Tales of the Usa’ii

Sixteen year old Urami Venatari awoke from yet another nightmare in a cold sweat. He quickly calmed his nerves, then surveyed his surroundings as he was trained to by his father. The room was dark, illuminated only by the moonlight that flooded in from the balcony. Uru Sunai and Ashina Nayi were sleeping peacefully just on the opposite side of the room from him. He was still at home. He detected no foul odors or toxins in the air. He heard no one creeping in the shadows. Which meant they were relatively safe. Urami let out one more breath, then donned a pair of black trousers, dark shoes, and an ornate, black robe with golden designs etched into the seams and stepped out of the room through the massive, ornate doors that led into the palace halls.

The hallways, like his chambers, were lit by the moon and stars alone. It might have been an hour past midnight at this point, which meant the moon was just past its peak in the sky. A cool breeze flew gently through the open windows like a sigh from the night itself. The hieroglyphs and murals depicting the history of Usi on the walls were not only visible, they were glowing in a way that only the rays of the moon would bring out. Even Urami himself – his tall, muscular frame tightly fitted in the open robe he wore – captured the light in a way that made his skin appear more radiant, even reflecting in his golden eyes and enhancing his vision. The sensation was euphoric.

“Trouble sleeping?”

A golden flash, and a black bladed khopesh with a golden hilt appeared in his hand, pointed at the voice that interrupted his thoughts. But he should’ve recognized immediately the resonant, soothing, silky alto of his closest friend. Ashina was a several inches taller than Urami, with the build of a lioness: lithe, lean, graceful, and strong. Her face bore features worthy of a sun goddess, decorated by divine, radiant, and regal features and a small aquamarine hanging at the center of her forehead from a silver circlet. She wore a white, sleeveless gown that flowed a few feet behind her with a golden band around her left bicep, and her lower calves and knees exposed. Her skin held a lighter tone than Urami’s: the same shade of brown as honey to Urami’s dark oakwood skin. Her long, braided hair, dark as a raven’s feather, was held in a ponytail sitting over her shoulder, laced with a yellow wrap. Her eyes were an entrancing emerald green, which captivated the moonlight in them and simply commanded attention. All in all, she was fifteen with the appearance of a woman grown, and it never failed that every time he thought she couldn’t get more beautiful, she did. Her pouty, full lips were parted in a playful grin that revealed a smile whiter and more pure than the moon itself as she held her hands up in false alarm. “Why don’t you put that away, pretty boy?” she teased with a slight roll of her neck. Urami lowered his head and his weapon with it, his own mouth twisting into a grin as he let out a light chuckle, despite his efforts to prevent it. He released his grip on the hilt, and the same as it appeared, his blade disappeared. “My lady.” he greeted, one fist over his heart as he knelt. Urami could feel Ashina roll her eyes as she scoffed. “Anybody else. I’d accept it from anybody else, but you know how I hate it when you do that, Urami. Get up!” she complained. Urami rose, and held Ashina in a tight embrace. “Una mu t’zalla? (Why do you follow me?)” he asked in the Usa’ii tongue. “I heard the door open, and noticed you were gone from your bed. Put two and two together. You had another nightmare, didn’t you?” she returned. Urami ran his fingers through his locs, ever drifting to the right side of his head, then crossed his arms. “I don’t know, Ashina. It’s like something’s trying to speak to me. Trying to warn me of something. But I don’t know what.” he described. He had so many visions over the last few years of his adolescence, each one depicting terrible fates for his loved ones, or Usi in flames… and at the center of it all, a reflection of himself. He took a deep breath, shaking his head. “You know what, it’s probably nothing. We should go back to bed.” he said, starting to walk away. Ashina placed a hand on his bare chest as he passed her, lightly shoving him back before her. “Uh-uh. You don’t ignore the spirits; if you believe something is trying to speak to you, something most likely is trying to speak to you. Hearing the voices of the Keepers isn’t difficult. You just have to learn to decipher their messages.” she said, walking ahead of him. After walking a few feet, she shot a sideways glance at him. “Come on!” she said, before continuing her stride. “Um, where are we going?” he asked, raising his eyebrow. Ashina raised an eyebrow. “It’s not obvious? We’re going to the Shrine of the Three!” she answered. Urami shook his head. She’s gonna give Uru hell when it’s time for him to marry her. He thought to himself with a chuckle as he caught up to her.

A cool, desert breeze blew in the air tonight. The night sky was covered in stars and auroras, many of which were different from the night before. The Shrine of the Three was an enormous, maze-like temple largely made with gold and steel – only the priests and the royal court were meant to know their way through – but the Shrine itself was in a room in the center of the temple. The Shrine was one room with three massive statues; one, faceless and hooded and made of the darkest ebony, of the Keeper of the Twilight, on the left. Another of the Keeper of the Dawn, glittering with gold and beauty, on the right. And glaring down in the center, erected of pure platinum, was the ancient Keeper of the Storm. This was said to be the Greater Keepers’ sacred space. Urami could never get over the overwhelming feeling that the statues were somehow alive, and constantly deciding whether or not to stay their whims and let him live.

Ashina tugged at his arm. “What are you doing?? You can get down, now!” she exclaimed, already on one knee. Snapped back into reality, Urami quickly brushed his robe out of the way and took a knee, facing her. She placed a hand on his forehead, muttering a prayer in Usa’ii. Urami sat still and silent for some time as she continued… until she suddenly recoiled, almost falling back until Urami caught her by the hand. “What is it? What did you see??” he queried urgently. Ashina’s breathing was heavy, as if she’d either exerted herself or had been shown something terrifying. She turned to face him, looking him in his eyes. “I saw your destiny.”

Urami parried two more attacks from Uru with his own practice swords, then dodged and countered the third with a strike to the torso. The impact of the attack sent Uru staggering back, but Urami was too lost in thought to press his advantage. His mind kept flashing back to the night before.

“What do you mean, you saw my destiny?” Urami asked, knitting his eyebrows. Ashina shook her head as Urami helped her rise to her feet. “Your future is bloody and uncertain. You are the son of a conqueror, and were always destined to become a conqueror yourself one day; we all have known this for as long as we’ve known our own names. Your power in the Sound – the Sound of War – it is unprecedented. No one in history has ever seen it or used it before you. But the shadows that cloud your life – those selfsame shadows that make you who you are – have a great and terrible fate in store for you. That’s all I can tell you.” Ashina had said. Urami was silent for a long time, not knowing what to make of this revelation. Her prophecy only raised more questions… but Urami wasn’t certain he wanted the answers.

His thoughts were interrupted by instinct. He had just enough time to duck and sidestep another barrage of attacks from Uru, eventually countering with a roundhouse kick to the jaw. “Hey! Ukuru, ohnata! Have the decency to pay attention!” Uru exclaimed. Uru and Urami were both the same age – even born on the same day – and of matching height. Uru’s hair was dark and cut low. Neither warrior wore a shirt, both wore a pair of padded trousers and training shoes, and both were built like men of chiseled stone. Uru was slightly darker than Urami. His eyes were a warm and inviting brown, and he had a goatee.

Urami laughed at Uru’s statement. “Apologies, ohnata. I haven’t been sleeping.” he answered. “Ashina told me. You’ve been having visions of some sort. Anything major?” he asked. Urami shook his head. “Seems like it. My dreams show me terrible things: the fall of the kingdom, the deaths of loved ones. But the question is whether they are mere dreams or prophecy.” he said. Uru was silent for a moment, then he snorted. “Well, whatever it is, it hasn’t done anything to slow your reflexes. You’re still in fine form, brother!” he remarked, his breathing slightly labored. “Aw, are you tired already? We’re just getting started!” Urami exclaimed. Uru scoffed, casting him a sideways glance. “Just getting started?! We’ve been training all morning, and look at you! You’re not even sweating! I don’t know what you are, Venatari, but you can’t be human!” he said. Urami shrugged, reentering a ready stance. Uru shook his head, casting his practice blade to the side. “I think you’ve had enough of walloping the prince for today. Khamasi unuthu! Make yourself decent. We’re going to the city!” Uru declared. Urami raised an eyebrow. “You know your father never lets you out of the palace without protection.” he said. “That’s why I’m bringing you along, brother. See how that works?” Uru grinned, disappearing back inside. Urami found he couldn’t help but smile as he followed him.

Urami had just cleaned his teeth with a licorice root, and now chewed a mint leaf as he dressed himself. He donned a sleeveless, fitted black tunic with an ornate golden necklace, a small golden earring in his right ear, and several golden ornaments in his locs. His forearm bore a golden bracelet, his finger a ring with a deep sapphire inside. He bore no weapon; he didn’t need one. He wore the same pants he wore to wander the halls in last night, but this time with them, he wore a dark pair of boots. He heard a whistle from behind him. “The women won’t know what to do with themselves!” Ashina’s voice said from behind him. Urami looked up at the mirror to see her standing in the doorway. She wore a red dress now, her golden circlet from last night still on her bicep still on. She let her hair flow freely now, the braids running their length along her back. Her gemstone still dangled on her forehead from a silver circlet around her head. Urami turned his head slightly as Ashina approached. “Did you just watch me get dressed?” he asked, a slight laugh in his voice. Ashina coyly twirled a braid around her finger as she looked up and considered her answer. “I didn’t get here in time to see the best parts.” she teased. Urami rolled his eyes. “You are going to be the death of me!” he grinned as they hugged. “I take it you’re coming with Uru and I?” he assumed. “Of course! Who else will keep you boys out of trouble?” she jested. Urami gave a deadpanned purse of his lips as he walked past her. “Hey! I’m serious!” Ashina called after him, though Urami could hear the laughter in her voice as she caught up.

Uru met them outside the palace gates, wearing a golden robe, an ornate white tunic underneath, blue trousers with golden designs in the seams, and a golden necklace matching Urami’s. “It’s about time! I was wondering when you two would get here.” he said. Ashina strode over to her betrothed’s side, planting a kiss on his cheek. “We would never keep you waiting too long.” she replied. The city of Dormîsus was bustling. There was constant music playing from various instruments from myriad directions: different songs from different ages in history, but the way the musicians played, it all blended together well enough to pass as different parts to one great song. The air was filled with scents galore: fresh bread, seasoned meats, cooking vegetables, and perfumes and oils that shouldn’t have meshed together nearly as well as they did. Men, women, and children filled the streets, playing, conversing, dancing, partying and drinking. But this was no festival or special day. This was simply the spirit of Usi. As the trio passed through their city, there were many who beheld them and bowed until they were completely past them. “So, what was your plan, Uru?” Urami asked, almost having to shout over the people’s reveling. Uru laughed. “We do what we please, brother! We see where the day takes us!” he replied. Urami grinned; if there was anything he’d learned in sixteen years as Uru’s best friend, it was that sometimes no plan was the best plan.