The heads were placed before Thegir, the Colony chief and the Water Seekers abandoned their stone cans and took two steps back. Gasps and screams lit the air, the Kolotians bore witness to something as damning as venturing beyond the Colony on your own. Dead Binorians, dead Binorians within the Colony.
Thegir twisted the gold signet ring upon his little finger, he licked the gap between his teeth and spat. The Hundred who'd received them at the Colony entrance spoke of what the Water Seekers had told them. From the moment they'd met Ishar at the oasis, to the events of the previous night up to the arrival at the Colony. From the crowd Indomil saw her mother, tears in her eyes. She looked away, unwilling to dwell more on the sorrow blanketing all of them.
There was no doubt, there would be a reckoning. The Binorian Hunters will not let the deaths of their comrades pass, they will avenge. Maybe even storm the Colony itself. Everyone knew Thegir bribed the Hunters with fingers so as to prevent them from coming for the Colony, now what price would be demanded for the lives taken? It was inevitable, death was coming.
Death is already here. Indomil jerked her head at the mad Kolotian Ishar and found his gaze on her. Violet irises, large within clear whites stared straight at her, it was as if he was oblivious of everything but her, the eyes seemed to say, it was her presence he recognized the most, not Thegir, not the Colony... Her.
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Ishar caught the eye of the Water Seeker, Indomil. He needed someone to plead for him, to speak in his stead for he was certain that if called upon, little would escape his lips. What was the point of airing out grievances, proclaiming assurances and stilling the heart with phrases? What could he say that would capture the hearts of all the Kolotians, tilt them in the direction he saw fit, the grand procession at his tail?
They were his people, copper skin as rich as his own, and the tips of their fingers, those with them anyway, were stained blue just as his was.
"So what do you have to say for yourself, wanderer?" The man in silk with the gold ring asked him. A hush blanketed the Colony, every Kolotian stood with lips pursed, eager to hear the wanderer, a title he deemed was given to those without a Colony. But his eyes stayed fixed on Indomil, there was something to her, a finality of sorts that drew him in the manner sheep were drawn to grass.
A slap, hot and heavy landed on his cheek. But he barely moved a muscle, he turned and faced the large Kolotian who'd struck him. "The Colony Chief Thegir has asked you a question, wanderer!" The man said, spitting out the last word.
"Pardon? What did he ask?" Ishar asked.
"What do you have to say for yourself? Did you kill these Binorians and what purpose is my Colony to you?" Thegir repeated.
"I'm here for one reason." Ishar said, turning to face those congregated. He raised his voice for the benefit of those who were further out. "I am here to shed light on the plight of the Kolotian. For centuries we have been hunted for our fingers, killed for sport and oppressed for simply existing." He observed each face peering at him. "The Goddess Meena favored the Binorians, and it is through her power that we have been enslaved. This is no more, for the God of Chaos has chosen one from among us, bestowed upon him power for the sole purpose of liberating those of us who are oppressed." He bent and picked up a Binorian head. "I killed this man, just as I had killed King Vayin Vigon, former King of Binoria. I have the power, the strength necessary to free us of our bonds. And all I ask is that you follow me, and you shall know—"
Another slap cut his words short. Several hulking Kolotians encircled him, they each started beating him as he stood there, collapsing his knees they pressed him to the ground and as their blows fell Thegir spoke. "You imbecile. You are heat mad! You wander the desert and dream up nonsense that has very well doomed us all! The Hunters will come for us now, you bastard, because of you they will follow the trail. They will find you in chains Kolotian, we will gladly hand them your life if it means the salvation of our lives." He turned to those Ishar had heard of called the Hundred. "Beat the delirious fool to a bloody pulp, then bound him in chains. We'll hand him over to the Binorians when they come."
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Indomil watched as the Hundred descended on Ishar, reigning blows that brought him to the ground. The young man didn't defend himself neither did he beg for mercy, all he said was the same words over and over." But you are my people! But you are my people! But you are my people!" He shouted the words. Willing them to be true, hoping some camaraderie of sorts would avail itself at that moment. But no such thing happened, he was beaten and he did nothing. He did not bring them down as Indomil knew him to do. Neither did he protect himself, all that could be heard was his cry, the same words over and over. "But you are my people!"
She found herself weeping, agony clutched at her chest. Making it hard to breath, her lips moved a silent "No" to mirror Ishar's cries. There was an injustice here of sorts, a man having his kind turn on him, a man's dream being crushed to dust. An end to a desire that nurtured growth. And she bore witness to it, and it sought to drive her mad with grief.
Thegir walked away from Ishar and was thus unaware of when the young Kolotian's eyes suddenly glowed a brilliant amber.
"But you are my people!" A voice, deep and impossibly powerful rumbled from Ishar's throat, and everything came to a stand still.
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