Page 17 of Ngozii's Plight

As the cave grows quiet, all eyes focus on me, and I slowly scan the gathered crowd, letting my angry mask settle over my face.

“Nafeesa was the first to take the tonic that suspended her illness, holding her life in the balance while I searched endlessly for a cure to a disease I don’t understand. I’ve begged the goddess, my spirit guides, and everyone I can for help, but the answers have yet to come. Until now. I have one option left, and it’s not what I wanted to do, but it’s what must be done. For the sake of my people, for the children like Nafeesa.” My voice breaks on her name as I swallow down my tears. Some slip free and drop from my chin to her body, and I let them, letting my people see how much this truly hurts me. I don’t want them to die, not a single one of them, and I will fight tooth and nail to make sure they get the long happy lives they deserve.

“The tonic has stopped working for Nafeesa, the illness ravaging her body and taking her from us. No more will be taken, not under my watch. My father, the unknown man who helped bring me into this world, has been found. He rules a small village on another planet, a beautiful planet full of life with plenty of room for us. In a few days time, we will take his village, move our children to open air and clean waters, and we will heal and rebuild our lives. As his first born child, it is my birthright to claim his throne as well, and I intend to if it means my people will be safe. No longer will I let this death ravage our babies!”

My voice is strong, loud, and several of the warriors holler out praise for me in return. As the crowd settles around us, my eyes drop to the girl in my arms, tears once again flowing freely.

“As for tomorrow, we will mourn little Nafeesa’s life and send her to the heavens with the goddess above.” Placing a gentle kiss to her forehead, I then step into the crowd, finding her mother right near the front. Bowing to her, I gently lay her daughter in her arms as she weeps and crumbles to the cave floor.

Without another word, I turn and head for my bedchambers, needing a moment for myself as I struggle to grasp the events. What has changed? Why is the tonic no longer working? Is this truly the right move to make? What if taking over Criido’s village doesn’t stop the illness? What will I do then?

As I pass through the beaded curtain outside my room, I step around the bed, my feet halting as I catch my reflection in the mirror. My eyes are red rimmed and puffy, my cheeks streaked with blood and tears, my front covered in Nafeesa’s blood. I crumble to the floor in sobs as my knees give out, my face in my hands.

My cries are loud, parching my throat as I wail for the girl I’ve failed to protect. All those years of my mother harping at me to study my magic, to learn potions and politics, to protect my people, she always claimed that I would fail. She always thought my head was in the clouds and that I wouldn’t be a great Priestess like herself. It seems that her words, as harsh as they were to me then, are only too true now. How can I believe in myself as a good Priestess if my people are dying in my arms and I can’t save them?

Beads clack together from the doorway and footsteps come close, but I can’t be bothered to look up from my grief. Strong hands pull me close as I’m cuddled against a hard chest, another body wrapping around me from the other side. I’m cocooned by my men, their love and pain seeping through the bonds we share.

All I can do is weep. I’m a useless High Priestess, a failure, and I’ve lost more than I’ve ever gained in this life. Am I doomed to simply lose everything I love? What if I am, and I lose the men I’ve only just found and learned to love? I can’t go on without them, they have the pieces of my heart and soul. Even so, it feels as if I’ve lost a piece of my heart with Nafeesa as well.

“Tavi, it’s going to be okay. Trust me when I say that you are not a failure, not by a long shot. You’ve done everything your mother taught you, everything you know how to save them. Without answers or help from others, we’re at an impasse. You have a plan to save them, to get them out of here because these caves may be the cause, and that’s the only thing we haven’t tried so far. One step at a time.”

Seuke’s voice is soothing as he tries to help me through this. I sniffle as I think about his words, trying to find the truth in them. Have I truly done all that I could for them? I sure thought so, but he’s right, there’s still one very dramatic measure that I have yet to take, and it’s about time.

Pushing out of their arms, I wipe at my face and stand, stripping out of my bloodied clothes. Grabbing the wash bowl from nearby, I scrub my skin clean and slip into a new outfit. Once I feel clean and solid, my nerves no longer getting the best of me as determination sets in, I whirl around.

“You’re right, I’ve done all I can here. It’s time to take drastic measures. Is the sanctuary ready?”

Seuke’s gaze is unsure as he scrutinizes me. “Yes, I had just finished when you called me, Priestess. Are you sure now is the time?”

I study him, noting the concern radiating through our bond. Turning to look at Xenshay, his expression is notably blank as he refuses to let emotions through. He gives me a small nod, telling me without words that my lead is what he’ll follow, without a doubt.

“I’m absolutely sure now is the time. If we wait much longer, we risk losing even more to this disease. I’m making my intentions to Criido known now. I want him gone by the time we arrive in his pathetic village. We’ll give him tomorrow to sort out his priorities while we mourn Nafeesa and hold her ceremony, then we strike.”

Turning on my heel, I march out of the room and head for my sanctuary, prepared to send my rage across the stars to the man who gave me nothing.

Chapter 11

Kari

Rolling over in bed, I stare out the window as the trees are now visible in the faintest morning light. My brain refuses to let me sleep, something nagging at me, but I can’t figure out what. Deciding I’d rather not toss and turn any longer, I dress and grab my shoes, heading out the back door of the cabin and into the woods.

I walk without a destination in mind, just letting my feet carry me as I look at the foliage around me. This place is so much like Earth that it almost makes me miss home, but then I note the differences in colors, shapes, and smells. This is better than Earth, and I don’t intend to go back to it, not ever. I left behind a life of solitude and depression for a life full of love and joy. There’s nothing to go back to.

As I look around, I notice the string of candle jars that Vahru left in the trees from Valentine’s Day right on the river, his attempt at making fairy lights, and it was beautiful. Walking over to that spot, I drop down on the river bank and kick off my shoes, letting my feet dangle in the cool, clear water. Leaning back on my palms, I can just see the other planet through the leaves above me. Sometimes I wonder if it’s the real Pandora floating out there. Which is ridiculous considering that I’m living in my own sort of Pandora here.

Little twinkles of lights flash around me, catching my attention. “Hello, Guardians,” I call out to them, smiling as they dance and flash back in greeting. My eyes follow a small pink light as it grows closer until it lands on my thigh. I’m immediately sucked into their world, my vision changing as I no longer see the tiny fairy, but a larger version hovering in the air above the river, smiling brightly at me.

“Hello again, Kari.”

“It’s nice to see you again, Guardian.” I smile and sit up, giving her my full attention. Being in their presence makes me feel as if I’m in the presence of a king or queen. I feel the need to be proper and overly polite, but at the same time, I feel at home with them and as if I can speak my mind. It’s an odd combination, really.

“We’re so very proud of all you’ve accomplished so far. You and your friends are turning this place into a true paradise of love and joy. The village following you in bringing the young teens to live here is a massive step in a good direction. However, despite these strides, your troubles are not over.”

I sigh. “I know. I have yet to really get started on the issues with the Nyan’s divide, but the threat to the chief takes precedence. How can I manage to do my job as a hero if I’m stuck running a village because he was killed?”

The Guardian nods in understanding, her hands clasped in front of her body as she hovers, her wings beating a humming melody in the air. “The threat to Criido is not what it seems, my dear. A word of advice, if you have the chance to make things right in a different way, you should. Bloodshed is not needed here. There are more lives in the balance than you know.”

I nod, taking that in as I try to understand what that might mean. It wasn’t exactly my plan to go after Tavionna with guns blazing or anything, but I wasn’t sure how I would stop her. I don’t have the full story yet. At least I don’t think I do. Perhaps she’s the one planning on violence. Shit, I should have thought about that. If she intends to come in here guns blazing, we don’t stand much chance against her, do we? We have no real protective measures outside of the groups of hunters acting as sentries to the village. That won’t be enough to stop an army of Ngozii if Tavionna has one.

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