Chapter Twenty Yeeran #2
Something, no, someone, rushed past her and out towards the soldiers.
Pila, stop!
The obeah growled and bared her teeth in front of the soldiers. Thirty drums ready to strike her.
‘Do not fire!’ Malak shouted.
‘General Malak?’ one of the soldiers called out. ‘Is that you?’
‘Yes, Colonel, and former Colonel Yeeran, who has been granted immunity by me in exchange for my freedom.’
Yeeran knew Colonel Reena, her glossy white hair recognisable even at a distance, though she’d been a lieutenant when Yeeran last saw her.
To rise through the ranks so quickly in a single year said a lot about the state of Waning.
They had come up together in the army’s training regime.
Reena had been good at drumfire, better than good. But Yeeran had been exceptional.
‘What about the obeah?’ Reena asked.
‘Do not harm the obeah,’ Yeeran and Malak said at the same time.
There were titters amongst the soldiers, and Reena hesitated before asking them to stand down.
Pila was still growling softly.
Come stand with me, Pila, Yeeran said. I’m all right.
They hurt you.
They did. Yeeran could still feel the blood trickling down her face.
I kill them now?
No, Pila.
Just one?
No, Pila.
Just a bite?
No, Pila.
A nibble?
No, Pila.
The obeah snorted before coming to join Yeeran.
‘Where’s Chieftain Motogo?’ Reena called out.
Malak’s gaze flickered to Yeeran’s before he said, ‘All will be made clear, but for now, Yeeran has safe passage.’
Yeeran noticed a slight inflection when he said, ‘for now’.
‘Call the chieftains, let us not linger,’ Yeeran said, tightening her magic around Malak’s wrists. She felt him tense with pain.
‘Unfortunately, the chieftains are indisposed—’ Reena began but Yeeran cut her off.
‘I realise you can’t see it, but know that I have a coil of my magic wrapped around Malak’s wrists.’ Yeeran raised her hand slowly so that Reena could see her intention before she rested it on her drum. ‘With one simple tap, I can bind his chest too.’
Yeeran unspooled a thread of magic with a light beat of her drum; it wrapped around Malak’s ribcage before Reena could react. But react she did, signalling for the soldiers to ready their drums. Malak began to wheeze as the magic tightened.
‘Stop,’ he spat out. Not to Yeeran, but to the soldiers.
Reena didn’t hesitate. She did as Malak bade, and once again the soldiers released their drums.
So, it was only fair that Yeeran should release Malak’s ribs…a little bit.
‘Get the chieftains, Reena,’ Yeeran said.
Reena started when Yeeran used her name, as though she hadn’t thought Yeeran had recognised her.
‘Few have a shot nearly as good as mine,’ Yeeran said touching her cheek.
Reena’s lips twitched ever so slightly.
‘We do not need the chieftains, Yeeran,’ Malak said.
‘We are lucky that the soldiers from my old regiment were assigned this post today. Reena, Yeeran and I have made a deal. My life for access to hister flower–please obtain a crate for me.’ He coughed, rubbing his chest where the magic bound him. ‘As quickly as possible.’
Reena turned away to pass on his orders. It was then that Yeeran noticed her uniform. It did not showcase the four emblems of the coalition like the new uniform Yeeran had seen in the camp a few days earlier. The sight of it unsettled a memory.
Pila, can you remember the soldier who killed Cely’s obeah? Didn’t they only have a Waning logo on their jacket?
Yeeran could feel Pila straining through her memories until the image surfaced: Cely’s obeah lying prone and bleeding on the ground, and a figure cast in moonlight running through the trees.
And on their back the silver curve of a waning moon.
Yeeran opened her mouth, the accusation on the tip of her tongue. But then she noticed that another soldier next to Reena also wore the singular emblem of Waning. One by one Yeeran scrutinised each soldier until she was certain none of them wore the new uniform.
Something is not right here. Pila, can you hear or see anything?
I have very big ears.
And what do they hear?
There was a pause. Then Pila said, I can hear rustling, like many leaves in the breeze. Many, many leaves.
Odd, but not unusual as the Wasted Marshes had pockets of woodland.
What of Reena? Could you hear anything that she said?
No, the leaves were too loud, but I think I can see someone coming. Yes, and they have a crate.
Yeeran didn’t let herself hope until she saw the soldier arrive. The crate they carried teemed with bright yellow hister flowers. It was the sweetest sight she’d ever seen.
Except for Furi’s face, of course. But this came a close second.
The soldier handed the crate to Reena.
‘Put it on the ground, Pila will retrieve it,’ Yeeran said.
‘I think not,’ Malak said with a smile. ‘Release me first.’
Reena was watching Malak, awaiting his orders. Yeeran realised they were at a stalemate.
And I’m not sure how long I can keep up my magic.
‘Why don’t we create a new neutral zone? Place the crate in the centre, I’ll give you some slack to cross the space between me and your soldiers. Then I will walk to the crate and release you completely.’
Malak’s eyes crinkled in the corners. ‘Just like old times.’
Pila, when I drop the constraints around Malak, I’m going to weave a threaded shield. Be ready to shelter behind it.
Yeeran loosened the magic on Malak, as Reena placed the crate on the ground.
‘Remember what I said, Yeeran. All I want is peace,’ Malak said as he began to walk away. When he was nearly by Reena’s side Yeeran released the threads that tied him to her. The soldiers quickly moved to absorb Malak into their ranks, protecting him.
Yeeran didn’t delay; she immediately wove a threaded shield protecting her and Pila.
Because she hadn’t forgotten what Malak had said, and it wasn’t just about peace.
‘You should never trust those on the opposite side of the negotiating table.’
Yeeran began to advance towards the crate.