Ebony landed by a small lake, behind a stand of trees, well back from a row of houses. As soon as Suma and I descended from the saddles, the mighty beast walked over to the edge of the water and drank lustily. We’d worn him out. My knife attack to his side to stop my fall earlier had probably taken a toll on this gentle giant.
Suma turned to me, held my gaze for a moment and, as though she knew my thoughts, said, “Ebony has fully forgiven you. The elixir I administered to him has completely healed his wound.”
I nodded and turned away.
There were other Noble Ones in this landing, holding area. I waited while Suma went to Ebony and gave him her instructions. She spoke to him as though to a fellow warrior, telling him to return to the den when he was done drinking. He released a low sound deep in his throat and I knew it was his agreement, his way of telling her he would obey.
We walked side by side on a wide pathway that led toward the houses. My mind still felt undone by the encounter of flying through the sky on a Noble One.
Drue stood at the end of the path waiting for us. As soon as we approached she smiled and said, “How was your ride?”
All her smiles still irritated me. I said, “I plunged my knife into Ebony’s side.”
Drue’s smile vanished and she turned concerned eyes to Suma.
“It’s true. Xiomara was about to fall. She used her knife to stop herself. We landed and I used the healing elixir on Ebony. He’s fine and a connection was made.”
Drue clapped her hands and said, “Wonderful! That’s what I was hoping for.”
Wonderful? I wounded one of the Noble Ones and it was a good thing? Or was it good that a connection was made? I felt confused.
Drue didn’t give me a chance to ask. She wrapped her arm through mine and led me down the street toward the business section. “I think after all that adventure, you deserve to taste some of Roe’s spectacular baked goods. There is no finer bakery in all of Tarmon.”
Suma walked on my other side and said, “It’s true. You will thoroughly enjoy her mini pies and tart dumpling squares.”
I could not envision what they were talking about. I had no clue what to expect and really didn’t feel like another encounter with this place. My emotions were strung tight with all I’d already experienced. Everything I’d learned pressed on my mind, threatening to break my strength and composure. But I stayed quiet and allowed the two women to lead me.
We arrived at Roe’s Bakery, stepped inside and Drue showed me to a table close to the window, allowing me to finally sit. Suma sat with me. I felt unbearably exhausted and it must have shown.
Drue went to the counter, requested some items and soon returned, her arms carrying a tray filled with the most delectable, pretty food I’d ever seen and large mugs of steaming liquid. The aroma made my stomach growl in anticipation.
Suma said, “You must try a little of each. They are even tastier than what they appear.” She followed that with a bright smile as though she were anticipating my reaction.
Drue handed me one of the large mugs. I took it and sniffed. It smelled amazing and I raised my eyes to lock on Drue’s face.
“It’s called hot cocoa. I think you’ll enjoy it.”
I lifted the mug and took a sip, the warm liquid soothing the anxiety I’d been feeling all day. I kept sipping the delicious drink until I’d downed half of it. A tangible calm settled over me and that a drink could have such an effect was incredible.
Suma said, “Roe puts some special elixir in with her hot cocoa and it has this effect on everyone who drinks it. It’s a boon encounter in every sense of the word.”
Drue said, “This is why I wanted to take you here. I knew you would require this after what you’ve been through today.”
Sitting across from me, Drue took a sip of her own drink. Her face relaxed further which shocked me. I didn’t think it was possible for her to look more tranquil that what she usually did.
The two talked while I cautiously tested the surreal food before me. I was glad I could focus on eating and not have to converse. The day had been long, too long. From the meeting this morning in the clearing, to the bird sanctuary and on to a ride on a Noble One, there was much to process. Every item of food that I tried tasted light and airy and sweeter to the taste than what I’d ever experienced before. I couldn’t stop from devouring every single item. I chased it down with the drink they called hot cocoa and I suddenly felt completely relaxed and at ease.
Tarmon suddenly and unexpectedly seemed like the perfect place to be, to exist and I had an uncanny desire to stay.
Drue glanced at me and said, “Would you like more hot cocoa?”
I nodded and she went to get some more.
When she returned, I took the drink from her hand and took a long swig.
She smiled at me from across the table and said, “You will sleep well tonight.”
“I might fall asleep at this table,” I said.
“You won’t. But it will definitely extend the tranquility you’re feeling.”
As I sipped the hot drink, Drue and Suma chatted about things I didn’t understand. My heart began to twist oddly in my chest. Seeing mother and daughter enjoying each other’s company bothered me. I’d hated my mother at the end. Now, watching the two interact, I suddenly missed her terribly and wished I could change the last words I’d said to her. She didn’t deserve my hatred. Her kind heartedness had been a rarity and I didn’t understand it while she was alive. Being here on Tarmon, I unexpectedly knew why she retained such softness of heart. She’d been visited by Towsaj in her sleep. The gentleness of Tarmon had influenced her and I never understood until then.
Finishing my drink and having enough of watching the two in amiable camaraderie, I stood and walked to the door. Drue and Suma both turned to look at me.
Drue nodded and said, “It’s time to go.”
Suma walked with us as we headed back to Drue’s house. It was getting late and the sun was beginning its descent on the horizon. The further we walked the more my agitation returned. The day’s activities had been too much for me.
“I want to leave Tarmon tonight,” I finally said, not being able to contain my turbulent emotions one more moment.
Suma chuckled, which only angered me and I felt for my knife at my waist.
Drue said, “It’s getting late and to travel over the rough water of the seas at night would not be the best.”
I knew she was right. It would be suicide to make the journey at night.
“When can I leave?” I asked, feeling feeble for having to ask permission.
“You can leave at first morning light.”
I nodded. “That’s what I’ll do.”
Suma was eyeing me. I refused to look at her but I could sense her focus on me. “We’ll miss you, Xiomara.”
I didn’t respond. I wouldn’t miss them. I longed for home.
At Drue’s house, Suma said goodbye and left quickly, walking off down the cobblestone street, her light, airy riding garb billowing around her legs in the slight breeze. I still wasn’t used to her flimsy and delicate garments. They’d be useless on my Akoni Farrin.
I waited while Drue prepared another bath for me up in my room. As soon as it was ready I retreated to my upstairs bedroom and closed the door. To finally be alone felt wonderful. As I sunk into the warm water I could feel my body relaxing and the tension leave my shoulders. The elixir in the hot cocoa also contributed to my tranquil state.
Later, I awoke with a start, quickly scrubbed my body and my hair and dried off with the towel Drue had left for me. I dressed, went through the tangles in my hair with the tool Drue had pointed out to me, something she called a brush, and headed downstairs. The aroma wafting toward me as I entered the kitchen took my breath away. I suddenly felt famished and was thankful for the food here and for Drue’s adept cooking ability.
After the meal, we retreated to the chairs on the porch. As soon as we settled on the chairs, the chirping of birds in the trees, that surrounded Drue’s house, filled my ears. I still wasn’t used to the abundance of fowl on Tarman.
Drue had prepared some hot drink for us to sip on. It tasted different than the last drink she’d prepared. After a few gulps I again felt my body relax significantly. I stared at her suspiciously. If she wanted to poison me I was an easy target.
She only smiled in response and said, “This has been quite the adventure, hasn’t it?”
“It’s been too much.”
Nodding, she said, “No more than the constant warring in your world.”
“I enjoy killing.”
“It’s amazing what the human soul can become accustomed to.”
“It’s the only way to survive in Dwarkaa’s Domain.”
Drue looked pensive. “Are you sure about that?”
“It’s the only way the clans know how to live.”
“But wouldn’t it be interesting if another way could be introduced?”
“How? Casimer rules everything.”
“He thinks he does. He knows only what his cronies know.”
“What about the Tonrar? They see everything and are everywhere.”
Drue shook her head. “Are you certain of this?”
I didn’t know how to respond.
Drue continued. “I’ve heard that the Tonrar are terrified of enclosed places. They refuse to enter into caves, anything encased in rock. Is this true?”
Yes it’s true. I didn’t respond; I simply stared at her, wanting her to expound on her ideas.
“What if someone, who’s seen a different way to live, would begin to introduce new ideas to the clans?”
“My mother tried that. Little good that did,” I said bitterly.
Drue nodded. “She was of little importance to the clan. She was a mother, a woman, simply a warrior.”
“That’s all I am. I can do nothing to change things. And I’m not repeating my mother’s errors.”
“So then why did you come, Xiomara?”
“Because I was summoned.”
“You could have refused.”
I’d never even considered that. I always thought that if Tarmon summoned someone it came with obligation. I’d heard tales from the journals of history of a rare few who were summoned, refused to go and who mysteriously passed away in their sleep.
As if Drue read my mind, she said, “Those who died did so from fear. Their terror was their undoing. Fear is capable of doing much damage to the human body. The summoning had nothing to do with their deaths.”
I stared at her wondering how many of my thoughts she could read.
She smiled brightly. “Your face gives you away. I don’t know what you’re thinking. I’m only making guesses based on what I see in your eyes and your facial expression.”
I waved my hand out toward the street and the houses lining the far side. “So all of this was pointless? I never needed to come?”
“Oh yes, you needed to come. But you could have refused.” Drue studied me for a moment. “Why did you come, Xiomara?”
I pondered that question carefully before answering. Finally I said, “I was curious. I was promised that I would return home alive. Without that I don’t think I would have taken the chance. I don’t despise my existence to that extent.”
“And what did you expect to find on Tarmon?”
“Information.”
“Information about what?”
“A possible Tarmon clan. I needed to know if anyone lived here. Ngangi, our leader, encouraged me, if I discovered a clan here, to find any weaknesses, the best way to approach without detection and the most efficient way of decimating the population.”
Drue nodded thoughtfully. “Interesting.”
Her lack of concern or fear rattled me.
“Would it be possible to attack Tarmon?” I asked her.
She smiled. “What do you think?”
I looked out toward the horizon. The sun was cut in half as it hugged the edge of the hill. Soon it would disappear from view. This was the last sunset I’d see and I kept my eyes peeled on the bright orb as I said, “I don’t think any farrin clan in Dwarkaa’s Domain could penetrate Tarmon.”
“You’re correct. No one comes here unless they are granted access.”
Anger rose in my chest again. The drastic differences infuriated me. It wasn’t right to keep this perfection away from the rest of the clans. I turned to Drue and said, “I demand council with Tawsaj tonight!”
Drue looked surprised. “That is not a wise request.”
In one motion I stood, withdrew my knife and rushed toward her. I’m one of the fastest warriors of my clan and I caught Drue by surprise as I reached her, grabbed her roughly and whisked her into a headlock, the knife at her throat. “You will arrange it now!”
“Xiomara. Xiomara. Xiomara.”
I heard my name called three times and it came softly, as though the wind itself spoke to me. I searched the general vicinity for the source of the voice but saw nothing. Thoughts of the Tonrar came to me but I was sure they couldn’t exist here or penetrate this perfect environment. I’d not seen or witnessed any such cruelty in this place.
“Who’s there?” I demanded.
“You wanted to speak with me.” The voice echoed around me and yet I still couldn’t see the being who spoke.
“Who are you?”
“I am Towsaj. What did you want with me, Xiomara?”
I felt a warm wind in my face as the voice spoke. It unnerved me and I loosened my grip on Drue. She slipped to the floor of the porch and I stepped away from her, returning my knife to the belt at my waist. When I finally found my tongue, I asked, “Why did you bring me here?”
“You will be the catalyst for change.”
“I can’t bring change! Nothing in Dwarkaa’s Domain ever changes! Don’t ask this of me!” I was screaming at the air and was desperate to see who was speaking, who this Towsaj really was. He stayed hidden.
The wind spoke again. “Things around you will begin to change. Tarmon will see to it. Listen and you will know what to do. Look and you will understand.”
“Why do things need to change?”
“Many have been crying out for revolution. It’s time.”
The warmth of the words gently flowing over my face brought some calm to my frazzled emotions and yet the fear I battled overwhelmed me. “I can’t do it by myself!”
“You won’t have to. There are others that have been summoned and I will help you.” The voice grew softer and the echo gradually faded away.
I knew that Towsaj was withdrawing from me. How I knew this I’m not sure. The warmth of his presence left and a cool breeze replaced it. The chirping of the birds in the trees around us came back with force and I then realized that they’d grown silent with Towsaj’s coming.
I turned to look at Drue, who had risen and resettled herself back into her chair. She eyed me cautiously and pointed to the chair I’d been sitting in earlier.
As I sat, guilt filled me at how I’d treated her. She’d been only kind to me the whole time I’d been with her. “I’m sorry for what I did,” I finally said, choking on the words as though they were dust.
“I forgive you.”
We both finished our hot drinks. Drue stood and said, “You need to get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a grueling day for you.”
Exhaustion hit me as I stood and followed her indoors. Speaking to Towsaj had undone me and I couldn’t speak if I tried.
