Kavala listened carefully to what Caelum said. She was surprised he spoke first, though she didn’t miss the look of disgust on Riaris’ face when certain topics were brought up. Kavala hadn’t even blinked when Riaris got up and moved. It was not unexpected. The big purple Akalak was if nothing else predictable. He’d never sat at her side or stood at her side once in his life. This meeting was no different. Their business together was concluded and everything he’d basically told her or promised her had been a lie. All Akalaks did so with ease, like honey dripping sweetly from their lips it seemed.
The Konti had the best parts of Riaris sleeping at home carefully watched in their double cradle that Kavala had to buy herself, surrounded by toys provided by the healer and dressed in clothing she’d made for them. They had nothing from him. Nor would they ever have anything from him. And once she realized that the better off she’d been mentally. She wouldn’t even ask for him to continue to be part of their lives. Love had no place in their relationship anymore… and it was with a relieved heart she finally realized that. It was nothing she had done personally. It was them. And they couldn’t help it, not really, because she suspected their reserved nature caused them to end relationships quickly. Muscle bound and armed cowards… one and all. They were too worried their hearts would break when their mates died early or turned out to be something other than what they felt was good and right. So they hid behind their honor, leaving them none at all in the end.
Well, regardless, she’d raise her sons and daughter how she saw fit and they’d lack no male influences between Vanator their Ankal and Caelum. She’d teach them to be mages and warriors, blending the perfect combination into all three of them. And honestly, there was nothing Riaris could do about it. She had wealth, status, and a fortress to hide them in. There was no contract and that thought made her smile slowly. In the end he just had an empty cold bed wherever he lived… a place he’d never once showed her or allowed her to visit. And he’d gotten what he feared after all. He was alone.
The Konti turned her attention back to Caelum, listening closely to his words. She wasn’t sure a Nakivak Council was the answer, but she definitely felt like Caelum was on the right track. There seemed to be responses, comments, and questions and so she waited, offering him a smile occasionally if his eyes settled her way. And when he was done, she rose and walked to the area the speakers stood in and took her turn.
“I am Kavala Denusk, Kuvan of Riverfall, business owner, and mother of two Akontaks and one Konti all sired by Akalak fathers.” Kavala said, knowing most here knew who she was. She flashed her Kuvan mark as was appropriate and knew too that she had tested in two disciplines, not just one, when the test had come.
“I was a raid survivor and was forced into Nakivak status. I was told it was a proud thing, an honor, and my duty to pay for my life.” She paused at this and then carefully waited. “My first Talvis was a good and kind man who died too young. My first birth was easy and I have raised my son from that match for four years now. I was not released from my contract with one child though. And although I was offered coin to start my own business and have paid it back in full since then, I was still forced into another match. I felt it was too soon and my body had not recovered from my son’s birth. The Oathmaster, when I did protest, took me on a tour of the Oathmaster’s Tower and I saw how much freedom I would loose if I protested further. There are residents there that get visited by their Talvis’. They are sorry creatures that have issues with their mind or bodies but are still capable of giving birth. The tour scared me and I took a second silver bracelet.” She said clearly, not ashamed of the truth.
“It was a single season after my son was born and my Talvis had a dark side that had not been identified as unstable. He was though, and after only a quarter of a season of servicing him every day sometimes twice a day as my contract required, he turned on me and grew violent. Sometimes these sessions were rough, brutal in fact, and if I were not a healer I doubt I would have survived. The last one resulted in my nose being broken, my jaw broken, my clavicle being shattered, two ribs crushed, and my pelvis cracked. I was carrying his child at the time and miscarried it shortly afterwards. I reported the incident to the Oathmaster and due to the overwhelming physical evidence of his violence; I was released from my contract and granted my freedom.” Kavala said firmly.
“It took me a long time to trust men again. I did, and now I have two more children… an Akontak and a Konti. They are happily, all three of them, living with me and being raised with my principles and culture.” Kavala said firmly, pointedly not looking at Riaris.
“But my feelings on the Nakivak system are very strong. I believe it works, but I think it only works on volunteerism. I am acquainted with several volunteers to the Nakivak system and they are very happy with their lots in life and the benefits the status brings them. They had or have good Talvis’ and walked into the system knowing what they were getting into. They can leave anytime as well, especially after their contract is fulfilled.” Kavala said, then paused, taking a breath to regroup her thoughts.
“But the Nakivak that are forced into the system take away something from the Akalak’s integrity as a whole. Your culture looks away at this and claims it is not a form of slavery. I was in the system and I say it absolutely was. I would have been grateful to pay a debt to Riverfall in a monetary sum after having been rescued. And I might even have volunteered for Nakivak status had I been offered the choice. But I was not and I had bad experiences. I would have felt far more comfortable negotiating the terms of my contract and picking my own Talvis. Instead, I had to give my body to the first man who signed up for me and do so repeatedly until I conceived. There is no way, in any view, that this is not a form of slavery. And while my life was not in jeopardy because I was Konti… with humans it is completely a different story.” Kavala said, pausing again, letting her words sink in.
“Humans don’t expand like Konti can. The human pelvis is somewhat rigid and small, while Akalak children are born large. Human babies are often anywhere from six to ten pounds with ten being a huge child. Akalak babies start at ten on the low birth weight end and can be anywhere from fifteen to sixteen pounds when born. The act of trying to push this baby through a uterus designed for a much smaller child is incredibly dangerous. If they can accomplish it physically, it still puts the child in undue stress and can cause the uterus to invert or protract and it can cause sterility because sometimes the birth just destroys the reproductive system of these women. The women can hemorrhage too, bleeding out before much can be done to stop this. Human women have successfully birthed Akalaks, but it is rare without birth surgery and taking the child unnaturally like a Rak’keli healer can do.” Kavala said, looking thoughtful and trying to get her point across.
“I think the Nakivak system needs to be changed. I believe it needs to become an all voluntary system while leaving the debt for raid survivors in place to be paid back other ways that don’t involve out and out rape. I believe humans need to be excluded form the system unless they agree to it and are gestating under the care of an advanced Rak’keli healer so they are more prone to survive. I do not mean to disrespect the Akalak culture by stating these things. I have lived here voluntarily and I do love the people and the culture. But there are aspects that are barbaric at times, and this is one of them. I believe changes to the Nakivak system would be for the better of the city and more honorable for the Akalak as a whole.” Kavala said, glancing over at Caelum and then her brother, catching their eyes.
“Maybe a Nakivak Council would be the answer. I do know public awareness and scrutiny of the Oathmaster’s Tower and absolute transparency of the system would do nothing but benefit the Akalaks as a whole. If everything that happens in the Tower is honorable, then there’s nothing to hide. But I know from personal experience, a Nakivak should be able to pick her Talvis.. and break a contract if there is abuse. It is 513 A.V. Its time we start having more successful Akalak and Akontak births and I believe doing so starts with willing women under watchful care walking into a system knowing they have options and rights.” Kavala said, nodding to the council respectfully, then to the crowd, and finally stepping down to resume her seat.
