Revolutions

105 - Haesan

The march north is made almost entirely in silence. Everyone is still trying to process what on Pachil we faced, and what took place after we thought the battle was over. But we're too worn down, too tired to think, let alone think and drag our feet at the same time. The exhaustion is palpable, hovering around our ranks like an unwelcome guest who refuses to leave. We had thought the battle was over, that victory was in our grasp, only to be thrust into a nightmare that left us questioning everything.

Despite our weariness, the only decision we all knew for certain was to get as far away from Qapauma as possible. With the infighting occurring in the Pachil capital, the Qantua warriors expressed how they were not certain for whom they should be fighting, or which side to choose. Now, they seem adrift, caught between loyalties and a future they cannot predict. Inuxeq tried her best to assuage their fears about what this all means, but I can tell the warriors were less than convinced by her efforts.

I, too, fear what this signals. We're hardly a harvest removed from the end of the War of Liberation, and already, there are those seeking to depose the ruler. The uneasy peace we thought we had secured now feels like a fragile dream, shattering at the slightest provocation.

I walk the familiar road, with the Gates of Ipa towering ahead. Their massive stone formations cast long shadows over the surrounding golden fields. I've walked this path before—once in desperation, fleeing the chaos of Qapauma, and again with hope, driven by the desire to aid the Qente Waila. Now? I'm uncertain how I feel. However, this time, I'm accompanied by the Qantua and Inuxeq, and I walk with purpose, no longer that scared girl who passed through here before.

Inuxeq strides beside me, her presence a steadying force. As I gaze upon her, my mind tries to comprehend how I was able to make such a daring escape, all thanks to her. How was that possible? Until my encounter with the Eye in the Flame, I felt that all magic vanished once the Eleven sacrificed themselves to vanquish the Timuaq. Now, I don't know what to believe anymore.

My eyes inspect the coral stone hanging from her neck, the gemstone that sporadically glows. She catches me staring at it, and I do a poor job of pretending I wasn't gawking at the improvised necklace. Fortunately, she doesn't appear annoyed or angered, instead looking at me curiously.

"I can't tell you much about it. The gemstone, that is." She answers the question I hadn't asked, but intended to. "One of the Arbiter's advisors, Xaqilpa, was in possession of it. I assumed it would be best kept in my possession until I can find out what it is, rather than someone with ill intentions happening upon it."

"Xaqilpa," I recite the name as if testing it on my tongue. "I recall Achutli speaking to him in the throne room once. He was angry at this Xaqilpa, if my memory serves."

Inuxeq looks at me as though she's judging or questioning me, a look she displays often that makes me feel I'm being doubted or scrutinized. Uncertain what she finds issue with, I return her look, expecting her to explain herself. After our wordless stare down, it appears I'm the one to break first, asking her, "what is the look for?"

Judging by her reaction to this, Inuxeq must not have been aware of her expression, looking taken aback by my question. "You appeared upset at something I said," I explain myself once more. I'm exhausted physically from the conflict in Qapauma, but now I'm mentally exhausted at trying to figure out what is going on between us.

Fortunately, my clarification seems to resonate with her. She says, "you don't call him by his title? Are you not Tapeu? And... are you not his daughter?"

"It's... complicated," I respond. Once again, she makes this face of bewilderment, but I decide that, right now, I don't have the time—nor patience—to go into my history with the man. Instead, I say, "Personal matters aside, I refuse to honor his title when he only seeks what is in his best interests, not that of Pachil."