Status: Discontinued [2018]
Dust of a Star
Chapter Twelve: Fear
My hands hurt. They hurt so much. They had gotten past the numb stage and came back as bruised and burning with pain. I ran out of tears many hours or days ago. I didn't keep track. It probably wasn't days. I hadn't gotten any food, and I had yet to get hungry. It just felt like it.
“Are you done?” a familiar voice asked. I gazed up from my spot, looking at the sharp face of Tüvo Ga'li. Her hazel colored eyes stared down at me. She was wearing her white council robes. But she had something I had not seen Leatho wear. She had a circlet. It followed her markings upon her forehead with a single hole in the middle. I did not know what that meant.
Did that circlet mean she was of higher stature than Leatho? Of Tak'aln? What was the meaning of beads and knots to the High Council?
I really had to figure these things out. Look them up, really.
I didn't say anything, but I nodded. I did not know if I could speak. If I did it would come out as a squeak or very hoarse. This wasn't the time to try to speak, not in front of Tüvo Ga'li. “Kalbah will be there in a moment to allow you out. We have some matters to discuss.” And then she disappeared from the far wall.
Instead of moving, I sat against the door, waiting. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know what to think. I just wanted to go back to Leatho and Hol'ræ. I did not want to stay here. What right did the High Council have to uproot me from where I was comfortable and stick me here?
I was frustrated more than angry. This was what the government did. They made decisions for people. They had the ultimate power.
I bit my lip as the door opened, slipping from behind me. Falling back, I looked up at the male standing there behind me. “Ye need be with Œn'affer.” I stared, not understanding, but at the same time I did. He was talking about Ga'li, his master.
I stood upon shaky legs, not liking how I was being kept prisoner here. What right did she have? I really did not know. This was a different culture. I didn't know if it was proper to lock people in their rooms and keep them there. I kind of assumed it wasn't, but apparently I have no say in this matter.
Kalbah turned and led me back to the main part of the home. Ga'li was sitting on the couch, lounging comfortably. I wanted to smack her. I wanted to yell and tell her how angry I was, but I clenched my fists and bit my tongue. I would not allow anything to phase me here. I will be a good girl and follow her orders.
“Kalbah, leave us.” The male ducked his head before lumbering off. He did not once look back, leaving us alone. “Did you find your room...acceptable?” Ga'li questioned as if she did not know that she locked me in there.
I nodded. “Yes.” She glanced at me. “Tüvo.” Her eyes turned back to the window. I was feeling really small and insignificant right now. She didn't even seem to care about me and was looking out at space, I felt as if I was just a particle within the vast universe. What I did or didn't do, would affect very little.
“Good.” She didn't say anything for a while, silently staring out the window, totally ignoring me. I stood, wondering what I should do. I wanted to say something, but remembering the etiquette that I did learn, I was only suppose to answer, not question. At least to ones higher stature than me.
When did Eltherak culture become so...different? I really wondered. I remember reading that they believed nothing was above another. Everything was equal. When did it change? It had to be subtle. A silent shift between thinking and doing. Then it continued. Now it seemed acceptable to treat others below themselves just like that. They didn't treat them badly, just different. I really could not wrap my mind around it. At least right now.
“Ol'am,” she started, turning her gaze to me. “I wish for you to forgive me and my actions. It may not make sense or be considered cruel, but bare with them. For now.” Again, I bit my tongue. “Soon it will become a routine, and you will come to accept it.” I wanted to yell at her that I didn't want to accept it. I wanted to have my freedom back!
That stopped me. Did I ever really have my freedom?
I was shackled to my father since a young age, doing what I could to help him, stealing and beating up people to get money. Then Leatho picked me up, unshackling me from my responsibility to my father, to steal for him. But he put new shackles on. I was his “dog,” for lack of a better term. I did what he told me to and helped him in return for him helping my father. Then I was taken away and thrust into Ga'li's hands. Forced into a room and locked inside. Then I had rules dumped on me, ones I was suppose to follow to the letter. I was wanting something I never had. I wanted to be free.
“I have something for you.” Ga'li smiled. She tilted her head. I didn't know how to take this. I didn't know what to take this as. “Kalbah!” she shouted. The male came back, within his arms was a large box. It was wrapped. He held it out to me, waiting for me to take it. I did so, but Ga'li clicked her tongue. “Always thank someone before accepting a gift.” I gripped the box.
“Thank you, Tüvo.” I really did not want to thank her. She had been nothing but unbearable to me. Unapproachable. Horrible. She was not someone I would miss if she was gone.
She nodded before turning away. “Kalbah, take her back to her room.” The male bowed before nodding towards the hallway. I didn't want to go back. I feared going back. But I had to apparently. Kalbah led the way, glancing at me every other second. I followed.
I stepped into the room, staring at the far wall. The door slide shut behind me, locking. I knew I wasn't getting out. Not now. I was starting to fear this room. I was locked in here with no escape. I started to think what would happen when there was an emergency. It scared me to think that I would die here. Not because I wanted to be here, but because I was forced in here. “Be patient,” Kalbah's voice echoed through the door.
Setting the box down, I figured I should see what it was before throwing it across the room in anger. I finally got the thing open, realizing it was locked with a latch. I flipped it open and then stared. Inside was a dress. A beautiful dress that was blue. It was like all of the Eltherâk dresses. Draped and wrapped with trimmings that were just there for accent colors.
I gaped at it.
There were a few gems sewn in the waist as well, giving it a bit more sparkle. Hesitantly, I reached out, gently touching the fabric. It was so soft. Like silk, but different. Thicker. And it had a few bumps, but those felt like they were on purpose, giving a bit of character to the dress. It was beautiful. Gorgeous.
But I started to wonder why I was getting this. Was this a subtle way of saying I did not dress appropriately? Or was there an event coming up that I needed a fancy gown such as this? I didn't know, and I couldn't easily ask. That female—at the moment I refused to give her any respect—didn't allow me anything to communicate with. There was no computer or comm system that I could see. But that didn't mean it wasn't there!
Feeling a bit of excitement and determination, I went around, searching for a computer or a comm system. While searching, I remembered that Leatho wanted me to get close to that female. And now I am. Why did he want me to get close to her? I was starting to wonder if this was what he had in mind. Was this all of his plan? My head hurt just thinking about it.
Instead of focusing on it, I went on continuing my search. My hands picked up light sources, and at times drawers. But so far there was nothing. I sat at the desk at the one end of the room. The desk itself was small. As soon as I drummed my fingers on the glass surface, it lit up. I glanced down, surprised. Both at seeing the device before me and why I didn't think of it before.
Pressing my forefinger against the surface, I clicked on something. It seemed to be the home page. Or start page? Anyway, it brought up a page with several things I could do here. I read through them: writing, net access, documents, programs, communications. I stopped. It was there. It seemed to just pop out at me. Communications. I could talk with someone. Most likely not Leatho because if—which was most likely—Ga'li would be watching what I did on this. But if I could contact Hol'ræ, I could talk with her. And she could pass it on to Leatho.
Oh, how I loved my mind sometimes.
Tapping on Communications, I waited. A small wheel showed up. It had a percentage in the middle, telling me how much it had loaded. At least that was what I believed it was. I wasn't adept at this kind of technology. I knew something because I have dealt with it, but that was older technology, stuff that was obsolete now.
It reached 100% and opened. My eyes widened as I looked at the page in front of me. It had a list of names; all in Eltherôn. It took a moment for me to really understand what I was looking at. On the other side, beside the names, it had a map. Dolhin was there. Just out of curiosity, I tapped on the map. It blew up to fit the whole screen. It spun before being pulled up into hologram before me. In awe, I stared at the station. I had seen most of it before, but this was different. I was seeing the whole thing together and in a beautiful blue.
A green dot blinked.
Turning my gaze to it, I figured that was probably where I was. Gently touching the light, I spun the hologram before testing how what motion did what. Swish of the hand made it spin. It was actually just like doing normal things. I pointed to the level the green dot was on. Tracing the path I remembered from Ga'li's quarters, I found what was probably Leatho's quarters. From there, I tried to find Hol'ræ's quarters.
I couldn't find her. But playing with the map was fun.
Instead, I went back to the list of names. I entered Hol'ræ's name in the search, at least what I figured it was spelled as. I didn't know exactly how it was spelled, for I had never seen her name written out. It came up with a few people, but when looking at the map, I knew they were not her. Then I tried a different spelling. And still the same.
I did this a few times before pausing. A thought came to me. What if I looked up Leatho first and then see if through him I can find Hol'ræ? It was something that could work. I just had to do it.
So I did. I looked up Leatho. Well I had to look up “Leatho, high council” before I could find him. Then I went about looking for Hol'ræ. I found at least her name. I stared at it, not realizing I may have been saying her name wrong since the beginning. It was “Hol-ræ” with a stop in between. So it was spelled “Hol'ræ” with special characters that I wasn't very familiar with.
Once I put that in, I quickly saved her into the memory of the device. Computer? Anyway, I found her contact info and quickly pulled up a blank page to send to her. Like chat. I sent the first message, hoping it was her and that she was home.
Sweat beaded on my forehead as I waited. And waited. It felt like hours before there was a soft bing. She had sent something back.
{Ol'am. It is good to hear from you.} I grinned, elated that it was Hol'ræ, the one I knew and came to rely on. {Was there something you needed?} I shook my head, but realized she couldn't see me. I felt tears build beneath my eyes.
{No. I...} I couldn't finish as I had to wipe the few tears away. {I just wanted to talk.}
There was a pause. I hoped I didn't scare her off or something. {It's only been two days. Not even that yet. Are you sure you are all right?} I shook my head again, slowly bringing my knees up into the chair with me. {Ol'am?} I was really starting to feel alone. I was an “ol'am” to every Eltherak here. And every human here did not want to associate with me. They thought of me as someone below them. {Ëaro?}
I stared, biting my lip as I looked at the screen. {I'm scared.} I sent it before I could change my mind.
{I know.} I had forgotten that she could essentially sense what ever I was feeling strongly. {So am I.} I didn't know what to do with that. What could I say to that? {I can't see you as often now, and I'm scared you will disappear. I'm scared that you will not want to return if given the chance.} It became clear that she was scared for a different reason than me, but it was similar.
{I'm scared that I'll be alone.} It was my biggest fear. {I am scared that in the end, all of you will leave me. That I will have no one.} Tears rolled down my cheeks. It was my biggest fear, but not my only one. {I won't be able to take it if I am alone in the end.}
I half choked out a sob before covering my head. I couldn't believe I told that to her. Maybe I did trust her more than I thought. Perhaps I thought she would understand and that she would do something about it. But I had to remind myself that I would most likely be alone in the end. I would be on my own. I may be well off and taken care of, but I would be alone. My father would be gone, having succumbed to the virus. Leatho would be doing his duty, and Hol'ræ would probably be at his side, if not branching off herself.
Bing. Reluctantly, I glanced up. {You won't be alone.} Why did those words mean so much to me? She didn't say anything else about that. {How are you adjusting to staying with Tüvo Ga'li?}
I coughed, choking slightly at the words that wanted to come out. I couldn't tell her. But she would be able to tell I was lying if I said I was adjusting alright. {It's different.} I wanted to avoid this subject. I did not want to get in trouble if that female was reading this. {A bit hard, but I'll adjust.}
The message popped up. {Jahal küwen.} I knew what it meant. But it was hard to really put into words. It was her agreeing and understanding what I was saying.
{I should let you get back to whatever you were doing.}
Bing. {Are you sure?} I really wanted to say “no,” but I couldn't do that.
{Yeah. Thank you.} I quickly shut the chat feature down, crying. I couldn't keep it in. I didn't want Hol'ræ to worry more about me. I couldn't do that to her nor anyone else. I had to deal with this, my emotions, by myself.
Wiping my eyes, I moved to the bed, stretching my hands, hissing at how they hurt. Bruises covered the pinky side of both of them. Black and blue. I held them to my chest. Another reason I didn't want to talk more. My hands were hurting once again. I sat on the comfortable mattress, feeling it mold to my body. Tears fell against my fingers, wetting them. Choking back a sob, I coughed, not liking that I was crying. I couldn't stand it, but my body wasn't allowing me to stop. I just continued to cry, sobbing without control.
I didn't even know how long I was crying for, but it was dark in the room when I finally stopped. The lighting system was set to be like Rulvo time or Era time. Which this room was set for, I didn't know. Not that it mattered much. Rulvo's days were a bit longer, as I found out during one of my lessons. My eyes stung from letting loose so many tears. I just didn't know I could hold that many tears in me. But I felt relieved, at least a bit. The crying seemed to do me some good.
But all of it left me feeling exhausted. I was tired beyond belief. I curled up on the bed and fell asleep.
“Are you done?” a familiar voice asked. I gazed up from my spot, looking at the sharp face of Tüvo Ga'li. Her hazel colored eyes stared down at me. She was wearing her white council robes. But she had something I had not seen Leatho wear. She had a circlet. It followed her markings upon her forehead with a single hole in the middle. I did not know what that meant.
Did that circlet mean she was of higher stature than Leatho? Of Tak'aln? What was the meaning of beads and knots to the High Council?
I really had to figure these things out. Look them up, really.
I didn't say anything, but I nodded. I did not know if I could speak. If I did it would come out as a squeak or very hoarse. This wasn't the time to try to speak, not in front of Tüvo Ga'li. “Kalbah will be there in a moment to allow you out. We have some matters to discuss.” And then she disappeared from the far wall.
Instead of moving, I sat against the door, waiting. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know what to think. I just wanted to go back to Leatho and Hol'ræ. I did not want to stay here. What right did the High Council have to uproot me from where I was comfortable and stick me here?
I was frustrated more than angry. This was what the government did. They made decisions for people. They had the ultimate power.
I bit my lip as the door opened, slipping from behind me. Falling back, I looked up at the male standing there behind me. “Ye need be with Œn'affer.” I stared, not understanding, but at the same time I did. He was talking about Ga'li, his master.
I stood upon shaky legs, not liking how I was being kept prisoner here. What right did she have? I really did not know. This was a different culture. I didn't know if it was proper to lock people in their rooms and keep them there. I kind of assumed it wasn't, but apparently I have no say in this matter.
Kalbah turned and led me back to the main part of the home. Ga'li was sitting on the couch, lounging comfortably. I wanted to smack her. I wanted to yell and tell her how angry I was, but I clenched my fists and bit my tongue. I would not allow anything to phase me here. I will be a good girl and follow her orders.
“Kalbah, leave us.” The male ducked his head before lumbering off. He did not once look back, leaving us alone. “Did you find your room...acceptable?” Ga'li questioned as if she did not know that she locked me in there.
I nodded. “Yes.” She glanced at me. “Tüvo.” Her eyes turned back to the window. I was feeling really small and insignificant right now. She didn't even seem to care about me and was looking out at space, I felt as if I was just a particle within the vast universe. What I did or didn't do, would affect very little.
“Good.” She didn't say anything for a while, silently staring out the window, totally ignoring me. I stood, wondering what I should do. I wanted to say something, but remembering the etiquette that I did learn, I was only suppose to answer, not question. At least to ones higher stature than me.
When did Eltherak culture become so...different? I really wondered. I remember reading that they believed nothing was above another. Everything was equal. When did it change? It had to be subtle. A silent shift between thinking and doing. Then it continued. Now it seemed acceptable to treat others below themselves just like that. They didn't treat them badly, just different. I really could not wrap my mind around it. At least right now.
“Ol'am,” she started, turning her gaze to me. “I wish for you to forgive me and my actions. It may not make sense or be considered cruel, but bare with them. For now.” Again, I bit my tongue. “Soon it will become a routine, and you will come to accept it.” I wanted to yell at her that I didn't want to accept it. I wanted to have my freedom back!
That stopped me. Did I ever really have my freedom?
I was shackled to my father since a young age, doing what I could to help him, stealing and beating up people to get money. Then Leatho picked me up, unshackling me from my responsibility to my father, to steal for him. But he put new shackles on. I was his “dog,” for lack of a better term. I did what he told me to and helped him in return for him helping my father. Then I was taken away and thrust into Ga'li's hands. Forced into a room and locked inside. Then I had rules dumped on me, ones I was suppose to follow to the letter. I was wanting something I never had. I wanted to be free.
“I have something for you.” Ga'li smiled. She tilted her head. I didn't know how to take this. I didn't know what to take this as. “Kalbah!” she shouted. The male came back, within his arms was a large box. It was wrapped. He held it out to me, waiting for me to take it. I did so, but Ga'li clicked her tongue. “Always thank someone before accepting a gift.” I gripped the box.
“Thank you, Tüvo.” I really did not want to thank her. She had been nothing but unbearable to me. Unapproachable. Horrible. She was not someone I would miss if she was gone.
She nodded before turning away. “Kalbah, take her back to her room.” The male bowed before nodding towards the hallway. I didn't want to go back. I feared going back. But I had to apparently. Kalbah led the way, glancing at me every other second. I followed.
I stepped into the room, staring at the far wall. The door slide shut behind me, locking. I knew I wasn't getting out. Not now. I was starting to fear this room. I was locked in here with no escape. I started to think what would happen when there was an emergency. It scared me to think that I would die here. Not because I wanted to be here, but because I was forced in here. “Be patient,” Kalbah's voice echoed through the door.
Setting the box down, I figured I should see what it was before throwing it across the room in anger. I finally got the thing open, realizing it was locked with a latch. I flipped it open and then stared. Inside was a dress. A beautiful dress that was blue. It was like all of the Eltherâk dresses. Draped and wrapped with trimmings that were just there for accent colors.
I gaped at it.
There were a few gems sewn in the waist as well, giving it a bit more sparkle. Hesitantly, I reached out, gently touching the fabric. It was so soft. Like silk, but different. Thicker. And it had a few bumps, but those felt like they were on purpose, giving a bit of character to the dress. It was beautiful. Gorgeous.
But I started to wonder why I was getting this. Was this a subtle way of saying I did not dress appropriately? Or was there an event coming up that I needed a fancy gown such as this? I didn't know, and I couldn't easily ask. That female—at the moment I refused to give her any respect—didn't allow me anything to communicate with. There was no computer or comm system that I could see. But that didn't mean it wasn't there!
Feeling a bit of excitement and determination, I went around, searching for a computer or a comm system. While searching, I remembered that Leatho wanted me to get close to that female. And now I am. Why did he want me to get close to her? I was starting to wonder if this was what he had in mind. Was this all of his plan? My head hurt just thinking about it.
Instead of focusing on it, I went on continuing my search. My hands picked up light sources, and at times drawers. But so far there was nothing. I sat at the desk at the one end of the room. The desk itself was small. As soon as I drummed my fingers on the glass surface, it lit up. I glanced down, surprised. Both at seeing the device before me and why I didn't think of it before.
Pressing my forefinger against the surface, I clicked on something. It seemed to be the home page. Or start page? Anyway, it brought up a page with several things I could do here. I read through them: writing, net access, documents, programs, communications. I stopped. It was there. It seemed to just pop out at me. Communications. I could talk with someone. Most likely not Leatho because if—which was most likely—Ga'li would be watching what I did on this. But if I could contact Hol'ræ, I could talk with her. And she could pass it on to Leatho.
Oh, how I loved my mind sometimes.
Tapping on Communications, I waited. A small wheel showed up. It had a percentage in the middle, telling me how much it had loaded. At least that was what I believed it was. I wasn't adept at this kind of technology. I knew something because I have dealt with it, but that was older technology, stuff that was obsolete now.
It reached 100% and opened. My eyes widened as I looked at the page in front of me. It had a list of names; all in Eltherôn. It took a moment for me to really understand what I was looking at. On the other side, beside the names, it had a map. Dolhin was there. Just out of curiosity, I tapped on the map. It blew up to fit the whole screen. It spun before being pulled up into hologram before me. In awe, I stared at the station. I had seen most of it before, but this was different. I was seeing the whole thing together and in a beautiful blue.
A green dot blinked.
Turning my gaze to it, I figured that was probably where I was. Gently touching the light, I spun the hologram before testing how what motion did what. Swish of the hand made it spin. It was actually just like doing normal things. I pointed to the level the green dot was on. Tracing the path I remembered from Ga'li's quarters, I found what was probably Leatho's quarters. From there, I tried to find Hol'ræ's quarters.
I couldn't find her. But playing with the map was fun.
Instead, I went back to the list of names. I entered Hol'ræ's name in the search, at least what I figured it was spelled as. I didn't know exactly how it was spelled, for I had never seen her name written out. It came up with a few people, but when looking at the map, I knew they were not her. Then I tried a different spelling. And still the same.
I did this a few times before pausing. A thought came to me. What if I looked up Leatho first and then see if through him I can find Hol'ræ? It was something that could work. I just had to do it.
So I did. I looked up Leatho. Well I had to look up “Leatho, high council” before I could find him. Then I went about looking for Hol'ræ. I found at least her name. I stared at it, not realizing I may have been saying her name wrong since the beginning. It was “Hol-ræ” with a stop in between. So it was spelled “Hol'ræ” with special characters that I wasn't very familiar with.
Once I put that in, I quickly saved her into the memory of the device. Computer? Anyway, I found her contact info and quickly pulled up a blank page to send to her. Like chat. I sent the first message, hoping it was her and that she was home.
Sweat beaded on my forehead as I waited. And waited. It felt like hours before there was a soft bing. She had sent something back.
{Ol'am. It is good to hear from you.} I grinned, elated that it was Hol'ræ, the one I knew and came to rely on. {Was there something you needed?} I shook my head, but realized she couldn't see me. I felt tears build beneath my eyes.
{No. I...} I couldn't finish as I had to wipe the few tears away. {I just wanted to talk.}
There was a pause. I hoped I didn't scare her off or something. {It's only been two days. Not even that yet. Are you sure you are all right?} I shook my head again, slowly bringing my knees up into the chair with me. {Ol'am?} I was really starting to feel alone. I was an “ol'am” to every Eltherak here. And every human here did not want to associate with me. They thought of me as someone below them. {Ëaro?}
I stared, biting my lip as I looked at the screen. {I'm scared.} I sent it before I could change my mind.
{I know.} I had forgotten that she could essentially sense what ever I was feeling strongly. {So am I.} I didn't know what to do with that. What could I say to that? {I can't see you as often now, and I'm scared you will disappear. I'm scared that you will not want to return if given the chance.} It became clear that she was scared for a different reason than me, but it was similar.
{I'm scared that I'll be alone.} It was my biggest fear. {I am scared that in the end, all of you will leave me. That I will have no one.} Tears rolled down my cheeks. It was my biggest fear, but not my only one. {I won't be able to take it if I am alone in the end.}
I half choked out a sob before covering my head. I couldn't believe I told that to her. Maybe I did trust her more than I thought. Perhaps I thought she would understand and that she would do something about it. But I had to remind myself that I would most likely be alone in the end. I would be on my own. I may be well off and taken care of, but I would be alone. My father would be gone, having succumbed to the virus. Leatho would be doing his duty, and Hol'ræ would probably be at his side, if not branching off herself.
Bing. Reluctantly, I glanced up. {You won't be alone.} Why did those words mean so much to me? She didn't say anything else about that. {How are you adjusting to staying with Tüvo Ga'li?}
I coughed, choking slightly at the words that wanted to come out. I couldn't tell her. But she would be able to tell I was lying if I said I was adjusting alright. {It's different.} I wanted to avoid this subject. I did not want to get in trouble if that female was reading this. {A bit hard, but I'll adjust.}
The message popped up. {Jahal küwen.} I knew what it meant. But it was hard to really put into words. It was her agreeing and understanding what I was saying.
{I should let you get back to whatever you were doing.}
Bing. {Are you sure?} I really wanted to say “no,” but I couldn't do that.
{Yeah. Thank you.} I quickly shut the chat feature down, crying. I couldn't keep it in. I didn't want Hol'ræ to worry more about me. I couldn't do that to her nor anyone else. I had to deal with this, my emotions, by myself.
Wiping my eyes, I moved to the bed, stretching my hands, hissing at how they hurt. Bruises covered the pinky side of both of them. Black and blue. I held them to my chest. Another reason I didn't want to talk more. My hands were hurting once again. I sat on the comfortable mattress, feeling it mold to my body. Tears fell against my fingers, wetting them. Choking back a sob, I coughed, not liking that I was crying. I couldn't stand it, but my body wasn't allowing me to stop. I just continued to cry, sobbing without control.
I didn't even know how long I was crying for, but it was dark in the room when I finally stopped. The lighting system was set to be like Rulvo time or Era time. Which this room was set for, I didn't know. Not that it mattered much. Rulvo's days were a bit longer, as I found out during one of my lessons. My eyes stung from letting loose so many tears. I just didn't know I could hold that many tears in me. But I felt relieved, at least a bit. The crying seemed to do me some good.
But all of it left me feeling exhausted. I was tired beyond belief. I curled up on the bed and fell asleep.
♠ ♠ ♠
Translations:Œn'affer - a female of superior standing or status than the speaker
Jahal küwen - "I understand", "I see", or "I got it".
And here is the next chapter. Enjoy. ^_^