Intermix Nation

“The trees are treated with some sort ofMEDIcine,” Taj says. “It makes them grow unbelievably quickly … andstrong. Valestream is the main supplier of lumber to Mediah. I’vebeen helping the loggers cut the trees down, redistributing timberto the rebels so it can be dispersed throughout the territories.Everyone here is amazingly supportive.”

Nazirah has never seen either of them lookso satisfied, so optimistic. She wonders if the other recruits feelthis way as well, a foreign hope springing inside of her. Maybe,just maybe, they actually have a shot at wi

“Well,” Taj says proudly, “we’ve been lyingto them for weeks now. Telling them the winter is harder thanexpected, our workforce has suffered, stuff like that. Basicallycoming up with every excuse possible for why we aren’t meeting ourquotas.”

Lumi quirks an eyebrow. “And they actuallybelieve you?”

“Course not,” he chuckles. “But theChancellor has his hands full, what with the anarchy in Rafu andthe march to Krush. He’s trying to keep the Eridian dissent quietas possible, not wanting the rest of the country to know how bigthe rebellion has become.”

“But how is Gabirel explaining the lack ofresources to the capital?” asks Nazirah.

“He’s apparently saying there’s some sort ofepidemic raging throughout the territories … that the government isintentionally restricting supplies because our goods arecontaminated.”

Nazirah feels uneasy about the wholesituation. It seems too simplistic, like they’re missing a hugepiece of the puzzle. She remembers the Chancellor in Adamek’smemory, sitting leisurely beside his dead wife, smoking a cigar.Somehow, Nazirah doesn’t think Gabirel casually dismissesdissention or deception.

“How do you know all this, Taj?” Lumi asks.“They never told us anything classified at the hospital.”

“Grum told me.”

Nazirah chokes. “Grum … as in MatherGrum?”

“As in Mather Grum, whom you gave aconcussion in combat training?” Taj clarifies.

“Yes.”

“That would be the one.”

Lumi makes a face. “He’s here?”

“For weeks now,” Taj says. “He’s actuallynot that bad. Drinks like a fish, but who doesn’t? He keeps tohimself most of the time, transporting resources and interceptinginformation. Looking forward to a rematch, Irri?”

Nazirah is not. “I think that was justbegi

“You underestimate yourself,” Lumi says.“You may be small, but you’re relatively smart. It was your brainsthat helped you win that fight with Grum, not your brawn.”

“I guess.”

Feeling the tears welling, Nazirah looksaway, trying to erase the memories of Ramses … hitting her …punching her … touching her. With so much happening in the last fewdays, Nazirah hasn’t allowed her mind to go there. But what wouldhave happened if Adamek hadn’t saved her?

She would be dead.

“It’s true?” Lumi whispers in shock,noticing her reaction. “What happened in the Red West? The Khan’sson tried to….” She trails off.

Nazirah nods sadly, wiping a tear away withthe back of her hand. “Morgen saved me.”

Taj glances at Lumi, but she’s distracted byNazirah’s wrist. Lumi grabs her arm, staring at Nazirah’s tattoo indisbelief. “Where did you get this?”

“An old monastery in Shizar.”

“Zero-five-one-four,” Taj reads out slowly,confused.

“Protection marks are not something to takelightly, Nazirah,” Lumi snaps.

“I’m sure loads of Zimans have them.”

Lumi shakes her head. “They don’t,” shesays. “It’s like the dusza, a lost tradition. They’re extremelyrare.”

“I still don’t see what the big deal is.”

“Look,” Lumi says, pointing to the symbol.“This is the mark of whoever gave this to you. It’s not just atattoo, Nazirah. It’s an unbreakable bond. Zimbaba believe theyliterally sacrifice a piece of their souls to the gods, in order tooffer protection. It’s not something one typically gives astranger.”

“He never said anything like that,” Nazirahsays, rubbing her wrist. “He said it was protection given by mykin.”

Lumi shrugs. “Maybe that’s what he considershimself.”

Nazirah thinks of the monkey, nameless, lifeshrouded in mystery. With scarred and blackened hands he called herdaughter. The monkey strayed from the path but somehow returned toit. Is it in Nazirah to deny Adamek that same chance?

Is it in her to give it to him?

“Speaking of kin,” Taj says, “There’s thekinsa here, a ways down.”

“Kinsa?” asks Lumi.

“A sacred Oseni shrine,” he answers.“Basically a circle of trees around some stones. It’s how the Osenihonor their loved ones. It’s pretty interesting. You might want tocheck it out before we leave tomorrow.”

Nazirah rises, stretching her arms. “That’sbrilliant, Taj.” She smiles. “My father was from Valestream, didyou know? Kasimir loved the pebbles I collected from my walks onthe beach, said they reminded him of the kinsa from his childhood.It’s the main reason my mother put them all over our cottage … likewe were bringing a little piece of Osen to Rafu.”

Taj and Lumi stare at Nazirah oddly. In allthe time they’ve known her, she has never spoken so freely abouther parents. “Do you want to go now?” he asks, shooting Lumianother glance.

Nazirah sighs. “No, I should probably gocheck in with Aldrik and Morgen. We’re meeting with some Osenitomorrow morning, so I’m sure they want my head by now. I’ll golater, though.”

“Irri,” Taj says, “don’t miss the loggers’bonfire tonight. You can show your face and appease Aldrik. It’llbe a good time … a final hurrah, yeah?”

“Yeah,” she agrees, smiling. “I’ll see youboth later.”

Nazirah waves goodbye, lazily humming anOseni melody. She turns, walking towards the building Aldrik andAdamek entered. Back facing Lumi and Taj, Nazirah doesn’t see theirbewildered expressions, their exchange of pointed looks. Shedoesn’t witness Lumi’s self-satisfied smirk. She doesn’t notice Tajreaching reluctantly into his pocket, returning the money he wonand then some.

#

Nazirah interacts with various Oseni at thebonfire, hearing them recount their struggles. She wants to meetthem, these men and women who resemble Kasimir in shape and spirit.And they, shockingly, want to meet her too. Countless intermix andOseni approach Nazirah, wishing to shake her hand, touch her, thankher. Grum shoots Nazirah scathing looks. He and Aldrik eventuallyleave, heading brusquely for the nearest canopy tavern. Adamekdoesn’t make an appearance.

An hour or two pass. Nazirah spends theremaining time with Lumi and Taj, drinking hot cider around thefire. The Oseni sing about their homeland, deep voices resoundingthrough the forest, steins clanking and overflowing with mead.Nazirah follows along, off-key. Their voices bring tears to hereyes, spilling love and regret. Tomorrow afternoon, the campaignwill finally return to Krush, to whatever fate awaits it there. AndNazirah gets the distinct, unsettling feeling that her hourglass isnearly spent.

The Oseni disperse as the fire dies,sloughing off the grease of the day, trekking towards slumber andhigher ground. Lumi and Taj rise, calling it a night. “Irri, youcoming?” he asks.

Nazirah gets up as well. “I’m actually goingto find that kinsa.”

“Do you want company?”

“Thanks, Lumi, but I’d rather go bymyself.”

“See you tomorrow, Irri,” Taj says kindly,taking Lumi’s hand.

Nazirah quirks an eyebrow, smiles.“Goodnight, guys.”

Nazirah treks down a worn dirt path in thedirection Taj points out. There’s cloaked darkness, but patches ofmoonbeams guiding her way. Yet even in the shadows, Nazirah doesn’tfeel alone. Even the quiet here isn’t quiet. The forest breatheslife, especially in this latest hour.

As she walks, Nazirah notices that her sightis improving, as though the trees themselves emanate light. Theybecome thicker, older, leaves disappearing. The branches knot,twist, and bend shape. The bark peels, lightening from mahogany toash to silver. Nazirah touches the lustrous, sterling trunks. Thesetrees must be sacred for the Oseni to not cut them down. The Mediswould kill for something so beautiful.