Ghost Monkey Read online

  Sugriva and Bagheer watched, sipping on juice. "Who do you think wins?" Sugriva put a sack of coin on the table.

  "Gambling?" Bagheer snorted, then paused a moment. "In nature this is a short fight. But here—"

  "My coin's on Bajjo," Lebda interrupted, taking a seat. "Watched a pit fight once. The scorpion's tail was ripped off. I guess they taste pretty good."

  "You watch our brethren fight," Bagheer snarled. "I never understood man's interest in making our more primitive selves kill each other."

  "No." Lebda shook his head. "Janaav. When the tail was ripped off the scorpion went down. The badger just kept gnawing on it when they tried to shoo him off. Nearly took a guy's arm. It was great." There was a twinkle in his eye that made Sugriva uncomfortable.

  "Maybe we don't know Lebda well," Sugriva said. He pushed his bag onto the table. "Scorpion. Bajjo's too pissed and injured."

  "Injured," Bagheer said. He put his coins down. "I don't believe you. I put my tokens on Bajjo. He is our brother."

  "Can't win money if we all bet on him." Sugriva winked. "But really. His injuries aren't healed. Might be in his head. Favors his right side."

  Bagheer analyzed the badger as Bajjo growled, his voice a wet rattling. Then he bobbed in and out, the stinger coming down but not making contact. Normally Bajjo would make as big a target as possible to intimidate the opponent, but now he kept his left side back. "I guess he is," Bagheer said.

  Then the area reeked as Bajjo flipped out his scent glands. The scorpion shifted from janaav to actual scorpion, gaining an immunity to the stench, but Sugriva knew it was a mistake. The scorpion janaav was young and lacked impulse control. "Dharma strikes again," he sighed, opening up his pouch of coins and splitting them between Bagheer and Lebda.

  "Why?" Bagheer asked, raising a brow. "The scorpion in this form—"

  Bajjo shifted, darted at the scorpion, and ripped his tail off, eating it in a bite. Lebda laughed, taking the coins, while Bagheer was horrified and threw up. "By the hells, what was that?"

  "Nature," Sugriva said. "Research your teammates."

  The scorpion turned into a man and blood pooled out of his tailbone. Water rushed to the wound as an elementalist staunched the bleeding. Meanwhile, Bajjo enjoyed his meal, then shifted back to a man, the white hair on his head short and going halfway down his back. "I’ll teach ya to mess with a badger." He gestured vulgarly at the bleeding soldier.

  The room snapped to attention as General Dabip came in. The only sound was the scorpion janaav writhing on the floor. "What is this? You are warriors on a path to strike the Fang, but you strike each other? What disrespect. What dishonor. The Ashtadash look down on you with shame." He paused, glaring down Bajjo until the badger had the sense to look down. "I know it's been a while. I know you thirst for war. But you will not war with each other. Now go to your quarters. I'm evoking curfew. Those I find out will be whipped and put on latrine duty." The men were quick to move.

  General Dabip approached Sugriva, Bajjo, Lebda, and Bagheer before they could leave and said, "We are outside a village called Mibtha. It is a quaint village." He sat with them, and Bajjo joined. Lebda and Bagheer put away the coin they won. "Almost all the people are janaav, though they do not follow dharmic paths."

  Bajjo said, "Are we here to slaughter them? Exile them? Why do we care about this savage village?" He spat on the floor and rubbed his snout.

  "You will remain here with one more member: Falak. He is a kite janaav."

  Bajjo stood up, knocking over his stool, but Bagheer stepped in front of him. "A net to catch the serpents. The kingdoms will not like it, but it's been months since we found a pit anyway. A cunning strategy to find Fang movement. Falak will fly to give news if we find Fangs, yes?"

  General Dabip frowned. "Yes, Bagheer. If the numbers are too great and the village is consumed, he is to inform us. The rest of you—"

  "Are to die," Bagheer finished. "We will do as our dharma requires and come back in the next life as something greater." The black panther smiled, patting the naked, muddy shoulder of General Dabip.

  "In the next life," Dabip said. "Now, go meet with the woman Ishku. She is the elder of this village, more or less. She will help you settle in and has agreed to you staying. She is an otter."

  THE VILLAGE OF MIBTHA blended in with the jungle. The homes were carved into the trees, and stairs were difficult to discern as they were made of branches cajoled to grow into structures. Where man controlled nature, these janaav learned to live with nature. Labda was the only one uncomfortable, as the others felt at home. Sugriva reverted to his monkey form to navigate more easily.

  Bajjo ribbed, "One day, little monkey, you will use your janaav form, and you won't have to get so tiny to travel the jungle. Until then, you're really just a man and monkey, but not a janaav." He laughed and it grated on Sugriva's nerves. The monkey wondered if there were fire ants in the area.

  Bagheer cut in. "Do not be cruel to Sugriva. His dharma has not led him to find his half form. He will find it when the Astadash feel it time, and not before nor after. If he is not to find it, it is simply a thorn they placed in his side, so he could grow into a new birth more suitable for him."

  This did nothing to calm Bajjo's cackles.

  Ishku was waiting in front of the only noticeable structure. It was a small hut made of vines and roots, which were under a tree that reached for the heavens. There was a door in the front, and windows which the vines and roots grew around. Vines wrapped around multiple times to create a portal in.

  The woman was stunning, with a slender body and fair skin in comparison to most in the dark jungle. Her eyes were red, and her knuckles were a little thick. Some disease, Sugriva assumed. Her hair was gray, with golden highlights, and there was a tail which stuck out under her shirt. She said, "You are the warriors sent to protect our little village? I assume there is not much of an army coming, then."

  Sugriva said, "We are only here to watch for enemies. We do not expect real danger. Until we find what we're looking for, we will stay out of your way."

  "As long as you stay out of ours," Bajjo grumbled.

  A growl emerged from the house, and out came a janaav tiger. He was a large man, with dull orange fur and black stripes. Under his chin and his belly were white. He ducked under the door frame, then stood beside Ishku. She looked like a child in comparison. "You've no place here. Otter Mother is too kind in letting you stay. Find what you need and leave."

  "As long as we have that understanding," Bajjo said.

  Bagheer took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Then he exhaled and stepped forward. "I apologize for the tension. That was not our intent. If you point us to where we are staying, we will move on with haste. In the meantime, if you have jobs for warriors, we will fulfill our path."

  Ishku laughed and smiled. A slight shudder of her body gave Sugriva a thrill. Her hips were wide and her breasts were pleasing, attributes usually denied the slender otters. Yet, despite her physical beauty, the way her eyes shined kept his attention. Ishku said, "I will keep that in mind. Aavu is my overprotective body guard. He can show you to your hut. You can wander as you see fit, but please do not cause pain. We ran away from Jaya to find peace."

  Bagheer and Sugriva bowed. Bagheer said, "Thank you for your hospitality."

  Sugriva was awed by Ishku, and simpered like an idiot when he came up from his bow and met her enticing gaze.

  Aavu walked off, and the five warriors hurried to follow. The tiger growled, "You aren't needed here. We have all janaav, and we can fend for ourselves. Our hawks and kites are just as fast as yours."

  Sugriva looked to Falak, but the kite didn't seem to notice the insult.

  They arrived and Aavu put an arm across the door. Bajjo nipped, but didn't sink his teeth in. Sugriva thought maybe the badger was becoming house broken. The tiger said, "I will keep an eye on you. I like fighting. Please give me a reason."

  Bajjo and Falak were quick to enter the house. Bagheer remained out
side when Aavu stormed away, then asked, "Why are you here? It is said you left your paths, but nothing else."

  "It is a story not meant for you." This was enough to get Labda to go inside as he sighed from the circular nature of the conversation.

  Bagheer persisted. "I believe we should exist together. This can be done through understanding. Please, imbue us with understanding."

  Aavu said, "You are respectful and the monkey has been quiet. I will tell the both of you her story, but only to make you understand why you need to leave. This is the Tale of the Children of the Barren Otter Mother."

  Chapter Four

  Tale of the Children of the Barren Otter

  Some time during the Age of Men

  Long ago, when Ishku was still an otter, and not a janaav, she strolled the Ganga River without fear. Elephants trumpeted water over her, as three years ago she returned a lost calf to their parade. The oxen knelt in humility, as Ishku once negotiated with a tiger on their behalf. Tigers purred and leopards turned the other way, for the charms of Ishku were so endearing predators could not come to make her a meal. Even water spirits swam with her for company. The Ashtadash favored Ishku the otter.

  During the rainy season, when the Ganga River overflowed, a human girl screamed and took Ishku from her idleness. Other animals fled, afraid of man. However, overcome with grief at the cries, Ishku headed toward the girl.

  The girl stood off to the side on a rock. Ishku went up to the girl and chittered in otter. The little girl said, "My big brother fell into the Ganga. If you can understand me, please help."

  Ishku raced down the Ganga until she arrived at a split. She dove down the path to Ruent Falls and saw a woman clinging to a rock. Ishku fetched some vines and pulled them out to the woman. When the woman saw, she said, "Thank you, but my husband already went over the falls. My path is to be by his side. I’m waiting for the courage to let go. Ashtadash smile upon you in your next reincarnation."

  Ishku did not understand, nor was she going to waste more time. Ishku went back upstream and took the other path. She prayed, Ashtadash be vigilant, that the boy was still alive.

  She found the boy, so the otter tied vines around him and water spirits helped her swim with the nearly dead child to the woman clinging to the rock. She could at least save the boy before dying. When the woman saw the purple faced boy, she said, "That's my boy, and I have my daughter. I can’t orphan my children."

  Ishku skittered off into the jungle, but the woman chased the otter and said, "I am Ghita, a priestess of the Well of Ghuma. You saved my life twice—when you brought me out of the river and when you showed me my son. Come, drink out of the Well so you can become janaav." Out of the water, drying off, Ishku noticed the decorations on Ghita. She had a piercing on her nose and several up her ear. They were each a small loop, and as she spoke to Ishku, she connected a gold chain to them. The decoration was beautiful, and Ishku found herself compelled to follow.

  The city of Jaya was overwhelming. Structures of stone reached the height of trees, and in some areas the trees were cleared until they could see the sky. Unblinking stone animals perched on pillars which lined the streets. Ishku went to a statue and asked, "You sit here long enough that dirt turned to stone and moss feeds off it. Why would you stand guard over this place?"

  Ghita laughed, able to understand the otter's squeals. "Poor otter. Those are not creatures, but man's depiction of creatures. It is a great compliment to the sculptors you thought them real."

  Fur stood on end from embarrassment.

  Wood shacks created crooked lines along the streets. Some of them were cut into the trunks of trees in such a way the tree was allowed to live and grow around them. Occupants stood in front of the stalls and shouted about items the otter wasn’t familiar with, from tools to dyed clothing. Men and women approached and traded shiny coins for the merchandise.

  The world fell away as they stood in front of a shrine. Two guards saluted Ghita, and she said, "I bring an otter who saved the life of my boy and myself. Let her drink and be blessed." The guards moved away, and Ghita led Ishku through the stone shrine to a dirt path which wound around a lake three times. At the summit, as the lake was held in a depression in a hill, there was another temple. Snakes, great cats, and other predators lounged in the front room, which put Ishku on edge. She bristled and hissed until Ghita pet her. "Calm. They are already blessed or here to receive blessings. They will not harm you."

  Past the temple a large stone platform overlooked the lake. Animals walked off the platform and into the water. Men and women greeted them on the other side. Each animal shifted into a man or woman with a unique trait revealing their animal ancestry. Ishku panicked. She did not want to become a woman. Again, Ghita said, "Calm. Watch them." And one by one, the former animals shifted back into a beast form, then a person form, with the guidance of priests on the other side of the lake where a larger temple stood three stories tall.

  Ishku went into the Well of Ghuma, her heart clenching as she wondered what she would look like. The water was sweet on her tongue, as it filled her stomach. Coolness spread through her veins, into her limbs. Then her skin stretched, and she thought it would tear. Fur receded, though she kept her tail.

  Once through to the other side of the lake, she was naked and a human woman. For the first time, she blushed at her nakedness.

  A man with gentle eyes said, "Shift back to an otter and come with me. I will guide you to understand what it is to be janaav."

  With effort, Ishku remembered her otter body and shifted back, where her nakedness didn't bother her.

  "Shift for me, please." So Ishku became a woman. The priest draped robes over her shoulders, so she was not naked. Then he asked, "What is your name?"

  "Ishku," she responded in a voice which scared her. It was warm, gentle, and flowed, sending shivers up her spine. But it wasn't her voice. They weren’t her words.

  The priest said, "Ishku, it is nice to meet you. Some janaav are not brought into their second life with names, but it is good to see you know yours. Were you well-connected to the jungle?"

  Ishku nodded, afraid to hear her voice again. If she said nothing, the foreign sound wouldn't become real. She would wake up as an otter, the shifting proving only a dream.

  "Good. You know how to be social. You are an otter, and they’re more social than others." He chuckled. "Trying to get a leopard to calm down and find inner harmony is far more difficult. It can take days at the shrine before they are ready to enter the city."

  The priest took Ishku's hands and looked into her eyes. "You are a sweet woman. You will follow the priestess over there so you can be integrated into your caste."

  The priestess wore amber robes and had six red dots in two rows of three on her forehead. She also had a silver nose ring. "I am Rubek. I will guide you. The Well of Ghuma changed you, and in doing that, it changed your dharma. You will follow the path of the otter, though how will be decided by your kin."

  "Dharma?" She squeaked and jumped a little at the noise leaving her lips.

  "As an otter, you followed instincts given to you by the spirits. It guided you and gave you purpose. Now you can move beyond instinct. You will be tempted to fall from your dharma more often, but you can also accomplish so much more. Dharma is the path you will follow, whether it is as a warrior, priestess, or craftsman. The Ashtadash created the paths so we could purify our souls. From what I can see, you will make a fine wife and mother. I sense a strong nurturing desire."

  Children. The thought never really crossed Ishku's mind as an otter. One day she would find a mate, and kids would come as a course of nature. Now, she realized, it was a choice. A husband was a choice. Excitement overcame fear as words tumbled from her mouth. "Is a mother a path I can take? I think I would like it. Maybe I could care for other children, too."

  Rubek giggled, and said, "Yes, there are such paths. You could teach. Perhaps you will be blessed abundantly, and you could nurse the children of those unable. You could al
so help them give birth. But first, let me get you settled with your future family."

  The Ganga River flowed through Jaya, and on the bank there was a stone structure. The stones were a muted mustard, and the steps led up into a cloister which entered a pyramid temple. At the base of the stairs were two stone statues, one on either side. They were otters biting fish. Rubek said, "This is your home. They will have a feast ready for you, as they do every time a new brother or sister joins them as janaav." Rubek touched Ishku's shoulder, and it sent another tingle through the otter. Human touch was quite strange, especially without hair.

  Black otter spraint was smeared on the pillars leading up to the pyramid. Fish scales, bones, and other undigested items were evident in the dung. The scents overwhelmed Ishku and told her to stop before she entered someone else's territory.

  She shifted down to an otter and froze. The shift in perspective and abilities was momentarily paralyzing, as she lost height, weight, and speech. Then she went to the stone pillars and sprainted, leaving her scent by the pillars.

  When she looked up, there were human people watching. Some had fur all over their skin. Others had a snout still protruding from their mouth. Still others hid their animal signs with clothes. A young man knelt and said, "Come, shift back to a woman, and join us in the hall. It can be uncomfortable shifting so often after the transformation."

  He stroked Ishku's back, from the top of the head, along the spine, and Ishku arched her back and purred in response. She slowly worked back to her human form, but failed to complete the transformation twice before it took hold. Every failure shot her partially developed form back into an otter, feeling as if she was pulling against a rope which whipped her back.

  The man said, "I am Piv. I will guide you to your path."

  He reached out a hand, and she took it. "Thank you. I am Ishku. It is hard. Walk and speak like men? Touch feels different."

  "It feels intoxicating," he said. There was a sheen to his eyes, some twinkle. A light touch to the small of Ishku's back only accentuated it. "Now come and enjoy food like you never have before."