A New Beginning

by Alexander W Meurant

  "Ronald, what you reading?" Sain asked of the white skinned man. One of the few in this platoon that was not a full-blooded Samite.

  "Not reading kiddo, looking. Wanna see?" Ronald asked and held the magazine out for him to see. Sain caught a glimpse of naked body parts and turned away red faced.

  "No thanks. I'll pass" he muttered and sat down on the bed as he pulled his pair of boots out from under his bed and started to put them on.

  "What? Thought you would be more interested in this stuff since your tussle with Kasui last night" Ronald stated, a slight smirk on his face. Sain looked up sharply, a sour look on his face. Ronald just grinned.

  "Hey Ronald. Fuck you" Sain stated irritably eliciting a chuckle from Ronald. Doing up his boots, Sain got up and left the room behind and made his way into the common room. Looking around at the busy place he heard his name called out.

  "Sain, there are sausages on the kitchen counter. Bread rolls too. Help yourself" came a shout from Luto. Sain looked in his direction and saw the man at a table playing cards with a few other men, Travos included. Sain meandered over to the counter and saw there was quite a bit more than sausages and bread. A number of roast vegetables and salad like food, as well as chicken drumsticks and beef patties. An outright barbeque. Grabbing a plate from the nearby sink Sain piled up the thing with food and then made his way over to the table where everyone was playing cards. Luto saw him coming and pulled a chair from another nearby table for Sain to sit on. Sain nodded in thanks and sat, balancing his food on his thighs.

  "Hey Sain, I got in shit from the commander today because of you" came words from Travos and Sain looked up, guilt shooting through him. He looked Travos in the face and the man seemed to be staring daggers at him. Sain just felt his heart sink.

  "Sembak said no alcohol. You ain't allowed it. Got my ass kicked for allowing you to have it. This is what I think of it" Travos stated and plucked a bottle of beer from a cooler by his feet. He cracked the lid off and slammed it down on the tables edge closest to Sain.

  "Fuck Sembak!" he exclaimed and the men around the table laughed, lifting their own beers and clinking them in salute. Sain smiled and shook his head in mock dismay. He reached forward and picked up the bottle and clinked it to the others before taking a draught.

  "Just do me a favor and don't tell them doctors you have partaken in future yeah. Rather not get a boot lodged even further up my ass" Travos stated, a sly grin on his face. As Sain nodded, a smile on his own face, Travos leant forward over the table, an almost conspiratory look on his face. All the other men at the table seemed hushed, all hanging to hear Travos' next words with bated breath.

  "So. last night with Kasui. Tell us all about it. Did she break you?" he asked innocently as the entire table erupted into laughter and Sain went beetroot red in the face even as he felt a wide grin spread across his face.

  Chapter 13

  * * *

  "He is a fucking bastard Alan! I can't believe he did that!" Mehrasa hissed as she stalked around the kitchen, her hands on her head and scarf, Aladeen's gaze fixed on her.

  "Yeah, he is. But what can you do. Even if you go to my father, he will just say that the knife rightfully belonged to Mehrbad, as you are his possession whilst you remain unmarried" Aladeen stated as he continued to watch Mehrasa pace around the kitchen. She stopped moving and stared, anger in her eyes. Aladeen just stared back, his arms crossed as he leant back into the counter where he had been chopping vegetables a number of days ago.

  "Fucking hell! I hate this place! I haven't even gone near him for days! Just in case I punch him in the head" Mehrasa hissed, her entire frame tense and every fiber of her being displaying the anger she felt.

  "Well, what are you going to do about that? You will have to make amends eventually. Otherwise he will try to marry you off to some lout" Aladeen stated and then blinked in surprise as Mehrasa rounded on him, her face furious.

  "He already wants to marry me off to a man in Khulabhar port. For a boat, a fucking boat. And he won't even use it" she stated and looked away from Aladeen, still fuming. The young man recovered from his shock and took on a thoughtful expression.

  "You know, I saw old man Shah this morning at the market, talking to that merchant from Ingless. He handed him a box. Maybe that was your knife? And I also overhead him boasting about how he knew a collector in Khulabhar port. I thought nothing of it at the time, but that was before you told me what happened. Maybe you can go speak to the merchant, and figure something out? Even see if he knows this man in Khulabhar" Aladeen suggested, trying to be helpful.

  Mehrasa stared at him goggled eyed as thoughts rushed through her head and then she nodded.

  "You know what, I think I might just do that" Mehrasa stated and turned on her heel, leaving Aladeen in the kitchen staring after her with a bemused expression and slightly shaking head.

  Mehrasa walked fast out of the house and through the gardens, ignoring a couple of gardener’s maintaining the place. She stormed out of the entire estate and made her way down the hill, making a beeline for the market in the center of the village. She could see it not far away, and the people bustling about, looking over the stalls and small number of shops. She could also see a few wagons off to the side, a myriad of people gathered around them. That would be the travelling merchant Aladeen had mentioned.

  As she got closer, Mehrasa slowed her pace and looked around, noting many familiar faces. Those who saw her offered a wave or a smile if they had their hands full and she smiled back, feeling her heart lift somewhat. Most of the young men and women in the village were quite decent and nice. It was simply the full-fledged adults who gave her disapproving looks.

  Finally she reached the merchant's carts and saw the man who she thought was the merchant, standing back and leaning against one of his carts whilst keeping an eye on three young men that were dealing with the villagers and haggling for goods. Sucking in a breath, Mehrasa walked towards him, putting a smile on her face. She saw the man’s eyes flick to her and then look her up and down, head to toe and frown.

  Mehrasa felt a pang of annoyance at that reaction and made a show of looking him up and down as well, a frown on her face as she came to a halt before him.

  The man was short by most standards for men and stood as tall as Mehrasa was. He was whip thin and sporting a full brown beard over a completely shaven head. In Mehrasa's opinion he wasn't even good looking. He was simply average.

  "Um hello. Are you the merchant that owns these carts?" Mehrasa asked as she turned that frown upside down and tried to smile genuinely, ignoring the man’s wandering eyes as he looked over her again, no doubt noting the men’s trousers she wore and loose fitting shirt which exposed most of her arms and a good portion of her slender neck, even if her headscarf was wrapped around her head and shoulders.

  "I am. I am called Visay. What is your business here?" the merchant asked, still remaining still as he leant into the side of his cart.

  "Oh, ok Sir Visay, my name is Mehrasa and I was wondering if you had bought something off someone recently? Something that they stole from me" Mehrasa queried, outright telling the truth as she wondered how this man would react. The man’s eyebrows simply rose and he stayed silent a few moments, seemingly thinking. Then he pushed away from the cart and moved around behind his cart.

  "Follow me" Visay stated simply as he disappeared behind the tall cart, its rear covered by a tarp of some material and pushed right up against the wall of a building, completely hidden from the view of the people in the market. Feeling a pang of apprehension, Mehrasa followed the man cautiously and stepped around the cart as well, finding Visay leaning against the thing once more, arms folded across his chest.

  "I don't trade in stolen goods" the man stated simply and quietly, his voice taking on a defensive undertone. Mehrasa just blinked and then scowled.

  "Well, I wasn't saying you did. The person who stole what I am looking for gave it to a person as a gift. And as it is worth a lot, I am looking fo
r anyone that might have bought it. It is a ceremonial knife, passed down through my family for generations, inlaid with precious stones" Mehrasa said and watched the man scowl, an annoyed look appearing on his face.

  "I know of it. It is in my possession. I am taking it to a collector I know, to see if he wants it. It was given to me by Shah Potter who asked me to sell it on his behalf for a twenty percent fee. If it's yours, you won't see it again. Ever. Mehrasa dur Esmael. That’s right, I know who you are" the man stated as Mehrasa’s eyebrows shot skyward and she looked at the man in shock. She just stared at him, her mouth hanging open slightly.

  "I met your brother and one of Shah's sons this morning as well, asking me to take a message to Khulabhar for the fishing magnate Darga din Bruhman. An offer of marriage if you will. Those two told me a lot about you" the man stated and then pushed away from the cart, stepping in close to Mehrasa. She didn't move in the slightest, still frozen by shock, her eyes wide as she just stared at him.

  "Darga is not a nice man. I have dealt with him the past. Everyone says his last wife died of an illness, and really they aren't wrong. She got a disease of the skin, and it deformed her face, so Darga beat her to death with a brick. The man has always been given to bursts of rage. He drinks too much, is fat and abusive" the man stated and looked Mehrasa up and down again, this time a slight smirk on his face.

  "But his cousin is the city lord, so he is essentially untouchable by the law" the man carried on, a look of pity now crossing his face. A look that was quickly replaced with one of glee.

  "You know, it would be such a pity to be married off to such a man, for what, a single fishing boat. Someone with your looks would be a waste to a man like that, who simply would not appreciate you. So tell you what, i'll make a deal with you. How about you become one of my women? You can live in my house with my wife, and perhaps that knife of yours might just fall off of my cart one day" the man stated, his voice low as he stepped in closer to Mehrasa. She could feel his breath on her cheek.

  She felt a sudden stab of anger though at the man and curled her mouth into a silent scowl. The man was a creep and was basically insinuating she should become a bonded woman to him. Unmarried, but a woman of his household. She would essentially be a slave that would carry his bastard children and raise his legitimate ones. That was an insult and a massive shame on her name. She would never be able to marry legitimately and would have no wealth of her own. Ever.

  "Fuck you! You slime ball! You talk too much" she hissed and feeling that stab of anger turn into outright rage she lifted her right hand up and upper cutted him right in the chin. The man showed surprise in his eyes as his head rocked backwards and he staggered, his left hand going out to grab onto the cart and a chest that lay just on its rear. As the man recovered, Mehrasa stepped forward and without hesitation kicked straight up, her foot landing cleanly between the man’s legs. He made a small sound of pain and then collapsed, his whole body falling to the ground, his hand on the chest doing nothing to stabilize him. As he fell, he dragged the chest too and it fell, its lid flapping open and spilling its contents on the ground even as it hit his legs.

  Feeling the adrenaline rush through her, Mehrasa looked down, her eyes wide and chest heaving. She just stared at the man on the ground, who was curling into a ball and cupping his genitals. She smirked as her eyes flicked over the spilled contents of the chest and her heart jumped as she saw an old pistol lying in the dirt. She hesitated a moment and looked to the man, seeing his eyes shut tight from the pain. She leant down quickly and picked up the pistol and lifted her shirt slightly, shoving the pistol into the front of her pants and then dropping her shirt back over the top.

  Flicking her eyes over the rear of the cart, Mehrasa saw a myriad of boxes, crates and other chests and thought quickly about the possibility of searching them for her knife. Shaking her head she stepped away, not thinking it worth the risk. So far the man had not shouted or drawn attention to him from those bustling about their business in the market, and Mehrasa wanted to keep it that way.

  So she turned and started to walk away, figuring she would need to get away from the place before the merchant recovered. She highly doubted he would tell anyone what had happened though. Being beaten by a woman would certainly shame him. Mehrasa smiled grimly as she strode away, no one really paying attention to her. Sometimes it was a benefit that women were treated as inferior in this hot, dry land.

  As she walked though, she thought on the words the merchant has said. Particularly those about her would be husband. If he really was such a vile man, then she would not hesitate to use her new weapon on the man, even if it meant she would have to spend a life on the run.

  * * *

  Travos strode down the hall with his eyes locked on the door at its end. The Commanders office. He reached it and knocked once and instantly heard a voice bid him to enter. Sucking in a breath the large man hesitated only a moment before pushing the door open and stepping inside, instantly being hit with the smell of cigar smoke.

  Closing the door behind him Travos snapped to attention and looked to those gathered in the room. Off to his left was Lieutenant Tahl and straight in front of him was Commander Sembak who was sitting relaxed in his chair, his feet up on the desk and a fat cigar between his lips. And as always, the commander sat there with a near permanent scowl on his lips. Travos kept the salute up, his eyes locked on the balding fat officer, trying not to let his irritation show.

  "Major. At ease" Sembak finally said and watched as Travos dropped his arm from the salute and settled into a comfortable stance.

  "Major, I have received orders from General Commander Hagen and Commander Meydar. The Warlord of Hraffle, Rana Stouminas has turned down the Councils proposals for a third time and demanded complete revision of the terms. The Council has decided Rana is not worth their effort and as such have chosen to display their power. You and your platoon will be inserted to deal with the issue. Lieutenant Tahl has your assignment. Briefing will begin in two hours. Page all your men and have them meet in briefing room three. Departure will be twenty-one hundred hours. Any questions?" Sembak asked Travos, laying it on thick and to the point. There was no wasting time here.

  "Sir. Understood. Will there be any other platoons assigned to the mission?" Travos asked in return and dropped his irritation, suddenly all trained soldier. Sembak shook his head and gestured to Lesha.

  "No, there will not. It is all covered in the briefing" Sembak stated and then tapped the armrest of his chair idly with a finger.

  "And Major, make sure to include Private Belford in the mission" Sembak added, his voice rather quiet. Travos just blinked in surprise and then scowled.

  "Sir. The Private is not ready for a mission. Regulations state a minimum of six months training before being mission ready. It has not even been a month since he joined us" Travos stated his jaw tight, quite clearly displaying his dissatisfaction. Sembak just locked his gaze on Travos, his face set in what looked like a mix between anger and irritation.

  "Major. This is not a suggestion. It is an order. From my reports I have heard Private Belford has been doing exceptionally well over the last few months" Sembak stated, his voice low as his eyes flicked briefly to Lesha who just stood there, ram rod straight.

  "The doctors say his magical aptitude has increased greatly, and that his magical reservoir has surpassed even the largest recorded with our military. Simply put, his raw power is greater than yours or mine combined. He just needs experience to harness it. I want to see that come to fruition. Do you understand?" Sembak questioned of Travos, his gaze hard the entire time. Travos just stood there, feeling a boiling anger. Had the Commander been using Lesha to spy on Sain? Had that been why she had been around him so often the last few months? Travos actually felt a pang of sympathy for the youth.

  "Sir. Understood. I'll make it so" Travos stated with ill-concealed grace. His displeasure was evident all over his face. Sembak didn't seem to mind though and lifted a hand to casually wave aw
ay the comment.

  "Good. In that case Major, you are dismissed. Get to it" Sembak stated and leant back in his chair casually, eyes still on Travos.

  Travos snapped back to attention and saluted. No more words needing to be spoken. His heart beat heavy in his chest as he turned to look at Lesha even as she held out a folder for Travos. He took it silently and then without so much as a backward glance, he turned and exited the room. His heart beating even more. It had been months since his platoon's last assignment, and he felt a feeling of excitement mixed with dread. Dread at the fact he was going to have to force Sain to take to the field. Not that he thought the youth would complain.

  Shaking his head to clear it of thoughts Travos reached down and grabbed his pager from his belt. He looked through the pre-programmed messages and sent off a flurry of them one after the other.

  ‘Mission brief fourteen hundred hours. Briefing room three. Mission departure twenty-one hundred’.

  Hooking it back to his belt he increased his stride and exited the office building, heading straight for the barracks. It took him around ten minutes on foot and he pushed into the building with a rush. He was met with a flurry of activity as his platoon rushed around the building. Some seemed to be heading off to the showers even as other's where coming back. The place was near deathly silent. There was no talking. Pushing past one of his men he went straight for a room and looked inside, finding the person he was seeking.