The Asters of Ogaza

Dark secrets

           Under the harmony of fluffy clouds and blue skies, Amare lay- hands behind his head, legs easily stretched out in relaxation and eyes squinted to ward off excess sunlight. He felt a shadow close up on him and soon, the wet body and tongue of Ria dominated his face. He chuckled and sat up, rubbing her belly. She would have pups anytime now. Amare craned his neck to see Mama at the other side of the field. She was husking corn with Dada while they discussed, and Adara was trudging over, bucket of water and two sets of brushes in both her hands. He got up to help her as she grumbled in dissatisfaction at Ria refusing to cooperate with bath time. When Amare dropped the bucket, the skies darkened. He shot his head up to see the blue of the clouds swallowed up by seemingly angry, grey ones. And then his sister was gone. He walked to look for her, calling for Ria as he did. No answer. He dashed to the other side of the field to find Mama and Dada, but they were gone as well, along with the corn like they were never there. Panic coursed through his body like a cloak. He hollered, calling for his family as he searched through the fields. Even their house vanished. The dark skies began to vent their anger upon him. Sharp, silvery droplets of rain whipped his skin fiercely. Thunder and lightning feasted loudly above him and salt water trickled into his parted lips. For a flash second, he saw Mama’s face through the blinding rain. He made to run after her, but as if playing a game, she was gone before he put forth his second leg.

“Mama” Despite the rain, his throat was desert dry. “Mama” He called a little louder, as though summoning her. Adara suddenly stood before him, holding out her hands, and as he tried to hold it, he started falling into a black hole, slowly, and then with speed. He saw his family watching him, eery satisfaction plastered on their faces. They were not the faces he knew; these were not the people he’s lived his life with.

“Mama! Adara!” He held up his hand, hoping as bizarre as it seemed, that they would catch him and help him up. He soon felt hands grip his, and as he jolted, he met Angel’s empathetic eyes. The hands holding his were Angel’s, and in a swift motion, Angel hugged him tightly. The sweat and tears mixture from his face dampened Angel’s neck.

“It’s okay” Angel patted his back lightly “They’re okay. They’re okay”

Amare sobbed, sad sobs that made his entire form tremor. He didn’t stop calling for Mama. For Adara. And in the darkness of their room, even though tears ran down Angel’s eye, he didn’t stop assuring his friend, an assurance he wasn’t quite convinced in.

          The week moved quickly. Zina had exchanged two letters with Pa and Zo, Empress Liya had specially taught them Etiquette, Archery was not as difficult and intense as sword fighting. They also explored and loved the insanely grand library. Master Poja had set up Palace staff to be purposely rude to them to test their discipline- this was their test for the week. The Palace staff had gathered to teach them the basics of cooking as their Skills program for the week and they meditated together at one of the Palace halls.

“Who feels lighter? More focused and less tired?” Master Poja asked after Meditation and 19 hands went up. Amare’s didn’t. Angel cast him a worried glance.

“Good.” Master Poja nodded “Very good. It has been just a week; I hope you are all getting familiar and comfortable with the Royal Palace environment?”

“Yes, sir!” The Asters chorused.

“Good. Remember to keep practicing and learning by yourself and together as well. Understood?” Another chorus “See you at supper. Have a good day.” Master Poja started to leave and they bowed

“Sword fighting tomorrow. You better come prepared, you need to start handling swords soon” Princess Haile told them, her face as expressionless as always “There would be blood. More blood than my bud PJ shed last time” She slung her arms around Master Poja’s shoulder. “A lot more blood” This time, she grinned. “Be ready, don’t bore me tomorrow” She walked away with Master Poja, leaving the Asters sorely uncomfortable.

“PJ” The boy with the afro jeered and they laughed

“But, how does someone talk about blood with so much…enthusiasm?” Another Aster remarked, fear apparent in his voice.

“The Princess is the creepiest person ever. I get so afraid whenever I see her” The boy who complimented Zina’s hair the first time cringed

“No kidding, guys. I had a dream last night. A terrible one. Princess Haile transformed into a blood sucking, bone crackling creature and killed us. All of us!” The dramatic effect in Jael’s tone was more than enough to actually scare the Asters. It did scare some naive ones though.

“Oh please” Marjani rolled her eyes “She is right, you know. You can’t learn to fight with swords without getting a few scars. She’s just bluntly telling us what to expect. I like how tough she is with us” Her eyes held admiration

“Nobody needs her toughness! And I wonder how many scars you have, given you were raised by ancient warriors” Jael taunted and Marjani giggled

“I have one on my abdomen. I could show you, if you want”

“I want!” The boy who complimented Zina said in excitement and the Asters around him shoved his shoulders.

Marjani smirked “Beat me at sword fighting tomorrow and I’d show you”

“Deal!”

          Zina didn’t wait after Meditation. She walked towards Vines, sketchbook and quill pen in hand, worrying about Angel. Like synchronicity, she saw him moving so hurriedly you would almost not notice him. He hadn’t been exactly chatty that day.

“Angel!”

He shifted his body to the direction of the voice. His eyes were panic stricken. She jogged over to meet him “What’s wrong? Why are you in such a haste? And why do you look so…worried?” Zina internally scolded herself. She never thought she would get close enough to any Aster to be concerned about them.

“Amare” There was urgency in his voice “Have you seen him? After Meditation, he just disappeared and I can’t find him. Have you by chance seen him anywhere or do you maybe know where…” He pauses and heaves to pace himself “I know that the both of you are not exactly cordial, but please. Please. If you see him, let him know I’m looking for him”

Strange. Zina thought. This sudden affection and care for salty Stevie

“Of course,” Zina nodded “I don’t understand why you’re suddenly concerned about your roommate though. But I’d find him, and tell him you’re looking for him too.”

Angel’s lips birthed a small smile. “Thank you, Warrior Z”

“Hey! Stop calling me that. I am not a warrior. If anybody is, it should be Marjani, salty Stevie and all those other kids who excel at physical training. Not me”

“Whatever you say, Warrior Z” Angel chuckled and patted her head. She shifted awkwardly away from him. Only Pa had done that lately. Whenever she cried or did something good, he always patted her head to make her happy.

“Bye now. You go that way, and I’d go this way until we find him”

Angel bobbed his head. She knew that he wanted to ask where she was going, so she took off in the opposite direction before he could ask. When Zina got to Vines, she showed the Royal guard her permit from Master Poja and was allowed to go out. Freedom. She pulled the hood of her cloak over her head and considered going home, but that would take her over an hour on foot. Besides, she didn’t take any cowries to rent a horse, so she pushed the thoughts aside to accomplish the actual reason she took a permit. She navigated right and started walking away from the Palace. All sorts of people were on the road- buyers, traders, some farmers with their tools, cobblers. The streets after the Palace were bubbly and crowded. Her heart panged as she thought of home. But the sight of khaki trousers and pocketed hands snapped her out of her thoughts. Is that…? No way! She snaked her way through as she rushed to catch up with him. He was moving really swiftly and when an elderly woman with a basket of fruits ran into her, she silently cursed knowing he would be far ahead of her before she would be done scrambling around to collect all the fruits. Ignoring the appreciation and blessings from the woman, she lurched forward to keep chasing after him, but he had vanished.

She bent over, placing her hands on her knees and feeling defeated. She walked towards some trees to take cover from the unfriendly sun. North Ogaza was mostly hot during the day, and her poor scalp suffered for it. She took deep, frustrated breaths as she rested against one tree. Feeling the need to look around her, she did and observed that there could be a different place beyond the grove of trees. She didn’t know exactly what, but she was willing to find out. And so, she walked amidst the trees, identifying them as she did- iroko, mahogany, all tall trees that made that environment cool and dark. As she was about to make a left turn, she felt strong hands grab her roughly and pin her to a tree. She made to fight back until she felt cold metal touch the skin of her neck. A dagger. If she screamed, she would not be heard, and the person had locked her perfectly in place with their thighs, their hands still holding hers firmly together. How do I defend myself? her heart raced and for a moment. She wondered if this was what it meant to be face to face with death. If Mama, Dada and Ma’s heart almost leapt out of their chest like this before they disappeared and died.

“Who are you?” The voice was oddly coarse, oddly familiar “Why are you following me? Who sent you?”

Following me? The only person she had been following was Amare. And she was certain it was him. So, if this person thinks she is following him, he has to be…

“Salty Stevie,” she tried to keep her voice as cool and unbothered as possible “Is that you, kiddo?” She felt him ease and move away from her as he took off her hood

“Holy mountains! Why in the name of the Emperor do you keep following me, vulture?” As he clenched his jaw, his face said he was annoyed, but his eyes held fear and relief.

Zina dusted her body and wriggled her wrist to allay the slight pain she was beginning to feel “Why are you outside? Angel is going crazy looking for you. Go back”

Amare scoffed “How did you know I was here? Gosh, you are so persistent. Is that how much you’re obsessed with me?”

She scanned his face to see his stupid cynical smile etched.

“No,” she returned his smile “but you have only one pair of trousers so it’s not a hassle to spot you”

Amare cackled in disbelief “I have tons of trousers; this is just my most comfortable pair. Why the heck am I even explaining that to you?”

“You should have had the common sense to tell him you were going out. Do you have any idea how worried he is?”

“I’d apologize later! Why are you so worked up over him though? You’ve known each other for just a week, yet you both act like you are ride or die friends. Wait,” his eyes widened “are the rumors true? Do you two like each other?” His face lit up as he teased her “Holy mountains, are you in love with two roommates at the same time?”

Zina eyed him with venom. She saw how bloodshot his eyes were, like he didn’t get any sleep. She wished she could spoon them out.

“Just go back. And why are you outside anyway?”

Amare started walking away from her “To visit a brothel”

Shock, and disgust spread through Zina’s face “A brothel? Is that what you told Master Poja before he gave you a permit? Or did you lie so he wouldn’t know how perverted you are?” She gasped and took longer strides to catch up with him “Is that why you didn’t tell Angel?”

“Just, go away, vulture! Leave me alone. Don’t you dare follow me” He increased his pace and Zina didn’t follow him. She recalled how he immediately debunked her theories of him wanting to cross the Obsidian. And now he was outside, running away from her again. Was he…?

“The Obsidian!” she yelled and he stopped. She walked over to catch up with him “That’s it. It all makes sense now. It all…”

“Let it go, vulture! I’m not attracted to you so please, stop following me! You’re freaking me out. And stop giving me horse crap about the Obsidian. If you’re so interested in it, go ahead and cross it on your own”

“Your permit. Where is it?” Her voice become ice and stuck him to the ground “I want to see your permit, Stevie”

“Why do I have to show you?” he swirled to face her, his jaw tightened even further under her scrutinizing gaze.

 “You don’t have it, do you?” She grinned at the realization “You snuck out, and that’s all I need to know.” She began to move past Amare and he pulled her back

“What are you doing?!” His grip was firm, his eyes were bloodshot

Zina shook him off “About to tell Master Poja and Princess Haile. You might as well forget about being an Aster.”

“What do you want from me? What?!” They heard a rustle nearby and Amare peered to see if someone was there. “Did you bring company? Did anyone follow you here?!”

 “No, nobody even has any reason to follow me” Zina stepped closer “Tell me, just tell me why you’re so interested in the Obsidian. What do you know? What is your plan?” She watched him keenly as he quivered. She could swear that she saw tears well in his heavy eyes. He squeezed his eyes shut and took a deep, long breath. When he opened them, Zina knew. His eyes had the answers, but she would not assume until she heard him say them.