Chapter 9
"So you're a drell, obviously, but some 'Tyrannus' sub-species—"
"It's a social status," he corrected her, moving his hand to her chin and thumbing it gently, "….A tower of cultures in my society, with a rigorous system of standards….We call these tierreas, or the 'Towers of the Terje', which was defined, and enforced, by my ancestor and a union of families—treasachs….Mine, among these very powerful clans of families among the Birutise'aha's eastern shore….They formed our current government that is only matched by the Suiaghanna, across the waters from our shores of the Beirchardt," she found his accent coming true, ruggedly-smooth, fluid and poetic as he spoke between Common Galactic and entwined his native "tongue" with such words to help educate her, "….Technically, were the Birutise'aha, my continent, ever to unite into one, amidst all its bickering….I would become of the pool of Drells and Drellahnas to step into the potential role as Supreme Leader of that empire to be….but there is a lot of ritual, tradition, legal ramifications….consequences, Braith," he shook his head, "….for all that power….I hope to avoid all that by living here on Earth, where I am untouchable, and free."
"So you ran away to hide here on Earth of all places….Why Cherry Lake?…." Her gaze still was resolute, and stoney.
"It," his eyes fluttered closed as he introduced the memory, carefully, into his present consciousness, "….reminds me….of Nualavera….New Avera," his mind coalesced the vision of his past, walking on inspection—a touring with his brother, sister, father of their lands, "….Mountains, dry arid plains….'We miss the lands before these dunes that once were covered in green and fine grasses that burned as mirror-fire under the sky in autumnal season'….Papua holds her hand, leading my sister while I and Cartira walk in his shadow….The dryness, the coming of summer….The city is preparing yet for fall….'Our neighbors in Nuru and Umay, Karmuta and the Wilderlands between our borders shall be calling for Durril, seafare, Durriya, beckoning for moots to begin at the Kerhasi's Craig, Children'….'Our city is separated from them for many leagues, but it is We who close that distance'….'Your blood, my stewardship as your mother's trusted mitan'cela, Papir'aia of Nualavera, as one day you, Sprats, may be'…." Braith waited, listening, entranced by Casnar's solip into his memory—wondrous Drell memory was surreal to hear and to witness, he gone so easily into the past, "reliving" it for her to hear and understand him, "….Dunes, gold and white, darkening with streaks from the incoming rains west towards Wilderlands….The horizon moves with a beren silhouette, waiting for an opportune meal to happen beyond our tremor-nodes underground, affecting its hearing….The ocean calls—Bereds hunt, lamou'lina flashing out of the water as their tentacles churn, catching the feed found in their flight for survival from their thorns….Our Beirchardt laps at our docks and galienna'sastes….Our skiffs lift on her blue surface….The pebbles sound with her washing up to the walls of the city, Nualavera's steps from the piers….Plains of grasses still live before the great die-off of the Mier, wavering and hiding the outcrops of stone and holes hidden west among the steppes leading towards Karmuta through unforgiving terrain….'Karmuta will send more silks, we will trade Gran'wen wine, our famous dust from our mines, Escanes at cost, flowers, the sea's offering from our ships, technology from our factories', hidden in the protection of our blood-red, alabasrah-white Horn mountains against which Nualavera is cradled forever from storms, and invasion that could come from the north….The sky is divided between cloud and azure….'We will see many sunrises, Children, for that is the fortune of your ancestor unto you'….'Relik will always shine on the skin of Sousan hiriwas'….'And it will rise from the northwest, fall in the southeast, heralding you and the Tierrea'….'Nualavera will always stand so long as you protect its borders and walls, the alliance underground'….'Our barriers are strong, thanks to what we have gained with our Beloveds below us, guarding us as we have sworn to guard them, and Her'….'The cottus will be cleaned and readied for fall, Children, and her fires will be stocked and always lit to warm us in the colder days ahead, as well as to warn away our enemies'….'They will see her light, and know we are here to stay'….'Beacons of our Past, beacons for our Future'….'You are kings and queen, Young Ones, and so long as you remain here, tend to your treasach and responsibilities, this city will forever welcome you and keep you safe'….The espowyes'es fill in the day with shoppers and families, white squares full of Drell and Drellahna….Th'anes dance among them, performing for honor in front of the ma-trinese and papir'aia….Bazils bust with commerce and smells of cooked foods, artisan work firing the kilns and furnaces….Each cotti circling with others, lined with gardens manicured by pride….'What it is to be a drell living in Nualavera, what honor!'….The gran'wen berry blossoms, readying for harvest, sweetening the air mingled with salt from the ocean wind, the flowers among the beds of green before the grand cottus's archway….Kajal reeds swept into the corners for fresh reeds to be laid-down on cool, stone-tiled floors….Tereshae garnishes the corners and tables throughout the halls hallowing kin of our past who once ruled, led Nualavera to its rise, are worshipped and hated by Kerhasi who covet such power, influence, and wealth….Spices drift from the kitchens out into the conuilde….Children run, there is singing amid the night, when all work has paused for feast…." Casnar's eyes fluttered, tears seaming at the corners and working down his patak….His eyes suddenly opened and the memory was now banished, leaving him to see Braith before him with the background of his simple, "drab" living conditions behind her in the collection of small rooms he now called home.
Braith said nothing, her eyes had closed to listen and imagine such a place….but now that his voice had ended, she lifted her lashes and saw him. "You left that….for here?…." He nodded, "….It sounds like paradise."
"It's beautiful," he looked down, wiping his patak with his fingers, "….was nearly perfect, but it's what you Humans call a 'living Hell' behind the walls."
"Because you could be something that's likely not going to happen….ever?….I mean, the plausibility of it, Casnar."
"I could be a victim of the continent's politics….My family even, Braith."
With some disbelief, "….Your family….They're dangerous to you….?"
"Yes," he shook his head, "….Not that they would want to….It's better that I'm here."
"For you….or for your family's sake.
"For everyone."
Braith gnawed on her inner cheek, shaking her head, "….I guess power and family can be a damning thing."
"So….The women—"
"Acceptable," she waved off, "….It really doesn't matter….I guess if this is going to work between us, I can't be holding your past upbringing and circumstances against you, especially when you've sacrificed it all to be here with….nothing."
"Not….nothing," he fell quiet, regarding her with affection.
