Sekali, "The Sister City"
Chapter 43
Uther and Finyat returned to their drinking, much to Sekali’s disapproval. But he said nothing, letting them fill their own time with what pleasure they could have before morning. He watched Mabuhi walk away, a little and prepare her bedroll. Still overwhelmed by all that had happened, Sekali turned away into thoughts of his own; these thoughts began to trouble him deeply. For the second time in all his years Sekali felt helpless, and he did not like it.
He left his companions quietly and headed out into the dimly lit forest, following the lanterns as before, until he found himself below the luminescent glow of the last one. There he found the stream where he had bathed and nimbly jumped it. He approached the rock whereon his armor pieces lay, now dry and ready to be born once again. He strapped them all on and drew his blade. Silently he knelt and placed the blade before him and closed his eyes, meditating calmness.
Clearing his mind of all thoughts, Sekali focused upon the blackness he beheld as he began to let himself go to all feeling, all thought. Soothing blackness filled his being, and he bent upon that place within him where no other could invade. As he beheld that blackness he reached out to it becoming one with it. It was then that he could no longer feel anything. He did not know if breath filled his lungs, he did not care. Where he was gave him total, utter, peace. He’d been here before many times . . . always after terrible confrontations with the horrors of the wastelands. There he floated in peace for a time, neither feeling Mabuhi’s hand upon his shoulder, nor hearing her voice. Yet he did not stay long within the void; he needed to get back to the others. So it was that as Mabuhi began to leave, Sekali opened his eyes and saw her withdrawing.
It surprised him to see her.
“Mabuhi, wait.” He called out to her.
She stopped and turned. “Oh, I thought you were sleeping. I could not wake you. Uther and Finyat passed out almost after their first mug. They have had a difficult time at all this. I don’t think this is what they had intended when they got together to go adventuring.” She emphasized her last word.
“I just wanted to talk with you, Could we? I have to express some things; concerns you should hear. I’m certain it will enlighten you about where you are going.”
Sekali invited her, with a gesture, in front of him. He picked up and sheathed his blade and waited. This was an unexpected pleasure he would sacrifice sleep for. Mabuhi nodded and walked over to Sekali, lowering gracefully to her knees. Sekali watched her, and once again felt his heart begin to beat more quickly. He knew he was enjoying her company far too much to deny he was falling in love with her. At first there instilled within him a great peace and calm, then a nervousness began to emanate within him. She noticed, and smiled at him warmly.
“Sekali, your hands tremble.” She grinned and squinted her eyes playfully at him.
He offered a hand to her, which she took. He smiled and they both laughed quietly. Within the center of the wilds, just without the glow of the soft-lighted lanterns, they talked far into the night, Sekali answering questions and teaching her of his culture. Mabuhi also gifted him with the same of hers. As she spoke, a happiness and a hope began to grow within him which he thought he was lost to. As she held tightly to his hand, he felt her delicate bone structure and the softness of her hand.
It was on this night, that his heart of stone became flesh once more. He fell deeply in love with her and secretly hoped for her hand. He spoke nothing of this to her, for he did not know her feelings for him. He pleasurably gave ear to her words and listened happily. She seemed happy as well.
“Sekali, I meant to be brief in coming to you. I did not mean to deprive you of your much-needed rest.”
Sekali smiled. “I’m glad you and I could talk. I would have it no other way.”
She smiled brightly up at him, and then a shadow fell across her countenance as her smile faded.
“You and your companions are going to attempt something that six others have died attempting. Please don’t take any chances unless you must . . . will you do that for me?”
Sekali nodded. “I promise . . . under one condition.”
She nodded and spoke slowly. “What condition?”
“That when we return triumphantly, I may spend more time here in this forest with you.”
She bit her lip, this time it was her hand in his that began to tremble. Deeply, she seemed to search him through, staring at him in silence. Then she smiled, as if suddenly resolute, and whispered.
“Save the Sister City, and in so doing you will have saved this, my forest. Then I would love to discuss this further, Sekali.” She squeezed his hand tightly and brushed a single strand of his long black hair back from his face, sending chills across his cheek, so light and tender was her touch.
“You are good and honorable, Sekali. From our first meeting, outside the City Port Navan, you kept all your promises. Difficult times will now fill our lives. Let us see what comes of the future.”
Sekali reached up and placed the back of his fingers upon her temple and slid them down along her delicate face. He noticed the dawn of morning beginning to invade the forest, and regretted the end of their time together. As he began to stand, she stopped him quickly.
“Sekali, the Veleighen capture and leash spell-casters with an item known as the Silverleighen Leash, devised to subdue and control those who have mastery of the art of casting spells . . . as I do.” Mabuhi continued harshly, anger swelling in her voice.
“They keep people like me . . . as war slaves to do terrible deeds.” Sekali’s brows furrowed together as she spit the words out quickly. She had an almost panicked look; desperate.
“What is their weakness then? If that is their strength, they must be vulnerable in some aspect.”
She nodded in agreement and squeezed his hand more firmly.
“I – we do not know them well. I do not know a weakness, save it be pride, Sekali. They are trained in the earliest form of their youth to war against all but themselves. That is all I know about them.”
The look that had taken hold of her brought Sekali deep concern. He stood and lifted her up, staring down at her.
“Mabuhi, I love this forest. I don’t know why, but since I communed with the Dremmin Tree, I have felt the seed of attachment to this place. I love these lands, and I swear to you that I will raise the Sister City, or die in the attempt. I have spoken.” He parted from her after looking deeply into her eyes one last time, slightly bowing. He turned away from her to retrieve his companions, an energy suddenly burning within him, one he often felt before battle within the Wastelands.