Crowning Fantasy Book 1 by Coral Russell Read Free Book Online Page B

his own life before the Cinsel Iliski turned and the Ofkelenmek took over.
    Mina shook her head. Gumus knew she didn't understand all his words. His frame bellowed in and out with a loud sigh that made passersby stop and stare. It didn't matter. He handed Mina a cloak that he'd taken off a drunk Elyun sleeping off a night at the Free Port saloon. She wrinkled her nose at the smell.
    "Come on."
    Gumus had no idea if the Asistan Ti was watching them so he wandered down as many alleys as he could before finding a hiding place for Mina. He took an equally circuitous route to get back to the meeting place by the docks. The Kertenkele Gumus was supposed to meet stood out. He was enormous. The Asistan Ti slid out from his side.
    "Ah, ah, ah. Where is she?"
    Gumus sped up trying to take him by surprise. The Asistan Ti rolled his eyes and drew back to fire at him.
    "Stop!" Mina cried.
    No! Why did she pick now to not follow my words?
    The Asistan Ti smiled. "We have an arrangement then. Mavi Ay will take you from here."
    Gumus stepped in front of Mina and addressed his brother. "Mavi Ay, I am Gumus Ay. We're from the same clan. It is this Mikachiari that needs safe passage to Dong Tochi, not I."
    Mavi Ay drew a step closer. "Brother, you don't appear well."
    "I am not."
    Mina shot forward to attack the Asistan Ti. She screeched "Teka torin!" as a purple flame met her halfway. Mina collapsed on the ground.
    "Kindly tell her to stand down," said the Asistan Ti. "I don't want to harm her."
    Gumus lowered himself to charge.
    "Enough!" Mavi Ay stepped between them. "Nwa Chapo Yon Sel return to the ship."
    After a pause the Asistan Ti said, "As you wish." Then spread his arms wide creating a black swirling whirlpool of smoke. When it winked out he was gone.
    "Mina?" Gumus picked her up.
    She moaned cradling her head. 
    "I am sorry about Nwa Chapo Yon Sel. She was never in any danger from us. And she did try to attack him," Mavi Ay said.
    "Because he is Asistan Ti. You know what they did."
    "Of course, but not all Asistan Ti condoned the war. The Black hats have revolted entirely against Prezidan Jules. They are being hunted by their own and have sought sanctuary across Varlid. Surely, she knows that."
    Gumus shrugged in reply. He had no idea what she did or did not know. "Why didn't he speak frankly to me then?"
    "I have never known Asistan Ti to be frank and Nwa Chapo Yon Sel even less so. Unlike us he likes to play games. I am sorry for the confusion. Where have you come from brother?" asked Mavi.
    "Rasima."
    "Ahhh. You follow Onxy Ay."
    "You know his teachings?"
    Mavi Ay said carefully, "After a fashion. What ails you brother and how can I help?"
    While Mina crouched and rubbed her temples, Gumus Ay gave an abbreviated story of how they came to be at Free Port and seeking passage to Dong Tochi.
    "I am not well and ask for Mina's safe passage, not myself, except that I will pay off her debt in any way I can."
    Mavi searched Gumus's flame colored eyes. "How exactly are you unwell?"
    Gumus bowed his head. "Does it matter? I don't believe I have long and would like to give what time I have left in her service."
    Mavi's face scrunched up in true puzzlement. "Forgive me, but your words sound as if... I don't know how it is in Rasima but brothers in general are frank with each other. How are you unwell."
    Gumus shifted from side to side. "If I am frank brother will you still promise to help her?"
    "You have my word."
    "I suffer from the Cinsel Iliski."
    "And you left before the brothers in Rasima could help you?"
    "There is no help. Onxy Ay teaches us to control our minds and bodies and I failed his teachings."
    Mavi Ay was silent for a full minute. "Brother, I will take you both to Dong Tochi. There is a doctor there, Kirmizi Gunes who will help you. No harm will come to her. Mina, is it? We learned from other Mikachiari in Dong Tochi about rumors one had escaped. They are frantically searching for her. She is special to them. They believe she