Cela fait un long moment que je n'ai rien publié, mais je compte me rattraper. J'essayerai d'étditer la fic bien plus souvent.
It's been a long time since I posted anything, but I plan to catch up. I will try to edit the fic much more often.
Chapitre XLI. ...et les ombres épaisses (1)
Amos Kane
Louisiana, 1926
The tall bald cypresses were staring down at us. Their crooked trunks looked like witch fingers sprouting from the black water. The mating season was long behind, and the bayou had frozen in a contemplative silence. The pale crepuscular light added something haunted to the scene. Dark shapes rippled the water at times as the alligators came and went, getting closer to the pier. The Charmers were out for the evening blessing, my aunt was among them. They were standing on the central pier that jutted out above the stream.
The 77th Nome was hidden deep in the mangrove forest. The trees had grown, thanks to the magicians' good care, to a remarkable height and circumference. It was smaller than our Brooklyn house, yet no less impressive. Half of the building, built out of wood, was mounted on stilts a few feet upon the black water. A few staircases wound up along the three widest trunks to reach the upper part, which rose in the branches. The sloping roofs and the balustrades reminded of Creole architecture.
I was standing on a jetty a little out of the way, by the refectory's round windows. Since I had arrived here a week ago, it was a show I attended religiously every night. The mouths loosened, the magicians sang in a marvelous polyphony, and the alligators fled from side to side, their dark scales shimmering with a bluish reflection. The ritual was aimed at recharging the magic spells of luck and protection that defended the Nome. It was the only Nome to my knowledge whose magical barriers relied more on animal charmers and Song magic than on statuary. And it was only but the first layer.
Satamon and Thomas had settled here in the XVIIIth century, when Louisiana was still a possession of the French crown. They established close relationship with the Natchez colony, and made their Nome a shelter for fugitive slaves. At first, they were plagued with mosquitoes. That was until Karel Bilderdijk joined them. Karel was a Dutch animal charmer, specialized in insects, the kind of specialty that would have made him an outcast everywhere else. There were no more mosquitoes inside the Nome thanks to him, but should outsiders try to invade the place, dark clouds of buzzing insects would instantly arise to fend off the aggressor. The very thought of it made me feel sorry even for the fictional threat.
At the end of the ritual, Satamon, with a gracious hand gesture, invited all the magicians that had partook in the ritual (a dozen) to join her family for dinner. They strolled along the complex interlacing of walkways and piers that led to a door framed with entwined flowers. I joined them in the dining room. Its walls were covered with Egyptian tapestries depicting banquet scenes. Satamon sat there at the end of the table, while her husband Thomas took place at the other end. The old Karel Bilderdijk sat at the honor place, at her right. My cousins, brother and I were seated in the center.
Karel was a kind and strange old man. My cousin Ruth trained with him to become an animal charmer. She was 21, had already passed the Per Ankh's trials. She was now staying permanently at the 77th Nome, though she thought about moving. Mariam, black of skin and hair, a strong combat magician, was around Julius' age and in the same class. They were both studying for their upcoming finals, next year. Abigail was a bit older than me, she would soon turn 15. She had a golden light-brown skin tone, with black frizzy hair. Little Judith was eleven year old. With her tanned yet dotted with freckles skin and red hair, she was the only one who had taken after her German grandmother as well as her father. She had her mother's mismatched eyes, though.
The girls were quite annoying, except Ruth, but I had befriended Bram, Karel's grandnephew. He was also an animal charmer in training, and was a year older than me. I'd met him in Cairo, where we had common lessons.
This was my first time in this Nome. Those were the summer vacations, and with my aunt Zaïna and her children off to see her in-laws in Mexico, there was no one to watch over us. Julius and I had objected that we could perfectly watch over ourselves, as Julius was already seventeen. What's the difference, we are always alone anyway?
I liked it here though. The Bayou House was a strange wild place, akin to its ruler, my aunt Satamon. She dressed herself in bright gowns, braided her hair with gems and sea shells. She was specialized in Charms and Song magic, which was quite unusual among Nome leaders. Local legends said her song helped fugitive slaves find a path to safety following her voice, and kept outsiders at bay.
After the dinner, I retreated inside the building and went upstairs, back to my bedroom. Julius went back to studying, as he mostly did those days. I had nothing to do so I took a book and waited for the night to come.
Soon enough, I understood I couldn't focus, let it fall on my belly and turned my head. I looked at Julius' back, bent over his desk. Julius was almost perfect in every aspect, and well, he couldn't help it, that's what he had to be. Though the almost was killing him for sure. It wasn't so much my father's doing, most of the time, he'd just nod at him and carry on working, as that of our grandmother Zahia. Grandma was the most respected person in our family, sometimes it seemed to me that she was the only one who could talk father into something. Marwa and I found her scary as heck. She looked old and haughty, always wore ancient Egyptian jewelry and made scathing comments to anyone who strayed so far from the ideal she had for our family, comments that would then earn us immediate reprisals from secondary authorities, parents and uncles. She lived with us but more as a ghost than a flesh person. Except when it came to Julius, she would lecture him as often as she could.
She never acted so with me though. Well, mother wouldn't allow it, and then, grandma was solely focused on Julius, as the family's heir. Your mom wanted to keep you only for herself. They took her firstborn from her, sent him to Cairo when he was but six, so we decided you'd be hers, and hers alone, Jelila had once told me. It was just before father threw her out of the house. And I think some part of you must have thought that if you'd do everything she wanted, she'd be happy again. I think father heard the last part. It could explain the shouting that came after.
I chased those thoughts. Grandma didn't care so much about what I was doing, since I didn't chose the combat magic path. I must admit I wasn't studying as hard as Julius did, although he was already top student. Well, actually, not exactly the top student
"Trying to beat Yasmine Abdi, again? You're really obsessed with her.
– She's being annoying. "
I couldn't blame him actually. Abdi was a lowborn, it was quite humiliating for Julius that she'd beat him everywhere. Especially since she was only an elementalist. Also, I think he had some kind of weird crush on her. A very serious crush on her. I should tell Mariam. She'd bully him to death.
Mariam was another pest as well. She didn't give a shit about side subjects. She would only do and study what interested her. She was great at combat magic, even better than Julius no matter how hard he tried. She studied Song magic as well. The rest, she said mockingly, was for peasants.
I looked at the clock, it was past midnight. The inhabitants of Nome went to bed late. Fortunately we were on weekdays. I put back my book on the bookshelves, grabbed a light coat and a rope.
"What are you doing?
– Going out.
– Are you mad? What if Aunt Satamon finds out?
– If she does, I'll know it was because of you. "
A few more steps, and my walk for freedom began. Bram and I had decided to sneak away at night. I wanted to see New Orleans and he was willing to show it to me. Satamon wouldn't let us go see the city without adults around. Was it dangerous? Oh, probably. It wouldn't have been funny if it wasn't.
Bram had grown up without parents, under the sole supervision of his great uncle. He wasn't a rebel, he just did what he wanted, and didn't hesitate to go for a walk wherever he liked whenever it pleased him, totally oblivious to laws and regulations. I found him on the back pier, next to his small wooden boat. A very excited Abigail was standing next to him.
"I'm sorry, I just couldn't get rid of her.
– Mariam is seeing someone outside the Nome, I want to find out who that is!
– Why didn't you tell me she would be there too?
– Truly this part wasn't planned. Mariam left the Nome earlier. This one was snicking behind me. She wants to come along with us. "
I looked at Mariam's boat. It was still on pier.
"She charms alligators with her whistle and she rides them. That's how she sneaks out without dad and mom noticing, explained Abi. "
Mariam was lofty and annoying, but I had to admit she was somehow the coolest person I knew. Riding alligators to see one's secret lover in a city with a curfew is the definition of cool. Julius and Yasmine Abdi could never match it.
"Come on I'm bored! Besides, what are you even going to do there, look at the views? I know all the cool places. And if I'm not going, I'll snitch on you then. I have no morals. "
We sighed and took her with us. Abigail was the worst person on earth, she was chatty to begin with, then at some point she proceeded to sing. That's when Bram and I started to scream. We sailed through the mangrove that glowed blue under a round moon. It was completely silent, if not for Abigail and our shouting. We then abandoned the boat and roamed the city's deserted streets.
The houses' condition shocked me. Everything was in extreme poverty. I could no longer count the pierced roofs, the barred windows, there were too many. Most of the people barricaded themselves in their homes at this late hour. I followed Bram, who walked along the walls, avoiding the light that came down from the few lampposts. Women dressed in inexpensive lace lined up under their yellow lights. Every now and then we passed a distant brazier and heard beggars' drunken voices and screams.
I began to regret my decision. There were no more police patrols, but the whole neighborhood was a huge death trap. Mariam moved around as if she had known the place forever. According to Bram, we were in the Tremé neighborhood, that next to the French Quarter. It was long past curfew. I guessed that should a police man see us, two African-Americans and a half-Native boy, they would just shoot.
"Are you sure it's a good idea?
– Come on, she's meeting him at a bar. Other folks at the Nome hang there sometimes. "
Then it's just a super bad idea that we go in there, I thought. But the idea of going back inside, anywhere, and leaving those scary streets was quite enthralling. All in all, this was a stupid idea. Can't wait to get back to the Nome.
A beat pulsed through the night, a vibration that reverberated from house to house, ricocheting off the boards and cheap tin. Abigail dragged us to a little wooden house, with a closed door. Strange music was pounding from behind. We walked through the door.
The scenery changed dramatically. The walls were hung with golden fabrics. Glasses were spread out on a huge waxed wood counter. Around small tables scattered around the hall, men of all ages and races drank with their eyes fixed on a large stage where four musicians jiggled about.I saw Mariam. She was kissing a young boy behind the bar.
"She's completely nuts" said Abi, but she seemed quite satisfied. "I knew she'd do something crazy like that!"
I narrowed my eyes.
"Is it a girl, I asked, or a boy?
– It's gorgeous she said! Just move, you moron. Why are you so stiff?
– What is this music?
– Jazz, she said. You don't know Jazz music? "
I shrugged. We didn't listen to a lot of music at home, sometimes classical or opera tunes. At the First Nome, the only songs you could hear were the charming tunes of practicing students. But this, was unlike anything I'd heard.
"Come on, who doesn't know Jazz? Mocked Abi. My mom knows everything about it. She's a Song Charmer magician after all. "
It wasn't surprising, the music sounded a bit like her; colorful and joyful, yet somewhat intense and rich at the same time. Then a guy played a sax solo and my mind went blank. When he stopped, I almost wept. It felt as though the music stopping was some kind of great injustice, akin to little children dying and mothers jumping out of bridges. Then he started another song, and I felt content again. The trumpet answered him. And then followed another tune, and another, I can't say how many. I think I just stood there, happy just being there. The sax guy changed his instrument for a clarinet. He was around Julius' age.
At last the music stopped and new musicians jumped on the stage. I looked around. Bram and Abigail were gone, I was standing alone by the stage. The sax guy came down and talked to me.
"Hey kid, how old are you?
– Thirteen I said. "
He was extremely good looking, medium-sized, tanned, a bit like a combat magician. I wiggled uneasily. He had green eyes. I felt very warm suddenly and for once blessed my dark skin that hid the blush.
"You like the music? You're not from here."
He'd heard my magnificent Arabic accent.
"Where do you come from?
– New York.
– Oh, all right then. It's not Chicago, but they have some great musicians there."
– And you? I mean…
– It's fine. I'm creole, on both sides. Hence the eyes.
People were more mixed in Louisiana. Something to do with the colony's history.
"You like this place? We're not far from Story town. It used to be a speakeasy. Hidden bar" he clarified, seeing my confused look.
I looked around. All kind of people were hanging around. It was the very first time, outside the Per Ankh, that I'd see white and colored people in the same establishment. A group of men caught my eye. They wore expensive costumes and old-fashioned hats.
"Mobsters. They tip well. Don't talk to them though. "
I silently nodded. I looked around for Abigail and Bram and found them near the bar, arguing with a very unhappy Mariam. I joined them. The Saxophonist's eyes on my back were burning like embers.
He then walked toward Mariam. She had just found Abi and they were already fighting.
"You're such a spoiled little brat! Can't I have just an evening by myself?
– I'm just enjoying myself, I have the right to.
– Bloody hell, it's not safe.
– Then why are you here, with that... how should I call her?
– Mom is going to us all.
– She doesn't need to know.
– Amos, she turned to me. Are you some complete moron as well? You should never have listened to her!
– First of all it was my idea, I protested. "
Bram was dancing all by himself, ignoring his surroundings. I envied his style.
"It's alright, René is playing tonight, said Abi. He's from the Nome.
- He's not your fucking babysitter, spat Mariam.
- We don't need any babysitter, yelped Abi. "
I think Bram was just singing aloud at this point. Later on he told me that that night was his first drunk.
"We should get back I suggested.
- Yeah, we should sighed Mariam. "
Things of course did not stop there, for a welcoming committee was waiting for us back on the quay, in front of the Nome. Satamon took the time to slap us all on the cheek. It was a good slap.
"Do you know why I'm doing this? "
She took my chin in her hand.
"There's a curfew for people like us. Had policemen saw you, they would have shot you on sight. And then, magician or not, you'd be as good as dead. Now, go to your room.
– It's not fair, muttered Abi under her breath.
– Death isn't fair, it just is. And so is the world. I hope you'll remember this next time. "
I went back to my room. Julius was waiting for me, sitting on his bed.
"Shut up, I said.
- I didn't say anything.
- Then don't."
I turned to the wall, but I couldn't fall asleep this night, even though someone was in the room.
The next day, when we entered the breakfast room, we found cousin Jelila sitting by one of the long carved wooden tables. I hadn't seen her in ages. The day she came to a family meeting with a proud round belly and refused to tell anyone the name of the father had been the final strain on her relationship with my father. She didn't showed up to the 21st Nome after that. It was too bad, I liked Jelila. Sure she was much older than us and we were closer to the Tlacaelel girls, but she was smarter than them all. She'd give me books to read. Also she worked for the First Nome, at solving crisis and internal conflict and would sometimes share a story or two, which were always fascinating.
The real conflict arose, when she decided to let her bastard wear the Kane family name. I still remembered the shouting. Bastards weren't allowed to bear the name, usually they had nicknames related to the desert. Bellini's bastards for instance (they were a lot of them) were famously nicknamed Sabbia.
"I know the law, she'd declared. Adulterine bastards are forbidden to bear their parent's name. Nothing is said about natural sons. And I am not married, nor do I intend to be. "
Drunken Uncle Sohan had then proposed that we nickname the child "cactus". Though Jelila had left in anger, the name had stuck. Her son was now known as cactus-kane among us.
"Hey cousin, greeted her Julius.
– Hey annoying, she said. "
Julius had seen her last year, when he'd been sent to Djibouti. Young combat magicians were sent to serve in random Nomes, usually little Nomes who needed reinforcement. Two years ago, he'd ended up in Sarajevo first, then Honduras. I suspected my father of doing it on purpose, so that he could already prove himself.
Training to be a Statuary magician, I wouldn't have to do so. It was good, I wasn't so eager to roam territories policing gods and monsters. Also, my studies were a bit longer, so they should let me free for quite a long time before I had to join the 21st Nome.
"You look tired, she noticed. What were you doing again all night long? " She sighed. "That's why you won't grow up. You look like a ten year old. "
Thank you cousin, I know I'm small. Jelila was desperately blunt, another thing I liked about her.
"Boys grow up later, reminded Thomas. I'm sure Amos will get a growth spurt in the years to come. "
Thomas was a kind and easy-going man. He was tall, red-headed, with warm brown eyes and freckles. I liked him. I started my training quite late and there was a lot that I had to catch up. He was a good help. Except in elemental magic of course, I was just terrible at it. The teacher told me I should just relax and connect with the surroundings, you know the kind of crap weird gurus tell you. Unfortunately, I sucked at spells and divine words too. They just took too much time to come. Not to mention combat magic. Statuary was fine, in statuary you had all the time in the world, to fix things, make them better, change the plan, etc…
All of the family was gathering around the table. It had taken me a lot of time to adjust, I wasn't used to having kids shouting, running and screaming all around, especially in the morning. It was quite unsettling. In Brooklyn, our meals were more often taken in complete silence. Little Judith basically jumped on the place next to me and clanged her plate on the table. I winced.
"Where is Cactus-Kane? Asked Judith.
– Shh, I hushed her. "
Fortunately, Jelila didn't hear her. Judith rolled her eyes.
"Bah, you're always so boring.
– Shut up Judith, sighed Abi. "
Judith shut up for real. i shoot Abi a grateful look. She winked at me. I went back to eat my bowl, just happy with the now rare presence of my cousin.
Later in the day, as I was coming back from the library, I heard my Jelila's voice filtering through the half-open door of one of the Nome's salons. I approached to listen
"Oh, dear, you used to do exactly the same, answered Jelila.
– Different time, different place, brushed off Satamon. I can see why Jabari is having a hard time with him. "
Yes, but he forbids and doesn't even bother explaining. At least Satamon does. I came closer to the door.
"Babysitting for Jabari? I didn't expect that from him.
– He's been having quite a hard time these last years."
I got even closer. I was now standing againt the half-closed door. Their voices lowered down, so I had to prick up my ear.
"I suppose they needed some relief from this horrible mansion.
– It's been more than two years, how are they taking it?"
Oh crap, it's happening again: pity. Listening to doors was bad, I know, but hey! They were talking about us, right? And behind our backs. So there was some kind of justice.
"They've been hard to manage. Especially after the Duat portal incident. "
Oh, yes, that wasn't my proudest moment. Some months ago I'd snick out in the city. I didn't go far, just a few blocks of buildings. Of course, father grounded me and confined me to my bedroom. I got bored, drew a Duat door on the wall. I didn't know it would actually work. A few minutes later I erupted in my brother's study room, yelling that a ghul had invaded my bedroom. I watched as he killed it, under my and Marwa's encouragement. Having a Combat magician as a big brother was handy from time to time. We didn't manage to keep it secret though, thanks to Noam's big mouth. I got two more weeks of grounding after that.
"Oh, that incident? It's nothing, remember what Julius used to do at the same age?
– True, laughed Satamon. Hope they didn't mention it to our girls, it could give Abigail some ideas. "
Knowing that Aunt Satamon wasn't really angry was a relief. Not that I wasn't used to disappointing people; but it still hurt. And both Thomas and her had been most welcoming to us.
"Your son is welcome as well here. If you ever need to.
– Thank you. It's always so quiet in here.
– Well, this place has always been a shelter. "
I left them and wandered through the neat halls and corridors. I walked out to some pier, and wandered under the trees until I reached the end of the platform. A little sign read "Do not feed the alligators". I wished there were some stones, so I could throw them in the water.
"Amos?" Called a voice from behind.
I jumped and turned around. Tonight's clarinet player, René, was standing beside me.
"Why didn't you tell me that you were Mariam's cousin? I would have…
– Would have been more concerned? "
He wiggled uneasily, took some steps and stood by me. He wasn't looking at me but staring at the water instead.
"Your aunt could end my carrier on a single word, he told me.
– She won't know. Besides, it's not like you've done anything wrong.
– Tell that to your unforgiving kin, he muttered. "
I raised an eyebrow. He blushed.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that.
– No, you shouldn't have, I pointed out. "
We stayed in an uneasy silence . A strange thick fog was spreading over the bayou. I watched an alligator slowly drifting in the water. I never thought I'd like those stupid animals as much as I did now.
"Is there anything I could do to make you forget that as well? asked Rémi.
I seized the opportunity.
"Well there is one, teach me how to play it. The clarinet."
His eyes widened.
"The clarinet?
- Or the sax. Then we're even.
- You're quite a bargainer.
- Will you? "
A half amused, half serious expression crossed his green eyes.
"Yes, I will. "
