Through intense clouds filled with dust and debris, the land mass of Renuka Farrin gradually came into view. The ship rocked violently on the angry waves as we navigated toward the dock. Gradually the waters calmed as the Tonrar stilled the sea for our approach.
The Tonrar had made an appearance when we neared the first land mass on our farrin patrol. I had grown accustomed to the weightiness in the atmosphere when they were near. The vicious Tonrar were predominantly focused on monopolizing the clans from the various land masses and would goad the killing spree. This focus usually kept them from terrorizing the captain or the Apolake Warriors on board.
The mooring crew sprang into action as the ship’s starboard side approached the dock. After the ship was secured, Captain Einar ordered the men, who had volunteered earlier, I being one of them, to lower the gangplank and disembark. Three of us took the lead, Captain Einar followed and three other Apolake Warriors trailed him onto the dock.
We walked to the edge of the rough-hewn wood structure and unto the sandy beach. The bubble of calm that protected us and shrouded us in safety from the violent wind was a bonus. I could see the effect of the stubborn vicious weather on the Renuka Clan members who were assembled on the beach. Their archaic leather garments and their tousled hair were blown about and lacerated by the sand-filled breeze.
The clan leaders were at the head of the large clan which was assembled to meet us. The farrin population was required to gather well in advance and be waiting for us. Any clan that refused this condition or members who leisurely wandered in after we’d already arrived were punished severely to ensure that it never happened again.
Every farrin clan has a watchtower and gives warning when they see Dwarkaa’s ship approach. The clan knows to hurry to the beach to give a proper welcome to Casimer’s arm of rule, the ship crew and its captain and the Apolake Warriors on board.
I studied the Renuka Clan Ring of Power – those in the clan leadership – more carefully than I ever had before, wondering which of them went by the name of Kuno.
Captain Einar turned to the main clan leader and said, “Mabuz, how many infants have been born since our last visit?”
“Ten.”
“That many?”
“Ask the Tonrar. They know.”
The Tonrar are very thorough in their investigation of each farrin. They flow through the clan quickly and invisibly, documenting numbers, births and deaths and either confirm the leader’s numbers or reveal the lies. Dishonesty is not permitted and any attempt to do so comes with severe consequences.
“Answer the question,” Captain Einar demanded.
“Yes, there have been ten born,” Mabuz said, hate in his eyes.
“And how many deaths?”
“None since your last visit.”
“We’ll be sure to adjust that number this day.”
A murmuring arose from the Renuka Clan populace that littered the beach. A few sobs and some whimpers radiated from new mothers.
“Chose two young warriors to be sacrificed and two toddlers to be taken to Dwarkaa.”
“Why so many?” asked Mabuz, fury creasing his brow.
“It is what Casimer demands for the privilege of serving him.”
Mabuz’s anger was palpable. He looked ready to charge and attack but he contained his baser instincts and turned to his fellow clan leaders and discussed which children could be spared. I strained to hear what was said.
Mabuz called out the name Siyamak and ordered him to go constrain a young warrior for the sacrifice. He called out another name, Sephtis, to collect the other young teen. They were instructed to bind them and assist them to the sacrifice site. Then he turned to a more seasoned man whom he called Kuno, and instructed him to collect the two toddlers for transfer to the ship crew.
I stared at Kuno and wondered how he was different than any other Renuka clan member. I watched him walk resolutely toward the rest of the clan scattered across the beach. Mothers clung to their offspring in hopes that they would be spared. He approached one woman and tore her toddler from her arms. She screamed, wailed and fought as Kuno ruthlessly kept her at bay while holding the child at arms length from her. Another man, sent to help Kuno, grabbed the child and walked away toward the ship. The woman tried to claw at Kuno’s face. He pushed her violently so that she stumbled backward and fell to the sand.
Kuno appeared unaffected by the brutality of the job as he searched for the second child the leadership had decided to release to Casimer’s demands. When he spotted the mother and child, he set off doggedly to retrieve her offspring and did so efficiently and without feeling. The mother’s distraught cries and screams didn’t seem to affect him in the least.
I saw nothing in the man that was different than any other man in a farrin leadership position. He followed his clan leader without fault and did his duty instinctively. His face held no emotion one way or the other. Fury did not crease his brow, concern seemed far from him and yet he seemed anything but subservient. Every man from every farrin that held a position in the Clan Ring of Power performed his duty like clockwork. I wondered what Kranti saw in him that he viewed more different than others.
I was one of the few selected to continue on to Qurban Rock, the place of sacrifice, to ensure the young warriors were martyred as planned. One other Apolake Warrior was also chosen to accompany Einar to the sacrifice site, three of us all together. Qurban Rock was located high on a mountainous plateau further back from the beach. The clan members were all required to attend and the trek up to the sacrifice site was laborious for them.
The Renuka clan members began to disperse as they made their way to the caverns and tunnels that would lead them to Qurban Rock.
Einar delegated the storing of the toddlers within the ship’s hold and took time to speak to the man in charge of the abducted children, ensuring that they be properly taken care of so that they would arrive alive when we reached Dwarkaa.
Einar eventually returned to the beach and summoned the Tonrar. The Tonrar’s presence became thicker and the oppressiveness around the three of us heavier. A nefarious dark cloud formed a cocoon about us, an evil so tangible it made my skin vibrate in terror. We and the dark cloud became one as it transferred us vaporously through the air and to the sacrifice area. The Tonrar’s assistance was difficult but necessary, their help increasing our efficiency.
When our feet hit the stony plateau, the dark heinous cloud dissipated from around us until we could see the clan gathering for the ceremony. When the Tonrar departed from our bodies the lightness that remained brought on a feeling of buoyancy and euphoria.
I walked toward Qurban Rock and waited for the clan to assemble. Kuno and some of the other leadership were the first to arrive at the site. It took some time for the rest of the clan members to assemble. I positioned myself across from Kuno and studied the man. He stood with his peers, on the far side of the Qurban Rock, his eyes on the proceedings. I wanted a good view of his face.
Einar gave the command and two seasoned members of the Renuka Clan were selected to perform the sacrifice. The young warriors were laid out on the sacrifice rock and the whole clan began the expected chant and worship to Casimer. Although the young warriors appeared terrified of their impending deaths they remained surprisingly stoic. The vaporous forms of the Tonrar swirled in dark loops through the assembly as their excitement grew, encouraging, abetting and reveling in the blood letting.
Kuno stood resolutely, unmoving, his lips repeating the words that were memorized and expected. His stony face looked hardened by this worlds demands but something in his features caught my attention. The way he looked my way, the spark in his eyes told me there was more to this man than what I’d first thought.
Kuno slowly moved, walking around the members of his clan as they chanted and their bodies gyrated to the malevolent influence of the Tonrar. I was surprised that Kuno seemed unaffected by the Tonrar’s evil presence. He obviously learned to control his terror and baser instincts like any strong warrior. As Kuno made his way toward me, I placed my hand on the hilt of my knife, tucked in at my waist. He kept his eyes averted as he sidled up next to me and spoke just above a whisper.
“You’re name is Razmig and you are part of Kranti’s plan.”
I was confident the Tonrar would not be listening to our conversation. They were too consumed in the killing to care. I whispered back without looking at him, my eyes fixed on the ceremony. “How do you know this?”
“I was given a night vision and saw you in my sleep.”
“You should not be speaking to me. Einar might see and punish us both.”
“I’m not afraid of that dog.”
“Don’t speak thus.”
After a few moments Kuno said, “I have joined Kranti.”
“Can you be trusted?”
“Yes.”
“How will I know?”
“When you see me on Dwarkaa Farrin.”
I glanced at him and stared.
Kuno said, “Look away, you fool.”
I did as he asked but my mind was reeling. I finally said, “It’s too soon.”
“When I come, it will be the right time.”
“What’s the plan?”
“We will know. The night visions will tell us.”
“Yes. Now go.”
Kuno slowly walked away, back to where he’d been, and took his place beside his clan leader, Mabuz.
The ceremony went on without a hitch, the young warrior’s bodies still and lifeless, the parents’ cries rising to the dust clouded sun and the clan’s tired and relieved faces filling my vision. Einar summoned the Tonrar to assist in our decent while the Renuka Clan members wandered back to the caves and tunnels to descend to the beach. A numb silence now shrouded the clan as they dispersed.
The Tonrar’s dark presence overwhelmed us once again as they transported us back to the beach. We boarded the ship, the ropes were untied and the vessel was steered out to the open sea.
I retreated to my tight quarters to contemplate what I’d learned. Revolution suddenly seemed more real with Kuno joining the effort. I wondered how many more clan members from other farrins had been conscripted for the revolt. I also wondered what Casimer would do when he learned of it.
I knew that if he did hear of it, he would send in the force of his army and the revolution would be snuffed out in its infancy, just as the young warriors’ lives we’d just extinguished. Casimer seemed all powerful, unstoppable, his brutality and lust for domination all-consuming. At times terror overwhelmed me at what I had agreed to join. And yet, Suma was right. Serving Casimer was not really living; it was a slow torturous death.
For the most part, revolt against Casimer’s reign put a skip in my step and a purpose in my future.
A horrific scream from the deck drew my attention and I hurried to see what was happening above me.
