Chapter 17 – The Kiraten
It’s obvious now that I think about it. Perhaps it was the struggle to survive that didn’t let me put the two together. Now I can’t see how I didn’t understand earlier. Talking with Zinneth is a group of five individuals just like Solarkar and the girl from my dreams. They are the Kiraten. Simultaneously hope and dread fill me. Were they all like Solarkar? Twisted beings, seeing all life as nothing more than expendable resources to fulfill their own desires. If they are not like him could they shift us home? Would they even if they could? I just don’t know. Nearing the group I see Whisper, his hackles raised as he stands side by side with Zinneth who ignores the pissed ferret while chatting nonchalantly with the Kiraten. The Kiraten are more apprehensive, giving Whisper cautious looks.
“This is most unusual, Zinneth,” says a Kiraten out in front of the rest. He’s tall and willowy with a receding hairline that looked strange with his leafy green hair. Dressed for war he has a long spear in one hand a large round shield with sigils of light decorating the perimeter in the other. He doesn’t wear armor but has on the same green, form-fitting suit that Sarah has on that looks nice with his blue skin. Unlike the others this one addresses Zinneth calmly, disregarding Whisper. I’m not sure if this makes him brave or idiotic. The remaining Kiraten are spread out behind him, all holding spears tightly. These are not the hivetung weapons I am familiar with. These make my own sword look like a toy. Elegant is too plain of a word to describe these weapons. It’s as if they were forged from living steel, naturally grown rather than forged, each with a row of small sigils glowing down the center. They look dangerous. With Sarah by my side we quickly come up, supporting Whisper. Resting my hand on Whisper’s head I feel him relax considerably. “Is this the human, Zinneth?” The Kiraten with the receding hairline says, fixing his gaze on me. He has the same green slit-pupil eyes I do.
“You will speak to my alpha with more respect.” Whisper growls. The Kiraten raises a single eyebrow at Whisper.
“They are the off-worlders I spoke of. I vouch for their conduct,” Zinneth says then, glancing at Whisper adds, “Provided you don’t provoke them.”
“I’m Jerry, and this is Sarah and Whisper,” I say. “Who are you?”
“I am Tarith of house Thanous,” Tarith says. “I speak for the Kiraten.”
“Can you shift us home?” Sarah asks, getting right to the point.
Tarith narrows his eyes at her. “No.”
“You can’t or won’t.” I ask, my hopes fading.
“Can’t,” Tarith says. “Shifting is a rare ability. Only those of a prime house retain the talent.”
“No, it isn’t,” Sarah says, glaring angrily at him. “Solarkar and all his flunkies can do it. You just don’t want to help. You’re making excuses.”
An expression of absolute surprise fills Tarith’s face at Solarkar’s name, quickly followed by loathing. “The name of Solarkar is not spoken lightly, off-worlder. He and his followers are traitors of the highest order. There is a bounty high enough on their heads to purchase one of the five worlds.”
His features soften slightly as he continues. “Solarkar and his fallen brethren were previously of a prime house, one of the five ruling families, until their attempted coup. As punishment they were stripped of the ability to shift and banished from all Kiraten lands. Only after their banishment were the depths of their true crimes discovered. We have been hunting them ever since. Tell me where are they so I may deal justice to them.” He grips his spear tightly enough that the blue of the skin on his knuckles turns white and the sigils on the blade brighten slightly.
“He’s in another world,” I say.
“Impossible!” Tarith says.
“You messed up,” Sarah says in righteous disgust. “Not only did you let that piece of trash go. You didn’t take away anything. He can still shift. They all can.”
Tarith blanches. “That can’t be. The Razoh is inside them.”
“What’s the Razoh?” I ask, holding my stomach., thinking I already know.
“Specially bred parasites that deny one the ability to shift. They are used to punish those of the prime houses if they abuse their powers.”
“So how did Solarkar get rid of it?” I ask hoping that I don’t betray my eagerness.
“I thought it was impossible,” Tarith admits, shaking his head. “Perhaps Melephos found a way to assist his disciple.” Tarith says, his face darkening. “I fear his crimes might be even greater than we suspect.”
Crap. I wonder if Solarkar had surgery done in my world. “Can you take us to someone who can shift us home?” I ask.
Tarith looks at me for a long moment. “Yes… You have given us valuable information on Solarkar’s location and Zinneth vouches for your honor.” He inclines his head to the dragon. “We will present you before the prime houses in the city of Babel. There they will be able to decide what to do.”
“What if we don’t like that plan?” I say. Babel… the famous fictional city? The idea of going to a whole city of beings like Solarkar and placing myself at their mercy is abhorrent.
Tarith shrugs indifferently. “Then you are free to go where you please. You are clearly from outside this world and would be captured immediately upon entering Kiraten lands. Your fate would be the same then except you would have none of the good will you correctly have. Or, you could stay here. Zinneth would enjoy the company.”
“Indeed, I would,” Zinneth adds. “Things get so boring here and I am fond of this Whisper. He is a true warrior.” The dragon gives Whisper a wide grin which I find terrifying. Way too many teeth in that smile.
Whisper gives the dragon a toothy grin of his own, “I could imagine worse fates, my friend. We however, have our own home to guard and vengeance upon Solarkar to deliver. Our fates reside elsewhere.”
“You’ve been great, Zinneth, really. But Whisper’s right, we have to go.” I say not really wanting to stay at all.
“Then you have but one choice,” Tarith says. “You must accompany us to Babel.”
“I guess we’re stuck,” Sarah says gloomily. “How long will it take us to get there?”
“At least one cycle,” Tarith says.
“How many days is that?” Sarah says tiredly.
“Nearly ninety.” Tarith replies.
“That long!” Sarah exclaims.
“Yes, our path is long and tiring. Once we return, a new group will disembark and begin the journey anew.” Tarith says.
“You can leave immediately,” Zinneth says. “They have already cleared out a nest of the vermin here and their quest needs no further delays. The purging can wait another cycle.”
“As you wish, Zinneth,” Tarith says, bowing deeply to the dragon. He straightens up, looking at the setting suns. “We should leave now then. The night has only just begun. May The Five look after you Zinneth.”
Zinneth snorts a trickle of smoke escaping his nostrils. “How many times have I told you? Dragons don’t need looking after.”
Tarith simply bows again in acknowledgment before turning back to us. “I see you have helped yourself to our supplies here. That is well since the journey is long and perilous. Gather your belongings. We depart within the hour.”
Turning his back to us Tarith shouts a bunch of commands which are accompanied by groans and complaints.
“Thanks, Zinneth, I’ll miss you,” Sarah says giving the dragon a pat on the knee. The highest point she can reach.
“I shall miss all of you as well,” Zinneth says. “Take care on your journey. Try not to anger the Kiraten. They are fair but quick to anger and slow to forget. They are the creations of the Valerdon the vindicator, after all.”