Chapter Nineteen: Saja the Iesh'sha
Friday, dusk
Surrounded by a cloud of officials, Saeyaja K'el strode with haughty face into the Othila base, trying not to blink like a sleepy owl as her eyes adjusted to the light after the soft glow of dusk outside. Animals all around the big, open room looked over at the disturbance with varied expressions of surprise, annoyance, and fear that turned to respect when they saw the humans. Some even bowed. Others scurried out of sight into doors around the perimeter of the room. How would these same animals react to Lady Lamaki? Surely her beauty and grace would put them at ease.
Saja looked around the base as a chill ran over her arms. Speaking of that… This place makes me uneasy, even more than the other Othila bases we visited yesterday and this morning. The animals here seem… angry.
At his charge's impatience to find one particular turtle yesterday, the representative had suggested physically traveling to several Othila bases while other officials stayed in the city to search Deutsu records. The Deutsu disagreement hindered communication, the representative had said, so the honored Iesh'sha might have better chances finding the turtle by asking in person.
Each visit brimmed with discomfort for Saja, and fear that she would be discovered, but at least the officials had presented her with fancy clothes before they left in their strange air vehicle: a shimmery purple tunic with flowing sleeves and embroidered flowers and vines, soft blue pants that looked like a skirt when she stood still, black shoes, and a black ankle-length cape with pockets. Saja's own clothes now filled her shoulder bag. At least I look as rich and powerful as an Iesh'sha now. She shifted her arms, feeling the soft, silky fabric flow over her skin. And it is nice to feel as beautiful as Lady Lamaki, even if I'm acting in a way opposite to her.
The representative paused, then led the way over toward the left, toward a wall of impressive three-screened computers, and a knot of animals hurriedly talking clustered in front of them. As they neared, Saja realized that at least two-thirds of the computers were dead; several techies, hidden behind the other animals, glanced up from their work in the guts of the ruined machines, faces scrunched in frustration. I wonder what happened to them.
Then the huddle broke up, and a lanky brown-and-white hare approached and swept into a bow.
He spoke words that were clearly welcoming, and the representative replied, but Saja noted his body language. He doesn't really want humans here. They want to be left alone. The conversation continued for a moment, and although Saja tried to read expressions and gestures to guess the topic as usual, her attention started to drift. I wish I could put the smart turtle's translator on someone, but Iesh'sha always expect a translator to be provided.
Letting her face show her boredom—the Iesh'sha got bored quickly—Saja took in more of the room: weapons racks off to the right, a number of mops leaning against the wall beyond that, and overhead, several cages. Saja hid a shudder at unwelcome memories of trying to sleep in a cage for a day or two before she had enough energy to teleport away from that particular world and never come back.
She yawned. It's been a full day traveling to all these Othila bases in that horrid vehicle. If they don't have any information of substance here, this will be the last one for the day. I sure hope this search doesn't take much longer, or the ambassador will show up and find me out. Besides, in another day or two, I will have to leave anyway, whether or not I've found Don's brother.
Then the representative, with a wave toward Saja, mentioned Iesh'sha, and the girl's attention snapped back. She stared at the hare, and the hare stared back. I hope he doesn't see how nervous I am. Self-control kept her from picking at her sleeve or breaking eye contact. Act brave like the great Parvoss, she told herself. The hare kept staring. Doesn't he know how powerful the Iesh'sha are? The Iesh'sha like to be admired, but not stared at.
Finally, an orange tabby housecat nudged the hare and whispered something, and he bowed.
Saja exhaled.
The representative said the name Raphael, and Saja almost flinched at the sudden anger and hatred in the eyes of every Deutsu within earshot. Donatello, what is this brother of yours like? What did he do to gain such a reputation so quickly?
The hare spoke, spitting out the name Raphael with venom. The humans looked a bit taken aback. Lady Lamaki, he's as angry as Elder Nafti.
The translator turned to Saja. "It zeems your turtle has aligned himself with the Da'an, and brought great trouble tuh the Othila."
Saja reviewed what she had gathered about the two sides of this world's civil war. The Othila are pro-slavery; the Da'an are anti-slavery. So Don and his family are anti-slavery. That makes me feel a bit better, even if Don's brother did cause destruction. This decided, she waved a hand dismissively. "Do I care about the disagreements of beings far beneath me? Just tell me where he is."
As her reply was translated, the hare's face darkened.
Uh, oh. If he is in their power, I don't want them to hurt him. "When you bring him to me, I will decide what punishment to grant him, if needed." As if I could punish Don's brother; I couldn't keep my blade even one moment when I panic-attacked Don. From what he said, his brother is even better at fighting.
The hare's angry eyebrows raised a fraction at this statement, then he growled out an answer to the question the translator repeated.
"He zays the Da'an have your Ravael."
"Where are these Da'an?"
The Othila hesitated to answer this, but when Saja crossed her arms and tapped her foot, one of the nervous officials blurted a whispered warning to the animals.
"North," the answer came, and the officials all listened carefully as the hare gave more specific direction. Finally! Some good news!
Once she was sure that her escorts knew the way to go, but before they were done talking, Saja turned and marched toward the door. The Iesh'sha says it's time to go.
Little noises of surprise sounded behind her before the officials hurried to finish with the Deutsu and catch up with her. A red-and-yellow lizard keyed in something on a panel to open the door, and Saja marched straight through the pale blue of late evening to the waiting air vehicle.
An official ran ahead to slide open the vehicle's door and to help her in.
The girl stifled a smile. With all this spoiling, I could almost forget that I'm a terrible criminal and that I'm usually ignored or being yelled at or chased or whatever.
Once all the officials were seated and strange straps held everyone in place—Saja had had to watch the others carefully on her first flight yesterday to understand how they worked—the vehicle rumbled into the air. Saja conjured up her few memories of happy visits to other worlds to avoid clutching at her armrests and revealing how nerve-wracking it was riding a huge metal vehicle hurtling through the sky. I've seen similar air vehicles, but never ridden in one. Before yesterday, that is. At least I've grown less terrified of technology in general. I never could've handled riding in something like this right after I was exiled.
Saja had just started to relax enough to remember how tired she was when the vehicle slowed, and, with a dip that made her stomach lurch, descended.
As soon as the vibrating mass of metal had landed, she released her straps and snapped her fingers; the official to her left yanked open the door, jumped out, and offered his hand.
She took it, which was fortuitous, because otherwise she might have missed a step in her haste to leave the still-rumbling hunk of metal and wires. Safety! Sweet grass! I hope I never have to ride in such a contraption again! From the vehicle's powerful lights pointing in all directions, she saw that she stood on a flat field of knee-high grasses and wildflowers. More deciduous forest ringed the field on three sides; the Da'an base took up the fourth.
Her ears picked up something that sounded suspiciously like snickering from behind her; she whirled and glared at the adults still disembarking. They returned confused looks. Either they're good actors, or I misheard.
She hid her embarrassment by immediately starting toward the faded matte gray building crouching on the far side of the field. An Iesh'sha would probably punish them just for that, but I'll pretend I'm giving them another chance.
The representative jogged to pass her and lead the way, as his position dictated; the others, all carrying strange white lanterns, caught up. As the group neared, Saja saw that the building ahead sagged, old and worn, on its foundation. Wow. Looks like the Da'an got second choice when it came to bases.
It did not, however, have any visible doors, like the Othila bases. The representative knocked on the exterior and waited.
Saja stood still, her body tired after the short walk. Weariness will overcome my fear of vehicles soon. Would an Iesh'sha fall asleep in a transporter? And how far away from the city have we come?
After a moment, the representative turned to Saja. "Miss, you zhould know that the Da'an haf rebelled againzt us, their makers. They may be less than zilling to grant your rekkest, or even listen. Yiv-"
A door opened and light spilled out into the night. In the gap stood a short, sandy-furred fox with huge ears, a dangerous expression, and one paw on the hilt of a sword. Others, equally serious, stood behind him. A fox. In all the stories where the great Parvoss and Lady Lamaki meet a fox, it is always clever. And sometimes deceptive. I hope this one is not deceptive.
The fox spoke, his black eyes glittering.
Saja sensed the officials around her tense; one man to her left slowly reached for something on his belt. I didn't see any weapons on them, but I have no idea what their technological baubles can do.
The representative stepped halfway aside, one hand sweeping toward Saja. "Mir Iesh'sha," he said, and all the animals' eyes locked onto her.
Saja stared back.
"Kahni ezevelin gup ae Ravael."
The fox's eyes sharpened. He barked one word, and the representative lifted his shoulders in a small shrug. He glanced at Saja. "He azks why you zeek thiz Ravael, miss."
Saja's breath caught. Time to start acting really weird for an Iesh'sha. Or perfectly normal. I don't know. Just please, don't discover me now, not when I'm so close. She pointed at the representative. "You." She pointed at each of the other humans in turn. "You, you, you, and you. All of you, leave me. Go wait for me in the-" I don't remember what they called it. She waved a hand in the general direction of the air vehicle. Act brave like the great Parvoss.
Surprise and worry crossed the representative's face. "Miss, do you really zant us to leave? Ze cannot protect you from so var away."
He's got a point. But I need to talk to these animals directly.
"Go."
Casting confused looks, the humans left. One apparently left his tech lantern on the ground behind her. Meanwhile, the fennec fox and his guards waited, eyes watching every movement.