The Brightest Shadow, page 8
"The one with the axe... Ghakin... he would have killed me." Tani closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then focused on Slaten again. "I will be fine. I was just unprepared to see him like this."
"I don't think Ghakin is the biggest threat. He's become agreeable after Kolanin talked to him."
"Then the other two are the ones I should worry about? The one with the maul... was he the same one who struck you when we first met?"
"That's right. Rhuvab has been in Bundlin for a long time, but he's still involved with many violent incidents. And I don't know Loravasik, but even the other mansthein seem to hate him." Slaten realized that what he was saying was probably not helpful and hastened to add more. "But I don't think any of them are a real threat to us. You can usually stay out of their way."
Tani nodded slowly, then her gaze drifted toward the stairs to the second floor. "I'll go see if Kolanin approves of my plan."
Slaten nodded his agreement and headed back toward the front room. He considered trying to listen from the other side of the door for authentic Futhik, but there was too great a likelihood that they would realize he was there. Instead he simply opened the door as quietly as possible and slipped inside.
They noticed, of course, but Loravasik ignored him and kept speaking. Though his accent was nearly incomprehensible, Slaten caught words related to battle and sein. Also the word he thought meant "human", which let him piece together a little more. If three Catai had been brought together, it must be for an assignment of some significance.
"Do you understand, Naen Slaten?" Ghakin spoke to him slowly and clearly in Futhik, which was what Slaten needed to follow.
"I can not hear secrets, Seinan Ghakin."
That prompted a laugh from Ghakin and a glance from the other two. Slaten tilted his head, not sure if it was his grammar or something else that they found funny. He had been sure that he understood the system of titles, yet his surety wasn't worth much. After his laugh faded to a chuckle, Ghakin spoke again, switching to Coran.
"I'm flattered, but Seinan is wrong. Well, not wrong, but you sound stupid."
"What should I have said?"
Rhuvab spat onto the floor as if disgusted by the conversation and left the room. Loravasik examined Slaten for a moment, then turned to begin sharpening a long, curved blade. Once they were out of the way, Ghakin explained.
"I'm 'Catainan Ghakin' to you."
"Catainan is... the title for a Catai?"
"Obviously. But you only use it if you have a lower position. Now, 'Seinan' is technically not far off, because I'm stronger and higher ranked than you. But since you should say Catainan, it just sounds too formal. If you were some old man, maybe you could get away with it. But with Seinan you usually end up sounding too stiff, or like you're flattering them."
"I see." Slaten blinked and tried to integrate that into his understanding of the mansthein system of address. It didn't seem overly complex, but it was offensive not to use a title and there seemed to be many ways of using the wrong title. He wished he could just get a straight explanation from Kolanin, but didn't want to bother the leader. "I have been calling Kolanin Seinan, is that wrong?"
To his surprise, Loravasik answered. "It's fine for him. He's Seinan blood, and the local commander besides. Not that he would get offended no matter what you said."
"Thank you... Catainan Loravasik."
The Catai gave a grunt in the neighborhood of a laugh. Though a human trying to use mansthein titles seemed to be a joke to most, he hoped to one day be taken seriously. Only in recent months had he gotten anyone to call him "Naen" - the lowest rank of respect, he thought, but much better than a term of disrespect.
Since they didn't seem offended, he had a chance to ask another question. "Is there any term showing more respect than Seinan?"
"No. Well, yes." Ghakin scowled at nothing in particular. "Zeitainan is highest of all, but you don't just call someone that. Not unless they're actually Zeitai..."
"This is not a matter for humans." Loravasik set down his sword heavily and stared, though Slaten didn't see any anger in his eyes.
"I apologize, Catainan Loravasik."
After a pause, Loravasik looked away from him again. "If Seinan Kolanin truly trusts you, then there is no harm in answering your earlier question. We were sent to track down the alleged human resistance movement. We were not successful."
"Did run across them, though," Ghakin said. "They were tough bastards. I might have even bled a little if they hadn't been more interested in running away."
"If not for Rhuvab's haste, perhaps we could have tracked them."
"I doubt that. This group... they're organized. Smart enough to know that they can't take us directly."
It seemed like the subject was an old argument, so their conversation didn't go further than that. Not wanting it to end, Slaten spoke up again. "What are they trying to accomplish? Are they hitting strategic targets, or just biding their time?"
The two Catai exchanged a glance, then Ghakin answered casually. "Not sure, but it seems to me they're waiting. One of them said something about a hero coming."
"I have a question for you, Naen Slaten." Loravasik leaned closer, eyes fixing on him. "Do many humans truly believe such superstitious tales? Of a single Legend and a Hero?"
Slaten swallowed, wishing he was quicker witted. He knew that the Legend was a sensitive subject, having once seen Rhuvab nearly take off a man's head for mentioning it. Loravasik spoke about it contemptuously, though that might be a test. And Slaten had no idea what Ghakin thought, but didn't like how the Catai was looking at him with such bright red eyes.
"I... do not think most can agree about what the story even says. It's not so different from stories about other heroes, is it?"
A pause followed, balanced on the edge of a knife, then Ghakin gave a grunting laugh. Loravasik nodded and shifted back to sharpen his blade again. The conversation moved on from there, touching nothing of great importance, but Slaten never could relax.
Fortunately, before too long passed, Tani emerged again. She looked more positive than when she had gone up to speak to Kolanin, which was a relief from the conversation with the Catai. Slaten said his farewells and headed out of the office with her before asking.
"He approved?"
"Not only did he approve, he had a few good suggestions." Tani showed him a roll of paper bound by a blue ribbon and seal. "This is my permission, though I shouldn't need it once I reach the Yevee. Since I am on my Farwalk, it is perfectly reasonable for me to ask them to teach me a simple, commonly-known art. My master had even considered it at times. So I have a perfect reason to spend time with them, and in that time I can surely come to understand their way of thinking more."
"Seems like it could work." Slaten couldn't claim any great understanding of Rhen culture, but was glad to finally hear Tani's plan. "When do you leave?"
"In a few days, but Kolanin said I shouldn't go alone. He recommended that you go too... would you?"
Slaten gave it a moment of thought before deciding it wasn't much of a decision. He had been in Bundlin too long, leading him to make mistakes and lose focus. "I would be happy to."
"Good. He also recommended someone called Melal. Do you know him? Would he agree?"
"Probably." Slaten paused, not sure what to say. "He's a Coran about our age. I don't know if you'll like him. But if you can get used to him, he'll be helpful, and he can be useful in a fight."
"Wonderful!" Tani really did look happy, and despite everything, Slaten found his mood rising as well. As they crossed back over the bridge, Tani stopped for a moment, looking out over the river. "We should be careful along the way, but I think once we reach the Yevee, it should not be so difficult. This might even be fun."
It had been a long time since he'd had an expectation like that about his work. Slaten wasn't sure whether he was skeptical or just out of practice with the emotion. Still, he stayed beside Tani and looked out over the city of Bundlin.
Chapter 5
-
"One great oddity of the Deathspawn expansion is that they appear to be uninterested in holding territory for extended periods after it has been conquered. Indeed, their inability to hold territory is so striking that prudent observers must conclude it is an intentional policy. I believe with a high degree of certainty that they seek only to loot resources from other kingdoms, though toward what grand project I would not venture a guess."
- excerpt from On the Deathspawn, written by Haneval, First Scholar to the King of South Corah
-
With her visit to the Yevee coming soon, Tani was eager to prepare. She was most nervous about being proficient enough that they would agree to help train her, but she realized that it was more important to know the warriors she would be traveling alongside. That was why she had agreed to meet Melal at the gate, though she struggled to find him now.
Out beside the western gate, the crowds lacked the diversity she saw elsewhere. Foreigners usually traveled via the river or wanted to travel east, leaving the crowds mostly Coran. The sea of light-haired people no longer struck her as so unusual, but it made finding one particular Coran difficult.
"Hey!" She turned toward the call and spotted the man who must be Melal, heading in her direction. Tani smiled and used the moment to analyze him.
Her first impression was far from analysis, however. Melal's eyes were shockingly green, like nothing she'd seen before. He had a strong, broad jaw that looked good with a wide smile on it. Though he was definitely eyeing her as he loped closer, she supposed she couldn't blame him for that while she was doing the same.
Tani took a mental step back to consider the basics: he was a young man about her age but substantially taller, perhaps as tall as Slaten. His sleeveless open jacket made it obvious that he was well-built, though having seen Catai warriors, her perspective on muscle had changed. His pants were unremarkable and golden-brown, but the belt that fell into a loincloth looked silver. It couldn't possibly be actual silver, but it stood out. She noted the sword bouncing at his hip, a ragged scabbard wrapped in cloth.
"You're Melal, I take it?"
"Indeed I am." He gave her a sweeping bow with one hand at his waist in the Coran style. After that he gestured toward the gate, so she followed him. "Nice to finally meet you, Tani."
"I'm surprised it took this long, since Kolanin is apparently interested in you as well."
Melal's smile twitched but recovered. "I'm not a big fan of the old monster, but he isn't so bad to have as a commander. With everything he's doing, he doesn't care so much if you drag out your assignments."
"Ah... I take it you are not so optimistic about negotiations with Coran groups?"
"Not a chance in hell they'll negotiate with Deathspawn. It'll go on until one side or another surrenders. But that doesn't matter so much. Let's head that way for the training grounds."
As he pointed, Melal put his other hand on her lower back to guide her in that direction. Tani stiffened, but he didn't pull away. Keeping her face neutral, she walked faster to break away from him. Melal sped up too, though the pace made it too difficult for him to touch her.
"So, you're wanting to add some Coran strength to your training, right?"
Not precisely, but Tani decided not to argue it. "For what I need to do next, I need to deepen my understanding of sein."
"Don't use the Deathspawn word for it. It's power, that's all." Melal spoke with surprising conviction, drawing her gaze again. What he said didn't seem like it could possibly be true, however...
"Are you certain? I was taught from traditions older than the first Deathspawn here, and the word was the same. It's also the word for a type of wind in Nelhae."
"Yeah, maybe, but this isn't the first time humans have fought Deathspawn. I heard that they tried to rule once, long ago, but they were pushed back. But unless their leader is defeated, they will always return. That's why we need a Hero, to end this war forever."
Part of Tani wanted to ask him about Coran stories of a hero, because she was deeply curious to compare them to those she knew. But the way he had been acting so far soured her mood and dampened her curiosity, so she focused on simpler matters. They had nearly reached the training grounds, though they seemed rather simple to her.
"Regardless of what you call it, I need a deeper understanding. I first sensed sein by smelling it and after training I've learned to taste it. I haven't been successful with any other senses, but I'd hoped that getting another perspective might open my ears, or even my eyes."
Melal waved away the subject. "There's no point chasing after new senses. They show you how far you've come in your training, that's all. Someone who knows inner strength with all their senses might be much stronger than us, but it's not because of that."
Tani frowned at that. There were definitely Nelee masters who said the same, or taught that sein would come of its own accord. Her master disagreed, and though Tani knew that view was less common, she agreed with her master completely. Understanding the strength within her had always been critical to being able to actually use it.
"I suppose that is the new perspective I wanted." Tani took a breath and managed to smile at Melal. "How does it work for you?"
"Feel it in my bones. Stronger I get, it's like... steam flowing through my muscles." Melal flexed an arm, muscles bulging. It didn't look bad, but the cocky way he did it irritated her. "That's what you need to learn first. You Rhen are quick bastards, but you're usually not all that tough. Especially women."
His eyes slid down over her and Tani decided that she could definitely judge him this time. Her decision was already made, she realized. Putting a flat smile on her face, she gave him the lowest of polite bows. "Thank you for showing me the training grounds, Melal. I will take your advice in my training."
"You don't want a demonstration? I'm sure you could pick up the skills, with some coaching."
"I am afraid I need to brush up on some of my other skills before I meet the Yevee. Thank you again." With that, she turned away and headed toward one of the boulder mounds.
"Suit yourself." Melal moved to sit down against one of the trees, though he kept looking at her.
Her original plan had been to practice throwing her knives, since she knew the Yevee valued accuracy and she was certain she had grown rusty. There didn't seem to be anything set up as targets, however, and she wanted to get further away from Melal. She had also considered going through a full set of physical exercises, but those would have left her sweaty and she didn't want to perform them in his presence.
That left the practices that she'd mentioned to him, which might be a little beyond her but would be useful if she could master them. Tani drew sein into her legs as she approached the boulders and jumped her way to the top of the mound.
The sun felt even hotter when she sat exposed on top of the boulder, but at least there was a pleasant breeze. Tani sat down and crossed her legs, trying to set aside the previous encounter and focus. This place was very different than the quiet glades of home, but perhaps that was what she needed to find something new within herself.
What she wanted to learn from the Yevee was the Mountain Eye, which was currently beyond her. She remembered old Avhenor, who could always tell when the children were trying to play a prank on him, no matter how quietly they approached. Some had attempted their pranks while giggling wildly, so it was easy to notice them, but Tani had been silent and he had still always known. Later when she had learned he was a master of the Mountain Eye, it was obvious that nothing could draw near him without him being aware of it.
Such a skill would be a great advantage, but her master said that it was difficult to master when one could only smell and taste sein. Before Tani had left on her Farwalk, she had still been taught the basic forms, in case her new experiences might inspire something in her.
Tani began with the sun and the wind around her, then focused on the stone against her legs. It was smooth, weathered by years of wind. She could feel the age of it, the weight and substance. Nothing more, however, and perhaps even that was just her imagination. Closing her eyes, Tani dug deeper, trying to gather her new experiences into the proper forms.
She thought of the new foods she had eaten, her explorations of Bundlin, the people she had met. Yet she became distracted by thoughts of meeting Deathspawn - no, mansthein - then wandered to Melal and her frustrations. Slaten had not warned her about him, which prompted a twinge of annoyance, but perhaps he had not been aware.
Abruptly Tani realized that she had not been meditating on her sein, just thinking idle thoughts. She scowled at herself and tried again, but nothing would come together. She could smell the sein flowing within her and gather her memories, yet the true form of it remained beyond her.
Though she kept trying long enough that she would not feel guilty about giving up, Tani knew that she had little hope of grasping the fundamentals of the Mountain Eye now. Not with everything so clouded. Part of her remained just for the sake of not shaming herself in front of Melal.
Once she finally got to her feet, she turned back to look at him before stretching. It seemed as though he was asleep, and when she focused she could hear him snoring. Tani stretched her aching muscles and headed back down the stones at a slower rate.
Today had not been productive, but there would be other days. All she could do was hope that by the time she reached the Yevee, they would accept her offer.
~ ~ ~
In the end, only Tani and Slaten left Bundlin to meet with the Yevee. Though that was a smaller group than Tani had wanted, she didn't want to travel for several days with Melal. Besides, the area surrounding Bundlin was fairly secure except for the very group she was going to meet, which would hopefully not be a threat to her.
Normally she would have thought nothing of traveling alone with Slaten, but the encounter with Melal led her to reconsider. Many would make assumptions about a man and a woman traveling together, after all. But it seemed like Slaten thought nothing of the sort, so she quickly relaxed in his presence.
