The Wish of a Broken Heart

Unspoken

Dagdh’a’vaní 6th
ElogíAnatí
08:00


~Tavi~

I barely slept. My worry over Tira, her brother, Cara, our nanú, and future allowed for no rest. Tira is skeletal. They have starved and worked her while she hungers. Never again.

“Shh, rest, my love. We are safe. They won’t touch her again. No need to growl.” Cara rubs my arm before turning and kissing my chest. “Do you want to talk about it?” I shake my head.

“I just want to hear the Ash’A Jheili report from the evening.” She nods and gives me a kiss filled with her love. I peck her lips, Tira’s forehead, and give three morning kisses to our nanú. Cara giggles every time I kiss her belly. “Rest. I won’t keep you up.”

“Don’t,” a cute yawn escapes her, “don’t work too hard.” I kiss her again and leave them to sleep.

“Inkosi.” Sazek bows. “Rejíí is in place watching. The tékeredi were able to access the house and checked on the occupants. Neither of the tékeredi are harmed. Their vaní had the nanú close. He… He smells edlíduin.”

“Are you sure? She isn’t. How…”

“Sahodára, is everything good?” Ana comes in.

“I’m not sure. Sazek says the nanú is edlíduin.” She nods thoughtfully. “You have an idea?” She hesitates.

“Possibly. She called Cara a Lereía and Lía reports the vaní looked excited and relaxed to see her. Her parents, in her story, did she say if they were from Isilmëmírë?”

“I don’t remember.”

“If they were, they could have been her guardians. They are well known to protect the nanú of certain races, leaders, those with special abilities, and more. The other option is, her miwt was with another and the man she knows as her janaka raised her as his own. Be it a previous marriage, an indiscretion, or an attack.
“It matters not at the moment. We will keep an eye on the others for trouble and focus on Tira. She was nearly as far gone as Cara was when we found her. The En’rux’kulu are watching out for her.” We nod.

“I’ll be resting before relieving my kukai and his team. Oh, wait. There is one more thing. The vaní, she was crying out for Tira. I believe they are friends.” I perk up at this news. She has an ally.

“Then we plan to save her as well. We will find out how they communicated and leave her clues to Tira’s safety. In the meantime, you are free to be yourself with the parents.” A wicked grin appears. I just unleashed their worst nightmare.

“My pleasure and thanks Inkosi. My sahodára and the trainees will be pleased.” He bows and disappears.

“Um, Tavi, was that wise?” Ana looks nervous.

“Of course it is. The Ash’A Jheili will make them think they’ve been cursed. They will be begging the soldiers to hear their misdeeds.” I grin, and she laughs a little.

“If only we had Cara’s cameras to watch.” She shakes her head and goes to change Tira’s fluids.

Everyone is sleeping in today. Many smelled blood and were on alert most of the night. They only fell asleep when Ana ordered them to bed. I decide to start the morning meal. Cooking has always helped me relax when tense situations arise.

“Inkosi, what brings you out this early?” Jorg begins pulling food supplies.

“I became a janaka overnight.” His surprise is expected. I explain as we cook together. He nods and seems to understand a great deal.

“May I assess her? I have a heka that helps me see what people need in their diet and what could cause harm.”

“I would appreciate it! I should warn you, Tira is skeletal. The muscle she has is pure and strong, but nowhere near what she should have.”

“Who is Tira, Inkosi?” I hear Dēvija Iíaza ask. I look around the corner to see nearly everyone awake and gathering for java.

“As soon as everyone is awake and gathered, I will tell.” I smile. She bounces in place before running off to gather everyone. Jorg laughs.

“Go gather yours. I will finish this.”

“And I will help.” Heida kisses him before taking my place. I never thought she would be capable cooking after setting water on fire. They’re sweet to watch.

I head back to my tent to wake our family only to find them fretting over Tira. She looks a little overwhelmed but happy. A blush covers her from her chest up. Cara is sitting back, sipping a cup of java with Nimuë’s head resting over her crossed legs.

“Ti’kúe, have you taken your medicine?” In the confusion, I forgot to check. It isn’t too late.

“I, no.” She says like a naughty tékeredi. I chuckle with the others. Kaenaék shakes his head and gets her medication.

“You’re running low. I want to try some of our potions. I need herbs not found here.”

“Oh, you mean theeeseee?” Ana waves a small basket of herbs and fruits Cara picked. Kaenaék’s eyes light up, and he reaches for them. She jumps out of the way, giggling before leading him on a chase around camp. Niliese laughs with me. Cara leans against me, giggling.

“Shenanigans. You’re all full of shenanigans.” She giggles.

“Papa Tavi, Mama Cara, does this look appropriate?” Tira holds out the sashes of the dress Cara designed for her. Our saucíka took one look at her design and got to work happily. The skirt looks like she’s wearing a drop flower, Cara calls Fuchsia. The top is gently wrapped sashes in a cross between kalí and reveníre styles. It looks like vines.

“You are perfect, our sweet vaní.” I spin her around and watch the layers of her skirt flare out the way girls like. She closes her eyes, giggling and smiling. Her curls are put in twin tails. Tira is such a sweet vaní. How could anyone harm her? “Wait, did she call us…”

“Um-hum.” Cara nods and smiles. “She woke up feeling like we were family and asked to call us Mama and Papa.” I sit down and hug them. She accepted us! I hear her stomach growl. I almost forgot!

“Our morning meal is ready. Come.” I swoop them both into my arms. We head out laughing. Everyone outside of our group is assembled and looking at us strangely. They are not used to seeing me anything but serious or polite. My laughter is polite and restrained. This Ak’hajj is giving them a new look into who I am.

Whispers begin. Most are happy. I try to ignore Sosyéte’s glare and annoying complaints about caring for other’s tékeredi, but not my own. Her friends are trying to quiet her. It is a vain effort.

“Good morning, my friends and family.” They quiet down. “Late last evening, Lía came across a young vaní who was unrecognizable. She had been beaten and left for dead. Earlier, Cara had met the girl. She revealed her parents had been mụrdered. They took her and her nanú sahodára, convincing the town that it was what their parents wished.” Gasps and growls echo my own inner turmoil.
“Cara recognized the tékeredi by the ink staining her hair. We quickly cleaned and healed her to the best of our people’s abilities. I have claimed her as my own, as my Janaka and Inkosi before me have done. Tira is now my daughter. Please welcome her. We will protect her and rescue the others being harmed within the house.” Cheers, well wishes, and words of welcome (in common language) make her blush. Too bad the atrocious creature among us had to ruin it.

“YOU CLAIMED HER AS YOUR OWN MAKAL!?!” Sosyéte screeches. “You wish to claim another’s spawn but don’t wish to claim your own. You can’t claim a tékeredi without having one of your own.” I wonder if she has figured out that I have impregnated another. From the hushed whispers, others have. A few figure it out and smile at Cara.

“You are correct. I met my hayati and she is with child. No, you will not know who she is. If you’re wondering when or how, keep one thing in mind.” I grin. I’m not lying. “Portals.” True, she did fall from one. “Ana has been teaching me this heka.” Also true. She says I need to learn. All I can do is open a tiny messaging portal. A massive overuse of power is needed. Heka is tedious.
“I haven’t seen you since before we were twenty. You appeared at our home already pregnant and I did not know the heka before then, so don’t bother.” I râs growl the last bit out.
“You may take your meal to your tent and remain there. Your meals for the next two days will be given to you in your tent. If I see you out of your tent, your punishment from the Ren’kazí will double. Be gone.” She fearfully grabs her tray, returning to her tent.

“Papa, will you teach me to speak that language?” Her slightly squeaky voice has me sitting them both down quickly and getting them drinks. After having her drink, I gather us food. Cara’s meal was cooked alone by me to avoid her becoming ill. She had a strange reaction to one of our root vegetables, and Amanda stabbed a needle into her thigh while we were going through the forest. I now keep her food away from it.

“Mmm, much better.” Tira says after a long gulp of something Cara calls a ‘fruit shake.’ They’re rich, sweet, filling, cold, and easy on her stomach.

“I didn’t forget.” I kiss her forehead, making her smile.

“We’ll get your Auntie Ana to teach you the magic way.” Cara whispers and wiggles her fingers. They end up giggling through the meal. Before we part for the day, I make a reminder announcement.

“Attention, attention, please. When the edlíduin soldiers arrive, keep your status and the status of others silent. Anyone who is obviously not reveníre will need to remain hidden.”

“That isn’t a good idea.” Cara and Amanda say in unison. I sit and allow them to explain.

“If we hide and they discover us, they will think the worst. It would be best to act normal. Chances are, they will watch and observe, not just charge in.” Cara makes a good point, but I can’t risk her safety.

“We need to protect you.” I say, trying to hide my fear and stress.

“We will, brother.” Amanda hugs his shoulders. “Cara and Tira will stay in the safety of our tent until I can explain they’re both injured and have been rescued. Unfortunately, hiding away will lead to problems none of us are ready to handle.” I sigh in defeat. If I could send them home to Wayòm’wí Hati Asàn, I would.

“So be it.” I nod and agree. I’m not happy, but they are right. Each member of our company comes up to greet Tira. She blushes with the attention.

I notice her skin is pale, like Cara’s for the most part. She has patterned swirls of darker skin, like Amanda’s, across her back. It only confirms my suspicion of her heritage. It’s a tribal pattern. We must keep it hidden. The saucíka know to use the same material for her dresses as they do for Cara’s. That gives me an idea.

“Fraí, a moment, please?” I kiss Cara and pat Tira’s head before walking towards our tent. I look back, realizing what I just did. No one seems upset. A few are exchanging d’nara and nudging each other with smiles. Many congratulate Cara and seem excited. Others are sitting back, leaning against each other and watching with gentle smiles.

“Inkosi?” I try not to jump. I forgot I needed to speak with her.

“Yes, apologies. In here, please.” We enter the common room. “Fraí, you are the best saucíka for Indrea Tira. Her back needs to be covered, but…” I’m not sure how to phrase it."

“She needs some creative solutions to the designs?”

“Yes. I want her in a combination of our colors, please. The designs on Cara’s robe need to be on her dresses as well as,” I show her my ivy hayati marking, “this please.” Her wings pop out and flutter. Her hands are camped to her chest, and she’s smiling excitedly.

“With pleasure!”

“Papa.” Tira pulls Cara into the room. Others follow her curiously. “I… I have.” She looks around nervously.

“Go ahead, dear.” Ana encourages. She nods and stands tall.

“Mommy and Daddy were magic. I don’t know what it means, but I can show you. Please hold hands.” We do as she says. She takes my hand. One moment, we’re in our tent. The next, we’re in a stately home. “I don’t know who those people are.”

She points to a painting of a couple with a nanú. A nanú with eyes like flowers. I continue looking. She stops and looks sadly at a couple in another painting. A few tears fall. These must have been her guardians. Another painting shows them all together playing with the nanú.

“There’s a garden off the kitchen. There’s two locked doors. I couldn’t find a key.” She sniffles, trying to hold back tears.

“There’s a room for a Tí vaní, isn’t there?” I ask. She nods. “I believe it is your room. Will you show me?” I ask gently. She nods and pulls me up two flights of stairs.

“It can’t be mine. Can it?” She’s confused but curious.

“I believe it is.” We arrive at the door. I was right. Her name is carved into the door in the language of her people. It’s carved with their magic. The room and belongings will change as she ages. “You see this?” She nods where I point. “It reads Tira Tarako. This is for you.”

Her tiny hand trembles as she opens the door again. It is set up exactly as I would have for any young vaní in my family. She even has a balcony. The rail is intricately designed with all the power of her people.

“It’s beautiful.” Cara runs her hand over the carved scales. “Her closet has clothes. Most look like they’re Lolita dresses for cold climates.” I nod.

“It’s where her people lived until…” I look in Cara’s eyes. Her lips go white, and tears form.

“Mama, you okay?” Tira hugs her.

“Oh, I’m fine, baby. I’m just a little emotional. Babies do that when Mommies are carrying them. She squeals happily and claps her hands. Cara sits on the bed, and Tira puts her hands on Cara’s belly.

“Hello little brothers or sisters. I’m your big sister, Tira. I can feel three of you and promise to protect you for as long as I can. I can teach you all I know!” We sat there smiling as she talked to the nanú. An hour later, she falls into sleep. We tuck her in and kiss her gently before exploring the house.

~Cara~

Something happened. No one will talk. I’m trying to piece it together, but I don’t want to assume.
‘When you assume
You make an
AṢS
Out of
U & ME’
That saying is cross stitched in my Mum’s office. It’s very pretty. All I can gather is something tragic happened to her people. From the expression on everyone’s faces, she may be the last. I’m betting that the people holding her as a baby were her parents, and the two she was crying about were her protectors.

The writing on the doors and in some of the books looks like a mashup of Elvish, Vulcan swirls, and Gregorian. It’s pretty. I have the letters for T, I, R, A, K, and O as long as they don’t have a very complex language. If I can get more letters or go through these books and narrow down their alpha… WAIT!

“Tavi, you can read this?” He nods solemnly.

“Ana can as well. Look closer at this.” We were standing in front of a locked door in the kitchen. There was a room on the third floor that was locked as well. I focused on the carvings. I reach out to trace over the carving when I get poked.

“Ow!” I suck on my finger.

“Sissy, what happened?”

“Nothing. You know me. I got blood on the door.”

“I’ll get it. You clean that up. There’s a kit in the drawer to the right of the sink.”

“Alright.” Tavi snickers. When I say ‘alright,’ it comes out as ‘awlright’ with barely a sound of the ‘r.’ He thinks it’s cute. It seems my accent comes through translations. I wonder if Tira would have done that if she had more time with her family. Our Dad wasn’t American. It was very obvious. He tried to tame his accent, but it just spilled over to us. What did her parents sound like?

“Shịt! That hurt. What the Heck Door? Don’t make me kick you’re aṣs.”

“Is Amanda seriously threatening the door?” Kaenaék asks with a disapproving dad look.

“That sounds like something she would do. It got us both now.” I hold my hand up, “See.” He moves my hand back and forth, examining it like he’s looking for something. Hello? It’s a big cut. How can he miss it? He goes to Amanda’s and does the same. He nods after a minute.

“Rinse the blood. You’re fine now.” He says matter-of-factly before examining the door without touching it. I keep my eye on him while rinsing. The cut it gone! He’s pinching his chin in thought and muttering to himself. “Inkássa, Indrea, you should be able to enter now. It seems to be the price for entry. This is the magic of …”

“Kaenaék, no. We cannot say it. Our makal isn’t safe.” Tavi looks scared. Maybe not to others, but I can feel it. According to Earth lore, some magics can be broken by speaking about it. There’s magic in words, and names must be more here than anywhere. With Faemála and the island of Isilmëmírë being located on this planet, I bet the power is even stronger. The good doctor stops himself quickly.

“Apologies.” He bows. “I will be more cautious. She is too precious for more harm to befall her.” I’m glad he’s protective so quickly of little ones.

“Manda.” She gives me a dirty look. She hates when I call her that. If anyone else tries, I’ll fight them, though. It’s a sister thing. “Chill. I think we should go in. The others can see if they can…”

“Oh Helííme! That does hurt.” I hear Ana squeak. I turn to see Lía touch the door where we have. A small squeak escapes her before she heads to the sink.

“Well, correction, the four of us will head in.” Tavi tries to protest. “Don’t. This is a safe space. Try gaining entry after their blood absorbs. It seems to take about 5 minutes and two people at a time. We don’t know what’s in here, but if it’s where Tira can find it, I’m sure it isn’t harmful.” For a moment, he looks Ike he’s struggling with letting me out of his sight. I reach up and tug his tusk with one finger and look into his eyes.
“I’ll be okay. I have Ana with me. Amanda is good at fighting, and Lía is learning to heal if anything jumps out at us.”

“She’s right, ya know. I love MMA.” Amanda shrugs.

“They don’t know what that is.” I giggle at her. Realization dawns on her, and she face-palms herself.

“It’s mixed fighting styles. Before having kids, I competed and won a lot.” He perks up.

“We should have you show us and spar.” He offers.

“I would suggest waiting until after she recovers from having her nanú.”

“Kaenaék is right. I can show you some moves, but fighting could harm the baby. I will gladly train with all of you until I can’t anymore.” I haven’t seen her this excited about fighting since we were kids. She had a temper as a kid. Martial arts saved her from trouble in more ways than one. Tavi kissing my forehead pulls my attention back to him.

“Hi.” I say sheepishly, smiling up at him.

“Hi.” He hugs me. We try not to be passionate in front of others. It’s hard. “I’ll see you soon. I do trust all of you, but I feel better knowing your sister can fight.”

“Would you feel better if I could too?” He only takes a moment to think before he nods. “Then I will. I used to practice with Amanda when we were kids.”

“Yes!” I hear Amanda trying to keep her excitement under control. “Okay you two. Enough mushy. Let’s go before Tira wakes up.” I laugh as he reluctantly let’s me go, and Amanda drags me through the door. Thankfully, there’s no stairs. Amanda’s clumsy false step alerts me to that.

“Akhet.” A ball of light forms in Ana’s palm. She’s trying not to laugh. “Why don’t I take the lead?”

“Um, yeah. That might be a good idea.” She nods and let’s Ana pass. “Not like I can snap my fingers and say ‘akhet’ and AHH!” We’re all surprised when a ball of light appears for Amanda.
“WhatDoIDoWhatDoIDoWhatDoIDo?” She panics while juggling the ball. We laugh. It reminds me of when she pulled a pizza pocket from the oven without a mitt. She didn’t even put it on a tray! She juggled it until our dog grabbed it and ran.

“Calm yourself. It won’t harm you. It is your heka. It seems you have absorbed some of this world’s energy and can use it.” Ana smirks. “We will test your abilities and teach you. Cara, Lía, you try next.

“Akhet.” Lía points her finger up. A small but bright light appears on her fingertip. She looks happy and excited. I wish there were torches or some kind of lights to show the way.

“Akhet.” I flip my wrist and cup my hand. A ball appears in my hand. Little balls flip off of it and bounce down the hall. Large crystals in holders on the walls light our way. “Um, what did I do?”

“I believe it was your intention. We were thinking of personal lights. What were you thinking?”

“That there was a way to light our path.” She nods.

“That was it then. Your random thoughts became intentions. When training with heka, you must be careful and be focused. If not…” Ana shivers and trails off. We all get her unsaid meaning. We move swiftly through the passage. I try not to get distracted by the paintings all over the walls. They’re detailed, beautiful, and seem to tell a story.

“You guys go ahead. I’m going to record these.” Amanda waves us off. “I’ll do one side on the way there and the other on the way back.” We leave her. She has a thing for murals like this. It takes another ten minutes of descending to reach a door. Actually, it’s the only door.

It reminds me of an old castle door. It’s arched with beautiful metal hardware. It opens with only a push. My light bounces into the room, lighting the crystal lamps and chandelier. They look like they belong in a mage’s tower or an elf city. The raindrop shaped crystals glow light blue and clear. It lights a great room.

The walls and ends of the eight rows of book cases have detailed murals as well. To the left is a workroom for potions, script work, and more. A few doorways come off the workroom. A smith’s equipment, an herb room, and different equipment lay beyond them.  To the right are display cases, a seating area, and what looks like an area to do magic.

A five-sided podium with twenty-five numbered shelves catches my eye. The top five are open. 9-25 have a slight glow. There’s a beautiful large egg shell sitting on a cushion that looks like black velvet. I can’t really tell the color. It’s like looking at oil on a street puddle. The egg reminds me of the weird dream I had awhile back. I shake my head and refocus.

Behind the podium is a wall with a very detailed family tree painted. Birth, anniversary, and death dates are recorded under a picture with everyone’s name. Every picture lists a date except one. The birth date is recorded as Mik’Oriella 13th, eight years ago. Looking closer, I gasp. The name listed in the foreign script is the same listed on Tira’s door.

“Tira.” I start tearing up. Large warm hands pull my back against a familiar form.

“So, it’s true. She’s the last.” I turn into my mate’s arms and cry. “We can’t say anything yet. She’ll only be safe once we reach Isilmëmírë.” I nod.

“She’s barely eight years old.” I choke. Eight. I look at the podium again. “She was five when Ben was born. 6, 7, 8.” I point to each of the closed shelves that aren’t glowing. I open the doors. They open and slide into the right side of the shelves. It reminds me of a Neff oven. Their doors slide underneath. Mum had two special ordered and installed. They aren’t sold in the US, but it was worth the trouble. It meant fewer chances of injuries.

A few books, writing utensils, and a jewelry charm sit inside the 6th shelf. The 7th has another charm, a beautiful doll, and a small wardrobe for it. The 8th has another charm, a locket, and a pretty little backpack purse. There’s no zippers. I guess this world doesn’t have them. A locking swing clasp, drawstring, and snaps do exist from the looks of it.

The locket won’t open. I’m not sure why. It looks like it’s made from a shell similar to hers, and the chain looks like rose gold scales. I put everything except the doll and its little wardrobe trunk into the purse. She fits into the trunk, thankfully. The trunk looks like an old wooden steamer trunk or a pirate’s chest. It looks like Rosewood.

“Each shelf appears to hold a birthday present.” I whisper.

“These are expensive gifts.” Kaenaék peers over our shoulders, then up to the family tree. His eyes widen. “We keep this secret as long as we can. Inkosi, Inkássa, there are books on healing and other teachings. Do you think she would allow me to use or copy them?”

“I can do that if she allows.” Lía says. “Come see. I’ve already started.” We follow her to the other side of the room and watch as multiple quills move on their own. “I learned to do this in Faemála’s Realm for prophecies. I figured I could have them copy books. Thankfully, I don’t have to read them first.” She smiles.

“That’s awesome, kiddo!” Amanda hugs her. “If you were a character in a game you’d…”

“Manda,” I stop her, “she won’t understand unless you explain and show her. We can’t access most mmorpgs, but I created my own server to play offline.” I shrug like it’s no big deal. “I’ll give you both an account. If we had more laptops, with the equipment I have, we could have our own LAN party.”

“Only if we kept it secret. Didn’t you once say our tech could ruin a less progressive world?” I nod.

“It’s a well-known theme in stories. Most of the time, it ends in disaster. These people Gálbard was talking about, they have technology. They regulate it.”

“So?”

“I don’t know.” I shrug. “I’m trying to have a ‘Squirrel’ moment.” She rolls her eyes before wandering off to record all the paintings. We spend a few more hours in the room. Lía copies as many books as possible. Amanda records what she can on video. Others study and explore the workshops.

I hope we can give Tira answers soon.