The next morning as I awoke, I immediately noticed that the sea had grown much calmer, at least it seemed that way in comparison to the violent waters we’d been navigating thus far. My room didn’t buck and sway as much as it had the days before. The familiar heaviness of the Tonrar’s presence was still with us. My lungs ached as I pulled on my clothes.
I left my room and stopped by the kitchen to grab some breakfast. I then headed straight for the bridge to discuss the situation with the warrior, my First Mate, whom I’d left in charge for the night. His name was Themis, a seasoned sailor known for his precise navigational skills and brutality.
Sipping my strong brew of mazagran, laced with grog, I asked him, “Where are we?” The strong mix stung as it flowed to my stomach and the immediate buzz it gave readied me for what lay ahead.
“I’ve been searching the data base since first light.” He pointed to the large map displayed before us. “As far as I can tell, the Tonrar transported us within a day’s journey of Akoni Farrin. We just passed by the lea of Tira Farrin. The land mass has long been decimated and nearly abandoned.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“I was commanded to check every farrin and to bring back a full report on every clan.”
Themis appeared dumbfounded. “Every one?”
“Was it not Captain Umiko’s habit to visit all the land masses?”
“No. He was never asked to waste his time on farrins that held no threat.”
“From now on, every farrin in the south holds a threat.”
He still looked uncertain but he turned the ship around gradually to backtrack to Tira.
We landed with no fanfare. No one came to the neglected dock to meet us. I sent ten of my Apolake Warriors to do a thorough scout of the farrin and to take note of their numbers and of any possible babies born in the last years. The Tonrar went with them, rushing through the air like an obsidian whirlwind to do an exhaustive search
They returned with a dismal report. There were a total of twenty clan members, many of them youths and only two babies in their number. I was tempted to take one of the infants just to enforce Casimer’s domination but I’d been told not to remove from a clan that numbered less than fifty. I grudgingly complied and commanded the First Mate to navigate toward the next farrin.
We visited a number of land masses, Holmger, Islay and Lyle, all of their populations unimpressive. Each of the clans numbered more than fifty. We took a baby apiece to return to Dwarkaa and forced them to sacrifice one young warrior in honor to the Lord Ruler, Casimer. The familiar oppressive cloud, the typical grief we left behind at each of the land masses, didn’t plague me. This was my job, my duty.
There were a few very small islands with no population that we skirted around and ignored, focusing only on inhabited land masses.
The map showed that Oyvind Farrin and its clan was the next one in line. We were drawing closer to Akoni and I could tell the crew was getting nervous. My skin began to vibrate most unusually and I wondered if the fear from my crew was affecting me this way.
Themis informed me that Oyvind’s population was more noteworthy. They had a clan size of around three hundred and they’d been sufficiently terrorized by previous Apolake Warrior visits. He said this with a notable look of pleasure.
As we docked at the port, the clan was waiting for us. At that moment I realized that Tilly had not made an appearance. I wondered if she’d gone for her breakfast or lunch or if she was intentionally hiding out in our room. I was tempted to go find her, make her watch what we were sent to do but I had no time. My men needed my direction and Oyvind Clan would soon mourn under Dwarkaa’s demands.
The Tonrar’s presence provided a bubble of reprieve from the wicked wind that tore through the farrin’s atmosphere. Most of the clan stood outside of the protective air space which sheltered our ship, wind whipping at their archaic leather garments and their lacerated hair thrashed about wildly. The Tonrar creating a protective shield from the relentless wind was one benefit of having them around.
The gang plank was lowered and I was the first to disembark, followed by five Apolake Warriors. The Clan Leader stepped forward and bowed in respect.
I asked, “How many babies have been born since the last visit?”
The leader held back the disdain I clearly saw in his eyes and said, “Thirteen.”
I was shocked. How could that many babies be born in such a short time? I hid my surprise and asked, “What are your numbers in total?”
“Three hundred and fifty.”
“Three hundred and fifty?” I looked down at my ledger. “It does not agree with the last documented number.” I lifted my eyes and stared at him with what I knew was my most intimidating look. “Why?”
“Captain Umiko never stayed here long. He came in quickly and always left in haste. The Tonrar rarely accompanied him. They didn’t do a thorough accounting of our population for many years.”
I felt utter disdain for Captain Umiko and could not understand his pathetic cowardice. Swallowing my growing contempt for the man, I said, “We will take two children, two or older, with us and two young warriors must be sacrificed. You have five minutes to choose. And prepare some women for my men. My warriors are needy.”
The typical outcry and grief surged from the clan populace, the women with the young were the loudest and their cries would move me if I cared, but I didn’t. Having done this work for years, I’d grown callus to it.
“You must be proud of yourself,” Tilly said quietly beside me.
I turned to take her in. I had not heard her approach. Her arms were crossed below her bosom and she was wearing her everyday frock, something I’d forbidden her to wear on our visits to the farrins. I’d told her very clearly what was expected – she was to wear the Apolake Warrior uniform I had made for her.
“Where’s your uniform?”
She ignored me and asked, “Why do two need to be sacrificed? Why not give them a chance at life? And why take toddlers? The parents will be crushed with this demand.”
I stared at her, wondering at the strange words coming from her full lips. “I don’t have time for this.” I turned back to see if the clan leader had made a decision.
“When will you have time? When will enough blood be spilled to be satisfactory? When will this ever end?”
I spoke without looking at her. “I don’t understand you’re reasoning. Don’t you know by now that I am commissioned to bring the terror of Dwarkaa to the land masses? This is what I do.”
“And the very reason I hate you!”
She walked away, her shoulders stiff and straight as she ascended the gangplank to the ship’s deck. Tilly was a complicated woman. I didn’t know if I’d ever understand her. For a seasoned warrior from Akoni she should be tougher.
I glanced at my warriors. They stood far enough apart that I was sure none had overheard our conversation. Hopefully the Tonrar wouldn’t take Tilly’s words and report then to Casimer or his guards. I was counting on their preoccupation and bloodlust with the upcoming slaughter to focus their attention elsewhere.
The clan leader spoke. The clan leadership had made their choice. Two young children were chosen and handed to Apolake warriors. They wailed as children do as they are torn from their parents. They were taken on board and stored with the others below deck. A warrior, Laufeia, was the one who checked on the babies periodically. Sometimes he would feed them if he remembered. He has been known to kill one or two on the journey back to Dwarkaa. His tolerance for crying infants is thin. I decided at that moment to take a look at the chain in command to make sure more infants survived. Not that I cared about them, but the more numbers we’d return to Dwarkaa, the better my reputation would be.
The ceremony went ahead without a glitch. I would have made Tilly watch the slaughter but I was in no mood to go oversee it, not after her disparaging words. I sent some of my strong warriors with instructions of how to proceed.
Four young women from the clan were chosen for the brothel house and my men enjoyed the evening’s entertainment.
Darkness was setting in as we pulled away from Oyvind Farrin. We traveled along the coast of Oyvind to the far side and anchored in a cove not far from shore. After a discussion with Themis, we decided to spend the night before traveling to the next island.
I retired to my room shortly after this. As soon as I entered, Tilly walked up to me, a scowl on her pretty face, and asked, “Why? Why do you do this work?”
I grinned at her in derision. “This is what I’ve been trained to do from childhood.”
“Do you ever think for yourself? Or do you blindly follow everything you’re told?”
Anger filled my chest and I felt for the knife at my waist. No man or woman is allowed to speak to me this way, especially not my coverling.
“Before you try to kill me again, listen to what I have to say.” Tilly took a step back and kept eye contact.
She was still wearing her everyday frock and she looked fetching. I wished it was easier to kill her. Her demise would make my life easier.
“When is the last time a baby was taken from Akoni? Do you know?”
I detested being grilled by my woman. “What does it matter? We’ll take plenty this time. We’ll show them who truly rules in Dwarkaa’s Domain.”
There was fear in Tilly’s eyes.
I felt smug that I was able to intimidate her. “So what did you want to tell me?”
“My fear is not for Akoni. I’m afraid for what will happen to your grand ship and your fellow warriors. Now that I am one of you, my terror is for my own life. You do not know what you are doing. At least Captain Umiko had enough sense to know his weaknesses. You are forging ahead with no knowledge of what you’re about to face.”
I refused to let her words move me. I considered her a manipulating dog and I declined to be bewitched by her sorcery.
Taking a step towards her, I asked, “Tell me, why did you wish to leave Akoni? Why would you have agreed to become Broehain’s coverling and move to Dwarkaa if Akoni is as superior and intimidating as you say?”
Tilly smiled knowingly. “Perhaps Akoni needed someone on Dwarkaa for a purpose. Umiko never could have taken me from my home land mass if our leader, Xiomara, had not allowed it.”
I didn’t expect that answer and it rendered me speechless as I stared at her uncertainly.
“You didn’t anticipate that?” Tilly asked smugly. “Neither have you anticipated what awaits you on Akoni Farrin.” With that she turned and left the room.
I ate alone that night, if eating is what you’d call it. I picked at the lamb shank and sipped slowly at my tall glass of elixer. The days events had drained me and I gratefully retreated to my bed. My bed felt cold and lonely and I thought of searching for Tilly but I was too exhausted to truly care.
My sleep was fitful, full of disturbing images and visions. I longed for daylight but dreaded the morning. Every conversation with Tilly made me feel more uncertain. Never has a woman had this effect on me.
