Revolutions

69 - Haesan

"What do you mean 'their plan has been set in motion'?"

Inside the dark, sparsely furnished chamber, Texani, Yachaman, and I discuss Onixem's enigmatic phrase with her. After finding her bruised and beaten, cowering behind sacks of grain, Texani and I took an arm and supported Onixem as we walked to a tucked away hideout in an isolated part of the city. A slight whiff of briny air blends with the dust particles that float about this space. The building is used by the Qente Waila, located near the vast fishermen's wharf that rests along the inlet that flows out to the Haqu Sunquioq, the large body of water between the Tapeu and Sanqo territories. Its name translates from the old tongue as "Heart Sea" to signify its importance to the people of Pachil. With the docks as busy as they are, we were able to slip in unnoticed, allowing us to have Onixem explain what's happening without wandering eyes or ears.

Though the room is dimly lit with only two torches, I notice that Onixem appears to be in a daze, with a far away stare as if her thoughts are still fixed on what she witnessed earlier. Yachaman hands her leather water pouch to Onixem, who swiftly drinks it all in one gulp as though she's been parched for days. We await Onixem's answer to our inquiry. While Texani shows signs of impatience, I understand that, whatever Onixem witnessed, it must be substantial and traumatic if she's being silent for this long.

"We were told to investigate unusual activity by the Eye in the Flame," Onixem eventually says, her voice faint like a spirit. "One of our people reportedly spotted a number of their members assembling in a temple that was heavily damaged during the war. Nobody wanted to rebuild it because it was rumored to be cursed. Something about how it was frequently in ruins due to nefarious affairs taking place within, and that the gods punished anyone who would set foot inside. Fables to scare children, is what I think about that. But many of the nearby residents kept away, so hearing about people gathering in or around the area immediately raised suspicions.

"It was to be done during our scheduled patrol shift, so I thought nothing of the assignment. Perhaps a member of the rivals wasn't as discrete as they should've been and tipped off one of our patrolmen to their whereabouts. So Tziqui and I would head over to the location and check it out, since it wasn't far from our usual route. It was Tziqui's first real action for the Qente Waila. He was eager to prove himself after being regularly passed over for assignments ever since his arrival. Only designated to menial tasks. Being an Atima refugee, he was always going on about making the Arbiter pay for neglecting to administer aid to his people. His family had lost everything during the Timuaq assault on Wichanaqta. His father had a difficult time recovering from the loss. Struggled to find work in Qapauma. Tziqui told countless stories of his life on their farm. Of happier times..."

Onixem drifts away for a moment, recounting Tziqui's stories in her head as though he was currently speaking them to her. Yachaman, Texani, and I exchange glances while we wait for her to start up again, but the length of the pause seemingly never ends, forcing us to bring her back to the present.

"How many members of the Eye in the Flame were present when you and Tziqui arrived?" I ask, attempting to spur her memory and cause her to resume her retelling of the day's events.

She sighs. "Not many. Not that we could see, initially. Maybe two or three standing outside the dilapidated building, huddled together as though their conversation conveniently led them to that one particular place in front of the devastated temple's entrance. From where we stood, we could hear them talking, boasting about the large army they've amassed. Talking about numbers in the thousands. I wondered how they could possess such numbers, seeing as they're a small organization. That's what I believed, anyway. I would soon learn..."

For a moment, Onixem looks lost in thought, tightly gripping her fingers around the pouch and causing a few dribbles of water to leak out. Texani gets her attention and asks, "Did the men in front of the temple entrance say anything else? How did you discover this plan of theirs is in motion, as you put it? What even is their plan?"