I felt the oppressive ponderosity of the Tonrar enter the space, like fingers of death reaching for me, eager to strangle all hope from the atmosphere. The three of us all shuffled quietly over to the corner where the shadows fell like an entity, shrouding us in darkness.
A shrill, wailing sound cut through the air, sending a scurry of fear up my spine. From the open area, just outside the room from where we hid, we heard a low growling, like a wild animal approaching his prey and ready to pounce. The three of stayed as still and silent as we could, barely daring to breath and madly hoping we wouldn’t gain the attention of the wicked wraith.
After minutes of hearing the foul being swirl through the space and making the most intimidating noises; grunting, sniffing, hissing and low growls that sent shivers of fear through me, the clamor finally diminished and the profound weightiness in the air lifted. Waiting a few minutes more, I moved to the doorway and peered around the corner. Blackness stared at me, the wide open space looked back to normal, and yet at the far end I happened to notice a shimmering disjointedness to the wall that hugged the street on the opposite side.
Pulling myself back into the room, I returned to the corner where Jolon and Kibou waited and placed a finger to my lips. Both men stayed in their positions and remained as quiet as warriors in an ambush. I hoped beyond hope that the Tonrar had not seen me. They are known to catch people alone and unawares and rip them to shreds. There were three of us so I hoped that would give us some advantage if we were discovered.
We waited for minutes on end but heard nothing more. I slowly inched back toward the doorway, looked toward the far wall and noticed that it no longer shimmered and swayed. I scanned the rest of the room for any sign of deviation or manipulation. Everything seemed normal and at rest. Releasing a tense sigh, I turned toward the men and motioned for them to follow me.
Gathering in the open space, in the middle of ash, debris and decomposed bodies, we made our final plans.
“Should I bring the women I am staying with?” I asked. “Or should we send one person per household to ensure that not all of us are exposed should the Tonrar choose to visit again?”
Kibou nodded. “Yes, one person per household or area and they can inform the rest.”
Jolon agreed. All three of us were still spooked by the Tonrar’s appearance tonight and we were all eager to leave.
“So you two will contact everyone, let them know of the meeting?” I asked.
Kibou said, “Yes.”
Jolon looked at me. “You have to be here for the meeting. Everyone will want to see you. My father has told quite a few of them of his dreams and many have been longing for your arrival.”
I suspected this and had anticipated the request. I nodded.
We parted ways and I cautiously made my way back to the street and, staying close to shadows and doorways to hide in should it be necessary, I headed home. I kept my eyes open for any mischief but also for any sign of Bodil’s presence. I wondered if she’d stayed safe with the Tonrar so close.
I’d walked a block down when I heard a noise in the alleyway up ahead and stopped. I listened carefully before continuing.
“It’s me, Bodil.”
Releasing a sigh of relief, I kept walking, noticed Bodil stick her head around the corner and she fully emerged to step beside me and, with a quick stride, we headed home.
“Did you see it?” I asked.
“The Tonrar? No. But I heard enough to hide myself and stay concealed.”
We walked the rest of the way in silence. When we arrived back at Bodil’s residence, I and the other three women sat around their table and I informed them of my meeting with Jolon and his father.
“So, you’re the only one that will attend the meeting?” Enyo asked with disappointment.
“That’s right. We can’t afford to expose our group. With a Tonrar showing up tonight, we were made more aware of the danger we are in.”
“Why don’t we meet during daylight hours? Wouldn’t that eliminate some of the vulnerability?” asked Akiko.
Bodil responded, “It might remove some risk but, during the day, we would be more easily spotted by informers. Groups meeting without express permission are strictly outlawed. Both night and day pose significant perils. I’d like to propose that night time vigils would present the least amount of danger.”
“Meetings are outlawed?” Akiko asked, her face incredulous.
Enyo added, “Yes. Casimer is paranoid of being conspired against. No meetings are allowed that he doesn’t specifically sanction.”
I glanced at Akiko as understanding hit. The knowledge of the repressive measures of Dwarkaa were striking both of us full force.
“The Tonrar will be our biggest problem,” I suggested.
“If we’re discovered by them, that will be the beginning of our problems,” Bodil said. “They will inform Casimer and the Royal Guard. We will be rounded up, questioned, tortured, maybe imprisoned but most likely killed.”
Enyo added, “And the potential threat to Casimer will be systematically eliminated.”
I said, “We will need to be extra vigilant. We will need guards to watch for incoming trouble while we meet and some type of signal to warn the rest of us.”
As we all became thoughtful, Enyo suddenly stood and went to the corner by her sleeping mat on the floor and rummaged through her belongings. She returned holding a small shaft of wood with holes along one side. Taking her seat at the table, she placed the wooden item between her open lips and blew. The sound it made was melodious and filled the space with a shrill lilt.
“That’s very loud and will draw attention.”
Enyo smiled at me and said, “But listen to this.” She blew it again, softer this time and with a trill to it that made it sound like a bird’s song off in a distance tree branch somewhere.
Bodil shook here head. “Birds don’t typically chirp in the middle of the night.”
“Do the Tonrar know this? Or will they even pay attention?” Enyo asked.
I said, “It is a natural sound, one that could go undetected by the Tonrar.”
Akiko said, “But we would hear it. It would warn those attending the meeting and we could hide in time.”
“Exactly,” Enyo declared.
“What do you call it?” I asked.
“It is a reed pipe. I made it from a reed Bodil found at the dump.”
With a nod, I said, “That should work well in issuing a warning.”
“What if the Tonrar do come while we meet? Where would everyone hide?” Bodil asked.
“The burned out building has rooms off of the main open area that should conceal everyone well. The shadows in the corners of the rooms are darker than night and will provide sufficient cover, as long as there is complete silence among us.”
This satisfied the other three. Bodil stood and said, “We need to get some sleep, Tomorrow’s another busy day.”
Akiko and I left and headed to our own residence a few doors down.
Two days later, under cover of night, I again navigated the streets to the allotted meeting place, the charred, debilitated building that reeked of decaying bodies. This time Enyo accompanied me but she took a different route. No one was allowed to come in pairs or groups. The word had gone out from Kibou that each revolutionary was to arrive alone and spaced out so as not to draw attention.
I once more sneaked into the side window which deposited me into a small room. From there I cautiously made my way to the doorway, chose to stay hidden and watched. This time I’d brought a cloth that I’d tied around my neck. I lifted it to cover my mouth and nose to filter out some of the rotting odor that threatened to make me gag.
There were six people already gathered. They stood near the bank of doors leading into side rooms and they were completely silent. I watched as others began to arrive and the group slowly grew. This time there was no lantern to light up the space and I was glad for it. Kibou was one of the last to enter the building. Although the space was very dark, I could tell his slow gait anywhere. Jolon was not with him.
I estimated there were at least twenty-five waiting for me to make my entrance and I doubted that everyone abided by the rule of only one person per household. There were too many waiting. And I knew there were others outside keeping watch. Enyo, her reed pipe on hand, was one of them.
As I approached the small group, Kibou grunted oddly and they all turned and stared at me with wide eyes. Some knelt on a knee as I came, their way of showing honor no doubt.
“Get up,” I said briskly.
They stood.
“We are all in this together. You cannot lift me above anyone else here. If I am captured or killed, this movement must go on.”
“But you are the one to lead us to victory,” stated a man I estimate was in his early twenties.
Keeping my voice low, I said, “Remember this, there are no guarantees of anything. I don’t plan on being captured or killed anytime soon but I can make no promises. Our adversary is powerful and seems to know a lot of what happens on Dwarkaa. We have a great deal of work ahead of us and we must keep our heads on straight. This will be a long journey, not a sprint. The work that will be required of each of us will be intense and filled with peril. If anyone is not up for the task you can bow out now before it’s too late. I for one am committed unto death. Removing Casimer from ruling our world is my life’s goal and I will not abdicate until I have finished my race.”
Kibou said, “I am with you all the way. If I die, I die.”
Everyone, one by one, promised the same. I didn’t t have a lot of faith in this group. They all looked beaten down by life, most of them thin and emaciated, struggling to stay alive. They were clearly not warriors and had no idea of the viciousness of a battle.
“So, what’s the plan? Where should we start?” a middle aged man asked.
“I have been here on Dwarkaa a short time but I have been observing, gathering information. Some of you likely have ideas of what could be done. I’d like to hear those first.”
The middle aged man said, “My name is…”
I interrupted him quickly. “Don’t tell me your name! I don’t want to know anyone’s name. There is too much risk of being informed on by one that may not be sincere or by one that decides to abdicate their part in this revolution. We will go by monikers only. My nickname is Neesh. You will all refer to me as such.”
I looked at Kibou and wondered if he’d already revealed my real name to them all.
The man tried again, “You may call me Shadow. I suggest that some of us begin to follow, shadow, the Royal Guard when they come to pay visits to our neighborhoods. We watch and listen, when they come, how often they come, where they enter from, when they leave and so on. I’ve done it once, followed a Royal Guard to his home. I know where one of Casimer’s employees lives.”
There were a few shocked expressions that flowed through the group.
He continued, “If we could go to their homes when they are out on duty, find a way inside, take weapons, ammunition and whatever we can find, we can begin to stockpile items for the coming revolution.”
A woman, with a smile on her lips, spoke next, “My name is Risk. I suggest that we only go into a Casimer employee’s home once, never more. Once a Royal Guard is stolen from they will hire guards to watch for thieves while they are away from home.”
I said, “Agreed. Everyone interested in joining that mission will speak to Shadow.”
Risk said, “I offer my services to shadow a Royal Guard. I have watched the one who comes to my neighborhood and I already know most of his schedule.”
A teenage girl, I estimated was around eighteen, spoke next. “My name is Thief. I was born starving, orphaned at three, but I have learned to take what I need and know how to survive on the streets. I stole a residence when I was eight and have lived there since. Stealing comes easily for me and, most of the time no one suspects that it’s me. I will begin to take extra, train others to do the same. We need enough food to ensure we stay strong, able to endure the rigors of what will be required of us.”
“And where will this food be stockpiled?” I asked.
“I will keep it in my residence but every time we meet, I and whoever decides to join me, will hand it out to those gathered.”
“All right. Speak to Thief if you are interested in learning her trade.”
A few others gave suggestions of what they could do, things they were already doing and aware of. I liked their ideas.
I said, “I know of someone, who is not in attendance tonight,” I was speaking of Akiko but decided to keep that quiet for now, “who has carefully studied the contraptions of torture and death at the killing centers in the squares. She knows how to booby trap them, make them backfire and bring destruction or death to the Royal Guards inflicting harm.”
“No,” stated a young man. “If we do that Casimer will come with greater force and teach us all a lesson. He does not tolerate the populace attacking his men.”
“What is your name?”
“Safe. Safety above stupidity is my moto.”
He was smart but cocky. I determined to keep an eye on him. “But, if we make it appear as though it was faulty equipment, broken laces and or decomposing wood that caused it, we could perhaps do some damage undetected and without Casimer retaliating.”
Kibou said, “If we slowly compromise their equipment, perhaps Casimer’s Royal Guard will attribute it to natural wear and tear and won’t think much of it. We do need to be very careful that we don’t abuse this avenue or else Casimer’s wrath could descend with vengeance.”
A bird’s call, the signal of danger, filtered through a broken window facing the street and all of us immediately fell silent.
