Priorities

POLITICAL PRIORITIES

seMali

 

I am afraid.

 

Hidden beneath excitement and the reflection of power, amid pride and curiosity, I am afraid.

 

Alone within my veheTalya flying through the nealay, flanked by my comrades and the oKhain, I maintain formation as if I have accomplished this etalia when I have not.  But the Sakari chose me for this mission.  Therefore I am competent.  Though I am afraid.

 

I glance to my right and see the oKhain within his veheTalya. He is aviator of great skill and experience perhaps exceeding The Sakari, perhaps her equal.

 

When my eyes touch him I feel a warmth within my liver and can not but remove my gaze ere I tumble into confusion. I return my thought to operation of my flyer and the mission.

 

It is a mission I can not esteem. A mission I will be invited to behave as The Sakari and I am not the Sakari,, I am oRain seMali.  Yet, the Sakari has afforded instructions and I maintain them as my eyelashes.  She has warned of treachery. Suffer not the oKhain eat or drink anything given him. Sleep not, attend him constantly.  

 

I required no order to protect him. oKhain eDapktchoy is my liege lord, but also, secretly, he owns my soul. To die for him can be the only manifestation of my love.

 

I can not locate the precise moment when my sha flew from me to him. Perhaps it was as my eye touched him but I think it was when I first heard his antecedents.

 

I can not conceive any ini who would not be capsized by the elements of his past. His endurance is beyond conception. His sha is immense, greater than all and who could not find adoration for such magnificence?

 

I can not think of love. I must concentrate on holding my craft in this bizarre formation.

 

We do not travel as is customary with the oKhain before, umRains behind, then oRains, but in a line invariant. No eye could elect who is leader, who the least of the company.

 

Seven identical veheTalyas, as hunting birds seeking prey.  Our hungry birds left the world of Zechia and embraced this abnormal pattern en route to the erssavi of the iSaz of Quan.  Quan is called Earth by humans, but humans no more own the ascendency to distribute nomenclature. The galaxy belongs to Ki-ZerShaz and it is He who designated eDapktchoy the oKhain of Zechia and uTarkuchuy the iSaz of the Sector in which Quan orbits its Nea.

 

From my canopy I see only darkness, sometimes stippled with threads of colour. For we fly so fast we can not see that which does not own our velocity.

 

I am afraid.

 

This mission falls upon us at unexpected moment without harbinger, appearing no more than a simple discussion of scientific data.

 

Earth ionised its atmosphere to prevent our incursion. It was accepted that the door had closed and Quan would be uncaptured. Message has come that the shroud about Earth has been breached, two humans have come from that world and are aboard the erssavi of the iSaz.   To request the presence of our oKhain, as he was most learned in such science, is not untrue, but is subterfuge.

 

uTarkuchuy is resentful of eDapktchoy as are others, but he and his brother, the ohSahsaz, greater than all. To them he is great threat.

 

In all the nealay there is no sha with greater ZeShaZay then eDapktchoy. The feats accomplished by my Lord will go into chronicle and all born ZerShaz will know of him.

 

None will know of uTarkuchuy.

 

Teka gone the Sakari did travel to ZerShaz to ask the planet of Zechia from Ki-ZerShaz. To proceed uninvited into the presence of Ki-ZerShaz had not been accomplished ere the Sakari's decision. And it was then, before that journey she warned for the first:

 

                          "Expect treachery and danger and welcome
                                it as the arrival of a friend."

 

To that yeKalti had rejoined:  "Who would expose treachery to The Sakari?"  And the Sakari replied: "You will soon see."

  

We had watched the eyes and manner of the Aides of Ki-ZerShaz, encountered the Shaziemnini Dubai, the highest ranking ini, mate of the ohSaShaz, and we had seen treachery, and hatred.

 

Zha, the wife of the ohSahsaz was a great enemy of the Sakari. As is her husband, as is the brother of her husband. To whose erssavi we travel. And this is why I am afraid.

 

We have decided that when we attain the erssavi of uTarkuchuy we will enter: oRain, oRani, the oKhain, umRain, oRain, until complete.

 

We approach, the portole unseals, oRain irGravor leads. As his flyer enters the access, abruptly it closes, pinioning he and his craft a heartbeat ere opening.  His craft is crushed.

 

irGravor floats into the nealay. uTevch abandons his flyer to retrieve him.  We are garbed in our Outside Suits which protects us more than the Fighters in which we sit.  uTevch is joined by oRain azJikTchy and irGravor is intercepted.

 

The oKhain attaches his flyer to the skin of the erssavi by lowering his stuckers, I duplicate as do the others.   The oKhain opens his canopy, floats out as do we all, attaching ourselves to the Ship of the iSaz by the parts of our uniform which cling to it.

 

yeKalti enters azJikTchy's craft, places it upon the skin of the ship of uTarkuchuy as we ambulate into the hanger.  irGravor is injured but existent and uTevch carries him into the body of the erssavi.

 

The first witness is Chief Aide to the iSaz, oeRomgth;  "Is the oKhain preserved?" Are the words formed by his lips.

 

We maintain our helmets, our faces cloaked;  "The first." I announce, knowing only the oKhain and Shazi hear for our radios are set to a peculiar frequency.  There is no answer made to this Aide as uTevch carries irGravor to the Re-An unit, places him upon a flater. azJikTchy, opens his helmet.

 

"Who administers the Re-An unit?" He states to the swarm about us.

 

"Evi!" asserts one and moves into position.

 

The iSaz is present;  "Is my azi eDapktchoy injured?" He asks.

 

"ehKra." replies eDapktchoy, opening his helmet.

 

"Oh--Kra---oh--my--my azi--I thought--" The iSaz eats fear.

 

The iSaz is a drool, a great cowardly drool, but not so asinine to receive we are fools. He thinks we will attack him and he grabs for his weapon. I kick it from his hand. 

 

Suddenly, Ki-ZerShaz is attendant.

 

"What is the connotation?" He demands.

 

I to my knees; notice only the flooring. Someone taps my helmet. I remove it.

 

"This creature attempted to attack me, Duva ShaZah!" The iSaz bleats.

 

"That is invention." I proclaim.

 

I spy the foot of the iSaz poised to kick me. Though he will know pain dare he, for I am in a suit, the attempt itself is dishonor.  azJikTchy, deflects his effort, quickly and smoothly.

 

"Duva ShaZah, the iSaz is a perjurer." He affirms.

 

"You will die, oRain!" Shout three of the iSaz's Aides.

 

"Kitama!" The ZerShaz orders.

 

We are all silent, unmoving.

 

"You, before me on the floor. Who are you?"

 

"I am oRaini seMali, Sakari Shazi."

 

"Narrate your actions."

 

"Duva ShaZah, I halted the iSaz from shooting oKhain eDapktchoy."

 

"Is this authentic, eDapktchoy?"

 

"Zha, Duva ShaZah."

 

"My son, why did you essay to execute eDapktchoy?"

 

"I did not."

 

"Your action?"

 

"I endeavoured to adjust the strap which holds my weapon."

 

"Why should the adjustment of a strap give rise to perceptions of attack?"

 

"I do not discern, My Father." whines the iSaz.

 

"But I know." reveals The ZerShaz.

 

I dare not raise my face from the floor. It is heavily silent in the room.

 

"You." directs the ZerShaz, "Your appellation?"

 

"oeRomgth, Duva ShaZah."

 

"And you are First Aide to the iSaz, Zha?"

 

"Zha, Duva ShaZah."

 

"Do you recall the words you emitted when this party entered this erssavi?"

 

"ehKra, Duva ShaZah."

 

"I do not designate a iemn a liar, I designate an iemn deficient in memory."

 

"You---who are you?"

 

"iTay eMafkey, Duva ShaZah."

 

"Do you contain a deficient memory, iTay?"

 

"ehKra Duva ShaZah."

 

"What did the First Aide Announce?"

 

"Is the oKhain injured." Quotes the iTay.

 

"Zha. That is what he declared. Do you remember now, First Aide?"

 

"Zha, Duva ShaZah."

 

"Why did you articulate so?"

 

"I thought it the oKhain injured."

 

"Oh." Said the ZerShaz. Then, observing the Re-An iTays Ki-ZerShaz orders; "Use your skill to heal that ZeSha. If he finds glory, you accompany. Ve Kar Munda?"

 

"Zha, Duva ShaZah."

 

"Chunteh." The Great Lord orders, then to us; "Attend. We extend this discussion in my Chamber--all of you. Remove your suits, impose your uniforms."

uTevch pulled me from the deck. I grasped his arm for a long continuance. I did not summon glory, but would not betray it.

 

We would need to return to our crafts to gain the pouches which contained our uniforms. As this vessel held only one arena for bathing and the removal of clothing it was decided the iemn would proceed first so I and the other ini would delay, tending the flyers then enter.

 

I trembled in awe at the convergence. I had come before Ki-ZerShaz! Not as an ini nor formally as I could have expected of existence but in an insane twisting of conflict.

 

"seMa--." Calls my hazi asLoutha, "gain control, we have only just met the treachery The Sakari predicted."

 

"Zha, Lou-a, I know this. I know this but feel to run into my amay's chamber and gain her strength."

 

"You are ZeSha, seMa." yeKalti warns, "no longer ini whose dilemmas can be solved by her mother's wisdom."

 

"But you behaved most bravely seMa, you defended the oKhain."  weZanli reminds.

 

"Zha," haViva agrees, "you are most brave and skillful."

 

My impetus was the preservation of eDapktchoy. It was not the reaction of a ZeSha, it was the response of an ini who loved.

 

We prepared our vehes to gain energy from the star, ensuring each ready to depart at a heartbeat, then re-entered the evil ship of the iSaz.

 

We showered the chemicals which eat wastes from our flesh, massaged each other with yelpain and assisted each in dressing for it would buy death to manifest before The Great Lord with a single designation incorrectly placed.

 

We studied each other, for we did not know our fate. Yet, eDapktchoy, betrayed no disquiet as he posed on a ledge waiting as tranquil were he in his chamber on Zechia.

 

We assembled before him and he rose, moved to the portal which met the Primary Deck of the ship. Those of Ki-ZerShaz's service were present and led us to a chamber with a tri sided table.

 

As we entered the chamber from our portal Ki-ZerShaz arrived from his. We gained our knees for fourteen heartbeats, then rose to perceive The ZerShaz seated at the top, his Aide two strides behind, others holding the perimeter of the room.

 

The iSaz was seated with his Aides after him. eDapktchoy took the final seat. Jik posted directly behind him.

 

I beheld The ZerShaz for an illegal heartbeat, then dropped my eyes for one was not to gaze upon him. But I was not ini to behave demure, I was a soldier with one duty, to protect my Lord and if I breached protocol, if I were to buy death by an unauthorised act, such as it is.

 

The First Aide of the iSaz entered with symenthe and three vessels. He placed the vessels which were already full, before each of the Warriors of Rank.

 

I grabbed Jik's arm, he touched eDapktchoy, who turned. Jik warned him with his eyes.  The ZerShaz noted.

 

"My son," begins Ki-ZerShaz, "take the jug before the oKhain, give me yours, as I give him mine."

 

Ere the iSaz obeyed his eyes found oeRomgth.

 

The ZerShaz spoke again.

 

"oeRomgth, drain the jug of the oKhain."

 

I saw the iemn hesitate a heartbeat, then took the jug, glanced at uTarkuchuy, then drank. When the jug was drained, quietly The ZerShaz asked: "How much longer will you live, oeRomgth?"

 

"Five humis. "

 

Five humis was an extension of time. It had taken us, four humi to reach this erssavi. To expend two humis within this erssavi would be surfeit.  Five humis would allow eDapktchoy to drink the poison, speak, act, revert. Death would grasp him within the vehe; perhaps there would be explosion, or perhaps it would be within his Fortress, in the arms of his mate, The Sakari.

 

As the enormity exploded in our contemplation; "Remove yourself." The ZerShaz commands oeRomgth in a
negligent voice.

 

uTarkuchuy would to depart but the Aides of The ZerShaz forced him sit. The ZerShaz studied him for a duration.

 

"You dishonoured yourself."

 

"H'e bede---"

 

"I am The ZerShaz, not bede." And he turns His eyes from his son to eDapktchoy; "oKhain, his existence is yours."

 

"My father! Please! Grant me battle!"

 

"It is to the oKhain you petition, iSaz. Is he willing to face you in the verodyne?"

 

The iSaz would not beseech eDapktchoy. He would not quiet his depraved pride and grant our Lord earned respect.

 

Unexpectedly eDapktchoy spoke; "I will meet him, Duva ShaZah."

 

Ki-ZerShaz perused the face of eDapktchoy. I noted that the eyes of The Great Lord were as golden as My Lord's, and though eDapktchoy dropped his eyes under the gaze, for a moment there had been convergence.

 

In his most deep voice Ki-ZerShaz informed My Lord: "You battle to the death." Then, to his Aides "Arrange" as he stands.

 

"Your life vests in the victor." Ki-ZerShaz informed me.

 

And from stolen boldness, I speak: "Duva ShaZah, I beseech to observe the battle."

 

"You sit at my feet and witness as your life is resolved."

 

He made a motion. All relinquished save I. For many moments I stood alone in the chamber, my hand touching my belt in which reposed many drugs I had never tampered.  I thought of The Sakari. What would she think at this moment, how would she manage the next emis?

 

An Aide of Ki-ZerShaz summoned and I followed. The area which would serve as verodyne be ample and two rope barriers were fastened in place. The first boundary for the combat, thesecond for Ki-ZerShaz and Aides of the combatants.

 

I sat on the floor before a throne, observed the iSaz enter then eDapktchoy. Both wore visti.

 

As ini I am not permitted to view such fights. The visti cloaks the sacred region, nothing more. As ini I be embarrassed to gaze upon the nudity of a iemn. But as ZeSha I would not be. I could not be.

 

I glanced at uTarkuchuy. His body was almost without glory. I could view all his body, save the one small area.

 

With great interest I gazed upon eDapktchoy's body. I read his life upon the glory of his body, battles with iemn and beast, all obtained in the life of ZeSha.

 

eDapktchoy was so resplendent I stifle gasp, then glare at those who would support the iSaz who was repulsive and unworthy.

 

The ZerShaz entered, all stood silent.  He searched the room, the assembly, sat upon the throne, raised a hand and all sat, I at his feet.

 

There was the time of waiting while the warriors gambled upon the winner and length of such combat. In this interval, Ki-ZerShaz spoke to me.

 

"Little Shazi."

 

"Zha, Duva ShaZah."

 

"If your Lord is defeated you will embrace calti."

 

"Zha, Duva ShaZah."

 

"The Sakari alerted you."

 

"Zha, Duva ShaZah."

 

"And told you, heed treachery."

 

"Zha, Duva ShaZah."

 

"You are zychothesha for him, are you not?"

 

With shame my countenance flushed but I could not lie: "Zha, Duva ShaZah."

 

"The Sakari does not apprehend, does she?"

 

I did not reply. I could not. My passion for eDapktchoy was corrupt and formed me contemptuous. To fling my sha at an iemn who did not desire it, an iemn who already mated, mated to The Sakari, ought provoke my swallowing of calti. Yet, I could not deduct my life if my eyes could touch him.

 

I felt Ki-ZerShaz's eyes upon me, but mine could not remove from the deck for three further heartbeats.

 

uTarkuchuy marched about looking to the crowd but eDapktchoy stood as if he were alone, stretching, his eyes touching no one.

 

The ZerShaz nods to his First Aide who shouts: "The combat is to glory. Commence!"

 

uTarkuchuy ran towards eDapktchoy. Our Lord stood, then leapt into the air. uTarkuchuy found nothing, and fell upon the deck. The Warriors marvelled at this, for never had they seen such fighting.

 

The iSaz ran again at eDapktchoy who performed the same leap, but this time, in leaping, eDapktchoy's foot hit the iSaz in the throat and he fell.

 

I thought eDapktchoy would kick him but did not. eDapktchoy waited until the iSaz rose.

 

Upon rising, the iSaz did propel his fist at eDapktchoy's face, but our Lord so fast, the iSaz missed. The punch of eDapktchoy did not default and hit uTarkuchuy in the face.

 

uTarkuchuy swung again and his blows reigned upon our Lords arms, but our Lord's blows reigned upon the face and stomach of uTarkuchuy.

 

Warriors shouted, shouted loud and strong. None had seen such excellent fighting before. eDapktchoy could fight with his hands and feet and fight by strange leaps and kicks and tumbles.  uTarkuchuy could only shamble, and swing his arms uselessly.  uTarkuchuy grabbed for eDapktchoy's arm, but eDapktchoy caught the iSaz's arm and broke it. It happened most quickly. We heard the snap of bone.

 

All ZeSha expected death to follow, but it did not. For our oKhain did a strange thing. He put his arm behind his back.  He would fight the iSaz with one arm, as the iSaz would fight him!

 

uTarkuchuy was enraged. He swung his good arm to our oKhain's face and unexpectedly, kicked him in his sacred region. And eDapktchoy fell backwards.

 

uTarkuchuy began to kick eDapktchoy. I shouted as eDapktchoy made himself a ball and the kicks did not touch the soft parts of him.

 

I stood, clamored for eDapktchoy to arise. eDapktchoy rolled along the floor, then sprang and faced uTarkuchuy.

 

And kept his hand behind his back!

 

After the dishonourable kick, he persisted in maintaining his hand behind his back!

 

ZeSha bellowed their pleasure, their honour for this oKhain, eDapktchoy.

 

uTarkuchuy watched Daktoy approach. Suddenly, the foot of eDapktchoy swung out, hard and high, beneath the chin of the iSaz. The iSaz fell back wards. eDapktchoy kneeled upon the chest of the iSaz. And looked upon The ZerShaz.

 

For two heartbeats he looked upon The ZerShaz, then with his hand, removed the iSaz's throat. The iSaz fluttered and found glory.

 

There was silence.

 

The ZerShaz surveyed the Warriors. He viewed his dead son and eDapktchoy who rose to stand before him. The ZerShaz sat for ten heartbeats. Then stood.

 

"The iSaz found glory as a ZeSha. I accord this erssavi and all orbiting Quan to oKhain eDapktchoy. ZeSha who can not assign loyalty to eDapktchoy return to ZerShaz with the shell of he who was--iSaz."

 

I searched the verodyne. There were many Zesha. Some turned to others, some fell to their knees, joined by others. A few moved from the verodyne, no doubt to their Chambers, then to the hanger, but these were the least.

 

The Aides of uTarkuchuy faced eDapktchoy. They could not relinquish until the shell of their Lord removed.

 

The ZerShaz observed the room, nodded and the Aides lifted the shell of his dead son and took him from the verodyne.

 

The ZerShaz gazed upon his First Aide, not upon he who had been his son or any of us. He looked upon his First Aide, then strode from the verodyne by a different access.

 

Those who swore loyalty to eDapktchoy were on their knees in the verodyne. All others had gone.

 

Only eDapktchoy stood and the First Aide of Ki-ZerShaz stood.   The First Aide asked if those here swore loyalty to eDapktchoy.  All present vowed. He asked again. They vowed. He asked again and all vowed.

 

The First Aide told the ZeSha to resume their posts and gestured to eDapktchoy, who followed him. And we followed eDapktchoy.

 

We were led to a Chamber. The First Aide announced; "The ini will depart."

 

Though ini, we were also Aides, we could not abandon our Lord. azJikTchy solved the quandary by ordering "Guard the Door--" And we obeyed.

 

We ini stood outside of

Impressum

Verlag: BookRix GmbH & Co. KG

Tag der Veröffentlichung: 26.11.2021
ISBN: 978-3-7554-0123-0

Alle Rechte vorbehalten