Ghosts

I looked at the burning ship, the smell of singed hair and skin filled the air as Josheire's body was engulfed in flames. It's been a good time, Josheire. Sleep well. I looked up at the sun, dipping below the western side of the Great Band. The rest of the fleet began to slowly coalesce around my ship. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the cool breeze, trying to gleam as much enjoyment from this moment as I could. We won the day. I'm alive. It's the first battle I've been in without getting any severe stab wounds. Good job me. I heard footsteps walking towards me, rushed. A few booted, and a few clawed. I flicked open my eyes to see Itrust, Falemneil, and a few others. A pleasantly warm sensation washed over me as my leg twisted back into place.

"Thank you," I said. To my shock, the one healing me was neither human, nor elf, but a raptor; it's eyes a dull crimson. It nodded lazily and walked away towards a group of injured raptors on another boat. "Itrust," I said rubbing his leg, "I'm glad you're ok."

"I'm glad you're ok too," he replied, holding out his hand. I took his hand in mine and pulled myself to my feet.

"Falemneil," I said turning towards her, "I've been wondering about you. Is everything alright with you? I haven't seen you in a good bit." She looked at me impassively, blankly. Vozka stood behind her, eyes filled with fury.

"I've just been thinking is all," she said as she cut off one of her dreads.

"Don't you dare, Falemneil," I warned. "You won't live to regret this."

"Ndanhelbare!" she shouted as she threw her dread in my face. All the Islanders, and several of the Venkí in earshot collectively snapped their heads in our direction. Vozka handed her a war hammer and took a few steps back.

"Barrékél, do not!" Tarhívé shouted as she ran over to Falemneil. 'Who do you think you are, calling him that?!"

"Move," Falemneil said. I unsheathed my sword, but decided to watch what would happen first.

"Falemneil," Itrust said nervously, "I thought you just wanted to talk."

"By what cruel fate do I need to hear this beast butcher my mother and my aunt's language?" Itrust's head dropped in anguish, briefly, but he looked at her. "I will cut your tongue out," she said before he could speak. Tarhívé grabbed Falemneil by the waist and threw her onto the side of the boat, knocking the war hammer out of her hands.

"Enough," I said when Tarhívé picked her up again. "While I'm happy you two decided to get involved," I said in Rasti'jara as I cut off one of my dreads, "I, Barrékél Telíma-Gátoháq Skárhen-Rhoskeil Bázhtishin-Kségpet, accept Princess Falemneil Walenta's declaration." Nervous eyes flickered about while more judgemental eyes glared.

"Damn you and your mother's line," Tarhívé sighed. "Don't die on me."

I smiled, "may the Queen of War and the Grand General protect me then."

Tarhívé rolled her eyes, "they both died you know."

"I know," I said as I stripped off my armor and threw it aside. Falemneil did the same. "Tarhívé, you need to move." I said as I walked over and picked up another sword. I spun the swords in my left and right hands.

"No, I'm not moving," she said as she was walking towards the deck. "The fuck?!" We glanced over at Falemneil, her eyes bloodred.

"Time to get her out of the way," she said as Tarhívé, presumably, threw herself overboard.

"She can swim," I said coolly as I looked at the circle that formed around us, "but someone, get her back onboard."

She gripped her warhammer tightly in her hands, muscles taunt under her skin. "Ndanhelbare, huh?" I asked. "Last time I checked I'm not dead."

"Yet," she said as she rushed towards me, with her warhammer raised above her head, but instead of charging like a fool, she threw her hammer at my head. I ducked down, dodging it. Her knee smashed against my face. With a loud snap, my nose cracked. I went to stab her in the stomach, but she raised her hands in the air.

"This is a duel, remember?" I gritted my teeth as blood poured down my face and backed away. "Not going to give me a sword? This isn't a proper duel if I'm unarmed."

"Go get your hammer already," I said.

"If you were smart, this wouldn't have happened you know. I was hoping you would catch on to a few things."

"Don't make a fool out of me," I said as she picked up her hammer.

"You knew my name, so did the thought of any kind of connection with the historical Walenta's cross your mind? Oh, let me guess, you mixed up Walenta and walentah." I glared at her. "Looks like I got it right," she said, her lips curving into smirk. "It's a shame you were slow on the uptake. I liked you, past tense."

"By the way, Falemneil," I said, "there is no rule about having weapons in Venkí tradition." I said as I rushed at her. She swung her hammer towards my ribs, but I cut through her arm, with my right sword and kicked her down. With both swords I stabbed her through the kneecaps, and pointed one to her neck. "Venkí ships, Venkí traditions," I said. She slapped my sword away and punched me in the groin. I sharply inhaled as she pushed me away and grabbed her hammer. I looked up at her and smirked. She threw her hammer at me, squarely hitting me in the left knee. I screamed out in agony as the force of the blow bent it backwards. Falemneil forced herself onto her feet, despite the gushing knee wounds, through sheer force of will and anger as I forced myself to balance on one leg.

"A parting gift from my aunt," she said as she took off her shirt and threw it in my face. Instead of risking letting go of my swords and getting stabbed with them, I tried, and failed, to shake off the shirt. I felt strong fingers wrap themselves around my neck as I tumbled to the ground. I stabbed behind me blindly for a few moments before feeling the sensation of steel through flesh. Falemneil grunted and released her grip. I successfully shook the shirt off of my face and kicked the war hammer as far away from us as possible. I stabbed her through both elbows and pointed my left sword to her neck.

"Weit!" Laowo shouted from the ever-growing crowd. "Hav yuh nuh shame? Yuhs killin i wuhman. Thair's has tuh be somthin igenst thet."

"Tradition is tradition, a duel is a duel, and duels end in death," I replied, pressing my good knee on her throat. "But is there a way elves die honorably?"

"With weipon in hand, bot yuh cen't duh thes," he said. "Thes nuht reight."

I shoved my right sword in Falemneil's hand and wrapped her fingers around it. Holding her hand down, I aimed my left sword for her throat. Falemneil sighs and closes her eyes, but before I could push down I get tackled off of her by Vozka. Falemneil and I look at her in shock. She grabbed Falemneil and rushed to the edge of the ship.

"Let me go!" Falemneil screamed as she struggled.

"Stop her!" I shouted, but she managed to force her way through the crowd, not without some stabbing and shoving, and leapt overboard. Laowo sighed in relief, but the mood from the Islanders and the Venkí was much more sour.

"Coward!" woman shouted.

"Disgraceful," another man said.

"War is war, she should've known that her family could get caught up," one Venkí woman said.

"Regardless, she maintains the right to avenge her aunt's death," an Islander man said. "But to have a foreigner, a northerner precisely, to intervene is an affront to our people. Not even the elves did that, and they were complaining and chittering about it."

"It was an affront to my people too," the woman replied.

"It was a stupid tradition anyways," an Islander woman said. "Might as well be done with duels altogether."

Dozens of more voices circled around me, mutterings of shame, claims of deceit, whispers of the Burning Jungle, the Fall of the Gwō'neishong, Rhoskeil the Elder, and the Queen of War herself, but I was too tired and too in pain to care. Tarhívé walks over to me as I collapse from the wave of pain that decided to sweep over me.

**************

"So Bar," Guangmei said as she was waking me up, "I have good news and bad news. Which do you want to hear first?"

"Good," I said through a yawn, "let me have a brief moment of happiness." I looked around to see myself back in the captain's quarters, with Tarhívé, Itrust, Gaoreng, and several members of the Ka'odreng Company present.

"Ok," she said, "the good news is that you can still walk. I'm honestly shocked after all your poor legs have gone through recently."

"And the bad news?" I asked.

"The bad news is that the Ka'odreng Company is now leaderless. Josheire's with Lataoshue."

"Kélé," Tarhívé said, "I'm glad you're awake." She walked over to me and kissed me on the forehead. "I know everyone says you look like the old Rhoskeil, but you have Uncle Gátoháq's ears." Dad's gigantic grin burst into my head. He was laughing as he tugged on my ears. As goofy as it could be, it was a comforting smile. I looked back at Tarhívé tearing up.

"You miss him? I know I do," I said, trying to console her.

"Smile more Kélé," she said wiping away her tears. "I'll be back." She walked out of the room and started calling for her wives.

I stood up and walked over to Gaoreng, his eye tatoo staring down at me. The five other members of the Ka'odreng Company looked at me, eyes partially dead. At moments they flickered with rage, but they quickly smoldered. One of them sighed, another just looked towards Gaoreng, as if pleading for help. The rest just looked about, in various forms of dejection and grief.

"Is there no other way Gaoreng?" One of them asked. "Could you, perhaps, consider our offer."

"No, Kanaoseng, I cannot lead the Company," Gaoreng replied. "I have been chosen for a higher purpose, ordained by our benevolent Uncle. He, in his primordial wisdom, chose me for a reason, I cannot reject him."

Kanaoseng's head hung low. He threw his hands in the air. "So what now? We're dissolved? That's it?"

"Gaoreng," I suggested, "maybe you can give them divine wisdom on what to do next. Certainly that won't go against this higher purpose of yours?"

"The gods are not to be trifled with, Barrékél," Gaoreng warned. "Especially in these final ages."

"Final ages? There's no such thing as final ages," I said, trying not to sound too dismissive. "However, I will do my best not to anger your gods." Gaoreng nodded.

"Why don't we just let Josheire's son lead?" Itrust asked.

"Son?!" we all asked looking towards him. Guangmei's mouth dropped to the floor and Gaoreng's eyes started to water.

"You can't smell the baby? It's a very strong smell too." Itrust replied in shock. "Granted you all have tiny noses, but still."

"How do you know it's a boy?" One of the members of the Company asked.

"By smell," Itrust said, "just like how you could smell the sea from afar, you can smell one's young from deep within. Or, at least, raptors can. I've noticed this ability long before Guangmei was with child, and talking with other raptors supports its reliability."

Without missing a beat Kanoaseng turned to Gaoreng. "Gaoreng, will you protect and guide this child?" Kanoaseng asked.

"Yes, I will," Gaoreng said. "He shall be under my wing."

"All in favor of the child leading the Company, say aye."

"Aye," all of the members said unanimously.

"Advise him well Gaoreng," Kanaoseng said snarkily.

Gaoreng sighed. "Fine, you got me."

"And what about me," Guangmei said, "I didn't agree to this?"

"No matter," Kanaoseng said.

"No, I will not be a part of this," she said.

"Look," Kanaoseng said, "this needs to be done."

"Bullshit," Guangmei replied. "Gaoreng, stop being an ass and help them out yourself. You and your higher purpose nonsense, that doesn't stop you from talking to them. Are you scared of being abandoned by your 'uncle' or -"

"Silence!" Gaoreng shouted. "I can excuse blasphemy out of ignorance of the gods, but not when you know better." He pinched his brow and sighed, "Of course I can advise the Company, yes, but that comes at a price, a lack of formal leadership and the ability to pick new leaders. Why else would I refuse to lead if I thought my involvement wouldn't be detrimental?" He sighed, "I will advise the Company from here on out, but after the Island Confederation is conquered, I must attend to other duties. Here is the plan: falsify a dissolution of the Company and assassinate as many enemy leaders as possible. Now Barrékél, I do think you are honest, but if these men don't receive land from you if you win, you might end up needing to fight them and your brother."

"Now Gaoreng," I reply, "if we win this I will be punishing you for this threat severely. All your priestly duties will need to stay in my territory."

"How is that a severe punishment?" he asked.

"I'll be using you for all the divine legitimacy you're worth." I said with a chuckle.

Gaoreng smirked, "My reputation may never recover."

"And on that note," Guangmei said, "I will be doing my own thing, outside of any priestly supervision."

"With one exception," Gaoreng interjected, "a lone woman can't give birth. Would you like Sheigne to come to your bedside?"

She sighed. "Fine, but not if Saongre comes, the man can get judgemental and I don't need that when I'm giving birth."

"Noted."

"Anything else I need to know about?" I asked. "Like if any of Josheire's body needs funeral rites. I could prepare materials."

"This was a more internal affair, but I'll get back to you. These rituals must be done by only the most devout," Gaoreng said looking at Guangmei.

"Well, in that case, you should all feed me any relevant or earth-shaking information, and bring me Bakalos." The members of the Ka'odreng Company nodded, as did Gaoreng. They left as silently as the morning owl.

Itrust left soon after, but promised to show me his finalized writing system and treatise when it is complete. Guangmei was the last to leave, wanting to get some fresh air. I looked around the room once more and saw a door in the back corner. The door opened up into a smaller room, dominated by a bed. I sat down on the edge of the bed and let the darkness of the room envelope me. Time passed, by as I sat lazily in this dark room, motionless. The door swung open and three women walked in, with Tarhívé behind them, holding a candle.

"Bar!" she exclaimed. "I didn't know you would be on my bed."

"Yea, I'm here," I said lazily. "Hi Sýsmalú, hey Tavakí, hey Ksérran, how are all of you?

"Good," Sýsmalú said, "survived another day."

"Not too bad," Tavakí said.

"Off the bed," Ksérran spat, "don't need you on it."

"Still mad about your brother? I'm sorry ok, but move on. He did."

"Off," she said again.

"Relax," Tarhívé told her. "And Kélé, not to be rude, but why are you in our bed? And before you ask, no, I'm not comfortable with you fucking any of them, nor are they interested in you."

"I came here for peace and quiet. Why would you think I came to fuck your wives?" I asked.

"Your brother, your mother, your grandfather, your great-grandmother, your great-grandfather,our grandmother, our uncles. Need I continue?"

"Point taken, my blood is filled with polygamists," I replied.

"And people who don't care about fucking other people's spouses. I don't think you need the list again."

"An incomplete list too," I said, "but no. It's just been a stressful few months." Tarhívé sat down next to me and wrapped her arms around my shoulders. I turned and hugged her. "It's been rough."

"Can't breathe," Tarhívé gasped. I instantly let go, letting her catch her breath.

"You can stay here tonight, but we might need to take the floor," she said.

Revolution and Rebellion

"Nothing lord," Tsigoskr said as we walked on the beach, "there is no sign of neither Falemneil nor her partner, although a handful of other people are unaccounted for."

"These people are from your camp, no?" I asked.

"Yes," she answered, "we fear they may have died in battle."

"Possibly washed into the sea, no?"

"Yes, quite possible," Tsigoskr replied. "And of the elves, they are to be resold, no?"

"No," I said, "they were never purchased and are equals to your people and the raptors."

"So the rumors were true, yes?" Tsigoskr asked. "These beasts are truly sentient, yes?"

"Indeed," I replied. "However, their tongue is far stranger than any I know. I have yet to wrap my head around such a tongue."

"Then their tongue must be truly dragonish if even your people cannot get close to a basic understanding."

"Perhaps," I said as I heard Guangmei call out to me from a distance. "But we must talk another day."

"Yes, but first I must tell you heartbreaking news," Tsigoskr said as we walked towards Guangmei. "The statue of Bázhtishin was destroyed prior to my flight."

"WHAT!" I screamed. "Who dare to disgrace her like that!"

"The statue became a point of contention between the truly noble members of your people and mine versus those unwashed masses, so the King commanded it to be destroyed as a symbol of treason."

"The king? The son of the man who commissioned it built IN THE FIRST PLACE!"

"Yes," Tsigoskr said dismissively. "I figured you may want to know, seeing as you invoked her name. She is your idol, no?"

"She is my great-grandmother," I said, blood boiling. I began to tug at my hair. "If I see the king or any of his spawn, I'm going to feed them to the sharks." Tsigoskr looked away anxiously as we reached Guangmei.

"Sagoze," Tsigoskr said as she quickly walked away.

"So, Bar, what happened?" Guangmei asked cautiously.

"The former king decided to desecrate my great-grandmother's grave," I said, gritting my teeth.

Guangmei looked at me with shock and sympathy, "I'm sorry to hear that. Did your brother have something to do with this too?"

"If he did, I would feed him his own damned heart, but I doubt it. We both loved hearing stories of her. He probably turned her into a symbol for 'democracy,' but he would never disgrace her."

"Oh," Guangmei said. "You've only ever gotten mad when it comes to your brother, so I was just wondering."

"Yea," I said as we strolled towards the boats. "But you wanted me for something?"

"Yes, Gaoreng is panicking over Josheire's bones. We don't know where they are, but I'm guessing under the sea at this point. It's been a day or two by now."

"I got them about an hour ago!" one of the Ka'odreng members shouted with glee. "He's going to Lataoshue!"

"Well, there's that," I said.

Guangmei sighed with relief, "that's good, but I have something else." She took something out from her sleeve. "I can't really read this well, but Bakalos told me to get this to you when you were with whatever-her-name-is just now," she said as she handed me a scroll.

"A newspaper cutting?" I inquired. "I haven't seen a newspaper written with such good handwriting before."

ATTENTION! ATTENTION! SPECIAL ELECTION RESULTS IN!

As a result of President Slambeyo's continued mental decline after being attacked by elves and mainlanders a few months ago, as well as the increasingly severe refugee crisis, a special election was held just days ago. Voter turn-out was at a record low, with the merchant class refusing to allow their employees time off work. The vote was split between the nationalists, the historialists, the revolutionaries, and several smaller groups, with the revolutionaries pulling in a narrow victory, with 36% of the vote. How a government could be formed, especially with the revolutionaries pushing a new Constitution penned by Venkí President Rhoskeil II Zhénta, has yet to be seen. 

---Mesren Nkantaka

They really cut out all the names but Zhénta? Nkantaka, at least ask before you start shortening names.

"So, what does it say?" Guangmei asked.

"There was some form of special election because the current president was unfit. Apparently, a revolutionary group took control, despite the majority of people not wanting them, and they are trying to put in place a constitution written by my brother."

"So he's trying to create a puppet-state here?"

"Maybe," I said. "He could also just want a better ally."

"There was also low turnout because of the merchant class," I said. A smile crept up my lips. "I need a pen and paper."

***************************

ATTENTION! ATTENTION! TREASON! TREASON!

It came to light recently that the Venkí Invader Barrékél Zhénta has struck a deal with several large business owners and swathes of the former nobility, many of whom are still large landowners. In return for old rights, the return of a monarchy, and expanded international trade, many of these individuals have pledged their allegiance to the brother of Venkí President Rhoskeil II Zhénta. Our new president, Sakomel Walenta has yet to say anything on the matter. Is this the start of some coordinated Venkí conspiracy, as some nationalists have supposed? Or are these the actions of two opposing forces, using us and the Venkí as pawns? In either case, our sovereignty as a people are on the line, and the overwhelming majority of the both the wealthy elites and the horrendously poor seem content to wait it out, as informed by several anonymous sources.

--- Mesren Nkantaka

"It was an excellent idea, Your Highness," Bakalos said after reading the article in the candlelight. "I didn't think that you would seize this opportunity so quickly."

"Thank you, Bakalos. Your message merely gave me the inspiration."

"It was clever, I need to admit," Guangmei said. Tarhívé nodded in agreement.

I looked across the deck of the ship, the Great Band glowing palely in the moonless sky. Various family heads stood before me: Bakalos, head of the Damaskos family, Salodensanai, head of the Mbalau family, Mãlica of the Pfanãõ family, Gazkalei of the Nkantaka family, and dozens of others knelt before me.

"I believe we are all in agreement," I said. Nods of agreement waved through the crowd. "Rise," I commanded. "Your assistance will be needed in the months to come," I announced as they arose to their feet. " I must thank Lady Mãlica for leading Bakalos to me. Without her constant observance, none of this would have been possible."

"Thank you, Your Highness," the elderly woman said as knelt once more.

"I must thank the Lady Gazkalei for the ability to spread this message so quickly. Whatever magic she used to create her newspapers is truly a once-in-a-millennium skill that we could not do without."

"You flatter me, Your Highness," the woman said as she knelt.

"And I must thank the Lord Bakalos for keeping me informed despite my constant movements, no doubt with help from Lady Mãlica. You were vital to this entire operation."

"I do what I must, Your Highness," he said as he knelt.

"I thank all of you for your work, both now and in the future. You are all dismissed." I walked over to Tarhívé as the various family heads began to disperse. "What is taking our grandmother so long? Figured she would be in a rush to whack me over the head."

"I'm not sure. I figured so too, seeing how livid she is," Tarhívé replied.

Tahrenkīkahle

I woke up the next day to the dim light of dawn. The sun had yet to peak up above the horizon, yet its light already began to push back against the stars. I stretched and took in the cool, crisp air of an unnaturally cool night. I looked over to the beach to a large crowd of raptors, with Itrust at its head. Curious, I walked from camp down the beach towards them. Most of them towered over Itrust and seemed at least twice his age. They were bejeweled with beads of jade and obsidian, with Itrust similarly decorated; however, a crown of pearls lay upon his head. The early-risers among my army began to file behind me, wiping their eyes, thinking they are asleep or gaping in shock.

"Good morning," Itrust said. "I am here on their behalf," he said motioning to the raptors behind him, several armed with longspears and wide shields.

"You sound as if I didn't bring you here, but what do they want."

"Assurances," Itrust said. "News travels fast, and they want to make sure that their people will be recognized as such and will be treated as equals. In return, they pledge their loyalty and their forces."

"Itrust, you have changed, and I am loving it," I said with a smile. "Tell their leader to rest assured. They will get what they desire when peace is made."

"I am their leader, and I want assurances now."

"You? Their leader? How?" I asked flabbergasted.

"Prophetic wisdom," he replied tersely, "Your answer?"

I was briefly taken aback by the cold tone I was receiving. "You have my word, your concerns shall be met immediately and continuously improved with your assistance."

"Great!" Itrust exclaimed, apparently relieved of a heavy burden. He turned and translated to the raptors behind him. They repeated what he said, and he repeated it back to them. After a few rounds of repetition, they gave Itrust a necklace of jade, obsidian, and gold beads. He nodded and placed it around my neck.

"On the basis of perpetual equality and goodwill, I hereby link our two peoples together," Itrust proclaimed.

"And in the nature of kinship and familial love, I hereby proclaim the creation of the hereditary title Prince of Raptors, with the roles of governing the raptors in non-sovereign vassalage and advising the Monarch, to my son Itrust." I hugged him, taking him by surprise. "You have far surpassed any and all expectations I had and will have of you."

I looked back to the soldiers and sailors behind me, noting a distinct lack of Ka'odreng members, to see a communal feeling of utter bewilderment. "We have a lot of work to do, Itrust."

A large cloud of smoke billowed upwards from the jungle as the sun painted the sky red. Gaoreng's wavering voice was carried across the wind, punctuated by bouts of sobbing. The smell of burning flesh and screams of agony soon followed.

"I will never understand Josheire's god," Itrust said. "He just seems cruel."

"Who knows why their gods are like that?" I replied. "But now I know why Gaoreng didn't involve me."