Chronicles of Akhani - 6 - Once in a Year
Akhani awoke with a sense of excitement. There was mist in the air, which could only mean one thing: the end of high summer. What the Xotokians call summer is short lived, but unforgiving. Many of the scrub bushes throughout the desert do not survive the week of high heat, but they drop their seeds as they sense the rising temperatures. Those seeds lay in wait for the mists that descend upon the land thereafter. Once the mist descends upon the dunes, they burst with lush green bushes and many flowers that seem to spring out of nowhere.
Akhani was pleased to see his companion begin to stir as she was slowly waking up. He had already prepared their breakfast, for they would need the energy today.
“What’s got you so excited?” Zhorovna asked rubbing the last bit of sleep out of her eyes.
“Today is the day,” was Akhani’s only reply.
“The day for what?”
“You’ll see,” Akhani said with a level of playfulness typically only found in children.
Zhorovna couldn’t help but get infected by this playful excitement. She wiggled in her seat like a schoolgirl as she ate. Finally, having gulped down all the food, she stared with anticipation at Akhani.
“Can you please hurry up? I need to know where we’re going,” Zhorovna impatiently pressed Akhani.
“Don’t rush me. I like to enjoy my food. We’ll get there when we get there,” he replied with a smirk.
He took his time with his last bite. His fork made it to his chin, then he paused, put down his fork, and took a drink from his cup. All this was done while Zhorovna made audible groans, which encouraged his teasing all the more. Finally, he took the bite, chewed, swalled, and wiped his mouth with his hand. He smiled, and burped.
“By the gods, do you have no manners?” Zhorovna exclaimed.
“I do not want to be like the Doiketians, so I do the opposite of all they do,” Akhani replied with a sarcastic dignified air.
Zhorovna scoffed and rolled her eyes. “You realize that manners are universal and not isolated in just one race? Even us ‘savages’ have manners.”
Akhani ignored the comments, and went about gathering the supplies that they would need.
“Ok,” he said, “I believe that we will have more than enough water to make it there. But promise me, no passing out this time.”
Zhorovna rolled her eyes one more time. “I promise, now let’s go!”
As they walked through the once barren dunes, Zhorovna was overtaken by the beauty of the land. Lush fields of green, red, purple, and blue rolled on to what seemed like the ends of the world. The scent of the flowers plunged her thoughts into the memories of the Spring Feasts that the monastery had held, where all the devout pilgrims would bring their local flowers in troves, setting them in front of the icons and statues. A peace filled her as these memories flooded all of her senses.
Akhani, having grown up in the region, had lost all wonder about the Fall Mist season. He trekked along, with the destination filling his mind. Though he was used to it, hearing the gasps and sighs that were involuntarily leaving Zhorovna’s lips warmed his heart.
They reached the outskirts of the desert heart. The scrub bushes were slowly being replaced by wild grasses and short, sprawling trees. Desert hares scuttled about, fearful of the new arrivals, and song birds’ songs filled the air.
“She’s typically found somewhere over the next ridge,” Akhani said in a hushed voice.
“She?” Zhorovna replied in the same hushed voice.
“You’ll see. Well, you’ll smell her first,” Akhani said with a grin.
Not long after this comment, a putrid smell was carried in on the gentle breeze. Zhorovna wrinkled her nose, and Akhani gave a suppressed chuckle. Whatever it was that he was leading her to, Zhorovna was no longer sure she actually wanted to see it.
“Once you get past the smell, she’s actually quite wonderful,” he reassured her.
As they crested the hill, Akhani motioned for her to crouch so as to not be seen. They pushed the grass aside, and peered down into the valley.
There stood a shaggy buffalo-like creature, whose body was swarming with flies. The grass wilted around the creature as it walked. Even the trees appeared to carry some invisible burden upon their limbs.
Zhorovna was unable to hide her disgust any longer. “You brought me to THIS vile creature? What good is it? What’s so special about a thing that kills all life that is within reach?”
“Stay here if you wish to be so prejudiced against such a wondering. I will go greet her, for she only appears in these parts once per year.”
“Go ahead. I’m not following,” Zhorovna said in protest as she watched her companion make his way down to the creature.
‘Hail! Catoblia! It has been a year since your last visit!” Akhani cried as he made his way into the valley.
Catoblia raised her head and smiled. “Hail! Akhani! My beloved Xotopodo!” she cried laughing.
“Hey, now! That’s a slur! Why would you insult me like that, you smelly wench?”
“Look at your feet, how could one not see that you are but a silly lizard pretending to be human?”
“At least the flowers do not wilt as I pass by.”
Akhani hugged Catoblia’s neck, and she licked his face. Zhorovna watched from afar, thoroughly confused.
“My friend is up on the ridge still. Her nose is too prejudiced, and thus she is being rude. I assure you, though, she seems to be nice enough for a Syverenian.”
“Not all appreciate beauty, so I will hold no grudge,” Catoblia replied with a grin.
Upon hearing these words, Zhorovna felt herself blush, and she sulked as she made her way towards them. Finally on arriving, she bowed before Catoblia. Catoblia, in return, licked Zhorovna’s face.
To Zhorovna’s surprise, the saliva of Catoblia smelled as sweet as honey, and as pleasant as a rose in full bloom. She wondered at the contradiction.
“Catoblia, here, is the protector of the Achinian Savanna. She is the last of her people, for all the rest were killed by the Doiketians during their great conquest of the lands. Thousands of her people were slaughtered for food prior to the Doiketians realizing that they were not mere buffalo.
“With the loss of her people, the desert has been expanding, and the predators feast upon the herds of buffalo and antelope almost to the point of extinction. It has been a great tragedy for all of us who dwell here, except the Doiketians.” Akhani finished his introduction of his beloved friend with a hug.
“And who might your friend be?” asked Catoblia with a smile.
Without waiting for Akhani, Zhorovna introduced herself. “I am Zhorovna a monastic… er… former monastic from the Silver Mountains. I had heard a Word that brought me deep into the desert, and there I found your friend, Akhani. He saved my life more than once in these few days that we have known each other. The gods will that I shall follow him.”
“I see, so you know the gods then?” asked Catoblia inquisitively.
“I only know them in so far as I have been shown and heard,” replied Zhorovna blushing.
“That is well enough. I am grateful to be in the presence of a Syverenian Prophetess. My people revered the Ovorganti before they were expelled, and I am relieved at least some humans have chosen the righteous path,” Catoblia send with a friendly, knowing smile.
Akhani was at a loss for words upon hearing this exchange.
“Now, follow, I will bring you to the mushroom patch. Akhani, how is it that you never know the way without my guidance?” Catoblia asked with a smirk.
“It’s not that I don’t remember. It’s that I wish to have the company. Besides, you always point out the best ones.”
Catoblia guided them through the trees to a spot where mushrooms seemed to cover every inch of the forest floor. The mushrooms were of all sorts of shapes, sizes, and colors. The hearty smell of earth overpowered even Catoblia’s stench.
“Remember, do not eat the red ones or you will lose your wits,” Catoblia said with a wink. As she was saying this, Akhani was stuffing several red mushrooms into a sack.
They spent that afternoon picking, cleaning, and eating many of the mushrooms. Catoblia explained to Zhorovna everything that was to be known about the different varieties. Some, as she explained, were to heal wounds. Others dulled pain. Some even could fight off infections. But, she warned, not all were good. She explained that some would cause hallucinations, or worse, vomiting that would last for days.
As evening approached, Akhani and Catoblia said their goodbyes. Zhorovna knelt before her new friend and teacher, but, as she was there Catoblia whispered something in her ear.
“Be aware that the dark gods have far more reach here than they do in the Silver Mountains. Even Akhani is not immune to their whisperings. You must join this fight for his spirit, and guard yourself, too.”
Catoblia licked Zhorovna, and bade them farewell. “Until next year, my dear friends. If the gods are so kind.”
------------