Fear's Union

Chapter Thirty

—Aran—

Freedom was not freedom at all. Aran was still trapped in his mind. At least he had passed through the terrifying ordeal at the Gate of Ulterada unscathed. He had been convinced that Xen was looking straight at him. Now at least the only demons lay within, and his death was assured. Soon he would pass from the quays of Altunia, and he would be gone from this country. Then he could deal with his problems.

He did not like being in this town. It was too close to a recognised existence. He could see the Citadel from here, grand and imposing. That was Anejo's home. How was she? Had she been condemned? It would have been nice to seek out information, but he resisted. That was not his concern. It was Aran's.

And Aran was dead.

He was now Kun. He had named himself after the Kunati in his ditty, but that in itself was stupid. Kunati was a legendary hero from times unknown. Like he could ever live up to that! Though now that he was eing reborn, then maybe...

Well, there was no harm in dreaming. It was just a shame he was bad at it. Maybe he would be painted as a hero one day? Maybe he could earn the name? He laughed.

"Opentilia, Namcalla, Saphos, Cartenda, and Calachon."

The names drifted, tickling him. Calachon: that was a long way away. The perfect location for resurrection. He pushed his way towards a pier. There, a vast man in little more than a cloth skirt stood. The man's body was sun-baked, decorated with a tapestry of vivid blues. He looked hard, and he was probably a slaver from the Reach. Not a man to cross lightly. But he had few options. This was it.

"I seek passage to Calachon."

The slaver looked him over, licking his lips. Was his value being gauged? He stepped back, gulping. Maybe this was a bad idea. There was a sharp sound, and the slaver jerked away. A whip slithered over the ground, and he breathed again. Phew. It appeared the slaver was actually a slave.

"Down, Daklas. You'll scare off the business." The merchant turned on him. "You say you seek passage?"

He nodded rapidly. That was exactly what he wanted. "Yes, as far as you can take me."

The merchant, wearing richly decorated purple robes, smiled and showed off a full set of gold teeth. He seemed friendly enough, in an unsettling sort of way.

"I can take you as far as Levias, in Calachon. Have you been before?" He shook his head. "It is a place of unrelenting sunshine, but a smart soul can make their wealth. Daklas comes from just down the coast, so I'm sure he could show you around."

He looked at the slave and gulped. He didn't really want to see Daklas's home. He nodded and smiled weakly. The slave scowled in return. The merchant chuckled.

"We will be departing by the third degree. The charge will be five silver and a third of your day in labour. You will receive two meals, one in the morning and one at night, and a single portion of rum. These are the terms. Do you accept?"

He had barely taken it all in, but nodded hungrily. He had no choice. He fumbled about his inner pocket for coin, but the trader stopped him.

"We can sort payment out later, when we are at sea."

The grin the merchant gave was filthy. He suspected the price might go up once they were far from the safety of the docks. He swallowed awkwardly. It was probably best if the rest of his stolen wealth lay well concealed. It was all he had.

"May I wait on board?"

The trader cracked his whip and the heavy slave stood aside. He walked onto the boat, staring anywhere but the slave.

Once aboard, he found a corner in which to hide. He was still there when the ship left port.

As it turned out, the price was only inflated to seven silvers. He was headed south, and he was free of his former life, so that was a small price really. That was worth an immeasurable amount. Only Anejo's fate lingered in his head, and guilt rotted in his stomach. How could he deal with that?

He had finished his evening shift and settled down with a bowl of slops. It was quite nice at sea, the salty air fresh in his lungs, even if the food was rank. He took a sip of the fiery rum and then jumped where he sat.

"You have a dark secret, and I know what it is."

He would have run away had his legs not been tucked under him. He turned to the source, and shivered. How?

The cloaked face peered down at him, heavy in shadow and saturated with amusement. The scabbed chin was just about visible, all mottled and littered with faint wiry hairs. There was a twitch. Could that be nervousness? Unlikely. This man was forged of stone.

"Huh?" Hardly assertive. The darkness chuckled at him, and he sank. There was no getting out of this.

"Now now, Kun. We both know what your secret is, and we both know the situation that puts you in." The Enabler floated to the deck, settling cross-legged beside him. "You are my pawn."

The hood turned, and he may have just about caught glimpse of an eye. His body turned to ice.

"What do you want of me? I did what you asked. Anejo was pinned with the blame."

His throat contracted, and he gasped. Could this man really have her killed? Was she dead already? His heart smashed, and his breathing grated. The Enabler chuckled lightly.

"What has happened to her?"

The setting sun caught the lower portion of the demonic half-mask, and it flared; like it was on fire. He instinctively turned away. The Stranger burned that way in his dreams, red and hot. He didn't like the Stranger. It was a terrible star.

"Her path has been complicated, but that is not for now. You will find out soon enough. But consider this: only your subservience might work in her favour. The Veil has plans for you."

His past had caught up with him already and his anonymous future was being ripped away. Already he had failed.

"What do you want of me?"

The hooded man drifted to his feet. The dark cowl turned upon him. It was complete shadow.

"You will disembark at Saphos."

Not there. It was the scene of his great crime, and the home of the Nadari Governor. Was he about to come face to face with his guilt? He should resist, fight back against this Enabler, but what if the man was right? What if Anejo was still alive and this man could kill her? Was that worth conceding to the Enabler for?

Yes; yes it was. With all his heart, yes. He returned to his slops.