I began scribing the events of this mission to hopefully one day share with my clan leader, Xiomara. This was what she requested of me. Only if I survived my assignment would I be successful in handing the scrolls over to her.
Xiomara is a powerful clan leader and also one of my best friends. When she asked me to leave my home land mass, Akoni Farrin, and travel to Dwarkaa Farrin with the ship I couldn’t refuse her. I would have done anything for her. After all, she’d been the brave one who visited the mystery island everyone was terrified of and survived to speak of it.
I was well aware that the mission to the Capital Farrin of Dwarkaa brought with it many risks and much danger. I was not certain that I would ever set foot on my home land mass again. Every one of my fellow clan members who volunteered for this assignment was taking great risk. We were entering enemy territory, disguised as Dwarkaa-born, dressed as Apolake Warriors, about to infiltrate Dwarkaa and Casimer’s Domain. If any of us would get captured it would endanger the rest and death would surely follow.
The captain of the ship, Razmig, and one other man, Andrei, were the only crew members who were citizens of Dwarkaa Farrin. The rest of us were imposters sent to hide among the masses and then eventually infiltrate the governance of the capital. Fear scurried along my spine when I thought on the possibilities of us being discovered. I’d heard enough Dwarkaa tales of torture and dismemberment to set my bones to rattling. I’d seen enough of their treachery when their ship would visit our shore to fill my heart with dread.
As I stood on the ship’s deck by the rail, I wiped my mouth with my sleeve after having emptied the contents of a meal for the second time in a day. I was not accustomed to spending this many days on the turbulent seas. I noticed a fellow warrior approaching me from the aft.
Turning toward him, I asked, “What is it?”
“Captain Razmig is asking for an audience with you in his quarters.”
“When?”
“As soon as you are able.”
I nodded and the man left.
Gathering my wits about me, willing my stomach to settle, my thoughts swung to the captain of this ship. Razmig was forced to endure much since he left Dwarkaa Farrin and traveled to the southeastern land masses, the place where I am from. His entire ship crew, minus one, was killed while journeying south. They were cremated by my very own clan members on Akoni Farrin. Razmig was furious with the death of his crew and he suspected my farrin was largely at fault. Only after some serious deprogramming did he come around and agree to this mission, joining with Akoni Farrin’s plan.
I headed down the hatch to the aft section where Razmig’s living quarters were located. Knocking at his door, I heard his voice bidding me admittance.
I entered cautiously, wondering what Razmig might want. I didn’t fully trust him. He sat at a small table; his had resting on a handgun that lay on top of his desk. I was fully aware that he detested my position in the mission. Xiomara boldly placed me in charge of all on board this ship.
“So, the great Viveka has obeyed my command.”
“You think that because I came at your summons that I am somehow beneath you?”
“I am captain of this ship and as long as we sail these rough seas I am in charge.”
Although Razmig was resolute in returning to Dwarkaa Farrin I did notice the fear in his eyes. Every crew member was aware of how dangerous the mission was. There was another thing I detected in his eyes. He despised my position, predominantly because I was a woman.
I doubted that he had been fully deprogrammed from Dwarkaa’s influence. If any part of Dwarkaa’s agenda remained in his soul, he could expose me and my fellow Akoni clan members and have us killed upon arrival.
When I didn’t respond, his left hand moved to the hilt of a knife tucked at his waist while his other kept cradling the handgun.
I fingered the weapon in my holster, a short, double-edged sword, letting him know I could not be easily intimidated. With a cynical smile, I said, “I know very little of commanding a ship. I’ll leave that to you. But, if I notice the vessel steering off course or any subversive maneuvers being conducted, I will respond accordingly. The majority of the warriors on this ship would die for me. They will certainly defend me at all cost.”
“I have no intention of abdicating the mission. I am as eager to see Casimer removed from ruling our world as any clan member.”
“It’s a good thing the Tonrar are not with us on this journey.”
“I would not speak of the mission if they were in the vicinity.”
The Tonrar’s absence emboldened us to speak openly of our disdain for our world’s ruler.
I said, “Although I’ll leave the control of the ship’s journey to you, I remind you that I am the one in command of this mission.”
Staring at me condescendingly, Razmig released a sound of disgust. “You deceive yourself. We are being led around by the invisible. We see night visions and dreams and we are dim witted enough to believe them. We actually follow a leader we have never seen.”
“That may be true but you forget that these visions we receive are completely out of the ordinary.”
Silence stretched for a moment. “When did they begin for you?” he asked.
“Perhaps two years ago.”
Dreams are unprecedented under Casimer’s rule. Were he to hear that the populace was receiving them, he would destroy everyone who encounters them. Visions are considered a form of rebellion and are outlawed.”
Razmig sighed loudly and remained silent for a long minute, his eyes roaming my frame, head to toe. I resented his gaze.
Finally he said, “For me the dreams began about the same time, two years ago.” Razmig stood and began to pace. “I don’t know why Casimer banned them. No one ever dreamed anyway.”
“Not until recently.”
“Let’s hope he never hears of it.”
Razmig came around to the front of his desk and sat on it. “I didn’t summon you here to discuss the dreams.”
“Why did you call for me? To remind me that you’re the captain? To threaten me?”
Razmig stared at me for a moment before answering. “You tended my wound while on Akoni Farrin. The injury healed very quickly, within hours. I want to know how that is possible. What did you use? What is in the ointment you applied?”
“So many questions. I am not your servant and I am not obligated to tell you anything.”
He stood upright, fury lit his face and I was sure he would attack me in that moment. I braced, ready to remove one of my throwing knives and hurtle it toward his skull. Moments passed, both of us ready for a violent confrontation. Slowly his anger subsided, the veins on his forehead eased and the frantic heaving of his chest calmed.
Despite his frustration over my position and my strength of character, I could tell he was attracted to me. Me tending to his wounds while still on Akoni Farrin gave him the wrong impression. I am not some lowly servant girl sent to attend him or his base needs. I am a mighty warrior, second in command on my farrin and know my fighting strengths well.
Composing himself further, he said, “Should I remind you that the only reason you are on this mission, the only reason it is feasible for you to travel to Dwarkaa is because I have agreed to sail the ship there? Without me there is no way you would be going. You would never find your way through these treacherous waters.”
“We would have found another way.”
“Any other way would have been a death wish. I am your ticket to get onto Dwarkaa Farrin. I deserve some allegiance and respect.”
I stared at him and thought this over. He did have a point but I worried that he would attempt to manipulate and control me. I refused to allow any man to have power over me, especially a man who believed he was above me in rank simply due to his sex. I finally decided to divulge some information, enough to keep him satisfied.
Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out a satchel. Razmig lifted his handgun and pointed it at me. I opened my hand assuring him that I hadn’t drawn a weapon. “This is the ointment.”
He lowered his weapon and watched as I removed a vial from the satchel and held it up. “There is a plant that has begun to grow on Akoni that contains incredible healing properties. Tarman Farrin revealed to us the power in its leaves. Ever since this unveiling, we have purposely planted and harvested the plant and consistently implemented the technique to draw out this healing ointment.”
Razmig took a step closer. “May I see it?”
I handed it over. He held up the vial to the minimal light emanating from his oil lantern. After studying the liquid for a few moments, he handed it back.
“Why does it shine purple?”
“The leaves of the plant are very dark and are easily mistaken for a poisonous vine located on some farrins. The process of extracting the oil from the leaves results in a clear liquid that shines with a violet tint.”
“Does it grow anywhere else? Is there any other farrin where it can be harvested?”
“The plant originated from Tarman Farrin. We don’t know how it came to grow on our land but we are very grateful for it.”
Razmig nodded. I placed the vial back into the small satchel and slipped it back into my pocket.
“Is that all?” I asked, ready to leave. My stomach was churning again and I did not want to make a scene in his room. Releasing the contents of my belly in front of him would be humiliating.
“There’s one other thing we need to discuss,” Razmig said, his eyes roaming to my chest.
“No.”
He looked shocked at my quick response. “I didn’t ask anything.”
“I know what you want and the answer is no.”
“This voyage is brutal and long. The Tonrar have vanished and there will be no help from them in a speedy transfer to Dwarkaa.”
He stopped talking. I refused to reply and waited for him to continue.
“You are a good looking woman and I am the captain of this ship. We are both leaders in our own right. The whole crew looks to us to provide direction, protection and leadership.”
I remained silent. I couldn’t argue that Razmig wasn’t a fine specimen of the male gender. With his height, broad shoulders and tousled blond hair, he had a raw sexual attraction that would cause many a female to bend.
“We could keep each other warm on these cold, sea wayfaring nights. There is nothing wrong with providing a service to each other.”
Memory of a conversation with Xiomara, my Akoni Farrin Leader, floated back to me at that moment. I glared at Razmig and asked, “Did you not agree to cover a woman on Dwarkaa on your return?”
Razmig lied, “No. I did not. I have not pledged myself to any woman.”
“Her name. What is her name?”
“There is no name,” he growled.
“I’m beginning to remember the details.”
Razmig made a contemptuous sound between clenched teeth. “There are no details.”
“Oh yes. Her name is Vanora. Isn’t that correct?”
The condescension and false pretense left his face. “How would you know about her?” He looked threatened and a threatened man could be dangerous.
“Tarman Farrin is very informed of what is going on, especially with all those who align with this revolution. No stone is left unturned to know every detail of those enlisted in this venture. Tarman Farrin is taking every precaution to make sure that this movement does not implode from within. Every weakness, strength, alliance, friendship, partnership and enemy of everyone involved is taken note of and documented.”
“So you’re saying that Suma told you?”
“Suma would know nothing without Towsaj. She gets her information from him and it was shared with Akoni leaders.”
Razmig looked furious but he curbed his agitation and said, “My offer still stands. There is no assurance I will ever cover Vanora, not now, not with this mission at hand. She would refuse me if she could. I demanded her acquiescence with a threat of exposure.”
“I will not stand in the way of true love.”
“Did you not hear me? I cannot cover her now. Me doing so would put the whole mission in great danger. Vanora can never know what we are up to. I will need to go into hiding after I report to the Dwarkaa High Command. I can never see Vanora again.”
“Either way, I will not warm your bed. Especially knowing you promised yourself to another.”
Frustration filled his face and he clenched his teeth. “You are not listening.” Suddenly understanding lit his eyes. “Is there another?”
“No.”
“Has there ever been another?”
“No.”
“Never?”
“I don’t need the baggage of a covering or the danger of getting pregnant. I’ve never wanted a child. I’m a warrior and I’m perfectly fine on my own.”
Razmig looked intrigued. “If you change your mind, let me know. My door will be open to you.”
“You should approach Alile. She doesn’t mind warming various beds. She’s not very attractive but I’m sure she could provide the service you’re looking for.”
“I’ll keep that in mind but I’d prefer this arrangement with you, Viveka.”
“I should go.”
Razmig moved his head. “Go.”
I left his room and headed back to the deck. The supper hour was almost upon me but my gut still churned, especially now. I had no desire to add more victuals to the seething mix. I stood with my arms resting on the rail, my eyes watching the violent waves buck and roil on the horizon.
I knew more of Razmig’s story than I revealed. He had no idea what he was about to learn on his return to Dwarkaa. This knowledge made me wish I was a fly on the wall when the discovery was made.
