Wars of Ruehai: Ruehai, #3

By Z.J. Draper

Welcome to the third and final part of the epic Ruehai trilogy.  Our story beats to a much faster drum now.  Events spiral quickly out of hand.  The battle of Jupo is soon upon us.  However, that is not the only war to come.  Wyrrmja, Juhlanak, and the entire upland continent will become embroiled before the end.  All must choose to take up arms or flee.

 

Things get stranger now:  The city of madness beckons.  The shy chimera will take flight.  The shamans won't hold back.  The beasts have a new master.  Land fills the sky.  Kah'yoon wants what's his.  A man argues with a lifeless corpse.  Loaup is not afraid.  Join forces, brothers.  Those who survive should not be grounded.  All of this will make sense in time.

 

Will Crohet's long awaited plan make things better or worse?  What will become of Sh'kerwind when she discovers her true nature?  Events put the fate of the world in Sharley's hands, but is she up to the challenge?  Can Zujin really save his people from extinction?  Will Rennel ever get a real job?  Which of the above will survive?  Time to find out.

 

Disclaimers: This series contains heavy themes such as corruption, bigotry, slavery, and violence.  Also, this volume will make little to no sense to anyone who skipped volumes one and two: Dreams and Tribes.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Z.J. Draper
• Release date: May 22, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223128724

Book preview

Chapter 0: Narrator’s introduction:

This book contains the conclusion of the story that started in Dreams of Ruehai and continued in Tribes of Ruehai.  This story picks up exactly where the last one left off.  If you have not yet read the first two, you should.  Not only will you find the physics, plants, and animals of this world highly unfamiliar, but you will also have none of the necessary information regarding the main characters, plot, or countries in question.  I cannot explain all of this in a simple introduction.  I will also not completely re-describe every creature and species that I have already presented in a previous book, nor will I re-iterate any of the more complicated points of the story thus far.  However, I have provided an appendix at the end of the book for easy use which defines many Ruehai specific terms.

I will also recap the more basic plot elements briefly, in case you read Dreams of Ruehai and Tribes of Ruehai long ago.  Realize that the name of the author on your copy of this tale does not refer to me.  I do not know who will present this story to your world.  Regardless, you may call me simply Narrator.  I cannot write my actual name using your script.  I have a minor role to play in the story, which began in the second segment.

The world of Ruehai consists of a core, about half the size of your planet, with oceans, plains, forests, and so on.  The native intelligent species (ho-kann and hia-kann) dwell there.  They, like all creatures native to this world, have four lower outer limbs and two upper central ones, a head with three eyes, a tail with a fourth eye, central nerve chord, no jaws, and three sets of each chromosome.  The upper continents and islands float in high orbit above the core.  One of these continents holds the human and Earth-like species that mysteriously appeared several thousand years ago.  Ruajans, wyrrmja, seirken (the slave-species), and ruffa all have some human traits.  Ruehai also has two moons.  The silver one travels the sky by day, the reddish one by night, as viewed by those on the upland continent in question.  A diamond-shaped translucent sun provides light for the world, but causes madness in any ruajan (the most human of the human-like species) who gazes upon it.

In the first third, Uilliok’s military razed Sharley’s home town of Hunla, masquerading as raiders.  This ploy caused many of the other independent border towns to join the Uilliok theocracy for protection from other raiders, as independent towns do not have any military to speak of.  Crohet (a nobleman with very little official influence) facilitated the signing over of Gritlek, the last border town.  During this, Sharley told all there what she knew, despite threats of death or banishment.  Thus, Crohet began to investigate the matter.

Meanwhile, Zujin, a ruffa from the Nomadic Isles off the west coast of Uilliok, came in search of his missing wife, who also served as an air scout... scouts that fly using artificial wings.  He did not find her, and ended up in prison with Sharley.  Sh’kerwind then helped them escape.  A member of a slave species conditioned to have no ability to think outside the moment or innovate, Sh’kerwind somehow managed to become something much more.  She simultaneously does not understand some situations at all, and understands others better than anyone else ever could.  Exactly how and why remains unclear, though she fought with a sh’ker (hence her newly given name) as well as a veteran warrior the first time she picked one up, and her skill has continued to advance to near super-human levels.  She has also learned to speak, read and write at a scholar’s level in roughly one year.

After escaping, the three became captured by mercenaries.  Rennel Makkes also allowed himself to get captured in order to spy on the other fugitives.  He once worked for a secret society, the Eye, before having a falling out, and knew Sharley’s parents, as they also served as spies and/or assassins (unknown to her).  Another new member, Primif, a ho-kann from the world’s core, helped the others escape.  An anthropologist, it decided that by directly interacting with the uplanders, it could better study them.  It chose a group of fugitives so no one would believe them if they told of its existence.  Rennel Makkes, the renowned thief who has evaded capture for over a decade, then helped them plan a heist to get Zujin’s artificial wings back.  Crohet aided them from behind the scenes, setting up safe-houses along their way.

Zujin, Sharley, Sh’kerwind, and Primif left Uilliok, headed towards the Nomadic Isles to escape the long arm of Uilliok’s law.  They had also received word of an impending planned war between Uilliok and the Nomadic Isles.

Zujin, Sharley, Sh’kerwind, and Primif returned to Zujin’s home village, one of many villages of the Watcher tribe.  They then began traveling from island to island, hoping to recruit as many tribes as possible to band together in order to defeat the threat from Uilliok.  They failed to recruit the outcast Survivor tribe, and the Explorer tribe, but managed to successfully recruit the Hunters (the sister tribe to the Warriors), and the Makers.  In the end, the Explorers did decide to help their neighbors, the reason left unclear.

While traveling the islands, Zujin and Sharley met a strange wandering ruffa.  This individual had also caused trouble with the Maker tribe.  He revealed himself in the end as a Zulhi Mage, a member of an illegal cult from Wyrrmja that hoards knowledge.  Using a combination of advanced technology, psychic ability, and demonology, he managed to kill one of the elder shamans and a prominent peacekeeper before the other elders killed him.  He revealed himself as the one who manipulated Uilliok into choosing war in the first place.  Kigyi’s role in this remains unclear, Kigyi being the high advisor to the sraa, the leader of Uilliok.  However, one could assume he knew about the Zulhi Mage and aided in the manipulation of others.

During their adventures in the Nomadic Islands, Sh’kerwind continued to advance at unnatural speed.  She learned a complicated foreign language in mere days, in addition to showing continued increase in combat skill and mental acuity.  Many feared what would happen if she let in to anger, so they forced her to return to the mainland.  Primif, meanwhile, discovered that the technology behind the ruffa’s wings vaguely resembled the technology the ho-kann use.  Primif would have investigated this further but died in a chaotic event on the Makers’ island.

I also entered the story on the islands.  A wirym, an ancient race you might consider similar to dragons, I had the job of studying the ruffa and the strange advances taking place with their shamans.  Unfortunately, Outcast, another wirym who believes he should exterminate all foreign (earth-like) species, sent a chain of islands towards the Nomadic Isles to destroy the ruffa.  I managed to stop the islands, but triggered a trap Outcast left, leaving me for dead.  Usually a wirym would enter the soul-less body of a newborn upon death, thereby continuing indefinitely from life to life.  Unfortunately, I could not return home.  Therefore, I sent my consciousness into the only body I could find, Mioppe, a seven year old ruffa girl.  Since then, she has regained control of her form, locking my consciousness away deep in her subconscious.  She has begun to access the regions of her brain I enhanced, which makes me worry she may unlock and abuse abilities not meant for anyone her age- A child with the keys to a weapon of mass destruction, essentially.

Meanwhile, Crohet traveled to Wyrrmja in hopes of gaining information that would throw the Dichotomous Order’s dogma into scrutiny.  The Dichotomous Order leads Uilliok, and he hoped to throw their credibility and religious control into question.  A dig occurred in Wyrrmja which would unearth proof enough to claim that some of the religions dogmas as lies, which would force the country’s speakers to come to an international summit to discuss the findings.  Crohet plans to use all of this as a mere distraction from his real goal- to bring to light the Hunla incident.  After being outcast from the nobility due to an illegitimate father, Crohet became vengeful, organizing a number of political ploys that began causing split factions within the Uilliok nobility, in addition to causing many of the border towns Uilliok had recently gained to defect.  Crohet Ex-Khenemt has also begun training in the wyrrmja art of kjalla, and has become a much more dangerous individual than previously, both politically and physically.

Also meanwhile, Rennel Makkes traveled to Juhlanak to contact one of two secret societies known as the Eye.  It took some effort, but he managed to contact the current speaker for the true Eye.  He found this difficult because, after working with the false eye, he had to re-earn the true eye’s trust.  Finally, he managed to convince them to help out in Crohet’s schemes.  Unfortunately, the mayor of Loaup found out about his dealings and now forces Rennel to report on all Eye activities.  Caught between two unwanted obligations, Rennel had yet more work to do.  He needed to retrieve Sharley from the Nomadic Islands so she could testify about the Hunla incident.  He stole the Drifter I, a flying machine, flew to the Nomadic Islands, and came back with Sharley and Sh’kerwind in tow.

Soon, the people in the uplands will fight the first major battle of their generation.  These battles will culminate in one of the most revolutionary events to occur in outer Ruehai, an event that will change their way of life forever and give way to the next age.  Will it do as Crohet hopes, eliminating a corrupt leadership?  Will it cause what they fear, a new era of power for a newly inspired tyrannical dictatorship?  Will it simply shatter society into anarchy?  Or, will it result in something totally unpredicted?  These questions swam through the minds of the small group of rebels, hidden in a forgotten cove on the upland continent’s northern edge.

~the wirym known as Narrator

Chapter 1: First Blood

They finished restocking Drifter I with hatchel food and water.  The ship looked as resplendent as ever, complete with spinner-made cushions, and silver and gold trim.  It contrasted sharply with the dank, hidden cove in which it now dwelled.

How’d you get all dese supplies in here, anyway? Rennel asked.

Crohet half smirked.  We’re only a half kilometer from the north road.  Wyrrmja ‘ambassadors’ delivered it here secretly on one of their diplomatic missions.

Sharley slumped over the side of the ship, listening in.  Even with all their traveling, she didn’t have the build for heavy lifting and never would.  Her silvery skin looked tarnished with dirt from working, the three large feathers above each ear ruffled.  She looked beat, but did not complain.  So... you really got them on our side?  That’s great.

Only behind the scenes, do they aid us. Crohet said, sounding a bit more dramatic than he used to.  He obviously spent some time in Wyrrmja.

So.  Rennel started, We’ve got de Sh’ker Wind, we’ve got our noble, our witness, Drifter I, and, last but not least, de great Rennel Makkes.  The late middle-aged man grinned broadly showing his usual bad teeth.  At seeing their lack of response, his face fell back to normal. So what now?

First. Crohet got serious quickly. We need further proof.  The word of one ke woman, no offense Sharley, will do little to prove the illegal activities behind the Hunla incident- especially considering you are known to have used a Sphere of Loaup.

...was wondering about that. Sharley said faintly.  I mean, we could explain that I was star-mad at the time, but... that usually doesn’t help.

No.  No it would not. Crohet stated.  We need something more substantial.  We cannot- He grinned at Rennel. -rely on luck.

So where do we get dat info? Rennel asked.

Crohet walked up to Rennel, looking down at the short, stocky bronze man.  I was hoping you could tell us. You’re the great Rennel Makkes.  You have connections with both Eyes.  What do you think?

Rennel furrowed his brow while thinking, the five rows of red feathers on his head standing up slightly.  Hmm... De eyes mostly contact me, not de other way ‘round.  And we don’t have time to track dem down, I’m guessin’?

Crohet shook his head wordlessly, some green hair falling out of place and hanging over his dark storm-cloud-gray face.

Right... dere is one possible. Rennel said reluctantly.  But you’re not goin’ to like him.  Guy can be annoyin’.

A small price to pay. Crohet stated.

Sh’kerwind stood watching as they talked, arms crossed.  The gold-skinned seirken had little to say, as usual.  Her attention eventually left the discussion, her eyes focusing on the small flying animals called latchels that swarmed near the ceiling of the chamber.  Her secondary eyelids closed then opened, analyzing them.  Knowing Sh’kerwind, she probably mentally calculated their every movement.

Guy’s name is Pass. Rennel explained.  Used to work with him in de old days.  Tought he got out of de business, but found him again while travelin’ Juhlanak.  Got him to meet me in Uilliok.  He helped me get a hold of de Drifter I in a way.  He can get people in and out of anywhere, hence de name.  He just usually don’t go himself.  He probably knows where any proof'd be kept, how to get in, and what year, month, and day de buildin’ was constructed in, by who, and with what.  Guy’s weird.

Perfect memory, I’ve heard of people like that. Sharley said, surprised.  Didn’t think they really existed.

Dis one does. Rennel said assuredly.  But if we go lookin’ for him, what’s to stop Green Division from findin’ him first?  Dey’ve got to be monitorin’ our movements by now.

They are. Crohet said grimly.  They’ve gotten all of our information, and appearances.  We won’t be able to sneak around the law as easily as we used to.

So what do we do? Sharley asked.

Find Pass before they do. Crohet stated.  He paused.  There is one... other thing.

The ruaja’tra strode over to a corner of the hidden cove.  A large brown tarp, similar in color to his cloak, hung over something.  Crohet drew his zulhi scepter, forming it to a blade.  He used the blade to cut through what kept the tarp in place before pulling the cloth down swiftly.  Behind it, they saw stone paint, metal plates, and the pieces to a ballista.  The wyrrmja obviously carried the ballista down in parts, as the long narrow staircase outside would not allow otherwise.  Crohet reformed his blade to scepter then holstered it.

Sh’kerwind tilted her head at Crohet, secondary eyelids flicking closed for a second.  You are different.

I get that a lot. Crohet said casually before turning to the rest of the group.  Now that we have Drifter I loaded, it’s time to outfit it.  Tear out the cushions, the lining, and the decorations.  We will need to lighten it up in order to add what we require.  Sharley, Rennel, I want you to do that.  Sh’kerwind, help me with the outfitting.  We need to add the armor, and mount the ballista.  And...  He glanced back at the paint, grinning.  Give her a name.  Crohet Ex-Khenemt looked devious for a second.  If we can’t sneak through Uilliok territory, we’ll tear through it.  Let’s see a green division squad try and stop us.

Sharley thought. A name. I had a cat named Shy once.

Shy?  For a war machine? Rennel asked in disbelief.  No way.  How about, de Makkes II?

Sharley laughed.  Name it after you?  I don’t think so.

Children, children. Crohet stated.  Settle.  He looked at Sh’kerwind.  Any ideas?

We are changing it. Sh’kerwind stated.

Change it into a war machine, yes.  It will be a hybrid of that and what it was before.  Crohet said, trying to guess her logic.

Hybrid.  Sh’kerwind thought.  Chimera.

Maybe.  It does have both hatchel and ruajan parts, in a way. Crohet said.  Still, seems too simple.  Ah, well, I’ve read one too many spy and adventure scrolls, I guess.  Everything has to have a dramatic name in those.  Let’s just outfit it then decide.

And so they did.  They began by adding plating over the stone.  The metal plates expanded up-wards, protecting the hatchels from arrows like a crenulated roof.  The inside of the plates contained special insulation so they wouldn’t interfere with hatchels’ magnetic wings.  Additionally, the plates would help prevent the hatchels from spooking in a fight by blocking their field of view.  A protected archer’s platform on top of the piloting chamber added extra offensive capabilities, though not as much as the rear mounted ballista did.  By the time they finished, it looked nothing like a luxury vacation boat, and everything like a war machine from the void.  They repainted it a reddish purple, mixed with black camouflage, so it would blend in to the nebulae in the night sky.  They also added a lot of nasty traps and tricks, such as a chain net covered in curved spikes that the ship could drag behind.  Finally, they added the name on the sides, in dark blue, harsh script: Shy Chimera. The name fit perfectly, as the animals that pulled the ship would shy away from battle if they had a choice.

Crohet stood back, admiring the work.

That’s just wicked. Sharley said finally.  I mean, if I saw that coming...

That is the idea. Crohet stated.  A bit of psychological warfare while we’re at it.

So now we rest, right? Sharley asked.

Crohet laughed.  Rest?  No time for that!  Sharley, you and I will man the archer platform.  I assume you can use that short bow you carry.  Sh’kerwind, you will have the ballista.  Rennel, you drive.  Let’s go.

They each climbed into position.  They finished just as dusk approached, giving them the cover they would need.  Two clear tones rang from the chimes in the piloting chamber.  The hatchels responded.  The Shy Chimera hovered slowly out from the cove, now positioned aside the continent, floating over the great void below.  Another tone rang clear, followed by a fourth as the ship rose, causing it to turn slowly.  It eclipsed the red moon as it turned its gaze towards the mainland.  Another tone sounded, causing it to stop.

Rennel shouted up.  Everyone ready?

Ready to go get shot at?  No. Sharley said honestly.

Crohet patted Sharley on the back.  You’ll do fine.  Just aim true.

The gesture almost reminded her of Zujin batting her on the shoulder.  She still looked uneasy.  Just don’t get us killed. she requested.

I shall try not.  But what happens shall happen. Crohet said, sounding slightly wyrrmja again.  He then remembered Sh’kerwind’s fear of falling.  He glanced back.  Are you going to be alright?

Sh’kerwind slowly tilted her head at him, as if she did not understand the question.  Yes?

Crohet remembered not to try to figure out Sh’kerwind.  He just said under his breath.  Well, okay then.  He spoke up. Rennel Makkes.

Rennel raised the chime-wands.  Yeah.

Forward.

With a single tone from the chimes, the hatchels all moved their oval-shaped magnetically empowered limbs in the same direction.  The ship reacted to the planet’s electromagnetic field.  It smoothly began moving forwards, quickly gaining velocity.  The Shy Chimera slipped over Juhlanak, high in the night sky. Heading: East Southeast. Target: Pass’s last known location.

Meanwhile, the island of Jupo also transformed into something else.  In order to better organize the ruffa, their shamans divided the island into five major sections of activity.  The back, western section remained a closed off area where they concentrated all the island’s natural predators.  The front eastern section contained the majority of Hunters, including both their melee units and archers.  The Makers ran the north east section, where they waited at ready with crossbows, siege weapons, protective bunkers, and a few special surprises.  The Watchers and Explorers took the center of the island as a base of operation, for they needed access to the launch point more than any of the others.  Air-scouts from other tribes worked under command of Rinxli of the Watchers.  Obviously, their actual area of operation would encompass the entire island and beyond once air-born.  To protect the launch point, Watcher and Hunter archers would remain there on permanent guard.  The southeast section belonged to the elder shamans, along with select elite soldiers from each tribe.  They hoped to convince the enemy to attack from that direction in a blind rush, underestimating the power of the elders.  Only time would tell if it would work.

The Hunters currently worked hard filling their section of the island with traps, archer platforms, and other fortifications.  They also organized themselves into units and subunits, with specific squad designations for ease of command on the battlefield.  They obviously had done this sort of thing before.  The Explorers began to retrofit their wing boats for better combat function, while the Watchers worked on maintaining their gliders and creating baldric-like quivers to hold multiple krall darts.  Those who could not fight, but came to help anyway, spent their time gathering herbs and preparing the newly made medical huts and tarp field for those wounded in battle.  They also stored water and food in multiple locations, ferried in from other islands, so they would not run out of supplies.  They intended to keep fighting even if the enemy made landfall, after all.  Neither the Makers nor their elders would say exactly what they planned.  Some of their fortifications all could see, while others remained hidden.  As a result, even if the enemy captured a ruffa, they would not gain information on the secret projects.

Rritrra, the spirit shaman elder of the Explorers, somehow got wind of one of their operations.  As she had very limited mobility, she sent for the other shamans, as well as the lead air scout of the Watchers.  The Watchers’ elder died recently, so their lead air-scout took charge of their forces.

They all gathered in a small hut in the southeast.  Rritrra remained there permanently now, as she could not move fast enough to enter the region if attack occurred.  Even the body shaman Meik, the Hunter’s elder, acted very peaceful and delicate when in Rritrra’s presence.  Meik seemed worried Rritrra would somehow shatter from a loud noise.  Rritrra looked even more elderly than Rrowyaio had.  She sat flat on the ground, as few ruffa do, eyes closed.  Rinxli, the young leader of the Watchers’ air scouts, arrived next.  She tried not to stare at Rritrra, though she secretly questioned how Rritrra remained alive at that age.  Finally, the mind shaman twins of the Makers arrived.  They no longer had Gerrald to lead them around, yet managed to find their way easily despite their blind eyes.  They entered the room quietly, mimicking each other's movements perfectly, yet oppositely, like reflections of one another.

Rritrra seemed to have trouble speaking.  She tried to say something, but only managed a whisper.  The old woman fell silent, then, focusing inwardly.  A faint green light surrounded her chest and throat.  All those present felt as if the light did not really exist, like something you see from the corner of your eye, something in a dream.  When the light faded, she spoke in a strong, almost youthful voice.  Luestrra, Solstrra, what arre you up to?

The twins responded, each speaking part of the answer. We have decided not to let the scout ship we confiscating frrom the rruajans go to waste.

You would not have us hold back would you?

All of ourr trribes-

-indeed ourr verry people-

-arre at stake.

Rritrra let out a sickly growl before coughing.  She breathed in deeply then responded. What you arre doing will prrevent futurre negotiation.  You arre prroving that we arre what they think we arre.  Monsterrs.

We have been called that beforre. Luestrra said, sounding almost amused.

By otherr rruffa. Solstrra added.

So has Meik, I would surrmise. Luestrra mused.

Meik bared her teeth.  I take it as compliment.

You would. Solstrra said, glancing at Meik with blind eyes.

Rritrra. Luestrra started, What we arre planning will prrove them wrrong.

Solstrra continued, It will prrove we arre not easy prrey.

Unless we show strrength, they have no rreason to barrgain. Luestrra finished.

Meik’s tail swished happily.  Glad to see you two making sense.

Rinxli knew her position here only filled in a missing role.  As such, she felt uncomfortable speaking up.  Still, she felt the need to.  Excuse me.  What is everyone talking about?

A dirrty trrick the twins have in storre forr the invaderrs. Rritrra answered.

Rinxli swiveled an ear sideways.  Sorry- why is that a bad thing?

It involves corrupting, brrainwashing, and contrrolling anotherr’s mind against theirr will. Rritrra stated.  Along with killing a numberr of the enemy without option of rretrreat.  How farr some trribes have fallen.

Excuse me. Rinxli said.  "But was it not yourr trribe that almost decided not to even help out herre?"

Rritrra fell silent.  She could not respond to that without lying or accepting the point.  Instead, she stated, We must decide now.  Will we do whateverr it takes, disrregarrding all morrality.  Orr, will we fight honorrably.

Meik growled sharply.  Is honorr worrth the lives of all the rruffa in the Nomadic Isles?  I say we do whateverr it takes!

Luestrra and Solstrra responded in eerie unison, tails swishing in opposite symmetry.  Agrreed.

Rritrra’s ears drooped the slight amount a ruffa’s could.  It seems I am outnumberred then, two trribes to one.  What say the Watcherrs?

Rinxli shrugged.  I am not a shaman, but I know the teachings.  The Jungle Fatherr says it is everry species rright to do what it must to surrvive.  I say we follow that rrule.  I am with Meik and the twins.

Rritrra sighed deeply.  Then it is decided, she sounded defeated.  She fell silent then, going back into a form of trance.

Luestrra and Solstrra went straight back to work.  They approached the captured scout ship, now fully repaired.  It looked like a simple rectangular flat-bottomed boat.  It had four spires, two on each side, angling out.  Each spire contained several oval disks acting as artificial hatchel wings.  The boat only had room for six.  Currently, it seated that many.  Five of the ruajans remained bound and gagged.  The youngest one, with the weakest mind, stood staring blankly into the air.

Luestrra and Solstrra approached him.  Luestrra asked, How is ourr good puppet doing today?

Lask answered mechanically, speaking the ruffa language he did not know.  Fine mistress.  Ready to do my duty for Uilliok.  The ruffa on the mainland will not stand against us.  Lask obviously existed in a mental illusion.  He now believed the roles reversed from reality.  When he looked at all the ruffa around him, he saw ruajans.  When he looked at his former squad mates, he saw bound and gagged ruffa.

Good boy. Solstrra said.  What a well trrained soldierr you arre.

Happy to be of service. Lask said as if dreaming.

Luestrra barked a question at one of the passing Makers. Is this ship prreparred forr operration Firrst Blood?

The maker nodded before quickly resuming his duties.  Either he had much work to do or the twins scared him to death.

Solstrra seemed pleased.  Verry well.  Lask.  Launch.

Lask answered with slurred, dreamy speech. Yes, mistress.  Ready to do my duty for Uilliok.

The young green division scout began operating the scout-class ship.  Its piloting system consisted simply of separate levers for velocity, direction, altitude, and turning.  The oval plates on the spires moved, re-arranging themselves as ordered.  The ship really did look like a strange, deformed, giant hatchel.  Its magnetic field aligned.  It lifted off the ground silently.  As for the bound and gagged ruajans, they would cause no trouble.  You see, the diamond star currently shown above, the ruajans without their star hats.  They had gone so mad after seeing it that they no longer even recognize each other.  They did not even comprehend their situation.  Only Lask wore his star hat at the moment, and he already lost his sanity thanks to the twins.

Luestrra spoke loudly so Lask could hear her despite the distance and breeze.  Forrwarrds.  Do not stop until you complete yourr mission!

Lask spoke dreamily. Yes, mistress.  Ready to do my duty.  Ready.  In an instant, the scout class ship slipped forwards at a sudden increase in velocity.  The air scouts and wing boats that patrolled the area all moved out of its way.  They gave it plenty of traveling room as if afraid of it.

Luestrra and Solstrra spoke in unison, in a double voice that sounded disturbingly elated.  Ourr herro.

Far to the east of the islands, deep in the mainland, past the theocracy of Uilliok, into the anarchic democracy of Juhlanak, the Shy Chimera continued its voyage.  Traveling in Juhlanak, the crew of four met little resistance.  While most cities in Juhlanak have standing guards and law enforcers, the country as a whole had no military program to speak of.  This caused the area between city-states to resemble a lawless no-man’s-land.  The bounty hunters who patrolled it would take in trouble makers, effectively working on commission.  If ever the country became threatened from outside, they would simply hire large amounts of mercenaries and throw them at the enemy.  Needless to say, Juhlanakans disliked organized multi-city government, probably due to the history of their nation.  In any case, none of the small bands of brigands, thieves, or bounty hunters would take on a strange flying war machine.  The Shy Chimera could come and go as it pleased.

During their journey, Crohet continued to study scrolls given him by Yansa and Grath.  He did not speak of them to the others, and changed the subject when they asked.  However, he always seemed enlightened and re-invigorated after studying a new passage.  The scrolls detailed philosophies of kjalla, more a mentally driven art form than a style of combat.

The group tracked down several leads over the following days.  With some, they hit dead ends.  With others, they gained what they needed to continue their journey.  As they did so, those from Uilliok undoubtedly heard of their activities, as they too began to seek Pass.  Since the Chimera’s journey through Juhlanak remained primarily uneventful, I will not bother retelling it in detail.  Suffice to say, they found Pass’s current location.  They tracked him to a small farm house used as a hideout by smugglers roughly one mile south of North Road in Uilliok, the road that would pass Mount Kirjah further east.  Ironically, the long search came nearly full circle, ending only a day’s flight from where it started.

Before they neared the abandoned farmhouse, Crohet already spotted trouble.  Stop! he shouted.

A single tone rang, causing the ship to stop as soon as the animals comprehended the signal.  Rennel shouted back up. What?

Six men.  They look like they’re running. Crohet said, straining to see.  After an animal with a cart?

Pass travels with a fouthu- to carry his wares. Rennel said loudly.  Idiot’s probably tryin’ to outrun dem without losin’ any of his gear.  If he had half a brain he’d drop de cart.

Crohet had to act quickly.  Forward, top speed.  Try to pass over the green division.

Rennel didn’t like taking orders.  Still, he humored the kid.  Alright.

The Shy Chimera dipped down, flying fast towards the green division unit, who kept their eyes on Pass’s fouthu.  Crohet quickly dropped down from the archery platform, running to the back of the ship.  As Rennel flew the ship low, Crohet dropped the spiked chain net.  Three of the six scattered, avoiding the net.  It injured the other three as it dragged along behind the ship.  The spikes themselves did not pierce the tanned leather armor of the scouts, but it did snag them and drag them helplessly behind the Shy Chimera.  Sharley, without thinking, let an arrow fly.  She missed her target and ducked under cover to avoid counter fire.  Instead of using the ballista, Sh’kerwind jumped off the back of the Shy Chimera, rolling to absorb the fall.  Another tone rang clear, causing the ship to stop again.  Crohet, Rennel, and Sharley waited, still.  They heard one battle scream from a stranger’s voice, followed by sounds of combat which lasted roughly thirty seconds.  Lastly, they heard Sh’kerwind say, All subdued.

Sharley peeked over the ship’s side, expecting to see gore.  Instead, she saw three unconscious but healthy-looking ruajans scattered about, three who obviously fought Sh’kerwind.  Needless to say, the three that fell into the chain net did not fare as well.  They would live, though, if lucky.

Crohet began shouting orders again.  Sh’kerwind, tend to the wounded.  Sharley, go see if Pass is alright.

Tend to de wounded? Rennel asked, sounding insulted.  You’re goin’ to have her help de enemy, den?

Our job was to subdue them, not kill them. Crohet said.  We cannot judge them, for we do not know them.

You’ve really gotten lame. Rennel said bluntly.  Dis is war.  You can’t go actin’ nice.

Crohet grinned faintly.  If I were acting nice, I wouldn’t have dropped the net.

Fair enough.

Sharley climbed down, rushing over to the cart.  The cart had turned over when the fouthu spooked at the ship.  She saw bags of dirt spilled out on the ground, with no sign Pass or his wares.  Sharley shouted up to Crohet. A decoy!

Rennel chuckled.  Yeah.  Dat’s Pass.  He walked to the edge of the ship, shouting down.  Pass!  Where you hidin’?

A head peeked up from inside the farmhouse’s well.  Rennel?

Pass.  Get your arse out of dere!  No time to look for well yilp.  Dere’s work to do! Rennel said jokingly.

Pass climbed out slowly, getting back on his feet.  He had similar stature to Rennel, about the same age, even with orange eyes.  However, his blue feathers, undersized nose, small ears, and quirky movements set him apart.  He looked up.  So you did steal de drifter?  I told you so.

You were right.  Now we need a bit more help! Rennel shouted down.

Pass folded his arms.  No more freebies.  De last one was for old time’s sake.

Free?  We just saved you from green division.

Pass scoffed.  "Greenies were runnin’ away from me.  His eyes widened.  Oh, my cart!"

Rennel didn’t feel like waiting an hour for Pass to settle this time.  Forget de banishin’ cart for five seconds, Pass, and get on board so we can stop shoutin’!

He did not.  Over the next thirty minutes, Pass kept himself busy.  Meanwhile, Sharley and Sh’kerwind performed maintenance on the ship, its animals, and looked after its victims.  Pass righted the cart, led the fouthu back to the farmhouse, fed it, and restocked his cart with its original wares.  He also remembered he hadn’t eaten in almost five hours, and needed to trim his fingernails.  After all of that, he finally managed to settle momentarily.

Pass plopped down at the low table inside the old abandoned farmhouse.  So, what do you need?

Rennel nudged Crohet.

Uh...  Crohet didn’t expect Pass to suddenly start talking.  ...proof.

Proof of...? Pass asked.

Hunla incident. Crohet stated.

Right. Pass said.  So.  Top secret info dat only a handful of people on de planet would know about, none of whom would talk to anyone.

Correct. Crohet affirmed.  According to Rennel you can find that.

I can find it if I knew where it was! Pass stated obviously.  If dey never told anyone, dere’s no way I could know!

So dat’s it?  Dead end? Rennel asked.  Dey said I was gettin’ rusty after all dese years.  Seems you are too.

Pass looked insulted.  Hey.  I can only do what is possible to be done.  He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in thought.  Give me a few minutes.

Crohet leaned over to Rennel, whispering, What is he doing..?

Tryin’ to figure it out.  Rennel whispered back.  Guy goes through all the tings he’s ever heard said in passing his whole life.  Takes a few minutes.

Crohet nodded slowly.  Ah.

Pass shouted abruptly. Dat could work!

What? Crohet asked, leaning in.

You ever hear of Seytu? Pass asked.

You have to be kidding. Crohet said.  Seytu Muh-Berhem?  No one knows what happened to him.

Rennel looked confused, furrowing his brow.  Seytu whosit?

Crohet spoke quickly.  Someone who experimented with banishing circles, though not an actual priest.  He was set to be banished for his research, but instead of being banished, he altered the circle somehow... and disappeared.

Dat’s impossible. Rennel said.  Where do you learn dis shite?

It’s true. Pass said.  De banishing circles have many functions.  De Dichotomous Order only uses dem for banishing, and outlawed everything else for some reason.

So why do we need him? Rennel asked.

Because he can learn tings even I can’t. Pass said.  Dey say he was workin’ on a way to summon spirits back and talk to dem.  If he succeeded...

We’d know where to find all the proof we need. Crohet realized. There’s no way they could keep it secret, not even killing those who knew.

Exactly. Pass said, pointing at Crohet with a finger on his left hand.  He then switched to his right hand as if he made a mistake.

So, where is he? Crohet asked.

Don’t know. Pass said.

Rennel slapped Pass on the back of his head.  What?

Hey!  Pass narrowed his eyes.  I’ll charge you for de info, you do dat again.

What info? Rennel asked. You just told us you don’t know.

Ah- right, but I know someone who does. Pass said.  I heard an ex-priest say something about Seytu’s current operations.  He wouldn’t know unless he knew Seytu, now would he?  His name is Xeyn.

Well, where is dis ex-priest? Rennel asked.

Khih. Pass stated. Northern Juhlanak. One of two slaving capitals of de country.  Standing guard, three thousand, four hundred, twenty seven, not counting auxiliary, ten per cent untrained.  Chief import-

Pass, skip dat bit.  Just tell us what we need to know. Rennel stated.

Pass sighed.  Fine.  You should know dat Uilliok’s made a deal with Juhlanak, a bounty on you all.  You won’t be able to operate freely even dere, at least not inside de five capital cities.  You’ll probably be safe elsewhere dough.  Xeyn works as a caretaker for hire, tendin’ to wounds for dose who can pay.  I tink it’s just a front dough.

Rennel thought hard.  How are we goin’ to get in unseen if dey have a bounty on us, and dat many guards?

You’re Rennel Makkes.  You figure it out. Pass said, grinning.

I know. a voice from the doorway said.

Crohet turned back, seeing Sh’kerwind in the doorway.  Hm?

Let me enter first. Sh’kerwind said.  I have an idea.

Did dat slave just talk!? Pass asked, staring at Sh’kerwind.  And she’s holdin’ a weapon- oh.  Must be de one dey’ve been talkin’ about.  Never mind.

I will not be the only one. Sh’kerwind said enigmatically before returning to the Shy Chimera.

Back west, somewhere over the great void of air between the mainland and the Nomadic Isles, a fleet flew steadily forwards.  The Hand of Uilliok, a model III drifter, led the fleet, captained by Ghish Meh-Kuhrest, captain of white division.  Two smaller drifter II’s flanked it on either side.  The scientist Redish Muh-Sarkret captained the Void.  Prith Meh-Jultep, captain of green division, commanded the New Ruaja.  The second model drifters had spires sporting flat metallic ovals, similar to those of the scout class ship mentioned earlier.  They cut wings off matchels, implanting them into the oval metal plates that came off each spire.  Each held three thousand soldiers, among other armaments.  Muh family designed the ship as a giant octagon with a rectangular platform in the center.  Three spires for flight came from the central platform, another eight small ones surrounding the lower octagonal platform.  The drifter III looked much the same, but on twice the scale, with fully artificial spires.  Countless scout and fighter class vessels surrounded the three war ships.  Each scout or fighter flew formation with six others in a three dimensional, three ship deep v formation.

Two scout class ships boarded the Hand of Uilliok, each carrying a very special passenger.  Ghish, wearing his usual white armor, nodded briskly to his new passengers.  Prith returned the gesture.  Prith still wore his usual scouting attire, despite his current situation.  Redishe simply waved.  From the other ship came the leaders of the three floating banishing circle platforms that accompanied the fleet.  Mijula stepped off first, tapping the ground with his walking cane to sense obstacles.  Hyurti followed along with Sarkta, Dichotomous Order priests all.

Thank you for coming. Ghish said, as if they had a choice.  His rotund, baby-like face made him seem somehow out of place in command.  I called you here because we’re only one week out from the first island.  We should take it without problem, but we must be prepared in any case.

We should have just made a larger fleet of scout and fighter-class vessels. Prith said, speaking in his usual low, grainy, yet even voice.  We would have been there weeks ago if we didn’t have to wait for these three lumbering fancy ships.

Never underestimate your enemy. Mijula said, drumming his fingers on his walking staff.  Is that not one of the first rules of combat, Prith?

Excuse me. Radishe said. But you’re just here to man the banishing circles, right?  Not to help fight.

Mijula grinned thinly at Radishe.  Yes. So?

I think he’s asking what business a priest has in planning battle tactics. Prith said.

One could ask the same of a researcher.  Mijula pointed his staff blindly in the vague direction of Radishe.

Ghish spoke clearly.  Quiet.  I did not call you all here to have an ego battle.

Look who’s suddenly acting in charge. Prith stated. Back in Uilliok you always spoke up last, and bowed down first.  Hmph.

Even so, you will follow my command now. Ghish stated.

Prith mock bowed. Oh yes, my master.  We should all bow to you for tricking Vienk out of his position.  Prith grinned toothily at seeing Ghish’s response.  I’m a scout leader Ghish.  I have eyes and ears everywhere.

Do you have eyes and ears on Jupo? Hyurti asked in a drawn out, drab, overly aristocratic voice.

Green division scouts were there over a month ago.  It was empty of all activity. Prith said.

A month is a long time. Sarkta stated.  She had a very cold demeanor and aura for a priest, her voice sounding clear yet indefinably harsh.  Prith questioned whether she ever helped anyone with spiritual healing, or just performed banishments.  He correctly assumed the latter.

Exactly. Ghish said. So we need to be on guard.  The island has one mountainous... elevation... um... with a ring on top...

Prith glared at Ghish for a second before taking over. The launch point exists just east of the center of the island.  It is the most likely place to find ruffa.  If any currently inhabit the island, they can probably fly, and will report back to their home islands upon spotting us.  We need to kill or capture every last one or they will have advanced warning- if they do not already.  The island is otherwise covered in forest and plains.  Native predators are incredibly deadly and should be avoided at all costs.

Correct. Ghish added pointlessly.

Sarkta spoke coldly. Send in one fighter squad under the island, then increase elevation at the opposite end, so it is prepared to attack any fleeing ruffa without being spotted on its approach.  Then the rest of the fleet enters.  Do try and keep them alive.  We cannot banish their souls if they do not live.

Prith chuckled.  What is the point?  If we kill all the ruffa, how are they going to reincarnate?

As ruajans. Mijula stated.

That is just a theory. Hyurti added.

It makes perfect sense, though. They reincarnate as ruajans then find a way to return to their original form.  If they do so, there would be no way to stop them.  We could kill them, but they would just take more bodies the next generation.  Mijula said.  It would ultimately spell doom for us.  So, we banish as many as we can, or keep some ruffa alive as slaves.  Since Kigyi does not wish the latter, we use the former.

Prith shook his head.  Religious nuts.

Ghish glared at Prith.  Do not refer to Kigyi’s advisors as religious nuts!

Thank you. Mijula said, grinning anyway.

I still say it’s an unlikely theory.  Their souls would simply not be reincarnated if none remained, I say. Hyurti said, stating the standard conservative religious interpretation.  He often had conflicts with Mijula, who subscribed to a more radical sect of their teachings.

Prith glanced at Ghish with little sign of respect. Hm, we should dote on the priests like servants then?  A war is a place for warriors, not holy men.

This is a holy war, do not forget. Sarkta corrected. We are to eliminate the ruffa for they are an affront to Illuminous.

Stop fooling yourself. Prith said darkly.  We’re here to kill them and take their land and resources.  That’s all.

So you think we’re doing something wrong? Ghish asked the baited question.

No.  There’s no crime in it. Prith responded. They’re just ruffa.  It’s not like they matter.  They probably don’t even have souls to banish.  Prith’s eyes caught something in the distance.  Wait!  Prith peered out at an arrow someone shot.  A green ribbon trailed after the base of the arrow.

What does that mean? Ghish asked.

Prith grumbled.  You didn’t even bother to learn the signals?  It means incoming, friendly.

Friendly incoming, from the west? Ghish sounded surprised. How?  I thought you suspended scouting to avoid tipping off the enemy?

Prith leaned forwards.  Looks like... one scout ship.  The missing ship is coming back.  Good, my men are following orders.  Two squads of green division scouts and one black division fighter-class squad is approaching it.

The missing scout class ship did return.  Lask continued to pilot it mindlessly, as if in a dream.  The other five members of his team remained bound and gagged.  He flew it on a direct course for the Hand of Uilliok.  Lask kept his eyes fixed on the third model drifter’s main spire, as if choosing it as his target.

As the scout and fighter squads approached closer, they could tell something bad happened to the missing crew.  One of them shouted across the void of air.  Halt course and identify!

Lask kept piloting mindlessly forwards.  Lask.  Recruit.  Green division.  Will not halt. he said at normal volume.

Banish!  He’s on a ramming course for the Hand! One of the scout leaders shouted.  Block him! barked the leader of the fighter-class ship squad.  All twenty one ships surrounded the incoming vessel before halting movement.

Lask, even in his mindless state, had no choice but to stop also.  The ships tightened their radius around Lask’s vessel, hoping to board it.  Lask bent down, lighting a torch with flint and steel.  He then stood up, holding the torch out visibly.

He’s controlling fire! one person shouted.

Another soldier responded, The ruffa must have taken his soul!

The fighter-squad leader shouted. Bring him down!

In response, a dozen arrows filled Lask’s chest.  He looked down, spitting blood before collapsing.  Even as he fell, the shamans’ hold over his mind did not let up.  He choked out For Uilliok while shoving the lit torch into