Chronicles of Akhani - 16 - The Assault
The sun fell behind the low hills dividing the desert from the Southern Savannas west of Akraessi. Cracks of rich crimson, dark amethyst, and bright amber webbed across the dark clouds above the horizon. The high contrast of the fading light gave an ominous look to hills, and the silhouettes of the mesquite trees stood as though sentinels to the danger that lay beyond.
Agystos sighed realizing that neither neither entrance of the outpost displayed any signs of Kysophos’s return. It had been several days now since they had their discussion, and none of the serfs seemed to know any more information than he already knew. A few footsteps approaching from behind snapped him back into the present.
“Why do you keep looking off into the distance like that? If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were shirking your governance duties,” said Gophylis with a smirk. “I have heard complaints from a few nobles that some serfs have gone missing. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”
Agystos fumed at the implication. “What has that got to do with me? Why is it that every time that someone dies or goes missing, I am the first to blame?”
“Ah, but my friend, your anger betrays you,” Gophylis’s reply was accompanied by the smile of a cat who has caught his mouse. “I know fully well that if you get angry, the accusation is true. So tell me, why did you...”
“You know damn well why. Do I need to say his name another time?” Agystos spat.
“Ah, that Akhani fellow again,” Gophylis replied while rolling his eyes. “Do you really think that he would--”
Before Gophylis could finish his sentence, the warning horn was blown. “Wolves!” cried the sentries.
The sudden realization that they were outside the gates came over both Gophylis and Agystos. They scrambled as fast as they could as the howls of the wolves grew louder behind them. As they were about to cross the threshold into the outpost, a strange thought came flooding into Agystos’s mind, and he stopped.
“Get in, we must close the gate!” yelled the guards behind the large gate doors.
“What are you doing, fool? Get in!” Gophylis commanded breathlessly.
Feeling as though he was no longer in control of his own actions, Agystos found himself scrambling southwards over a rocky hill and slipping down the sand on the other side. He heard the cries of Gophylis commanding the gates be sealed and barricaded. Screams poured out like raindrops falling upon stone, but within Agystos’s heart, it felt as though he himself was dying in those moments.
What made me run? Am I that much of a coward? Agystos thought as he laid still upon the soft sand out of sight.
Suddenly the air grew still, and a cool, dark silence fell over the desert floor. Shivers ran down Agystos’s spine when reality finally set in. He wondered who had survived. Whether the soldiers occupying the outpost had won. A sense of relief that perhaps the battle had been won prematurely flowed over him.
Agystos’s heart nearly jumped from his chest as triumphant howls rang out into the cold, empty, dark twilight. All thoughts ceased as he fled into the desert.
–
Akhani awoke to the sound of friendly banter emanating from the main room of the barn. Something seemed off about the conversation, though. The tone swung between jovial and dejected at a semi-regular cadence. He perked up his ears to try to listen to what was being said, but could not make heads or tails of the conversation.
“So, you’re saying that invisible people are causing all of our troubles?” Iosodoros asked in a mixed tone of equal parts confusion and skepticism.
“They’re not… they’re not like us. But, yes, people, if you want to use that term. Yes, they are corrupting the lands,” affirmed Zhorovna in a tone that was less than convincing.
“So… these people… are they here with us now?” Kodomi asked with a hushed voice.
“Well, yes and no. I believe that they are--,” Zhorovna began until she saw Akhani’s shadow escaping from the stall. “Good morning, Akhani!” she yelled, but turned to her hosts and whispered, “We’ll talk more later.”
Akhani feigned stretches as he made his way into the hallway. Fake yawns capped off his performance and he dragged his way towards his friends. He glanced at their faces, realizing that his acting skills were for naught, he gave a sideways smile.
“So, what was that about invisible people?” Akhani asked cooly.
“I’d rather--” Zhorovna began.
“Zhorovna here believes that invisible people are to blame for the odd events of late. Isn’t that, right?” Iosodoros interuped and smiled at Zhorovna’s blushing face.
“Ioso! Seriously! Leave the poor girl alone!” Kodomi chided, only to see her husband give an exaggerated wink to Akhani.
“Well, I’d say--” Zhorovna tried to begin.
“Oh, and she also believes that they have infected the land we are standing on itself! The trees, the animals, even my wine! Can you imagine that? Maybe they got trapped inside and that’s what made it so viscous!” Iosodoros laugh.
“But--” Zhorovna, again, tried to begin.
“Now, if these invisible people were doing this now, why weren’t they doing it before? Why was it only this week that all these events started unfolding?” Iosodoros asked point blank to Zhorovna.
“I prefer not--” Zhorovna began, but was still unable to finish.
“You prefer not to say in front of Akhani? Now, I know that you are young, but you are not a child. If something has to do with Akhani, it would be better that he knows. Now spill it!” Iosodoros’s tone had changed. No longer playful, but almost scolding.
“Fine. --” Zhorovna started.
“Good,” replied Iosodoros.
“Ioso! Let her talk!” Kodomi chided once more, to which Iosodoros winked again at Akhani.
Taking a deep breath, Zhorovna explained everything that she knew. She told of her visions, her conversations with Catoblia, the black smoke that conveniently would show up, and of Akhani’s erratic behavior. As they listened, they realized that there must be some truth to the words that Zhorovna spoke. Their breaths sat in their lungs, forgetting to exhale as they contemplated the ramifications of all that was said. Finally, Zhorovna finished, and they all stared at each other in silence.
After what felt like hours passed, Akhani broke the silence, “So, these people are inside of me?”
As Akhani uttered these words, a strange anger bubbled up from within him. Betrayal and castigation played out in his imagination. His heart beat faster and faster as rage built behind his eyes.
Upon seeing this sudden change, Iosodoros began to believe Zhorovna was telling the truth.
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