Zenobia: Chapter Three

by Spira (Mistborn) in my little cobblestone and glass house in the land of Minecraft

Vance

“Vance!” Safi nudged me.

“Huh?”

“Listen!” My sister whispered.

My mind shifted back to the miraculous holographic screen set up by the Priesthood’s messenger. Once every month, the Priesthood addressed Talurra from the cities where this technology is common to the outskirt villages such as my own.

Attention was required, or else it meant punishment. It could be defined as rebellion. But my focus was scattered.

Zenobia’s words echoed in my mind: Vance Coleo, this will cost you and your family their lives.

“People of Talurra,” a Priest said over the wide screen. “We are pleased to report that evil is at a minimum in this land. Remember to thank the Priesthood for your wellbeing.”

Evil… Does sin actually exist in physical form? Something I’ve always wondered. The Priesthood says that only those that sin has chosen can see evil. These people, therefore, must be sacrificed to sin.

It’s too risky to think my thoughts. If one of them caught me…

“Long live Talurra and the Priesthood!” The Priest ended his speech, and the connection cut off abruptly.

As the messenger closed down the holographic machine, all of the townspeople were beginning their daily chores. Not willing to risk a tongue lashing, I head to retrieve my bow and head into the surrounding forests.

No Priesthood… What was it like? They had been here for as long as our history recalls… Over a thousand years. Would the chaos from the Wanderlands invade Talurra? Was Talurra truly more dangerous without the Priesthood?

What am I thinking? I can’t risk them hearing my thoughts. They can read minds of those they choose… Certainly, I don’t want to risk drawing their attention.

A war cry shouts from behind me. Hanai!

Busying me with daydreaming is a trait Ma often chastises me for. Now, I’ve let Hanai sneak up on me.

Instantly, I turn around, arming my bow with haste. A Hanai warrior lurked behind me.

The Hanai are a rogue tribe of barbarians that legend says came from the Wanderlands. Scarce of clothing, their skins display battle scars. Tangled masses of brown hair show their lack of concern for grooming. Unlike the average human, they stand seven feet tall, with a bulky, muscular frame. They are sprinters, with legs faster than the Priesthood’s teleporting capabilities.

I might be able to handle one by myself. Might.

The Hanai shouts an unintelligible word. On the other side of me, another Hanai grunts. And another. And another. Four in totals.

Grunting in some sort of language, the Hanai circle me. With only my bow, a long range weapon, the odds aren’t pretty. But I don’t have a choice.

I fire at one, and reload as quickly as possible. One shouts in pain, clutching his chest, blood spilling onto his bare chest.

I take aim, but a shove knocks me off balance. Stumbling into a tree, the Hanai pull out there spears. Reaching for my bow, a meaty, Hanai hand slaps it away, into the ground.

“Unga ugh ooga!” A Hanai grunted at his companions.  One of his friends jabs his spear at me. Thankfully, their coordination is lacking in some aspects, so I dodge.

“Help! Hanai!” I shout, but I know no one is able to hear me.

One of the Hanai grabs my hair with his chubby fingers. “Ooga uta,” the barbarian muttered. “Gati!”

Another Hanai stretches his hand out and clasps it around my throat. Not hard, but I know what the beast will do.

“Help!” I manage to sputter out. The Hanai squeezes his dirty hand around my neck.

My vision goes spotty. Flames rise in my chest, burning my lungs. A dizzy sensation pulls at my mind. He was strangulating me. Soon, I would be making my trip to the Afterlife.

So this is how it will end… By Hanai hands…

With a thud, I realize that the barbarian has dropped me. I hear some cries of anguish from the beasts as they shouted. Who had come to my rescue? But, no one could take on four Hanai, only a mighty lion or a dragon- how rare they might be- can take on a pack of Hanai and win.

As soon as I regain my ability to stand, I wobble up to my feet. If it was a dragon or lion, I was doomed.

The four Hanai were moaning on the forest floor, bleeding their lives away.

“Hello?” I called out into the air.

“You must get away.” A mystical voice whispered.

“Zenobia?”

“You must leave at once,” Zenobia’s voice echoed. “The Priesthood knows.”

I reached for my bow and arrow. “Why should I trust you?”

“When I find a reason and time to explain, I shall. The Priesthood has located you. They will eliminate you at all costs.”

I froze, fear racing up my spine. “My family…”

“It is too late for them, Vance Coleo,” said Zenobia.

“No! You’re lying, you spirit from Malice!”

“I am not lying,” Zenobia whispered. “I only wish that someone would not experience the same fate as I…”

“No!” I shouted.

“They will come, Vance Coleo. They will destroy you…”

“Liar!”

“I have no reason to lie. I am trying to protect you from the evils of the Priesthood…”

Zenobia’s spirit appeared, her cold, violet eyes meeting my gaze. “They killed me, Vance Coleo. I won’t let them take another.”