Amit & Mythri (Part 2 Complete)

    Amit and I have been in Obresh for several days, waiting on the other rulers to arrive for the summit. Lord Nictis has called us all here together, hoping to find a way to combat the rising influx of the Gnoll Empire as well as the growing threat of the Centaur, Demir. 

    Seeing all these rulers here makes me realize how close and ever-looming war is. Not just any war either, a worldwide war with every kingdom and country at stake. No one in this crowd looks confident. Everyone seems drawn and serious. I’m sitting beside Amit with my hand on his knee. We have both dressed in our ceremonial garb of all white. For the Rakshasa, the white attire is a sign of peace and acceptance, usually worn during visits from other royals, or during times of conflict. We agreed to wear them now to show our support of all these leaders.

    Amit was sure of his decisions, but because there were so many expectations on his shoulders, he was visibly shaken. I had never seen such a cross look on his face since before we were married. So many people looked up to him, in fact, many of the royals here at the table now were only here because of Amit. Amit asked me to sit by his side during this meeting, although I do not know what i bring to the table.

    Years ago I was just a servant in Amit’s palace, now, the world said I was a goddess. I am not so sure about that. In many ways, I still feel like that simple servant girl. In other ways I feel like a queen. I do not know if I belong here or not, I just know that my husband needs me.

    Nictis takes his seat at the very head of the table with a gavel clutched in his hand. “Good morning, all of you,” he sighs as he settles. “It is good to see so many...faces this morning.”

    “Let's get on with it,” Czernobog growls. “I’ve been here for says waiting. I am anxious for this meeting to end.”

    “I agree,” Imani says from her spot at the table. “I don’t want to be here any more than any of you. Frankly, I feel like we’re all being trapped here.”

    Several others agree with Imani, murmuring loudly as she leans back in her chair. I can see in her eyes that Imani has not come to agree with anyone. She has come here to voice her opinion and to fight anyone who says differently. In my heart, I fear I may lose her as a friend today. If her ideals are opposite of Amit’s our two kingdoms could be at war.

    “No one is trapped here,” Amit replies. “Anyone who doesn’t want to be here is free to leave. You were given the option to come or ignore Nictis’ message. You still have that option here at this table.”

    “Are we here about the Gnolls or the Centaur?” An Ifrit asks, raising his hand in the air. “I would very much like to get rid of the Gnolls. This centaur doesn’t seem to understand the scope of what he’s trying to accomplish. He’ll get wiped out soon enough if his own men don’t do it first.”

    “You obviously are obtuse!” Czernobog laughs. “Don’t assume your Northern landscape will protect you. Mountains don’t move, of course, but this Centaur will find a way to make them work for him. I saw his conquest in the East, my men saw his swift take over of the Golem’s mines.”

    The Golem king slams his fist on the table. “He has no right to those mines! My brothers ruled those mines. Those mines belong to the Golems! He is using our wealth to expand his unhealthy obsession with unity!” The molten lava inside him glows brightly with fury. He crushes the cup in his hand, melting the metal, so it dribbles into a puddle on the table. “This Demir is a threat. I say we cut off his head while we still have the chance.”

    “And what are we to do about the Gnolls?” Mora argues. “While our back is turned and dealing with this threat, they will seize the opportunity and take us when we are vulnerable.”

    “Are you saying we let this Centaur take us over?” The Golem King laughs.

    “I am saying we avoid as much conflict as possible!” Mora argues. “Demir is a greater threat than the Gnolls. If we try to fight one, the other will strike at us. I say we try to gain favor with the stronger enemy.”

    “You’re giving him what he wants!” Imani roars. “You want us all to go to him with our tails between our legs and beg him to help us fight the Gnolls?” She laughs loudly. “We don’t need help against the Gnolls!”

    “She is trying to colonize us!” Phanes, the griffin, argues. “She’s not trying to unify us at all. She is trying to take over and make anyone who isn’t a Gnoll a slave! Demir is trying to make us a true Empire! He doesn’t want to enslave us.”

    “Anyone who wants to conquer wishes to enslave!” Nadine hisses. “We shouldn’t take either side lightly.”

    “And what will happen then?” Ikid scoffs. “We unify anyways?”

    “Just for war?” Mora balks. “Is it not better to unify for peace? I do not want to start a war and end up worse than when we started!”

    Nictis turns to Amit. “You are awfully quiet,” he murmurs. “Do you enjoy seeing your fellow leaders bicker amongst themselves?”

    I squeeze Amit’s hand. “He is waiting,” I murmur. “He will know the right moment to speak.”

    The Golem King crashes his fist through the table, leaving a smoldering hole that begins to smoke. “Have any of your people been conquered yet? Have any of you felt the sting of it? If you have not then, I suggest you all shut up and listen close! I have seen these wars before. I have lived centuries seeing it! My kind is always the first to be picked on. The first to have our mines taken from us. It has happened again! And you all sit by and wait until your own houses are looted before you grow any rage! How many times have my people helped your kingdoms? How many times have we come baring our own gems and gold as reparations to you? Answer me!” He bellows.

    Nictis bangs his gavel. “Please do before he ruins any more of my table,” he sighs.

    “Hebbar is right,” Amit speaks up, and I am shocked how everyone turns their attention to him. “The Golem are secluded and secretive beings, but they have always shown kindness that has goen unrewarded. And what do we do when they are being taken over? We do nothing. We stand by and think to ourselves ‘as long as it isn’t me, it doesn’t’ matter.” Amit stands up, laying his palms flat on the table. “I owe Hebbar a great deal of debt, but anytime I offer to pay him back he turns it down. He was an ally during my grandfather’s campaign to rid the Rakshasa of the Gnolls. Without him, there would be no Rakshasa court today. There would be no me. This summit wouldn’t be happening. Thanks to the Golems we are all here able to make this choice today. I was happy when I knew Hebbar would be here because I knew that soon my debt would be paid and Hebbar and I could finally be brothers.”

    “You’re worried about debt?” Nadine scoffs.

    “No,” Amit growls. “Do you not see what I am trying to say? You are all so concerned with our palaces and kingdoms and things that you cannot stretch out your hand to your brothers and sisters in need! Think how much you would want that hand if it were your own kingdom! How dare you sit there and think “not me” when everywhere it is you! The Gnolls, the Centaurs, whoever it may be, they are in your backyard, and they know exactly what they want!”

    The room grows quiet, and there are murmurs all around. Imani then stands up, her paws firm on the table like Amit’s. 

    “Then tell me, brother,” she starts with a snarl and a curled lip. “Who do you want in your backyard? Because you can pick only one.”

    Amit doesn’t blink, his tail and ears don’t move. He gives her nothing but the cold hard glare of someone who knows exactly the answer. “Demir,” he starts, “a war with him will only end in bloodshed and horror for everyone. If we side with him, the Gnolls will be a threat that are easily dealt with. If we do not, it is war with both at the same time.”

    Imani scowls, showing her fangs. “You choose to cower before that Centaur?” She snarls.

    I want to cry, I know this is the moment where the division will be violent.

    Amit’s paw rests on my shoulder. “I choose to fight beside him. Is unity such a horrible price to pay for a crown?”

    “You are not the man I used to know!” Imani roars at him, pointing a sharp claw in his direction. “Will you not fight for your country? Will you give away your people so easily? Hand them over on a silver plate, make it nice for him!” She mocks. “Do not think for one second I will bow down to anyone!” She spits. “Bethsabe is a raving lunatic, she’s bound to make a misstep and lose it all. If we are smart, we can turn Demir’s focus onto the Gnoll empire, and we can strike him when he tries.”

    “And then what?” Habbar snarls. “We are back to where we started! It is war on all sides. Demir versus the Gnolls, us versus them. It is chaos!”

    “Amit speaks wisdom!” Phanes replies. “He speaks out of sanity. Either way, we lose. There are no winners in this room. The only winners with be Demir or Bethsabe and frankly I prefer Demir over the psychopath!”

    “How do we know Demir is sane?” Nadine asks. “His ideals certainly sound like the ravings of a mad minister!”

    “He has taken my people and their land!” Habbar roars.

    Nictis bangs the gavel again. “Calm down, Habbar, drop your fists. You will owe me a new table regardless, but you will start a fire next time.” He bangs the gavel again when Imani starts to lurch on the table. “Two sides,” he replies. “I see it clear as day. Those of you who wish to remove the Gnolls, and the others who wish to remove Demir.” He waves his hand to Amit. “He has made his stance, and all of you made it clear you respected his opinion. Who stands beside Amit today and who stands against him?”

    Kitto stands up. “There is too much blood in the ocean,” he starts. “It comes in waves from the Gnoll Empire. I taste it everyday, and I want it out of my mouth. Demir is conquering, yes, that is true. But has his conquest put that much blood into people’s mouths?” He pushes his chair away and stands behind me. “Demir is a better ally and is willing to be one. Empress Bethsabe is an enemy to everyone and gleeful to do so. I stand with Amit.”

    Nadine rises from her seat. “As much as I respect Amit and his decision, I do not think it is wise to give ourselves over so easily.” She moves, standing behind Imani. “I chose to fight for my freedom.”

    Mora and Branok stand and silently moves to stand with Kitto. Ikid rises with his queen, and they also stand with Amit. 

    Czernobog stands and chuckles. “I am usually one who revels in such division and chaos. I enjoy standing in the shadows and waiting for the world to make its decision. But today, there is no waiting, there are no shadows. If we wait, there will be nothing but smoke and blood to greet us in the morning. Standing in the middle to see who rises to the top is no longer an option here.” He goes and stands with Imani. “This may lead to war, but we still will be our own people when we do it.”

    Habbar stands up. “I do not like this Centaur, I already have my hatred against him. I have no conflict with these Gnolls. They have been too afraid to come against me. But I am not a stupid man I trust my brother.” He motions to Amit. “I have lived much longer, but he is far wiser than I will ever be.” he stands with Amit. “I do not want to see my people suffer any more than they have to.”

    “Thank you,” Amit whispers to him.

    “It is my pleasure, brother,” Habbar grins.

    Imani snarls, glaring at Amit the entire time that the rulers make their decisions. In the end, one man sits at the table, his eyes focused on his hands. It is Niran, the king of the Lizardfolk. He looks up and around. 

    “Oh my, is it my turn already?” He rises up, and he turns to Imani. “You’ve always been a bitch,” he says to her. “But you were always an impressive leader no matter what my opinion on you may be. But now I know you are foolish. You are willing to risk the lives of your people for what? To stand alone? To be yourself? That is a level of fuckery that will see you beheaded, young lady.” He then turns to Amit. “You have some insight, old man. The enemy or my enemy is my friend, correct? Demir is an enemy to some while Bethsabe is an enemy to all. Habbar is smart enough to trust you. We all risk our kingdoms and people here. But the truth comes down to if we are willing to sacrifice ourselves for our people.” He sighs, removing his headpiece, laying the gold ring on the table.

    Niran looks at each side with a cold, hard stare. “I am a symbol for my people. This” he points to the headpiece, “means nothing without my people! I am the one who should sacrifice his life, not them. It is not a war of the people this time. It is a war between us who are symbols. If we cannot be that symbol for our people, we don’t deserve our kingdoms anyway.”

    Amit removes his crown and tosses it across the table to meet Niran’s. “I agree, old friend.”

    “Oh, so you call me friend now,” Niran smirks.

    I stand up and remove my crown, throwing it, so it lands with Amit’s. Kitto’s diadem joins the pile, as does Mora’s tiara and Branok’s circlet. A massive stone then smashes through the center of the table. Habbar had no crown, so instead, he threw one of his fingers.

    Nictis sighs. “I knew I should have held this outside.”

    “I don’t like you,” Habbar whispers to him.

    “So what is it going to be Imani?” Niran asks. “Are you going to sacrifice yourself or your people?”

    I look at Imani, and I see tears streaming down her face. She is angry, of course, she is. She is also in great pain. I know her love for her kingdom knows no bounds. I also know how stubborn she is and how violently she can react. 

    Nadine removes her diadem. “I only saw a picture of myself,” she murmurs. “I forgot that each drop of paint in that picture is the blood of my people.” She throws her diadem into the center of the collapsed table. “What must be done to spare that blood must be done.”

    “Well fuck,” Czernodog chucks his crown into the center. “I knew this summit would make me feel like a shitty king.”

    “Imani,” Amit speaks up. “No matter what decision you make, I still love you, my sister,” he replies. “I will still speak highly of you no matter what.”

    I can’t stop crying now, and I make no attempts to cease it.

    “The goddess is crying,” Nictis murmurs. “How can you deny her?”

    “How dare you use my sister against me?” Imani shrieks. The next thing I know I’m wrapped up in Imani’s arms. I cling to her, holding her tightly as we both cry. 

    “I hate you,” she whimpers. “As long as my spirit screams I will hate you forever, Amit!” She glares up at him. “Be grateful you have her or else I would have killed you.”

    “I know,” Amit whispers.

    It is agreed that evening, the Gnolls are the enemy and Demir is our ally. But this could mean that all of us are in danger. If Demir does not agree with our demands, we could all fall from grace for the promise of his unity.

    Amit has agreed to be the one to meet with Demir while all the other royals go home to decide what they should do if he denies our offers.

    “I want you to go home,” Amit whispers.

    “No,” I shake my head. “I’m staying with you.”

    He touches my cheek. “You cried so much today.” He kisses my cheek and licks away the salt from my tears. “I do not want to put any more of this strain on you.”

    I shake my head. “It was my honor,” I whisper to him. “From now until all of this is settled I am by your side without question. I will meet Demir head on if I must. But by your side is where I belong.”

    He smiles at me and kisses me. “You really are a goddess. I don’t care what you say to me.”

    I sniffle and nuzzle to his cheek. “I just want to be your wife.”

    He chuckles, wrapping me up in his arms. “I owe you everything. Imani was ready to go to war with me. If it weren’t for her love for you, I would have lost her.”

    “She loves you too,” I tell him.

    “Not anymore,” he whispers. 

    We send word home with Niran and Imani, who both promised to keep an eye on the Rakshasa Court until we returned. We set out that evening with Habbar who was taking us to meet with Demir. Czernobog went ahead of us to deliver word to Demir to expect us.

    We had no idea what to expect or what we were walking in to. Czernobog delivered us a message from Demir in the morning. He was looking forward to meeting us and asked that we come to meet him at his home in Sothen, which wasn’t too far from where we were.

    By the time we arrived at the palace, it was dark. I couldn’t see much outside the carriage except for rows upon rows of glowing eyes in the dark.

    “Those are the centaur,” Habbar growls. I turn from the window and look at him. “His warriors line the path to the palace no matter the time or weather when they greet someone.”

    “Why do they glow like that?” I whisper.

    “The reflect light, much like my eyes do,” Amit squeezes my hand. “This means they’re just as dangerous at night as they are during the day. Even more so.”

    I look back out the window, seeing the outlines of the centaurian guards on either side of the walk we’re driving up. Once we reach the castle, Habbar keeps us in the carriage, meeting with Demir first.

    From the window I see Demir is very tall, all Centaurs are, but he holds a stature that stands head and shoulders above the others. He is black all over his lower half, and his top half is dark gray with dapples of white. His hair is long and decorated with braids and trinkets. I hear Habbar’s low growling as he talks to Demir. Habbar then opens the carriage and Amit steps out first.

    “Your friend is protective of you,” Demir bows before Amit, kneeling on his front two legs and then laying his arms out flat before Amit on the ground.

    “He has his reasons,” Amit replies. He turns and takes my hand as I step out of the carriage. 

    Demir does not look up at me, instead his whole body tenses forward and his fingers spread across the ground. “I am pleased that you’ve brought the goddess with you. Rumors of her have reached even my ears.” He then rises up, golden eyes falling on me. He smiles and stretches out his hand. “Would you honor me with a blessing, goddess?”

    “I will not,” I say without hesitation.

    Demir chuckles. “Good! Please, come in, you must be exhausted from your journey. You’re quite far from your home and children.”

    “Do not talk about his children!” Habbar growls.

    “Forgive me,” Demir replies as he leads us inside. “I am fixing to be a parent myself. I cannot help but think about them.”

    Amit squeezes my hand, urging me to not say a word on the matter. 

    Demir takes us to where the throne room would be, instead it is open and there are centaurs and other creatures alike inside. They’re all lounging together and relaxing. 

    “Please come in,” Demir waves his hand for us.

    “My wife is tired,” Amit replies. “I am afraid we are in no mood for fraternizing this evening. We would like to rest.”

    Demir turns and looks at Amit. “I was told you were coming to meet with me because you believed I was the lesser of two evils.”

    “You are still an evil unknown to me,” Amit growls.

    “And we all fear which we do not know,” Demir smirks. “I fully understand how you must feel, Amit. But I assure you, for me, it is an honor to have you and your goddess with us. I have admired you for quite some time.” He tilts his head and sighs. “In fact, I am surprised to see you here at all. I had thought for sure that you would be my greatest foe.”

    “I am not one for making arch enemies,” Amit answers. “That is why I am here.”

    Demir nods. “This is a communal area,” he motions back to the room. “A place of peace and rest. Let me feed you before you go to bed.”

    Amit looks to me, and I pat his hand. “Let’s agree to this,” I tell him. “He feels genuine to me.”

    Habbar snarls under his breath. “It feels forced to me.”

    “Because you are forcing yourself,” I tell him. 

    We follow Demir, and he sits down with us. We are served food and drink, but Habbar does not allow us to try anything until he has sampled it. Poisons will not make him sick, but he can taste them easily. Once he is assured, he lets us eat.

    “I am surprised you have come, Habbar,” Demir starts. “I was sure you hated me when you threatened me with a volcano.”

    “I came because of this man,” Habbar looks to Amit. “And my duty to my people.”

    “I assure you, your people are being well cared for,” Demir starts but Habbar cuts him off.

    “How can you say that when you have stolen our mines!” he blurts.

    I reach out and touch his hand, calming him and making him rear back.

    “It is true. You have taken a great deal from him. You claim his people are fine, but how can they be when you have robbed them of what is rightfully theirs?”

    “The land is mine now, but they serve me.”

    Habbar snarls. “I am their king! They serve me!”

    “Habbar, please!” I cry out as we are surrounded.

    “Forgive me,” Demir waves his hand, calling off his warriors. “Once you unify under me it will still be your land. As your King, I have rights to it.”

    Habbar snarls, but I keep him in check. 

    Amit sighs. “That is exactly why I am here. This so-called unification you dream of, what does it entail for other rulers like me?”

    Demir nods and looks Amit directly in the eye. “I will still allow you your status and homes. You will lose nothing except title.”

    “I have no idea what that means,” Amit says. “Nothing will change but everything will.”

    “I will be king, you will become a lord for me. You will serve me, but your people will serve you.” He smiles. “Think of it as a pyramid.”

    Amit’s eyes narrow. “And you’re at the top while all of us are the building stones that hold you aloft. Ou sounds greedy to me, Demir. What makes you think I should consider you noble in your actions?”

    Demir looks at me. “Your wife and I are cut from the same cloth. Granted, I am not a God like she is,” he smirks. “But we share something. Much like her, I was a slave. I was beaten and broken so many times as a child. Mythri won a war with your heart. My father and I won a war against our oppressors. Mythri went from being your servant to a goddess! I want to be a savior.” He reaches out and takes Amit’s paws in his hands. “You know what it’s like to see your people suffer. When you were small, and your grandfather fought a war with the Gnolls, didn’t you wish to be the same beacon of hope as him? My ambition and my goals are the same as his. I wish to free my people, all peoples. I want to end the suffering and the wars and slavery.” He holds his hands flat, showing Amit the scars there.

    “I am lowly, I came from nothing. I understand that place. I know what it takes to lift people up from it.” He places Amit’s paw over his heart. “My heart is true.”

    “You want to be a savior,” Amit replies as he takes his hand back. “That is lofty.”

    Demir smiles. “I know it is. I know I sound like a foolish dreamer, but I know it is what is right for this world. And I want you by my side when I do it.”

    Amit’s eyes open wide. “What?”

    “I told you Amit, out of everybody in this world I respect you the most. To be honest, I am terrified of you,” he grins from ear to ear. “There is no one I would rather stand beside than you. After all, you have the blessing of a goddess.”

    “But I am not,” I murmur.

    “You’re a symbol,” Demir says. “All across the world, you are a story of hope and beauty in these ugly times. You are so powerful, Mythri.”

    I look down at my hands and Amit puts his arm around me.

    “Habbar,” Demir says. “I will give you your mines as long as you do what Amit says. Can you agree to that?”

    Habbar is speechless. He nods. “Yes,” he gasps. “I can agree to that.”

    “Amit, can you agree to that?” Demir asks him.

    “Yes, I can.”

    Demir grins. “Then I think this is the start of a wonderful friendship.”

    Habbar grunts. “Don’t get cocky just yet.”

    Demir just smiles. Afterward, he leads us down the halls. “I hope you don’t mind, but I would like you to share chambers with my queen and I. It is a show of confidence and great trust for my kind to share a space so intimate.”

    “I will follow your customs if it means we can build trust during these negotiations,” Amit nods.

    “My wife is excited to meet you, goddess,” Demir says as he leads us inside. “But her condition has made her weak.” He takes me to the bedside where his wife is laid. Her belly is massive, and she looks so pale despite her rich complexion. Demir takes her hands, and she smiles, her eyes slowly opening. 

    “There you are,” she then sees me. “Oh. Let her get up.”

    “No, no,” I gasp. I move to sit beside her. “I went through this with my twins,” I ease her back. “She needs coconut milk,” I instruct Demir. “Can you get that?”

    “Coconut?” Demir asks.

    I roll my eyes. “Amit, in our luggage I packed a crate of coconuts. I need it brought here right away.”

    “I’ll send for it,” Demir says, leaving the bedside for a moment.

    I then glance back to Dali. “The meat of the coconut will work for now until I can harvest the milk properly.”

    “You’re so kind,” she holds my hand. 

    “I know how horrible a difficult pregnancy can be.” I lay my hand on her belly. “My twins were awful. There was nothing fun about it. The coconut milk has good fat in it, keeps you healthy and keeps the baby happy.”

    Demir comes back, and he places his hands on my shoulders. “Thank you. The rumors of you are true.” He then glances at Amit. “You have a princess, correct? Your newest?”

    Amit’s eyes narrow on him. “What is it to you?”

    “My son would make an excellent husband,” he says. “If you would agree to it.”

    “No,” both Dali and I scoff. We both start yelling at him in unison. He stares with wides eyes, and Amit steps away as our fury beats down on Demir.

    “It was a mere suggestion! I unify our families!” Demir gasps.

    “This little one isn’t even born yet, and you’re already planning everything for him! Go suck on your hoof Demir and do what you’re good at!” She then gasps and falls back into bed. She starts to sweat, and she whimpers.

    “Shh, shh,” I coax her. “Don’t make her mad!” I fuss at Demir. “Go play with your betrothal ideas somewhere else. She is in no condition to hear your bullshit.”

    Amit puts his hand on Demir’s shoulder. “She told me the same thing when she was pregnant with the twins. It’s best you do not fight this war. You have no hope of winning. That is a promise I can guarantee.”