What Once Was Eden: Chapter 6 Part 3 of 3
#16 of What Once Was Eden
What Once was Eden is Book Two of A Ship Called Hope, the prequal trilogy to my Sajani Tails series. The books are part of the Terah game world by Rossi Publishing Games. You can find the print and digital versions of the first book here. The Amazon Kindle version is also available, as well as one for Apple Books. You can search Chaaya Chandra to find me.
The books posted here are not self contained so you'll want to start on book one Fugitive's Trust. (Also called A Ship Called Hope, the original title) Fur Affinity or Weasyl.
Before she rose to be the pirate queen of Terah, Sajani was a rather selfish and uncaring petty criminal. Sent to Rhidayar to go to school, the fifteen year old wants nothing more than to return home to her friends and continue her shadowy lifestyle.
When the chance presents itself, she takes up with an escaped vykati slave and tries to make her way back to Drtithen. What should be a difficult trip quickly turns deadly when the human nation not only mounts an all out assault on the young pair, but also begins to prepare to go to war with Vharkylia.
Notes on the previous installment.
It's important to note that, because of her status in Vharkylia, Sajani has never been jealous of anyone. Slightly envious perhaps, but never the kind of burning jealousy you're seeing here. She's seen jealousy though, so knows it for what it is. Gregor, on the other hand, has never experienced it. It's not part of his personality to feel jealous of people. He accepts himself for what he is and accepts others for what they are. So while he's read about things like this before, he really is as clueless as he seems.
Art (c)2020 Golden Druid, LLC and Rossi Publishing Games
Story (c) 2020 Chaaya Chandra and Rossi Publishing Games
What Once Was Eden
By Chaaya Chandra
Chapter Six: Coming to Terms (Part 3 of 3)
Once the tents were down and wagons loaded, Zant showed up leading two saddled horses. "Two people are sick this morning, so I talked Alonzo into letting us all ride."
Sajani hadn't ridden a horse since she'd left Adido over seven years ago, but she didn't want to admit it. Instead she forced a smile and said, "Wow, thanks Zant."
Gregor caught her expression and gave her a consoling look. "Are you okay with that Sajani?"
"Of course," she lied. She couldn't possibly tell him how thrilled she was to spend a day getting saddle sore and running free with Zant, even if Gregor would be there most of the time.
The gray wolf was on the same chestnut horse she'd been riding a few days ago and she had a buckskin gelding and a very large blue roan mare with her. All the horses looked pretty tame.
Zant passed Sajani the reins to the mare. Sajani approached it and tried to make it look like she knew what she was doing. It was a good thing Gregor was there though. He stepped between her and the horse and grabbed its reins from her. She was about to lift her right foot when she heard him whisper, "left foot."
With that, she was able to get up on the horse without problems. She took the reins from him. "Thank you," she said, trying to make it sound offhanded so Zant wouldn't suspect how much he really helped.
The male wolf had no trouble getting on his horse and reining it back around to face them. "I might need some time to get used to riding again," he said quickly. "Why don't you get started with your work Zant. Sajani can help me get going."
"I can help," Zant said cheerfully. It seemed pretty obvious she didn't believe him. "but I do need to check in with Alonzo and see what teams we're assigned." She reined her horse away and left.
As soon as she was out of earshot Gregor said, "Reins in your right hand." He smiled at her and brought himself closer to her. As he did so, her horse sidestepped a couple times.
"Huh," he said quickly, "your horse..." With a shrug he repositioned his mount a little further away. "Just to make sure you remember," he said, winking at her, "Just point left or right with the reins the opposite of where you want to go. The horse will figure it out. Use the second bend on your legs to nudge the horse forward. To go faster, kick backwards with your feet."
She changed hands with her reins and smiled at him. "It has been a long while, but I didn't want to say anything." Looking down at her saddle, she noticed a silver placard. Written in old Vykati script was the name "Sergeant West." That brought a frown to her face which was immediately noticed. Her ears fell back.
"What's wrong?" Gregor asked.
West wasn't a common name for vykati, but maybe... "Is there a name on your saddle?"
Gregor looked down and his eyes got a little wider. "It says: First Lieutenant Pelke."
That left only a claw's width of doubt. "They name their horses after the wolves of Altaza," she said. She wasn't sure if it was honorary or sacrilege, although its intention had probably been pure.
"Huh," Gregor said indifferently, "we managed to get two you know?"
There were a lot of names--one hundred. "I know all their names," she said sadly. "It's something my father made me learn." He'd told her that it was so that she'd know the names of all those that stood with her mother, but to her--especially at that time--it felt like he was forcing her nose into the tragedy.
"If you want to change your mind about riding today, I'll understand." He said sympathetically. "I'm sure I can find some excuse to tell Zant for both of us..."
"No," she said, trying to get her ears to perk up, "it's something different to do. It makes me feel like I'm doing more to earn this pay that Farleesha is supposedly giving us."
"I wonder what Zant's horse is named," Gregor asked.
She'd mentioned it briefly, the copper wolf recalled. "I don't remember, but I think if it was one of those names, I'd at least remember."
"Well," Gregor supplied, "let's make sure you have the basics down before Zant gets back."
Sajani took a moment to get Sergeant West moving and practiced turning. The mare seemed to be a pretty responsive horse. There was a little hesitation when Sajani tried to maneuver her close to Gregor, but she figured that wouldn't be a problem on the long ride. It was going to be a hot and uncomfortable day. At least there was a slight breeze. That'd make the ride a little more pleasant.
Just as the copper wolf was starting to get practiced, Zant rode back up. "The only reason they have us do this is the vhemato is either paranoid that something's going to go wrong, or she wants to squeeze as much work out of us as she can while moving," the gray wolf said cheerfully.
"Yes! It's both! Now get to work!" they heard the merchant shout from somewhere beyond them.
Sajani and Gregor laughed and Zant looked very embarrassed. "I'm going to get myself fired someday," she said quietly.
"Over one comment?" Gregor chuckled.
The gray vykati said sullenly. "Seems like I'm always saying something stupid around her." She looked down at the ground and then added, "Not on purpose."
Sajani glared hard at Gregor when he said, "Then you and the kalura have a lot in common."
The copper wolf had only been slightly annoyed at her friend, but she was furious when Zant said, "Oh no. As I said, I don't do it on purpose like she does."
Sajani tried to move her horse near the gray wolf's chestnut, but Sergeant West refused--even backing up a few steps.
Gregor shot her a pleading look while he said, "Be nice, Zant. Sajani's very grateful for everything Farleesha's done for us. Aren't you?"
"Very grateful," Sajani muttered to appease her friend.
"Sorry," Zant offered offhandedly. It definitely didn't sound sincere to Sajani. "Do you realize how often you two talk for each other?'
"She only talks for me when I'm stuttering," Gregor said defensively.
At the same time Sajani said, "He only talks for me when I'm about to say..." She realized it probably wasn't a good idea to mention that reason to Zant, so stopped.
Their comments had the gray vykati in hysterics. "See?" she giggled. "You just did it again."
The two wolves looked at each other and smiled then looked away in embarrassment. Sajani hadn't really thought about it before. It just seemed to come pretty naturally. She'd learned how to understand him, and it made her sad to see him uncomfortable and stuttering.
In some ways it wasn't too different than when he spoke for her. Instead of stuttering, she just didn't say anything and instead of saying exactly what was meant, he'd often say what she should say, rather than what she would say. The thought warmed her.
"We're assigned the three wagons that're six from the end. But we can ride anywhere along the caravan as long as we're checking those often." Zant told them.
Gregor asked her question for her. "What are we checking?"
The gray wolf responded, "You two? Nothing really." She let out a slight laugh. "I'll be watching to make sure the horses pulling the wagons aren't looking too fatigued and that the buckles, straps, and fittings aren't coming loose."
It made Sajani almost wish she had that job. "So that's all?" she asked.
Farleesha's voice came from beside them and she rode up on her large black mare. It was a very noble looking horse. "No pup play. You work," she said commandingly. "I doubt you'll know what to look for on the teams, but you're also here for security. Our riders are supposed to be," she looked harshly at Zant, "keeping an eye out for predators and bandits. If you see anything, get to the middle wagon and ring the alarm bell. Then stay there to direct the guards."
"Yes, Miss Qistara," Zant said quietly. The gray wolf had her eyes down, which was good because she didn't see Sajani smirking at her.
Gregor saw her and gave a disapproving look.
She looked down and felt bad for doing something she knew he'd not like. An almost forgotten part of herself wondered why she'd feel that way, but her current self didn't care why. She didn't want to disappoint him. That didn't require an explanation.
Farleesha reined her horse to the side and rode forward while the rest of the wolves sat in silence.
Once the merchant was out of sight, Zant said, "It's almost like she has extra eyes."
She cringed and her horse threw its head up quickly when the merchant shouted. "Just really good hearing, Zant." The other horses didn't seem affected.
Even Gregor laughed a little. Although, unlike Sajani, he stopped when he saw the hurt look on the gray wolf's face. After a moment, he raised an eyebrow at her, so she stopped.
The copper vykati did feel a little sympathy for the gray wolf--not a lot, but some. "I see what you mean about her wanting you fired..." she began.
The merchant's voice came from even further away. "I'd never fire Zant. She's way too much fun to tease."
Sajani's horse sidestepped slightly. "How far away is she?" Sajani asked at a normal volume. When there was no answer, she assumed the merchant was finally out of range. The whole caravan had probably heard Farleesha's comments though.
"Does it matter?" Zant said sullenly.
Gregor tried to cheer her up. "She did say she's not going to fire you."
"Well," the gray wolf said slyly, "if she's okay keeping a kalura, then a pup saying a few off things shouldn't have much to worry about it."
It was possible that what Zant was saying was supposed to be an insult, but Sajani didn't take it that way. She laughed and said, "Kalura go for the throat. She'd better be worried."
Apparently the other she-wolf took that as a threat because her eyes got very wide.
She relaxed when Gregor said, "Our kalura won't hurt you though." He gave Sajani a meaningful glance.
Zant let out a nervous laugh. "Talking for her again?"
After the look she got from her friend, the copper wolf knew what was expected of her. "I wouldn't hurt you," she said with a toothier smile than she intended. The words did come out sounding sincere. Gregor seemed pacified at least.
A shrill whistle caused Sajani's horse to take a couple of steps back and signaled the caravan to start moving forward. The copper wolf wasn't too sure about this horse but would never admit that to Zant.
Benayle had hoped to have Lord General Adibee Fys keep his position for at least another decade despite his age. Now, the wolf leader was reconsidering.
The Minister of War was standing beside the lone desk in the office of the National Alpha, while Benayle sat about a meter from him. Adibee slammed his fist down the desk. "Ben, we have no choice. The division in Altaza can't hope to hold against them. We must move the divisions from Talon and Fort West. I'd suggest at least five more."
"This is not open to discussion, Adibee."
"My proposal has the full backing of both the Council and the Lords. You have nothing!"
"I have my veto," the Alpha countered sternly.
"You know the tally on those votes! You know they were enough on their own to over-ride you."
He did know. The margin frightened him, but he'd never let them know that. "I have two weeks, Lord General," he said with conviction, "before the law allows another vote."
"By that time," Adibee fumed, "they could have a division of cavalry and a division of infantry in place! They're moving units like they want war!"
"I won't provoke them! Two nation's military units in that close of proximity is a powder keg with a match sitting next to the fuse." Benayle said with finality. "I'm not going to risk it."