Spirits of Alaruk

Chapter 9: Favors

Karrak's intense green eyes narrowed behind his protective silk veil as dry sand whipped about his dark robes. In the cool of the desert night, standing before a small village nestled on the edge of the expansive Sand Sea, he waited in front of a set of gates. It was about a day’s walk by kariag from the Derunerin caves to the village of Hatanurin, half way being nothing but sand, but Karrak required an audience with the village’s clan of hybrid fuglans. As they were not very trusting of outsiders, he had to choose his words wisely when addressing them.

“Can these Aslauk truly assist us, Ludaru? I have my doubts,” he scoffed impatiently, eyeing Gezuitaid, the largest moon in the night sky. In full phase, it cast pale yellow light across the desert sands. Alaruk’s two smaller moons, Vlatnatu and Tsaflek, slept somewhere beyond the horizon.

Their animosity towards the Hulesav and Asu tribes is useful to us, my boy, Ludaru replied as a voice inside Karrak’s head, referring to the desert and sea fuglan tribes. They are cast out from the world, not unlike the Ralukah. Use that to your advantage.

Karrak clicked his beak and, with begrudgement, waited longer still, blinking his tail light periodically to see if it would catch someone’s attention. The village had no active watch at the gate, something that annoyed him for a clan that was supposedly so distrusting.

Finally, after waiting for what seemed like half an hour, three figures emerged from a large dome shaped building in the middle of the village and the gates opened before Karrak. As they approached him, Karrak saw that only two hybrids possessed bioluminescent tail lights, while the third in the middle lacked any at all.

“What is your purpose here, outsider?” said the male in the middle, a red desert-sea hybrid with small horns and a large finned crest.

"Greetings, my friend. I simply wish to speak with you and then I will be on my way." Karrak bowed his head and extended his arms to show that he was not a threat.

"You've come a long way to our village, Vratinsav. We don't see many of your kind out here."

He hardly enjoyed being called by his tribe name, but Karrak was well aware that he was the one out of place. "I understand my presence here is unusual, but I wish to propose a deal with your clan. I am currently staying at the Derunerin caves to the east. You may address me as Karrak."

The Aslauk snorted, unimpressed. The two other hybrids, also a mix of sea and desert tribes, remained silent as they stood on either side of him. "A stranger from another land wants to make a deal with us? I'll listen, but I promise nothing, Vratinsav."

Karrak clicked his beak again, eager to snap back at the insolent Aslauk for misaddressing him again.

Patience, Karrak... This one is as shrewd as he is useful.

Holding his tongue from the slight against him, Karrak maintained a measured demeanor. "Very well. And what shall I call you?"

"Fevren of the Figrras clan.” He gave Karrak a sly grin under the green glow of tail lights on either side of him. “Anything you wish to discuss, you talk to me. Now what do you have to offer?"

This Fevren was insolent, yes, but there was something about him that was interesting to Karrak. It was time to find out if the hybrid was as ambitious as he was. "A high risk for a high reward, Fevren. In exchange for assistance from your clan, I offer something that may very well interest all of you."

Fevren cocked his head. "I'm listening..."

"I will give you control of the Port of Hulerin."

Fevren casted a glance to either side of him, both of his hybrid companions equally confused as he was. “...How can you offer us such a thing? The Port of Hulerin belongs to the clans of the Asu tribe, which we can clearly see does not apply to you.”

“I want you to help me take it, along with Hulerin. Your clan will help me by driving out the Asu tribe from the port. It will be significantly easier to take Hulerin if we join together, and once we take it you will have full control of the port. How does that sound to you?”

There was silence from Fevren as he considered Karrak’s offer before he whispered something to the fuglans beside him. “Your offer intrigues me, but if we drive out the fuglans there, we would lose access to their trade route to our village. Tell me why we should accept this offer.”

“I understand your clan struggles greatly out here near the Sand Sea. Food and water is scarce, but not so in Hulerin.”

"The Sand Sea is harsh, but not impossible to live off of... Most of us are originally from Hulerin but were unable to integrate, so we chose to live here instead."

“I too was driven out from my original homeland. That is something we have in common. I don’t care what you do out here, but imagine if you could take that trade route for yourselves in addition to the port. Having control of a trade route and a port would give you so much more than what you have here.”

"You make a point... Having access to Hulerin’s port would greatly benefit us. But surely you don't expect us to attack them alone?"

"No, of course not. I'm making arrangements with the Ralukah clan to assist in the siege. I need cooperation from both clans for this plan to succeed."

“The Ralukah clan!” Fevren burst into laughter at the suggestion. “The Nidez? They never leave their caves! How can you expect me to agree to ally with a clan that is bound to the darkness and can never step out into the sunlight?”

Karrak narrowed his eyes. “You doubt my plan?”

Show them…

The rranha Ludaru had been storing for weeks was precious, but now was the time to use it. As Karrak closed his eyes and channeled, a dark shadow crept over the lone full moon that hung in the sky.

“What is happening?” There were gasps from the hybrids as the sky turned black and so dark that only the light of their tails remained. “The moon!”

"The Ralukah clan requires darkness, so I will give them darkness," said Karrak, grinning behind his cowl.

"You... you did this?"

"This is just a taste of my powers. The sun will not be a problem for the Ralukah clan... Now, do you accept my proposal or not?"

Awed by the darkness and dropping to all fours, Fevren had no choice but to agree with Karrak's deal. "I do,” he muttered.

"Good. You have until Gezuitaid’s next full phase to prepare for an attack on Hulerin. That is when we will strike."

* * *

The sky was golden with the late afternoon sun as Treke visited the Temple of Nakuka for a second time that day. Word spread amongst the fuglans of Hulerin that something divine happened on the temple hill earlier that morning, and now the town was bustling with energy once more. As agreed upon earlier, Siku and Lasranu joined Treke to tour the temple as Taksue enthusiastically led them through the temple grounds.

As they headed down the hallway entrance to the temple's antechamber, Taksue seemed tickled by the kikri that still accompanied Treke. "The kikri is said to bring good fortune in the desert, you know," he pointed out cheerfully.

"Is that so?" Treke looked down at the semi-aquatic insect that had nestled in the collar of her robe. She barely noticed it was there as it lay still for hours in the heat of the day.

"Kikris are never too far from a source of water, and it's said they can detect the scent of water from a great distance. Spotting one in the desert could save your life."

"I believe this one already has,” said Treke with a smile. “Somehow, it knew I was in danger when the tukran attacked.”

"Returning the favor by rescuing it from being a tasty snack perhaps?" said Siku with an impish grin.

Treke was unsure if kikris felt an emotion such as gratitude, but she found herself fond of the creature nonetheless. "It seems to like me well enough. Perhaps I should give it a name."

Eager to pitch in an idea, Lasranu suggested, "What about... Zizi?"

"Zizi..." Treke looked down at the tiny finned tail peeking out from the folds of her robe collar. "I like that. It's simple and easy to remember.”

“May it bring you good luck!” said Taksue. “Now come, everyone, let me show you Nakuka's Temple.”

In the antechamber at the end of the hall, a large wool-woven tapestry hung on the wall depicting multiple phases of the sun's cycle as they crossed a horizon of beige sand. On each side of the tapestry, two entryways split and rejoined into the next room. There the temple opened up into a larger room with a ceiling twice as tall as the antechamber, where the upper area lined with open-aired window slits filled the room with shafts of golden light. Alcoves along the sandstone wall housed multiple cremation jars decorated with spiced incense sticks and clay bowls of dried fruits. The spiritual energy emanating from the temple seemed warm and welcoming.

"These jars... do they belong to your clan's ancestors?" Treke asked.

Taksue smiled, delighted at Treke's intuition. "Yes, the Temple of Nakuka is where we keep the cremated remains of our ancestral elders. Some of these urns are as old as the Temple itself."

A lone shrine stood at the far end of the chamber, basking in the light pouring through the windows above. This shrine felt different from the others, giving off a bold energy. "Is this Nakuka’s shrine?”

A nod from Taksue confirmed Treke’s postulation.

“They must be very important to your clan to have their own temple.”

"They were! Nakuka was once an elder that led our clan across the desert to secure a nomadic route to settle in Hulerin. They were one of the first settlers of Hulerin and when they passed away, the Naku clan built this temple in their honor. It's not a coincidence the Naku clan shares their name, as it was chosen when our clan split off from a larger one from up north."

"I see... Nakuka is directly tied to Hulerin itself then."

"Very much so."

"That makes me wonder what the connection is between Ludaru and Nakuka... The tukran were very sour about something.”

“I wish I could tell you! We don’t have much information about Nakuka’s life and relationships.”

“I understand. Perhaps I'll find more answers during my travels." She turned to Siku and Lasranu, who were curiously looking at the various decorations set about the temple to honor each ancestral spirit. "The nomads are offering to transport me across the desert tomorrow. I know this is a lot to ask of you, but I was wondering if either of you would like to join me."

"Tomorrow?" Siku's face turned somber as she realized the weight of that request. "I'm... not sure. I've never traveled the desert before. I'm more accustomed to navigating the sea."

"I'm afraid I won't be able to accompany you," said Lasranu. "A lot of fuglans rely on the fish I catch and trade. Many bellies would go empty if I just leave."

Treke nodded and sighed. "I understand."

"Err, do you think I could come with you, Treke?" asked Taksue, giving her a pleading look. "I've never crossed the desert before, but I want... no, I need to see more than just the inside of the Temple. I’ve never left Hulerin before and your journey sounds exciting!”

Disappointment turned to hope as Treke saw the eagerness in Taksue's eyes. He was not unlike her before she became a ruksala, yearning to do something more for his clan. It would be wrong to deny him the opportunity. "Of course, Taksue. We share a similar goal, after all. I welcome any company crossing the desert."

"Thank you, Treke! I'll try my best not to be too much of a hindrance."

"Do not worry too much about that. We simply must do our best." Treke gave him a nervous smile.

Eyes shifting with concern between the multiple clay vessels resting in the walls and back at Treke and Taksue, something seemed to be on Siku's mind. "I know I just met you yesterday, Treke, but I feel like I still ought to help you somehow."

"It's all right, Siku. You've already done so much for me. Any more would be excessive."

"Leaving tomorrow still seems so rushed..." Siku shook her head. "I don't know if I can trust that you'll be okay out there, even with the assistance of the nomads. I may have no experience in desert survival, but I know it must be at least equally as challenging to navigate as the sea."

Treke said nothing, unable to refute Siku's argument. It was true that she had no experience nor any idea of what to expect, but she still didn’t want to overstep.

"I'm just concerned for you..." Siku looked at Taksue, equally skeptical of his survival skills. "And you... I don't mean to offend, but I doubt your friend Kvati will trust you'll be okay out there either. You seem to be a little forgetful about eating.”

Taksue sagged, realizing Siku was right about him as well. "Then... will you come with us?"

"I may have to..." Siku looked to Lasranu for her approval. "I wanted to spend more time with you after arriving here, but unfortunately I won't be able to rest without knowing my friend Treke will be alright."

Siku, if you feel that you need to go with Treke, then I understand," said Lasranu. "My only condition is that you come back safely, but I know how resilient you are."

"Then I'm going with you, Treke! It'll be an adventure for the three of us."

Treke nodded. "The nomads said there is limited space for additional travelers, but three in total sounds like a reasonable number."

"I don't know anything about the nomads, but I'll make sure to keep everyone safe."

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