Chapter 1 — Tongue Behind Teeth

Beginning – It was rainy and cold. The weather in Nightsoil was never good, but neither was it bad. Slow walks in the rain with little to no clothing were agonizing. My pair had Aliee and Miss Olivia. Aliee had just got here; she was younger than me by 9 years. There were many elves her age, but I didn’t know that at her age you could control a movement—especially one that effective at defending our lands from humans. She was caught in a train during an escape that was supposed to get her into the Dwarfs’ terrains. If they didn’t destroy the rails, she would have controlled fights for our lands from a distance, which would be best, she said. Miss Olivia wasn’t new here; she got here earlier than me. She never talked with anyone. I once tried to start a conversation, but… she wouldn’t speak. I heard that she can’t, or at least it’s harder for her. Her husband was one of the elf army generals; he was slaughtered whilst she watched. It scarred her so much that during work she took a knife and cut her tongue off. People say it’s symbolic—as if to never talk to the likes of humans. But she never explained, obviously, because she would struggle. Somehow, the guards let her live. I sometimes wonder if it’s kind of them or cruel…

The sergeant kicked Aliee in her shin and harshly told her, “Slower, whore! Or you’ll join your friend in the middle!” Then he laughed and kept patrolling us. Humans disliked Aliee because of her role, so they would find any way to bring her pain. I saw the frustration in her eyes. But we all knew she shouldn’t… and she didn’t. The walks were rare for the whole North side to do. Sometimes your work section would have them. It was to show by example what not to do—and what would happen to you if you did. This time it was about some girl, probably new; I don’t remember her name or face. She stabbed some rich human who bought her for a night. Murder wasn’t rare in Nightsoil, but against humans, it was unthinkable. Her punishment, from what I saw, was usual. They would shave all of her hair and then put it in the mud, and then they would throw her in the mud. They always told us it was just a warning, but some humans enjoyed it too much or hated an elf a bit more, so it was nearly always a death execution. And we, the elves, walked slowly around her, forced to hear the screams of pain, the enjoyment of the humans, bones being broken, and other horrifying stuff. Aliee murmured something about her shin, and then all walked in silence. We couldn’t talk during walks.

Forty minutes… “That’s a lot of walking,” said Aliee as we were going to the quarters. Aliee had morals, and the way her voice sounded… it could put faith in your heart—if it wasn’t Nightsoil, of course. Still, I enjoyed her comments. “So, Aliee, where are you going to work?” I asked. I don’t think I expected her to say anything that would surprise me. But she did, by asking, “Do you know which has the most rebellion potential?”
“Rebellion?” I asked, because it wasn’t an answer I was used to hearing. Maybe I shouldn’t be surprised. She was, after all, a strategist.
“Yes, you know, work that gives me access to time and people.”
I thought about it, and I had a near emptiness in my mind. For the past years, rebellion wasn’t something I thought about. Then I reminded myself. “Theater.”

Theater was the only way that we could entertain ourselves. It wasn’t perfect, but it was something worth waiting for. I’d heard about it, but I had two problems with it. First, it had fewer food rations than other jobs, and in a place where food is value, it’s not a great choice. Also, they were the group that was most often taken into the long walks. Elves would try to slip in some symbolism about their situation or the system. Still, when you were caught, it would end in punishment for the whole work section.
“That sounds good. Mind helping me get there?” Aliee asked, and I thought about it for a few seconds, then said, “Sure, I’ll even go in with you.”

I worked at the clothing center. We had more food rations, but less time. I didn’t quit it because of the rations or lack of time, and it wasn’t even boredom. It was her. She had this feel to the way she moved that made you want to… change this scenario. She responded, “Oh wow, Liam, thanks, I guess. Let’s hope they’ll take us in.”

I heard that working in the theater section was another world compared to other work. You didn’t need much to join, but still, seeing many ladies dressed in fine and modest dresses—with exposure that wasn’t what you would usually see in Nightsoil—was strange. Yes, during spectacles there were fancy clothes, but this clothing was far more appealing to the female body.

We had just got through the application door, invited by Izeala; she was the main theater scriptwriter. I knew her since she’d been here from the beginning of this city, and I’d heard about her transformation. She used to be very shy and quiet to both elves and humans; she was kind, I heard. And now she still was kind… at least on the outside.

Elves in Nightsoil had a hierarchy—it was based on how long you survived here and how respected you were by both elves and humans. And she was the queen of that statement; she would flirt her way out of any situation with humans. And while seemingly kind, she was known for using elves. She could help you—and make you help her reputation.

I had good relations with her, at least I believe so; it’s hard to be sure with such an untrustworthy persona. Nevertheless, she welcomed me and Aliee into the Theater—her domain. It was clear when she silenced the elves by saying loudly, “Get back to work, my worms~!” I saw Aliee give me a mixed look with her eyes.

Izeala leaned over my shoulder, one of her breasts pressing against my back. “Well~ it seems you finally came to me. Have you changed your mind?”
I looked at her and said, “I changed my mind… but on my terms. If you want me here, she’s also getting here.”
Izeala played with my hair while at the same time looking at Aliee’s face and body. “Her?” she asked with a devious smile. It was her poker face—I knew it—but I also knew that Aliee didn’t.

I clearly saw the frustration in Aliee, but I continued, “Well, if you want me to take part in your spectacles, you’ll need to help her out and take her into the Theater.”
Izeala touched my right bicep tightly with her left hand as she said, “That slutty elf? You’ve got some interesting choices, Liam... You ask for a lot; I mean, I’m pretty sure she would be a much better… overnighter…”

Aliee looked confused, but that’s good. She doesn’t need to know the meaning, because being called a sexual worker wasn’t the best way of starting a friendship with elves. Izeala was mean, but she was the only one who could help me. “I could offer my first meal for her to get in…”
Izeala looked surprised and had that devious smile again. She freed me from her hand and asked, “How about a favor, Liam?”

I knew that favors—especially with her—were never a good idea. But I knew how important it could be for the good of our race to put Aliee on the spot. I saw her as an ideal leader... I’m putting a lot on the line... It’s possible that Izeala would make me do something illegal and then snitch me out... But I have faith in Aliee.

“Sure…” With that, Izeala took my hand and shook it to seal the deal. After that, she went to Aliee and held her shoulders with both hands. You could feel Aliee’s anger and discomfort from 100 meters away. Izeala told her quietly but coldly, “Don’t fuck with me, slut. I’ll find you a place behind the scenes so no one has to see your... beauty, let’s call it that...” Then she slapped her ass harshly and walked away from us.

She said, “Well, Liam, I want to see both of you tomorrow. Do not even think of not coming here on time. I don’t help people who get to work late. Scatter.”

And the both of us left... I knew the anger that Aliee felt... I couldn’t blame her. When we left and were going to our separate quarters, she murmured something under her nose and then dapped me up and left. I hope it doesn’t get to her that much, because if it does... then I don’t know how we could ever rebel correctly...