----------------------------------------
Kalon
----------------------------------------
Chapter Thirty-Eight: Nanak Ul Ilem
Galactic Quadrant: Darna Quadrant
Ruling Government: Talum Merchant Federation
Solar System: D-447
Planet: Ora
Location: Beneath the planet's surface, Naro City, Yul Clan Assembly Hall
----------------------------------------
“Arrum, I must go help the wounded. Promise me you will not try to leave.” I say.
“Kada, I…” he begins.
“Arrum.” I say grabbing him firmly “Promise me.”
He does not reply, but his face is filled with sorrow as he rolls to his side slowly.
My feet move as swiftly as they are able, taking me to help the incoming wounded. Blood smears on the floor as people are dragged inside. Some of them are not long for this world. We must decide who can be saved quickly. If we waste time, more will die. There are screams and mournful cries from the children. My stomach rolls, looking at them clutch their lifeless mother or father. My eyes become hollow as my chest begins to feel more empty. Some of these children may become Ulima after today… and for what? My mind presses the thoughts, shifting to what I can do. If I can prevent even one from enduring the hardship, that is enough.
“Hold pressure here.” I say to one of the older children “Use your knee and put all of your weight on it.”
My knife cuts off the garb from a man’s leg. Blood seeps from his wound still, even with the pressure. I need to stop the bleeding. Putting my fingers in the wound, I feel for the artery. Clamping it firmly with my fingers. With my other hand, I grab a clamping tool and push it inside the wound clamping it fully, just above my fingers until it stops the flow completely. We twist fabric above the joint to keep the flow closed, just in case the clamp fails. In a few hours, someone will have to adjust it, or they may lose the limb. That is not for me to worry about now though. Their life is my only concern.
It is grim working amongst the wounded. We have few supplies to prevent infection. In the next few days, and the coming weeks, many will fester unless we trade for Medigel. The weapons the enemy used were soiled. Even a small wound can lead to death. Some have dark lines tracing their bodies, Netheric sickness. Arrows tipped with it poisons them slowly. Digging out one from a woman’s shoulder, I inspect it. They are fresh. Mined within the last few days. My heart sinks, thinking about the brothers, it may have been their expedition that mined these. With all of these wounded, if we do not get Etherium in the next few days… our Clan will perish a slow death.
My finger touches the barb of one of the Netherium-tipped arrows and I hear the chant in my mind. Embrace the Abyss. Shaking my head, I pull to focus again. Being distracted will help no one. Once I have ensured the wound is empty, I seal it as best I can. Our supplies are running out fast. Soon we will have to use less clean ones, increasing the risk of infection.
Moving to the next I must help, I see that they too have an arrow in them. They whimper in pain from the cut on their arm as well. My hand goes to remove the armor, but their other hand grasps mine firmly.
“No…” they plead.
My hands stop as I hear the voice, it is one that I would recognize anywhere. It is Neeba.
“Please… someone.” He pleads weakly. Looking around, I see everyone else is busy tending to others. His grandmother is on the other side of the chamber, her back to me. No one will hear him over the other's screams.
With his mask, no one has realized he is Nekam’s son. His hands shake as they weakly try to fight me off. The Netherium in his shoulder has weakened him greatly. Thoughts rush through my mind. I could kill him right now. My hand clenches as I pull at the arrow shaft. He howls in pain. His life is in my hands, were the situation reversed, he would not hesitate to kill me. No one would know it was I who killed him. Plenty have already died. I should kill him, for what he has done. My hand twists the arrow more.
“Please… don’t kill me.” He pleads to me.
His cries fall on deaf ears. My hand grasps his other wound, pressing it as well. Causing him pain. He deserves to die. He must die. If he doesn’t, he will try to kill me again. My blade calls to be pulled and find respite in Neeba’s worthless heart. Before I can grasp it, the Sage’s words flood my mind, battling against what my blade calls for.
If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
Nanak Ul Ilem – Without forgiveness, we are lost
My jaw flexes as I hold Neeba’s fate in my hands, unsure if the Sage’s words or my anger will win. In my almost twenty years I have never had such a choice before, it would be so easy to kill him. Would Nekam even find out? No, with his injuries, it is safe to…
Compassion begets more compassion. Only with compassion can we truly thrive
The Sage’s words slam into me, I want to kill Neeba, there is no doubt he deserves it. Yet, the words sting at me, cutting deep into my convictions. Staying my blade from what it seeks.
“Sekat.” I curse, pulling Neeba up and removing his mask so he can look into my eyes “You live this day because of your father.”
He whimpers a little relief.
“You live this day because you are Nevari’s brother, and because you are Arrum’s cousin,” I say, slamming him down firmly, ripping the arrow from his shoulder as ungently as I can.
He howls in pain as I indelicately search with my finger for more Netherium in the wound.
“If you ever try to kill me, or anyone I care for again,” I say, stuffing his wound roughly. Peeling back the armor on his arm, blood trickles down to the floor “I will cut your throat and make an offering of your blood to your gods.”
His eyes are wide as they look at me, but he nods to me vehemently.
“Ba…Bata U’Ton.” He stammers. An oath in the old tongue that his lips are unworthy to utter.
When I am finished with him, I stand, looking down upon him. I could still end him. Even now.
“Then we finally understand each other,” I say.
He nods to me, nursing his wounds. His eyes trace behind me, causing me to look.
Nevari stands where his eyes lead mine, her blade is in her hand. Trembling as she looks at me and then at Neeba. How long was she there? How much did she hear? Was she going to kill me? Thoughts swirl as she exchanges looks with us. She is confused, this much I can tell. As I step closer to her, she raises her blade higher, grazing my throat. My eyes blink twice at it. She is threatening me?
“Stay away from me and my brother.” She says, moving between Neeba and me.
My jaw flexes as my heart burns. That she would think so little of me. Words do not find my lips as I back away. She helps Neeba to his feet. Taking him to the Clan chief's chamber. She speaks with her grandmother after she returns, pointing to me and then to the chamber where she has taken Neeba. Their grandmother gives me a look that spells anger. Further pressing the irritation into my throat. Neeba has now caused my standing to decrease. Perhaps I should have just killed him and been done with it.
There is no point in dwelling on it now, I need to focus and help the others.
Nevari leaves the chamber, giving me one last glance of distrust before she returns to the fighting. Causing my jaw to flex. Unable to fight, and misunderstood. Frustration rises higher. However, as I look at those who lie wounded, I do not find myself envious of them. There is much pain in war. Moving to the next person I can help, I am intercepted by Nevari’s grandmother.
“Your services are not needed.” She says, pointing toward my bunk “You will stay there until the battle is over.”
Anger flashes in me, threatening to roar into my mouth. What did Nevari tell her? Or did Neeba spill poison in her ear when she went to check on him? I cannot remember a time I was more frustrated. My blood boils.
“I can be of use,” I say through gritted teeth.
“Go.” She says sternly.
My hand clenches so hard that my nail bites into my skin, and warm blood trickles down my thumb. Giving her a half bow, I turn and move towards my bunk. Will Neeba spew more filth to his father when he returns? My future here is becoming uncertain. Anger fills me as I punch the metal wall. Pushing my head against it. I must control my anger. I will only feed into Neeba’s treachery if I act out more. Calming myself with deep breaths, I turn to Arrum’s bunk, ready to change his cloth with a fresh one. He has pulled his blanket over his head to sulk. I understand the feeling.
“Arrum, do not…” I begin, but my eyes squint as my hand moves towards his bunk. Patting the blanket. It does not feel like a person underneath.
My hand pats again. Slowly I pull off the blanket. It is only gear and spare clothes that I find, not Arrum. My stomach drops and churns as I am gripped with panic. He has left. Looking around his bunk, his heavy boots are missing, and so is his armor.
“No…”
Throwing on my gear quickly, I rush to the Clan Hall door. The guards hold their weapons up to me. Nevari’s grandmother is near them.
“He is not permitted to leave.” She says to them, they look at each other then her “He tried to kill Nekam’s son.”
Their spears point at me quickly.
“Do not resist them,” she says, her face is stern and distrustful. Like when I first came to the tribe.
“Arrum has left, I need to find him,” I say, hand moving to my blade.
“We will send someone to fetch him.” She says, a look of worry on her face at the news “It does not change that you are not free to leave.”
My jaw rolls as I move outside of their striking distance. Bouncing slowly up and down on my toes, testing my body's strength.
“Detain him.” She says.
“I will kill anyone that tries to stop me.” I say, drawing my blades, breathing out the fear and replacing it with calm “You have seen my blade, step aside or hear its song.”
There is fear in their stance as they look back at her for guidance. They back away slowly, it was not long ago that they saw me take on ten warriors by myself. Even if I am injured, I can kill at least one. This much they both know without a doubt. It ebbs from them.
“Cowards.” She hisses, turning and storming off.
The door opens and I depart quickly, not turning back to look. Knowing that it will likely be the last time I enter the hall again. After today, regardless of the outcome of Nekam’s investigation, I will be banished or worse for threatening to slay the guards of the Clan. Now is not the time to worry about that. My foolish friend has drawn himself towards a conflict that will likely kill him. I must find him swiftly.