Tales of Greater Zesipia

Teeshpat: Part Three

Kullae is alone with Rebel on the unusually overcast morning, the heat significantly abated. She prefers to make these trips early in the day as she is certain to avoid trouble.

The panic from Shenobayeen three nights ago is a memory. The Peeshka never arrived and, in the end, it was a profitable night for the village. Neek and Maylilae sold the collected beetles the following day for an astonishing amount of mayshi.

Flush with coin, Kullae is headed to Shar with a plan to treat the village to a delicious feast. She smiles, imagining what delicious meat she'll enjoy tonight.

A flock of blackbirds break across the sky, their cackle interrupting her peaceful journey. Ahead a horse stands by the side of the road without any sign of its rider.

"Something's not right," she says to herself and slows her pace, putting one hand to her sabre as she approaches.

The abandoned horse does not appear harmed, and no other signs of trouble are evident. On the ground next to the horse, a sizeable squirming sack sits.

"Teeshpat?" she whispers.

Scanning her surroundings to find its owner, she spies and recognizes him—the dwarf with the crooked smile—squatting behind a couple trees back from the road. He has not noticed her, apparently too focused on fulfilling his biological duties.

Laughing quietly to herself, she slips off her horse and grabs the sack.

"Hey!" Kullae yells at the dwarf. "This road ain't safe for you. You never know who might mug you!"

The dwarf looks back at her and swears at the sight of Kullae stealing his teeshpat. She jumps on Rebel and her laughter escalates as he struggles to pull up his pants and chase after her.

"Girl, I'll get you for this! Come back!" he yells, but Kullae can barely make out his words; her horse is already racing towards Shar.

* * *

The stolen sack of beetles meant that Kullae's visit to Shar became an excessive expedition. She purchased the meat she originally intended, but then made a visit to the travelling merchant's market. Having journeyed from the heart of Zesipia, their goods are both expensive and luxurious. Rebel carrying the assortment of meats, alcohol, clothing, equipment, and jewellery plodded her way home along the road. The route taking three times longer than normal.

The mid-afternoon sky darkens as clouds thicken, indicating eventual trouble. In winter, storms can become suddenly violent and the dry plains risk heavy flooding. Kullae's mood is unhindered by the prospect of terrible weather. In fact, she has not stopped smiling since stealing the bag from the dwarf.

Coming up on the village, her elation breaks. She catches two shady riders galloping away from the village. They tear off along the main road that leads away from Shar to other settlements further afield.

"Peeshka," she says to herself.

Arriving into the village square, she comes upon a crowd gathered around someone on the ground. Someone badly injured, her brother.

"Neek!" she screams, jumps from Rebel and runs up to the crowd. He is laying on the ground, a large gash across his belly, and coughing up blood. Maylilae grips him. A villager applies pressure to his wound.

"What happened?" Kullae yells and drops to her knees alongside Maylilae.

"A dwarf and an ugly man," says Maylilae. "They came looking for him and attacked without provocation."

"Neek, hang on!" Kullae brushes her hand over her brother's head. He is barely conscious. "This is my fault. You're gonna survive this." She turns to Maylilae, puts her hands firmly on her shoulders, and says, "Please, do something. Use your shamuse!"