Avarin Falls, Chapter 1
Prologue
For hundred of years the four Natural races were at war with one another. The bonds that had held them close from the beginning of time disintegrated; friends became mortal enemies, alliances were torn asunder. When this continual battle put the world on the brink of destruction, the Races were forced to call an uneasy truce and sought out life as far from each other as possible. The forest Naturals chose to live high in the great forests of the world. Fire Naturals elected to sleep in the secluded deserts, while water and stone Naturals decided to live on the open deltas or in the infinitely changing mountain ranges, respectively.
A male Natural is a most peculiar creature, standing the height of an average human man, with a lifespan bordering eighty years. They are comparable to an upright feline, barring the hind legs, which are positioned in a manner similar to humans, and the face, which is only mildly elongated. Short course fur covers the body from head to toe; long hair gracefully outlines the face. Naturals are most peculiar creatures...
Chapter One
Tiko nudged the leather ball to one side with the heel of his boot and brought the other in a powerful kick. The ball went flying as his foot connected, knocking over the last wooden post set up on the opposite side of the courtyard.
"Geez Tiko that's five today!" Someone on the other team barked, "Give us a chance already!"
"You're just mad he's not on your team!" Kitari retorted.
Two groups of five Naturals were lined up on opposite sides of a long narrow enclosure. A post stood behind each player, backed by a high wooden wall. The other team only had one post left upright; if the last fell they would have to admit defeat.
Priests chanting the daily rites walked solemnly along the temple paths located on either side of the courtyard. At the end of each path a terrace marked the entrance into the temple proper, where the youths alongside Tiko were studying to be clergy, healers, or guards. Half an hour remained before the younger students would be allowed into the courtyard to join the merriment.
Tiko laughed and patted the friendly young acolyte on the back. "Actually that's enough for me for one day." Tiko brushed the sweat from his brow, "Anyway, I'll leave the game to the parishioners."
"Whatever," The youthful Kitari replied amicably as Tiko began ascending the temple steps into Avarin, "You'd better help us whoop those guys tomorrow!" Tiko waved noncommittally to the group and left them to their game.
Because of the unusually warm day, most of the cities inhabitants had elected to remain indoors. Those that braved the heat were lying on the ground asleep, or sitting on benches fanning themselves with broad Yore leaves. Walkways, usually so crowded they threatened to buckle from the strain now swayed emptily in the breeze.
As he exited the temple, Tiko was forced aside by four lads hauling an immense, ornately decorated crate. He shouldered by the struggling quartet and sat down, leaning back against the comforting bark of a Yore limb. A humid breeze filtered through the canopy branches and scattered the shadows lining the platform.
The temple was strategically positioned on the highest platform of the city giving Tiko had a birds eye view of the lower levels of Avarin. When a person traveled from the temple, the levels gradually reduced in height. This meant that it was always harder to come to weekly prayers than to return from them.
From far and wide and all walks of life, students came to the temple for unparalleled schooling in their selected path. Upon turning eight, every forest Natural chose a profession he or she would follow for the rest of their lives. Without pause for thought, Tiko had proudly proclaimed that he would follow in his parents footsteps and become a hunter. Eight years of intensive training had honed skills already naturally adept; Without pause, Tiko could track the trail of an elusive Marman and, as though guided by Apollo's hand, let loose an arrow that could pierce iron at one hundred paces.
This day, when the sound of birdsong was sweeter than usual, and the air was live with the scent of unseen blossoms, Tiko was going on his eagerly-awaited premier apprentice hunt! After two years of anticipation, and endless hours spent practicing while peers pursued more leisurely activities, the day had finally come! On this hunt Tiko could prove to his parents and, more importantly, to himself that he was someone worthy of respect.
"Uh oh, you've got that look in you're eye again Tiko," Kitari remarked, balancing a ball on his head as he took the last few stairs to the platform in a single stride. Without ceremony the ball dropped and rolled down into the temple. Kitari shrugged. "Let the priests pick up after me."
Tiko smiled and stood, brushing unseen dust from his leather leggings. "What look were you talking about?"
"You looked like you were thinking about the hunt."
"You know me too well." Tiko looked at the sky; the sun was near its' zenith and would soon begin the long descent into evening. "Speaking of which, I'd probably better stop lazing about. I don't want to keep the group waiting on my first hunt."
"Look Tiko, before you go..." The acolyte hesitated.
"Yes?" Tiko asked. Kitari rocked back on his heels. Tiko chewed the inside of his cheek impatiently but checked himself. He wasn't in that much of a hurry.
"I'm sorry but..." Kitari swallowed, summoning what strength he could, "don't get your hopes up again! I get so depressed watching you mope for a week when you don't get to go on a hunt." Kitari looked down, tracing an image on the platform with his toes. Tiko blushed; Five times Tikos' parents had vowed, sworn up and down that he would be allowed to join the next hunt. Five times, the same petty excuse had forced him to remain at home.
"They can't stop me from going this time." Tiko appeased himself, gradually calming his inner turmoil, "My parents have finally found someone that will watch Sanna while we're gone." Tiko patted his friend on the shoulder, "Thanks for caring though. I need to get going. See you in a week!" Tiko did not see Kitari gesturing farewell.
Tiko loped down the path to the stables in long graceful strides. Imagine, not getting to go on the hunt again! A dreadful thought, better banished from his mind. Yet it has almost become a routine, the saccharine hope and bitter disappointment. Well, what better day to break bad habits?
The community stable, unlike small, single story family stables, stood three stories high with a capacity for two hundred Mori-ko. The Mori-ko, children of the forest, were the steed of choice for the hunters. These mighty birds sported talons fabled capable of shattering stone, beaks whose razor sharp edge cut even the most inflexible leather. Some fifty of the stalls were currently occupied; Tiko had never seen more than half filled at one time.
The ground floor of the stable, open to the outside air, was brimming with hunters gathered for the approaching excursion. The walls sported ladders leading to the upper stories. Tiko sauntered inside, searching the milling crowd for his parents. He located his mother near the back, loading a travel bag with odds and ends. She looked up and smiled, albeit wearily. Tikos' heart soared with hope- Kitari's fears were indeed unfounded!
"Oh hello honey. How has your day been?" She asked, tying the bag shut with one hand. With a minor expulsion of air she struggled with the ungainly weight, and cast the pouch over her steeds back.
"Great. Which hunting ground are we going to?" Tiko opened a nearby cabinet and drew out his supplies. Three hours the day before were spent painstakingly packing and repacking his provisions. The bag overflowed with things he couldn't bear to leave behind, tools every hunting manual swore by.
"We?" A frown creased her fine features. "Oh no, didn't your father tell you?"
"Tell me... what?" Tiko asked, heart caught painfully in his throat.
"The sitter for Sanna fell ill. You... need to stay home again..." She sighed and embraced Tiko. "Oh honey, I'm so sorry, I know how you were looking forward to this." Tiko received the hug, emotion and color draining simultaneously from his face.
"Of course," Ice dripped from every syllable, "I understand." He disengaged from her arms, heatedly turning on his heel. The crowds around him were smiling, in high spirits for the impending hunt. He couldn't help but feel they were in some way mocking him.
Unable to control the despair that flooded him, Tiko sprinted from the stables into the overly humid summer day. Damn it! Kitari was right... Were the spirits against his happiness?
* * *
Both eyes open. Left leg to the rear half a pace, don't bend it, don't bend it. Draw to the cheek, odd colored fletch out. Elbow out. Aim. Breath in. Release.
The arrow missed the center of the target by about six inches. Tiko retrieved his arrows and walked somberly back to the line. One eye open. No, that was the problem, he kept closing his eyes. You can't aim with your eyes closed. Tiko nocked another arrow. They were worn from use; many had lost two thirds of their fletching. Years ago a priest realized that the younger archers went through a dozen good arrows a week, and had since locked the better arrows away for more serious use.
"Looks like you're having a rough time," Kitari commented, observing Tiko's slack bow.
"You were right." Tiko drew the bow to his cheek, aimed and let it loose. He cursed; he had absentmindedly let his elbow drop and the bowstring slapped painfully against the soft inner side of his arm. The arrow flew wide and bounced against the wall backing the archery range.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be." Tiko released the tension on his bow and stowed it with a dozen other identical bows. Kitari stooped to pick up Tiko's latest shot, latest failure.
"Listen, Tiko, you will go someday." He tried to be consoling, "As soon as Sanna's old enough to stay at the temple, right?" Kitari handed the arrows to Tiko and reclined against a wall, scrutinizing Tikos' face.
"I don't really want to talk about this right now." Tiko chewed the inside of his cheek again; a hard habit to break. "I have to go find Sanna so I can watch her anyway. If you see her, tell her I'm looking for her, okay?" Kitari nodded somberly.
Tiko returned to the stables and climbed to the second story where, at the far left, a tall jet black Mori-ko was penned. Tiko had taken care of Nightmare for years, raising him tenderly from the time the giant bird was a hatchling.
"Hey boy, feel like going out for a fly?" Nightmare nuzzled his hand. Tiko opened the gate penning in his steed, and led him to the lower level. "I bet you were looking forward to going on the hunt too, weren't you buddy?" Nightmare tossed his head belligerently, keeping his opinions to himself. Tiko straddled the birds neck and guided Nightmare outside. The bird opened his wings and, as Tiko tensed his legs, took flight.
The air whirred by Tiko's ears, whispering secrets tantalizingly beyond audibility. Nightmare's wings pulsed rhythmically, beating down the firmament in mighty strokes. Tiko loved flying; there was nothing quite like it. You could dive off the edge of a platform and still not fly with the same indefinable grace and power as Mori-ko. Like her elder brother, Sanna was also fond of flight. Tiko vividly recalled the trial of schooling her.
"Hold still Sanna or you'll fall off the saddle!" This was met with childish laughter. There should have been some way to keep Sanna from fidgeting but, alas, his parents had expressly forbidden Tiko from the use of any restraining device. That included rope. He'd asked. And twine. He'd asked about that as well.
"Wan'na fly!" Sanna yowled imperiously. She was four years old and Tiko, eleven, was mystified at her inexhaustible store of energy. Tiko attempted pleading with her one more time.
"Please Sanna, don't move so much! You gotta get the feel of the Mori' on land first before you can fly!" Sanna pouted cutely.
"Wan'na fly!"
That happened fives years ago. His prophecy had been fulfilled; shortly thereafter she fell from her precarious perch and bawled for hours. But even at that age Sanna had a forceful spirit. With relentless determination she pursued her craft, and in under two weeks was just barely capable of flying.
* * *
Evening weaved her pastel fingers across the sky for the spectator sun, settling comfortably on the horizon. "Sanna!" Tiko yelled, cupping his hands to his mouth, "Sanna, where are you?" Tikos' stomach mouthed complaint; he had neglected breakfast and had been in no sorts to eat lunch. "Sanna, it's time for dinner!"
Tiko bit the inside of his cheek. If night fell before he located Sanna, he would have to relinquish the search by air; flying in the darkness was far too perilous an undertaking. To be out tracking on a night like this... All too often he had blamed Sanna for his inability to participate in the hunts. But- it wasn't her fault. She was up bright and early every morning, just as passionate about her chosen path as Tiko. She more than anyone understood the disappointment Tiko felt when he missed a hunt.
An hour passed and Tiko was forced to ground as the shadows lengthened and joined together in a great ebony sea. Nightmare, blending in with his surroundings, could only be seen by the ethereal sheen his feathers exuded in the diminishing light. The air had cooled considerably from the days blaze, and Tiko was hard pressed not to desire a coat.
"Tiko," a distant voice called, "is that you?" Tiko located the source. Kitari stood on an adjacent walkway, waving madly. Tiko returned the gesture, albeit with slightly less enthusiasm.
"Yeah, I'm me! Shouldn't you be at the temple getting ready for sleep?"
"Not tonight!" Kitari replied, words vague and wavering over the distance, "some big ceremony or something. All of the transfer students are being lodged at the inn!"
"Have fun! Look I can't talk right now, I still haven't found Sanna!"
"Oh, I almost forgot to tell you;" Kitari shouted, "she's been waiting for you at home!" Kitaris' laughter spanned the distance clearly; the student spoke softly but carried a hearty chuckle.
"Thanks for letting me know!"
Conversation complete, the two departed in different directions. The city was strangely silent this evening; even the crickets, usually at their symphonic peak this time of the year, had set aside their melodious instruments. Up at the temple braziers were being lit, from wall to wall. In a forest of darkness, the temple stood as a beacon of hope.
When Tiko arrived at Hogosha, the family tree, he eagerly made for the indoors, allowing Nightmare to wander freely for the night. Sanna was waiting for him just inside the door with a plate of bread and cheese. She greeted him with a smile but her eyes searched his, seeking some indication of his sentiment.
"Thank you Sanna." Tiko took the plate, "Isn't it about time for you to go to bed?" He patted her on the head softly. Sanna nodded dutifully and walked up the stairs, turning her head every so often to see if Tiko expressed any anger. He didn't.
When she was out of sight, Tiko collapsed on the only sofa the family had in the parlor and buried his face in his hands. She thought he was mad at her! No, he could never be mad at such a sweet girl. Tiko yawned. Never. Normally elusive sleep caressed Tiko's eyes and, before he had a chance to protest, whisked him into the abyss of dreams.
* * *
Tiko awoke with a start. Someone was pounding frantically at the door.
"Mwah? What time is it?" Tiko groped and tripped his way to the door. The lamp was out and his head was full of wool. Upon opening the door he was, if he could rely on his judgment of emotions, slightly surprised.
"Tiko, you and Sanna have to come with me NOW," Kitari said urgently, words surging out in a torrent Tiko's sluggish mind was unable to absorb. He began to ask what the emergency was, but Kitari gestured him to silence. "There's no time to explain. Get Sanna, we have to go."
Dumbly obeying Kitari's command, Tiko proceeded to Sanna's room and shook her awake. The two lethargic siblings left the comfortably warm house for the now bitter night air. Kitari handed them the reins of Nightmare and Sunshine, Sanna's Mori-ko. Sanna, similarly groggy, looked impassively at the reins in her hand for a moment before deciding they were attached to something important. Steed. Yes. That's what it was.
Tiko helped Sanna mount Sunshine then climbed onto Nightmare. "Now can you tell us what's going on?" Tiko asked, stifling a yawn. No luck, and as usual the affliction was contagious.
"Nawwwwww" Kitari returned the yawn, "I'll tell you in a little while. Just follow me. Please!" Kitari compelled his mount into motion and, before the others could voice dissent, their steeds followed suit. As they passed through Avarin, other students slipped from the murky silhouettes of the midnight trees, joining them in their silent, anxious flight.
The lights at the temple had been extinguished, the entire city was plunged into darkness. Down below he could see something, something crawling across the walkways. Like spiders crafted from shadows they wavered in and out of his visibility. What were they?
The group was climbing towards the canopy, and Tiko fervently hoped Kitari was well acquainted with the location of the Yore limbs; he did not relish the thought of worlds worst in-flight blunder.
"Eyline!" Kitari shouted, "Look out!" A girl who had been silent the entire trip emitted an ear splitting scream. The Mori-ko she rode banked, then, in horrible slow motion, crumbled and began the long descent to ground.
"Kitari, what happened?" Tiko yelled, slowing Nightmares ascent.
"Don't stop Tiko!" Kitari replied, as another one of their companions fell by some disastrous force. Hoping Kitari knew what he was doing, Tiko urged Nightmare on with his knees. After a few minutes, Kitari, Sanna and Tiko were all that remained of the group. Sanna was in hysterics, yelling that they should search for their fallen comrades. Kitari did not relent in his course, goading them higher and higher in the canopy until Tiko imagined he could brush the lowest leaves with his fingertips.
"Once we break the canopy roof, we're safe!" Kitari's voice was almost lost on the wind.
Tiko shifted in astonishment as something landed on his back. He was aware of claws digging into his back then... Pain arched through him, a searing unbearable heat, like a thousand suns consuming him from within. Tiko emitted strangled yelp, catching Kitari's attention.
"Tiko!" Seeing his friend in peril, Kitari desperately jumped from his steed to Nightmare and hurled the beast that assailed Tiko into the chasm of night. He was too late. Tiko's eyes flickered weakly, his breathing became shallow.
Kitari jerked his head as he heard a sickening thud. Not Sanna too? Without Kitari's lead, Sunshine had quickly collided with a low lying limb. He strained, but the young acolyte could not see the girl in the shadows that abounded on all sides.
"Through the canopy," Kitari whispered to Nightmare, as he held Tiko's wilting form in the saddle. "Through the canopy and we are safe." He refrained from gazing back on the slumbering city.