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“He seemed to listen to what this one had to say, but this is still concerning. Griz’tek was not the only one who heard the attacker place this upon Kin.” Rajan’kin stood with Gage-jun at the back of the hut while Elfric stood just inside the entrance. Two guards of the Akalahari tribe of kumdahari stood just outside. The dwarves installing the shrines had left.
“In fact, this is most upsetting.” Gage-jun and Rajan’kin turned to look at the speaker. The granddaughter of the Respected, Daughter Ndya. “What teachings of Kin I have heard does not align with what has occurred. Correct?”
“Not at all. Though I do wish to thank you again for being here.” As Gage-jun spoke, she gave a slight bow to Ndya. “While there have been some brawls and minor attacks in general, this is the first for not only being so violent but also being potentially religious in nature.”
Ndya gave a slight bow in return. “It is, in fact, done with the utmost respect in multiple regards. If this is an underhanded affair and an afront to Kin, I should bear witness. If this in accordance with Kin’s wishes, then I will see it put to an end.”
Gage-jun exchanged a look with Rajan’kin, then nodded. “That is well and truly understood. May I ask, what is being done to track this individual down?”
“The Respected’s own guard, in fact, is on the hunt for this individual. If he is in the settlement or has sought to go beyond, they will find him by the time the sun leaves the sky.”
“In that case,” Gage-jun gestured to the cushions, “Perhaps I can offer you both some tea, before I check on my patients.” She poured them both all some tea, a blend that he recalled Hye-jun had said was her go to when she needed to be calm. “Ndya, I noticed those of your tribe call you Daughter? May I ask why?”
“Of course you can, in fact.” Ndya gave a slight smile as she sipped her tea. “It is an honorific. One that is used by the people for those they believe will most likely be a Respected. Not, in fact, the next one specifically, but one who has a chance in the future.”
Rajan’kin nodded along, “This one asks who the Respected is chosen and do they hold the title for life?”
After a moment’s consideration, the Daughter answered. “No, it is in fact possible to loose the position. The Respected is selected from those who holds the most respect from the tribe. They are then, in fact, selected by the ancestors themselves. If one loses the respect of the tribe or the ancestors, they can, in fact, loose the position. It is a difficult balance at times.”
Tension underpinned their conversation as each worried about the situation. Would the attacker be found? Was this an unfortunate accident, a trick, or had there truly been such a terrible act been committed in Kin’s name? If so, how would they be dealt with? Could this turn the people against Kin? Did it mean that Kin was not as he had seemed? So many questions lingered in the air.
Gage-jun gave each Rajan’kin and Daughter Ndya a nod, “Please, excuse me. I should check on my patients.” Pausing as she stood, “Will they be needed, when the attacker is found?”
Ndya gave a nod, “Yes, in fact. It may be asked of them to confirm or refute the individual as the attacker.”
Gage-jun frowned slightly. “If it can’t be helped, then I will make sure they are well enough to do so. Thank you, Daughter Ndya.” With that she moved to check on her patients.
Griz’tek was still sleeping, though did so fitfully. His wounds had healed, though the cost of keeping his friend alive had drained and drastically strained his magical reserves. Keylan on the other hand was sleeping so soundly, Gage-jun made sure to check he was still alive. His heartbeat strongly and while his wound was sealed, it was still raw beneath his bandages. Taylon was seated nearby, and despite his clear exhaustion, he kept a vigil over his brother.
“Your brother was quite brave, I must say.” Gage-jun sat next to Keylan and began checking the bandages.
The larger bull-man snorted. “He is stupid and young.” After a few moments pause Taylon relented with a sigh, “Though he is good to his friends. He had strong instincts to protect his friend. I cannot fault him for that.”
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“Perhaps not. Though I fear Griz’tek will not see his own actions in the same light.”
Taylon looked at her with a frown. “How do you mean?”
“Well,” Gage-jun glanced across the hut to the sleeping furred lizard. “I have seen where the one in Griz’tek’s position often blames themselves for what happened. Then the one in Keylan’s position most often claims it is not, that it was their own choice and that nobody forced them. Regardless, Keylan would not be alive without Griz’tek. He spent himself dry to keep Keylan alive. By his own choice, Keylan protected him, and he protected Keylan in return.” Giving her head a shake, “Perhaps I have muddled the thought,” she turned to look at the large bull-man, “But maybe you could keep an eye on them? Stop them being stupid and young?”
Taylon snorted and shook his head. “I know of what you speak. Thank you for your concern. If they start with the stupid and young I will make sure to knock some sense into them.”
Gage-jun gave the large bull-man a smile and a nod before moving to the Shrine of the Ancestors. Lighting a small cone of incense, she placed it in the small bowl before the altar. The Shrine to Kin, which seemed almost ostentatious compared to what the kumdahari used for their ancestors. The Akalahari tribe’s shrine was a large stone bowl filled with sand. Each grain symbolizing the lives of those who had come before them.
Gage-jun placed her hands together and bowed her head before the shrine. It is an honor being assisted by your people. Please, may their hunt be swift so that I may seek Judgment upon he who has taken my name in blood. He was unsure if his prayer to the Akalahari’s ancestors had been heard. If not for Aeliana’s comments on the matter, he would have assumed them just as lost as those-who-came-before. With a gentle sigh, she pushed herself to her feet and moved across the hut to the Shrine of Kin.
As she approached, her eyes fixed on the stone slab that still had Keylan’s blood on it. She knelt before it. With only a quick glance behind that showed Gage-jun that she was out of line of sight from Rajan’kin and Ndya, she began to work. His power flowed as she drew the diagram over the surface of the slab. So far, he had only made two shenrei, and both were fairly decent if he said so himself. Powerful and unique, each had their own tasks. Though either of them could be argued as simple. Collect offerings without being seen. Protect the shrine and watch over the dead placed before it.
Neither task was complicated. Neither task required significant thought. What he had in mind now was more… more. As she finished the diagram Gage, no… Kin began to let his power flow into the pin.
‘There is much anger in your actions. There is, also, much devotion to protecting those under your care. A dangerous combination. Have you thought this through?’ Startled he looked up, between the slab and the shrine stood an apparition. It appeared to be a kumdahari male in as near regal attire as the Respected wore, though he himself and far more wrinkles to his aged features. Instead of the blue glow of ghosts, it looked more like the spirit was made of moonlight filtering down through the clouds.
Kin kept his power flowing into the diagram, his momentary startlement over come as he realized with what he spoke. An ancestor of the kumdahari. “I need a judge, one who can deal with those I condemn.”
‘You seek an executioner.’ That statement was simple, direct, and Kin felt it cut through him to his core. His power faltered.
“I… yes… and no. Something terrible has been done in my name. Mine. If I had not been here…” Kin closed his eyes and swallowed. When he opened them once more. “I need righteous indignation. I need an enforcer.”
The spirit observed him for what felt like eons. Its eyes locked with his. ‘Then I submit myself to this task. I shall be your Judge and Enforcer. I will weigh your souls. If the offense is minor, I will show restraint. But if their actions demand retribution, I will strike them down with the full force of your wrath. If there is none, they may move on in peace.’
Kin tilted his head forward, slightly. “Then we are in agreement. I name thee Asura Salikat, the Administrator of Justice.” The spirit bowed and stepped neatly onto the pin in the center of the diagram. There was a flash of green light and Gage-jun cut off his flow of power.
When her vision returned, she studied the slab closely. At first it looked like it had before. A slab of sandstone, roughly crafted and stained with blood. Then she saw it beneath the surface of the stone. Faint lines of what looked like text moving beneath the stone. So faint it was almost imperceptible.
“Daja, A’kin, Daughter!” The voice had Gage-jun jump to her feet and she rushed out from the shrine. Rajan’kin gave her a questioning look before they all turned to the newcomer. A young kumdahari runner stood at the entrance of the hut. “They found him!”