The Royal Guard uncrossed his arms, a battering stick held firmly in one hand. Numerous weapons were strategically placed on his belt. My own knife was back at Bodil’s residence and I longed for it as I stood before him, feeling exposed and powerless. I despised being unarmed.
The man ahead of us shrunk back in fear at what could happen as I stepped forward at the Royal Guard’s command. I stopped before him, on edge and ready to defend myself.
“Who are you?”
“Neesha.”
“No you’re not. Who are you?”
“My sister died last night. I am Neesha, her sister. I have her tag.”
He glanced into the air as though waiting for confirmation.
A swirling gloomy wind and a heavy aura were the signs that the Tonrar were conferring over this information.
The guard lowered his shrouded face to mine once again. “How can you prove that you are related to…? What’s your sister’s name?”
I was grateful that I’d pressed Bodil for this information earlier. “Zilla.”
I removed the blue tag from my tattered pocket and held it out for him to see. He took it from my outstretched hand and studied it carefully.
The heavy Tonrar presence weighed on my chest as they moved in to verify my information. Thankfully the tag was generic and didn’t signify specific ownership.
The air seemed to quiver in danger as my fate was decided. I felt grateful that the Tonrar didn’t materialize, preferring to remain disguised in wind and dark fog. Their heavy oppressive presence was enough of a burden to bear. My chest ached from their weighty dominance so that it was difficult to take a full breath without inducing pain.
The guard pointed to Bodil. “Is this true?”
“Yes it is,” she said.
“And why are you two women here together?”
Bodil answered, “We live in the same building. We simply decided to keep each other company for the day.”
He tilted his head. We’d aroused his curiosity, never a good thing. After studying us for a time he finally handed the tag back to me and said, “You will work in separate areas.”
He pointed to Bodil, “You will work in the old section, over there.” He signaled to the spot. “And you,” he said, pointing at my chest, “will work in the newly delivered area. Over there.”
I nodded.
“Now get back in line.”
I moved back to join Bodil. When the heaviness of the Tonrar finally eased and lifted to a degree, Bodil turned to me and whispered.
“Find me something of worth. I will find nothing.”
Although I was terrified of uttering anything with the Tonrar so close, I said, “I’ll do my best.”
Within minutes others joined the waiting throng until a long line snaked behind us.
Bodil said, “They only allow fifteen to twenty people in at a time.”
“We will stay for the whole day?”
“Casimer’s employees decide when we are done. We will stay as long as we are able unless you hit the jackpot or find numerous treasures early on. They will allow us to leave of our own accord. After our departure they will then allow others to enter.”
“Who would throw away something of value?”
“There is a wealthy populace on Dwarkaa. Those in the hierarchy of Casimer’s employ are treated much better. They can afford food and luxuries we only dream of. They think it trivial to throw out items they have grown weary of.”
“And they never throw food away?”
Bodil pointed to a group standing quite a distance away. I’d not noticed them earlier.
“The Skimmers are also in Casimer’s employ. They are designated to enter right after the refuse arrives. All food waste they find is gathered up, packaged and resold. In this way Casimer is ensured that the population is kept starving and dependant on their Lord. It appears like they are finishing up.”
The group of Skimmers were dressed in black like all Casimer’s employees but their wardrobe was very simple; basic black pants with a plain overcoat, no colored trim. They sorted and gathered their find into large gunny sacks. I felt shock at Casimer’s inhumane treatment of the people of Dwarkaa.
“How does anyone ever survive here?”
“It is not easy.”
My stomach began to rumble. With the meager meal we’d consumed earlier, I was ready for more. Enyo had distributed a small piece of bread to each of us to consume mid day. That would have to last me until the dinner hour. I dreaded the day already and it had barely begun.
After another half hour wait, the Royal Guard finally undid the heavy padlock and opened the high metal gate. I could feel the surge of the group behind us. Bodil pushed back with her elbows. I followed her lead.
“Everyone will wait their turn,” one guard shouted. He signaled the man at the front to enter.
Bodil followed him inside and I was the third one in. The influx was cut off when the guard made the decision to do so. I headed straight for the area I’d been directed to and started digging through the refuse, found a small piece of jagged metal and tucked it into my waist as a weapon.
A teenaged boy dug not far from me, which surprised me. The garbage dump was massive and I estimated it spanned the size of my farrin settlement at home on Akoni. There was a lot of room to work in. I eyed the boy suspiciously and wondered whether he’d actually received permission to work in the new dump zone.
I saw movement up ahead in the piles of trash. Rodents scurried here and there, their eyes desperate and starving. Their presence caused me to tense. Not only was I on the lookout for treasure but I would need to stay vigilant to guard against attack from all sides and from multiple fronts. The weighty presence of the Tonrar still floated about me, starved eyes and bared teeth of rodents milled around, this teenage boy close to me concerned me, the city workers walking and monitoring the dump site unnerved me and the guard at the front gate kept looking in my direction in suspicion.
The teenaged boy took a few steps in my direction and I glared at him. “What do you want?”
“You look well fed. Who are you?”
“That is none of your business.”
“I think it might be.”
Threat of exposure loomed in my mind and I tried to formulate how to get rid of the teenager without killing him.
“You’re a Casimer spy, aren’t you?”
I stared at him and then went back to digging, hoping my surprise hadn’t shown.
He said, “You are a spy!”
A city employee noticed our close proximity and yelled from a distance, “You two, get back to business or I’ll throw you both out!”
“Get away from me,” I said through clenched teeth.
He took a few steps away, bent down, started digging but kept talking. “I can help you. If you’re looking for defectors, those who are anti-Casimer, those who speak against our Great Lord, I will report them to you. Of course I would need to be paid for such prime information.”
I thought this over carefully before responding. I needed more time to process what this type of deception would cost me. Knowing those who were anti-Casimer would gain me quick access to those in the revolution. “What is your name?”
“Jolon.”
“I will think on it and let you know.”
He gave me a sideways glance and crooked grin. “I knew it.”
“If you tell anyone anything you will be the first to die.”
He gave a slight acquiescence with a move of his head and then shuffled away and continued digging.
My mind swirled with the possibilities this type of deception would afford. Soon my attention was distracted by a chinking sound my trowel made at my feet. I dug further and began to unearth some shimmering baubles, metal clasps and shining gems, but who knew if they were truly worth anything. I gathered up all I could find and deposited them in my bag.
Hour after hour passed as I worked, moving over inch by inch. I managed to find numerous items that would perhaps be of benefit to Bodil. Safely tucked in my bag were three intact shells, a handful of shiny gems, some braided twine, a hook, metal lattice the size of my hand, a piece of colored cloth, a cracked pitcher, hopefully it could be repaired, a twisted fork and spoon and numerous small wooden dowels.
I stood and rubbed my back for a moment. The teenager had moved a fair distance from me and his sack looked light. The day had not been productive for him.
The stench of death that permeated the dump site made my head spin and my lunch was forgotten in the pocket of my pants as my stomach churned. As I’d dug, I’d uncovered numerous body parts, chopped off hands, a few finger, maybe toes, I didn’t know which. I thought I’d found a wig or hair to use in one of Bodil’s creations but when I pulled it up a decomposed and decapitated head stared back at me. I hurled it a stone’s throw away and a pack of rodents and a wild, scrawny dog came out of nowhere and began to brawl over it. The dog won, carried it away and began feasting.
I glanced over to where Bodil was working. She waved her hand to signal me over. I took my bag and trowel and headed in her direction.
When I reached her, she asked, “Did you find anything?”
“Yes.” I was about to show her but she stopped me.
“Show me when we get back home. Follow me.”
As we exited the dump, the guard at the entrance allowed two others to enter. The walk home brought me great relief, similar to the euphoria of winning a war back on Akoni Farrin. Getting away from the stench and overwhelming heaviness of the Tonrar so near and walking away from it all caused my feet to feel lighter than air.
“How can you possibly endure doing this work every day?” I asked.
Bodil allowed a small smile. “I have no choice. If I am to eat, I must work.”
I suddenly longed for the home I’d come from. Brone and Almana’s status seemed very advantageous and I wished Akiko and I could have stayed there longer. But wishing for what could never be was useless. I resigned myself to this beggarly existence, for now.
We arrived back at Bodil and Enyo’s residence, dumped the contents of our bags on the table and went through our finds.
Bodil shook her head and said, “You found an astonishing amount in such a short time. You did well.” She pointed to the few items she’d found. “This is all I was able to salvage.” She then went through everything carefully, separating and sorting as to what she could use.
“What do we do now?”
“Are you creative? Do you know how to use twine and string and baubles?”
“No. My talent is war. I know how to kill people.”
Bodil stared at me in astonishment. “Oh.”
“I’m sure I could learn a new skill.”
“I will teach you,” Bodil said, turning back to the stash.
I went to change back into my former attire, placed the weapons I’d left behind back into the belt at my waist and fingered them pensively, suddenly yearning for a good battle.
For the rest of the afternoon Bodil worked while I watched. I felt revulsion at this new skill I was expected to learn. Assisting the revolution was uppermost on my mind. Playing with trash felt like a complete waste of time. But, I needed to eat and so I supposed I had to do what was necessary to survive or else starve.
I found Bodil’s ingenuity quite astounding. She chattered about the amazing items at her disposal as she entwined different beads and baubles with twine into pleasing patterns and creations. She kept each novelty small, stretching the gewgaw’s we’d found into as many armlet, festoons, trifles and frippery as she could. Although I’d never wear something so ostentatious, I was sure there were women in the neighborhood who would love to have any one of these trinkets to bolster their beauty.
I finally said, “I’m sure Loralai’s harlots would love these.”
“Her women make up most of my clientele. I am becoming known at the market for my exceptional wares and they are beginning to seek me out. Well, actually they seek out Enyo. She’s the one who does most of the selling at the market.”
“Doesn’t that type of exposure create greater danger for both of you?”
Bodil sighed heavily. “Yes. But there’s danger for everyone, all the time. I am willing to live with this risk.”
I simply nodded. I was tempted to tell her of my encounter at the dump but I waited until Akiko and Enyo returned.
The two arrived late afternoon with two dead rats and a flask of grog.
Bodil jumped to her feet and clapped her hands with delight. “Meat and grog? Wow! This is a Casimer-Talisman day.” She pointed to all the trinkets she’d created. “Look at our luck.”
Enyo stared in astonishment. “That’s amazing. I wouldn’t call the day blessed of Cassimer though.”
Akiko said, “It looks like Tarman Farrin is watching out for us.”
“It was simply a lucky day,” I insisted. I was not ready to give Tarman Farrin too much credit. Tomorrow might negate Akiko’s positive outlook. I was simply thankful we’d be eating well tonight.
After we’d eaten, we sat around the table and talked. I finally told them about my encounter with the teen at the dump. All three of my listeners sat and mulled over the dilemma.
“This is a complication I never even considered,” Bodil said.
“There are so many things that could go wrong with this deception,” said Enyo.
Bodil nodded. “If the Royal Guard at the gate gets wind of it, he will soon find out if there’s any truth to your claims. This deception could be the death of you.”
I leaned forward and said, “But think about this, with Jolon feeding me information on those discontented with Casimer he could connect me to others in our movement. This would be a speedy way to find out who in the general vicinity is on our side.”
“Speedy but dangerous,” Enyo said.
Bodil added, “And they may be discontented but are they part of our movement and for the revolution. They may only be voicing complaints but not willing to risk their lives to be rid of Casimer. If they become aware of a revolt, specifically that we are part of it, they could report us and the whole plan could backfire. We’d be dead and the whole plan compromised.”
“So what do I do with Jolon? He is convinced that I am a Casimer spy. How do I dissuade him?”
“You don’t,” Bodil said. “You will have to kill him.”
