Truzari came to in darkness. But this wasn't new for him. What surprised him was the large swath of water slapping him in the face, waking him up. He stretched out his hands frantically in every direction. "Mom. Mom…Mom!"
"She's not here."
Truzari straightened up. "Chief? Did you save us?"
"Shut up!" His voice was harsh and unfamiliar. He had given him an order. "She's dead."
"What?" Truzari felt dizzy now for more than one reason.
"She was killed trying to save you. What happened?" Another command.
Truzari felt he had no choice. "We were riding through the forest, then we were attacked. I don't know by who or how many?"
"Try harder." Enol grimaced and Truzari winced.
"I don't know. Where are we? Where is my mom?"
"I told you. She's dead. She died trying to protect you but your abductor was stronger than her. After they knocked you out, they fought and she was killed."
Tears slid down Truzari's cheeks. He bent over and placed his hands in the dirt. Something was different. The dirt in Croqowei was dry and grainy. The dirt under his hands was moist and smooth. "What is going on? Chief, where are we?"
"Good, you noticed."
"Noticed what?"
"I wasn't sure the mask would work on you."
"What mask? Where is my mom."
"I told you she's dead. I killed her."
Truzari stood up and stumbled towards his father. "No no no no. How? Why?"
"She was making you weak with her coddling and overbearing nurturing. What you are capable of. How you dodged that pebble."
"The pebble." Truzari opened his eyes. "You threw that pebble."
"No, Behetha threw the stone but I told her to."
"Why?"
"So I could see it."
"What?"
"So I could see your gift. Your senses are abnormally fine. You were able to spot a stone flying through the air without being able to see it. Even the most capable glow masters have been assassinated by arrows in that same way."
"I didn't know what it was. I just knew I had to get out of the way."
"Exactly! If you were to practice and be able to focus, you would be unbeatable. The Siwa Tribe would be unbeatable with you at the front leading them."
"No! Carausi is going to lead the Siwa tribe. Where is my mom!" It was the most forceful he had ever spoken to his father.
"What? No you are the next in line to lead the Siwa."
"How can I! I can't even use Glow. Where is my mom!"
"What do you mean?"
"I can't use Glow. I've tried with Behetha. I can't do it." It was a sore spot. Not only was he unable to see but he couldn't even use Glow. "I want to go home to my mom. Where are we?"
"This is your home."
Truzari could hear a loud roar in the distance. "Somethings coming." Truzari could hear a humming. It was the same sound he heard when someone was using Glow. Then he smelled iron, no blood. "What happened, are you bleeding?"
"Yes I just cut my hand. It will draw the predators in." His tone was matter of fact.
"We have to get out of here." Truzari stumbled towards Enol. "You have to take me out of here!"
The back of Enol's hand slammed across Truzari's face and he spun backwards, tumbling onto the ground. He got up and touched the side of his lip and felt the thick and slick substance.
"So weak. I killed your mother." Truzari stood still shaking. "Nothing. I killed her."
"No. You wouldn't."
"I did! I stabbed my blade into her heart and watched the light leave her eyes."
"Why! Why would you kill her."
"Why? Look at you. I killed her. I'm telling you I killed her and your not doing anything. Not to forget I just struck you as you tried to cling to me. She made you weak."
"No. How could you?"
"How? Because you're weak. Do you think I could have abducted Carausi that easily?"
"He can use Glow." Truzari thought bitterly. "And he can see."
"You saw that pebble coming."
"I didn't see anything. I've never seen anything. I just knew it was there. I knew it was coming. I don't know how, but I just did."
"I didn't want to have to kill her. I wouldn't have had to if you knew how to use your gifts."
"I don't have any gifts. I'm blind. It's a curse."
"Weakness. If you weren't giving into your mothers nurturing you would have been able to protect her. I wouldn't have had to have Behetha throw that pebble. This is all your fault. Now I'll have to kill Carausi too." A red light flashed across Truzari's eyes. "Scary. So you can make those eyes."
"Don't you touch my brother. You can do whatever you want with me. If you lay a hand on Carausi. I don't know how, but I will kill you."
"How will you? Do you know where we are?"
Truzari fully realized how strange this place was, finally. The trees smelled different to any tree he had ever smelled. The flower scents were foreign as well. Worse than that he could smell blood, lots of blood. Everywhere. There were animals running everywhere, no being chased. Some in the sky, some on the ground. They were in the trees. He could sense it. They were frantic. He could hear ragged breathing all around him.
"I think it's time I finish this."
"Finish what?"
"I have to kill your brother. It's the only way I can get you to use your gifts."
Truzari could feel it. He jumped up and dashed for his father but before he could get a hold of him, he was gone and Truzari flew threw the air and landed in the mud.