Those Who Sharpen the Mind

Fish and Defiance

Un'tra and Bekel reached the gates of Haimore at dusk. There were no guards to be seen, but they could see smoke rising in many areas of the city. The two shared a worried glance and continued. The area of the city they were in was uncomfortably quiet. It seemed even the pests weren't scurrying around. As they continued to more populated areas some evidence of unrest began to appear. Broken stalls and innumerable footprints littered the streets. Noise could be heard in the distance and Un'tra glanced at Bekel.

"I ask you to go no further than you wish. I have no idea of the possible violence or peril ahead. You have been most kind and I must insist you return to your family unharmed." Un'tra was staring into Bekel's eyes sincerely. The sight of his purple scars made her feel uncomfortable. They had been talking for hours, but her focus on the road made it easy to ignore his appearance.

"Ro, ya kind words are a blessin'. I do wish to return to my family, but I'm afraid for ya. Ya seem like a gentle soul and may easily be kill'd in unrest." Bekel said, trying to convince Un'tra to change his mind.

"Bekel, you also speak kind words. It is time I tell you the truth. I am Ro, but I am referred to now as Un'tra."

"What's Un'tra mean? Why 'ave two names?"

"Un'tra means 'The One who Looks Inside'. I have studied most of my life at the Holi-inte campus and I must see that justice is served for what has happened. Bekel, thank you. You have helped me to look inside and find my courage and purpose."

"That's a fancy name. I don't know whatcha mean by lookin' inside, but I do know you need to look 'round you. This ain't time for fancy names and studyin'. You take care and find somewhere safe." Bekel said, with no trust in whatever Un'tra was thinking and planning to do.

"Like a rabbit hole?" Un'tra jested.

"Aye, but beware. Foxes of'en wait outside rabbit 'oles. I'm not sure what rabbits can do but run-n-'ide."

"I have an idea of what they can do. Take care Bekel, you have been most kind and that is rare. My Path will lead me away from you, but I hope our rivers merge again someday." Un'tra gave his new brief friendship one last look and continued towards the noise and the Senate.

"You talk a lotta riddles. I do know one thing 'bout rivers. The big fish needs 'em, they don't need the big fish." Un'tra smiled to himself. He did not turn around, but Bekel's riddle gave him faith and courage.

Un'tra could hear the growing noise of angry voices. As he rounded a corner the Senate building came into view. A massive crowd took up almost every space possible in the open-air plaza in front of the Senate building. There was a fountain in the center of the plaza, and even that was occupied. Angry citizens were up to their waists in water, while others hung from the ledges of the ornate fountain.

Un'tra could see in the distance a defensive line of Holi-com holding their ground against hurling insults and debris. Even from this distance, Un'tra could smell the musty smell of blood. The Holi-com were not advancing their ranks, but it seemed bold citizens were dealt with unmercifully. Un'tra closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The cacophony of voices faded and he knew what he must do, but not the outcome. He calmly made his way through the crowd. As people glanced at him, many of their expressions turned to shock. Movement through the crowd became easier as the shouting around him turned to murmuring.

When Un'tra got to the front of the crowd he could see the bodies of some unfortunate protestors. It only took a few examples to create the gap between the crowd and the Holi-com. The gap was just big enough to keep out of range of spears. Un'tra could see the panicked eyes of the Holi-com between their shields and spears. A hand from behind Un'tra snapped him out of his calculation of the defensive line.

"You have survived the Ob'inte and yet this Senate tried to strike you down. Their disrespect of the gods and the laws of this state has sparked a riot." A man said with tears welling in his eyes. This man believed that he was touching a savior from the gods. Un'tra was taken aback by the man and the chants that followed.

"Un'sey"

"Un'sey"

"Un'sey"

Un'tra shook his head and mustered his best attempt at a big voice. As Un'debro had easily done countless times.

"I am not Un'sey, 'The One Who Sees Through Fire'. I am Un'tra, 'The One Who Looks Within'. The Ob'inte is not what you believe it to be. I am no oracle or savior. This does not matter as we still need to address a wayward Senate." Un'tra thought this last line would inspire cheers. The looks of the crowd around him turned to confusion and disappointment. The same man said,

"The surviving Holi-inte called you this. They lead this charge in your honor. Your purple scars prove you have been touched by the gods. have you not?"

"I am not touched by the gods. I follow the Path they have laid in front of me, and that has brought me and the people of Haimore to question the unlawful decisions of this Senate." As Un'tra was talking a wave of movement was running through the crowd. Four Holi-inte approached Un'tra. Of the three men and one woman, one of them was Un'codem. He couldn't restrain himself and gave Un'tra a big hug that almost knocked Un'tra off his feet. Un'tra's hands stuck out to the sides as he was confused at what was happening. He brought his hands around Un'codem and emotions rushed through him.

"I am so glad to see you made it through that assault." Un'tra said with flushed cheeks.

"An assault is too kind of a word. Un'tra, it was a slaughter. The Senate believed they could end the Holi-inte in one fell swoop and the citizens wouldn't care about an exclusive order being destroyed. To our knowledge, we are all that remains." Un'tra's happiness turned to horror as he bowed his head. By this time the sun had set and many torches had been lit. Un'codem could see the pain in Un'tra's face even through the shadows on his face created by the firelight. Once again Un'tra's tears stung the purple scars on his face.

"Let their sacrifice not be in vain." Un'tra said, pulling his emotions back together.

"The whole city is here, Un'tra. You and I know that five Holi-inte could take on an army of Holi-com. Let's take this city!" Un'codem suggested with vigor. Unsurprisingly to Un'tra, many people around Un'codem began to rile up.

"Calm is what we need, Un'codem. Violence will cover all of our Paths with blood. So much blood I fear that we may never find the Paths again. No, we won't attack. The people have been wronged too many times. It is time to change the Senate into what it should be." Un'codem looked at Un'tra with a new look. He did not understand Un'tra's plan, but he felt like he wanted to follow him. Un'tra spoke like Un'debro and that gave the remaining Holi-inte great comfort.

"We need to calm any violence if we are to be able to address the Senators. Use your words to pacify the crowd. We need their presence, but the Senators and Drake must feel like they can change the situation." The Holi-inte spread ambitiously with their new purpose. Un'tra convinced the people around him to sit with crossed legs and chests high. The act spread like a wave as the crowd began to sit in stoic defiance. An uneasy air consumed the plaza. The sounds of violence and upheaval faded. The crowd had grown into a silent giant that could not be ignored.

Un'tra focused all his thought and his energy into his core and then his throat. The quiet crowd allowed him to focus deeply within himself. He let out a shout that seemed to shake the foundation of the city and the Senate.

"Drake!"