Kalon

Chapter One-Hundred-Eighteen: Yul - Part Two

Galactic Quadrant: Darna Quadrant

Ruling Government: Talum Merchant Federation

Solar System: D-447

Planet: Ora

Location: Naro City

My eyes trace him, the man who sold me. The deep scar of his removed ear looks intentional and fluid. A mark given to those who do not listen to orders. That does not surprise me, Nekam was always used to being in charge. It was seldom that he listened to others' opinions. Nor their pleas… bitterness fills me as I look at him, but somehow it falls away. If he had not sold me, I would have never met Luna, and I would be here or dead already.

I leave him where he stands, moving down the line. He is in the first row, the line of people that they wish to be rid of first. Missing a hand, it is no surprise they do not want him, coupled with the missing ear and sunken face, I imagine he has not done well here. Strange though, I thought he was good at adapting.

More faces that I recognize in the next row, each row further in means the price increases. Not that it matters, I probably don't have enough to purchase them, even if I wanted to. There are only three that I will do anything to set free, Arrum, Isola, and Yuri. I feel for the others' plights, but it is not my burden to carry. Just as they did not stop me from being thrown to the wind, I will not stop them.

I approach the last line, my heart clenching in my chest as I see her. A face that I once dreamed of, a face that I once held in my hand affectionately. Nevari, daughter of Nekam. Betrayal runs in their blood. Next to her, I see her venomous brother. He looks different now, face more serious, even with his head lowered, I can see it. Scars on his neck and hands tell me he has seen much in the months since I have been gone. Him and all the ones that stand in the lines are Ulima. Permitted to live while they have a purpose. Sold if any will pay.

Korra walks by Nevari, looking down at her with a satisfied smile, she whispers something as she moves. Nevari tightens, her eyes daring to look up from the bow for but a moment.

"Bow your head!" one of the chief's men yells at her. Stepping forward and striking her. Her hand tightens, but she does not speak against it.

Neeba's jaw flexes, but he is also silent, even Nekam says nothing. How the once mighty have fallen. It is almost sad to see them so low. The fate of an Ulima is not one that I would wish upon even them.

"Apologies, Lord," The Clan chief says to me, walking in stride next to me.

I wave a hand dismissing it.

"Do you see any that you wish to buy, Lord?"

I shake my head, wary to speak around those who might remember my voice.

"Well, perhaps if you tell me what you are looking for, I can help," he says, then catching my eye, he adds, "Lord."

Korra steps forward, "He does not like to speak to Kuwathi," she says, giving a light bow to the chief, "But he is seeking strong warriors, your finest."

The chief grimaces at her speaking to him directly, but he does not want to offend me so he does not speak against it. All Arasha are under the protection of the City Chief, to insult them, one must covet death or be too desperate to care.

"I have a few that I picked up this year, but they are very fine, the best even, the sum to part with them would not be cheap," he explains.

I motion my hand forward for him to show me. It is strange, the power an Arasha has over even an inner city chief. Power that pales in comparison to what I have witnessed. What I have seen over these months, has been the redefinition of everything I thought that I knew. Even without having broken four of the Netheric Boundaries, I am not the same man I was when I left. Wiser, more knowledgeable, aware of the greater threats that my people face. No longer blind to the outside world.

In the distance toward where we walk, I see people sparring. It reminds me of how things used to be. My heart beats in relief when I see a blade song that I recognize.

Arrum.

It takes everything in me to not yell his name and rush to him. This ruse, I must maintain it if I wish to take him and the others from here.

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Arrum seems to be instructing people on blade form. Thankfully my face is covered, or else they would see the smile as I see him shaking his head at a child who lunges improperly.

"No, I told you before, you must always strike where they will be, not where they are," he says. Hearing his voice after so many months, it nearly breaks me. How I have missed my bonded brother, my kada.

"Arrum," the Clan chief says.

He moves, walking towards us swiftly, bowing his head, "My chief?"

"We have a special guest, he wishes to pick only strong warriors, perhaps you can guide him."

"Of course, my chief," Arrum says, his head lowered still.

I motion to Korra, then point at Arrum, and she nods.

Korra points to Arrum, tilting her head, "My lord is interested in this one. How much?"

"Ah," the chief chuckles warily, then turning to me, he bows his head "He is not for sale, he is a full member of the Clan, apologies, Lord."

A full member, after less than a year. This chief must have seen his worth then. What Nekam never acknowledged in the way he should have, for his own blood.

On the edge of the room, I see Isola, she looks well-fed. Her eyes hang on Arrum's every move. He shoots glances back at her. Still as in love as I saw them last. It brings me joy to know they have thrived. So much that I fight back tears from my eyes. There are so many emotions sprouting in me. The relief from seeing he did not suffer as the others did, it is almost overwhelming.

"Lord, I will show you the finest."

I step after him, he stops after I take three steps. Turning. His eyes squint at me, blinking twice, he looks me up and down, it takes him three breaths and his chief nudging him to finally move again.

"Sorry, chief," he says, his tone strange.

Has he recognized me? His pace is unsteady, I feel that he wants to turn again, but doesn't until he reaches a group of fighters. Even then he pauses before he turns, glancing at me again, blinking rapidly, as though questioning what his eyes see. I move my hand in a sign that he will recognize. One we used to use as children. His hand slides up to his chest, gripping the fabric, his breath uneven as his eyes begin to glow.

"Arrum?" his chief asks, looking back and forth between us.

"Sorry, my chief."

His chief stares at him strangely, such an outburst is shameful among my people.

"Yuri!" Arrum yells.

Yuri comes quickly from another group, bowing his head to the chief as well as he approaches. Arrum whispers to him some instructions, Yuri blinks at him, then turns and sees Korra who pretends she does not know him. Almost no inflection on her face.

"Perhaps a demonstration?" the chief offers, and I nod.

My guards stand near me still, I wave for them to back up a few paces as Arrum prepares the fight. When he has selected three groupings he returns.

"Arrum, was it?" Korra asks.

"Yes," he replies, giving her a polite bow.

"Perhaps you can give my Lord a play-by-play?"

"Of course," Arrum says, giving his chief a bow, then coming to my side, "Lord."

I can't fight the smile. It was less than a year ago that Arrum and I played Korra's games in the lower city market. So much has changed since then, and yet as he leans in and speaks, I realize, some things never change.

"I would know your steps even in the darkness… Kada."

The smile becomes full as I whisper back.

"As I would know yours, Kada."

His jaw flexes as he hears my voice, I can tell it is difficult for him as well.

"What is the play?"

"We are leaving Ora."

He turns an eye at me, "Leaving the planet… I don't understand… Who is coming?"

"You, Isola, Yuri and Korra."

He blinks, looking down, a solemn expression on his face as he realizes that I don't intend to take the others. Those of his blood. Those that betrayed me, and sold me.

"I cannot convince you otherwise?" he asks, but his tone is weak, and conflicting, like part of him doesn't want to ask.

I don't reply. My eyes trace the fighters as they exchange blows. Remembering simpler days, when all we had to worry about was winning fights. Yuri steps next to Arrum, whispering to him. I turn, seeing he has three people behind him. My hand tightens when I see who he was told to bring.

Nekam, Nevari and Neeba. Arrum's blood.

"Thank you," he says to Yuri.

The Clan chief is growing suspicious, even though I don't know him, I can tell. He whispers to one of his men, another is speaking to one of my guards. Gleaning information. I'm about to speak with Korra, but I hear a familiar tune. The anthem of the Talum Merchant Federation. Holos all around the room begin to appear. My blood runs cold.

An Alverian man with slicked-back hair, not a single hair out of place. Cold eyes, deader than even Mallock's stare blankly out from the holos. I do not recognize him, but the others seem to.

"I am Adonius, Heir Apparent of House Helenius. As decreed by the Talum Merchant Federation under the articles of the Imperium, I am your master," the man says with a cold smile. It's just like in Riza's journal. I recognize the name immediately. He's the transitioning Governor, the one eager to prove himself to his father as Mallock said.

"You have been found guilty of failing to meet the new quota. Under the laws of the Federation, the sentence is death. As the Interim Governor of this solar system, it is my divine right to administer it."

Almost identical to Riza's journal. Except it was two seasons for her city, not one.

"Fear not, for I am merciful," he says with a grin, "You are privileged with the opportunity to redeem yourselves."

It's like he's reading from a script that his father left him.

"I will give unto you a series of tasks to complete. Those who are able to complete them will be rewarded greatly. Given a promising future."

The promise of a better future which ended with Riza's city abandoned. Which ended with the Arasha woman's death. My mood sours imagining what probably happened to Riza. She is likely dead. This much I know.

"The expedited processing will begin shortly, I look forward to seeing what you can all do."

The connection ends, strange, that wasn't in her journal. I wonder what expedited processing means. Another message plays this time a system voice.

"Attention former Citizens of Naro City, you are to remain inside your halls until called. Those in the mines will end their shifts and return to the surface immediately, those in the outer city will report to the shuttle bays in an orderly manner, starting now. Those who do not comply with the lawful order of the Talum Merchant Federation will face the consequences. Await further instructions."

Former citizens… this is not like her journal. This is happening much faster than I expected. When her city received notice, they had weeks before they were taken from the city. What is going on?

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