Maliha

The tribe was in disarray.

Maliha clutched Enzo in her arms as she sat beside Xiuri and tried to console her friend even when Maliha’s worries could not be quietened.

“He won’t stay,” Xiuri sobbed into her hands, her shoulders shaking as the Der Surjaz and Nah Barros warriors prepared themselves for battle.

“Shhh, they’ll be fine.” Maliha soothed her free hand over Xiuri’s back, whilst her other hand played with Enzo’s hair. His damp cheeks were pressed into her shoulders.

Maliha’s gaze was stuck to the floor, her watery eyes staring at the upturned earth as feet moved in and out of her sight.

Maliha was sick of war, she had seen enough of it to last a lifetime, but it seemed as if those years of reprieve were coming to an end. The Svolik had been plotting and now they were moving, leaving the Dahsolik nation to scramble and prepare resources.

“I don’t want them to go either Xiuri, but as warriors, they won’t sit by idly whilst there is a threat. They’ll be okay.”

“What if they aren’t okay?”

Maliha tutted at Xiuri in frustration. “Don’t put negative thoughts out there, the universe has a way of taking our spoken fears and manifesting them so think positively.”

Xiuri nodded her head as she hurried her tear stained cheeks on Maliha’s opposite shoulder. Maliha made eye contact with Kamir from across the clearing. His large bodycharged over to them.

“Xiuri,” he soothed, a large palm running over her back as he swept her into his arms. “I’ll take her to our tent.” He mumbled whilst trying to sorrow his crying solah.

“It’s just us now Enzo,” Maliha hummed rocking him back and forth until his erratic breathing smoothed out and his warm breath tickled against her neck.

Maliha moved slowly as she walked back to her father’s home with a sleeping Enzo in her arms. She tried to block out the chaos that surrounded her, but it was impossible not to see the weapons that seemed to manifest from thin air. She had already spoken to her brother and father and not even their assurance could calm Maliha’s erotica thoughts.

Nothing but the sight of her sleeping son could calm Maliha’s mind. She sat at the end of the bed, careful not to wake Enzo from his fitful sleep. Just the mere sight of his innocent face brought peace to her churning thoughts.

“He’s so peaceful when he sleeps.”

“Yes, and clingy. It’s almost impossible to breathe when I sleep next to him, but I wouldn’t trade him for the world.” Maliha lightly stroked Enzo’s dark cheeks before climbing from the bed.

“I miss the clinging. My nights aren’t the same without it.”

Maliha’s eyes narrowed at Ujarak. His large body leaned against the entryway to their room. His body was clad with weapons marking the inevitable battle that was soon to ensue. She gave Enzo one final look before stepping passes Ujarak and into the eating area. She pointedly ignored his last comment, knowing that any response would start a conversation that was not needed at this current moment.

“As you know, the Der Surjaz will fight alongside the Nah Barros against the Svolik.” Maliha’s head bobbed in agreement. “I’ll be leaving soon, and I just wanted to make sure you were both okay before I did. I do not know how long I will be gone.”

Or if he would even return. The unspoken sentence rang clear even though it did not pass either of their lips.

“I’m a little scared. We all are. War is so unpredictable, and life is so fragile. We would be crazy not to be afraid, but we will be okay as long as you all make it back to us.”

“War is unpredictable so I can never make any promises except that I will try my hardest to return to you both.” His large thumb tilted her chin up as a cocky smile graced his lips. “I still have to convince you to forgive me completely and take me back.”

Maliha chuckled, her soft giggle turning into a deep laugh until tears were cascading down her cheeks and morphing into fear.

“Shh,” Ujarak hummed as he pulled her body into his embrace. “It’s okay Maliha.

“I’m so scared. I don’t want to lose any of you. I know my father has chosen to stay but still, one loss is a life too many.”

Maliha’s back straightened like the strings of a bow before her body melted into his embrace. She buried her face into his chest and inhaled his familiar musky scent. Ujarak’s large arms wrapped around her as he stroked her back soothingly.

“It will be okay. Have faith.”

Her eyes slid shut as Ujarak’s fingers stroked through her loose hair. The length was past her collarbone now that she had taken out her plaits.

“I didn’t want to leave with us in conflict. I am happy that we at least have this moment.” Ujarak lulled against her skin.

Maliha agreed with him. Situations such as these always put things into perspective. As much as Maliha was not ready to forgive Ujarak completely, she couldn’t imagine not ever having that opportunity to do so.

“Uja.”

“Yes,” he hummed.

“Will you come lay with us?” Maliha’s chin rested on his chest as she pleaded for him to stay a little longer.

“Of course.” He gripped her hand securely as she led Ujarak back to their room. Maliha anxiously sat at the end of the bed as Ujarak slowly removed his weapons before pulling both her and Enzo into his arms. The moment her head rested upon his chest, the thumping of his strong heartbeat took over and began its calming affects. “I didn’t think I would ever get a night like this again,” Ujarak whispered.

“I prayed for thousands more,” Maliha muttered against his chest as slumber took over. His soft fingers massaging her into a peaceful sleep.

What felt like minutes into her slumber, Maliha was jolted awake by a deafening, screeching noise. Disoriented and confused, Maliha reached for Ujarak and found the spot where he had once lay to be cold. Rubbing at her bleary eyes she tried to make sense of the noise as it grew louder and wilder. Her first instinct was to reach for Enzo and ensure that he was still there. Her hands frantically scurried through covers until she found his curled-up form at the end of the bed. Her fear did not abate as the noise grew louder making it apparent that it was the sounds of screams echoing through the night.

Maliha staggered out of her room with her robe on, her body colliding with her fathers.

“What’s going on?” Maliha croaked taking in her fathers fully clothed and battle-ready body.

“Some of the scouts have returned with prisoners.”

Maliha nodded her head solemnly before gripping her father’s arm lightly. “Thank you for staying. I know as the Razi it was your right to be at the battle but the thought- “

Maliha’s voice cracked at the thought of her losing bother her father and brother.

“I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving you and returning home to find you gone again. My choice to stay was as much for you as it was for me Maliha.”

Kaori brought his daughter into his arms and hugged her tightly. Maliha found herself reverting to her younger self whenever she was I. her father’s arms. That scrawny, gangly scruffy little girl who had begged for love was finally basking in it now.

“I have to go now but you can come with me if you want. Filsan will stay with Enzo through the night.”

Maliha agreed and decided to follow her father. She was intrigued to see how he was in action.

Maliha threw on some clothes, grabbed a knife and kissed Enzo goodbye before exiting out of their home. A warrior stood outside of the house waiting for her father, his head tilted in confusion once he saw Maliha, but he said nothing of her presence.

The streets were empty. Though many lights were lit within the homes, everyone remained inside. The sombre atmosphere was almost as striking as the nightmarish screams carrying through the distance. The warrior led them further and further away from the homes and closer to a deserted and shadowed piece of land. At the centre of the empty land stood a talk tent-like structure that reminded her of the Der Surjaz tents.

The intensity of screams grew the closer they were to the tent.

“Hold him still,” grunted the distant voices of Nah Barros warriors.

“We found a boy amongst the others. He does not seem to be Svolik, but he does not speak our tongue. The rest claim they are Der Surjaz, but we have not met them before.” The warrior muttered to her father in warning as they stepped through the entrance.

Maliha’s body halted at the mention of the warriors being Der Surjaz. Her heart was palpitating in both excitement and dread.

“Papa?”

“It’s okay Maliha, no harm will come to them if they truly are who they say they are.”

Relief coursed through Maliha’s body as she followed the two men inside.

Her lashes fluttered rapidly as she tried to adjust to the brightly lit area and when they did, she settled over the unmistakable figures of the five captives. Her gaze settled over one figure in particular.

“They are Der Surjaz.” Ancient eyes stared back at Maliha as the old woman stuck her arms out to be unshackled.

“You heard her; they are not imposters.” The men moved and began unlocking the shackles that had previously restrained the Der Surjaz warriors.

“It is good to see you Makula,” Maliha smiled as she helped the elderly woman to her feet. “What are you doing here?”

“You do not know? Have you not spoken to Ujarak?”

“I have but he did not mention that you would- “

“Never mind,” Makula interjected, “we will talk later. I believe you are needed.”

Makula motioned to the back of the tent where a group of warriors stood shouting as they tried to restrain a thrashing child.

His mouth was covered with a small piece of cloth as he thrashed back and forth but even then, his loud sporadic screams rang out clearly. His feet kicking and arms swinging like a wild animal. His jumbled foreign words grew louder and louder as his panicked gaze landed on her. His pale blue eyes transferred Maliha to a time of the past. Her ears ringing as the foreign tongue started to make sense.

Maliha reached out to the warriors as she called for the young boy.

“Peja misama qe?” What happened here.

The young boys screaming, and kicking halted at her words. His small eyes wondering in confusion as she spoke to him in that language that had once been her own.

“Peja misama qe?” What happened here? Sherepeated her sentence as she moved further into the tent.

“You understand him?” A warrior that Maliha recognised to be called Anil asked. The deep voice jolted the young boy back to reality and he tried to jerk from their grasp.

“Suara, ou Kalar,” stop, be calm.The boy spoke rapidly back at her, his small fists still laying into their bodies as he tried to break free.

“He thinks you are like the Svolik. Let him go, he’ll come to me.” Maliha responded without taking her eye contact away from the blue-eyed boy. “Sab ja, noe resitso,” I mean no harm.

Their hold on the boy was slowly released and as soon as he was free ran to the exit but Maliha’s words halted him. He spun around to face her, his small chest wheezing and his pale skin red from extortion.

“E ten al Segur mis Heama en Mihal.”

Maliha sucked in a harsh breath at his words, “Where did you find him? Was it just him by himself?”

“Yes, it was just him, we found him not too far from the Der Surjaz encampment.”

As if understanding the warrior’s words, the little boy shook his head angrily and then started speaking rapidly. His hands were waving erratically as he tried to explain to Maliha what had happened. There were some gaps in Maliha’s grasp of the language but form what she could gage had her stomach churning. Maliha responded quickly, the boy interrupting her mid-sentence as he repeated a few lines over and over until Maliha had no hope but to accept what he said.

“The Svolik attacked his home about a fortnight ago. They have enslaved his people, from what I can grasp he said that at the call of war his mother was able to break him and his sister free. She created a diversion and they both escaped but you only found him. They were nearby but this was before the war began. Suara.” Maliha halted him, before continuing her explanation. “He is looking for his mother and sister. They were last by Rak’haan herd.”

“How can you understand him?”

“He is Melikit and I was raised there. He can stay with me until you find his mother and sister.”

“We won’t be able to help him whilst in the midst of a war. I will send a few scouts to see if they find his sister, but I cannot send a full search party.” Kaori was apologetic but Maliha completely understood her father’s decision. They were at war and all of the remaining warriors were needed to protect the rest of the tribe to prevent the past from repeating itself.

Maliha nodded her head and reassured the boy with soft words that everything would be fine. He slowly made his way towards her, skirting around the warriors until he was clinging at Maliha’s skirts. He had to be no older than four years old, if that, with the bluest eyes she had ever seen.

Just the sight of this little boy brought Maliha back to the root of all her angst and insecurities. It was as if the goddess was forcing Maliha to confront all of the issues she thought she had long resolved. Just looking at this little boy made it apparent that there was still much lament and torment that she held onto.

Maliha ran her fingers through his hair as she encouraged him to follow her back to her home. Their journey was slow as the little boy clung to her making each step almost impossible. In the end, Maliha decided to carry him the rest of the way. Now that the screaming had stopped, Maliha felt the urgency to return home to her son and ensure that he was indeed okay.

As she stepped through the threshold of her home, the ancient voice of the holy woman caught hold of Maliha in a vice grip, halting her retreat.

“Now is not the time but I would like to speak to you first thing in the morning. It is regarding Ujarak and the decisions he has made.”

“I don’t believe I will be much help Makula. Ujarak’s decisions are no longer my concern.”

Makula’s lips smacked together as she glares at Maliha. “Maybe not but are the Der Surjaz not still the tribe of your heart? He is about to make a decision, one that will be detrimental

to their way of life and wellbeing. I need you to speak to him before it is too late.”

Maliha sighed deeply, shifting her body so she leant on her right leg. She readjusted her hold on the now sleeping boy before she responded to Makula.

“I don’t have that kind of influence on him Makula. If he has made a decision, then there is not much I can do to change him. Ujarak is stubborn but I will try when he returns.”

A sharp bark flew from Makula’s lips. “As if you are not so prideful and stubborn yourself? I will not continue this conversation this night, but you will speak to me in the morning. It is not a suggestion.”

Maliha tutted her teeth in annoyance before bidding Makula goodnight. Maliha lay the little boy who went by the name of Javid onto the bed next to Enzo before stepping out of her clothes and putting on her night outfit.

“Mama,” Enzo called drowsily.

“I’m here, Enzo.”

His eyes flickered blearily open before he shut them again and sunk back into a calm slumber. The same could not be said for Maliha. Her mind was plagued with so many thoughts and worries. The majority of them revolving around her brother, Uja and the information Makula had yet to share.