FALAHA'S JOURNEY 2: Graveyard of the Gods

Episode #29

Yajur Garai rejoined us once the Baali brought food. Freshly hunted meat and sweet fruit for me and Garai, and excellently prepared steak with vegetables for Orewen. Somehow, they even imitated the spices the Danna usually preferred, and the fermented alcoholic drinks. The Baali rarely drank anything outside pure water or milk, but since they mingled with other cultures, be it the Lael, the Surani, the Alima Eni and now the Danna, they could easily produce any food or beverage to honor their guests.

"May I ask, if the meal is to your liking, Falaha Yajur Sangu, Orewen?"

"Yes, Yajur, it pleases us. Now, let's talk some business before it becomes another mess," I said, sending a piece of raw meat into my mouth.

"I'm listening." The Baal nodded.

"I'm sure your technical staff came across a certain container in our Bradoh's baggage compartment."

"Yes, that raised some questions on their behalf. Why are you carrying such an amount of blood in your gear? And whose blood is it?"

"The blood is mine, Yajur. I'm sure that can be felt, so your question is more of a reassurance of your own suspicions." Yajur Garai nodded. "As to for whom it was intended—the answer is in my ship, Gal Runagh, which a part of your family was sent to retrieve. Before you ask me who resides in the ship, I must ask you to stay your hand and not do anything rash. I've met a group of people on my travels to this space region and I intend to help them. Slaughter is out of the question. Unless you want to suffer my wrath."

"Ah, I assume you've met the Surani then. I'm surprised any remained. After the fall of the Alima Eni they were hunted down to the last breathing individual."

"Yes. And what has been done to these people angers me beyond words, Yajur. Those remnants I discovered are now under my protection, and Ancestor forbid anyone tries to do something to them. I will not ask questions; I shall judge and harshly."

Garai bowed his head slightly. "Understood, Falaha Yajur Sangu. We shall keep your warning in mind." He looked at me with his piercing yellow-green eyes, studying my content face. "But I'm surprised you used your own blood for such matter. The blood of the Yajur Sangu is precious."

"I have no other option for now," I replied. "I have no source for the black blood in such amounts save my own body."

"Hmm... if you agree to my request, I might be able to procure the blood for you."

"Yajur, the blood is only a temporal solution. I intend to create a fix for their systems, so they won't require it. But before that I need to undo the damage Shaamta did to them in addition to their hunger problem."

"Shaamta... I'm not surprised to hear his name in such light again."

"However, that is not the matter what brought me to the Triad initially. What I want is Varga's high-mass Enclave. Well, to borrow it." I sent another juicy piece of meat into my mouth.

Yajur nodded and said, "So I heard, from Anika. Somg was saying something about searching for the Nest as well."

"So, I will be asking for the support of the Triad's three Yajur in negotiations with Varga himself. If all goes well and I will manage to secure the needed transport, I shall become your Sangu."

Yajur Garai scratched his short beard. "Varga will not be easily persuaded even with your agreement to my request, Falaha Yajur Sangu. Of course, we three will come with you to negotiate, but be prepared to face one of the oldest Avlaora Baal. He lived a long life and his influence is immense. Even if you become our Sangu, none of his crew will lift a finger without his approval."

"I'm well-informed about that, Yajur," I replied. Orewen, busy chewing his own meal listened to our talk without interfering so far, leaving me to decide my own fate.

"Thus, if you intend to get what you require, be prepared to offer something of greater value than becoming a Sangu to our Baali."

"What would that be?"

"Something we can't have any other way," Yajur Garai stated and grinned. "I'm sure you have something in mind."

"I do. My project is the development of a system far more advanced than Sangaru. But, as you understand, that is not something to happen in one day. It's a long-term investment. And for that I need to find the Nest."

"If you manage to interest Varga in your project... If he finds this endeavor worthwhile of his attention, and, therefore, his resources, you will have his ear. So think about how you will present this opportunity to him."

I nodded, agreeing with his advice. "I understand, Yajur." I turned to my Second Spouse. "Ore, you've been quiet so far. What do you think of our chances?"

Orewen swallowed the last piece from his plate and licked his fingers. "Honestly, even if we fail, we'll find some other opportunity, eventually. It might not be as evident and as fast as the easiest solution, still, I believe we should try our best."

"I just got the report from my eldest children," Yajur Garai said. "They have secured your ship. It is being transferred to my Enclave."

"That's good. Please mind the cargo."

"I informed my crew of your warning, Falaha Yajur Sangu," Garai replied. "We honor our agreement. No harm will come to the Surani. We'll also see what we can do about the blood source."

"You are being generous, Yajur," I said with a smile. "But we can handle that ourselves."

"Well, call it an investment into our mutual future together, Falaha Yajur Sangu. So if you'll need something, please do not hesitate to ask. We owe you, and we repay our debts."

"I'll keep that in mind, Yajur. So once Gal Runagh arrives, we shall head to meet the other two Yajur."

"I hope you'll find our Motherworlds satisfactory. I shall give a tour of our facilities and introduce you to our extended family. Most know you already, since your fame has spread across our world far and wide, so they would want to meet you in person, Falaha Yajur Sangu. Please treat it as a vacation. The Triad are truly beautiful worlds, and I believe it's been a long time since you set foot on your homeworld. Perhaps, you'll find similarities. Or, perhaps, you'll enjoy the scenery of new places. We shall depart to see Varga after all Yajur and your crew are ready."