Schisms

by V. A. Jeffrey

  Chapter Ten

  Bakku fanned himself wearily as his palanquin atop the elephanta swayed slightly. He was thankful for the screen dividing him from the insects - but would rather it all be over. His falcon was stoically perched on her bar next to his seat. He fed her a morsel of raw meat and she snapped it up hungrily. They had entered Egi and crossed the river Mowret yesterday with no little amount of effort and he was in a hurry to seek some comfort in a cool, luxurious, stone-hewn mansion, somewhere. Anywhere. They had passed countless dirty little villages full of dirty people gawking at the great procession and he was sick of it all. Egium was finally within sight, a mountain-clad city standing over the land amid sharp, dagger-like cliffs. Even in the distance the buildings and towers in the towns along the main road were long, high and slender, the opposite of Jhis's monstrous structures. In dimensions Egium's splendid grace matched Jhis's massive grossness.

  They passed between two giant stone images of the ancient moon goddess Elyshe, mother of Nimnet. Someone was strumming an oud somewhere below him. He wished he could strike them but he was too tired. He hated music. He felt a pain in his left hand and saw that it was bleeding from his fingernails digging wounds in his palm. It was his anger at the inconvenience of travel. He steeled himself and renewed his fanning, furiously this time. The train was as slow going as a procession of mud snails.

  The king, suddenly had decided that he would come to Egi after all. After carefully placed prodding from Bakku, the king had decided in the middle of the trip that he would marry the woman, whether she be pretty or hideous. Bakku was nearly out of patience with this trip and everything else. Even this great wedding celebration that would encompass games at the grand arena and feasting and revelries. It was the treasury that mattered. Elephanta and horned beasts as well as lions, tigers and wolves would be in the fighting games as well as the bravest fighters. Joy and blood would be in the air and the streets all week during that time and it was his duty to make sure everything worked out. For the priesthood as much as for the king. He had to ensure that the bride and her family arrived safely and that the bride was physically sound for the king. For that, physicians had been brought along. He knew the family, an old family with ties to the old kingdom before the Destruction. The House of Seht was the undisputed ruling family of Egium and chieftain Seht ruled as vassal of Egi.

  Bakku's mind wandered to the temple and then to Ilim. Anger rose again. He should have been executed! If only Ilim did not know the king so well. If only the king did not care for him! But he could not deal in if-onlys. He heard the call of a temple-crier in the city, far in the distance He poured himself a goblet of sweet wine from Zapulia – he detested the fermented elixirs, beers and the sour milk wines of Hybron.

  By evening they had arrived at Egium, passing through the familiar high corridor cliff face. The pennants with the symbols of the king's tribe flew proudly up and down the train and the guards at the gates demanded the roads cleared. The king's train – though the king himself had decided to break camp and dwell temporarily a few miles outside of Egium, as he did not like the gods of Egi - was not stopped but given as wide a berth as possible as they began the climb up to the city. The king's capriciousness drove Bakku to distraction but at least he had not backed out of the marriage. Bakku reminded Khalit of the great wealth that was his if he went through with the marriage. Khalit, he'd thought in unnecessary irritation, commanded him to go and bring her. Then he sat down with his court favorites to a game of hadana.

  The train followed the stream along the road and as they climbed, the houses grew closer together in tight rows upon rows and then there were no discernible rows but houses and mansions and shops carved right into the cliff face on either side. Bakku surveyed the city from his high vantage point in satisfaction. They passed the wide tents of the vast day bazaar of Egium and as they ascended to the main street the houses became bigger, more slender and more elaborate, some built with stone and wood and others built into the rock high above and below. Temples and obelisks stood like trees lining the main boulevard. Much of the traveling in the city happened behind the rock of the mountains. Most walkways, passages and bridges were built within the mountains themselves and these hidden streets were not dirty or dusty but paved with beautiful colored stones and tunnels and halls decorated with tiled mosaics and lit with soft lanterns. Egium was named the City of Eternal Night, as nearly half of its activity took place out of daylight.

  Before them rose a temple with a silver sphere ensconced in the wall at the top and under it a large statue of Nimnet, the moon goddess, prime deity of the Strabians and the patron goddess of Egium. She held herself serene in a sitting pose, with two opal stones for eyes and under her feet were the silver overlaid doors to her temple. Bakku knew that in that temple there was a secret way to the infamous Night Market. He would have to pay another visit there again. One could buy things there that one could buy nowhere else. He loved Egium. It was a city hidden in sharp, mountainous land - remote, mysterious and full of secrets. The opposite of gross, common, open-faced Jhis. Egium was a city, mysterious; secret roads, secret passages, secret rites, secret enclaves. A city of shadows and hidden things.

  Finally they reached the house of Tenan Seht. It was more of a small castle than a house. The subjects were all aflutter at the grand train of the king's court arriving. There was chatter in the street everywhere. Tenan and his house had come out to greet them. The old man himself, ancient as the mountain, was being carried upon a chair by servants. Bakku climbed down from his palanquin and climbed up the steps to meet him. Tenan gave a command and his chair was lowered.

  “Greetings, Bakku na' Lafeh. It has been a long time. It is good to see you again.”

  “I thank you, Lord Seht, Most Honored One. Egium is just as beautiful as ever.” Bakku bowed.

  “As always. I trust the king is on his way? It has been reported to me that he was not seen in the train.”

  “His Greatness has set up his camp just outside the gate. He awaits her there.”

  “I see.” Tenan lowered his voice. A look of disdain briefly flickered across his face at this offense. “Well, it is good to see one who keeps to the ways of civilized men. Come and let us refresh you. I know your journey has been long and dusty. I have much sweet wine that we will drink over conversation.” Just what he wanted to hear.

  “And your daughter? How does she fare?” He supposed he must ask as she was the entire reason for this business. He would not mind gazing upon her great beauty again, either. Bakku was proud of himself. The king would not find a better match anywhere. As soon as he saw her, Bakku knew the king would agree to the match. It would be perfect and such a match would make Bakku rise in esteem of the king and his court and it would bring culture and refinement to the barbarian king he had to serve. For the time being.

  “My daughter is well and is ready for the wedding. She looks forward to it, as does much of the family. The House of Seht is honored by the match.” Tenan said but the subtle distaste in his voice told otherwise. The re-subjugation of Egi would never be forgotten. Bakku new better than to speak of the family's misfortune openly as Strabians did not like to acknowledge grief or misfortune in public. Some of the king's men approached.

  “My lords of Hybron. Welcome.” Said Tenan. His voice was deep and ragged from age and though he was ancient his eyes always had the look of embers of cold fire burning in a void. They bowed to him.

  “Our lord of Egi. Blessings upon you and your house.”

  “I thank you. The air grows chilly and I am old. Let us go inside. There are arrangements of course, to be made. I hear the king wants barges of all sorts.” Said the chieftain. Bakku bowed again.

  “If the king is happy with her after our inspection, he will want no expense spared.” He said. Bakku and the king's administrators followed them in as Tenan's servants began the arduous task of unpacking belongings. They would be here for three days before going back to the city and this time it would b
e an even bigger train, with the bride traveling with them.

  The house was richly decorated and there was much in the way of blue, the sign of the very wealthy. Blue cushions everywhere, blue delicate glass, blue gossamer veils and hangings that separated each room and the floors were inlaid with silver coins with resin on top so that they glittered like the moons. The administrators were taken to their sleeping apartments. Bakku was escorted to the chieftain's sitting room, to his balcony where he looked onto the shaded streets of the city below. A manservant poured them sweet wine in crystal, gold-rimmed goblets that glittered with prisms of color.

  “As you know, my sons have died and I am an old man. My brother in Yilphaeus sees an opportunity. I have had to put up a mighty fight to keep him away from my daughter. He is offended that I have not done my duty and collapsed down and died yet. So now he seeks my death, of that I have no doubt.”

  “You believe he is behind the deaths?”

  “Certainly and now he seeks to make my daughter his wife to gain my fortune. Twice I believe he has tried to poison me. We do not have time to waste for this marriage. Inspect Taliat first thing in the morning. I am sure you will find her more than pleasing and sound in health for the king and her dowry a great one. I have but one request, Bakku.”

  “What is that?”

  “That I be allowed to see the wedding celebrations at court. She is my only child left and I would see her safely ensconced in the Hybronian court. I shall travel to Jhis.”

  “Of course, Lord Seht. I am sure the king will welcome his most loyal vassal.”

  “King Khalit. You work in his court. How do you find him these days?” Tenan took a sip of wine. Bakku grinned.

  “When approached the right way, he can be. . .persuaded. One must be careful. He is intemperate. Volatile, much like all his kind. Full of emotionality. It is a tightrope but keep the levers that move him working and he can be, properly persuaded.”

  “And what levers have you found profitable?”

  “Glory and gold. And women.”

  “To the gods! I like to hear it!” He clapped. “What made him decide upon a new queen so suddenly? I thought it would take forever and then Taliat would have been past her prime.”

  “But as you see, my lord, patience has worked for us. The barren queen needed removing. We made sure no heir would be born from her. Then, it was only a matter of reminding the king of a match with your daughter, whose family and father are allies of the court.” Tenan croaked with laughter like a bullfrog. Bakku joined in.

  “And no doubt the harrying of his borders by Kufun causes him to seek for strength and allies.” Said Tenan. Bakku nodded.

  “We build the maze and he comes running to us, finally.” Said the chieftain in glee. A tiny bell rang.

  “Ah. Supper is served. You will find it to your liking, I think. None of that muddy, greasy fare from Hybron. Blood poached grouse with gelled roots, lamb tajine, soft eggs in blood soup, white rice and some of that star wine from one of the Great Ridge lands. Also, some sweet cream and honey cakes afterward. I know you will be pleased, Bakku.”

  “Actually, I was wondering Lord Seht if you happened to have one of your specialty wines?”

  “I do. Scorpion or snake wine?”

  “Snake.”

  “Steeped or mixed?”

  “Steeped, if you do not mind?”

  “I do not mind at all.”

  “Delightful.” Refinement. No greasy, sour foods here! Bakku thought and followed the shuffling chieftain toward the main dining hall.

  . . .

  It was long into the night and after a long smoke on the water pipe and planning the wedding procession details with a few of Lord Seht's household administrators, he climbed the long stair and wandered the cool halls of blue tiled rooms. It was night and the streets below were dotted with soft lantern lights. He heard the far away sound of flutes and ouds playing somewhere in the streets. He gazed at the mosaics and the calligraphy displaying and telling the family history. It was nearly as beautiful as the Golden Temple. Taliat had not presented herself for the evening meal. He was not surprised. She was but a child when he'd last saw her and he'd told her of a possible marriage to the king then. This arrangement had been years in the making. He'd thought to marry her himself, briefly, but he was not as highborn as she. He was only the king's messenger. But who knew. Bakku thought. Kings lived and died and not always naturally. This royal marriage was a far more equitable arrangement for all concerned. For now.

  The lower servants remained out of sight, to his satisfaction. He was looking for a special air column along the wall in the narrowed hallway. Ah! That is right. It was just outside his usual guest quarters. He sauntered along, his hand moving along the smooth tiles until he found the tile that felt looser than the others. It was hidden beneath a richly colored blue and yellow embroidered hanging. He looked around furtively and satisfied no one was around, he pushed it in. A doorway thus far hidden, now opened to a long and very narrow, dark stair below. Bakku then sauntered down, the door closing behind him, making his way to the Night Market.

  But someone was watching and she had her own secret passage into the bowels of the house. Silently, she followed him.

  Bakku made his way through catacombs long abandoned by the inhabitants for natural burial. He himself kept a thin black cloak about him under his robes, and a mask. Many people who visited the Night Market wore masks, especially those who might be recognized. He partially unwrapped his robes and pulled out his cloak and pulled it over himself. He put on the deep hood and his simple, black mask. As he went on, the halls became wider, the echoes of strange and eerie sounds flew and bounced against the walls like trapped bats. The voices and sounds became more numerous and louder and the dim lights of torches brightened as he approached the market. The Night Market was just as vibrant as any day market, yet there were many things that could be bought here that could not be bought out in the open. Bakku was here to find, among other things, poisons. Poisons in herbs, potions and candles. There were poisons that could be worked into tallow making and when the candles were lit they could do their work slowly with the burning flame. Different poisons produced different colors. Very few people knew about such things. He made his way through the roar and tangle of merchants, vendors and customers. The black stalled and black veiled merchant stalls beckoned with sensual scents of perfumes made of exotic ingredients, incense, foods and things for far darker purposes. There were brothels as well. There were special carved teraphim and other idols made of all sorts of materials for sorcery; dried animal parts, human parts and fluids and also live specimens. Bakku saw the merchant he needed straight ahead and behind his stall was a sign with a four-armed, long-tailed dancing woman. A place greatly sought after for those who knew. He felt sweat beading under his clothing as he thought of seeing Senneta again.

  Vali padded nimbly from stall to stall, following, watching where ever he went. She deftly climbed upon the giant, crumbled, headless idol of Elyshe that once overlooked the catacombs. She watched with keen eye what Bakku purchased. Then he had his goods wrapped in black silk and the merchant packed them into a small chest. Among all the smells of the market, each scent was its own and Vali was not put off or confused by any of them. She licked her paw casually and glanced up when he started off toward the brothel. She saw all the merchants he talked to, what he bought and which merchant he bought the poisons from. And now she saw that he had unusual tastes for sensual pleasure. Valuable things to report back. Mistress would be pleased.