Wild Magic

CHU MA VAY YAL CHU MA VAY YAL

In the center of the Sok Circle, with the few merchants left and fewer buyers watching silently, the Cheoshim tied her hands to the iron circle of the flogging post, wound another rope about her waist and a third about her ankles. They cut open the back of her blouse and flogged her with the five-tailed flagellum. The Cheoshim doing it would have cut the flesh from her bones because she yelled curses on him with every blow, her voice a hoarse whisper at the last of them, but Faharmoy stopped him at seven. “Enough,” he said. “More would be the death of her. We must always give time for repentance.” He walked around so Utsapisha could see him. “Old woman, contemplate your sins and repent your frowardness. Think on the loving care of the Iron Father.”

He snapped thumb against finger and went pacing off, the STRIKER band following him.

chu ma vay yal chu ma vay yal

The minute they were out of sight Pemmie dashed from a kariam and ran to Utsapisha. Heavily cloaked, with the hood drawn up over his head, Reyna followed more sedately.

“Zazi…” Pemmie dug frantically into a sac hanging at her belt. “Zazi, say something.”

“Hunh!” The grunt was feeble, the voice shaky, but Utsapisha didn’t let that stop her. “Tol’ you t’ go home.”

“Went for Reyna ‘stead.” The girl began sawing at the rope around Utsapisha’s waist. “Hold still, will you? Don’t want to cut you.”

“Hush your fuss, Pish.” Reyna pushed a knife under the ropes tieing the old woman’s wrists to the ring; he worked quickly, glancing from the shadow of the hood at the watching merchants. “We all know you’re one mean old firemouth.”

“Cess to you, tal.” Utsapisha grunted as her arms fell. She leaned against the post, shaking with relief, pain, weariness-and a fury that churned so hard in her she had to shut her throat against vomiting.

Reyna took her hand, placed it on his arm. “Let’s go, Pish. Who knows when he finds someone else to haul off. Lean on Pemmie and me, there’s a shop near here I’ve got a key to. Just a few steps, and we’ll look at your back. Don’t want you getting sick on us, huh?”