|
Chapter 6: Cartosa.Chunagoh felt displeased with the rest of his council. For two days straight they have been fighting over the “human problem” and no viable solutions have presented themselves thus far. “Vellaras we can’t simply ignore those beings,” Chunagoh turned his triangular body towards the senior vizier, “or they will come here again, uninvited.” The chief of trade raised his floating head and surveilled his council, “our fellow Shadows are anxious for a decision. Some want trade with humans, while others oppose it. We must come to an agreement if we are to take a chance on trade and what implications would result from that agreement or do we continue to refuse them and risk a war.” A soft signal interrupted Chunagoh’s speech.
|
|
As council members turned their floating heads towards the entrance and observed Sveratu enter the cavern, they began quietly whispering amongst themselves.
Chunagoh and Sveratu communicated telepathically for several moments while looking at each other and occasionally nodding. The two chief Shadows were separated by an entire room and over 50 members of trade council while still communicating without any obvious inhibitions. The rest of the council intensely watched them for any reaction or body movements but were left disappointed as Chunagoh or Sveratu very rarely exhibited emotional leakage. |
|
|
The conversation between two chiefs had come to an end when Chunagoh, unexpectedly, produced a booming native call to the rest of the council. The meeting cavern fell silent. “Fellow Shadows,” Chunagoh addressed his counsel in a somber baritone, “Sveratu has brought us some news about the human queen. It may shed some light on our decision regarding trade with these species. Let’s listen to what he has to say.” Council members looked around at one another in surprise before turning their attention to Sveratu. “Greetings to you all.” Sveratu began speaking and briefly nodding to all members, “I bring news from the human world. My scouts have visited their planet and learned that the human queen was partly to blame for the Great War.” A thunderous screech bellowed from the listeners and forced Sveratu to wait for the collective gasp to die down. When the crowd finally settled, he was able to continue.
|
“What we learned is that the humans and the stormeaters were engaged in a profitable trade which lasted several years up until the Great War. In fact, they would still be trading if the stormeaters did not attack the Lemosos, almost completely exterminating them. Curiously, the human queen chose to end the trade agreement with stormeaters and provided military defense to Lemosos allowing them to seek refuge in other worlds.” Another loud bawl irrupted in the meeting cavern forcing Sveratu to stop speaking.
He used this time to steal a glance at Chunagoh and telepathically inquire how much more information he should reveal. The answer he received did not surprise him. It was common knowledge that Chunagoh was the oldest living chief on Cartosa, with vast experience in trade, politics and war. Sveratu nodded to the chief and made a native call to once again get the attention of the trade council. “Whatever you may think of the human queen, there is more information you should know. We already learned that the Great War was initiated by the stormeaters when they broke intergalactic protocol and began extorting resources from nearby worlds. My scouts uncovered that the home planet belonging to the stormeaters began to die. We believe the human queen had something to do with it, but again, we are unable to prove it. The reason the stormeaters were extorting resources is probably because they needed stockpiles of them transported to their new home planet. As you already know, they chose our planet for their new home.” Sveratu paused for a moment before continuing, “My scouts just got back from the human planet where they learned that the human queen gave the location of our planet to the stormeaters. Some sources claim that the stormeaters surrounded her home planet pressuring her to give up our location but we don't know that for certain. Our scouts are still recovering and analyzing the relics humans use for their communication. Soon, our entire understanding of the Great War will be complete. We WILL punish those who tried to destroy us!" Sveratu's triangular body was shaking with anger as he spoke about his species finally attaining revenge. A deafening roar engulfed the cavern in support of Sveratu's words. "But for now," he continued after he produced his final native call to quiet everyone down, "one thing is clear: the signal we received to alert us of an oncoming attack was sent from Earth.”
Sometime has gone by since Sveratu shared his news with the trade council and left them to decide the outcome of trade with humans. The water clock outside the meeting cavern showed it was just after midnight when the doors flung open and council members began to pour out. One by one they floated out dissipating into nearby caverns when finally, Chunagoh appeared in the doorway. Since the moment he left, Sveratu has been waiting outside the cavern, stealthily hiding behind the fengali columns, hoping to catch a private moment with Chunagoh. The two chiefs shared more than a working relationship with one another, they were connected by a sacred Shadow bond. Every Shadow on Cartosa had a living counterpart from the time they were born and until they died. Chunagoh’s existence companion was Lantima, while Sveratu’s was Nurabis. The four of them shared close attachment to one another. That is until one day, when Lantima and Nurabis decided to break away from their life and traditions. Sveratu remembered that day vividly, intensely. It was the day that changed his life.
“Don’t think I don’t see you lurking there, Sveratu” Chunagoh extended his floating head peering in the far dark corner of the hall. Without hesitation, Sveratu eagerly stepped forward out of the dark, allowing foxfire light to illuminate his body. “Let’s take a walk, my friend. I still have rounds to make in Rojo.” As both chief Shadows found their way towards and past the entrance of the cavern maze, Sveratu patiently waited for Chunagoh to speak first. “I know what worries you, old friend, I can sense it." The Rojo square fastly approaching prompted Chunagoh to finally speak. “Even if the Supreme Tribunal expels them, which I find highly unlikely, we still have sufficient time to discover who was behind this orchestration. It’s not Lantima or Nurabis they were after, it was us." Sveratu looked at Chunagoh shaking his head, “For millenniums we lived in isolation and harmony, the moment humans discover our species, we have nothing but chaos. What if we run out of time to uncover the traitors? The moment the Tribunal expels our brother and sister, we are dead. We cannot survive without our counterparts.” The trade chief nodded at his friend’s remark but remained silent.
The bright lights of the Rojo square came into full view as Chunagoh and Sveratu made their way over a steep mountain ridge. A group of young Shadows playing on the edge of the square observed the two distinguished elders descend from a hill, walking in their direction. “Aye, Sveratu, we do not have loads of time, but we do have enough time to convince some of our fellow Shadows that the chaos they fear so much was not brought here by humans. Haven’t you ever wondered how the humans found us in the first place? I have good friends on the Supreme Tribunal who are not in a hurry to have us killed, I know they will listen to what we have to say. But first things first. Do you have access to the prisoners? They won’t let me see Lantima. We need to get a word to them.” Sveratu shook his head in response, “I am also not allowed to see Nurabis. I’ve been trying to communicate with his guards without success. Before you held the council meeting, I had a chance to speak with Vellaras. He told me there is a guard change coming up in 200 hours. Perhaps that will be our best chance to get a message to Lantima and Nurabis.” Chunagoh nodded in agreement, “Good, let’s not waste that window of opportunity. I must leave you now, Sveratu, I am very late for meetings with the Rojo shopkeepers. I promised I will hear their views on trade with humans.” Sveratu bowed to Chunagoh, “Until we see each other again, then. I will find you once I have more news.” Sveratu turned around, heading back up the trail he previously descended with Chunagoh.
Climbing over the ridge on his way back to the maze, Sveratu caught himself wondering who may be causing his family so much grief. His mind circulated every face, every word which was heard since that terrible day when Nurabis was taken away. He remembered how before his life changed, the best part of his day was returning home to family. Nurabis and his adopted pet, Molina, exerted instantenous joy toward him, re-fueling him with strength. They often drove Sveratu crazy with excitement and disobedience. After Nurabis was taken, Molina left the safety of the cavern maze and never came back. Some Shadows living on the outskirts of the city reported several sightings but were unable to retrieve her. For several months, Sveratu and his soldiers roamed the Uzon desert without success. As Sveratu climbed all the way to the top and entered the maze, he wondered if he would ever see Molina again.
“Don’t think I don’t see you lurking there, Sveratu” Chunagoh extended his floating head peering in the far dark corner of the hall. Without hesitation, Sveratu eagerly stepped forward out of the dark, allowing foxfire light to illuminate his body. “Let’s take a walk, my friend. I still have rounds to make in Rojo.” As both chief Shadows found their way towards and past the entrance of the cavern maze, Sveratu patiently waited for Chunagoh to speak first. “I know what worries you, old friend, I can sense it." The Rojo square fastly approaching prompted Chunagoh to finally speak. “Even if the Supreme Tribunal expels them, which I find highly unlikely, we still have sufficient time to discover who was behind this orchestration. It’s not Lantima or Nurabis they were after, it was us." Sveratu looked at Chunagoh shaking his head, “For millenniums we lived in isolation and harmony, the moment humans discover our species, we have nothing but chaos. What if we run out of time to uncover the traitors? The moment the Tribunal expels our brother and sister, we are dead. We cannot survive without our counterparts.” The trade chief nodded at his friend’s remark but remained silent.
The bright lights of the Rojo square came into full view as Chunagoh and Sveratu made their way over a steep mountain ridge. A group of young Shadows playing on the edge of the square observed the two distinguished elders descend from a hill, walking in their direction. “Aye, Sveratu, we do not have loads of time, but we do have enough time to convince some of our fellow Shadows that the chaos they fear so much was not brought here by humans. Haven’t you ever wondered how the humans found us in the first place? I have good friends on the Supreme Tribunal who are not in a hurry to have us killed, I know they will listen to what we have to say. But first things first. Do you have access to the prisoners? They won’t let me see Lantima. We need to get a word to them.” Sveratu shook his head in response, “I am also not allowed to see Nurabis. I’ve been trying to communicate with his guards without success. Before you held the council meeting, I had a chance to speak with Vellaras. He told me there is a guard change coming up in 200 hours. Perhaps that will be our best chance to get a message to Lantima and Nurabis.” Chunagoh nodded in agreement, “Good, let’s not waste that window of opportunity. I must leave you now, Sveratu, I am very late for meetings with the Rojo shopkeepers. I promised I will hear their views on trade with humans.” Sveratu bowed to Chunagoh, “Until we see each other again, then. I will find you once I have more news.” Sveratu turned around, heading back up the trail he previously descended with Chunagoh.
Climbing over the ridge on his way back to the maze, Sveratu caught himself wondering who may be causing his family so much grief. His mind circulated every face, every word which was heard since that terrible day when Nurabis was taken away. He remembered how before his life changed, the best part of his day was returning home to family. Nurabis and his adopted pet, Molina, exerted instantenous joy toward him, re-fueling him with strength. They often drove Sveratu crazy with excitement and disobedience. After Nurabis was taken, Molina left the safety of the cavern maze and never came back. Some Shadows living on the outskirts of the city reported several sightings but were unable to retrieve her. For several months, Sveratu and his soldiers roamed the Uzon desert without success. As Sveratu climbed all the way to the top and entered the maze, he wondered if he would ever see Molina again.
As he walked past the gatekeepers to the maze, Sveratu’s neighbor, Grasa, who was looking for him by the entrance, ran into him and toppled him over. “There you are!” Grasa exclaimed ignoring his own clumsiness. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere! Have you built yourself another home or something? I haven’t seen you in ages!” Grasa waited for Sveratu to straighten himself out before continuing, “I have good news, old friend, and really good news, which ones do you want first?” Annoyingly, Sveratu dusted off brownish sand caught in his military issued tunic while muttering curse words underneath his breath. Apart from being neighbors, Grasa was a close, trusted friend whom he first met in school. Sveratu remembered that his nickname was “spaz tank” because of his unusual large size and constant clumsiness. Back in those days, Grasa and Sveratu were inseparable, often getting into trouble. Their close friendship continued to endure until Sveratu was called to fulfill his military duties and Grasa became junior advisor to the Unity council. They lost sight of one another for a number of years, but regained their friendship when Sveratu and his family moved into the cavern neighboring his friend's.
When the tunic was returned to its original, neat state, Sveratu heatedly waived at Grasa. “Don’t you ever look where you are going? For the love of the Shadow God, if you weren’t my friend, I would have you sent to Kholunitsa!” Sveratu’s irritation slowly began to fade away as he picked at his tunic, realizing not that much damage has occured. Grasa, approvingly nodded at his friend, smiling, prompting him to slowly start smiling back. Unwillingly, Sveratu's irritation melted away as he prepared to learn Grasa's good news.
“I ran into Yormala this morning, you remember him? He is a member of the Unity and Trade council, and his counterpart is in service to the High Priest of the Shadow God, so he knows everything that goes on in our capitol.” Without pause and rambling even faster, Grasa continued, “He told me that it is a matter of time before the Shadows conclude a trade agreement with the humans, even if most of the Shadows are against it.” Sveratu stopped dusting his tunic and stared at Grasa in bewilderment. “Of course, I didn’t believe him, so I went to Vellaras and told him what I heard from Yormala. Apparently, Vellaras also heard that through the grape vine. His counterpart witnessed the High Priest perform a ritual where the omen from the Shadow God was undeniable. I couldn’t sit still at home, and had to come find you. Where have you been all day? Never mind, Yormala also said that Molina has been found. Have you seen it yet?” Sveratu waived at Grasa, motioning for him to stop talking. “Slow down spaz tank! Let’s get home first. If Molina has been found, I want to see her.” Sveratu ignored his friend’s words about the High Priest and the omen. Shadow rituals were carefully planned out years in advance. The last ritual performed by the Priest was over a millennia ago, and the next one.. Sveratu halted in his tracks, mumbling, “Hot is the heart of the Shadow God, Shape Shifter Lives This and This Gives Life to Thee. You said there was a ritual, Grasa? Remember the prediction of the last one?” Grasa gaped at Sveratu, processing the words his friend has spoken, slightly moving backwards. “Of course I remember…. but you don’t suggest..” Sveratu walked past Grasa, “Common spaz tank! We need to get to my house now!” An elderly Shadow couple, exiting the cavern maze, watched as a well-known Shadow colonel ran past them, followed by a large, round, slow moving Shadow citizen, who managed to greet them as he passed by.
When the tunic was returned to its original, neat state, Sveratu heatedly waived at Grasa. “Don’t you ever look where you are going? For the love of the Shadow God, if you weren’t my friend, I would have you sent to Kholunitsa!” Sveratu’s irritation slowly began to fade away as he picked at his tunic, realizing not that much damage has occured. Grasa, approvingly nodded at his friend, smiling, prompting him to slowly start smiling back. Unwillingly, Sveratu's irritation melted away as he prepared to learn Grasa's good news.
“I ran into Yormala this morning, you remember him? He is a member of the Unity and Trade council, and his counterpart is in service to the High Priest of the Shadow God, so he knows everything that goes on in our capitol.” Without pause and rambling even faster, Grasa continued, “He told me that it is a matter of time before the Shadows conclude a trade agreement with the humans, even if most of the Shadows are against it.” Sveratu stopped dusting his tunic and stared at Grasa in bewilderment. “Of course, I didn’t believe him, so I went to Vellaras and told him what I heard from Yormala. Apparently, Vellaras also heard that through the grape vine. His counterpart witnessed the High Priest perform a ritual where the omen from the Shadow God was undeniable. I couldn’t sit still at home, and had to come find you. Where have you been all day? Never mind, Yormala also said that Molina has been found. Have you seen it yet?” Sveratu waived at Grasa, motioning for him to stop talking. “Slow down spaz tank! Let’s get home first. If Molina has been found, I want to see her.” Sveratu ignored his friend’s words about the High Priest and the omen. Shadow rituals were carefully planned out years in advance. The last ritual performed by the Priest was over a millennia ago, and the next one.. Sveratu halted in his tracks, mumbling, “Hot is the heart of the Shadow God, Shape Shifter Lives This and This Gives Life to Thee. You said there was a ritual, Grasa? Remember the prediction of the last one?” Grasa gaped at Sveratu, processing the words his friend has spoken, slightly moving backwards. “Of course I remember…. but you don’t suggest..” Sveratu walked past Grasa, “Common spaz tank! We need to get to my house now!” An elderly Shadow couple, exiting the cavern maze, watched as a well-known Shadow colonel ran past them, followed by a large, round, slow moving Shadow citizen, who managed to greet them as he passed by.
