Chapter 31:
Keeah rested her elbows on the bulwarks of the ship and watched the dark waters lap at the sides of the boat as it rocked rhythmically with the rise and fall of the Ku Youg Sea. Her eyes scanned the surrounding taking in the dense fog that hung over the sea like a gauzy curtain. The sun must have risen sometime but its feeble rays failed to break through the dense blanket of the fog. She turned to watch Taasha.
He was at his usual position steering the ship through the treacherous waters where jagged edges of rock often lay waiting submerged under the icy waters as patient as any monster, waiting, waiting to sink their claws into an unsuspecting prey. This made their progress unusually slow and Keeah was beginning to feel impatient. Her calculation showed that they were on the sea for almost two weeks now, and yet, to her every one of these days stretched out like an eternity.
' What should I expect in Fa Sang?' Her eyes were brooding. ' Tur was destroyed and the next target was Fa Sang. So, the question is, did Fa Sang fall like Tur? There are two options, the first is that it fell and was destroyed and the second one is that it withstood the attack. Even if that were the case, there is no reason to think that it is still standing. ' Keeah frowned. ' But why would Taiskun hide the scroll in Fa Sang? Why there of all places?'
She turned her face upwards wishing that she could see the blue expanse of the sky that always seemed to calm her. ' Legends say that Fa Sang had a library that was unparalleled in this world. ' She smiled a little. ' Every time they wrote about Fa Sang they mentioned it in past tense ... which makes me wonder whether it did fall like Tur. There is something I do not understand though, it was clear that whoever attacked Tur wanted to make an example of it, but why is Sairi still guarding it? Why won't she allow life to return to Tur? '
She drew the cloak closer around her trying to shut out the cold air that sunk its teeth into her flesh through the layers of clothing she wore. ' Sotisku was right when he said that Sairi followed somebody's orders. She may have taken Tur, but it was somebody else who planned the exact moment to attack. She kills for sport and she did not attack us because she thought that we were weak. We would die easily and hence offer her little sport. Therefore, she attacked us only because somebody ordered her to. ' She frowned. ' That is a disturbing thought. What was the motive behind it? If somebody is powerful enough to cheat death and be almost immortal, then what threat could we be to him? We would be nothing more than bugs to him, who he could crush by a mere flick of his hands, then why go through the entire melodrama of sending a psychotic cat to kill us? It just doesn't make sense. '
She twisted the edge of her cloak, as she was wont to do when she was in deep thought. ' After all, all I want to do is release Seiryuu. The only enmity I have is with Hotohori. Now, if Sairi would have attacked me when I had entered Tur, I could have reasoned that she attacked me because I trespassed on her land. But...' She clutched her head with her hands. ' Seiryuu, my head hurts and I still haven't come to any conclusion as to why Taiskun hid the scroll on that particular island.'
"Princess. "
Keeah turned "Oh Suraco." She flashed her green-eyed freind a strained smile. "So you are up. How is Sotisku?"
Suraco huddled deeper into the folds of his cloak. "He is curled up on the bunk, moaning. The last time I checked he told me to leave him alone so that he could die in peace. "
"The sea did not agree with him at all. "
"You might think that he would get used to it after two weeks. Don't worry. He'll live. So, when do you think we'll get there?"
"I wish I knew Suraco. " Keeah looked at the hazy horizon. "But we will get there no matter what."
She blinked. Once again she had that familiar sensation of the world going blank around her. Once again she felt like she was standing in another place and time watching the events of a bygone age unfold before her eyes like a silent drama.
The Ku Youg sea seemed to be suddenly full of ships cutting silently through the dark waters, their sails fluttering like the wings of a swan in full flight. For as far as her eyes went she could see the ships moving silently like phantom vessels through the mist, their proud standards waving defiantly in the cold wind.
' What does this mean? Are they the ones who attacked Tur? Are they now going to attack Fa Sang?'
She blinked once more. It seemed that she that the deck she was standing on was superimposed on another image. It was the deck of a battleship and the sailors moved around her in a kind of frenzied activity. They all wore leather amours under their heavy cloaks and their faces were covered with leather masks. Their eyes held a strange cynical look. Keeah was only too familiar with that look. She saw it one too many times reflected in the eyes of the soldiers who fought beside her. They were soldiers, veterans of many wars, their innocence drowned and jaded in the blood and grime of the battlefields.
She saw a warrior standing not far from her. Keeah froze. A heavy fur cloak was thrown over one shoulder obscuring nearly half of the warrior's body, but the armour that was visible from under the folds of the blue cloak was similar to the armour wore by the woman in the painting she had seen at the temple in Tur.
' Is this the woman who ruled Tur?'
Keeah squinted her eyes hoping to get a better view of her face, but like her men, a mask covered her face. Only her almond shaped eyes were visible and Keeah was surprised to see that they were of the most unusual vibrant green in color.
' Almost like a cat.'
She saw another warrior kneel in front of her. The woman signaled him to rise. When he rose to his feet he took off the mask that covered his face letting a shock of red gold locks tumble onto his shoulders.
' He ... he looks like Taasha!'
The warrior had the same cat like features that Taasha had and the same feline grace in his movements. With his tawny coloration, amber eyes and red gold hair, he looked almost like a lion. He seemed to be suggesting something to the woman. But she did not seem to agree with him. But he pressed on. At the end the woman gave in and Keeah saw her shoulders sag and the look of intense pain that passed over her eyes before her emotions became guarded once more. Then she nodded slowly as if to give her permission.
The man with the red gold hair almost impulsively raised a hand as if to console her, only to check it at the last moment. Then he bowed stiffly and turned to order his men.
Keeah saw the man and few other soldiers get onto a smaller boat and row away slowly, the small vessel disappearing into the fog. The woman stood on the deck and watched the boat disappear, her proud figure suddenly appearing lonely and forlorn.
' Princess...'
Keeah felt herself return to reality. "Suraco. " She smiled hoping that she did not seem as disoriented as she felt "Did you say something?"
Suraco's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Are you all right Princess?"
"Perfectly. "Keeah lied. "I was just deep in thought, so, I missed what you said. " She knew that Suraco saw right through her lie, but she did not feel inclined to share her thoughts with him, yet.
Suraco sighed. He knew that Keeah was lying. Lately Keeah seemed phased off sometimes, like her mind was elsewhere, like she was dreaming with her eyes open. He knew that Keeah was not a daydreamer and this absentmindedness on her part worried him. But he also knew that unless Keeah wanted to tell him what was wrong, he would get nothing out of her. Experience told him that he should wait because she would tell him what was wrong eventually. So, he decided to wait.
"You shouldn't worry so much. "He smiled at her. "We will definitely succeed in our mission."
"I know. " Keeah said quietly.
Suraco was pleased to hear the slight arrogance back in her voice. He did not like to see her disoriented or disturbed.
"Seiryuu. " A disgruntled moan came from the direction of the cabin and the leather flap that served as a door was pushed aside violently as Sotisku came stumbling outside into the deck. His messy red hair was looking more in disarray than usual and he looked a trifle green.
"Hello." He flashed a rather watery smile in Keeah's direction. "Are we there yet?"
"Sotisku. "Suraco sighed. "How many times will we tell you? We don't know."
Sotisku collapsed on the deck and glared at Suraco. "You foul being. Do you dare mock me in this weakened state?"
Suraco rolled his eyes and went to assist Sotisku to stand up. Sotisku stood beside Keeah taking in the fresh air. Keeah noticed that he was looking better than he was for the last two weeks. He looked a tad pale, but the color was returning to his cheeks. Perhaps, he finally got used to the sea.
"You know Princess. "He said at last." There is nothing like fresh air. " He frowned. "Is it me or did the ship stop moving?"
Suraco moved up to Taasha. "Taasha, do you wish to take a break now?"
Taasha pointed ahead. Suraco followed the direction of his fingers.
"Seiryuu. "He gasped. "No wonder Taiskun chose Fa Sang."
He had never seen anything like it before. He thought that monsters like this existed only in myths and fantasy stories. The creatures were sleek and eel like to look at, their bodies rose like tentacles of some unknown plant from the depths of the sea, the fog curled around their sinuous bodies like fine lace gauze and their heads almost touched the clouds.
"What are those?" Taasha's voice was awed.
Suraco turned to look at Keeah. She shrugged. Sotisku moaned. "And I had to chose this moment to come out."
Keeah squeezed his hand reassuringly and moved up. "The question isn't what they are, rather the question is, are they dangerous?"
As if in response to her question one of the creatures raised its mighty head and let out a screech. It was taken up by the rest of the creatures like a kind of strange symphony. Keeah felt as if her eardrums would shatter as she pressed her palms tightly over her ears to block out the sound. Then as suddenly as it had started the sound died.
"Something tells me that I don't want to know. " Sotisku grinned uneasily.
One of the creatures raised its mighty tail and lashed it into the water.
' Oh shit!'
Their eyes widened as they watched the wall of dark water that rose at the impact and rushed at them with a roar that could put a thousand demons to shame.
He heard Keeah shout. "Grab something!"
"We are so dead. " Sotisku moaned grabbing hold to the mast for dear life.
... And then the water crashed on them flooding the deck and for a while he felt that he had indeed died ... and then once again he felt the cold air on his face.
' I am alive!'
He looked around to see Keeah straightening herself and Suraco sitting up. Taasha still clung defiantly to the helm, his wet hair framing his face.
' I do not think that we will survive another one of those. '
"Oh shit!" Taasha's voice held a panicked tinge. "I think the wave knocked us off course. " It was clear that he was having trouble controlling the ship. "I think we are stuck in some sort of current."
The vessel was being tossed like a leaf on the frothy waters wavering dangerously close to the dark rock faces that suddenly seemed to raise their head in the turbulent waters. Sotisku clung to the mast as the deck was showered with water and more than once it seemed that the ship would sink. He vaguely felt somebody tie him securely to the mast. He looked up to find Keeah tying herself to the mast as well. She was completely soaked and her black hair hung limply around her pale face.
"I swear this is a cosmic conspiracy. " He heard Suraco swear as he tied the last knot that tied the three of them to the mast.
"Taasha?" He questioned weakly. The nauseating sensation was coming back again.
"He refuses to leave the helm. " Keeah said calmly and for a while Sotisku wondered how she remained so calm. "Don't worry. We will reach Fa Sang. "
' Yes, but will we reach it alive?'
He wanted to squeeze his eye shut but something forced him to keep them open. Another wall of water crashed on them and felt the cold salty water almost suffocate him. When he blinked the water out his eyes he saw a dark structure rise in front of his eyes. It was like a dark tower that Nature herself carved rising from the icy waters, sharp rocks jutting out from its side as if to ward off intruders. The foamy waters crashed fruitlessly on the unrelenting stones walls and the current seemed to take the vessel directly towards it.
' Oh man we are going to die. '
"We are not going to die. " Keeah seemed to guess what he was thinking. Her voice was if possible more calm than usual.
' Yeah right.'
Suddenly an opening appeared in the rock face and the raging waters seemed to disappear into the dark hole.
' We are going to hell and that is the doorway.'
The boat was carried into the opening and for a while a pitch-black darkness engulfed them.
' We are officially in hell.'
And then suddenly they were in light. Not only that, they seemed to be in calm waters once more. Sotisku felt warmth wash over him. And then he heard Taasha yell...
"Land!"
"I told you we are not going to die. "Keeah let out a sigh that she seemed to be holding in for a long time and started to untie herself.
Fumbling with numb fingers he managed to get himself free and went up to stand by Taasha. They seemed to be near a small island with the suddenly calm waters lapping at the gravelly shoreline. The place was strangely warm and he could see a number of trees growing on the rocky soil of the island.
"Land!" His voice was ecstatic.
"Shall we cast anchor here Princess?" Taasha turned at Keeah.
"Yes." Keeah's voice was quiet. "Let us go ashore."
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The creatures made no move to follow the tiny vessel as it tossed and turned in the current disappearing into the fog. Then the creature in the front, whose mighty tail had raised the huge wave turned its head towards the heavens and gave a long mournful call quite unlike the painful screech it had emitted earlier. The rest of the creatures took it up and soon the foggy horizons of the Ku Youg Sea echoed with their strange song.
The fog around the creature seemed to glow from an unknown source and slowly the creature morphed into a humanoid form. In its place was a female with silvery blue hair that fell in waves almost to her ankles. She floated above the water; the tips of her fingers touching the icy waters, the fog forming a shimmering robe around her slim blue form.
She bend forward cupping the dark waters into her palm. Slowly the waters froze taking an almost glass like appearance. A faint mist swirled in the icy mirror melting away to reveal a somber face.
The female spoke. "It is done sister. " Her voice was misty and faraway, as if it was coming from the depths from the ocean. "Now the sea will take them to their destination. "
"Thank you Lehana. " The voice that came from the mirror was strangely sensual.
"Are you sure of what you do sister? Is everything as it should be?"
"Yes Lehana. "The figure chuckled. "All is as it should be. "
"I cannot help but worry sister. " Lehana's voice was sad. "There are so few of us left now. "
"Perhaps. But do not forget our real purpose, the one reason why we have endured for so long. "
"I do not forget sister. " Lehana's voice was cold. "And I do not forgive. But is it time yet?"
"It is time. "
"I see. "Lehana's smile held a strange unreadable emotion. "Very well. I will take your leave now. My pack and I must return to our nesting grounds. "
"Very well sister. "
Lehana parted her hands. The water that had frozen in her hands returned to its original fluid state and joined the sea once more. She raised her face to the sky once more before diving into the dark waters.
The waters parted to receive her and her family in its dark embrace.
... And then the icy waters closed over them like a fluid door and silence descended once more on Ku Youg Sea.
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The waters near the shoreline were very shallow and Taasha feared that if he took the boat any closer the bottom would be scraped. Besides, there was always a chance of becoming stranded when the water receded during low tide. So they anchored the boat at a little distance from the shore and decided to swim the remaining distance in order to reach dry land.
The swim was uneventful if one ignored the icy cold water. In stark contrast to the raging current that brought them here, the water here was strangely tame, the waves almost non-existent lapping gently along the shoreline.
Suraco stood in knee high water and observed the island. He was struck by the strange similarity between this island and Tur. Like the underground city sheer rock face on three sides and a calm water body on the fourth side surrounded this place. The only difference perhaps was that he could still see the sky above his head.
"Suraco are you going to stand there forever?" Sotisku yelled at him from the shore, where he was sitting beside Keeah. "I am hungry."
Suraco trudged ahead, a small smile on his lips. It would seem that finding land under his feet had restored Sotisku to his usual self, appetite included.
The island had an almost lazy peaceful feel to it, as if it were a sanctuary in this crazy world. Suraco found it even more disturbing than the strangely melancholic atmosphere of Tur. There was something definitely wrong with this island.
"Suraco, come and brood over here. "Keeah was sitting on the beach, her legs stretched casually in front of her. She patted an empty spot beside her.
Suraco plopped down on the ground. He felt warm and if the sky was not so foggy overhead he could have sworn that he could feel the warmth of the sun's rays on his upturned face. He frowned.
"Where is Taasha?"
"I think he went to look for some food. "Keeah said quietly. "All the stored food was washed overboard. "
"But I saved the medicine. " Sotisku declared cheerfully.
"And the amours. "Keeah fingered the three-layered pearl necklace she wore around her slender neck. "And we are officially swept off -course."
"This sucks. " Suraco moaned.
"Yes it does. "Keeah agreed. "But we have been through worse situations than this Suraco. We will endure. We will survive. "
"Yes. That we will."
"In that case. "Keeah got up brushing the dust from her tunic. "I am off to find some dry branches to start a fire with. You and Sotisku can set up the camp here. "
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Taasha was surprised to find that the island was considerably large. It reminded him of the forests outside Ubasti, with their fragrant leafy foliage and wild life. But this place was strangely devoid of wild animals. There were several fruit trees scattered over the island laden with the succulent delicacies that had teased his fantasy for the last eight months.
Experimentally, he plucked a fruit and sniffed it. He had reservations about eating fruit from a tree whose bounty was untouched by birds, but then he couldn't hear the melodic cacophony of the birds around him. The trees rustled around him and the wind caressed his face, but it was an incomplete symphony, as it was not spiced up by the creatures of the wild.
' What manner of forest is this?' He wondered. ' Unlike Tur, this place is alive. Then why do I feel uneasy?'
He decided to explore a bit further. As he moved deeper into the forest a strangely enchanting smell wafted up to his nose. He moved ahead and found himself facing a curtain of fragrant creepers. He pushed it aside to find himself in an open space and for a while he felt that he had come to another world.
He felt like that hunter who had unwittingly seen a heavenly maiden bathing on a full moon night. Of course there was no heavenly maiden bathing but he was pretty sure that if it was a full moon night then this where they would most definitely come. Taasha colored and he was pretty sure that steam came out of his ears at the image the more perverted side of his mind conjured up.
' How can I think of such perverted thoughts at a time like this?' Taasha smacked himself before moving forward to examine the place.
There was a small body of the clearest water in the middle of the clearing; its banks were heavily carpeted with soft grass, which were dotted by tiny yellow flowers. There were a few flat rocks around the lake, seats that Nature carved with her own hands. The entire place was hemmed in by trees and secluded from the rest of the forest by a curtain of creepers.
He took a seat on the bank and gazed into the water basking in the glory of Nature. The water was so clear that he could almost see to the bottom. Something glimmered at the bottom. Taasha squinted trying to see what it was.
' What the...? It is the crest of Bastet!'
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Keeah put down the armload of dry sticks onto the ground. Suraco and Sotisku was in the process of setting up a shelter and were back to doing what they did best. Argue.
The volume and insanity of their arguments suggested that the both of them were worried. At the sound of her feet they turned towards her. Their arguments ceased. Keeah smiled.
"So what seems to be the problem?"
"This place is not normal. " Suraco was the first to speak. "Fog always hangs over the ground. Look up. The sky appears to be foggy, just like the weather outside. But look around you, there is no fog. And how can it be so warm? We are deep in the Ku Youg sea and it became colder and colder as we moved North. This is unnatural. "
"I know. "Keeah said quietly. "But the fact remains is that I sense no hostile ki here. In fact, I can't sense any magic, so I cannot even argue that this place is magically enchanted. "
"I can't say that this is an illusion either. "Suraco said quietly. "I want to examine that sky. There is something strange there. Could you levitate me up?"
"Gladly. "
"Fine. "Sotisku said glumly. "I will stay down here ... alone ... and try to make fire. "
Keeah smiled and concentrated. A blue orb surrounded her and Suraco slowly lifting them off the ground and propelling them towards the sky. Keeah was surprised that the temperature did not fall as she rose up. Experience told her that it became colder as she moved up from the ground and yet now the temperature remained constant.
But instead of finding themselves in open air Keeah felt the shield she had erected around them collide with something.
"Seiryuu. " Suraco swore.
"I do not understand. "Keeah frowned. "Have we encountered a barrier?"
Tentatively Suraco stretched out a hand. "By Seiryuu Princess. This is no barrier. It ... it is a ceiling!"
"What!" Keeah stretched out her hand and for a while it seemed like she was indeed touching the sky. But her hand touched something smooth and cold. " By Seiryuu, what does this mean Suraco ?"
"I knew that there was something strange about this place. " Suraco swore, his green eyes shining. "I have never seen anything like this before. It's mind-blowing. "
"Its an illusion ? "
"No. Either that or it is of such a high level of illusion that I am unable to detect it. "
"But ... if this were an illusion, then shouldn't there some discernable magical ki around it. " Keeah frowned. "But I sense nothing. Such skill ... "
"Yes, I can only guess the power of the magician who created this place. " Suraco said somberly. "And what will happen if he takes offense of our presence here. "
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Sotisku watched Keeah and Suraco move upwards. Sighing he turned to light the fire. They had decided to set up the tent beside a large rock that lay on the shoreline. He decided to position the fire behind the rock to protect the flickering flames from the gusts of wind that came from the direction of the water.
He crouched behind the rock and proceeded to set up the fire. He frowned. There seemed to be strange carvings on the rock.
' Are they some sort of writing or engraving ? Or maybe I am seeing things. '
He peered closer dusting off the fine layer of sand that covered it.
' What the ... ?'
"Sotisku ?"
Startled Sotisku turned around. "Taasha. Don't scare me like that. "
Taasha was dripping wet, the water clung to his clothes and hair. His eyes looked worried.
"Taasha did you fall in water ?"
Taasha did not answer. Instead, he knelt beside Sotisku. "What are you studying ?"
"Well look at this ." He pointed at the engravings. There was a slight sound behind him. Keeah and Suraco had returned. He called out to them. "Princess, come here. "
Keeah and Suraco were looking extremely worried. They moved ahead to stand beside him.
"What is it ?" Keeah asked.
"It's an engraving. "Taasha's voice was strange. "Do you want to know what it says ?"
Keeah looked at him. "You can read it ?" Her voice was surprised.
Taasha nodded.
"Very well then. Tell us what is written. "
We were too late.
The script ran.
His army has destroyed Burzahom and Tur has suffered a similar fate. The winds that blow from my homeland bring only the smell of death and suffering. We fear that Fa Sang will also follow.
Is there no stopping Him ? They say that there is another who can stop Him, a warrior who goes by the name of The Demon King. The Demon King's armies are gathering on the banks of the Azure Sea and we were going to join him. However, we cannot allow Fa Sang and all its secrets to fall into His hands.
I have persuaded my Lady Bastet to take the majority of our army and join the ranks of the rebels by the banks of the Azure Sea. I and a few others will go to Fa Sang through the secret path and join with the armies of Fa Sang and help fortify the island.
The reason I did this was because I feared that Fa Sang has already fallen. Two days ago a dove came bearing a message from Wadjet saying that all was well and His army had not yet reached Fa Sang. I do not trust Wadjet, his eyes shift under mine and he does not meet mine eyes. I fear that my Lady Bastet would be the victim of some treachery if she went to Fa Sang.
At least this way my people will have a future. My lady Bastet says that she will make another Tur. Mine eyes wish they could see that land, but this is the only way I know to keep my Lady Bastet safe from Him.
It is I, Mehen, commander of the Bast Berserkers, wielder of the Scarlet Fang who writes thus.
It is I, Mehen, childhood playmate of Bastet, her most devoted lovesick slave who writes thus.
Taasha stopped and looked up.
"The picture ... in Tur ..." Sudden comprehension dawned on Sotisku. "It was Bastet. They said that they were going to Fa Sang using a secret path. There must be a way to Fa Sang from here. "
Keeah's keen eyes however rested on Taasha's pallid countenance. "Taasha ?"
"In Ubasti we worship Mehen as the God of war. " Taasha spoke at last. "It is said it is he who founded the ranks of the Bast Berserker. " He ran a hand over the engravings. "He ...he was mortal! Bastet was mortal ! Everything I believed in was a lie ... "
"So Goddess Bastet was mortal. Big deal. "Suraco snorted. "But do not jump to conclusions before you know the entire story. For example, who was this Him ? Who was this Demon King ? What is this Burzahom place ? Perhaps Mehen is called a God because he fought like one. Perhaps Lady Bastet's actions made her appear like a Goddess and as time passed people started to worship her as a Goddess. "
"That ... is possible. "Taasha agreed reluctantly.
"So even if she is a mortal there is no cause for you to loose faith in her. "Keeah said quietly. "She reestablished her kingdom, rebuilding it from the ashes and it endured for so many years. For that alone she has my respect. "
" Yes .. "Taasha colored. "It is just that my beliefs have never been shaken this much and I fear I overreacted. "
"That's all right. Now we should concentrate on finding that path to Fa Sang. "
Taasha looked at Keeah. " I believe that I might have found it. "
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