Illura Poppies Breath I

Illurian words you should know:

Illura- Eh-loo-rah

Nubu (Noo-boo)- Grandma

Dabu (Dah-boo)- Grandpa

Riba (Ree-Bah)- Good Morning

Nanji (Nahn-Gee)- Spirit power

Othia (O-th-iia)- Royal Guards

Orcki (O-Rici) Racing bird

Kugozi (Coo-go-zee)- Chief

mo’bly and biby- Herbal Strains

Burn Man- Herbal strain dealer

M’jumbe (Mm-Juum-Beh)- Communication paper

Troka (Tro-kah)- Ancient tree of secrets

Petals (peh-tels) -Currency

Names of Characters:

Akiyanna- Ah-kee-ya-nah

Asiri- Ah-seer-ree

Assuar- A-sar

Eliedon- El-ee-don

Elshadye-El- sha- die

Lomoria- Low-moor-ree-ah

Mazūltæn- Ma-zall-tan

Morsey- Mor-seh

Nyotan-Nee-yo-tan

Nahari- Nah-ha-ree

Oniia- O-nee-ah

Ortan- Or-tan

Quimila- Kwi-mil-ah

Taharah- Ta-har- rah

ZyDruz- Xy-druiz

Zari- Za-Ree

1 Week Before The Sacrifice

The sun was shining on Asiri’s face, for the first time in a long time, and she didn’t mind. She got out of bed, stretched, and went through her exercises. This was more out of habit today than anything else. Today was going to be a great day. She could feel it in her bones. Most things weren’t bothering her anymore because everything would change after the Sol Festival. She was promised after her work was completed, she would be rewarded with the highest of honors. But, aside from becoming the Sacred Host, that honor was to go to Orten. She was to be the Queen of the New Order.

Asiri wasn’t sure if she wanted to be a ruler of the few True Believers left after the purge. But that was the role that she was gifted, and she would be grateful for it. The gods had their time, and they squandered it. Now was the time, and she would watch Its glory as it burned the wicked and showed mercy to the faithful.

After bathing and dressing, Asiri headed into town. She always walks with purpose, but today she moved with a lighter gait and a smile, waving to local townsfolk as she made her way to the tailor shop.

“Good morning Sy’issa. Is my costume ready?”

“Well, aren’t you in a great mood? I just put the finishing touches on the feathers last night. Let me go get it for you.”

“How could I not be? The Sol Festival is in just a couple of days.”

The tailor walked into the back of her shop to retrieve the garment. Asiri wandered the shop looking at the exquisite garments in awe of the talents of this seamstress, and was almost sad. She was so gifted. What a waste her talents will be when she is consumed. She wondered if she could spare a few heretics to save their abilities and meet the True Believers’ basic needs. A question for Oroten when she saw him after the festival.

Sy’issa returned from the back of the shop with a white bag that was much wider than Asiri’s.

“I did love the challenge.” She said, unzipping the bag. “The feathers posed the most fun. Instead of using real bird feathers that would be bound to fall or, worse, fall apart, I sewed them by hand using an embroidering technique with silk. They will be light, strong, and, most importantly, stay up straight no matter how much you dance or bump into people, or even sweat. You could even swim in this, and it would look perfect. But don’t test that until after the festival, please. In case I’m being overconfident.”

“Sy’issa, you could never. But I won’t. It really is a beautiful costume. Thank you.” Asiri collected the garment from the tailor and pulled her in for a hug. “You have ensured I have the best festival in many years.” Sy’issa was taken aback by the gesture. But returned the hug all the same.

Asiri left the shop and decided to take a long way home. It was a beautiful sunny morning, and she wanted to enjoy it before she closed up the sheriff’s office for the festival.

Walking through a park, a group of children played a game with a ball. Sheriff Faitala stopped to watch them play for a bit. Their shouts and laughter were energetic and full of life. The children would be spared. That was one of the promises. Noticing the time, she went to leave when BAM, the ball hit her in the back of the head, and she nearly dropped her garment bag in the dust.

The silence in the park was palpable. One child began to cry, and some children took off running. Asiri reached down, grabbed the ball, and turned on her heels, looking of death and destruction. Looking each of the remaining children in the eye, she very carefully places her bag on a nearby tree. She walked to where they were playing, set the ball down gently, and precisely kicked the ball between the children into the goal.

“Can I join in?”

The kids all shout with joy and relief.

Asiri plays with the kids for a while, pretending to be unaware of the parents whispering about her. She ignored the whispers and enjoyed herself. She knows she is acting out of character, but the world will soon change, and these children will be its future.

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The rising sun rays peek through the curtain of Taharah’s chamber. The bright light interrupts the dreams of relaxing on the beach with her wife and their baby boy, Eleidon. She grabbed a pillow and put it over her face, trying to save a moment more sleep before her day began. She took a few deep breaths and sat up, opening one eye at a time. When they both open, she is blessed by seeing her wife feeding their son. She smiled, looking at the dark black mop of hair on the boy’s head whipped around, avoiding the mushed peas Nahari was trying to feed him.

“Love,” Taharah calls to her, “You don’t eat mushed oats, correct?” Nahari had turned her head slowly to Taharah. “Well, would you”

“No, we both know the answer is no.” Nahari says slowly, “But that means nothing. He will eat these oats.”

Taharah rises from the bed, puts on her purple robe over her athletic body, and walks toward her family. “This is not a battle to be won, my dear. It seems our son has picked up on your eating habits already.”

Nahari slowly raises the spoon of mushed oats to her mouth and takes a bit. She twitches with uneasiness at the texture in her mouth. Her face went through twelve emotions at once and landed on a forced a smile as she forced herself to swallow. “See, Eli, it’s okay. Have some.” Nahari scoops some mushed oats onto the spoon and puts it towards Eleidon’s mouth. He leans forward and takes a little. Nahari looks at Taharah. “All battles are meant to be won. Especially the ones that involve me. And today is no different.” She raises her hand in victory and lifts her hand, “Where is my victory kiss?”

Taharah walks over and lightly caresses Nahari’s face. “I’m not giving you a kiss for defeating our child.” She instead leans over and kisses Eleidon on the cheek. “I have a meeting today with the Council. Kayel will fill in for you while you are on parental leave. The suns are up, and I know he is probably almost here.”

“What is on the docket today?” Nahari says as she sets Eleidon in his play area.

“You know, Sol festival and the rising actions in this so-called group, The Truth Seekers and the missing kid we were asked to look into. In fact, I sent Kajod to go get Mazūltæn and Zari. They should be on their way here. So I will send them to go find the triplets.”

Nahari looked at her wife in mild disbelief. “Excuse me, what? Ma? Zari, I’m okay with her. She trained with Kayel and me. She is fierce.”

“Which is why she was assigned to him. He will be fine. My brother may have his moments, but he is capable of more. And I don’t think the cult will be an issue,” Taharah says quickly, “just want to be aware of their movements, if any. They are harmless. The only thing they have done is vandalize the town with those gods’ awful flyers.

“I’m here,” A booming sultry voice comes through the windows. “Where is my son?”

A tall, well-built, deep mahogany-skinned man with shoulder-length black wavey hair, Dark grey eyes walks into the chambers. He stands there with a big smile, looking at his best friends and their child. He walks by Taharah and Nahari to scoop Eliedon out of his playpen. “how’s my boy?”

“He had his first defeat in battle today,” Nahari said.

“What battle has my child lost, and who to,” Kayel says as he cradles his son.

“The battle of the mushed oats to his mother and your favorite nemesis, Nahari” Taharah throws her arms in a showcase as Nahari bows toward Kayel with a smile.

“Oh no.” Kayel shakes his head. “We can’t have this, Eleidon. I don’t care that she is your mother. You are to never lose to her again.” The baby smiles at his father and coos as he turns to Nahari.

“Why are you trying to convince our son to do something you have never done?”

Kayel paused and put a hand to his chest. “How dare you. He is the new generation and will be better than me and do everything I have failed to do.”

“So you admit you have failed?” Before the final word was out of Nahari’s mouth, Kayel threw a nearby book toward her head. Her hand flew up just as quickly to catch it right before it hit her face. “See?”

“If you two are finished, it is time to leave,” Taharah says as she emerges from her chambers, fully dressed in her Chief’s wear. Purple and teal tribal robe and headdress. She stood there looking at them both in amusement. She signaled for Kayel to put their son down.

“Whatever, it is time to go. We have so much business to attend to. I don’t have time for your childishness.” Kayel says, putting his son down while keeping his eyes on Nahari. He sat Eleidon down with a kiss on the forward. Stand up and give Nahari one as well. Taharah smiled at the affection that her childhood friends shared.

Taharah and Kayel leave the Kugozi quarters on a bright day. The dual suns shine down on that land, blessing the land with light and, this year, more heat than usual. They walked through the town, speaking and watching their Illurian family happily make preparation for the Sol Festival. Everyone was buzzing with excitement. People have gotten more and more prepared for the festivities for the last six months. Taharah noticed how everyone had a smile on their face and spoke with such glee. Everyone she and Kayel passed was beaming with joy. The children danced and played around in the streets. Their lesson was over, and it was time for relaxation. She remembered the excitement of convergence. She traveled to The Deep of Potea with her friends and family. For a weeklong festival to celebrate the conjunctions of our suns. There was music, dancing, showcasing the best each tribe had to offer, and the food was to die for.

“Riba. Kugozi Taharah and Kayel,” A tall mocha-skinned man with red locs said as he was speeding past his with batons.

“Riba. Oniia. You are in quite a rush. Slow down before you run down a young one.”

“Yes, Kugozi,” Oniia bows just a little “It’s just that Morsey can be a bit” He pauses for a second looking for the right word.

“I understand. Continue before he comes looking,” Kayel chuckles as Oniia speeds and walks off.

“I can’t wait to see the show. Oniia and Morsey have been practicing so much.” Kayel says to Taharah. They reach a tall, beautiful wood and red stone building with windows all around that alternated in blue and clear glass that let light in from all angles.

“Yeah,” Taharah smiles, “This event has brought him out of his shell.”

They both stand around at all the happy people laughing and enjoying themselves as those who aren’t going to the Deep of Potea festival grounds prepare for the festival here at home. Kayel stood a gap slightly until Taharah realized he had not moved in a minute. Instead, she followed his gaze to the field of children playing.

“Is that the sheriff of Awasoka?”

Taharad said, “I don’t think I have ever seen her play anything, not even when we were young.”

Kayel looked at Taharah. “Has she ever smiled?”

Tarhah thought for a second and couldn’t think of a time in recent years when she had seen Asiri smile. She was always a stoic person, even when they were kids. “It’s the Sol Festival. Who wouldn’t be happy.” She finally said before she started walking off.

They walk into the building, into a larger well lit room framed in stone pillars. Portraits of the previous ancestor chiefs lined the walls. There was a big table in the middle with her high Council members, Akiyana Busenye, the high priestess, and Steven Bazilles. They all sit, waiting for the meeting to start. Taharah sits down at the table and looks up at everyone.

“Sorry we are late, but now the business” She sits back and takes a deep breath. “Has anyone spoken to Elshadye?” Taharah looks around at everyone in the room, and they try not to meet her eyes. “So no one has told her?”

The whole room sat in silence. No one wanted to speak. Taharah just sat there looking back and forth at everyone. She didn’t want to tell Elshadye she couldn’t attend this year’s festival, but it was for her safety. So Taharah turns to Kayel, “You were supposed to tell her weeks ago.”

“I couldn’t do it. See, she was already packed, and she was already upset cause I didn’t come to her house for lunch like I said. I didn’t want to make her madder. You know how Nubu gets.” Kayel sounded like he had reverted to childhood as he expressed his reason for not doing what he was asked.

Taharah sighed and looked at the brown man with deep silver eyes and dark hair. She smiles, and before she can open her mouth to speak, Stephan says, “Nope.” He shakes his head, “She is making me some of her famous cookies for my travel, and I don’t want them laced with anything but love.”

“Come on now, guys,” she sighs, “this is the problem when your council member is all your friend. They act like they don’t have to listen. Aki?”

Everyone turns to the end of the table to the woman with wholly black hair, tiny shells and gems with light grey eyes, and silky mahogany skin looking down at some book of herbs. Taharah calls her name twice before slowly looking up from the book.

“I heard everything, and No,” Aki says as she looks down at her book.

“Aki, please, She likes you more than everyone in this room. If you do, I’ll let the damn demon bird come to the festival. And if you do it now, I’ll let you put him in the petting zoo with the rest of the animals on display. As long as you are present the whole time. And we will catch you up with what is covered in your absence.”

“Deal,” Akiyana jumped up quickly before Taharah changed her mind.

“No, Absolutely not, “Kayel jumps up a second. “That bird looks like it speaks and is planning my demise” There is a long pause. The whole room erupts with laughter at how serious Kayel is being. They all know he means every word he says.

“It is not,” Akiyana says as she catches her breath. “He is a lovable, sweet bird that only wants cuddles.” Akiyana walks out the door to head to Elshadye’s house, the oldest Illurian alive today.

"Ok, now that is settled. Where is Mazūltæn?"

"Kajod has not returned with him or Zari," Kayel said as he rolled his eyes.

Taharah released a heavy sigh that echoed around the table. She has tried hard to get her brother to become the man she knows he is, but he refuses to try. Since she told him that she was leaving him in charge of the whole tribe for a week for the Sol Festival, it has been difficult. Avoiding Taharah at all costs, shrugged off every task he was assigned. It was like he was regressing back to a child. Taharah shakes her head and looks down at the paper. She didn't not have the time to focus on her brother's behavior. There were more pressing matters at hand. She cleared her voice. "Well, then we will really get started. Let's talk about this so-called cult, The Truth Seekers.

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Oniia ran to make sure he made it on time to see Morsey. He was very strict, but it didn't start out that way. Six months ago, when he had chosen Oniia to do the fire dance, he smiled often and laughed. Morsey would joke, but now he seemed more uptight. The closer it got to the festival, the more it appeared Morsey was becoming less like himself and became harder on Oniia. Oniia understood the plan. It didn't take much convincing. He knew It was time for a change. Things had been the same for way too long in his eyes. He felt honored to be chosen for this. The closer Oniia got to the practice grounds, he could see the broad outlines of Morsey as he stood in the middle of the circle outlined in rocks. Morsey's hands flew into the air, which let Oniia know he had been waiting for a while. "Hurry, boy!" He screamed, and Oniia ran faster, "What took you so long."

"My apologies, Morsey. Why do you have on a coat?" Oniia questioned.

"Do not worry about me and the attire I decided to wear. Just get in position and start." Morsey said as he began to drum.

Oniia took a sip from his flask and lit his batons. He twirls them around before him, swaying his body from left to right as he dances to the beat. Twirling his hips slowly to the drum's beat, making his way around the wide stone circle. With every few steps he took, he spits into the flame, making it roar loud and burst into the air. Spectators around clapped and cheered for him to do more. And he did. He kept moving and making bursts of fire and heat as he did. As the drumming grew louder and faster, so did the dancing and the flames. Just as the drums stopped, Oniia let out the most enormous flame. Setting the straw dummy in front of him, a blaze. The crowd cheered, and Oniia bowed and thought, "This will be the best Sol Festival, and it will change the world."