Gods and Guardians

Chapter 6: Brothers and Enemies

The 15th day of the third month, Tiyaray, marks the beginning of the 5-day circumcision festival. The air in Zainox and Kainon was charged with much enthusiasm and anticipation. The circumcision campers left their respective camps on the last day of the second month. They are housed in the temple hostels where they are circumcised and recuperate for the next tenth or so. Afterwards, they are allowed to train in the city courtyard.

Every major islander city has a courtyard, which is an extensive area for training and endurance practice. Many people leave the temple for the courtyard every morning to train. The Courtyard was always the most important center of the cities. In Simsee, it had eight separate courts linked through arched passages. The walls were thick, towering about 40 aces. Within these walls was an intricate network of stairs and layers of windows leading up and down. The courtyard is the training ground for all Islanders.

This normal everyday routine was gladly interrupted to savor the atmosphere of the occasion. Men didn't leave the temple for the courtyard. There was hardly any endurance training this morning. The usual sweating and moaning that lasts till the fourth or fifth division of the day was suspended. Beforehand, in fact, the courtyard has been cleared of training equipment in wait for the occasion.

Damian has mostly recovered by now but still walked with the aid of crutches. For campers who did not make it till the end of Diyaray in their camps, the decision to circumcise them was made by the war council in their respective cities. Lord Xexa, who was head of the council in the Zainox capital, Simsee, did not hesitate to approve Damian's circumcision. Not even the great Xexa himself could doubt the legend of Damian.

The young men would be adorned in their military clothes on the last day of the festival. Presently, they received instructions on what was expected in manhood. Damian, on the other hand, had to learn the effect of fame. Zainox hardly gave him enough space to recover. They always visited, itching to hear his story. He didn't tell his story in many words. Nimrod had advised him not to tell the people the whole truth.

'Don't douse their spirits with the truth. When they ask, tell them that you can't remember much yourself. Phen gave me power beyond my hands and Dim, courage beyond my heart.' Phen is creation's god of power. Dim is his counterpart god of courage.

'Let them believe what they want to believe. Don't be selfish.'

'Selfish? How is telling the truth selfish?' Damian said. 'I am telling you, I was just lucky.'

'The spirit of the Islands soars on the wings of legends. Fate has chosen you as a medium to reinforce the spirit.'

Damian was silent.

'Fool,' Nimrod added.

***

The sound of horns, trumpets, and drums could be heard even from the palace. The crown was expected to arrive at the courtyard on the sixth division of the day, at high noon to grace the occasion. On the balcony, Dasirus could hear the cue strike three times. Then his mind wandered away. He did not hear Breth arrive behind him on the balcony.

'Father.'

Dasirus turned, beamed an accommodating smile, and turned back. 'How did your feet become so light overnight?'

'Or perhaps your mind has reached the ends of the earth that your ears now work in vain.'

Breth drew beside him and was sure the sun's heat would be uncomfortable even for his father. 'How is your health?' His right hand rounded Dasirus' back and squeezed his arm.

'Don't my eyes say anything?'

They both chuckled. Breth was to Dasirus in appearance what Nimrod was to Abigyl. Interestingly, Breth was first and Nimrod last. Breth had Dasirus' compassionate little eyes, his slim long face, and slightly pointed chin. He didn't leave anything out; for he even copied his father's imposing stature of 8 aces. Tall, even for an Islander. Dasirus was 72 teneries old, while Breth was 35. Even though Nimrod was Dasirus' favourite, Dasirus would not deny Breth his primogenitor rights as heir to the throne of Zainox. Breth seemed to have the wisdom of Themius, his grandfather, and Dasirus' father. Dasirus was grateful Massey, the second son, didn't come first. Massey was and still is difficult to handle. The order from Breth to Massey, to Kiyanna, and finally Nimrod was perfect.