Chapter 14a
The plan I had thought of was one that was associated with war. When going to compromise, the head general would bring his or her significant other as a sign of good faith, and both husband and wife would bring their right hand with them. In our case, I had Ellery as my significant other and Niku as my right hand and Ellery had Iain as
his right hand. Everyone in the village would recognize the symbolism and wouldn’t strike out against us. It was strictly forbidden to do
anything to the people who came to compromise. The general was to show off his most powerful weapons, but not use them.
People froze and stared as we passed, watching with open mouths. I picked certain people to nod at while we passed. Grannie Fitcher and several of the more influential and powerful Elders smiled at me when I nodded to them. I was showing how I knew and appreciated their leadership. I didn’t even look at Janjua when we passed. We stopped before the townhouse, where Bann was standing. Someone had run ahead to warn him.
“Shahera Karakochuk of the Flaming River tribe of the clan of Rogues greets the leader of this village, Bann Serannas.” I said, kneeling and bowing my head. Niku, Ellery, and Iain followed my lead.
“This village welcomes Shahera Karakochuk into our midst.” Bann said. I stood and shot him a smile.
“Shahera is here to speak with the Elders about the crimes committed nearly seventeen years ago between this village and the Flaming River tribe of Rogues.” I requested formally.
“Are there any others who must be called?” Bann asked.
“The Janjua family must be present, not as a voice, but as the accused.” I said.
“It shall be done.” Bann bowed and stood to the side, allowing us to pass.
“Shahera shall wait.” My convoy followed me into the council room and Iain shut the door behind us.
“What just happened?” Niku asked.
“Shahera just officially called for compromise, placing herself as the general in charge of the Rogue troops and you as her right hand.” Ellery grinned at me.
“She brought you into the village with complete protection and was able to call the Elders together to discuss exactly what happened all those years ago.” Iain added. Niku gaped at me.
“You
are a goddess.” He said, pulling me into a hug.
“Cricket is not.” I pouted.
“Why are you pouting?” Ellery asked, hugging me as soon as Niku let me go. “You really are.”
“Rivaini, Melo, and Pereira already said Cricket was a goddess.” I said.
“Oh, they called you Druantia, didn’t they?” Iain grinned. “Rivaini told me.”
“Hmm…” Ellery tilted his head and smirked at me. “You
do resemble her very much.”
“Wow.” Niku grinned. “We have the same gods.”
“Cricket is
not Druantia!” I snapped.
“I dunno…” Ellery smiled, pressing my body against his. “I kinda like the idea of you being a goddess.”
“Now’s not the time, Ellery.” Iain rolled his eyes.
“
Please, I don’t need to see my baby sister getting it on.” Niku mock-wretched.
“I don’t need to see that either.” Iain added. “Besides, we need to be prepared for the council meeting.”
“Cricket is going to call out Krianna.” I said. Krianna Janjua, the woman who raised me, was essentially the cause of the problems.
“Why?” Ellery asked.
“She is the reason our people are dead.” Niku said.
“How?” Iain asked.
“Wait.” I shook my head. It would be a hard enough confrontation without having to tell the tale twice.
“Shahera.” Ellery pulled me away from our brothers and looked me in the eye. “Are you all right?”
“No.” I shook my head.
“I love you.” He understood that I wasn’t willing to talk about it before it was time.
“Cricket loves Ellery, too.” I whispered, hugging Ellery tightly. Ellery tilted my chin upwards and kissed me gently.
“I know.” He whispered.
“They’re coming.” Niku announced. “They’re freaking out.”
“I thought Shahera said no majik.” Iain said.
“It’s not like I can control it all the time.” Niku sighed. “Shahera can’t control when she sees, can she?”
“I see your point.” Iain raised a placating hand.
“Cricket is ready.” I said, moving over to sit at the appropriate bench. Ellery sat next to me, holding my hand gently.
“Everything will work out.” He said. Iain and Niku sat next to us and we waited.
“Welcome.” I said to the Elders as they slowly entered the room. Grannie Fitcher grinned at me and Bann shot me a wink. The Elders sat down in their specific chairs and then the Janjua family was brought in. Krianna looked completely at ease while she followed her fuming husband into the room. Pereira held baby Chika in her arms and Ahlf had his arm around her shoulders. Eiryn glowered at me and held Kelty’s hand tightly. She ignored me completely. Melo shot a grin at me even as she hugged Basra’s waist tightly. Venhedas glared at me as Eaie held little Jorje in her arms. I didn’t stand for them while they entered and sat, which was a huge insult.
“Shahera Karakochuk is your name?” Grannie Fitcher asked me. I nodded. She smiled. “It suits you much better than ‘Cricket’ ever did.” A subtle insult to my family.
“Why are we here?” Janjua asked, interrupting the calm conversation before it started.
“Because the Janjua family lied, showed no patience for ignorance, killed several Rogues, and kidnapped a child Rogue seventeen years ago. Seventeen years is long enough for one to go without punishment. It is time to pay the piper.” I said, standing.
“The Rogues –”
“It is not your time to speak, Janjua.” Bann said. “You have no voice, and cannot speak freely until given permission.” The man who raised me glowered at Bann and sat, fuming. I walked to the center of the room, allowing my anger at the man before me to grow and give me the strength to speak normally.
“It is part of Rogue culture for all the clans to meet once a year. While travelling to the Meet, the Flaming River tribe split apart to ensure safe passage and hunt for food. The caravan of the oldest and youngest in the tribe stopped on the Janjua plot.” I explained. “Rogues are ignorant of the customs of the village, and were unaware that their campsite was on top of the freshly sown crops.”
“You lie!” Janjua snapped. “They knew all along!”
“Janjua, learn your place!” Grannie Fitcher never yelled, but her voice was sharp and cut the man deeply.
“I am not aware of what the Rogues know or don’t know, but my brother, Niku Karakochuk,” I pointed at Niku, “Does. He has no idea what freshly sown land looks like or why it is so important to the livelihood of the Janjua family.”
“Rogues are travelers.” Niku stood. “We have no need for farming or the knowledge of how farming is useful, so we have never had the knowledge that would allow us to know that the fresh earth was part of a family’s way of life.” He sat down.
“That night, Luka, a Rogue, was scouting the land.” I continued.
“Luka was known for his frivolity and his seduction of women.” Niku stood again. “He was never serious in his flirtation and never bedded any women at all, so he was completely harmless.”
“But that’s not what Janjua was told.” I looked from the man who raised me to the woman who raised me. “That’s not what Krianna told him.” She paled and looked at the ground, her lips twitching as everyone turned to stare at her.
“Mum, what happened?” Pereira asked, brow furrowing.
“Luka found her, outside of the house, probably fetching firewood.” I said. “It is a well-known fact that Krianna’s marriage into the Janjua family was not pleasant for a while. She had borne him three daughters and a son, and he still treated her as if she was unimportant. Luka, as was part of his character, made her feel loved and wanted again. She liked that he flirted with her and seemed to want her.”
“That bastard promised to love me forever!” Krianna lost it and stood, screaming at me, her face flushing with anger. “He said I was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, but he
lied to me!” Everyone gaped at her, including Janjua.
“He didn’t lie.” I replied. “He was being himself. He was unaware that you would take him seriously, especially because you told him you were married.” Krianna blanched.
“In the Rogue society, marriages cannot be annulled.” Niku added. “Which is why Luka’s flirting was harmless and not serious.”
“When you found out that Luka wasn’t sincere in his words, you were angry. You went to your estranged husband and told him that he had violated you. You
knew that he would believe you over a Rogue, because you also told him that the Rogues were trampling the land on purpose.”
“Don’t you tell lies about my wife.” Janjua snapped.
“If he had loved me like he promised, he wouldn’t be dead.” Krianna said. Janjua looked betrayed and lost.
“So, is this true, Krianna?” Bann asked. Krianna lifted her head and nodded.
“You lied to me!” Janjua shouted, standing so he could loom over her.
“
You’re the one that killed them!” Krianna snapped.
“Correct.” I interrupted. “He decided that such insult couldn’t be suffered. He didn’t seek council with anyone. He asked his father, his two brothers, Krianna’s father, and Krianna’s three brothers to join him in hunting the Rogues down. They all agreed because they believed Krianna’s story.”
“That night, twenty-two helpless Rogues were slaughtered in their sleep.” Niku said voice angry.
“Also, three majikally gifted Rogues, including my mother, were killed, but not before killing six of the men.”
“That bitch killed all six by herself.” Janjua said. “We killed twenty-four before anyone attacked us back.”
“And then, you found me.” I said, looking him in the eyes. “What possessed you to save me, a small two-year-old, when you had killed everyone else? All the elderly, all the children, everyone. You saved me alone. Why?”
“You were crying over your mother.” Janjua said his voice tight. “And when you looked up at me, you begged me for help. I had just killed your family and you looked at me and asked for help.”
“Not as cold-hearted as you seem, eh?” Grannie Fitcher said.
“The Rogues demand justice for the horrors that happened, however, when they discovered how much deception and lying was going on, they no longer wish death upon their entire village. They are pulling back their armies.”
“What do they want?” Bann asked.
“They want justice to be served to those that hurt the Rogues. They also wish to be able to perform a proper funeral for the twenty-five dead Rogues.” I said. “They leave the decision of justice is to be served up to the village council.”
“How do we know you speak the truth?” Janjua asked me.
“You don’t.” I said, looking him in the eye. He flinched. “But, there is another matter to be considered.”
“You’re going to tell them?” Niku asked.
“Of course.” I replied.
“Tell us what?” Bann was staring at me.
“Before the story was uncovered, the Rogues had come up with a plan for vengeance on the entire village. They planned on bringing down the mountain from under us. At this moment, the finest warriors of the Flaming River tribe, including their chief, Loïc Karakochuk, are running back to the rest of the Rogue tribes in the attempt to stop the majik they have started. The problem is, with so much raw, destructive majik, they are unsure as to whether or not they
can stop it.”
“What would you suggest we do, Shahera?” Grannie Fitcher asked me.
“Why are you asking her?” Janjua snapped. “She’s not even a proper Rogue!”
“Da.” Pereira had handed Chika to Ahlf. She stood and walked up to her father. She looked at him before slapping his sharply across the cheek. “You have dishonored the Janjua name and are no longer fit for your duties as Elder.” She turned to Krianna and slapped her, too. “You are an abomination to the village and are no longer fit to be called Mum.”
“Krianna, for your crimes against the Rogue people and this village, you are hereby sentenced to death.” Bann said.
“You haven’t even voted!” Krianna objected.
“Fine, if you’d like us to. All in favor?” Bann turned to the Elders. They all stood up. “All opposed?” They all sat.
“But –”
“You will be imprisoned and we will determine the date of your execution at a later time. Janjua, you are hereby stripped of your name and position. You are also to be killed for your crimes against the Rogue people and this village.” Bann continued. He looked at the rest of the Elders. Everyone nodded. “Ahlf Janjua, as the eldest Janjua male, you are invited to join the Elder Council.”
“I accept.” Ahlf stood. As far as my family went, Ahlf was by the far the most politically savvy. Ahlf also moved to our village from a city, so he adopted the Janjua name instead of Pereira adopting his.
“You will have no voice in any meeting until we can formerly induct you before the village.” Bann continued.
“I understand. What about her?” He pointed at me. Bann glanced at me.
“What about Shahera?”
“Will she be punished?” Ahlf asked.
“Ahlf!” Pereira glowered at her husband.
“Punished for what?” Grannie Fitcher asked. “She came to this village with Ellery to warn us of the Rogue attack, which happened. She brought to light
why the attack was happening, which was truth. She saved the lives of everyone in the village, especially Rivaini, Mikal, and Deni Serannas, who were thought to be dead, which was very dangerous. She saved the lives of Ellery Serannas and Eliza Noctun from a Rogue attack, which was
also dangerous. She brought the truth of the matter back to us, which was honorable. Finally, she has warned us about another threat to the village, which is most likely truth.”
“Shahera Karakochuk of the Flaming River tribe of the clan of Rogues, formerly Cricket, formerly Cricket Serannas, formerly Cricket Janjua formerly Shahera Karakochuk of the Flaming River tribe of the clan of Rogues, for your outstanding courage and honesty towards this village, and for saving our lives on multiple occasions, we thank you and name you a hero of the village.” Bann bowed to me. He stood straight and turned to Ahlf.
“Her situation has been dealt with.” He smiled. “Thank you for reminding us.” Ahlf didn’t move or speak. Bann turned back to me. “What do you suggest we do, Shahera?”
“Cricket has the majik and power to stop this threat, however she has no control.” I said. “Niku is here to help her gain that control. Between the two of them, they can stop the threat to the village if the Rogues cannot stop it themselves.”
“Are you sure of this?” Bann asked.
“It doesn’t matter if she is.” Niku spoke up. “I’m a trained Rogue and I don’t know if we’ll be able to stop it. My advice, as a majikally knowledgeable individual, is to evacuate as fast as possible. If the Rogues can stop the majik, then you are safe. If the Rogues can’t, then you need to save as many lives as possible.”
“Spoken wisely.” Grannie Fitcher smiled at my brother. “We will consider all the options, but we thank you for your advice.”
“You are all dismissed.” Bann said. “The council must meet in order to determine the best course of action from here. Janjua family,” He looked at the betrayed family before us, “We entrust you to lock up your patriarch and matriarch for the good of the village. Shahera, we entrust you to learn your control quickly, so we might save as many lives as possible.”
“We can’t save everyone.” I said. “The dead Rogues are angry and have taken the majik the Rogues were going to use to tear down the mountain. The dead Rogues are using the majik for themselves and will kill us all before destroying the mountain.”
“Shahera, can you hear me?” I was held in Ellery’s arms with Niku, Iain, and Bann standing nearby. Everyone else was plastered against the walls, as far away from me as possible. Grannie Fitcher was the only person who hadn’t moved.
“They stopped the majik.” I said. “The mountain won’t be crumbling beneath us.”
“That’s excellent news.” Bann smiled.
“Wait,” I sat up and rubbed my forehead, “They stopped the majik, but the dead Rogues absorbed all the majik they had already sent. The dead Rogues are going to kill the village before demolishing the mountain.”
“What should we do?” Bann asked me. “Evacuate?”
“There’s nowhere anyone can go where they will truly be safe.” Niku said, strain evident on his face. He was obviously feeling the panic that all the Elders, the Janjua family, and all the Rogues were feeling. “Only the three majikally gifted Rogues can actually kill from the grave, unless they give power to the others, but all twenty-five will be calling for the blood of everyone in this village.”
“Cricket and Niku have no choice but to stop them.” I said. “The Rogues probably got the same message Cricket did, and will be coming to help us.”
“Why would they help us?” Ahlf asked, suspiciously.
“Because we like our reputation as being peaceful.” Niku said. “If dead Rogues went on a killing rampage and destroyed a mountain, that reputation would be in tatters. Plus, Shahera won’t leave this village while it’s in danger, I won’t leave Shahera while she’s in danger, and our father won’t leave us while we’re in danger. Not to mention the Rogue code that commands every Rogue from every tribe to go up in arms in order to protect any other member.”
“Oh.” Ahlf looked surprised.
“In the meantime, I will train Shahera to learn control. I will also teach the villagers all the tricks the mundane Rogues have to protect themselves from majik. It won’t ensure that no one will get hurt, but it will slow the dead Rogues down.” Niku said.
“How do you know this will work?” Bann asked.
“I don’t.” Niku said.
“I do.” I added.
“Shahera?” Ellery was still holding me close.
“The dead Rogues are my family. I watched them die. They know me, especially because I’ve been living on the land they were killed on my entire life. They will listen to me.”
“Not necessarily, Shahera.” Niku said. “Unmarked death changes Rogues.”
“If it doesn’t work, then they’ll have to kill me before they touch anyone in this village.” I promised.
“Don’t tempt death, sister.” Niku warned me.
“It is imperative that you begin training right away.” Grannie Fitcher announced. “Ellery, your job is to ensure that Niku and Shahera are not bothered while they are training. Iain, your job is to learn all the protective rituals from Niku and teach them to the rest of the village. Janjua family, your job is to lock up your parents and ensure that they are given food while imprisoned. Also, you are to keep watch along the southern border of the village for the Rogues. The instant you see one, you are to bring them to the council. No threats or warnings are to be issued from you.”
“Go. All of you.” Bann ordered.
Hello, lovelies! I’m about to start classes again, which will make my life a little weird until I can figure out my schedule and get used to it. I will be updating this with the second half of this chapter soon (sooner with reviews). I am working on a sequel to it, but I’m still working out kinks in the plot. Also, I am working on snippets of this story from Ellery’s perspective in order to show what he had to endure (which was a lot, but not as much as Shahera).
While you wait you can check out my Harry Potter fic (Chloë Snape: A Biography), because it is my next big project! Thanks muchly to my reviewers! KitDKatWrites
– I’m glad you’re enjoying it! I do punish Ellery for all the bad things he’s done to Shahera in a pretty mean way. I’m still working on Ellery’s perspective which might make you like him more. A
– Thanks! I’m glad you like it! Because these are my original brain-children, I don’t like posting the story unless I’m significantly ahead while writing it, because otherwise I get behind and feel guilty for not updating and then I post something bad. But Ellery’s perspective should be getting done soon! monsterstilettos
– I’m glad someone caught that reference! I didn’t much care for my tagline when I first wrote it, and I’m trying to figure out a better one, but my brain hates me, so it’s going slow. I’m glad you’re enjoying it! Nightshade_1986
– Thanks for the review! It’s really awesome when other people get just as excited over my scribblings as I do! NA_Zeno
– Yeah, I didn’t realize how mean I inadvertently made Ellery when I wrote it the first time. The main point was that they want to be together (Ellery does want to be with her) but events happen and he keeps trying to take care of her without telling her and it ends up a slap in the face to her and hurts more than helps. He’s really just a clueless guy. Thank you, my lovelies! ~LP
