The First Dance of Rapsamash

The celebration was about to begin. Everyone had returned from the mines, and fortunately, no one asked about the fourth level and the cage. Arti was hiding in a secluded corner, a small recess in the wall. It was much more spacious there for her than for her older sister. Tonight, she would have to go home and hide again in the morning. Just two more days, and their lives would change forever.

Uncle Sangar handed Rapsamash some of the food he had saved so that she could deliver it to the wise woman. In reality, it was just an excuse for Ittira to pass on the potions and powders she had prepared, to further refine the plan considering what she had managed to make. There was a lot more to it than just the food.

The entrance to the old woman’s hut was once again occupied by the cat. Rapsamash finally decided to pet it, but it just hissed at her and stepped a few paces to the side. A strange cat. Ittira greeted the girl in good spirits. She already knew that Arti had been rescued.

— Look, look, Rapsi, see what I’ve made from what you brought! Have you ever seen anything like this?

Around a third of the crooked old table was covered with small pouches, jars, and bottles. It was amazing how the old woman had managed to prepare all of this in such conditions and in such a short time.

— This isn’t everything yet, Rapsi. Some of it will be ready tomorrow. But the most important thing is here, — the old woman shook a small pouch in front of the girl, —What do you think this is?

— Um... a sleeping powder?

— Close, Rapsi, close. I have sleeping powder too. This one is enchanting powder. It can make someone do something. Even something bad. Can you imagine?

— That’s... terrifying. Such magic really exists?

— It exists, my child, it exists. Keep it close to you and use it only in the most special circumstances.

— Thank you, gran, but maybe I should take it later?

— No, better hide it now. Maybe you won’t be able to come to me again...

— What about the rest?

— The rest, hm? Well, here are a few potions that increase strength, inner rage, and lengthen claws. Several sleep powders, several magic dispellers in case we encounter sorcerers and traps. Smoke powders, healing salves, and the same glowing salve as before...

— It’s like a whole arsenal...

— And you think they just call me a witch for no reason, huh?

— And I didn’t bring that much for...

— Child, I’ve been preparing for this for many years. Now, all my reserves will be of use to us. We just need to use them wisely. Oh, and here’s another very important salve. There’s only a little of it, but it’s exactly what we need.

Ittira grabbed a tiny glass vial from the table, completely empty, and proudly showed it to Raps.

— There... there’s nothing in it.

— No, Rapsi, there is! You just can’t see it. Come on, try dipping your magic needle into it!

Rapsamash took out Suiravka and cautiously inserted its tip into the vial. At first, nothing happened, but when the tip reached the middle of the container, it seemed to disappear.

— Invisibility salve! — the girl exclaimed.

— Almost, Rapsi. It’s a concealment oil. But look, there’s only enough for such a tiny thing like your magic needle. You’ll have to hide it well when they take you there...

— After using that glowing salve, I practically shone...

— Well, this one won’t affect you, so don’t worry, you won’t vanish. Let’s hurry to the others instead. And that cat is still here...

After tucking the powders and potions into her old patched shirt, Raps headed straight to the communal barracks where their small celebration was about to begin. As she passed the cat, she made another attempt to pet it, but it once again recoiled. Smiling, Rapsamash continued on. To her surprise, the cat followed her. She became cautious but didn’t stop.

Sangar, Unlad, Sanlad, and a few other Taulars were already waiting for Rapsamash near the barracks. While the rest of their kinsman were enjoying themselves nearby, these individuals appeared serious and grimly focused. Well, of course, they wanted to discuss the entire plan from start to finish one more time. Raps turned around. The cat, apparently, had fallen behind. Still, she needed to stay alert.

— You’re taking your sweet time, kid. We don’t have much time.

— Unlad, not now. What did mother prepare? Did she say?

The brothers exchanged glances, clearly showing their nervousness. And when Unlad got nervous, unpleasant things usually followed.

— Yes, she has everything we need for the plan — potions, powders, and even more: smoke, glowing, and healing ones.

— Even more, huh? Are you mocking me? Do you know how much of those potions we’ll need for everyone? And you, by the way, didn’t bring much from the kitchen; ma took everything from your own supplies! So don’t think you contributed much on this!

— Unlad, stop it. It’s good news, Raps, that we have everything, — Uncle Sangar intervened, addressing everyone present, — But let’s go through the plan and its vulnerable parts once again. Raps, what bothers you?

Rapsamash looked around, trying to figure out where that strange cat had gone. If it wasn’t one of their lesser kin...

— There was... a strange cat that was sitting near Ittira’s hut. It was following me, — she said.

— Enough of your nonsense, you insufferable flea. We don’t have time for your fantasies. While we can discuss matters without outsiders, let’s do that! — Unlad snapped.

— But I’m talking about an outsider! It was a very strange cat! I didn’t...

— Now you’re the strange cat here, baldy! Let’s get to the point, Sangar!

— Unlad, let’s avoid insults. We are all taking significant risks here.

— Then let her shut up and listen! It’s because of her that we’re taking risks!

— Unlad!

The three-fingered cat clicked his tongue and turned away. Sangar continued.

— So, we only have two days left. Everything is almost ready. Let’s sit down.

Everyone obediently sat down, forming a small circle. Sangar took a stick that he prepared in advance and started drawing something on the ground.

— This will be the city plan as I remember it. And that is the weak point of our plan—we don’t know how the city has changed over the years. Going through the tunnels is not an option—they can easily intercept us, and they might have blocked them long ago. But we should consider a couple that lead to the walls—here and here.

He drew a large circle, crossing it in some places with short parallel lines, and added a couple of marks in the form of crosses to the drawing.

— The main thing for us is to get out of the city. These are the gates. There are two main paths—north and northeast. The second path is shorter in every sense, but the other tribes will most likely go north.

Sangar started drawing numerous houses and streets. He had an excellent memory and wit.

— But before we reach the surface, we need to get out of here. First, they will take Raps away from us, and we’ll have to wait for some time. We’ll prepare potions and tools in advance. Raps, do you remember what comes next?

Before speaking, the girl swallowed and looked around. Where had that cat disappeared to?

— Raps?

— Her foolish head forgot it all!

— I remember! I remember everything! They’ll take me in the morning and prepare me for the dance. While I’ll be walking through the tunnels, we need to scatter as much sleep powder as possible, especially near the entrance. It won’t take immediate effect, especially if there’s only a small amount. By midday, the feast will begin. By that time, the guards at the tunnel entrance should be asleep but not yet replaced. During the dance, I need to get as close to Vizir as possible to put an end to him with a single strike. And then...

— And then you’ll die, but not before you take down as many of those scoundrels as you can!

— Unlad, one more insult, and I’ll hit you, — even calm Sanlad couldn’t bear it.

Some Taulars also stood up, flexing their fists.

— What am I wrong about? We’re sending this girl to her death! I just hope her death is meaningful and glorious! Beneficial for everyone!

— I’m not going to die there, — Raps replied in a cold tone, looking directly at Unlad, —I’m going there to save your bald skin, and if I fail, then at best, you’ll be called not Three-Fingered but Handless.

— Wow, the little girl has grown some teeth! I like that kind of talk. And what will you do? There will be plenty of guards! And we want there to be even more. As many as possible!

— And I’ll kill as many as I can, but even after that... I’ll survive! I will definitely survive.

— I doubt it, but I like your confidence, little dancer.

— If you’re done with the bickering, let’s continue, there’s not much time, — Sangar said.

— When I kill Vizir, a bell will ring.

— And then we’ll unleash chaos!

— No, Unlad, we’ll bring freedom.

— In a way, it’s the same thing.

— I said let’s finish the bickering. As we know, someone important from Eklat is also in the city, which means his guards are here too. Raps, try to kill him right after Vizir, that should cause confusion among his soldiers as well.

The girl nodded as Uncle Sangar continued sketching rectangles and circles to represent the houses.

— If… Once you manage to escape from the palace, — Sangar pointed to a large circle near the city center, — try to make your way closer to the gates, — He drew several broken lines from the palace circle to the outer wall circle, — There will surely be chaos there. If you can reach there before us, find a hiding spot, but not in the tunnels; they will likely be guarded. We will make our way and travel on the surface.

Raps nodded. Her small yet significant role was coming to an end, but a few things still troubled her. She searched once again for the cat that was nowhere to be found. Uncle Sangar continued drawing lines on his improvised map.

— Sanlad, you’ll lead the way in armor. You’ll likely take the first hit. Unlad will help you break the bars using Ittira’s potions. Then, Shallis and Vurvik will follow, also equipped with potions. Once we retrieve the guards’ gear, a few more fighters will join you —probably Arvas, Dervas, and Isar. Plus, any volunteers we haven’t mentioned.

The three Taulars in the circle nodded their heads.

— The most important thing is to act quickly. I have shown everyone how to remove the Eklat armor. After that, the rest of you will follow immediately, with women and children behind. Rari, Urbas, and five others will bring up the rear. If we encounter a patrol along the way, we must eliminate them before they call for backup. Some of you may need to delay pursuers or reinforcements—others should continue without delay. This likely applies to those at the rear: if the soldiers end up behind us, our task is to hold them back and prevent them from catching up with those escaping. We’d like to try reaching other tunnels and join forces with our allies, but there are no guarantees—we could get lost in the streets. So, it’s better to meet them closer to the gates. According to my memory, the northern gates are the closest for us. If something goes wrong, we’ll head toward the northeast gates. Another problem is that many of you haven’t seen the sunlight for years, and being on the surface may temporarily disorient you or even blind you. Don’t panic. Keep your heads down and look at the ground until your eyes adjust. Make sure the children and women do the same. Our freedom depends on each and every one of us.

Everyone listened in silence, observing the thin stick drawing new lines. Raps suddenly realized they hadn’t discussed one small but crucial point.

— But what about Mama... What about her? She can’t walk. Will you carry her?

— Raps, — Uncle Sangar paused for a moment, — she will stay here. She doesn’t want to be a burden.

— No... No! It can’t be like that! We can’t leave her! We’ll leave together!

— You understand that it’s impossible. If we carry her, we’ll lose a lot of time and a couple of fighters, and...

— And what? Is that too high a price? Give her a potion! Come up with something!

— Raps, please, calm down.

— No! I’m willing to give my life to give all of us a chance to escape, and you’ll leave our Mama, who once saved your lives, here to die alone? Is that what you want to do?

— Rapsamash, we...

— You must save her! Do you hear me?! — The girl jumped to her feet, glaring at everyone around, — If you don’t do it, if you’re not going to save her, then I...

She trailed off, her voice catching. Everything inside her tightened, and the world seemed to freeze in silence for a moment. A few meters away, behind a stone, sat the same cat. Noticing the girl’s glazed gaze upon it, it lazily licked himself, then slowly stood up, turned around, and hurriedly walked away. It had heard everything. No, not just heard— It heard EVERYTHING. Rapsamash abruptly sank down, clutching her head with both hands.

— Raps, we are immensely grateful to your mother, your nobility, and determination for making such a crazy decision without any hesitation, but...

The girl didn’t listen to what Uncle Sangar was saying. A thousand hammers pounded in her head. Don’t they understand? If this cat is indeed a spy, then everything is lost. Everything is lost! If it reaches his own... IF it reaches his own!

— Raps, what are you...

Rapsamash suddenly leaped up and rushed into the tunnel, following the cat that had already vanished into the twilight.