Melokai (ITHOTM Book 1)

Chapter 4 Ramya

4

RAMYA

The cave creature was chained in a barred cell with no windows. Four warriors stood in the cell, with swords drawn and pointed at the oddity, poised to eliminate any danger. Vigilant for the slightest hint of aggression, their eyes didn’t waver from their target as the Melokai entered.

But the prisoner was not hostile. He sat, back against the wall with his knees up to his chest and arms wrapped around his lower legs. As Ramya neared, his head came up and he took a deep breath through his nose. The four warriors bristled at the movement.

Ramya gawped at him through the bars. She had never seen a Trogr. His skin was dry and cracked. It was so white to be almost translucent and she could see veins and sinewy muscle. Blue bruises and cuts dotted his torso, and an angry burn with pus-oozing sores covered his left hand and lower arm. Fine, almost transparent hairs all over his body glinted in the candlelight and in place of eyes, he had pale pink lumps.

Gogo drew her sword and stood slightly in front of Ramya, primed to protect the Melokai should the need arise.

Chaz crouched near to the bars ogling the creature and jotting notes on scratchy parchment.

“Why is he that colour?” Ramya asked the scholar. She could not take her gaze off the Trogr.

“Trogrs have no colour pigment in their skin as they live in the darkness so it is not necessary, my Melokai. That fine fur heightens his sense of touch.”

The creature turned an ear towards the voices.

“Ask him what he was doing in our borders.”

Chaz spoke in the Troglo language. A guttural, ugly noise that came deep from the creature’s chest, replied.

“He was banished from Troglo,” Chaz said.

“Banished? Why?”

Chaz communicated with the creature and it responded with rapid grunts.

“My Melokai, he says that it is shameful, that he would rather die than repeat it to anyone. But give me some more time with him and I’m sure I can prise out the tale... He made a request.”

“He is a prisoner! He does not make requests,” Gogo thundered. She started to open the barred gate ready to thrash the captive.

“Wait, Gogo.” Ramya held up a hand and the Head Warrior stepped back. “Tell me what he requests, Chaz.”

“Water, my Melokai. He asked for water.”

Ramya gestured to a prison guard to fetch some. She felt drawn to this creature, perhaps it was the wine, but her instinct said to help him.

The four warriors parted and a cup of water was put in the creature’s hand by the prison guard, who stood to one side in the cell. The creature’s hand was shaking as he sniffed it. He lifted the cup but rather than drinking, he splashed the liquid on his face.

“You insolent cockface! You ask for water and then throw it away,” the guard shouted and punched him viciously, sending him sideways onto the ground.

The warriors sprung forward, four sharp blades pressed the prisoner’s neck, not yet breaking skin but with the clear intention to do so.

“Enough,” Ramya bellowed. She had noticed his face had changed, from pain to that of relief. He slowly pushed himself up off the floor, tracked by swords. “Why did he do that, Chaz?”

“Caves are humid, my Melokai. They do not drink water like we do, but instead absorb it through their skin. It has revived him. Look, the skin on his face is already dry. Remarkable.”

Ramya was as mesmerised as her Head Scholar. “Does he know where he is? Who he is speaking to?”

Chaz spoke to the creature and slowly the Trogr stood up to his full height. The warriors, unperturbed that he towered over them, moved back a step into a better position to attack. Gogo raised her sword and Ramya touched her fingertips to the hilt of her own. He put his right hand to his chest and bent forward, uttering a few words in his language.

“He says he is honoured to be in the presence of the ruler of Peqkya and that he is at your mercy. He declares he should be dead, that his own people wanted him dead,” Chaz said.

Standing, the cave creature was magnificent. Taller than the average Peqkian male, broad shouldered with a sculpted body, long limbs and huge hands and feet.

“Ask his name.”

The creature answered Chaz’s demand but continued to face Ramya.

“His name is Gwrlain,” Chaz repeated. “My Melokai, he asked if he could see you.”

“He is blind. How can he see me?”

“He will use his exceptional other senses,” Chaz enthused.

“This could be a trick by the freak, my Melokai,” Gogo warned.

Ramya knew she should be suspicious of a cave creature inexplicably out of his cave and stood here unwelcome in her realm, but instead she was overwhelmingly curious. Gwrlain, his name is Gwrlain.

“Yes, he may.” She nodded at Chaz, who then spoke to Gwrlain.

Gwrlain’s nostrils flared and he took a long breath that expanded his ribcage. He stretched his arms out to the sides with palms up and let out a deep, throaty hum that thumped around the space and bounced off Ramya, shaking her with its power. The hum stopped and Gwrlain listened. He then made the noise again but this time in quick pulses, moving the angle of his head on each pulsing hum. He stuck his tongue out of his mouth for a few moments, took another deep breath and spoke.

Chaz listened, eyes widening with each word. He translated, “My Melokai, he says there are six nearby, five females and one half-male. He says that the Melokai stands in front of him behind bars, about five paces away and that she smells of milk. He says that the Melokai is missing two fingers on her left hand and most of her left ear.”

Gogo glowered at Gwrlain, the skin on her bald head taut.

Ramya felt unstable on her legs again, stunned by the creature. Is he the trouble from the east? “Chaz, please come back here tomorrow and learn everything there is to know about his banishment and report back to me in the evening.”

“He is a threat, not an object to study! Give him to me, my Melokai, and I’ll give you all the answers you’ll ever need in a few hours,” Gogo said.

Ramya’s mouth went dry, she could feel her anger rising at the challenge to her order. A crackle of smoke from the fire that raged deep within. She stared at her Head Warrior who stared back, mouth clenched. Chaz took a step backwards. Even the warriors guarding the prisoner flicked quick glances over to this explosion about to ignite.

After a few heartbeats Gogo deferred to the Melokai and cast her eyes down.

“It’s time to leave.” Ramya turned and the others moved to follow. But a sound stopped her.

Gwrlain was singing and the entire room swayed around her. Chaz dropped to his knees and she even saw Gogo falter as the sweet melody flowed over them and, as it seemed to Ramya, into them. He had the loveliest voice she’d ever heard. She didn’t know how long he sang for, but when he stopped the world was a brighter, more wonderful place. All in the room were silent, dazed, and Gwrlain smiled for the first time. An honest smile.

“Give him as much water as he wants and then bring him unchained to my chamber immediately,” Ramya blurted out and strode into the corridor. The wine has made me reckless!

Gogo grabbed Ramya’s shoulders, shaking her whilst she shouted, “Ramya, no! This is madness. We have no idea who he is or why he is here. He is likely a spy. He could murder you; he could do anything. Think of the prophecy!”

The Melokai drew her dagger and held it to Gogo’s throat, pricking her neck and drawing blood. “You dare to question your Melokai,” she spat in Gogo’s face.

Ramya’s speed and sudden fury surprised her as much as her Head Warrior and as quickly as Ramya had angered, she softened. She withdrew her dagger. “I understand your apprehension, Gogo, and I am indebted to your unwavering protection, but he will not harm me. I am sure of that. If he attempts anything, I will squash him quicker than a nipping fly.”

Ramya forced a laugh, attempting to lighten the sour atmosphere. “Let’s hope he’s entertaining and doesn’t bore me.” She reached out a hand to her Head Warrior and said quietly, “I’m sorry for the cut…”

Gogo stepped out of Ramya’s reach. The warrior’s skewering glare told Ramya that she was furious, but there were no more words.

Later that night, there was a knock on Ramya’s door. It opened and Gwrlain was pushed in. He ducked under the doorframe. He stood there, and she noticed that they had dressed him as a pleasure giver in a leather loincloth with an ankle-length robe wrapped around his shoulders and tied with a cord rope. She made no sound and watched the incredible being. Everything inside of her whispered, he poses no threat. But still, she had hidden her daggers nearby.

He took a deep breath, hummed and listened, sniffed and stuck out his tongue. His head turned towards Ramya. Using pulsing hums, he navigated his way across her chamber, effortlessly avoiding chairs and obstacles. He stopped in front of her and then dropped to his knees, head down.

She noticed that his skin no longer looked so dry and cracked, the water had soothed it and he smelled musky. She brought a hand to his head and stroked the delicate hair. He shivered. Heightened senses, she remembered. She lifted his chin up so she could see his face and drew him off his knees so he was standing at full height. She undid the cord and pushed away the robe.

She took Gwrlain’s giant hand and led him to her bed. He picked her up and laid her down gently, starting to sing. Her skin prickled. Still singing, Gwrlain started to massage her from toes up. When he came to the bottom of her linen nightdress his hands stopped and he waited. She pulled the dress over her head and threw it by the side of the bed. He continued his attentions to her neck.

He turned her over so she was face down and started again to knead her feet and upwards, singing all the while. She brought herself up on her elbows but he pushed her back to the sheets with one large hand between her shoulder blades, pinning her down. No PG had ever dared to stop her and she submitted, thrilled. He traced his way down her torso with his mouth, until she felt his hot breath between her legs. Gwrlain started humming, low and long at first and then rhythmically pulsing, holding his mouth against her, so she had the full force of his throaty vibrations.

Ramya shuddered at the most intense, satisfying feeling she had ever experienced. She looked down at Gwrlain who was grinning.

“I want you now.” Ramya sat up, ravenous, and ripped off his loincloth.