Bloody, Brawling Business CH9

 

The beauty of Bame blazed, ignited by the Afternoon sun. Its cobbled streets were reanimated from their state the night before, and they were bustling with people, carriages and strange, docile animals of which Newton didn’t know.

  Newton focused on one of the animals, the one which seemed to draw his eye the most. It was a bulbous, furry creature with three legs, riding the shoulder of a man who was walking alongside him. It clung to the man’s shirt with its many toes, the lots of which stuck out from many equidistant points on its circular feet. Newton almost jumped away from it and into Tiro beside him when the creature split its body in half, raising its top hemisphere and revealing a mostly hollow interior. 

  Though Newton found the creature unique, strange, even somewhat interesting. He couldn’t seem to derive its name just by taking in the sight of it. 

  A group of kids passed by, right between Newton and the creature, their high energy enough to steal Newton's attention. They ran up the road, one of them ahead of the other four, dragging a rope behind him which the others were scurrying to pick up. 

  “Catch the Shasa,” said Tiro. “It’s a freshly popular game here amongst kids. Shasa are creatures with very long tails, they’re considered vermin because they can’t seem to stay out doors,” he answered before Newton could even ask. “But I think they’re pretty cute. Yara’s scared of them though.”

  From Tiro’s mention and even more, a description of a shasa, Newton still didn’t know exactly what it was. He couldn’t make a definitive image of it in his head as if he’d seen one for himself.

  One of the kids playing the game finally caught the rope. The leader dropped it and let the kid pass as he ran ahead with the other end still in his hands, assuming his position as the new shasa.

  “Ever since I’ve gotten here, I’ve suddenly been able to understand and speak Kholorinal,” Newton said, speaking his thoughts aloud. “But when I have a gap in my knowledge, the language doesn’t fill it in which leaves a gap in the language as well.”

  Tiro gave Newton a side-eye glance while Ghom completely turned his head to look at him.

  “And more,” Newton continued. “Filling the gaps in my vocabulary doesn’t fill the corresponding gap in my knowledge, that goes for the other way as well.”

  “And what does that suggest?” Tiro asked. “Why do you think that is?”

  “How would I know?” said Newton. ”There are many possible reasons and I doubt I’ve thought of the right one.”

  “I don’t care if you’re right,” Tiro said. “Just take a guess. What feels right.”

  As Newton thought for a moment, he looked ahead at the kids who were now a fair distance up the road, grabbing for the rope, missing it, going for it again, fumbling…

  Newton shot out the theory he’d decided was the most plausible. “Maybe the language was translated in my brain at a certain moment, and could only translate the things I knew at the time. What if it was put in my head when we teleported here.”

  Tiro looked at Newton, this time completely. He smirked. “What a day it’s going to be,” he said. “I don’t care if neither of you are excited. I’m psyched enough for the lot of us.”

  One of the kids in the distance let out a war cry as he grabbed the rope and pulled on it, causing the leader to fall over. He yelped as he hit the ground. 

  The concerned kids surrounded the casualty, who was groaning loud enough for Newton to hear over the distance, even with all the other noises surrounding them. The kid was still on the ground when Newton, Tiro, Yara and Ghom walked by so they decided to stop and take a look. The injured kid who was on his back was the first to see them through his crowd of friends. He froze, shocked when his eyes met them. 

  “What is it?” said one of his friends who swung his head around. He froze as well, just as in shock. 

  The other kids looked all together. 

  “Tiro!” shouted the injured boy as he shot up to his feet.

  The kids started to surround Tiro, pushing Newton aside and shouting over each other to get his attention. 

  “What’s this about?” Newton asked Ghom and Yara.

  “Tiro’s the most decorated Peace Keeper in Bame. He’s also the town sweetheart,” said Yara.

  “Yeah,” Said Ghom, his admiration for his brother in law was noticeable in his tone. “He’s done some cool stuff.”

  “Alright,” said Tiro to the kids. “I’ve got important work to do, and Ghom is getting inducted today!”

  Ghom lowered his head when Tiro pointed to him.

  “Congratulations Ghom!” they all shouted.

  “And Newton as well!" continued Tiro.

  “Congratulations Newton!” they shouted just as enthusiastically.

  “Congrats Newt… No, really. I mean it,” her voice echoed in his head. This was the first time he'd heard those words directed at him by someone other than Scarlet.

  “Bye now.” Tiro waved as he walked off.

  Newton took the opportunity to get away from the kids as quickly as he could, but not before one of the kids grabbed his arm. “Are you ok Mister?” she asked. He froze. “You don’t look very happy.”

  Newton ripped his arm away. The kid stepped back, scared, a gasp leaving her mouth.

  “Sorry… it’s just- sorry,” Newt said before turning to follow the group which had left him behind.

  That interaction clawed at Newton from the inside. Unprovoked concern? And from a stranger too. Newton dried his watery eyes on his sleeve before he caught up to Tiro.

The town hall under the light of day was different to how Newton thought it had looked. He thought he'd been through a stone castle but now that it was right in front of him, he could see it was a massive complex of many different stone buildings, some boxy in shape, some domes and some others were towers stretching up.

  The main building, the one, Tiro told him, from which they'd emerged the night before was at the front of the complex. They entered into the foyer which was now lit through large gaps in stone walls Newton supposed were windows.

  Newton looked around. “Everything is so open,” he said. 

  “No need for much security, remember?” said Tiro. “People can’t just go where they want. They need authority.”

  “Who decides authority?” Newton asked.

  “The king of Bame, or in some cases Korus.”

  “Korus?” said Newton.

  Tiro nodded ahead to a large wooden desk stretched across the wall at the back, behind it were five Identical men with five long lines of people waiting to talk to them. One of them dismissed the person at the front of the line and shifted to look at them. “Tiro, to the front of the line,” he called.

  As they approached he was apologising to the person currently at the. Newton tried to avoid looking at the grumpy man who’s turn at the counter it was supposed to be.

  “Kooorruuuss,” said Tiro.

  “Tiiiiirrrooo,” said the man behind the desk. “How’s the task going? Did you find it yet?” 

  “No luck,” said Tiro.

  “Well, If catastrophe does ensue, I’m counting on you to stop it. What are you in for today?”

  “These two are getting inducted,” Tiro said, pointing his thumb over his shoulder to Newton and Ghom.

  “How exciting," said Korus. He leaned over his desk and called out. “Korus! Korus required at stand three!”

  Tiro looked around. Newton did the same.

  “No one,” said Tiro.

  “I’m already so drained,” Korus groaned. He reached out over the desk and pointed. From the tip of his finger grew another, mirroring him and from that grew the rest of the body, skeleton, flesh, skin, hair, clothes all in a near instant. 

  “You seem pretty confident with the clothes this time,” said Tiro.

  “Last time was enough of an embarrassment to motivate me to practice. I got the hang of it last week," said Korus. He slumped over the desk. “I should’ve just done it in private and given him a robe or something. Now I've got a headache.”

  Though his head was full of them, Newton was too shy to ask any questions with all these people waiting around. 

  “Shall we go then?” said the new Korus.

  “Let's do this,” said Tiro as he, along with Korus, led them off.

  They left the foyer through the front and went through the complex to another building. It was a long hall with desks along the sides, lit all the way along by torches with white, bright flames. However bright the torches, the back part of the room was still shrouded in darkness though they didn’t get far enough for it to matter anyway. Korus sat both Ghom and Newton at their own desks. They were across from each other and Newton could see that Ghom looked a little nervous. 

  Korus left and came back a while later with some paper and a book. He flopped a thin stack of paper each in front of Newton and Ghom. “That’s the contract, it provides the terms and conditions.” He then dropped the thick book on the table between them. “And that will provide more detail if you’re bothered to read. Quills are to your left. Take as much time as you need.”

  Newton read through the contract. Once signed he will be a citizen of Bame, he’ll be gifted with a stronger connection to his blood, he will be under the influence of the town hall’s security (Authority) system. He will have to obey direct command from the source, and the benefits of the contract can be revoked if the Source deems it necessary. A month after signing, it is required that he must come back to the town hall and report on whether he’d received a blood trait or not. Any blood trait developed after the month must be reported as soon as he is aware of it. Those were the main points that had stuck with him after reading the contract.

  When Newton looked up Ghom was already standing. “I was just waiting for you. Thought we’d do it together,” he said.

  “Don’t waste your time.” Newton said. He signed the pages and stood. “What now,” he asked Korus.

  “Come with me,” Korus said, picking the nearest torch off the wall, and walking to the back of the room.

  Newton pushed ahead of Ghom and followed. The torchlight slowly grew against the back wall as they approached. Newton could now make out a hand sticking out of a plaque which looked to be cemented to the wall.

  Hold the contract in your left and shake with your right. 

  “Huh!,” Newton exclaimed.

  “You’re going to shake the hand. Step closer,” said Korus.

  Newton did as he was told and the hand twitched to life, wriggling its fingers before extending them towards him. 

  “What’s the matter?” Tiro asked.

  Newton hadn’t noticed he’d been staring at the hand for an awkward amount of time. He turned to Korus. “I’m sorry. Can I read over the contract again?” 

  “Of course,” Korus replied. “But mind you, it hasn’t changed since the last time you’ve read it.”

  Newton sat down at Korus’ feet and read it under the orange torchlight. Questions began to flood out of his mouth as he went through it again. “Can the authority affect me outside of the town hall? And what about this Source? What’s the Source that I must obey and can strip me of my benefits at any moment?”

  “No,” said Korus. “The Authority system does not apply outside of the town hall. And the source…” Korus looked at Tiro. “Who is this boy?”

  Tiro sighed. “He’s from earth,” he said.

  “How long has he been here? Why haven’t you reported him?”

  “It was spontaneous. We brought him here last night.”

  “And didn’t tell anyone?”

  “He’s very- sensitive,” Tiro said as he shot a glance at Newton who scowled. “I wanted to ease him into it. Getting the authorities involved right away would not have resulted in cooperation.”

  “Cooperation?”

  “He’s a potential lead.”

  “He knows where it is?”

  “He’s the closest chance I have to finding it at the moment.”

  “This is going to make a mess. I’m already working myself to the marrow,” Korus said, grabbing his hair with both hands.

  “We can clean up after we prevent the destruction of Bame.” Tiro put a fist over his chest. “After all of this, I owe you one.”

  “Tsk. You owe me until I’m satisfied,” said Korus.

  “Okay, okay.”

  “I’m still waiting for my answer,” cut Newton. “The source?”

  “The king of Bame is also known as the source, because he’s the source of all blood traits,” Tiro answered. “Though he doesn’t decide whether you end up with one or not, Blood traits aren’t innately the bearer’s, and so isn’t the connection they have to their blood, it all comes from the king of Bame.” 

  “So if I sign this contract, the King of Bame will be able to control me?” Newton asked.

  “You’ll have to listen to him, yes,” said Tiro.

  “Never let anyone have complete control over you.” Those were some of Scarlet’s last ever words.

  Newton stood up and raised his head high. “I’m not going to go through with the induction.”

  “Why not?” asked Tiro.

  “Newton, it’s not a big deal,” said Ghom.

  “Because I’m not like Ghom who doesn’t care enough about himself to throw away his will, just because other people want him to! It's pathetic,” said Newton.

  Newton glanced over in time to see Ghom's expression change.  He looked as if he was going to cry right there at his own induction. Yara put her arm around him.

  “You don’t really have a choice, Newton. You have to do it,” said Tiro.

  “And if I don’t?”

  “I would have to order your execution,” said Korus.

  “Then I’ll run away, go back home. None of you will ever have to see me again.”

  “They’ll send someone after you, and they won’t want you back alive,” Said Tiro softly.

  “Who’s going to come after me if I’m on earth?”

  “Whether you’re on earth or not, you are related to my mission,” said Tiro “They’ll send me.”

  “Tiro, don’t even think like that,” said Yara.

  “It’s the truth,” said Tiro. “It doesn't matter if I’m thinking about it or if I care for it, or agree with it.”

  “And would you do it? kill me?” Newton’s words barely left his mouth. He hoped it wasn’t enough of an anomaly for anyone to notice.

  “I’m afraid I will,” said Tiro. “So please. Stop freaking yourself out and grab the hand.”

  Newton didn’t give himself the opportunity to think. He grabbed the hand which grabbed him back. It released him after a couple of moments and he fell to his knees, crying.