Poison from a Scorpion's Sting by R. Ramey Guerrero

Author:R. Ramey Guerrero
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rachel Ramey

XXXI.

Nokhum, tribe of Yerikuu

It was long into the night, and the party still raged outside in the Hollow by the time he staggered home. Nokhum closed the window hatch. He patted his pouch. With Grog nearby, he might not have another chance to do this spell.

Taking the memory cord from the pouch the sling made, he swallowed hard. When I was a child, I wondered… but no one had any answers. They always told me they'd found me alone in the forest, and I'd always assumed my parents were just some of the many Yerikuu to perish in the fires. So, I believed them. Almost. It was the way they dodged the question— the way they changed the subject— the way they shivered in paranoia that told me they knew more.

So, what would the cord tell?

He flicked his middle finger and thumb the way the Queen of Imbyria had taught him and touched the cord’s end. It ignited. He coiled it, placing it in a granite bowl that set atop his desk. Nokhum inhaled until the smoke of someone else’s memories fogged his mind.

The scent of strawberries hung in the air, and butterflies flirted with the white blossoms and danced before a toddler and a mother. Plucking wildflowers and placing them in the Lowasii's hair, the flitterbirds played in the vines, disappearing and reappearing before the mother and son. Her dark curls gleamed in the sunlight, and her melodious laughter enchanted the berry patch. Only for a moment did weariness show on her face. She cast her longing glance toward the bramble that grew around Gurglemuck.

A man rushed over. “Uuna, we should go. Pack whatever you can carry, and we'll leave this place. They burned the libraries— gathered the Knowledge Keepers and locked them inside. The Yerikuu are being exterminated.”

“Who?” she cooed. “Wasii Lehuali will stop anyone who tries to hurt us. We’re worth more to the city than you think.”

His icy grey eyes flashed. “I saw it. The city… things are changing. Fast. Pon Ruwa has been stricken by paranoia, and Wasii Lehuali no longer rules. He trusts only the Underling's gift, Voshtiki’s tears, and he wants any evidence of disloyalty to her eradicated.”

Uuna stroked the child's hair. “No. This is Wen, land of peace, knowledge, and reason. Surely, the spirits will protect us as they always have.” She bit her lip, looking toward the thorns.

“Don't you get it? Everything has changed. Haven't you seen the Shadows in your visions? They're real, and they hear everything.”

“The Shadowmen are children's tales, Sylaas.”

“Ever since Lehuali grew too weak to govern, Wasii Ruwa fears rebellion. The goddess, Voshtiki, is jealous, and he fears the Yerikuu’s loyalty to the forest will vex her.” He knelt beside her. “Please, trust me. I’ve heard awful things. Our city is decaying… and we haven't much time. The Shadowmen will come. Perhaps not today, but they will come. If we stay, they'll kill us all.”

That image changed.

The woman crouched, holding her small son and frantically trying to soothe his cries before a Protector sent her sprawling to the floor in her home.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.