World on Fire

by Christian Kachel

  “He’ll be coming with me. We are not customers tonight” Vettias declared.

  “Very well, sir. Please wait in the parlor while I inform Madame Yasmina you have called on her.”

  Vettias nodded and led me across the marble floor to a side room adorned with plush couches and tapestries. Before I could take in my surroundings a young girl, all of thirteen and dressed in a silk robe, entered the room offering a plate of fruit and wine. My experiences over the years made me wary of seeing a child so young in a pleasure house – something I probably wouldn’t have felt if not for Mara and Talos.

  Vettias noticed my unease and offered, “She’s safe here. A pleasure house run by a former courtesan takes care of its women. Abuse is not tolerated here and she occasionally takes in orphans to ensure they escape the more sordid episodes she was made to suffer,” he finished while motioning in the direction of the large Babylonian guarding the door. “Yasmina has enough allies within the administration that not even a Greek noble could get away with abusing a girl here.”

  The eunuch entered soon after to announce Yasmina was ready to receive us and led us up the circular stairs at the rear of the main foyer. The first floor contained a moderately-sized bath and the second floor housed individual rooms. Women of unbelievable beauty walked the halls and gave seductive glances toward me as we made our way to a set of lavish suites on the third floor.

  The third floor was the most opulent of the three levels, boasting eastern silk rugs, marble busts, intricate tapestries and the highest quality carved furniture. Most of the ornamentation appeared to be new work gilded over the original construction. It was clear the upper suites were intended to entertain Babylon’s most powerful men in addition to being Yasmina’s private quarters.

  Zaduga ushered us through the foyer and into Yasmina’s private quarters. As we entered her extravagant residence, a sweet, yet not overpowering, incense permeated the air. Curtains were strewn throughout the room and several candles burned bright to create a warm ambience. Leaning against a blue couch, striking a seductive pose, was Yasmina, whose anointed skin and hair caused her to emanate a soft glow against the flickering light of the candles. She wore a perfectly tailored silk robe of modest decoration but of the highest quality material. Her gold jewelry was also understated, yet priceless - denoting a sophisticated elegance. Her make-up was minimal, with sharp black lines around the eyes to highlight her natural beauty. She looked to be about forty but showed no signs of aging – with full black hair and healthy curves. It was clear I was in the presence of true grace.

  “Thank you Zaduga, that will be all,” Yasmina instructed in a superior Greek accent used by the aristocracy. Zaduga bowed and quietly exited the room.

  “Hello, lover,” Yasmina greeted to Vettias as she seductively moved toward him and softly kissed his lips. Decided to get a little eccentric tonight?” she teased while looking in my direction. “I didn’t take you for the type.”

  “Allow me to introduce my apprentice, Andrikos of Ilandra. There are no secret between us on operational matters and I trust him implicitly.”

  “I hope you don’t tell him everything, ” she added with a smile.

  “I did mention I may have to rely on your connections in Babylon to further our own interests – just as in the past. Andrikos has uncovered a plot on someone we also have designs on – and it appears we have stumbled onto an unknown agent’s operation. I need your help to uncover who these people are and what purposes they seek.”

  “Will you spend the evening? I’ve made time for us. I’m confident Andrikos will find a way to stay entertained while here.”

  “Of course, my dear. Let us take care of our business now so we can hasten our time together. Andrikos, tell Yasmina what you’ve uncovered.”

  I retold the facts surrounding Davcina while Yasmina listened intently. When I was finished, Yasmina waited a moment in contemplation before responding.

  “I don’t think I know this woman. Thankfully, I haven’t been around that squalid slum for some time – but I do know the establishment you speak of. It is in the Kir-Shamash neighborhood. Babylon’s criminal underground has settled into a tenuous truce over the past year and the tavern you entered is the headquarters of Asardin – a local gang leader who owns the criminal dealings within Kir-Shamash. These thugs usually have relationships with the city guard and local administrators who allow them to operate in return for monthly bribes. Asardin is no doubt the one behind this girl’s seduction of the accountant.”

  “A criminal gang?” Vettias wondered out loud.

  “Yes, something does not seem right,” Yasmina agreed. “Petty thugs such as this spend the majority of their time fighting amongst each other rather than hatching grand designs against the royal treasury – especially since they rely on the government’s acquiescence to operate.”

  “Someone must be using Asardin. I think we have stumbled over a rival operation in the dark arts,” Vettias surmised. “This could lead to an opportunity, but we must tread lightly. We need to determine who is behind it, and for what purpose. Only then can we take best advantage of the situation.”

  “I may have a way in,” I stated confidently. “A boy also works there, an urchin no more than fourteen. I spoke with him and offered him a job. He is to meet me the morning after next if he accepts my proposal. He’ll be able to give names of who Asardin meets with – maybe we’ll recognize someone and deduce the interest behind this operation.”

  “Excellent,” Vettias responded. “Yasmina, do you have relationships with any of Asardin’s rivals? Someone who would be eager to usurp his territory if the opportunity presented itself?”

  “Those street rats would never be allowed on this thoroughfare, let alone be admitted to a place such as this. However, I do know a few of these brigands from my youth. I can reach out.”

  “This kid, what are your plans for him?” I asked, hoping the answer wouldn’t be torture.

  “Kids are easy,” Vettias replied with a sinister grin.

  “Oh darling, you always told me that was a last resort,” Yasmina interrupted. “He’s just a boy. Let one of my girls have an hour with him and you will have all there is to know about Asardin and his little scheme.”

  “These luxurious trappings have certainly softened the Yasmina I knew that came up in the Babylonian streets,” Vettias joked, somewhat surprised.

  “I’ll still have a throat cut or poison administered if someone threatens my interests,” Yasmina reassured. “But now that I am here, there are few that require such measures these days – especially a child. Let me have a shot at him and, if by some stroke of piety, the lad refuses my girl, then do what you will. Of course if he does accept Andrikos’ offer, however, we will have to kill him in the end. Employees who are that easily swayed to betray their masters cannot be trusted; and the last thing I want is to be associated with a Babylonian turf war.”

  “There’s the girl I fell in love with,” Vettias laughed.

  “He may be of use to you,” I interjected to Yasmina, attempting to save the boy’s life. “A teenager who can navigate dark alleys has his uses – especially if he believes he owes his life to you.”

  “We’ll see how the lad does,” Vettias concluded. “There may be hope for him, but that Davcina isn’t making it out of this alive – she already knows too much.”

  I nodded my head in agreement.

  “I’ll accompany you to your meeting with the boy at a distance in case his loyalties are stronger than I suspect and you have a gang of criminals waiting for you. Can I take the muscle at the front door with me?” Vettias asked. “You wouldn’t want me getting hurt now would you?”

  “Have him back as soon as possible,” Yasmina answered. “I don’t like this house being unprotected.”

  “Once we find out who is pulling the strings, we’ll have a rival of Asardin ambush the lot of them, allowing us to take control of Gilad for ourselves. Andrikos, I think that is all for now,” he stated, lookin
g at Yasmina lustfully.

  “A true pleasure meeting you,” I said to my host. “Even Vettias’ constant praise still has not done you justice.”

  “Much obliged, my handsome young man,” was her reply as I took my leave. I made my way back to Malick’s and finished off the bottle of Asardin’s cheap wine. I took the next day off and was waiting at the Marduk fountain for my boy the following morning.

  CHAPTER 26

  Vettias, Yasmina’s bodyguard and I arrived at the Marduk Fountain early to conduct a reconnaissance of the area. Once satisfied no agents lay in wait, Vettias and the bodyguard took up an overwatch position in an alley, his collapsible bow and arrow at the ready. I took a seat at the fountain, facing the direction I estimated the boy would be traveling under the still Babylonian night. There was a chill in the air which intensified through frequent gusts of wind. Babylonian winters were mild and soon the eastern Persian snows would melt – bringing the Royal Army to this city, with my family in tow.

  My pleasant musings were interrupted by the emergence of a small, solitary silhouette from the direction I assumed our boy to come from. He made a quick check of the surroundings and tepidly made his way to me.

  “You alone?” I asked.

  “Yes, sir,” he answered waveringly.

  “And you’ve told no one about this meeting?”

  “No, sir.”

  “And why did you come here?”

  The boy gave a surprised look before responding hesitantly, “Y-you told me you had a job for me.”

  “And what would Asardin think of you meeting with me in secret?”

  The boy was now visibly nervous and rethinking his decision.

  “Don’t worry, kid, I’m not with one of your rival thug organizations. You made the smart choice in coming here. Walk with me,” I instructed while putting my hand on his shoulder and moving in Vettias’ direction. My mentor emerged from the shadows and collapsed his bow, startling the already anxious youth.

  “He’s with me,” I reassured. “Can’t be too careful in this trade.”

  “Pardon, sir. What is your trade?” asked the boy.

  “The information trade,” Vettias answered cryptically. “What’s your name, son?”

  “Etana, sir.”

  “Etana – what is its meaning in Babylonian?” Vettias asked.

  “Etana was a mythical hero,” the boy answered.

  “Are you a hero, son?” Vettias inquired sarcastically.

  “No, sir.”

  “What are you?” Vettias continued.

  “Nobody, sir.”

  “How old are you?”

  “Fourteen, sir.”

  “You have a family?”

  “No, sir. I am an orphan. Asardin and many other neighborhood bosses frequently employ kids. I just work at the tavern. He hasn’t used me in any of his dealings nor discusses anything of importance with me,” the boy added, sensing Vettias’ next line of questioning.

  “You’d be surprised what little nuggets of wisdom you possess. Relax, we’re not going to ask you to do anything that’s going to get you hurt. In fact, I think you’ll like working for our little operation,” Vettias stated while handing him a coin. “This is for making the right decision. Let’s get going.”

  “Where are we going, sir?” Etana asked.

  “To the palace neighborhoods. Have you ever been there?”

  “No, sir.”

  “Well, stay close, lest the city guard believes you to be a common thief.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  The four of us made our way back to Yasmina’s in silence while Etana’s eyes widened on several occasions at the extravagance of the palace neighborhoods. Zaduga was waiting for us in the main foyer and made an inaudible comment about Etana’s lack of hygiene before ushering us to a back parlor.

  “Madame Yasmina will be down shortly,” Zaduga announced as he quickly departed. The early morning hour ensured most of the employees were asleep and Etana looked around in disbelief at his surroundings.

  “You ever been in a place like this, kid?” Vettias asked.

  “No, sir.”

  “We’re going to get you cleaned up and feed you a good meal. Then we’ll talk.”

  “Sir, I appreciate your hospitality but I fear my meager standing does not warrant such treatment. Also, if Asardin knew I was speaking to someone about his dealings, he will surely kill me. I’ve seen him do it to others for far less.”

  “Don’t worry, kid. Like my colleague here already assured you, we’re not interested in your little dog shit gang and we’ll ensure no harm comes to you from Asardin.”

  Yasmina next entered the room, looking as elegant as ever despite the hour, and was accompanied by a beautiful young girl about eighteen.

  “And how does our guest enjoy my home?” Yasmina asked, looking at Etana.

  “It’s most impressive, ma’am,” Etana answered, clearly intimidated by the beauty of the two women.

  “This is Shala,” Yasmina stated, motioning toward the young girl beside her. “She is going to get you cleaned up in our baths. And what is your name, boy?”

  “Etana, ma’am.”

  “Follow me, Etana,” Shala instructed softly while holding out her fair hand. Etana looked over to Vettias for an approving gesture before standing. Vettias nodded and the boy shot up, fighting back a smile, to follow his new caretaker. After the two departed, Yasmina sat next to Vettias and ran her hand through his hair.

  “I want to know why he thinks Davcina is meeting with Gilad,” Vettias instructed. “I want to know who Asardin is meeting with. I want to know when they’re going to meet again,” Vettias stated.

  “Shala will get it from him. By the time she’s done, that boy will kill Asardin himself.”

  “All right, do you have a room for Andrikos to sleep for a while?”

  “Zaduga will show him to open quarters.”

  “Not a bed that’s been screwed on twenty times tonight please,” Vettias added.

  “We have guest accommodations,” Yasmina replied, a little perturbed by Vettias’ tone.

  “We’ll get some sleep while Shala works her magic and all meet back here for a late breakfast in about three hours. Andrikos, go seek out Zaduga and get some rest.”

  ****

  I awoke to a firm knock at my door with Vettias informing me our boy had emerged from his time of bliss and was in good spirits, presently being treated to a hearty breakfast. Vettias, Yasmina and I met Shala in a private room to debrief her about our new friend.

  “Etana is pleased I take it?” Yasmina questioned sarcastically.

  “The boy was introduced to a world he’d never known existed,” Shala answered confidently.

  “And probably won’t know again,” Vettias added coldly.

  “Let’s see how he does,” Yasmina interjected. “Andrikos might be right, I could use someone his age who knows his way around Babylon’s underbelly. You know my soft spot for orphans.”

  “We’ll see,” Vettias responded. “And now, Shala, tell us what our boy knows.”

  “He was a bit hesitant at first, but overcoming his feeble attempts of denial proved quite easy,” Shala answered with a devious smirk that made her look even more beautiful.

  “I have no doubt, my lady. And what does he know about Davcina?”

  “Asardin has used her to seduce people in the past. He is using her now to seduce a young book-keeper. That is all he apparently knows about it. She was a house slave of a man that owed Asardin a debt and was presented to Asardin as payment.”

  “Does she visit his bed as well?” Vettias asked.

  “He doesn’t know much else since he has not worked at the tavern long, and on an infrequent basis.”

  “Has he seen anyone meet with Asardin? Come to the tavern for business? Any names?

  “He has on occasion witnessed men come to the tavern to meet with Asardin in his back room chamber,” Shala answered while listing the names of a number of Babylonian criminal
s. Yasmina nodded her head in recognition to several of them.

  “None of these thugs would have business with a palace accountant,” Yasmina concluded. Vettias nodded his head in agreement.

  “What about Greek men? Any Greek names?”

  “There were three men he assumed to be Greek that visited the tavern on two occasions – one of them named Galen. They now send a local boy, known as Crow, when they want to speak with Asardin and meet away from the tavern.”

  Vettias slowly smiled as if he were watching the conclusion of a play unfold before him. “Galen,” he repeated with some satisfaction while sitting back in his chair. “Thank you. my dear. You have done an excellent job. Please allow us to speak for a moment. Why don’t you keep our guest company until we join him?”

  Shala bowed respectfully and exited. “You know the name?” Yasmina inquired. “Galen is fairly common throughout Greek-owned territory.”

  “Yes, my love, but in this context we can be sure of his identity. Before Alexander’s death, there was an elite horse reconnaissance unit known as the Precursors. Their leader, General Aretes, now serves on Antigonus’ battle staff and commands an impressive network of agents to serve the Lord of Asia’s interests. Aretes’ Deputy was Galen – an old spymaster who performs most of his dirty work. The fact Galen is here personally speaks to the importance of whatever mission he has been ordered to conduct. We’ve gotten lucky in the respect that we stumbled over another clandestine operation without the knowledge of the agents involved. Our charge here was always to facilitate a smooth welcoming of Antigonus into Babylon. Their mission is obviously preparing for the next phase and ensuring Antigonus has insight into Seleucus’ affairs. We are going to overtake this operation and run Gilad ourselves. To do so, however, will require eliminating not just Asardin, but Galen and his operatives as well.”

  “Yasmina, it is now crucial we make it look like rival gang violence – where Galen and his men happened to meet their source at the wrong place and time. If Aretes or Antigonus knew we were involved in Galen’s death we would all be deservedly tortured and killed for treason. But having control of Gilad is too valuable an opportunity to further the Argeads’ interests to pass up. He will provide the means to uncover or plant evidence that will make mortal enemies between Seleucus and Antigonus.”