Andrei and I both stood from the table as Donagh entered our residence. His antiquated leather outfit looked beggarly on the former high ranking, Dwarkaa Ship Captain. He’d taken on the Akoni Farrin typical garb and it was odd seeing him so comfortable wearing it.
“We are going on a trek. There is something you need to see. Come with me.”
I grabbed my coat, put it on and followed him from the home.
An entourage of Akoni warriors accompanied us. Donagh retraced the steps back up to the high ridge we’d passed on our journey to their settlement. We traveled for quite some time. Eventually we entered a small, barren valley which was located at a high elevation where breathing was difficult. We passed through and began to ascend once more toward a high peak where the wind whipped at us in fury. From there the path led downwards and I had to brace not to slip on the shale that littered the trail.
The further we descended, the more dirt and debris were mixed with the relentless wind. I was handed an ancient set of goggles to protect my eyes and I gratefully put them on. We travelled for quite some time until we reached a vale not far from the beach below. As soon as we entered the valley, the smell of rotting flesh wafted to me on the stiff breeze, instinctively causing me to place a hand over my nose and mouth. Skirting around an abutment of rock, the view that hit me forced me to take pause and stare.
My men, the Apolake Warriors from my ship, had all been stripped down, every piece of clothing removed, and they lay there side by side, joined in death. I noticed something very unusual. Ten of the men’s’ heads had been clearly scalped, their hair entirely missing and their raw heads testifying to the brutality and humiliation. The deed was done on dead corpses and they wouldn’t have suffered but it still infuriated me. My anger toward this farrin raged into an inferno but I managed to keep it in check.
A large, glowing red, coal hearth had been prepared a stone throw from the decaying corpses. They intended to burn them then.
A few Akoni Clan members had preceded us to the location, fanning the coals into flame and preparing for the burning.
Donagh said, “It is a more respectable way to dispose of them. Throwing them into the sea feels dishonorable and base. And the sea could spit their decaying bodies up onto our shore. We thought it best to do it this way.”
“Where are their clothes?” I asked, feeling disdain for Donagh. He’d allowed the Akoni Clan to degrade my warriors and it infuriated me.
“Their clothes are needed. You will require them for what you’ve been asked to do.”
I considered his words and wondered what exactly they expected of me.
Donagh said, “I thought you might want to be present at your comrades’ cremation and to pay your respects.”
I nodded and watched as the Akoni Warriors began to drag and lift my men, one at a time, onto the burning coals. It didn’t take long for their flesh to catch fire and spurt into flame. I covered my mouth as the stench of burning flesh and decaying carcass began to permeate the air.
A thought penetrated. Perhaps Donagh had also stood here at this same spot and watched the men from his ship be burned and consumed by flames mere months ago. I glanced at him and wondered how he had felt. He hadn’t been prepared at all for what waited for him on Akoni Farrin. At least I’d been primed somewhat by abetting the revolution, knowing of Kranti’s plans, and Suma’s instructions.
Although I felt betrayed by Suma and Tarman Farrin, at least I’d been made slightly aware of what to expect. Donagh had arrived at Akoni Farrin with no warning of what he had to face. How had that affected him? How long had it taken him to change his allegiance from Dwarkaa to Akoni? Although I still felt fury toward him, I also felt a kinship. We were two ship captains, standing side by side watching Dwarkaa Apolake Warriors burn.
“They never knew they were going to their deaths,” I said.
Donagh nodded and said, “Neither did mine.”
“I tried my best to mitigate the death and destruction but nothing I did worked.”
“It was the plan. You can’t fight against the plan.”
“What kind of plan is that? It sounds like more of Dwarkaa brutality.”
Donagh turned to me and said, “It is nothing like Dwarkaa. You have to trust that what Tarman Farrin is up to is hope and a better future.”
I grimaced.
“Give it some time, Razmig. You will come to see that it was the only way.”
“You have so quickly turned your back on all you knew? The terror of Dwarkaa no longer pulls at you?”
“Oh it pulls at me. At night the terror comes and pushes sleep away. But the things I’ve seen here and the changes that have come to Akoni forced me to reconsider all that I once knew. I can’t deny that Akoni has found a better way and it’s all because of Tarman’s influence.”
“Tarman killed our men, Donagh. Don’t forget that either.”
“Or perhaps they provided abdication for both of us and for Andrei.” Donagh nodded to the man to include him.
“Abdication?”
“Yes. Release from the horrors of Dwarkaa and a lease on a new future. There is no way you could fulfill the mission you’ve been assigned with all these men still alive. They would have been your downfall.”
I did not know how to process that but Donagh did have a point.
As the evening’s burning came to a close Donagh signaled for us to leave. Our journey back was quiet and contemplative.
When Donagh left us at our home, he said, “Get some rest. More will be explained soon. In two days time, Xiomara will lay out the plan. Tomorrow your deprogramming will begin.”
Before I settled down for the night I placed extra coal in the hearth to keep us warm as we slept. I gave Andrei the bed and I took the long cushioned seat. The long seat was closer to the door and I felt the need to guard it from unwelcome entry.
I removed my coat and noticed the bandage Viveka had applied to my upper arm. I felt no pain and wondered over it. I applied pressure through the bandage where my wound was and was surprised at the absence of pain.
Removing the bandage I looked at where the arrow had pierced through my arm. The only sign that remained of my injury was a small scab. I checked the exit wound and it looked as healed as the entrance puncture. I felt dumbfounded at the speedy cure. How had it healed so quickly? Nothing ever heals that fast. The ointment? Was that what brought on the incredible speed of recovery? I determined to ask Viveka the next time I saw her. I looked forward to it.
*****
Two days of intense deprogramming ensued. My head swam with the information we were given and my respect for Xiomara grew. One Akoni Clan member retold the tales of Xiomara and what she had learned on her summoning and visit to Tarman Farrin. The stories were more magnificent than I could ever describe in my journals. New information bombarded my mind to the point I thought it would burst at any time.
My chest often ached with anxiety over the shift in my world perspective. My views were changing dramatically. Their deprogramming methods left me feeling as though my vision, the way I began to see things, had increased and expanded exponentially. I hardly recognized the man I was before. My anger gradually diminished and in its place a stirring of excitement churned for what this could mean for our world.
If Dwarkaa’s Domain could be influenced, farrin by farrin, and reforms could take place in every clan settlement, life just might be worth living. But as long as Casimer was alive and ruling he would be quick to snuff out all signs of reform, all embers of hope and remind us that he dominates all. I suddenly realized that he had to be taken down and destroyed first. When I would dwell on this and the impossibility of defeating Casimer, my body broke out in a sweat and my hands shook.
On the third day Andrei and I were escorted back to the Outdoor Theatre where we were seated on the front row once more. Xiomara walked into the clearing, her body guards strategically positioned around her.
Donagh trailed them and a woman walked beside him. The two looked friendly and as though there was more than friendship between them. The way he looked at her, gave her his full attention, the slight smile on his lips, made me wonder if he was considering taking a coverling here on Akoni Farrin.
Memories surfaced at that moment. Rumors I’d heard in the taverns back home bloomed in my mind. Men had spoken of Donagh sending for a woman from Akoni Farrin and that he’d arranged for her transport to Dwarkaa. I wondered if the woman at his side was the Tilly I’d heard about. But then, what was she doing back here on her home land mass? Had he brought her with him on his tour to the southeast?
I studied the two carefully. When they reached the steps leading to the platform, the woman left him and took a seat with the rest of the audience. Donagh went to join Xiomara and her bodyguards on stage, until six in total stood before us.
Xiomara gave Donagh a slight nod and he stepped forward and honed his gaze on Andrei and me.
“I can relate to what you’re both feeling at this point. You’ve gone through an intensive deprogramming the last few days. Terror and hope are both raging inside your minds. The confusion is potent but very necessary if you are to choose your allegiance.”
Xiomara was the next to speak. “We won’t waste your time. What is your decision?”
Andrei looked over at me and I nodded for him to answer. He said, “I pledge my allegiance to Akoni Farrin and the reformation. The deprogramming has increased my understanding of what I’m abetting but I’d already made my choice before it ever began.”
Xiomara nodded and turned to me. “Razmig? What is your decision?”
I stood and stared at her. “I still feel anger over the death of my men and don’t understand why their slaughter was necessary. But, in the last few days I have learned a great deal of Tarman’s plans and the reformation they are fueling. I did not realize that the revolt was this far along.”
Xiomara said, “Let me be completely clear. This reformation/revolution was not initiated by Tarman. The inhabitants suffering under Casimer’s cruel rule have been crying out for reprieve for generations, for hundreds of years. Our collective cry for his return gained us audience with Towsaj. The reason I was summoned to Tarman Farrin in the first place was because Towsaj was responding to the suffering and despair of this dark world.”
“I understand,” I said and yet I struggled to grasp the whole concept.
Xiomara continued, “If we would have been content as a people to continue to suffer under Casimer’s harsh reign, this reformation would not be happening. Our united misery and cries for intervention has motivated Tarman Farrin to move on our behalf.”
“There is another land mass to the west that is also abetting the reformation. A farrin by the name of Cadda. I have been in communication with the leader via missives sent by a pigeon. I have informed him of Dwarkaa ships to attack and confiscate for the benefit of the cause.”
Xiomara nodded. “I’ve heard the name in my dreams. The leader’s name is Kranti, isn’t that correct?”
“Yes. He has amassed a very large army.”
She nodded once more. “Towsaj will inform Kranti when it is time for him to move into position, just like Towsaj has informed us.”
I asked, “Is reform actually possible? Can Casimer truly be uprooted as the Lord of our world? His power is renowned throughout all farrins and most people are terrified of the repercussions of defying him.”
“I agree that we have much to overcome and there will be great danger involved. And yet there has been much headway made to this point. We have reason to hope that change is possible.” Xiomara studied me for a moment and then asked again, “I need your decision.”
Taking a big breath of air and exhaling slowly, I finally gave her my answer. “I choose to join the reformation, allow you to be my new leader and will obey unto death. If this is the only way to take Casimer down I will do everything in my power to bring that about.”
Xiomara nodded and Donagh looked pleased of my decision.
Xiomara said, “This is the plan, you will sail back to Dwarkaa with a new crew. The leadership of my clan has already picked out Akoni Warriors that will travel with you. We have plenty of Dwarkaa Apolake Warrior uniforms that will disguise them well as fellow Apolake Warriors.”
This is what I’d been waiting to hear. The plan. I soaked up everything she said while at the same time feeling like I would sail back to Dwarkaa and die for it.
She continued. “You will dock the ship at the usual port on Dwarkaa Farrin. Your fellow warriors will disperse into the city. They’ve been informed on where they will need to go and who they will need to meet. Their safety and mission is of the utmost importance.
“As soon as you arrive on Dwarkaa you will proceed immediately to Casimer’s Royal Palace Grounds and report to the Governing Headquarters. You will inform the Grand Admiral of the Farrin Patrol of your tour of farrins and assure him that you complied with their wishes, meted out the punishment Akoni was due and returned with the offerings.”
“What offerings? I have done none of what Casimer and Grand Admiral Strutz demanded of me.”
“They won’t know that. We will supply you with the offerings you are required to present. I am aware that Donagh brought the terror of Dwarkaa to the farrins he visited before he arrived here. His ship brought the stash of babies and children he’d collected at the previous land masses.”
“So I am to take back a shipment of babies and children to Dwarkaa, the ones that Donagh picked up from the farrins?”
“We will give you only a handful to take to Dwarkaa to complete the deception. Most will be returned to the surrounding farrins and given back to their mothers.”
I’d never learned what Casimer does with all the babies and young ones that we return to Dwarkaa. I am convinced that the worst future awaits these children, taken to feed Casimer’s sick pleasure.
“And what of the terror I am supposed to mete out on your farrin? What kind of proof will I have that I have fulfilled Casimer’s blood lust?” I’d been instructed to kill ten strong warriors when I arrived, after a thorough round of torture of course to instill the greatest horror and fear among the rebellious clan members.
Donagh said, “We removed the scalps of ten warriors that perished on your ship. This will be the proof of what you accomplished here on Akoni. You will present them as evidence of the punishment you inflicted on Akoni Warriors.”
I finally understood how I was to return to Dwarkaa. I would not be going empty handed but with plenty of deception to sway Dwarkaa Farrin to the falsehood. I’d planned to cut off the right hand of every man we killed but scalps would work just as well.
Xiomara said, “You will tell them of our beggarly living conditions, that there is no merit to the reports of reform. Our village lies in the familiar squalor of every other farrin settlement. You’ll tell them we are starving and suffering under Casimer’s Imperial Reign. This should appease Dwarkaa and Casimer and give us time to implement what we need to do on his Grand Capital. This deception should bide us time and keep Casimer from descending on Akoni to eliminate us.”
“And what will happen to me after I give my report?”
Donagh said, “You can not return to your dwelling.”
“I will need to retrieve my scrolls. They can never be found.”
“Do what you must but do it quickly and get out. Go into hiding. Someone will be sent to give you instruction.”
“And what about the other disguised warriors from Akoni? Where will they go?”
Xiomara said, “That is not your concern. They will be taken care of and will infiltrate Dwarkaa society when the time is right. You need to focus on your assignment and make sure you stay alive.”
I had one more question. “When do I depart?”
Xiomara said, “At first light.”
The End…
The Ongoing Tale of DWARKAA’S DOMAIN Continues in:
