Yotto – Summer – Zet – Fin (4th Month, 52nd Day, 6th Week) Year 827 GE

Lilac Roarvarian, once known as 8 Zitta Lilac Kander, fiddled with the earpiece she called her toun. She could hear the vibrations coming from all over the Pujar Fortress, every boot scrape, every tap of the finger, everything that could create a physical response to the surrounding rocks. The toun wasn’t for those noises, but the distant voices that came as garbled vibrations without the converter to turn them into sounds and words that made sense. The Byevern were known for having excellent hearing. A little-known fact was that the Byevern did not hear sounds so much as the vibrations made by sounds in the air. It was only when someone was close that sounds could be taken clearly without needing to be converted from vibrations.

Byevern’s native language used mostly vibrations mixed with clicks and whistles. If she had remained with her Byevern family, she would have learned to translate the sounds naturally, not needing the assistance from her toun. It wasn’t until her “recruitment” to the Rebellion that she learned she could not even speak to her kind. Common was the only approved language used by all those under the Goren’s rule, and the only one taught to those who trained at the Home Base.

Lilac turned toward the entrance to her quarters, did she hear that right? Reinstalling her right toun, her left was still in, she listened to the surrounding sounds. It was a garble of overwhelming noise before she adjusted the devices, removing as much of the excessive sound as it allowed. The toun had been made thanks to a Jord-Kinroh, a Land-Metal caster who formed it to fit her ear perfectly, somehow imbuing it with the ability to shift and grow as she had. The devices would allow vibrations through tiny channels inside the earpiece, converting it to voices or sounds. It had also taken the help of an Umoya-Valo or a Spirit-Light caster. They had adjusted the devices, giving her the ability to manipulate what sounds would come through depending on the patterns she traced along the cuff. Lilac would be hard-pressed to explain how the toun worked completely, only really needing to know that they worked and the ones she wore now were the third version made by the casters. The first one had distorted the vibrations, making the converted sounds flat and hard to understand. And the second had caused a loud screeching noise each time she turned them on, and sound passed through the channels.

“… It was a jakoreen…” The woman who spoke was close enough to Lilac’s dwelling she could not phase out the voice without losing the sound she was looking for.

Tap-click, tap, tap-click, the distant sound of a familiar boot step came to her ear then. She pushed up from her bed, heading toward the exit and out toward the square. She could hear the noises from all over the Pujar Fortress, threatening to drown out the subtle sound she listened for intently.

“… No such thing as jakoreen…” A man was shaking his head as Lilac rounded the corner, catching sight of the two adults discussing a children’s tale. There it is, she thought, as she caught the light, tap-click, tap, of the steps she was listening for. After a brief pause, she gauged the direction of his steps. He was heading toward the fountain where they always met.

His steps were light, lighter than any of the other fighters in the Pujar Fortress, except for a slight clank each time the stud touched the ground. She had asked him once why he always put a stud in the heel of one of his boots. He explained, “It makes it easier for you to recognize my steps,” with a smile he added, “Least I can do, since I’m the one who dragged you here.”

Lilac had been upset in the beginning, worrying about her friends Zira and Namari. With time, she found freedom here in a way she never could, while under the direction of the Goren and his people. She was torn between wanting her friends to join her and making sure to keep them as far away from her and the rebellion as possible.

Her heart had been in her throat since the day it had been announced that a fight had broken out in a coffee shop. The Kander responsible was Zira, her childhood friend, and now the rebellion had placed a mark on her. Whether they killed her or recruited her, was left up to the one sent to deal with the mark.

“You’re late,” she accused as she turned a corner, just a block from the fountain, her friend, and recruiter stood there. Dameen, a Jariven with pale-gray skin and blue-gray eyes, looked at her, his eyes bright as a grin lit his face. Lilac still found it hard to believe this man was a second phase Jariven in his 125th year. He was always smiling and joking with those around him, rarely acting his age.

“As patient as ever, I see.”

“Well?” She asked, not bothering to explain, Dameen would know what she needed to hear.

“You were right, as much as I hate to admit it,” he scratched his cheek and averted his eyes from her.

“So, she’s alive then?” She needed to hear him say it, to admit he had not gone through with the Council’s orders.

“She is, much to the Council’s dismay… Or it would be, if I had reported to them first.” He gave Lilac a stern glare. “Are you going to join? It would be best if you did, I might need your help on this one.”

Lilac nibbled her bottom lip, a habit she picked up since joining the rebellion, “Do you really need me there? You know they don’t like us.” She meant the Kander forcibly recruited by pulling them from the field and holding them until only punishment awaited them if they returned.

“I know you like to avoid the Council, but if you wouldn’t mind.”

“I don’t know, what could I do?” She looked away, not wanting to remember that first year in the fortress. Since her “recruitment” there had been 12 more Kander taken from the field, only one other accepted the anti-Goren beliefs, aside from Lilac. He was eight years older than her, and mostly kept to his group inside the walls. The other 11 were kept separate, and in a sedated state. They would spend a part of the morning visited by residents from the Fortress, trying to convince them of the errors in Goren’s way of doing things. Part of her understood, the Kander were dangerous, having access to a power that most of the citizens did not. And yet, it was hard seeing the blank eyes of those who also bore the Zitta.

“I think,” he looked away, serious a moment, “They need to understand what is at stake for the Kander when orders are not followed. Would you mind telling them what you told me, about the Kander Dimmin?”

She had grown close to Dameen over the last two years. He had asked once why she never tried to leave. That had spurred her to tell him the tale of Dimmin, a 5th Zitta Kander, who had been “liberated” by the rebellion, and yet caught again by the Goren’s people. Each Zitta had been torn from his flesh, nothing to dull the pain, the screams with each extraction still ringing in her memory. She shut her eyes, trying not to think of the horror and sighed, “All right, let's go.”

With an apologetic look, then a reassuring smile, he turned toward the Council Hall, a large building on the east side of Pujar Fortress. “They didn’t have all the facts,” Lilac was surprised to see her friend irritated, “They sent me to kill her and all she did was defuse the situation.”

Lilac was hard on his heels when they entered the Council Hall, “I told you she wouldn’t just start a fight.” After a short pause, she added, “So, how did she seem? Was she alright?” Grabbing Dameen’s arm to stop him, she continued, “Was she eating? Did she look healthy?”

“Enough, Lilac,” Dameen finally stopped her. Looking down, he stood a head taller than her. With a grin, he said, “You would think you’re her mother.” Flicking his hand toward the hallway, they started to walk again. “Besides, how is a man to answer when you just keep asking questions?” When he looked at her, she was staring, pleading clear in her bright-green eyes. With a chuckle, and a sigh he spoke, “Alright, she seemed okay, a little put out in truth. As far as eating right, I wouldn’t know. She did eat a hearty dinner and didn’t complain about its contents on the one meal we ate together. As far as health goes…” He couldn’t hide the faint grin, “She is quite healthy. Now if you don’t mind, I need to…” He indicated the large door they were standing in front of. “You ready?” When she nodded, he pushed open the door and stepped inside.

With only a momentary hesitation, Lilac followed Dameen into the room, six women and five men were seated around a large table. Most of the races on Semi were represented in this room.

“Dameen,” a Katovian woman purred as he walked up to the edge of the table, Lilac at his side. “You are late, my brother.” Sammi Swiftpaw, the Katovian Council member was striking, with the marking of her Balinese feline counterpart; bright-blue eyes, full lips, pale tan hair with a dark-brown mask going up from the tip of her nose to a point in the middle of her forehead and cradling both of her striking eyes. Not all Katovian sported the ears or whisker of the felines, from which their race had evolved from, but Sammi had both.

Dameen smiled at the woman with strong cat features, “No later than expected.”

“As smooth as ever,” her voice carried a flirtatious note, “And what of the Kander?” Lilac stiffened as the Katovian Council member gave her a sidelong glance. For the most part, the Council avoided the “liberated” Kander like herself. Lilac felt no love for this Council member in particular; Sammi was too much like her feline counterpart.

“Alive and well,” Dameen directed a smile at the Katovian Council woman. Lilac was secretly glad to see her smile fade, a look of reproach taking its place. Dameen’s eyes scanned the room until stopping on the Duran man sitting at the head of the table. “I met with the target. Dagallan, she was not the monster the reports described,” his smile faded as he continued, “So, I broke bread with her and enjoyed the firework show instead.” He never took his eyes from Dagallan at the head of the table. Lilac did not miss the subtle shift as Dagallan, the Duran, would not make eye contact.

Dagallan shifted under Dameen’s cold eyes. It was rare enough for Dameen to show his anger that the other Council members in the room also averted their eyes. Dagallan squared his shoulders, before staring at Dameen with indignation, “Dameen you know we trust your judgment,” He took a deep breath, unclenching his teeth, “But she is a 12 Zitta, she is dangerous and should be dealt with accordingly.”

“Did you even talk to your nephew about the incident?” Dameen walked around the table toward the Duran man and Dagallan averted his eyes. “Because I did. He started it, and she did everything she could to finish it without having to shed blood,” he stopped next to Dagallan’s seat, “Look at me.” The room was silent as he loomed over the Duran Council member. “This council is not your personal playground.”

Dagallan pushed his chair back from the table, slamming his hand as he turned to look Dameen in the eyes, “I would never…”

Dameen cut him off, “Don’t lie, I know you carry a grudge against the Kander. Just because your son was taken does not mean the rebellion is here for your personal grudges.”

Launching to his feet, Dagallan, a half head shorter than Dameen, stared up into his eyes, “I…” He paused, looked around. After studying the room, he looked back toward Dameen and sat back down. He could not deny that the choice to send someone after this Kander stemmed from his prejudice. Looking away from Dameen and everyone at the table, he grumbled instead, “I didn’t mean to.”

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Lilac was surprised to hear this Council member admitting he had done something wrong. Her experiences with those in power were always “I am right, and you will simply obey.” Lilac had not even considered that the guilt or innocence of a target could be checked or would be. She had been raised simply to follow orders.

Dameen’s shoulders relaxed slightly, “As long as you understand,” he turned to the rest of the room. When no one else spoke, Dameen continued, “Goh, Dagallan’s nephew was stopped by his friend, de-escalating the situation, and making it so that the Kander did not have to act. If it hadn’t been for his friend being with him, he would likely have suffered far worse than having to buy a Kander a replacement drink,” he stepped closer to the table, slamming his hands down and leaning toward the Council members. “Since when do we target someone for not fighting and killing anyone?” He asked, his voice dark, a contrast to the Dameen everyone at the table was used to seeing. The leaders in their seats shifted uncomfortably. Dameen pushed back from the table and directed his eyes to Lilac. “Tell me, Lilac, what is it like when the Goren issues orders to the Kander?”

Lilac hadn’t realized that Dameen had noticed the similarities in their leadership structures until that moment. She squared her shoulders and stepped up to the table, all eyes were on her now. “A Kander cannot question orders and must accept any job that is issued in the area they are currently traveling through. If an order is issued and no other Kander is nearby, then any who have been there and can portal into the location are required to do so. If this is not done or a job is not accepted in a timely manner, then punishments will be issued,” She looked around the room.

“Dameen you have already made your point,” the Zutu woman known as Gina Little said, avoiding looking toward Lilac. “We will make sure the rebellion is not used for personal tasks in the future.”

“Have I really made my point? It's not just personal issues that are a problem,” he was glaring at the Zutu woman. Lilac shifted uncomfortably; she was sure she wasn’t the only one surprised to see so much anger from Dameen. He walked back around the table, looking at each of the eleven Council members, before he stopped beside Lilac. “I will not kill anyone who has done nothing wrong.” Dameen made sure to look each person in the eye, each turning away depending on their personality. Dagallan took a pink-gray hue before he too averted his eyes. It had been his job to investigate the disturbance and find out the appropriate response. When he had heard it was his nephew involved in the incident, he had called for the Kander’s death instead of looking deeper into the issue. “Now, unless you are thinking we must follow orders unquestionably, then perhaps we should take this as a learning situation and revise our practices.” He placed a hand on Lilac's shoulder, “I’m sure not just me, but my friend Lilac here, and they would hate to see our little Rebellion going down the same path as the Goren Empire.”

Lilac would have blushed if she were a warm-blooded creature like many of those in the room with them, “That would be a shame,” she added for emphasis.

“That being the case,” Dameen continued, “From now on, if the person investigating a situation finds that it is of a personal nature,” he looked directly at Dagallan again. “Honoring those around them, that case must be turned over to another to investigate. Are we all in agreement,” he looked around the room, each of the council members nodded until he reached the one who was assigned to investigate Zira’s case. “Dagallan?” Dameen pressed, and the man nodded his agreement. “Then it’s decided.”

“Dameen,” Gina spoke up, her bright yellow hair tied up in a wolf’s tail swung as she turned toward them, her black eyes fixed on Dameen. When he made eye contact with her, his eyes were still irritated. “I understand you checking on the target and the story, but this 12 Zitta Kander is dangerous regardless.” She glared toward Lilac, drumming her fingers on the table, “And if what our former Kander says is true, then she must follow any order issued by the Goren. Even if she had been innocent in this situation, who is to say the same will be true in another? Kander kill for the Goren that is the truth of the matter.”

Lilac could feel her blood boiling, did this Zutu think they had a choice in the matter? She stepped forward to give this woman a piece of her mind, but before she could, Dameen stepped between her and the table, leaning menacingly toward the Council member, his face inches from the woman’s, “And what makes me any different.”

She swallowed hard before she recovered her composure, “You have the courage to make a choice.” She straightened her shoulders, leaning away from the Jariven inches from her face.

Dameen pushed back from the table once again, and walked around behind Lilac, she had not realized her teeth were still clenched in rage. “Lilac,” he started, “What happens when a Kander is punished for refusing a job?”

It took her a moment to realize he was asking her to speak to these people again. “That won't be necessary,” A Hisanni man with light blue hair and amethyst eyes spoke, “We understand your point Dameen.”

“Do you really?” He glared at the man, “Do you understand that most of these children are pulled from their homes simply because they show an aptitude for using casting arts? Where they are typically brainwashed into thinking they are the enforcers of the Goren. If they go against the Goren’s wishes, they are not only punished for any small transgressions, but they are tortured in the case of a larger transgression. Or did you think Lilac here could just go back to the Home Base without any repercussions because she was brought here originally against her will?”

Dameen turned toward her again, “Tell them what you explained to me.”

And with that, she swallowed hard, looping her hands into the belt at her waist, trying to keep from fidgeting. She did not like to remember that day. “5 Zitta Dimmin Kander was found after several years of inaction. His tracers had been removed, his Zitta covered, and his appearance altered. Dimmin was dragged back to the Home Base. By the time I saw him, he was resigned to his fate. I was 13, Zira, my close friend, only 11, and Namari was 12. It wasn’t until we entered the great hall that we realized all Kander had been summoned back to the Home Base. It was crowded, every space filled, everyone there had faintly glowing Zitta visible…”

“Get to the point,” The Zutu woman, Gina grumbled.

Dameen turned a cold eye on her, “She’ll tell it how she pleases,” He glared at all those in the room, “No interruptions.” When he looked back at Lilac, his eyes were gentle, nudging her to continue, “Please, continue.”

“Like I was saying, the room was packed, I remember Zira cracked a joke about not needing light or anything, it was a weak joke, but Namari and me, we laughed. That was until they called silence to the room. Mind you, at the time I was only a 5 Zitta myself, and well, Zira she already had 7, Namari had just got her 3rd. So, when this 5 Zitta was chained down to a post, his arms held out to his sides, we didn’t know what was about to happen. We didn’t fully understand the consequences of going against the Goren’s orders,” Lilac swallowed hard, her mind picturing the horrors that had occurred that day. Not wanting to describe what she had seen in detail, she summarized, “They tore them out, each one of his Zitta. No sedatives, nothing to dull the pain. If we looked away, we were punished, if we watched we would never unsee the horror. His screams cut through the silent Great Hall, not a single Kander in that room dared to say a thing. I can still hear his screams,” she paused and swallowed hard, a precious tear escaping from her left eye, she didn’t dare look at those who sat around the table, she only stared at Dameen’s shoulders. “It went on all day, when we were finally released to return to our bunks the sun had set.” Lilac looked up then, “She was crying silently for that man, someone we didn’t even know, all I did was stare in horror, but Zira she was crying. She knew the pain of having a Zitta’s connection lost,” she looked at Dameen’s face, he was surprised to hear this.

Lilac touched a point on her cheek just under her right eye where Zira had her first three Zitta. “It broke.” She spoke softly, “it almost killed her.” And with that, she turned and fled the room. The memories from that day. The images running through her mind, what they would do to her if she were ever caught. Zira’s pale face as she lay dying after her 3rd Zitta broke.

What if Zira caught her, or Namari, what then? She was at the fountain in the underground fortress before she realized where her legs were taking her. She was crying in earnest now. Tears dripping from her eyes onto the fountain surface. Water was precious to a Byevern, but she couldn’t stop. Her eyes would hurt, and it would be hard to see the next day.

It was some time before she heard the quiet steps that were Dameen’s coming to find her. He knew where she liked to spend time and would search the fountain eventually. When his footsteps finally entered the clearing, she asked, “Well?” Just as casually as she had asked him before, not acknowledging her break down.

“There will be some re-evaluations going on. Especially regarding Kanders,” he took a seat on the fountain next to her. “Sorry to make you relive that again.”

Lilac shrugged, not trusting her voice, “They didn’t understand the severity of the punishments given to the Kander, and how much they could hurt one just to make a point.” Dameen wrung his hands in his lap. “I shouldn’t have asked you to explain. It was hard enough when you told me the first time.”

“It's okay,” her voice was rough, “They needed to know how they keep the Kander in line.”

“I’m sorry, you know Dimmin was one of the first Kander we liberated.”

“Yeah, I know.” Was all she said before she pushed up from the fountain. “What’s eating you? I can tell something is really bothering you about all this.”

Dameen looked her in the eyes seriously, no look of humor to be found. “I’m sorry it's my fault that you can’t return to your friends. I didn’t understand the severity of liberating the Kander until you explained the situation to me.”

“I chose to stay, remember.” Lilac tried to soften the moment, “It's not like I didn’t understand the consequences.”

“Right,” was all he said. He would not make eye contact with her. Blaming himself again for the Kander in the Fortress, who would never be able to leave. When a Kander left it was at great risk of being discovered by the Goren and his followers.

Lilac noticed a sheet of paper in his hand and grasping for a change of subject, anything, she asked. “What is the note about?” With a grin, she added, “Not a love letter, is it?”

He gave her a weak smile and handed it over, Lilac read it aloud, “Anton Reed, Callen Stafe, Lur Made, and Zizi Rin all killed in Suthen City by 12 Zitta Zira Kander.” Lilac swallowed hard and looked at Dameen, “What is this?”

“A report we got after you left; it looks like this all happened yesterday.” Dameen looked down into his hands, “Reed was a pain, working on his own and going against the Resistance’s suggestion to lie low,” He paused. “I’m not surprised to hear he was targeted by the Kander, last I heard he stole a weapon from one of them.” With that, he pushed up from the fountain, standing a head taller than Lilac, and looked down at her, “It's too bad that Zira was the one who completed the mission.” With a sigh, he added, “I’ll head to Suthen City in the morning.”

Lilac could see the disappointment, but she could also see he was wrestling with the fact that he understood she did not have a choice in the matter, “You know once the face markings go on we’re required to eliminate all those who engage.” She looked up at him, trying to recover his good humor.

“I know,” grumbling, he seemed to be wrestling with himself, when finally, his curiosity won. “What did you mean she knew what it felt like to have a Zitta removed?” He burst out, “How did one break?”

Lilac laughed. With everything going on, the thing that had caused him to question was her mention of Zira’s broken Zitta, “Of all the things you have heard today that is the one eating you up.”

“Just answer the question,” Dameen was looking away, a faint flush lining his cheeks.

“Awe, are you fascinated with my pink haired friend.” Lilac was pleased to see the flush deepen.

“Fine, whatever, I don’t need to know,” and he turned, heading toward the exit from the fountain area.

“Wait,” she grabbed his arm, “I’m just teasing,” she smiled up at him when he turned to face her. “Zira was 9 when she got the third Zitta installed. The problem was the power it awakened was too strong for the Zitta, which almost killed her. It was like the Zitta went out of control. The power cut off the surgeon's arm and sliced the Zitta in two. With the loss of the Zitta connection, Zira went into a coma for nearly 4 months, her body going through severe withdrawals. And that power,” she paused and shuttered, “It ran amok for the first two weeks until a higher ranked Kander got it in order.”

“What was the power?” Dameen looked concerned.

“I don’t know, she named it the Shadow Assassin, but Zira refuses to use that casting.” Lilac looked around, making sure no one was present, “The 4th Zitta’s entire purpose was to keep the 3rd in check. And Zira didn’t wake up until the 4th Zitta was installed. That being the case, Zira really only has 10 castings,” once she said it, she wondered if she should have kept that information to herself. Dameen was the sword arm of the Resistance, and her friend, she had to remind herself. But now that she had said it, she understood that she could not unsay it.

Dameen smiled at her, “Is that so.” Was all he said before he walked away from the fountain, Lilac on his heels.

Lilac grabbed his arm again, stopping him, “When you get to Suthen City, if you see Zira acting strange.” She released him and grabbed the top of her belt again, “Do me a favor.”

“What is it?” Dameen was curious now, “Why would she be acting different?”

“Well,” She paused, “Just don’t judge her alright, she was never very comfortable completing missions.”

After a time, Dameen just looked at her, studying her face. He smiled, “I’ll do my best.”

END