That was it.
The thing that had given Migo the strength to survive the potion when he became Ashjagar. It was Katsi. It was love. Not revenge or hatred.
He squeezed her hand a little tighter, grateful for the moment she’d decided his was a life worth saving, even when he was despicable. Katsi looked up at him, brown eyes glinting with a hint of green. In her eyes, he was liberated. Free.
Home.
“Now, let’s carry on with a wedding, shall we?” Hatan clapped his hands, and everyone assembled.
Everyone lined up, standing together as Hatan and Penym climbed atop a stand so that all could see them. Nedro Wajek, of all people, was the one to administer the markings of marriage, placing the purple marks on both their hands and cheeks as they swore themselves to each other. They raised their hands to the crowd, and everyone cheered, Migo’s voice perhaps the loudest of all.
The look in Hatan’s eyes exceeded that joy that filled him when trying one of his favorite pastries.
After that, the celebrations began. Migo tried the cookies. He tried the drink. And sands, he hated when Hatan was right, but they were crafted specifically for him, hitting just the right spot.
“So what’s your assessment,” Hatan said, eyes glittering with giddiness.
“They’re perfect,” Migo admitted. And he truly meant it. Everything was perfect.
Glossary of Terms
Time on Malahem:
Cycle: The moon rotates around Malahem. A single rotation of the moon around the planet is called a cycle. This is the Ringdweller’s alternative to a day.
Mark: roughly 2 hours. There are 10 marks in a cycle
Malahem: the planet
The Ring: the habitable zone between the Scorched Waste and the Frozen Waste
Frozen Waste: the dark side of the planet
Scorched Waste: the side of the planet facing the sun
Scaila: a small type lizard with webbing between its legs and colorful scales
Marem: a person born outside of shamanfolk lineage
Ringdweller: a person who lives in the Ring
Sunward: in the direction of the sun
Rangola: large feline animals, sometimes tamed as mounts.
Waheshi: humans that have been mutated into creatures by forcing them to drink a potion. Appearances vary based on the blood of the animal used in the potion.
Aivar: the shamanic name for the moon
Sleephouse: A place of temporary lodging. Also commonly serves food
Ganaueh: board game
Chama-fen: wrestling game
Maedari: the magical storms that sporadically ravage the Ring
Varman: Large, thick-hided oxen. Domesticated ones tend to have their massive horns clipped.
Tidal locking: This is when the orbital body (ie, Malahem) rotates around its axis exactly once during its orbit around the star (or sun, in this case).
Shaman Classes
Bleeder
Stormcaller
Mixer
Earthmelder
Seer
Enchanter
About the Author
