What is with the wrapping?¡± ¡°She touched the divine flame of Belos. Drawn to it like a moth.¡± the Great Mother rolled her voice into a raspy laugh that became a desperate wheeze, ¡°So, did you put her up to this?¡± ¡°Not all my own doing but let her speak for herself. Give her the benefit of a night or two.¡± Agog crouched and slipped the heavy basket down with care and flexed his hands as if to restore the feeling in them. V winced as she clenched her bandaged hand, ¡°I do not know what to devote myself to. I only know what I do not want.¡± The Great Mother flashed five gnarled fingers in front of her face, ¡°Of all the paths before you think of the one which gets you the closest to what you want. You could settle for a mate and become a den mother. You could embrace the pits, never seeing the outside world. You could even try to kill the chief and assume control. Become a priestess of Belos and temper yourself to the flame. Why even run and never return, probably dying out in the wilds by the next moon is a choice.¡± ¡°Or take up a trial,¡± Agog laced his fingers together and laughed, ¡°Prove your worth to the warren and not even the chief will challenge you.¡± ¡°A trial?¡± The word was unknown to V. ¡°A fool¡¯s errand disguised as a purpose.¡± the Great Mother flexed her fingers and curled them into a fist, ¡°Failure means your death in the wilds or at the hands of your companion. More than likely to slit your throat on your first sleep and be rid of you.¡± Agog let out a deep belly-shaking laugh, ¡°Might as well throw yourself in the brazier, but if you succeed you will be like me!¡± A small figure stepped out from behind the thick curtain and called out, ¡°Gramma! It gave birth! It was pink and now it is turning red and even blue. Maybe it will become green like us!¡± Their heads all turned in unison as the small child gave the news and the Great Mother cursed, ¡°Belos take me! I¡¯m surrounded by fools!¡± Chapter 6 V rushed forward before she knew what she was doing, something compelled her to run to see what it was. Agog and the Great Mother were slow to react, but she ignored their plea to stop. The girl rushed down the earthen tunnels without any need for crouching. Her unblemished dark green skin and long ears were not uncommon, but she had a single gold earring at the base of each ear marking her as one of Chief Mudohoon¡¯s many daughters. Appearing to be five or six years old, the girl beckoned V towards a dead end only to suddenly drop down from sight. A hidden hole. Leaping before seeing the sudden drop, V twisted her foot and stumbled but scrambled forward. The girl who continued to wave her hand in encouragement never slowed. At the end of the tunnel, V found herself in a high domed chamber that was dimly lit by a small brazier. Her nose was struck by the sharp scent of blood, sweat and waste of something that was not Gobbo. The earthen chamber had only a single figure resting against the back of the chamber. Little more than reclining against the shallow wall, it seemed she lacked the strength to even pull herself into a sitting position. Drenched in sweat and filth, V saw the figure to be close to twice her height and probably four times her size. She knew that she was not of any Gobbo tribe or the hulking Dwellin of the mountains. She stared at the impossible thing before her, a fantastical creature meant to scare yearlings. Mahn. The girl gestured to V over. The female Mahn was different somehow from the dream, her skin sallow with splotches of yellow and blue flesh. She had a thick black mass of hair flowing from her head that covered most of her delicate and smooth face. A thin shift hung off her shoulders and covered her body, but it could not hide the swelling of her breasts that marked her as a mother. Cradled in her arms, and clutched close to her chest was a tiny lump of red flesh, its head sparsely covered with black hair. She was crying and V realized what she held was her newborn child. Compared to its mother it was quite large, was this normal amongst Mahn? V looked around at the filth, the blood, and the tendril emanating from under the tunic and she instinctively gulped to clear her throat. Mother and child were still connected, but something was wrong. She did not know what to do as the purple coloration visibly spread before her eyes. Agog and the Great Mother appeared on the far end of the room, pushing through a false wall. The Great Mother plodded forward and stared down at the child, sweat dripped from her brow down and off her nose. Her breathing was hurried and weak as she said, ¡°It still lives. I can still help.¡± The Great Mother reached out to take it, but the mother suddenly surged and rolled into a ball to protect the child. While those strong, bony hands probed and tried to pry it free the Great Mother was powerless before a mother determined to protect her child. The mother cried out. The Great Mother continued to try, but the mother suddenly lashed out with her left fist and struck the Great Mother in the nose. She let out a pained cry and reeled back as Agog moved to stand between them. ¡°She does not understand us. She will protect it until it dies. Her protection will condemn it to certain death.¡± the Great Mother rubbed her nose with her hands, ¡°Even after just having given birth, she is strong. The strength of a desperate mother.¡± V felt strange as the Great Mother¡¯s words filled the air. The dream stirred within her, but she was awake. The words filled her head, and everything began to spiral backwards. It was disorientating, but the words branded themselves into her mind. Her body felt as if it was on fire and she stepped forward, a kind smile spreading on her face as she sought to take the child. The grinning face of a Gobbo was often one of malice, but V mimicked her dream and the movements of a Mahn. She spoke in own tongue. V said, the words of the dream as it played in reverse through her head, she moved forward and repeated softly, She turned to V and looked disarmed by the words, V approached cautiously and the mother allowed V to take the baby from her. It was heavy and so fragile, and warm. She cradled it against her chest and moved to the Great Mother slowly, carefully cradling. The Mother watched, her face twisted by fear, her teeth bared as if she would bite, but she did not move. So even Mahn could make such feral expressions. For one moment it was as if the natural order had been reversed. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. The Great Mother carefully took the child with care and stared at it for a moment before turning it on its back and placing it on her shoulder. Arching its belly against her prominent collarbone and gently rocking back and forth, she supported it with the palm of her hand. Suddenly, the hand rose and fell with a heavy smack. Then another smack. The sound of the slapping was loud and reverberated in the chamber. The mother watched; her eyes wide as the Great Mother continued to slap the child. Then on the fifth slap, a gurgle and a mass spewed from its mouth and it began to cry. V exclaimed with the mother, tears welling up in her own eyes. the mother crawled forward on her hands, through her own filth and bowed her head at the Great Mother¡¯s feet, weeping with joy as the Great Mother held the child up. ¡°Gramma saved it!¡± ¡°Should have let it die,¡± Agog grumbled, but his words hardly matched the smile on his face. With the Great Mother¡¯s instruction, the mother was made comfortable. Agog took a bucket of the fragrant bathwater and the very same cloth V had used to clean her. The cord was cut, and the afterbirth was disposed of, by Agog, who seemed to see great value in it. In the dim light of the braziers, mother and child were strangely beautiful to V. The mother had tried to speak to her, but her words were beyond comprehension now. Only those words; those of the dream were understandable. The Great Mother¡¯s eyes bore through her, and she felt this twinge in the small of her back. It was like claws digging into her flesh and she began to pace nervously as the mother and child settled in. ¡°How did you get here so fast?¡± V asked the Great Mother. ¡°This chamber connects to the other. Did you think I would be so deaf as to not hear her cries? Even through the hatch I could hear her give birth. The crackling of the flames did little to drown out the pains of labor.¡± the Great Mother looked at her, ¡°And did you not hear or did the spirits take you first?¡± V looked at her bandaged right hand and realized she had not felt pain in the moment when she had taken the child, ¡°The spirits?¡± ¡°You touched the divine flame and were able to communicate with her.¡± she shook her head, ¡°No¡­ perhaps you were cleansed by the flame and did not even know it. Yours was the first Gobbo hand upon the child and you scarcely noticed the soot and blessing you gave. You saved a life tonight.¡± ¡°Why is she here?¡± V spared a glance to them. Agog decided to answer as approached the two of them, ¡°Chief Mudohoon¡¯s raid was successful, but the Karkalo team found her alive and with child. She is important and he hopes to sell her back to them - or at least the child.¡± V looked to the Great Mother, ¡°How many Mahn are here? I thought they were just tales.¡± ¡°They appear from time to time on the shores. The Dwellin have not ended them yet so the Chief thinks we can sell her back before they are wiped out in the winter raids. If they even manage to survive that long in the first place.¡± Agog shook his head, ¡°Take their clothing off their backs and they will perish. They are as strong as they are fragile.¡± ¡°This then¡­¡± V looked at her clothing, ¡°Is this like the hide of a Mahn?¡± ¡°Goodness no,¡± the Great Mother laughed, ¡°They are unable to survive on their own. They are so weak that they spend the whole of their lives toiling away only to fall ill and die if they are out in the rain for but one night. There is no intelligent being in this world as strong or as fragile as Mahn. They are strong because they are weak. That is why the whole of the Host fears them so.¡± ¡°If they spread, then it will be the end of us all.¡± Agog looked at twin flames which lit the room, ¡°If she were not so keen on the divine flame, I¡¯d have finished her off myself. The Chief is playing with what he does not understand. The males are far stronger, but do not forget where the next generation plops out of. I can wait until winter to be rid of them. And better yet if it''s not by my hand.¡± V did not realize her scowl until Agog glared at her. Timidly reacting with a bow she asked, ¡°So they will die?¡± ¡°That is the way it is. They would do the same to us.¡± he motioned to the small girl to follow him, ¡°Ruha, you need to rest. Come along. Now you know not to speak of this in the nursery-¡± ¡°As for you,¡± the Great Mother placed her hand on V¡¯s shoulder, ¡°We need to talk.¡± V felt the nails dig into her tunic and into her soft flesh. The Great Mother¡¯s hand was like a bird of prey, ready to pluck her up and whisk her off. However, it was the Great Mother who was going to be ensnared. She wanted answers of her own. Chapter 7 The Great Mother led the way back through the hidden entrance through a short a tunnel leading to a wooden hatch. A short and direct path to the birthing room. Why was it hidden at all? Why the need for this hatch? V wondered about all the strange things the Great Mother seemed to be involved in. She was a wise old crone for sure, but was there something more that she was up to? The Great Mother ushered her through the hatch first before following behind. She closed it behind her, the thick wooden hatch had a small iron flange and rod system which she pulled and set in place. The latch tongue pressing into a catch that could only be released from this side. A locking system. She had only seen that in the storerooms to prevent filching and yet there was one here? V tried to put it out of mind as the Great Mother slowly made her way back to the den through the connecting tunnel. ¡°You are full of surprises tonight,¡± she began once they were back in the large chamber. She slowly plodded over to the charcoal basket and put a few handfuls of charcoal into the brazier, ¡°Now, without further interruptions. How long have you had this dream of yours?¡± ¡°Ever since the nursery, but it was not often. As the ceremony got closer, it became more frequent. Now, it is almost every time I sleep.¡± V sat down before the brazier, looking up at the bowl containing the divine flame. ¡°Why did you stick your hand into the fire?¡± she asked. ¡°I do not know.¡± V admitted, ¡°It was so beautiful, but I did not know what I was doing.¡± Having finished adding the charcoal, the Great Mother turned to V with a grim frown, ¡°To lose yourself so quickly to the flame. Perhaps you are favored by him. I do not suppose you were ever taught about Belos, having your name and status taken from you.¡± ¡°Just what is Belos?¡± ¡°A divine spirit that has guided us and kept us safe throughout countless generations. Belos cannot not take a physical form but can reach out to us through the flames to inspire, to guide, to protect. Belos is more than just a simple god because he can bring us together even in death. For all that Belos has given us in life, Gobbos will return in death. The ashen remains are returned to the sacred mud and will nurture the future. In this way, life and death burn like the fire within our bellies.¡± ¡°I thought it was just hunger.¡± V pulled up her tunic and rubbed her stomach. ¡°Have you felt the other fire?¡± ¡°You mean¡­¡± V motioned with her hand lower. ¡°Not that,¡± The Great Mother stooped over and pointed to V¡¯s navel, ¡°Here from mother to child, the core of your being which thinks and acts all on its own. The place from which all fires originate from. The fire within your gut.¡± ¡°I felt strange and ran¡­ the feeling was like a flame in a way.¡± ¡°Yes. When you are afraid, the fire flickers. When you are angry, the heat and rage spreads from your center throughout you. When you are sad, the flame weakens and you find yourself numb or stifled. The fire within you is the proof you are alive. If it goes out, you die.¡± ¡°Is that really true?¡± ¡°You have seen death in the warrens. Neither illness or injury, but a sadness so deep that their flames extinguish and with it their very lives. What is the difference between their bodies? Are they not still whole; sometimes still with full bellies.¡± Was that the reason? It was just the way it was. Wasn¡¯t it? V could not prove her wrong, but knew that no physical flame burned within her, but it still was a form of fire that had kept her strong and drove her forward in certain moments. ¡°When I looked at the flames, I was grabbed by the light.¡± The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. The Great Mother gently took V¡¯s right hand and removed the bandage, the burn itself was severe with the flesh glistening and stiffened with a mixture of soot and ash that formed a seal over the worse parts of the burn, ¡°This wound could kill you.¡± ¡°I could die from this?¡± V felt a twinge of pain as her hand was turned over and her fingertips inspected, ¡°I don¡¯t want to die.¡± ¡°Then put the bandage back on and do not get it wet. Belos compelled you forward at the same time the birth happened; it could not have been a coincidence. You were marked and chosen by Belos. Your clothing, your knowledge of Mahn¡¯s language. In taking the child in your hand, you blessed it with the sacred ash. You acted as a priestess without any training and spoke a language none of us knew even before you saw her.¡± ¡°Twice?¡± V asked. ¡°Yes.¡± The Great Mother let go of her hand, ¡°When I asked you the reason for why you suffered from those dreams. Every word was that of Mahn¡¯s language. For someone who has never left the warren. It is simply not possible, but here we are.¡± ¡°The voice said that I am supposed to suffer in the darkness, then... Belos is the light?¡± She looked to the Great Mother, ¡°Can I really be a priestess of Belos?¡± ¡°Not until you retake your name; and I know how you can do that.¡± The Great Mother was brimming with a smile, ¡°You will sell them back and Chief Mudowoon will have no choice, but to recognize you as a Valo and then you will be able to undertake the training with Agog.¡± ¡°Agog¡­¡± his name soured on her tongue. ¡°Now,¡± The Great Mother paused to pick her words carefully, ¡°Have Leaf show you to the river and down to the shore where their warren is. Listen to them. Try to understand them. If you are Belos-blessed, then perhaps Chief Mudohoon¡¯s plan could actually work.¡± ¡°Leaf¡­¡± ¡°Yes. I want her to help you. Tell her and I am sure she will oblige.¡± The Great Mother smiled knowingly as she placed her index finger on V¡¯s forehead, ¡°For your trial, you will be known only as Raeya in the outside world.¡± ¡°A name longer than hers?¡± V questioned. ¡°You have a unique skill: You can understand Mahn. It is only appropriate that you have a longer name than your guide.¡± The Great Mother¡¯s smile suggested something more, ¡°Now, go get her and set out. Mahn are creatures of the day. May the blessing of Belos protect you. Ah but first, let me give you a fresh wrapping for your hand.¡± It did not take long to replace the bandage made from the Great Mother¡¯s own cloak with another strip. It seemed that her entire cloak might as well have been cut and layered for such purposes with the way these long strips of blackened cloth were so easily plucked free. Afterwards, V cautiously headed up through the tunnels she could not escape the strange sensation in her gut. Was her flame getting stronger or was it getting weaker? It felt similar to Leaf¡¯s deception, being guided to such ends and yet the Great Mother had given her a way out - to escape the ceremony and perhaps become something more than just a qued. Left to herself, the Great Mother tended to the flame and began to chant, the flames rising with her chanting. The bandage was offered up to the flame and a surge of green and blue light surged as the flame licked and devoured the bandage. The Great Mother drew close to the brazier and said, ¡°Belos protect this child and tell me of her boons and blights.¡± She drew close to the flame and listened to the crackling and saw a flicker of flames appeared like Vinaraeya before her. The coals themselves surged with fire, veins glowing with words appearing for only moments. She read it as quickly as she could, but time itself flowed differently in the trance. All the while she continued to chant the words of power to the divine flame. Name: Vinaraeya Age: 129 Year Species: Gobbi - Mikarya Ancestry Skills: Comprehension of Mahn¡¯s {Wawayas} Language - Latent Proficiency {Curse} {Blessed of Belos} {Cursed by the Usurper - Chief Mudohoon} {Cursed by the Light of Lynaria - Maelyn} {Cursed by Goddess Rynathialia} The flames died and only the hot coals remained by the end of the divination. The sounds of the songbirds sung in the morning. The warren should have largely fallen asleep, and V must have left hours ago. For the Great Mother, she had risked her very life to finish the ritual. Half a night spent divining the flames was a strenuous task even for one half her age. Drenched in sweat and hoarsely breathing, her entire body ached from the rigors of staring into the flame whilst chanting. Belos had blessed her with knowledge, but she had not expected this. Agog returned not long after and approached the Great Mother who no longer had the strength to stand. Picking her up in his arms he slowly sauntered over to the far end where her sleeping nook was. As he slid her into the bed, she whispered softly, ¡°It is not yet over, my son.¡± ¡°Rest.¡± Agog smiled and stepped back, ¡°She will survive tonight because of you alone. That will give us twenty more nights until the next Dark Moon. And that will be more than enough time.¡± Chapter 8 While the Great Mother was in the midst of her divination ritual in the depths of the warren, V had made her way back to the cubby where Leaf had switched with her. There was no time to waste as a single night was all that separated V from having her life fall into the hands of whoever would claim it. Leaf had no way of knowing how much was being placed on her, but the Great Mother would not be manipulated so easy. V was now like a hot coal before, but now was Blessed of Belos, coming right back at her. It would be difficult not to be burned for daring to involve the Great Mother in such a novice¡¯s plot. Those who spent all their time in the warrens had seldom else to do, but plot against one another in a game of wits. And V was an unpredictable piece whose shape and purpose had yet to be known. Leaf awoke to a hand shaking her gently in the cubby and she rolled over, wiping the sleep from her eyes. V was smirking at her and her right hand was in a bandage. What had she gotten into? Then her eyes caught in the darkness the brown tunic and the scent of flowers emanating off her skin. Bolting upright and slamming her head into top of the cubby, a bunch of hard earth loosed and fell around her. ¡°What happened to you!?¡± she shook off the dirt and the bump, ¡°Did it work!?¡± ¡°What do you think?¡± V¡¯s smile did not fade at all. She let out a little laugh and pushed herself out of the cubby and looked at V more closely, ¡°Well, what happened. You look like a newborn Gobbo¡­. And smell like one too.¡± V¡¯s eyes widened and Leaf pressed her question, ¡°Answer.¡± It was not like V to struggle with an answer, she was a terrible liar, but what escaped those lips was either the truth or the worst lie she had ever heard. ¡°I am blessed by Belos. The Great Mother wants you to take me to them.¡± V¡¯s mouth opened to silently form the word, ¡°Mahn.¡± Leaf rushed forward and covered V¡¯s mouth, ¡°Sure! Sure! I¡¯ll take you out. About time you decided to be useful.¡± Realization hit V, but her heart still quickened as in the span of one night her friend had come to know of a secret that few were trusted with. The Great Mother had spilled it to a qued? That was a first. Did the old hag forget that, or did she see V as something more? A qued was a qued, it did not matter what she once was. Right? ¡°So, you are going to take me now?¡± V said with Leaf¡¯s hand muffling her mouth, her lips moving against her palm. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Leaf shoved V backwards, throwing her against the wall and bared her teeth, hunching in a feral pose, ¡°I¡¯ll bite and claw you¡­. And tear¡­¡± V¡¯s laughter was disarming as much as her pointing. Had the crone¡¯s madness spread to her as well? She was not worth the effort. Why was she so different from the others? Was it really noble blood that made her so intriguing even if she was a qued? ¡°Where is Muck?¡± V asked cautiously. ¡°Did you decide on him?¡± She was thrown off again by her strange leap of topic, ¡°Wait. I thought you needed to go out.¡± ¡°I do.¡± V brushed off her back, knocking the dirt off the tunic, ¡°I thought you might want to tell him before we leave.¡± ¡°No.¡± Leaf motioned for her to follow, ¡°Come on. We are going now.¡± ¡°Now!?¡± V followed after her, ¡°Now?!¡± ¡°You woke me up. Is it not the day?¡± Leaf headed down the tunnel only to realize the fervor of the common room was still empty save one or two Valo hunters who were in the midst of preparing a rabbit for the stew, ¡°In the middle of the night, of course. Ugh, come on.¡± The two made their way through the tunnels, up through the storeroom, the common rooms and towards the surface and came before the gateway, the secured front entrance of the warren which had its own guards and hunter barracks within several paces. The gate was little different then the hatchway except it opened outwards and the latching mechanism required two separate latches to be disengaged at the same time in order to lift the plank and disengage the lock. Leaf had seen it hundreds of times, but for V it was quite a sight, and she loomed over them with curiosity as Leaf explained why she was leaving the warren to Agruyl and Barkep as they complied with the request. Agruyl, made eyes at her, but she turned her head away and stuck her nose in the air to show her lack of interest. It only seemed to encourage him. Why were all males so dense? Barkep was at least one to just do as he was told and not make a pass each time. Agruyl most likely took this post just to try and woo those who caught his fancy, time after time. Did it ever work? If it did not, he would have found something else to do for sure. His broad chin and high brows with a bulbous nose framed a face that had been kicked in more than a few times. Resisting smashing his face in was tough, but she wondered how squishy that eternally broken nose really was. ¡°Leaf¡­¡± V¡¯s calling snapped her out it, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°The traps.¡± Leaf quickly made it seem like she was waiting for them to explain, ¡°Have they been changed or moved?¡± ¡°No change, but edges are crumbling so watch your step.¡± Barkep answered for her. Agruyl chimed in and said to her and to V, ¡°Yes. Be careful, you too¡± Leaf masked her frustration heading through before her mouth would get her into trouble. So, any female? Even a qued? How disgusting. She wanted to say it. She would say it. Just not now. Leaving the warren was nothing to her, but V kept falling behind. The traps were obvious to her, but V had a tough time following closely. What did she have to do to get her to follow her footsteps exactly? Hold her hand? Drag her by her feet? The most dangerous trap was the pit where a well-disguised blanket was propped up over a small post in the center. A thin layer of dirt was used to hide it, but four faint depressions gave it away to those who knew it was there. Stretching her back and hugging the foot-wide ledge she crossed the path. V, for once, followed exactly and did not fall into the spike laden pit of certain death. It had only happened once but once was enough. ¡°Well¡­ we made it past the last of the traps.¡± She let out a sigh of relief, ¡°Come on. The dawn will be on us if we are not quick.¡± Chapter 9 The air was crisp, and the ground was wet from the storm. The grass was slick and stuck with each step, but worst of all was that it left tracks. V was easily distracted by the outside world. Every tree, every bush, even large rocks seemed to be worthy of her attention or some question. Even those from the nursery knew better than to yap on and on about what everything was. ¡°What tree is that?¡± ¡°A tree.¡± she replied ¡°But what is it called?¡± ¡°Stupid tree, same as the other stupid tree.¡± ¡°Why was one a walnut tree and this is just a stupid tree?¡± ¡°Because it doesn¡¯t have walnuts or anything useful. It has smelly sap and pointy bristles.¡± She recalled that they did have names, but it was difficult remembering which was hemlock and birch and cherry and maple. Everything had a name, but names were not that useful. Every Gobbo had a name, but knowing those names did not matter unless you needed them for some reason. Even having a real name before they left the nursery was a waste, more than half died. Knowing names made you care and caring made you weak. ¡°Leaf¡­ Leaf¡­¡± V called out from behind a bush. ¡°What!?¡± she snapped and looked to see where her friend was crouched at a poisonous berry bush, ¡°Don¡¯t eat those!¡± V¡¯s ears twitched, but she said nothing and took cover behind one of those stupid trees. She really was no better than a yearling out here, but whether or not she was a child was a matter of just one night. There would be no changing her now. She was always easily scared and hard to push to do anything, but the Great Mother would need her? Yes. V was a terrible liar and did not put enough thought into anything. That alone is why she was a danger out here. ¡°Leaf.¡± V asked, ¡°Where is the bucket?¡± Her hands found her face, half in exasperation and half embarrassment, ¡°Just go!¡± It was just one thing after another with V. The light of dawn loomed to the east by the time they had made the trek to the stream. Unlike the springs around the warren, this was the limit of their normal gathering territory. The rushing water came from high up in the hills without end. The current was faster than one could walk, but once every year the fish would leap out of the water and climb upstream. Today was not one of those days. She was relieved when V remained silent, and they began to follow the stream down towards the shore. Then it got awkward. Walking in silence, V¡¯s steps shadowing hers. The sun rose up and the shadows of the night stretched like twisted giants many times her size out in front of her. V¡¯s own shadow reached her, but yet she said nothing. V would have continued with her questions if not for her. It was not comfortable, but it was better than her constant pestering. ¡°Leaf¡­¡± Here we go again. She continued walking towards the shore. ¡°Leaf.¡± she whispered, ¡°Who is that?¡± Who? That caught her attention, and she looked to where V stared. Several large figures moved through the rolling land and she recognized the glint of the chainmail and leather packs they carried. Mahn! She turned to V and gave the sign for silence and caution, but V did not know those. ¡°Huh?¡± V mimicked the sign but kept her voice low. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. ¡°Mahn. Why are they here?¡± she motioned to hide and take cover. A group of five tall figures moved with purpose as they moved through the hills, searching for something. V followed after them, clumsily tripping over loose rock and hugging behind trees at least. Perhaps she did have some instinctual knowledge after all, but it was not enough. ¡°What are you doing?¡± ¡°They are saying something.¡± V whispered ¡°It is not like you can understand them.¡± V shook her head, ¡°I can understand a little.¡± If that was true, then the Great Mother really did see some purpose for V. How did she know their language? Either way, V was intent on listening to them as they trekked over the land in search of whatever they were after. One thing was clear, it was not a hunt, and it was not going to be peaceful. The five figures were armed, each of the five having a dagger or very large dagger on their belts, one carrying a bow and quiver. The one in the lead was wearing strange armor made of little rings over an animal hide piece of clothing. This one was the leader. A male with a short brown mass of hair on the top of his head. He was the only one not carrying the leather bag on his back. That job obviously fell to his underlings. The second one was tall and dark skinned compared to the first. A Dwellin? It could not be. Taller and carrying a dagger and the bow and quiver, they wore a hood that hid most of their face and any signs of their ears that would make their identity more obvious. A Dwellin working with Mahn would be dangerous, as Dwellin were supposed to be their allies! This one was also male, but more than that was difficult to tell. The third in line carried a very long dagger and a heavy pack with several spears bundled up in the pack. Moving in the middle, this was either an important figure or someone who could not be trusted. Another male, but of pale skin and long black hair. The fourth was different, though with the same pack and dagger, this one was smaller and had long hair. Worse, her chest was full. If she still had breasts then she cared for young that were not yet weaned. So, they were bringing their entire tribe over now? It did not make sense to her. ¡°Look.¡± she whispered to V, ¡°She is full of milk. That means they brought their young here. Their whole tribe has come over this time it seems.¡± ¡°How do you know she is full of milk?¡± V asked. ¡°Are you stupid? Milk swells in a mother¡¯s chest so long as the child is not weaned. Surely you have noticed at the nursery. Why would one of them be out and about without a child?¡± She did not understand it. It was a pointless risk. V shook her head, ¡°No. Even those who are not mothers have that.¡± ¡°Did the Great Mother tell you that?¡± ¡°No-¡± ¡°The dream?¡± she asked, ¡°Or are you trying to keep me from worrying?¡± ¡°I know. I just know.¡± V said with a lack of confidence, ¡°They are not like us.¡± It did not help. The last in line was another dark-skinned figure carrying a very large pack and two daggers. Another male. That would make three warriors, a leader and likely its mate. Perhaps they were looking for their warren from the last time they appeared? The Dwellin Host had come down from the mountains and destroyed them, but now they worked together? As they ventured towards the cliff side, something came into view. A cave with two logs propped against one another in an upside-down V over the entrance. The two logs were lashed at the top by rope with the tail ends coming down in the middle in a loop. Threaded through the rope by a cut was a circular stone. This was the den of Mahn. The five gathered around and began to inspect the entrance. It was likely not their first time seeing it. ¡°We need to tell the chief.¡± She said to V, ¡°They have come back, and they mean to stay.¡± ¡°I want to get closer.¡± V said, ¡°I need to know what they are talking about.¡± ¡°Do as you want. I am telling the chief. Don¡¯t get killed.¡± she said as she decided to take her leave, ¡°I brought you to them. I am going back.¡± V did not seem to care. She did not try to stop her from leaving. Just what happened? Was this still the same V as from last night? Nothing made sense. V was stupid. Everyone was stupid. Leaving was difficult, but she had her own duty and telling the chief of the danger was more important than a stupid qued. Chapter 10 V did not want Leaf to go but she could not draw attention to herself. Leaf was right. It was important to notify the Chief and the whole of the warren of them being so close. From her hiding place she tried to sneak closer to them. Long range became medium range, enough for a stone¡¯s throw as it was called. It would be foolish to get any closer than within throwing range, but she vaguely knew that one with the bow was the most dangerous one. Few Gobbos knew how to use bows, but those prized weapons brought down dangerous game with a single shot. Fowl, deer, goats, even boar were all typically taken out with a good shot. Stories tell of how even the mighty black bear was felled by Rekki. The Chief¡¯s own mantle was made of the hide and served as proof of the strength of the warren itself. The dark-skinned bow Mahn was alert and searching with his eyes. This one was especially alert. Taking cover behind a thick bush she was able to conceal herself with the darker green, her eyes and the brown tunic blending in with the twisting and bending. The interior was largely a mass of branches and a few dry edges that left the ground barren except for some fine and wet leaves from the heavy rain. They talked for a long time as they set up little pots and gathered some sticks from trees. They cut a path with a strange spear-like object with a spade leaf shape and cut the top layer of soil away. They built a place for the fire and summoned Belos from their hands with a metal piece and struck it with their hands. Sparks of brilliant light shot forth and soon a crackling, mesmerizing flame rose up. Puffs and hisses, cracks and other strange noises erupted. The divine flame never did such things at the warren. Were they forcing Belos? Some kind of protest? She did not know, but the Great Mother likely did. Their little camp was set up in short order, with water drawn from buckets and a cookpot filled and something from their packs was added. Whatever they were making smelled wonderful. As a group they settled down in a circle and ate their meal from the same pot. Were they all of equal status? Why did the leader not have their fill first? It was strange. They had names and addressed one another throughout the meal. Cade, Wilde, Huron and Stirge were the four males. The female was Violetta. Obviously, she was the one in charge. A female chief? Perhaps. Maybe a brave warrior? While they made the food and handled the setting up of the camp, she had been content to sit around and stare at a small object that unfurled in her hand. It was like a very long blanket that was no wider than her hand to elbow. It was filled with strange markings, and she seemed to be completely engrossed in it. She did not know what they were doing or why, but just from viewing them for a short time she had come to know that they were very resourceful and very different from Gobbos. She saw the two darker skinned Mahn had long pointed ears like Gobbos, but they were taller and thinner than the other three. They also spoke a language that she could partially understand that was distinct from the other three. The words she knew of her dream and those that came from the lips of those dark skinned Mahn were very different. One was spoken without the gut; the other was raspy but still relied on speaking from the depths of one¡¯s gut to form the words with sincerity and purpose. The conversation carried on in two languages, but it was clear that the two were not united in language or purpose. Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. ¡°Cave dangerous. Trap. Not want die.¡± she understood the fragments from what Stirge said. ¡°Huron lead way. Stupid. First die.¡± she followed a fragment of Wilde¡¯s response. Having said it in front of Huron, the Mahn reacted to his name and asked something of Wilde. Cleverly, Wilde responded in a way that made confusion turn into a toothy grin and give a beaming smile. Was it pride or maliciousness? She did not understand, but it did not make science that displaying one¡¯s teeth to another was anything other than a threat. And the others who barely gave a glance, did they not know the language either? ¡°Push trap, die. You attack female. I kill shiny male.¡± She parsed together Stirge¡¯s plan to dispose of Huron and slay the other two. They were openly plotting to kill the three of them off. Did they really not understand? Even as they finished their meal and attended to their duties, they seemed entirely unaware of the plot those two hatched in their very presence. ¡°Sneak poison food.¡± Stirge added after the meal, ¡°If stupid not die by trap.¡± Wilde responded with a word that was the same in both of their languages, ¡°Mushrooms.¡± Mahn was strong, but stupid indeed! How was it that no one of the three were aware of it? Who were these two, another type of Mahn? Dark skinned Gobbos? Yes. That must be it. A dark skinned Gobbo; kin to the Dwellin. ¡®Dark of skin with ears of size and point, our kin we do not fight.¡¯ The original rhyme was skin of white, but the ears were important. Green skin or not, those long and slender ears marked them as allies. They must be fighting Mahn. She felt a little giddy at the fact they might be able to help her understand the speech. The Great Mother would be pleased. After they ate their meal, they split off to the bushes not far from camp, her vantage point was concealed from their view. One by one they went and rejoined the group. The female took her turn last and headed to the water, sitting on the shore and began to wet and comb her long brown hair. She was out in the open and unguarded. It would be so easy to kill her. The dark thought crossed her mind, the sick joy of killing rising up from deep within. She could pluck the dagger and end her in one single slash. In the confusion, those two would take care of the other two. It would be the end of them and their plans. Why wait until winter? Do it now. ¡°Stop it.¡± She told herself and gasped at having spoken aloud. Violetta turned to the bush right and V knew she had been heard. Her heart began to pound hard. Her pulse filled her ears as Violetta came closer and closer. Then their eyes met, separated by only an arm¡¯s length, Violetta stared at her with a curious look. Then VIoletta''s eyes squinted from the wide toothy grin that spread across her face. Chapter 11 V wanted to run, to hide, to do anything at all, but her body refused to move. Violetta tilted her head and blinked. Was she searching for the best way to strike? V closed her eyes and said the only words she could. Violetta seized her left hand, and she found herself being pulled free from the bush and into the open. Giving a peek, V found that even standing at full height she came up to Violetta¡¯s stomach and that the female was looking her over with a strange look. Then her right hand was seized, and she watched helplessly as the bandage was removed with care. She spoke words, but V did not understand them at all. Why? Why could she not understand even one word now? Violetta looked at the burn closely and V stared at her own hand as well. The burns covered the top joint of her four fingers and the upper part of her thumb and only a small part of her palm. The fleshy green pad was concave and red blood and pus seeped from the wound. Violetta kneeled down and seemed to be pondering something, uttering one simple word as a question. V nodded and Violetta let out a short little laugh before raising V¡¯s hand to her mouth. V did not know if she should pull away or not, but Violetta suddenly stuck V¡¯s index finger into her mouth. V¡¯s ears twitched and she whimpered as she expected to have her finger bitten off, but she felt nothing of the sort. An utterance, of a word she could not comprehend, pressed itself into her flesh. It prompted a strange revulsion from deep within her. Pulling her finger free, she saw her finger glisten and felt a surge of heat as her body began to heal. Her entire hand was healing. Her body secreted a clear liquid and began to burn like it was aflame as her skin reformed. In the place of the wounds were squishy, wet blisters that hardened like old calluses and each one was marked with a distinct flame-touched scar. V pulled her hand back as Violetta made a sour face and spit onto the ground. Good to know she did not taste good. Violetta recovered quickly and followed it up with a gesture of clasping her hands over her breasts and bowing her head to her chest and closing her eyes, V repeated as Violetta began to utter a strange chant. In this moment she could have taken the dagger and drove it through her heart. From somewhere deep within a voice cried out for her to kill. A desperate plea throughout her entire being. She had never wanted to kill before, but this female Mahn made her blood, and bones scream in a way her gut never had compelled her to. Why? Why! The burning sensation in her body continued to build and build. Her vision clouded, she stumbled forward, her hand reaching out for the dagger on Violetta¡¯s hip. She hit something and she heard a voice before falling unconscious. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. V found herself reliving the dream. Standing upon the stage, sword in hand and opposite Maelyn. It was already inescapable. She would be impaled and die upon the sword that was not a sword. This place was false, their clothing was false, everything about this was false. To her back were thousands of seated figures, an audience watching their every movement. It was¡­ a theater. Yes. That was the word. She looked at herself in this false armor, this body of a male Mahn and struggled to break away, to change the dream. This was not her. This was not real. This was the dream. Her thoughts meant nothing here. The sword was readied, the fatal attack announced well and clear. V heard a voice in her head. It was Maelyn¡¯s voice? The world shifted and she was in the body of Maelyn, staring at the sword. It moved closer. Death glinted on in the light. The point touched her outfit and slid through the leather and flesh. Agony burst through her chest, and she felt her arms and legs go limp and the sensation of falling. The void closed in. V awoke by the campfire. Her body felt frozen, drenched in sweat. A weight upon her shoulders and the sensation of a different type of cloth was hardly noticeable, but she was tucked into a thick blanket that smelled like flowers and just ever so lightly of sweat. She could not move at all, even when she tried. Sitting opposite of her was Violetta, engrossed in whatever that unfurled thing was. Sounds came from the cave, the striking of rocks and angry calls. Violetta sat around as the males worked. Yes. She was in charge. Wasn¡¯t she? How did she get so weak? What had happened to her? Was she poisoned by the saliva from her mouth? Like a snake? She was here by the fire. Were they going to roast her? No. If she wanted her dead, then it would already be so. It would have been easy. She was kept alive for a reason. But what was it? Her head hurt so much. She could not think why. Did they want to know where she came from? Did they want to make her a slave? There was a chance she could prove herself useful and escape. Yes. Play a trick and escape! But how? Violetta took notice that she was awake and rolled the strange thin object back up and tucked it away in her backpack. It was obviously incredibly important to her. It seems like it would burn too. Her eyes scanned the camp for things to use, but being unable to move all but condemned her to whatever plans Violetta had. Violetta smirked at her and said in a soft voice, ¡°Greetings Priestess of Belos. I am Violetta, Chosen of Maelyn. You will help with the Akeon or you will die. Blink twice if you agree to help.¡± V¡¯s eyes widened and Violetta¡¯s smirk only deepened. She blinked twice.