Issue 13 has been published!

This year's Special Halloween Edition of If - E - Zine has been posted on my site TheLordShen.com.

Within this issue Iffy the Ifreet, the ezine's new mascot, hosts all the wonderful Halloween- and horror-themed stories!

Be sure to check it out!

Iffy the Ifreet

"Warriors of the Midnight Sun" - Act IV

Here's Act IV of "Warriors of the Midnight Sun". This story is a planned eight acts, which means we're not halfway through!

Enjoy.

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“Warriors of the Midnight Sun”
© 2008 by Charles Shaver. All rights reserved.

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ACT IV

THE MISFIT: Wherein Comet Fox Frees and Trains Roku; Wu Chan Chu Arrives Within the Kingdom of Aniabas; Old Friends are Reunited

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CHAPTER 1

Roku was ordered suspended within a cage outside the Peony Tea House so that all who came near knew not to commits acts against the teahouse. Every day people would pass by him, taunting him. Never was he fed. Often he had food thrown at him, most times rotten vegetables or fruits or, on occasion, cream pies. He had stripped himself of his clothes until he was barely covered at all. He found the weight of his clothes even too heavy for his thinning frame. Roku grew thin and weak with hunger and weary of the taunts until he never spoke back. He simply allowed the people to do what they would and, after they had left, if some small morsel was left within his reach he would grab for it and eat it.

A great, brilliantly glimmering tail streaked across the sky and ended before the Peony as Comet Fox landed outside the teahouse’s doors. He, like all others, first noticed Roku.

“Hey!” called up Comet Fox. “Hey, you!”

Roku did not answer, certain it was yet another cruel visitor wishing to taunt him. His eyes remained closed and he tried to sleep, wishing death would come to him in sleep.

“Hey! Why are you in that cage?” asked Comet Fox.

This was a new question. Most people simply had known of his crime or had assumed he was placed there as additional entertainment for customers or they simply never cared to wonder at his presence.

Roku looked down at Comet Fox. He saw the fox-god had no foods with him, no rotten tomatoes nor any cream pies.

“What did you do?” Comet Fox asked as he surmised he was being punished.

Roku looked to Comet Fox, peering at his closely. His mind worked, “I am but a victim. I was tricked by the Immortal known as Black Tentacle. I was framed for his theft of the coffers of the Peony. Please! Free me!”

Comet Fox was shocked by this. “Then Sal Igo knows the real thief?”

Roku eyed Comet Fox. “Who are you?”

Then, bursting forth from the doors of the Peony, came Sal Igo and eight men armed with short spears and swords.

“Comet Fox!” cried Sal Igo. “You dastardly fiend! You stole my coffers!”

Confused, Comet Fox said, “What? No!” Then pointing at Roku in his cage, “You’ve the real thief right here!”

“Indeed, and the mastermind before me.”

“No!” said Comet Fox. “I had nothing to do with it! You damned fool! Even when you’ve the evidence you need, the confessions of the criminals, you’re still blinded by the truth. Why is that?”

“I know the truth,” said Sal Igo. “And the son of a Trickster god is a Trickster himself. Get him!”

The eight men converged on Comet Fox.

Comet Fox bent backwards, his chest below thrusting spears. He knocked them aside and straightened.

“Sal Igo! Listen to reason!” he said.

The eight men attacked as Sal Igo laughed.

Comet Fox ducked Spear after sword. He kicked out with his right foot and pushed away one attacker. He grabbed the spear of another , twisting the length of the weapon and delivering a backhand to the neck of the man, pulling the spear free from his hands.

“Trickster god!” cried Roku. “Free me and I’ll help you!”

Feeling the pressure of the eight attackers, thinking another fighter would help – even one that has been starved to near death – could be a great benefit. Comet Fox thrust the short spear into the ground and used the force of the thrust to catapult himself into small flight. He came level with Roku’s cage and with a twirl of his body, as though doing a somersault mid-air, and the swipe of an ulu he produced from the sash at his waist, the lock on the cage was sliced in two parts. The cage door swung open and Roku jumped out.

Comet Fox landed at his side.

“It’s good to have a fellow fighter at my side, even if his crime has been blamed on me.”

“Uh,” stammered Roku. “fighter? I’m no fighter.”

Comet Fox gasped, looking to Roku. “Then how were you going to help me?”

Roku shrugged. “With my good looks and charm? My brains? However I can help I can’t do so by fighting.”

Comet Fox rolled his eyes.

The eight men charged at them.

Comet Fox placed himself behind Roku, reaching out and grabbing his hand to place it round the spear firmly.

Roku, holding the spear with Comet Fox behind him – also holding the spear – asked, “What are you doing?”

“Giving you a quick lesson.”

The eight men came at them. Comet Fox jerked his wrist, causing Roku’s hand to twirl the tip of the spear and knock away one man’s sword. Comet Fox then moved his hand slightly sideways and to the right, sending the tip of the spear left and knocking down yet another menacing sword. Comet Fox then pushed the spear with a palm on its base. Roku’s arm stretched out as the spear stabbed into the chest of a third man who then collapsed dead on the ground.

“I’m doing it!” exclaimed Roku excitedly. “I’m fighting!”

“No you’re not,” said Comet Fox in his ear. “I am.”

“Then why am I holding the spear?” asked Roku.

“In case one of them passes through my defense and stabs with their weapon.”

“If they do that,” Roku thought it out, “then he’ll not stab at you! They’ll strike me!”

Comet Fox smiled. “Exactly.”

Filled with fear, Roku faux-fought on. Every time he tried to let go the spear, Comet Fox would roll around his torso, under his arms, grab his hand and place it back on the spear.

The seven remaining men came at them, surrounding them.

Comet Fox stepped wide, grabbing Roku by the shoulder and bent back with him. The spears and swords stabbed the air above their bent forms. Comet Fox took the spear form Roku and swiped with it sideways, knocking three men in the knees and causing them to fall. He then slipped the spear over Roku’s chest between the thief and the other weapons and pushed them up as the two stood straight once more.

Roku tried to run away but Comet Fox grabbed him and pulled him back. A spear came at Roku and he naturally grabbed at its shaft. As he did this, Comet Fox stabbed sideways and sent another of the men to the ground with a serious wound.

Seeing Roku had a hold of a spear, Comet Fox pushed him into the man holding the very spear. Roku’s light weight and the force of Comet Fox’s shove sent the man to the ground and Roku was suddenly standing on his own with the spear.

Comet Fox stumbled about as if drunk. He fell into the arms of one man, fooled by the deception, and mumbled incoherently as a drunk would while quietly slipping the blade of his ulu into the man. The man fell away, dead.

Roku stood stupidly. He allowed four men to come around him and point their weapons at his neck.

Comet Fox executed a cartwheel and landed in a splits, finishing by sending his spear into the knee of one of the men surrounding Roku. The man collapses, dropping his weapon and grabbing his knee and screaming in pain.

Comet Fox pulled his spear free and knocked Roku in the back of the leg, causing him to fall backwards. Roku’s spear streaked high and came down atop the head of the man standing behind him, knocking him unconscious, as he fell.

The remaining men broke and ran in fear.

Sal Igo screamed, “No! No! Come back! I’ll pay you all well to kill the Trickster and the thief!”

Comet Fox stood, dropping his spear. He placed his ulu at his waist. He grabbed Roku by the elbow and said, “We had better go. Neither of us are welcome here.”

Comet Fox and Roku ran, hiding in forests and surviving off the land. Comet Fox learned of the story of Black Tentacle and the theft of the coffers. Roku learned of Xiao-tep and Wu Chan Chu and how Comet Fox was created.

“I know Wu Chan Chu,” said Roku as they sat around a campfire eating fresh cooked rabbit.

“Oh?”

Roku nodded. “She’s the one who discovered the theft. I was stupidly spending the money a little too liberally right at the teahouse.”

Comet Fox laughed at this.

“She left the teahouse, though.”

“Where did she go?” asked Comet Fox.

“After Black Tentacle.”

After some time Roku began to think about how well Comet Fox could fight. Thought he, “If I could talk this one into training me, I could return to the Peony and not be afraid of Sal Igo’s men. In fact, perhaps I could even become champion! I have seen him lose to Wu Chan Chu, the former champion, but she is gone now. And imagine the drinks I could get for free by telling the tale of how I tricked a son of a Trickster!”

His plan formulated, Roku said, “Please, Comet Fox, won’t you train me?”

Comet Fox shook his head. “No, I must go forth and find my friend Wu Chan Chu.”

“But she is bounded by the land, unlike you who can fly the breadth of a country in a day. Surely you could catch up with her easily. I, however, know not how to fight and I will be hunted by Sal Igo and perhaps this time by trained men. Please, fox-god, I beg your mercy and train me!”

Comet Fox thought of this. He thought if he refused and the thief die, his hands may be stained by his blood as much as Sal Igo. He wondered if he should even care about such matters. At last he wondered what Xiao-tep and Wu Chan Chu might say. Wu Chan Chu, he was certain, would leave the thief to fend for himself without concern. Xiao-tep, however, might give the thief a chance by training him. Comet Fox forgot such ponderings and sought an answer within his own heart. After a night’s rest, he awoke and told Roku he would train him.

Comet Fox combined his Drunken Style and Capoeira into a style filled with stumbling and acrobatics. With it he trained the thief Roku.

At last, when Comet Fox felt he could not spend more time allowing Wu Chan Chu to grow the distance between them, he said to Roku, “I have trained you all I can.”

Roku, who had seen his skills improve considerably, said, “Very well, Master. Go and find your friend. I’ll do what I can to fend off my enemies.”

Comet Fox sighed. He looked to his student and said, “Just stay out of trouble.”

Roku and Comet Fox laughed, knowing the possibility of that was minimal.

Master and student parted.

Roku, long after Comet Fox had left heading east for Wu Chan Chu, smiled a wide smile before returning to the Peony Tea House.

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CHAPTER 2

Renorio entered the kingdom of Aniabas unnoticed. He blended amongst the small number of citizens. He made friends and found a place to bed down. He mingled with the soldiers and counted their numbers. He drank ale with many of them. He stayed up long nights and listened to their stories and their fears of the oncoming battle with the demon-dog Yaska Selith. Renorio even made friends with Negkendra and met Balori. He witnessed Xiao-tep and was in awe of him.

After some time he picked out a young lady, a mercenary from the area that had decided to work for Aniabas free of charge. She hated the demon-dog, though she knew nothing of him. Renorio made friends with her. They talked about intimate things and spent many hours together. While talking after dinner in a hut she had taken as her own he told her she should not fear the demon-dog, that he was a creature of great power and enjoyed the company of those who were loyal to him.

“How do you know this?” asked the woman.

Renorio realized he had said too much. He reached to his side where his knife was hidden beneath his shirt. He said, “Because I know him. He has sent me here as a spy.”

The woman gasped in shock.

Renorio pulled forth his knife. And though she was a trained mercenary, though she had skills superior to Renorio, she was frightened by his wild, hungry look and the thought of him as the demon-dog’s agent. She backed away, stumbling against a chair and falling to the floor. Renorio placed a hand over her mouth and his knife into her heart.

Her screams muffled, the woman succumbed to Renorio.

The next day, after he had taken all the skin from the young woman’s body and eaten some of it, he grabber her by the leg and dragger her out of the hut.

People stood in the streets watching. So ghastly was the scene of Renorio, wearing his cloak and cowl made of skins, dragging the mutilated body through the kingdom. He dragged her quietly. No one approached him, everyone was afraid to go near him. They simply allowed him to pass.

On and on he went until he came to the doors of Aniabas’ castle. By then someone had run to the king’s side and told him of Renorio. He came forth and met the murderer outside the castle.

Renorio let go the corpse. He stared blankly, silently at King Aniabas.

Aniabas wretched at the sight of the skinned corpse.

Renorio said, “I’ve been sent by the demon-dog Yaska Selith. He claims the plain as his own and will not tolerate an attack upon his country. This,” at this Renorio gestured to the corpse as he had been instructed, “is your only warning.

“My master has graciously given you three days to flee this kingdom. If you do not, he will come and destroy everything here.”

Renorio left the kingdom. The people let him pass. Even Xiao-tep the fish-god, one Immortal and therefore immune to the effects of an attack by a mortal such as Renorio, could not comprehend the sight of the murderer in his skins. He, too, let him by.

Off went Renorio. He returned to Yaska Selith, to the people of the Plain of Adoration, and he was claimed a hero.

Yaska Selith said to Sinverguenza, “The king’s men are surely bickering, if not fleeing, after Renorio’s display.”

The demon-dog was correct. To the south nearly a full third of Aniabas’ men, soldiers the king could have sworn would remain loyal to him to the bitter end, found the end of the young mercenary women far too bitter. They fled.

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CHAPTER 3

The young man came running frantically to Wu Chan Chu’s side. He had been sent forth, a day’s ride ahead of the rest, to scout matters ahead.

Panting, he told Wu Chan Chu, “There grows an army to the south of the plain where the demon-dog resides. Once it was a kingdom, now it is more an outpost of mercenaries and fighters. There are other Gifted Ones there. Their leader is King Aniabas. They had plans to assault the plain, but before I left one of the demon’s agents viciously murdered one of the mercenaries, a woman, and skinned her and ate part of the skins. As I left, so, too, did many of the soldiers. They did not want to face a demon with such an agent of death.”

Wu Chan Chu handed the young man a gourd of water. She thought on matters.

Stavros drew near, as did Shabar and the others that now numbered nearly two hundred.

“What say you?” asked Stavros.

Wu Chan Chu eyed her men and women gathered round her. “Never have I feared an agent of death. Scout, how far out is this outpost kingdom?”

“A little more than a day’s ride,” said the scout.

“Then we’ve not long to wait.”

The others nodded, excited they were finally drawing near their purpose.

Stavros clenched his fists in anticipation and thought of the Brothers Jackal.

They all looked skyward as a comet streaked overhead.

“Is it an omen?” asked one of Wu Chan Chu’s mercenaries.

“No,” replied Wu Chan Chu. “It is an old friend.”

Comet Fox landed near Wu Chan Chu. “I’ve been looking for you.”

Wu Chan Chu put up her hand to stop Comet Fox from speaking. He fell silent as she said, “I apologize, Comet Fox. I know now you were not the one that stole the Peony’s coffers.”

Comet Fox smiled. He pushed her shoulder and the mercenaries were in awe of this as Wu Chan Chu allowed it. They understood at once their friendship must be quite close.

“Stop it,” teased Comet Fox. “You’ll make me blush.”

Some of the mercenaries laughed at this.

Wu Chan Chu glowered at Comet Fox.

Said Comet Fox, “I met Roku. I know the tale and I know you go after Black Tentacle to clear my name. Thank you.”

Again Wu Chan Chu grew angry. She did not want to show concern or softness in front of the others. She croaked angrily, “I do it for myself. As champion of the Peony, I drew a cut of the winnings from all bets. The theft of the coffers was a theft against me as much as against the teahouse.”

Comet Fox said, “I don’t believe you.”

Again some of the other chuckled, knowing Comet Fox’s jest.

Wu Chan Chu grabbed Comet Fox’s shoulder as though being friendly, but she squeezed it mightily. Comet Fox winced in pain as she said, “What brings you here, fox-god?”

She allowed Comet Fox to peel her hand away. He said, “There’s a demon upon the Plain of Adoration. Xiao-tep goes to the kingdom to the south as we speak. We thought you might want to join in the fight.”

This made Wu Chan Chu smile. “I go to the demon-dog now. That is where Black Tentacle went. And these men all wish to fight the demon-dog, for various reasons.”

Comet Fox eyed the others. He nodded approvingly, saying, “Good. We will need the help. He is quite large.”

“Larger than Ketsueki Sato?” asked Wu Chan Chu.

Comet Fox nodded. “Indeed. Far larger.”

“Come,” commanded Wu Chan Chu. “We must press on if we are to make it to the kingdom in a day. I believe that is where our efforts should begin.”

The small group walked on. As Comet Fox fell into the marching order, Stavros drew near him. He said, “Hello, friend. I heard the frog call you a god. Are you?”

Many of the others listened carefully.

“That I am, the son of Coyote.”

A few of the mercenaries mumbled amongst themselves. A few said, as a Trickster, Comet Fox would be foul luck for them. Many more, however, felt honored to be marching toward a demon in the presence of a god and considered themselves blessed.

Stavros offered Comet Fox his clay jar of rice wine.

Comet Fox put up a hand, “No, thanks. I better not.”

“Why not?” asked Stavros and drank from the clay jar. “Good wine soothes the nerves.”

“That it does,” Comet Fox nodded. “But once I start drinking, I never can get enough.”

At this Stavros and a few others laughed. Stavros slapped Comet Fox on the back. “That is life! And you, I see, understand how to live it.

“I think,” said Stavros, “you and I will be good friends.”

Comet Fox smiled.

On went Wu Chan Chu and her band of fighters that grew to far more than two hundred before they finally reached the kingdom of Aniabas.

They marched towards the castle, filling the streets with their numbers.

As Aniabas had met Renorio, so now the king met Wu Chan Chu at the gates of the castle. At his side were his general Vitor and as well as Xiao-tep and Balori.

Wu Chan Chu and Xiao-tep smiled at one another as they drew near. They hugged. The he and Comet Fox exchanged greetings, happy to see one another once more.

“I understand by this, then, you know the fox and frog?” asked King Aniabas of Xiao-tep.

“That I do,” said Xiao-tep. “This is my half-sister, Wu Chan Chu, and my friend Comet Fox.”

“We’ve come to fight the demon,” said Wu Chan Chu.

“I see you’ve brought many with you,” Aniabas eyed the mercenaries.

“That I have,” answered Wu Chan Chu.

Aniabas nodded. “You are just in time. Many of our men fled, afraid of the coming fight. you are all welcome and you will all be treated as my own soldiers with bunks in the barracks and food from our stores.”

The men and women cheered in gratitude.

Xiao-tep introduced Wu Chan Chu and Comet Fox to Balori. Comet Fox introduced them to Stavros. Together with King Aniabas and Vitor, they entered the castle for a drink and to discuss the demon-dog upon the plain.

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CHAPTER 4

After choosing a bunk within the barracks and eating his first hot meal in days, Shabar wandered the streets of the kingdom. They were largely bare but he could see the beauty the buildings had once had. He wished matters were different wondered if, after the battle with the demon-dog Yaska Selith, he could return here with his family on a holiday after the town had grown once more. This made him miss his wife and son.

As he stepped into the one pub that remained open and operating, he spied a familiar face. He stepped to the table where he sat and spoke.

“Negkendra?” asked Shabar.

Negkendra looked up, stopping in his conversation. “Shabar!”

Negkendra stood and they hugged as if they had once been old friends. Shabar was invited to join the men sitting at the table. He was introduced to Macia and Akadia and the other two men.

“Shabar was the counsel of the Eternal Empress and helped begin the Elephant Crusade,” explained Negkendra.

Akadia nodded with understanding. “I ran the Elephant Crusade from the Grand Bazaar of Tenhar.”

Shabar asked, “I suppose, then, we are all here for the same reason?”

The men were quiet a moment. They then nodded as Negkendra said, “To correct matters.”

Akadia asked, “Did you come in with that massive army?”

“Just now? Yes,” confirmed Shabar. “It is commanded by a frog demi-goddess named Wu Chan Chu.”

“We came with Balori. Did you see him?” asked Negkendra.

“I did, though I had not the chance to speak with him. He has changed as I had heard.”

“Albert did it with his elixirs.”

“I would like to speak with Balori. I would apologize to him for my part in the Elephant Crusade,” said Shabar.

“Come tonight to the barracks. He sleep just outside, saying he wants to remain near his men that were loyal to him as we made our way across country to get here,” said Negkendra.

“I’ve a bunk in the barracks,” explained Shabar.

“Then you will certainly see him.”

They drank and toasted to their luck in the fight, to the health of the elephants and made many toasts to Balori Shongoyo.

That night Shabar spied Balori outside the barracks. He was hesitant to approach, but finally did so. He came near Balori and said, “My, how you have changed.”

Balori found Shabar’s face familiar. Said he, “Were you not once the head of the Elephant Crusade?”

Shabar explained he was and that he was the trusted advisor to the Eternal Empress and that he quit when he saw the way the elephants, including Balori, were treated.

“You were quite nice to me once,” Balori recalled.

Shabar was silent a moment. His head hung low. He feared looking Balori in the eye. Pain and sorrow filled him with images of the Elephant Crusade, of the wife and child he had left behind, of the beatings of the many elephants, of his wife screaming for him not to go.

At last, tears streaming down his face, Shabar looked up at the large Balori, looked him in the eye and said, “I-I’m sorry. I’m sorry for my part in matters. I’m sorry for all this.”

Balori nodded. He reached out with his trunk and placed it upon Shabar’s shoulder, caressing the man some small way. He said, “You are here now. That is what matters.”

Shabar was overwhelmed by Balori’s gesture and words. He could not help himself from stepping forward and hugging the giant elephant.

Said Shabar, "I'm here for you. I'm here for my past part in matters. I'm here because my wife is about to bring our second child into the world. I cannot let them grow up in a world a demon inhabits."

Balori, not knowing what to do, merely closed his eyes and hugged Shabar in return. They stood in one anothers' embrace for some time, bound by purpose, bound by the past.

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CHAPTER 5

Comet Fox and Stavros found the same tavern Shabar and Negkendra had reunited in. within its walls they sat discussing matters of the coming fight and sharing stories. Long after the crowd had died to a minimum of patrons, long after many of the soldiers had gone to sleep, Comet Fox and Stavros were asked to leave. They settled onto a fallen log outside of town where Comet Fox made a fire that warmed them in the night and over which they shared more tales.

Stavros had nearly drained his clay jar of rice wine. He offered Comet Fox to help him finish the last of it.

Comet Fox shook his head and said, “No.”

The fox-god had spent the night watching Stavros fill himself with drink at the tavern. He admitted to himself the smells and desires for a drink were strong in him, but he felt proud of himself for not having taken even a swallow of alcohol. He stared over the fire at the rat that stared back with weary eyes. They talked of other matters for some time.

At last Comet Fox asked, “What brings you here? All others here have some motive to be here, whether it be fame and glory or some personal ideal. What brings you here, Stavros? What brings you to fight the demon-dog Yaska Selith?”

Stavros stared at Comet Fox a long while, so much so Comet Fox started wondering if Stavros had heard the question through his drunkenness.

Stavros belched and said, “There are two with the demon-dog. Two jackals. They killed every last one of my people, the only people that ever treated me well after my transformation. That is until I found Yuki. They raped and murdered all of my people. I hate them. I am here because my gut aches with the deaths, with hate for those bastards.”

Stavros’ eyes blinked alternately, free from one another. He paused a moment in thought. He then said, “I cannot believe in a world where such crimes are committed, where good people can be viciously murdered and those that killed them go on to lead good lives, or any life.”

Comet Fox thought matters over a moment. He then cocked his head curiously, saying, “You don’t come seeking vengeance. You come seeking justice.”

Stavros hiccupped and belched at once, causing him to struggle with a series of coughs. He looked to Comet Fox, “Vengeance is part of it, friend. Don’t fool yourself otherwise.”

Comet Fox nodded. He then asked Stavros for his jug.

With a swallow of the rice wine, Comet Fox toasted Stavros and his people.

Stavros retrieved the clay jar. He said, “To a good fight,” and drank down the last bit of the wine.

The two remained by their fire a long time, sharing old drinking songs, Stavros playing his accordion. When at last sleep was winning its fight with them, the two friends staggered, leaning on one another, back to the barracks where they slept until late the next day.

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CHAPTER 6

Aniabas asked Xiao-tep to fly over the plain to spy on the demon-dog.

Balori had offered to join him, but Xiao-tep pointed out he may be recognized and attacked.

Xiao-tep left the kingdom and flew over the plain.

Many of Yaska Selith’s followers witnessed Xiao-tep. Motharus was about to fly after him when Fei Li Mi said he would. The catfish flew after the butterfly koi.

Whites and oranges and golds were chased by browns.

Xiao-tep noticed Fei Li Mi and was startled. He pulled up and hovered high above the plain.

Fei Li Mi came before him. They stared at one another a long time, each in awe of the other.

At last Fei Li Mi said, “Never would I have guessed there was another fish Gifted One.”

“Never would I have thought I would have found another,” said Xao-tep, then corrected, “though I am not a Gifted One. I am a god.”

Fei Li Mi stared.

Xiao-tep stared.

Xiao-tep said, “It’s as if I’ve found my dark mirror.”

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CHAPTER 7

Sal Igo did not appreciate his new champion. He was a braggart and a drunk and a bully. He was large and smelled and no one liked him so rarely did anyone bet on him. But Sal Igo could not argue he was a strong fighter.

When Sal Igo called for a new challenger, never would he have thought Roku would answer. Yet Roku stepped forward from the crowd and placed a bet on himself.

Sal Igo accepted the challenge for his new champion, then said in his ear, “Kill the thief.”

The fight was begun.

Roku rolled sideways and punched the Peony’s champion in the gut. It did little to the large man. He cartwheeled to the left, his feet slapping across the champion’s face. This only angered the large man.

At last Roku dove forward, head down and wrapping his arms about his foe’s waist, pushing him back into and crashing against a table. The table broke.

The two men struggled on the floor. The champion then reached out and grabbed a dinner knife that had been rest on the table and with it stabbed Roku in the side of his neck. He pulled the knife free as Roku pushed away and stabbed him once more in the side of his gut, the blade breaking off and piercing the kidney.

Roku stumbled about in pain. He huffed repeatedly.

The Peony’s champion stood. He charged Roku and with the broken blade stabbed him again and again until he had some half dozen wounds in his chest and a dozen more elsewhere about his body. Many of the gathered crowd left the teahouse. All were silent. No one chanted. No one cheered. They all wondered at Sal Igo who refused to stop the fight.

The large champion stole a mug of ale from a patron’s hands and drank deeply from it. He wiped his mouth and smiled as Roku fell face-first to the floor.

Sal Igo called for servants to come clean up the floor and throw the body in the trash. Both tasks were done.

Deep in the Land of the Midnight Sun, Momoki was sitting atop the Black Rock Of Meditation. Roku appeared before him, his eyes and many holes where once had been knife wounds all glowing red.

Momoki lowered himself from the rock. He approached the thief.

Roku looked down at him, wondering.

Momoki said, “You have been chosen to ride with me and others against a false demon. You will be trained like the rest. You will follow me into battle like the rest. Yet, unlike the rest, you have been granted a certain gift.

“This gift granted to you is the power to give but one living creature life again after they have fallen and died. To do so you merely have to give them your breath.

“You have been given this gift because, in your life, you have taken from many. You have stolen and lied to others, robbing them of their trust as well as their possessions. Now you will know what it is to give. Not only will your afterlife end after sharing your breath, high within the many chambers of Heaven Stork will erase your record from all Memory. You will know what it means to sacrifice and to truly give.”

Roku eyed Momoki, unsure and afraid of this new land and his new form.

Momoki continued, “Now, think of an object in your life, something you used often and are familiar with and can be used as a weapon.”

But Roku had never used a weapon in his life. He thought over many objects. At last, he thought of the time that he and Comet Fox had fought off eight men together. In his hands appeared a brilliantly white short spear.

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Be sure to look for Act V next week!

"Warriors of the Midnight Sun" - Act III

Here's Act III of "Warriors of the Midnight Sun". I hope you're enjoying.

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“Warriors of the Midnight Sun”
© 2008 by Charles Shaver. All rights reserved.

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ACT III

THE MOTHER: Wherein the Mother Joins Momoki in Hell; A Gathering at the Throne of Aniabas; Stavros Joins Wu Chan Chu

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CHAPTER 1

Neighbors found and retrieved Joto Ba’s body. A funeral was hastily held for him. Many came from all around, not merely because he was well-liked, which he was, but because many desired the truth of his death, to confirm his murder.

Dian wailed at her husband’s funeral. She had left home as a young woman and married Joto Ba because of her love for him. She had struggled so hard to be a fine wife and mother. Her pride and joy, her daughter, had been stolen from her home. She felt empty, without worth or purpose.

On went her wailing, long after the funeral. She left her home and came to kneel by the side of the small lake in the land. Each night her neighbors would hear her screaming in pain, in agony for her lost family. So horrid was her weeping that no one could muster the courage to attend to her, to go to her side.

Night after night the people near the lake would hear her wail and ignore her, though largely unsuccessfully.

One night, on a night when her cries were so excruciating many gathered and debated going to her, her wails finally ceased. Not one of her neighbors spoke a thing more of her. It would be days later when someone would finally find the courage to retrieve and bury her body. And when they did, she had already begin her new life, her afterlife.

When Dian came into the Land of the Midnight Sun, she was of dark features like the previously selected had been. Her eyes glowed, matching the Midnight Sun. In her stomach was a streak of red where she had plunged a knife.

Joto Ba was there at her side. He reached out a hand and touched her shoulder. She looked at him.

Joto Ba gestured to the marmoset seated upon a nearby black stone. He said, “This is Momoki. He will help us.”

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CHAPTER 2

Quite the awe was Balori and his men as they rode into the kingdom of Aniabas. Many of Aniabas’ subjects had gone and only those that desired to defend their kingdom and liege remained. Many were battle-hardened soldiers, yet still they gasped at the presence of a Gifted One.

Balori was given passage to the castle where he alone was taken before Aniabas.

Aniabas, Balori mused, appeared a grand figure on seated upon his giant throne of gold and royal reds. His crown was immense and appeared heavy. He wore heavy armor and a cape of bright red trimmed with gold frills. Balori wondered at the man’s scarred and ugly face. To the sides of the throne room, in dark recesses, Balori spied a few men armed with bows loaded with arrows pointed directly at him.

Said the king somewhat suspiciously, “Why have you come here?”

“I am Balori Shongoyo of the Elephants of Ife. I have been charged by the Eternal Empress to retrieve from the demon to the north of your kingdom the Jewel of Zingtai and with it restore the stars to the nighttime sky. I have gone to the demon and he refuses to give up the jewel without a fight. I and my men alone cannot possibly overthrow the demon alone. We must seek help, hence I have come to you under the assumption you wish to rid your northern border of the demon.”

King Aniabas considered the elephant. He was a large creature and wondered at his powers. He said, “Your assumptions are true. How many men do you bring?”

Balori said, “A few dozen.”

“Feh! That is no army!”

“Hence I am here.”

King Aniabas asked, “What can you do as a Gifted One?”

“I have been trained by Masters Nahum and Dark Ram in the ways of fighting. I can fight with three weapons at once. I can crush a man’s skull under my foot,” bragged Balori as he eyed the hidden archers.

“Then you are as strong as you appear. What of your men?” asked Aniabas.

“Many are trained fighters. A few have personal matters to deal with against the demon. They are all loyal and strong and healthy.”

“And what personal matter have you with the demon?”

Balori huffed impatiently. He said, “The Eternal Empress uses my people as her slaves. If I can restore the stars to the night, she has promised to let them go.”

“Are you certain she will make good on her promise?”

This angered Balori. He yelled, “She better!” as he clenched his fists.

Aniabas considered Balori’s reaction, seeing they betrayed the truth of his words with passion for success in his quest. After considering many more things, Aniabas said, “Welcome Balori Shongoyo. Welcome to my kingdom and my side.”

“No!” Vitor cried and stepped from a dark recess. He drew his sword against Balori but did not attack. He said, “My liege, we do not know this creature. He could be lying. Can we put all our trust in a stranger at such a precarious time?”

Said Balori, “Come to me, whelp. Attack me. I’ll show your king what Masters Nahum and Dark Ram have taught me. I’ll show you my forehead.”

Aniabas said, “I doubt he will betray us. He is too impassioned about freeing his people. And a Gifted One at our side would definitely tip the scales of chance toward our favor. Put down your sword, Vitor. I know you are my general and my personal guard and in that you succeed, but now I tell you this elephant is not our enemy. Put down your sword.”

Vitor reluctantly followed his liege’s command.

Balori stared down at Vitor.

Aniabas stood. “Take me to your men, Balori. I would inspect them.”

Balori nodded, “Of course, your highness.”

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CHAPTER 3

Long had Sinverguenza and his companions traveled. When they felt it was safe, when they knew the girl Inno would not recognize the countryside and make attempts at escape, they unbound her. Sinverguenza took her as his own and had he not been so hastily returning to his master, the demon-dog Yaska Selith, that he would have taken her as his bride and consummated their relationship. She did not love him and he could see that in the way she looked at him. He did not care. He was determined to make her love him as he desperately loved her.

After many days of hard rain they finally came to Owl Bridge and crossed it to enter the Plain of Adoration. Sinverguenza went immediately to Yaska Selith’s side and presented to him Motharus.

“He is a mighty fighter,” he told Yaska Selith. “He left the championship of the Peony Tea House to come serve you.”

“A Gifted One, eh?” Yaska Selith eyed Motharus.

Motharus flew up to the demon-dog’s eye level. “I have been told to come to you,” he said.

“Oh?”

Motharus nodded, “By the demon Adonai Ku-jal.” Motharus hoped the demon-dog would know the name.

“And he speaks to you?” asked Yaska Selith.

“Yes. Within my mind.”

Yaska Selith nodded with understanding. “He rides you as a vessel in this world. He plays with your mind. Does he know me? I do not know this demon.”

Motharus searched his mind, but Adonai Ku-jal was not making his presence known. “I do not know that he knows you, but he told me to come to your side and serve you.”

“Welcome, then, Motharus. Welcome to the Plain of Adoration and welcome to my side.” Yaska Selith looked down at Sinverguenza, “The others you sent have come to me. my numbers swell because of you and my riches grow. I am grateful to you, Sinverguenza. Know you have the favor of Yaska Selith.”

Sinverguenza smiled.

Some time passed. Sinverguenza settled once more onto the plain and kept Inno at his side. He reacquainted himself with those that had followed him while he was away from the demon-dog including Laskmana, the woman who had been his second. She filled that role once more as an informal hierarchy of command seemed to form wherein Sinverguenza, Motharus, Raiju Yu the Weasel King and Neboshazzar the Ruiner were made Yaska Selith’s lieutenants. From there each of them had made their own seconds and personal attendants.

This was how Zom Loa found Yaska Selith and his followers as he came onto the Plain of Adoration.

He came across Owl Bridge, his tentacles whipping out one after another, pulling him closer to the wicked knot of men and women. As he drew near so few of them appeared to notice him, as though he were somehow a natural creature, as though he were once again at the Peony Tea House where Gifted Ones frequented often. Those few that did pay his attention brought to him foods and wines and welcomed him to their numbers.

“You’ve come to see our great master?” asked one.

“I come to find the demon,” said Zom Loa.

“That is he,” said the man who spoke to him as he pointed high to the demon-dog some distance from them.

Zom Loa eyed the demon-dog. He said, “I’ve seen him before.”

“Have you?” the man asked excitedly. “You must have seen him then when first he came into the world and traveled the many countrysides.”

Zom Loa thought back to Ebi and Pup, to the Ruby Bug, remembering the change the dog that changed into the massive creature he now saw. He wondered if the people gathered around him understood his origins, understood he was perhaps not truly a demon. Zom Loa knew, for he had studied so many years, since childhood, the many legions of demons and their tales. But he doubted these people much cared about Yaska Selith’s true nature. Yaska Selith was a Gifted One, a rather large and powerful looking one at that. And such power was attractive. He knew then any argument towards the truth would be disarmed.

He knew, also, not only would many flock to Yaska Selith’s side to love him, many would come to usurp him.

Zom Loa asked, “Could I meet with him? I’ve something to say to him. We may be in dire straits momentarily.”

“Oh? What could you know?” asked the man.

“I am a Gifted One and while I am no demon, I am hunted by men. If my small presence in the world can be hunted, surely Yaska Selith’s name passes over the lips of assassins. We must warn him to fortify this plain.”

Zom Loa was taken to Yaska Selith. He suggested to the demon-dog he send men to the far side of Owl Bridge to guard the passage there. It was done. And so were many other plans.

Sinverguenza and Zom Loa were introduced. Together with Yaska Selith, they prepared for any oncoming assaults.

When the world grew dark under Kalavata’s outstretched wings, Yaska Selith turned his head to look at Neboshazzar perched upon his furry shoulder and spoke softly, “I fear this Zom Loa speaks the truth. There may very well be many plotting against us.”

Neboshazzar’s head bobbed nervously, he shifted his weight from one talon-filled foot to the other. His dark head lifted and he breathed deep. Murder indeed appear to be on the air. It made Neboshazzar quite hungry. His jagged mercury teeth clacked together as the night grew darker still.

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CHAPTER 4

It had been many years since the traveling merchant Hano last visited the people of Yuki village. As he entered the hilly countryside he was pleased to find all was as he had remembered. The windmill still lifted on the air, churning the rice within into mochi. The people remained working in the paddies, though now each was years older. The land was bright and green and alive and it made him happy. He smiled at the day and at the farmlands and at the farmers as he came to rest in front of the hut of Dubai.

He waited some time in the hut as Dubai worked the fields with the others. Elsa tended to him and fed him and gave him a cup of rice wine. Hano was quite pleased and they chatted happily.

As dusk came on the land Dubai returned to his hut with Stavros in tow. They, too, were happily chatting as they entered the hut.

“Hano!” called Dubai as he entered his hut. The two men clasped one another as family. Stavros smiled at the man and bowed in respect as they were introduced.

“Who is this?” asked Hano, his face not contorted with suspicion.

“This is Stavros. He lives with us now,” explained Dubai.

The three sat at a small table as Elsa stoked a fire and made supper for them. Their meal was awash with light talk and happy reminiscences. Stavros learned Hano was, indeed, a distant relative of Dubai and had been born in Yuki. When he came of age he had moved to the nearby town, then taken up the occupation of traveling merchant. Stavros explained he had once made friends with a traveling merchant, a man who had taken great care of him.

At last Hano turned to Stavros and said, “Tell me, friend, what business does a Gifted One such as yourself have in our little Yuki?”

Stavros explained his battle with the Brothers Jackal, the death of his people, and spoke of the giant demon-dog Yaska Selith.

Hano listened carefully. When Stavros paused in his tale, Hano said, “I passed a small collection of mercenaries traveling east a day ago. I did not approach them. Their leader appeared to be a Gifted One, as well. I asked about them however, and I learned the Gifted One is a demi-goddess, a frog, seeking a giant demon-dog.”

This sparked new life in Stavros, new passions he had not felt strongly in some time. He said, “Where were they?”

“They were a day’s ride behind me. I could travel faster than them only because I was alone and had no merchandise with me. I suspect they’ll be in town by tomorrow morning.”

Stavros thought matters over. He looked to Dubai who eyed him suspiciously. “They seek the very demon-dog,” he said.

Dubai shook his head. “It cannot be.”

“What other demon-dog resides within the world instead of the Many Hells?” asked Stavros. “It can only be the very one.”

Dubai considered this and, at last, nodded in agreement.

“I must go find them.”

Elsa came to Stavros. “Please, no. Your home is here now.”

“But my people,” was all Stavros said. He looked to Hano, “By next morning, you say?”

Hano nodded.

“Then I’ll go to meet with them.”

“To what end?” asked Dubai.

“To discover their purpose, to discover if their demon-dog is mine.” Stavros stood. “If I’m to be in town first thing in the morning, I’ll have to sleep now. I wish we could spend more time together, hano, but I hope you understand the importance of these matters.”

Hano said he understood.

As Stavros fell asleep on his small cot with a mattress filled with straw, he could hear Dubai and Hano speaking softly.

“I do not trust him.”

“Many were suspicious, Hano. But he has proven trustworthy.”

“Until now. Perhaps he is a demon’s imp. Perhaps he is this demon-dog’s servant and you’ve been allowing him to stay here. How could you do this? Did you not consider the safety of the people of Yuki?”

“I considered many things,” defended Dubai. “And I’ll consider anything you’ve to offer about him, but I will not consider his betrayal. He is a Gifted One and he is a good creature. I am convinced he was sent here by the gods to care for. In the time he has been here, not only has he added his hands to our paddies, but our harvest has nearly doubled. He is most certainly a creature of good fortune.”

“And I love him,” Elsa interrupted.

There was a long silence. Stavros, who had been listening in a state between sleep and wakefulness, opened his eyes upon hearing this.

Dubai whispered, “Quiet, granddaughter. Go to bed.”

Stavros heard the rustling sounds of Elsa preparing for and getting into her own cot. He then heard the two men stepping outside for a long, private walk. He thought a while about what his presence must mean to the people of Yuki. Surely many had been frightened of him, thought he as he remembered the first village he had come into when he had been carrying the giant green jewel, of how he had been chases away.

The people of Yuki were good people, he decided, and if they wanted him to leave he would do so. He hoped only they would know to trust him enough to tell him so.

Stavros stopped his wandering thoughts. He told himself, “I have another people to tend to.” He thought of the Ruska Rome. He reached under his cot and pulled from it his accordion. He felt it with his clawed fingers in the dark. His heart ached with missing the Ruska Roma as he quietly returned it to the darkness beneath his cot.

He rolled on his back and stared into darkness. “A frog demi-goddess,” he whispered to himself.

Sleep finally came to him.

Long before Etain poked her head over the horizon the next morning, Stavros was awake and gone from Yuki. He traveled alone, quietly, down the hilly country toward the town. His mind roiled with thoughts. He hoped he had not missed the frog demi-goddess, he hoped Hano had not be wrong in their direction or speed.

As the town came into view, so too did the encampment of a small group of mercenaries just on the edge of town. It was a small collection of men and women, about forty in all, Stavros surmised. He steered himself towards them and as he approached them he saw they were already awake and eating and preparing for their day’s travels. It did not take much effort for Stavros to spot the frog demi-goddess. Hope pounded within his chest as he entered the encampment. He asked a few of the mercenaries if he could speak with their leader. He was pointed toward the frog and told she was quite approachable, though at times impatient as she was determined to march onward.

Stavros drew near her.

“Are you the frog demi-goddess that seeks a demon-dog?” Stavros asked.

Wu Chan Chu, busily packing her supplies and placing them on her back, looked at Stavros. She considered him a long time. “That I am.”

“This demon-dog, does he travel with a pair of jackals?”

“He once traveled, though now I’m told he’s settled upon the Plain of Adoration. I know nothing of those that are with him, except that one called Black Tentacle seeks his company and I seek Black Tentacle. Everyone else here seeks the demon and a few seek glory at my side.”

“I seek the two jackals that are with him.”

One of Wu Chan Chu’s men confirmed he had heard Yaska Selith traveled with two jackals. “I saw them myself,” said the man.

“Then it is the very demon-dog!” said Stavros. “I would join with you!”

Wu Chan Chu eyed Stavros’ small hunch. “Though I recognize you as a Gifted One, I doubt we could use a broken rat.” She then commanded her men to hastily pack and break camp so they may start out for the day.

Stavros was enraged. He attacked Wu Chan Chu, grabbing her by the arm and pushing at her.

Wu Chan Chu struck back. She punched Stavros, slamming two fists into his chest and sending him backwards onto the ground. Her face contorted with anger. “How dare you touch me? Lesser creatures have died at my hands for that very offense! Off with you, rat! You have no purpose here!”

Wu Chan Chu and her men, their camp broken and supplies packed, walked away.

Stavros picked himself off the ground and ran after her. He considered her words and knew this frog would not answer to violence except with violence. He instead decided to plead. He ran around her and bent himself painfully low to the ground. His crooked back popped and he groaned as he prostrated, his hands clasped together and pleading, his arms outstretched, his head low.

“Please!” cried Stavros. He looked up at Wu Chan Chu. “These creatures, those jackals, they killed my people. Every last one of them died. I alone survived and they left me broken as you see me now. But I have grown strong since then with work in the rice paddies. I can still fight. Please, demi-goddess, the memory of my people demand it.”

Shabar, the farmer and once counsel to the Eternal Empress, stepped forward and said, “Wu Chan Chu, if he has fought the creatures before, perhaps he could lend aid with what he has previously seen and knows.”

Wu Chan Chu paid Shabar no heed. She ordered her mercenaries around Stavros.

As she passed, Stavros stood and they stared at one another.

“Whether I join with you here is no matter,” Stavros said determinedly. “I will follow you to this plain and find the jackals and kill them.”

Wu Chan Chu breathed deep. She gave a small croak. “You’ve no supplies. The plain, I’m told, is a long distance from here.”

“I’ve supplies in a village nearby. And a good, strong sword.”

“I’ll not wait for you. We press onward at a difficult pace.”

“I’ll keep up,” said Stavros.

Wu Chan Chu watched as her mercenaries obediently marched ahead of them. At last she nodded, saying, “I’ll not wait. Gather your things and catch up with us when you can.”

Stavro smiled, baring his long rat teeth. “Thank you.”

Wu Chan Chu walked away from him and joined her men, taking the lead and pressing east.

Stavros ran back to Yuki. There his running caused quite a commotion. Many of the people, already working in the paddies and in the mill with Etain breaking over the horizon, stopped to watch him pass by.

He ran into the hut of Dubai. The elder was there, as was Elsa. Hano was not.

“They seek the very demon-dog,” explained Stavros. He was a flurry of fur and activity as he scooped up first his accordion and finally his sword. He stopped long enough to look at Dubai. “Where’s Hano?”

“He’s gone on about his business,” said Dubai.

Stavros was hesitant. He said, “I have to go.”

Dubai smiled and nodded.

Elsa approached. She handed Stavros a bundle filled with rice and mochi and with it a clay jar filled with rice wine.

“You knew,” said Stavros as he took the food and wine.

They nodded.

Stavros slung his sword on his back. He tied the accordion at his waist along with the wine. He looked again at the ones who had most recently been his family.

“I have to,” he said again.

“We know,” Dubai said as he hugged Stavros. “Fare well.”

Elsa looked at him longingly, tears in her eyes but as yet not spilling. “Will you return to us?”

Stavros wanted to say that he would, but knew he had once before been defeated by the Brothers Jackal. He knew the times ahead of him would be bloody and messy and he did not want to lie to her, to commit an affront to those who had so lovingly accepted him.

Said Stavros, “I do not know that I’ll be able to.”

Elsa nodded, straightening his clothes about the neck and fighting back tears. She knew he spoke the truth.

Stavros grabbed her by the shoulders. “If I can, I will.”

She smiled.

They hugged.

With a flurry of activity, with many goodbyes, Stavros was gone from the small village of Yuki.

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CHAPTER 5

Renorio settled onto the Plain of Adoration with little notice. He made acquaintances and lived peaceably amongst the people there all the while secretly desiring the girl Inno. But rarely did Sinverguenza allowed her out of his sight. Even as he commanded the Bone Warriors she was nearby. Always did she appear nervous and afraid. He desperately desired to steal away with her, to treat her kindly so she would love him and when they left the plain he would…

Renoiro rarely allowed himself to think further. He instead became friends with Laskmana. She grew to trust him. At last, one day, he lead her away and when they were alone he produced a small knife and stabbed her in the chest and began the slow process of peeling her skin away from her body.

Two men found Renorio bent over the body of Laskmana. They were outraged and disgusted by what they saw. They grabbed Renorio and dragged him away the body, raising an alarm until more people came and witnessed the deed Renorio had been caught doing.

At that moment Yaska Selith had called Sinvergenza to his side. He placed a hand down to the plain and picked Sinverguenza gently up to bring him to his own eye level. Said the demon-dog, “There may be plots forming against us. We must not only fortify our borders, we must do away with our greatest threat.”

“You mean the king to the south?”

Yaska Selith nodded. “Indeed, I do.”

“I doubt he’s had enough time to completely revitalize and reform an army. A few of our people have gone there and mingle with the citizenry. They say the common man is all but gone, only soldiers remain and then not many. We may match this king in number, but if he truly has an army justly due to a kingdom they will be well-trained. We have many experienced fighters here, but we are more likely less organized and informal than a king’s men.

“If we are to abolish this king, we would most likely do best by subversive action.”

“And how would you suggest this? Setting them afire? Assassination?”

Sinvergiunza confessed, “I cannot truly say. My experience with subversion does not exist.”

It was then the two men dragged Renorio before Yaska Selith. They told the demon-dog of what they had found as he lowered Sinverguenza to the ground, of how Renorio had murdered Laskmana and was skinning her corpse. They then produced the cloak of skins they had found amongst his possessions.

“He is a foul creature!” cried one man.

Yaska Selith sighed. He stared a long time at Renorio who crouched, frightened and silent, before him. He then looked to Sinverguenza and thought of the matters they had been discussing. He wished he could concentrate on matters with Sinverguenza without interruption from the others about their frivolous tribulations. Again he sighed, then thought of something. He said to Sinverguenza, “Perhaps we have found our subversive operative.”

Sinverguenza looked to Renorio, disgusted by the thought of this man he had traveled with skinning the woman that had once been his second in command. He knew then Yaska Selith’s idea of using Renorio was perhaps well placed.

Sinverguenza looked up at Yaska Selith. “He succeeded in striking fear here. He most assuredly would do the same in the kingdom.”

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CHAPTER 6

The Spear of Sorrows broke free from the roots and vines that had held it in place at the base of the mountain called Taliesin. Aelis awoke within it as Xiao-tep formed his fins into strong arms and held his weapon forged by dwarven smiths once more. She squirmed within, crying softly, questioning.

Xiao-tep turned to Comet Fox. “Perhaps we should part ways.”

Comet Fox nodded. “I would go the Peony Tea House. Wu Chan Chu is most likely yet upset with me, but with word of a demon and her love of a good fight will perhaps persuade her to hear me out on matters.”

Xiao-tep agreed. “You should mend matters with her. If you cannot persuade her any other way, tell her I seek her, that I ask for her aid.”

Comet Fox smiled. “We’re at it again.”

Xiao-tep did not smile. He eyed his spear. “I wish it were not so.” He then looked to Comet Fox, “There was a kingdom to the south of the plain. I will go there and determine our allies. Fare well, friend.”

Xiao-tep bowed deeply at the waist with great respect for his friend.

Comet Fox smiled and winked. “Until we see each other again.”

Comet Fox flew from Taliesin, a great comet-like tail following behind him.

Xiao-tep breathed deep. He told a Otti, Aglina and Zingtai of his plans. They all wished him well and he left the Mountain That Lived in the Sky.

Taliesin was once more without a caretaker.

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CHAPTER 7

Xiao-tep was well-received by the soldiers. King Aniabas welcomed him and his alliance in the fight against the demon-dog Yaska Selith.

“He plagues me with his presence,” said Aniabas.

Xiao-tep stared at the deeply scarred face of the king. “I will do what I can. I have fought one other demon.”

“Have you? Then you will be a great benefit to our cause.”

“I can only hope,” said Xiao-tep.

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Be sure to check back next Friday, October 3rd, for Act IV!

"Warriors of the Midnight Sun" - Act II

Here is Act II of "Warriors of the Midnight Sun". Act 3 will be post next Friday.

Enjoy.

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“Warriors of the Midnight Sun”
© 2008 by Charles Shaver. All rights reserved.

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ACT II

THE FARMER: Wherein Sinverguenza Kidnaps Inno, Daughter of Joto Ba and Dian; Shabar Joins with Wu Chan Chu; Balori Shongoyo Confronts the Demon-dog Yaska Selith

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CHAPTER 1

In far off lands where men grow rich with agriculture and politics there was the family Sengyu. Father Sengyu was quite the farmer and his wealth provided for his wife, Mother Sengyu, in the ways of status. Often she would host evening or afternoon teas while her husband and his people worked their massive farm and nannies cared for her only daughter, Dian.

Dian grew to be a beautiful girl and all the town loved her dearly. “She’ll make a fine princess for some royal man to marry,” would often be heard of her. She was smart in math and language and wise in the ways of the land, a skill she had learned from her father.

And though Dian understood the importance of her station and all that her parents afforded her in way of education and wealth, she disagreed with her mother in the matters of love. She disagreed largely in that Mother Sengyu had designs to arrange her marriage with a successful camel rancher whom Dian had never met. Instead, she secretly loved Joto Ba, one of her father’s men who worked in the fields.

One evening, a mere week prior to her crowning into womanhood upon her sixteenth birthday, Dian went forth into the fields to find her father. When she did, she asked her father if he would join her in a cup of afternoon tea. At first he said he was much too busy, but at last he joined her within the confines of one of the family’s many barns for tea.

“What is the real purpose of this?” Father Sengyu asked pleasantly as he poured tea for the both of them.

“Real purpose? What do you mean?” asked Dian.

“Come, come. We’ve not drawn tea together for nearly four years now. I can only imagine you bring me hear to discuss some matter with me and as your birthday approaches I can guess it has to do with that.”

Dian smiled. “I cannot possibly hide a thing from you.”

Father Sengyu smiled. “Not even your love for Joto Ba.”

At this revelation that her father knew of her secrets concerning Joto Ba she gasped. “Father! How did you know?”

“This is my farm, dear. I know everything that goes on here.”

She smiled at her father and said, “I wish to marry Joto Ba, not the camel man.”

Father Sengyu nodded. “I understand. But you’re mother has gone to great lengths to arrange this marriage for you.”

Dian sighed, sipping at her tea. “I know. But I’ve not even met the man! How could I be hid bride?”

“You will earn to love him. And, if nothing else, he will provide you children you will love.”

The thought of children troubled Dian. Her eyes clenched together. She felt herself on the verge of tears.

“Dear daughter, what’s the matter?” asked Father Sengyu. He could sense she was upset over more than the wedding.

“Father,” said Dain. “I have to marry Joto Ba.”

“No you don’t. What you feel is simple childish infatuation.”

Dian shook her head. “No father, it’s not that. It’s not that at all. I have to marry him for I carry his child in me as we speak.”

Father Sengyu puffed quietly upon his pipe a long time before answering. “I understand.”

“You’re not angry, are you?”

Father Sengyu shook his head. “No. I was simply thinking about how odd life can turn out. I’ve traveled a long way to be where I’m at and now I see my daughter starting on her own.”

“You’re not sad, are you?”

“A little, but no more than any other father who has just noticed her child has grown at some point without him. But I am not angry or sad about you,” he assured.

“Oh, father!” Dian flung herself from her seat and into her father’s arms. For a moment she cursed herself for being such a child, running into her father’s arms. But when his embrace closed around her, she no longer cared. Their embrace sent Dian into reminiscing her childhood when her father would hold her on his lap and read her stories before bedtimes. Often, she amused, he appeared more enthralled by the tales that she ever was.

“What of mother?” asked Dian.

“You need to tell her.”

“She won’t like it.”

“No,” said Father Sengyu. “She won’t.”

That night over dinner Dian told her mother she was pregnant with the child of one of Father Sengyu’s workers.

“What?” raged the mother. She rose and struck her daughter across the face. “After all we’ve done for you, you go and accept the seed of a lousy field worker?”

Mother Sengyu beat her daughter again and again. She chased the girl all through their home, throwing every object she could grab. She slapped her daughter’s face, her arms and pulled her hair, raging so loudly the workers within the home stepped outside, afraid.

All Dian could think of was protecting her child. She finally fell in the kitchen and curled up, her back to her mother so she could not slap her in the belly and harm the unborn child there.

Mother Sengyu picked a rather large and menacing meat cleaver from a butcher block and screamed, “Get up, you whore! You ungrateful whore, stand up! I’ll cut that bastard’s ugly, worthless child from you myself; then I’ll go out and cut off his manhood so he can never do this again!”

One of the workers, fearing Mother Sengyu would truly kill the unborn child or Dian, ran to find Father Sengyu. He came to the kitchen immediately.

“Get up!” screamed Mother Sengyu. She grabbed Dian’s arm, but found her own arm held fast by Father Sengyu’s hand.

“Get your filthy hands off me!” screamed Mother Sengyu. She swiped the knife at her husband, opening a bloody red wound upon his cheek.

Father Sengyu ignored his wound and grabbed his wife with both hands, crushing her wrists until she was made to drop the knife, clanking to the kitchen floor.

Dian sobbed wildly. A nanny came to her side and pulled her away, out of the kitchen.

Father Sengyu, when he saw some of the rage weaken in his wife’s eyes, let go of her. He said, “Our daughter is pregnant with our grandchild. We should be celebrating.”

“This is not how things were supposed to be,” said Mother Sengyu, the screamed so all the countryside could hear, “She’s an ungrateful whore!”

Father Sengyu slapped his wife across the face. She reeled in exaggerated horror and pain. She looked at him with disgust.

He stared calmly back, saying, “That’s our daughter you speak of.”

“I want her out of here! If she’s not out by dawn tomorrow I’ll kill her! I’ll kill you all!” Mother Sengyu screamed. She left her husband standing alone and quiet in the kitchen.

The next day Father Sengyu had his workers gather supplies and two horses. He brought Dian and Joto Ba to his side and handed them a pouch of money. He said, “I’m afraid she’s still quite angry. Perhaps it is best you leave for a time, until I get the chance to smooth matters over with her. Take these horses and money and go. I know the owner of the store in the nearest town. I’ve sent word I’m sending you to him. You can stay with him a day or two, after that I’m afraid you’ll have to make it on your own, but stay in touch. Send word where you’re at, wherever you go. I’ll let you know when you can return.”

“I’m sorry things turned out this way,” said Joto Ba. “I’m so very sorry.”

“I know,” said Father Sengyu. “Take care of her.”

Joto Ba’s eyes leveled with determination. “I will. That I promise you.”

Joto Ba and Dian mounted their horses.

“What about you, father? Won’t she take her hate out on you?” asked Dian.

“That is for me to cope with,” said Father Sengyu. “You’re mother has always been full of anger.”

“Then why stay with her? Come with us, or send her away.”

Father Sengyu shook his head. “My dear daughter, one day you will learn we each have our demons to contend with. It does no good to run from them.”

Dian looked at her father, wondering. She thought about the many times she had witnessed her mother in a rage, screaming at her father or the workers. She asked, “Father, have you ever been happy with her?”

Father Sengyu smiled. “Of course I have. She gave life to my daughter.”

Joto Ba lead the way as they left. Dian wept as she looked over her shoulder, watching her father who stood near the road.

Father Sengyu stood watching until he could no longer see the blurred image of his daughter and future son-in-law on the horizon. He stood watching a while longer before he breathed deep, said a pray to the many gods asking them to watch over his child and her husband-to-be, then turned and entered his home.

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CHAPTER 2

Joto Ba and Dian traveled many long months before finally settling in a region where they were able to use some of the money Father Sengyu had given them to buy some land and farm it. They sent word with a few travelers to let Father Sengyu know where they were, but they never heard back from him. They always wondered about him and their old life.

Joto Ba married Dian and they had a baby girl. They named her Inno, after Father Sengyu’s mother. They grew old together as their daughter grew up. Joto Ba grew strong and thin with working his farm. He grew grain in the hot sun. Joto Ba could often be found swinging his sickle in his fields.

Inno grew into a beautiful, fine young woman. She became the jewel of the countryside and all who met her immediately fell in love with her.

As Joto Ba had promised to love and care for Dian, so too did Dian secretly promise to love and care for Inno in a way she would never know anger, promising to be the best mother should could be. Dian succeeded in this. Inno was the pride of her parents.

As Inno grew to age, a week prior to her sixteenth birthday, three warriors came traveling through their country. Many rumored the devilry they were capable of as one wore bones upon his leather armor and another was a kestrel-headed Gifted One.

As it was night, Sinverguenza, Motharus and Renorio stopped by Joto Ba and Dian’s home to ask if they could stay the night.

Uncertain, Joto Ba felt it only right to offer them a warm place to stay. He invited them into their home.

As Dian fed the three strangers, Sinverguenza commented, “Your daughter is quite beautiful.”

Joto Ba, nervously, gave his thanks.

Sinvergueza not so secretly desired Inno. He eyed her all through dinner.

That night the house quietly slept, but the next morning, when Joto Ba and Dian awoke, they found their guests had snuck out in the early hours of the morning and with them they had taken their daughter.

“I cannot believe you allowed them into our home!” raged Dian.

Joto Ba, his eyes wide with fear, picked up his sickle and told his wife, “Remain here. I’ll go after them.”

Joto Ba gathered and mounted his horse and rode hard in the direction he knew them to be going. He rode on and on until he found them walking by the side of the road, Inno tied and gagged and being forced to walk ahead of them.

Joto Ba rode up swiftly, the sickle extended, and swung it at Sinverguenza who easily ducked the oncoming blow.

Motharus, who had been holding a rope tied about Inno’s waist, handed it over to Renorio and said, “Watch after her.”

Joto Ba turned his horse and charged once more.

Motharus lifted onto the air, bringing his knees up into the chest of Joto Ba as he rode near and knocking him free from his horse. The horse, without a rider, ran on and on and disappeared on the horizon.

Joto Ba stood, the sickle still in his hand. He swung it at Motharus who grabbed the implement and pulled it from his hands, throwing it to the ground.

“I’ll kill you all!” yelled Joto Ba, bringing his fists up, nervous and unknowing of what to do.

Sinverguenza picked up the implement. He brandished it with a smile. “So the farmer wishes to be a warrior. Know you how to fight? Haha! I can see in your eyes and how you hold yourself now you know nothing of fighting. Not that I’m a great fighter, but I can appreciate a good fight from a distance. For instance, my friend here, did you know he was once the champion at the Peony Tea House? He knows how to fight. His Muay Thai is good. Motharus, give this farmer a lesson in fighting.”

Motharus attacked. His punch cracked Joto Ba’s jaw. He followed the punch with an elbow to the head. Darkness filled Joto Ba’s vision and, as he fell, he felt as though he were floating away from his body.

Motharus and Sinverguenza both laughed as Joto Ba rolled on the ground, his hands at his head and eyes winced, moaning incoherently as his broken jaw refused to work, to give shape to his cries.

Sinverguenza approached the fallen farmer. “Get up, farmer! Your lesson is far from over!”

At this Sinverguenza drove the sickle down and into the chest of Joto Ba. The blade lodged into Joto Ba’s ribs and he cried out in pain as blood welled in his throat and spilled from his mouth. Sinverguenza pulled on the sickle’s handle and the lodged blade lifted Joto Ba off the ground from the waist up.

Motharus approached the farmer. He brought an elbow down onto Joto Ba’s head.

Joto Ba’s vision swam through darkness and sparkling, twinkling lights. He stopped moaning. Now he only grunted with every heavy, laborer breath.

Sinverguenza let go the sickle and Joto Ba dropped to the ground. He said, “Finish it, Motharus.”

Motharus lifted his leg backwards and kicked Joto Ba’s temple. The skull cracked. The farmer’s head flung back and his neck snapped.

As Sinverguenza and Motharus poked at Joto Ba to assure themselves of his death, Renorio gently caressed Inno. He leaned close to her and smelled her skin. His mouth worked, his tongue wetting his lips. He wondered if he could steal the young prize away from Sinverguenza. He was about to stick out his tongue, to taste the young girl when Sinverguenza’s approach made him stop.

Motharus grabbed the rope from Renorio. Neither he nor Sinverguenza suspected a thing and Renorio was glad for it.

The three traveled on, pushing their prize ahead of themselves.

Joto Ba’s body day lay motionless by the side of the road. It was to remain there for a full day before anyone would find it. And though the farmer’s life had ended, his afterlife was just beginning for deep within the Land of the Midnight Sun, Joto Ba appeared in a form that was dark and billowing. His eyes glowed red, as did a hole where once he had been stabbed in the chest with his own sickle.

Joto Ba looked at the creature sitting nearby, the creature sitting atop the Black Rock of Meditation.

“Welcome,” said the marmoset. “I am Momoki, Master of the Chamber of Despair. You have been chosen to ride with me in your afterlife against a demon-dog, a false demon called Yaska Seltih, and end his reign of blight upon the world.”

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CHAPTER 3

Shabar rode on. Storms had come to the land. It made his trek long and lonesome. He was soaked by the time he came to a small town where rumors abounded about a frog demi-goddess who was traveling east, after a demon of some kind. One person added he had heard in another village an elephant was leading men towards the same route. Shabar asked many questions and could only guess this frog and elephant – both apparently Gifted Ones – were heading for the same place and that the elephant was Balori.

This news drive him onward harder than ever.

Finally, days later, as the rains lightened, then stopped, he came across a small collection of men and women claiming to be warriors. At their center was a frog demi-goddess. He presented himself to her.

“I am Shabar. Once I was counsel to the Eternal Empress and oversaw the Elephant Crusade. Now I seek to aide the one called Balori. I am told he has been changed into an immortal Gifted One and seeks to place the stars once more into the night sky.”

Wu Chan Chu considered this man. “I do not know any Balori, nor have I ever met an immortal elephant. I go to find the one called Black Tentacle. I am told he seeks a demon that lives upon the Plain of Adoration. If the demon has anything to do with the disappearance of the stars, your Balori may be there, but I know nothing of him. Join us if you will, but these men go to fight the demon for wrongs he has committed onto them and the world. I seek Black Tentacle and only Black Tentacle.”

Shabar listened carefully. He considered joining this band of warriors. He ate supper with them that night and slept with them. By the next morning, he had made up his mind.

Wu Chan Chu urged her fellow fighters to gather their equipment. “By the gods, if I didn’t think a demon was involved and I could go only for Black Tentacle, I would leave you all behind, but I may need you to serve as a distraction. Wrest yourselves from sleep and let’s go!”

She paused a moment, eyeing Shabar as he readied himself.

“You go with us, then?” she asked.

Shabar nodded.

“I cannot promise you’ll find your friend,” she warned.

“I understand, but this is the best possibility I’ve learned of yet. If nothing else, I’ve been traveling alone a long time and when a man is alone for so long his thoughts can turn wicked, especially if he’s left home with an ill wind to his back.”

Wu Chan Chu thought on this. She said, “Keep up. I will not slow my progress for an idiot or a lazy bastard. Keep at my pace and we may reach this Plain of Adoration in proper time. I will not wait.”

Shabar again nodded, saying, “I will keep up.”

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CHAPTER 4

Fei Li Mi had been living upon the Plain of Adoration for a small time, easing his way closer to the demon-dog, speaking with him and making a home for himself when rumors spread through the field and eyes were turned upward toward the Black Mountains. Fei Li Mi peered onto the mountains and there saw the elephant Balori floated slowly down into the plain. He came closer, closer, nodding to those who said hello to him and welcoming him to the plain. He felt they meant him to stay. He wondered why anyone would stay.

Fei Li Mi watched with Yaska Selith and Neboshazzar, who was perched upon the demon-dog’s shoulder, as the elephant flew nearer before lifting himself off the ground using his mystic cloud and drawing face-to-face with Yaska Selith.

Neboshazzar screeched angrily at the elephant. Balori winced at the sound before giving the ghastly beast a sour look.

Fei Li Mi took to the air and came level with Balori and Yaska Selith’s face.

Balori’s eyes widened, then narrowed. “Fei Li Mi, I am not surprised you are here.”

“Then you should not be surprised you are not welcome, at least for my part.”

“Know you this elephant?” asked Yaska Selith.

Fei Li Mi nodded. “Indeed. We once served the same mistress.”

“Once served?” asked Balori. “Am I to understand you no longer serve the Eternal Empress.”

“No longer,” confirmed Fei Li Mi. “When first I came onto the plain of adoration I was welcomed with open arms. The children here love and accept me and the people do not judge me based upon their whims. Here I am–”

“Shut you gods bedamned mouth, fish,” cursed Balori. “I care not why you are here.” Balori then turned to Yaska Selth and said, “Demon, I come seeking the Jewel of Zingtai. I would take it and peacefully go.”

“Jewel of Zingtai?” asked Yaska Selith. “What would that be?”

Balori’s heart suddenly sank. He feared the demon-dog knew nothing, therefore did not have the jewel. He explained, “It is a jewel from off the wing of Zingtai the Nighttime Butterfly. Without it she cannot fly, thus we have lost the stars. If I can retrieve it, the stars will return to the nighttime skies and all would benefit from their beauty.”

“Would they now?” asked Yaska Selith. He leaned back on his haunches and said, “Perhaps I have your jewel. Many great treasures are sent to me by adoring friends. And I must confess to you an obsession I have with shiny, pretty things. Looking at them makes me want to eat them!” At this Yaska Selith gurgled forth barking laughter.

“He does not have it,” said Fei Li Mi. “So leave at once.”

“How do you know I do not have this jewel?” asked Yaska Selith of Fei Li Mi.

The fish responded, “I have been here a short time and I have yet once to see or hear of it.”

“Do you know where I keep my treasures, fish?” asked the demon-dog.

Fei Li Mi had to confess he did not, “Though I hear you bury them.”

“I do! I do! In fact, this small mound of dirt I now sit upon is the very spot where I bury all my beautiful treasures.” Yaska Selith turned to Balori and asked, “What does your jewel look like?”

“It is as an oversized emerald,” said Balori.

Yaska Selith reached a clawed hand under himself and dug into the ground there. He then produced a giant emerald with two small chips in it where Zom Loa and Stavros had both taken a bit for themselves to eat.

“Could this be it?” asked the demon-dog.

“It has to be! There could be but one giant emerald!” Balori cried out. “Will you give it to me, demon?”

Yaska Selith considered giving it to the elephant, but the gleam and shine of the jewel enticed him. He brought the emerald near and sniffed it, placed it in his mouth and nibbled it playfully, then took it out of his mouth and swiftly plunged it into the ground beneath him.

“No!” cried Yaska Selith. “It is mine! All these treasures I sit upon are mine. You cannot have a single one!”

Balori trumpeted in anger. He said, “If you do not give it to me peacefully, I will return with many warriors and take it forcefully.”

Yaska Selith laughed so loudly at this the ground shook. He looked at Balori and said, “You may be quite large to these people that live at my feet, but to me you are tiny. What could you possibly do to me?”

Again the demon-dog laughed, this time howling in joy afterwards. He then said, “Dear elephant, consider joining my ranks so that you may tell me more jokes such as this and entertain me nightly.”

Balori filled with rage. He stood on his mystic cloud and yelled, “You dare mock me? I am Balori Shongoyo of the Elephants of Ife! And if you do not hand over that jewel I will be your destroyer!”

Yaska Selith stopped his laughing. He stared angrily at the elephant standing upon his cloud. He said, “Rid me of yourself.” At this he raised a clawed hand and swatted Balori from the sky, knocking him from his own cloud and sending him flying into the side of the Black Mountains.

This time Fei Li Mi joined Yaska Selith in laughter as Neboshazzar screeched victory and the followers of the demon-dog sent up a triumphant cheer.

Balori crashed hard against the stony surface of the mountains. He struggled to stand. Pain throbbed throughout his body. He snorted and the mystic cloud that hand been left suspended before Yaska Selith returned to him, flying into his trunk. He snorted again, pushing the cloud back out and he mounted it. Taking a long, last look at Yaska Selith and those upon the plain, he turned and flew as swiftly as he could up the mountains.

There, waiting in anticipation, were his fellows. They had seen Balori swatted from the sky and feared him harmed.

“Are you all right?” asked Negkendra as Balori returned to them.

Balori huffed angrily. “I suppose my pride is far more wounded than my body, Negkendra. Thank you for asking. In case you could not see, he denied me the Jewel of Zingtai.”

Akadia asked, “So he has it? Was that really it he held up?”

Balori nodded. “That was the jewel we seek.”

“What do we do now?” asked Macia. “We can’t possibly take them all on by ourselves.”

Balori finished stretching his muscles and brushing himself off and drinking deeply from one of his men’s flask. He said, “We may not have to. As I descended the mountains I saw to the south a kingdom with a castle. I can only imagine the demon has sent some of his men that way and may have control of it, but if not, I can only imagine those that live there do not appreciate their neighbor.”

Macia, Negkendra, Akadia and all of them nodded.

Akadia said, “We go there, then? To seek help?”

Balori nodded. “We go there to seek help.”

In the far distance, on the northern border of the plain, Zom Loa crossed Owl Bridge and entered the Plain of Adoration.

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CHAPTER 5

As the marmoset and the farmer approached the large doors to the Chamber of Despair, Momoki thought of something. He stopped and turned to the shadows. He did not know where exactly Radiant Gui was, but knew he would definitely be nearby, watching.

Joto Ba, now with a menacing sickle held firmly in his hand, turn and looked out into the beshadowed land with Momoki as the marmoset called out, “Radiant Gui, I’ve a question for you.”

Radiant Gui appeared, melting from shadows. His ghastly, demonic horse-form frightened Joto Ba and he raised his sickle and backed away first one step, then two.

Radiant Gui eyed the farmer, then looked to Momoki. “What s it?”

“Is there water within the Chamber of Despair?” asked Momoki.

The horse-demon gurgled laughter. “No! I think there’s not a drop of water in all the many layers of Hell. What does it matter?”

Said Momoki, “My friends, they will need water soon lest they die.”

Radiant Gui considered this. “Hmmm,” said he, “I’ve heard living things cannot live without this element. Bah! How weak they are!”

Momoki looked to the horse-demon, “Is there a way to bring water to them? If not, they will die.”

“And?”

Momoki stiffened. “And should they die I will refuse this quest you send me on.”

Radiant Gui whinnied with fear and anger. He brought his face low to the ground to hover just over Momoki’s head. Sulphur and ash fell from his mouth and nose onto Momoki as he breathed.

Radiant Gui withdrew into the shadows, saying, “You try my patience, marmoset.”

Radiant Gui gone, Momoki knew not what to do. He turned toward the doors to his chamber and opened them. Joto Ba followed him in.

As they entered, a flurry of activity met them. Gogi ran across the courtyard towards his garden with a small tub Szu Ri had made by binding twigs together with her silk. Momoki followed after him and Joto Ba followed Momoki.

Gogi stopped at the side of his garden. Water bubbled forth from where he had been digging a well in hopes of finding water. He placed the tub in the water and filled it until he had great difficulty lifting it out again. He then saw Momoki and nearly screeched with excitement, “Momoki! Oh, Momoki, look! I’ve done it! I’ve found water! Look!”

The water started flooding all around the garden in chaotic ways.

“Oh!” said Gogi. “I have to irrigate or it’ll not stay so the plants can drink from it!”

Gogi adjusted his hat down on his head so it would not fall off as he worked. He began digging little channels around the garden to direct the flow of water around and through the garden.

“Would you like us to help?” asked Momoki.

Gogi nodded vigorously. “Would you? Thank you, Momoki!”

Momoki took the tip of his pipe and began making channels.

Joto Ba take the point of his sickle’s blade and did the same.

Momoki introduced them, “Gogi, this is Joto Ba. He was a farmer in his last life.”

“Oh,” Gogi twitched nervously. He feared his small garden would look patheric in the eyes of another, especially an authentic farmer. He said, “Pleased to meet you, Joto Ba. This garden, it’s, uh, w-well, it’s not much.”

Joto Ba smiled, though it did not show on his expressionless face. He said, “It is fine work.”

Gogi breathed a little easier. His chest swelled with pride. He nodded to Joto Ba and said, “Thank you.”

On they worked, Momoki and Joto Ba digging small channels and Gogi going along behind them, packing down the dirt and forming the paths for the water.

The sprouts drank deeply and filled out, happily growing.


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Be sure to look for Act III next week!

"Warriors of the Midnight Sun" - Act I

Now begins the final tale of Momoki the Marmoset, Gogi the Grasshopper, Xiao-tep the Ankh-fish, Comet Fox, Bolri Shongoyo the Towering Elephant and all the characters of The Children of Gods universe.

Enjoy.

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“Warriors of the Midnight Sun”
© 2008 by Charles Shaver. All rights reserved.

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ACT I

THE FISHERMAN: Wherein Ebi the Fisherman Joins Momoki in Hell; Fei Li Mi Enters the Plain of Adoration; Balori Shongoyo and His Friends Reach the Black Mountains

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CHAPTER 1

Under the undying, unblinking eye of the Midnight Sun stood the enchanted Silver Forest. At its edge, moving through it crimson glow and charcoal shadows, walked Momoki the Marmoset. He came at last to rest upon a black rock protruding from the black ground where he often sat in meditation. Fumbled he with his pipe, staring at it, considering it. He had fought only once in his life before afterlife and the result was saving the life of his beloved Twila the Turtle. Yet that fight against Motharus the Kestrel-Headed ended in no deaths. Never before had he taken the life of another creature. Now he stared at his bloodstained pipe.

He had murdered the Gold Baboon of the Midnight Sun, a truly despicable creature indeed. He wondered if even the many Hells would be better off without such a creature. Yet Momoki’s belly welled with the murder and though Momoki was dead and therefore immune to illness, he felt quite ill. He felt now he truly deserved the role as Master of the Chamber of Despair.

It was at this moment, with Momoki contemplating life and death and murder upon the Black Rock of Meditation at the edge of the Silver Forest, Ebi the Fisherman came before him.

Where once Ebi had been a bright, vibrant living man now he was a misty black ghost, as was Momoki. His form wavered in shadow as he peered at the dark Land of the Midnight Sun. His eyes glowed red as Momoki’s, as the Midnight Sun itself, and encircling his waist, where once the demon-dog Yaska Selith had bitten him in half, was a bright red jagged streak. It, too, glowed as the Midnight Sun and on occasion let loose with a small droplet of crimson that rose on the air briefly before disappearing as though he were still bleeding and the blood defied gravity to fly up.

Ebi looked to Momoki.

Momoki stood, bowed and said, “Welcome, warrior, to the Land of the Midnight Sun. I am Momoki the Marmoset, Master of the Chamber of Despair and I will be your counsel and teacher. You are now dead and have been chosen to ride with me in your afterlife against a demon-dog, a false demon called Yaska Seltih, and end his reign of blight upon the world.”

Ebi nodded, saying, “I know him.” His voice was hollow and echoed briefly as he spoke.

“Do you?” asked Momoki.

Again Ebi nodded. “He was my Pup.”

Momoki thought on this before asking, “Know you how to fight?”

Ebi shook his head. “I was but a fisherman.”

Momoki considered this. He said, “I will train you in the ways of fighting.”

And so began the gathering of the Warriors of the Midnight Sun, so began the training of Ebi by Momoki.

Momoki chased Ebi through the Silver Forest wielding his pipe in a menacing fashion. He taught Ebi to block, guard, parry and evade as he had been taught by both the Amethyst and Silver Baboons. Ebi grew strong in mind, wise in the ways of fighting, but he had questions. He wondered, if he were already dead, why he would need to learn evasiveness unless he could die once again.

He asked, “Can I die once more?”

Momoki, sitting upon the Black Rock of Meditation as they rested from their training, said, “Yes, but only at the hands of a Gifted One or a god.”

Ebi nodded with understanding.

On and on went their training until, at last, Momoki felt he could teach Ebi nothing more. He said, “Now we must teach you to attack. Think, Ebi. Think of some thing that you used in your day-to-day life, something you know well and are familiar with, something you can use as a weapon.”

Ebi searched throughout his memory for a proper weapon. His first and strongest thoughts were of his nets he used for fishing, but doubted their value as a weapon. He was not sure what a proper weapon should be like, but he knew it had to be dangerous. He thought of the things that may have hurt him over the years of his life. again he thought of the nets and how his shoulders hurt after hauling them in all day. yet finally his mind wandered to one thing, the thing he constantly pricked his fingers with though he did not use it as often as his nets. He thought of his many fishing hooks.

In Ebi’s hand appeared a large hook with a barbed spike.

Momoki inspected the hook. It was far larger than he and appeared quite capable of menacing assaults.

Momoki nodded. “This will do nicely.”

Momoki, fearing he may kill Ebi as he had killed the Gold Baboon or Ebi killing him, thought to train Ebi instead against a many-armed silver tree. Ebi soon learned to use the spike to thrust, to arc the hook out widely in a deceptive missed attack only to pull it toward him at the last moment, spearing an enemy from behind. He became quite efficient with his new weapon.

Watching from the deep shadows of the land was Radiant Gui. As he witnessed Ebi’s progress and Momoki’s acceptance in his role, he smiled a toothy, drooling smile.

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CHAPTER 2

In a hilly countryside where grass rolled over the horizons there was a small farming village called Yuki. The people there had terra-formed the land into stepped farmland where they planted and grew fields of rice. They brought water from the nearby mountains into their fields with deeply dug trenches. They had a large windmill with which they used to spin a miller’s stone and grind rice into paste or powder. Everything here was green and blue and bright. Even the people wore blue and green work clothes with the occasional bit of purple. They dyed their own clothes with the inks of roots they grounded themselves. In every way the people of Yuki were self-sufficient. They even had a nearby town at the base of the hills that had grown along a trade route where they could go to sell any of their surplus rice and grains and dyes.

Each year the village grew a little with children. But once they added a new member to their numbers. He came crawling to them, wounded and broken and dying from thirst, hunger and exposure.

The village elder, a man called Dubai, recognized this newcomer immediately as a Gifted One. He told his people, “He has come to us from the gods, wounded and needing help. They have sent him to us to care for.”

The people agreed and they took in the Gifted One, though a few were frightened by his rat form. Rats, they knew, could eat away foodstuffs and therefore profits and supplies. These people would whisper that this newcomer was, perhaps, a curse, but they remained fairly silent and obeyed Dubai’s words of wisdom and felt they should wait until the rat had actually committed some affront upon them before demanding he be ousted.

The affront never came. In fact, he soon won over the hearts of everyone within the village.

The rat was given a bed within the home of Dubai and his granddaughter Elsa. His name was learned as Stavros and as soon as his back had healed enough where he could walk he asked to join them in their work in the rice paddies.

“It is our work,” said Dubai. “Do not concern yourself with it.”

Stavros, whose back had healed improperly so as to give him the slightest hunch as his chest thrusted forward, said, “But Dubai, you have all been so kind. I am in awe of your kindness. I have felt such kindness only once before in my life and I wish to show my gratitude. Helping you in the fields is the best way I can think of. If there is another way, then tell me. I will do it.”

Dubai felt the words of the rat. He said, “If it is what you wish, we will teach you to work in the paddies.”

Stavros’ back, arms and shoulders soon grew with the work. He enjoyed his days in warming sun. he even enjoyed the rainy nights when the Heavens opened their gates and flooded the hills. He felt so small and at the command of all the elements when it rained, yet he somehow felt a part of the land, as well. He was working the land, growing as the rice grew. He learned to love the people of Yuki village as he had once loved the Ruska Roma.

Stavros’ story became well known to the villagers. The children often asked him to retell his tales of traveling the world and fighting the Brothers Jackal, of the immensity of the demon-dog. They would clap and cheer as he began and ended each tale.

Elsa bought new cloth in the town and dyed them bright blue with streaks of purple and sewed them into a new outfit for Stavros. He gave up all his possessions, selling them and giving the money to the village to be spent on whatever supplies they needed. He kept only his earrings and his sword.

At times, usually late at night when the land was quiet and the people of the village were falling asleep, Stavros would walk into the fields and meditate upon his fallen Ruska Roma family. Inevitably he would begin practicing his fighting in katas of his own. Occasionally he would do so with his sword.

On one windy night, as the air seemed to howl with the agony of the dead, Stavros thought he could hear the voices of the fallen Ruska Roma calling out to him.

He took to the field with his sword. He decided then – as the winds howled about him, bending the grass and his fur – should he ever be given the chance, he would avenge his people. He took up his sword this night and practiced. He watched for a moment in the distance how the windmill whipped, spinning crazily in the wind. He thought how dangerous it would be to go near it. As he practiced with his sword, he thought to mimic the spinning windmill. He jumped, his body parallel to the ground as he twisted with his sword extended out, spinning as the blades of the windmill and brought the blade down upon a stone in the grassy field as he fell, splitting it in half.

He rose from the ground. As the world breathed heavily upon him, so too he breathed heavily back at the world. “I will find my way to you, demon,” he cursed. “And I will cut your jackals to pieces.”

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CHAPTER 3

Fei Li Mi chased every rumor that came to his ears. Many were those that knew the reason the stars had fallen from the nightly Heavens, enough for the catfish to know the tale was too well known to be a mere rumor. But the things he heard of the demon-dog Yaska Selith seemed wild and exaggerated. One thing, however, piqued his interest. He had heard from more than one person that treasures from all over the world were being sent to the Plain of Adoration, to Yaska Selith. Some of the treasure was being sent by the demon-dog’s own loyal followers. Others were being sent by those wishing the demon-dog to bless and protect them or do for them some favor. Amongst the treasures had been many jewels and gems. Thought Fei Li Mi considered the possibility of Yaska Selith having the Jewel of Zingtai – the very jewel he sought – he felt himself remiss should he not follow the rumors.

So came Fei Li Mi to the Plain of Adoration. There he witnessed what many others had. He saw the orgies, the use of opium, the rapes and fights and gambling. He feared not so much the people or their activities, but the zeal with which they took to them.

He was seen flying overhead and rather than fly off or hide, he felt it best to lower himself to the plain and present himself. And though he could easily see the large demon-dog, he was uncertain how to approach him. He instead presented himself to the group of people nearest to where he landed.

“I am Fei Li Mi,” said he. “I would like to speak with your demon.”

The people laughed. One man said, “Who doesn’t? Come, join us, we are about to play some games and roast some rabbits we hunted earlier. A Gifted One such as yourself would make our conversations livelier and it would be a great honor for us.”

Fei Li Mi accepted their offer and ate with them and played games. He learned much about Yaska Selith in this way. Moreso, he learned a lot of the people who gathered at the demon-dog’s feet were simple peasants seeking refuge from some thing or another or seeking nearness to Yaska Selith. Many appeared in awe of the demon, despite having lived upon the plain for some time.

After a time, Fei Li Mi had to admit, with the cordial approach the people took to him, he felt welcomed here. A few of the women even had children and they all sat and listened as he told them tales of the Elephant Crusade. The people enjoyed having Fei Li Mi to watch their children and he thought, “I came here to please my Empress and win the favor of her children, but if there be children here I can oversee and protect, what need have I to hassle myself with asking the demon-dog for the jewel, should he even have it? No, I will make this plain my new home.”

And so he did.

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CHAPTER 4

Balori’s company of men had grown as they traveled across the world. He knew a few were there only to be near him, which disgusted him. But he remained focused on reaching the Plain of Adoration. Should a fight truly be coming, he knew its nearness would chase off the cowards that followed him.

As they went, they came into town after town that knew of the Plain of Adoration. Person after person told them they drew nearer and nearer still. Great excitement filled Baloir, Macia, Negkendra and Akadia. A few of the others, the cowards that Balori despised, the men who were following merely to follow, asked, “What are we to do when we reach the plain?”

Balori said one word, “Fight.”

“Fight? A demon?”

Balori nodded.

The next day, as they rose from their night’s slumber and prepared to press on towards the plain, the men who were following to follow had already gone, slipping away in the night. This pleased Balori.

They pressed themselves hard that day. they did not stop much to eat. When one man had to relieve himself by the side of the road, the mass of them did not stop to wait for him. He would have to catch up later.

Those men and women that remained at his side sought to right things in the world. Many had been witness to Yaska Selith’s devilry as he moved across the world before settling upon the plain and they came for vengeance, for retribution, for justice. Many had no connection to Yaska Selith at all, they simply wanted to aide Balori in returning the nighttime Heavens to their former beauty. A few came with Balori seeking glory. With the parting of the few who followed merely to follow, all were bound together in their dedication.

They were all thin with the hard traveling. But with each meal that grew smaller so their dedication grew larger.

At last they came to western side of the Black Mountains. Their black and purple looming visage had driven them for many days. Balori raised his massive trunk and smelled the air. He said, “The demon is near. Should the directions we’ve been given be true, he lives upon the plain just the other side of these mountains.”

Negkendra craned his neck, as did all the men, and gazed upon the imposing mountains. “We’ll not make the top of the mountains before night,” said he. “It would be best if we stay here for the night and start up the first thing in the morning.”

“If only we could all fly as Balori,” said Akadia. “These mountains would not stand in our way.”

“If we could fly as Balori, none of our travels would have taken so long,” answered Macia.

Akadia nodded. He considered Balori a moment. He said, “Master Balori, we have held you back a long time, much more than you ever desired. We are here now, at the base of the Black Mountains. Go, go on without us. We will tackle the mountains at first light and we will join you when we can.”

Balori considered this. He looked up at the mountains. He wanted so desperately to fly over the mountains and confront the demon-dog, to find out if he truly possessed the Jewel of Zingtai. He looked at Akadia and said, “Perhaps I could, but I won’t.”

Many of the men rumbled. They urged Balori to go on without them, that they would catch up.

Balori shook his massive head, his ears swaying from side to side as he did so. “We have traveled this far together. I can wait one more day. And, you are here because never have I confronted a demon before. I know not what to expect. I can only assume a fight might follow. If there’s a chance of that, I’ll need you at my side. I may be a Gifted One, but I am but one pair of hands. I do not know if that is enough to conquer a demon. I will wait.”

Balori looked at them each in turn and added, “And many of you have good reason to be here. I cannot rob you of your chance to make things right. You have been with me throughout the journey, even when we were not the best of friends,” at this he looked at Negkendra. “But now we are as family. I cannot abandon you now.”

Though some of the men and women did not agree, saying that had they been in Balori’s place they would go on without the rest, they all saw the elephant’s wisdom and thanked him for the kind gesture.

Balori said, “Get some rest, lest these mountains conquer us tomorrow.”

They made camp, ate a large supper taking up most of the last of their provisions, toasted to themselves and drank deeply from flasks of wine and watched as Kalavata flew high overhead to blanket the world with a starless night. They each could feel the nearness of the end. They each could sense the demon-dog on the other side of the mountains. Not one of them slept very well.

The following day they made a small breakfast and let loose their horses before scaling the large Black Mountains. It took them all day and they paused only to eat once. In the end many of the men and women had scrapes and bruises, but none were severely hurt. As Kalavata crested the far horizon so Balori and the other crested the peak of the mountains.

As they rested upon a large ledge frosted with bit of snow, they eyed the plain far below and saw the amassed people there surrounding Yaska Selith.

“Their numbers are far greater than ours,” said Macia Thrace.

The others nodded.

Akadia spoke, “Balori, I’ve been thinking on matters. If we all descend the mountains at once and challenge this demon, I doubt any of us would survive. We number perhaps a few dozen, they number a few thousand.”

“I think you are correct,” said Balori.

“I think perhaps you should go on alone to discover the truth of the Jewel of Zingtai. I’m certain you could ask to see the demon and when you do you could ask him directly to give up the jewel. If he says he will, then our purpose is at an end. If he says he won’t give it up, at least then we will know he truly possesses it. If he says he knows nothing of it, then we know we’re not where we need to be. If we descend together we may be seen as an invasion force and attacked immediately. What good then will our trek have been? But if you go on alone, then our lives would not be in danger and we all could be spared.”

“You send Balori to his death!” Negkendra challenged.

Akadia shook his head, “That is not my intention. They are more likely to allow one of us to pass by without harm.”

“Why Balori then? Why not you?” asked Negkendra.

“Because he can fly and be there swiftly and easily.”

“You send him to his death!” Negkendra said forcefully, approaching Akadia as thought to attack him.

“No,” said Balori. “What Akadia suggests had merit. What good is there in all of us marching to our deaths? If I go forth alone, I can be as a scout. I do not wish to leave the company of men and women who have so ardently come this way not to obey me or follow my quest, but to follow each their own. This means much to all of us individually and as a whole, yet, as I said, Akadia’s words have merit.”

There were a few protests, but in the end most of the others agreed to Akadia’s wisdom.

Balori gathered up his three weapons and made sure they were placed well within his belt. He paused only a moment to look at the others. “I wish there was another way.”

One of the men, perhaps inappropriately, said, “Should anything happen, we will avenge your death.”

This drew a few sour looks to him, but all quietly agreed to his sentiment.

Balori breathed deep. He snorted out his mystic cloud and mounted it. He slowly descended the Black Mountains towards the Plain of Adoration.

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CHAPTER 5

Momoki and Ebi entered the Chamber of Despair together. They walked across the courtyard to the hut where he introduced the fisherman to Twila and Szu Ri who were quietly chatting. Ebi bowed to them and rested upon the floor near them. Momoki looked at the hut in whole. He noticed how Ebi seemed to take up so much room. He knew then why the hut had been made so large, he knew then the hut would house not only himself and Twila, but his warriors. He looked at all the remaining emptiness and wondered how many more would fill the hut completely.

He looked at Szu Ri and asked, “Where is friend Gogi?”

“He is in his garden,” replied Szu Ri.

Momoki nodded and turned toward the area of the courtyard where Gogi had made his garden.

As he approached, he heard Gogi mumbling nervously as he dug at a deep hole in the ground next to the garden. He then saw a few stems of plants had sprouted, but they were weak and thin.

“What’s the matter, Gogi?”

Gogi nearly jumped at the sound of Momoki’s voice. He had been so busily studying the garden he had not noticed Momoki’s return. He said, “Oh, Momoki… I-it’s my garden. It’s not growing very well. It’s not strong at all. There’s no water here and if I do not find some soon these plants will die. I-I cannot allow that to happen! Szu Ri and I need to eat. If we don’t have these plants, if I can’t dig a well and find some water, we may die!”

He looked pleadingly at Momoki. “I-I simply can’t fail! I can’t fail Szu Ri!”

Momoki nodded, wondering if he had done the right thing by bringing his friends to the Chamber of Despair.

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Act II will be posted next week. Be sure to check back!