“All of them, my lord? All as in... all?” The captain’s eyes widened. “Who has counted them all?! Except for Lentz... They all see the doctor for obvious reasons...”
“No, only those who... with whom I...” Luca coughed. “The recent ones, let’s say.”
“It will be done, your imperial majesty!” The captain stood up quickly. “Do you have any more orders?”
“No, that’s all for now. You are dismissed, Hector.”
Such polite address from the emperor astounded the captain. He gulped, not knowing what to expect, then bowed and left Ma Ju Ro alone with Keirinia. Just before he reached the door, something suddenly occurred to him. He stopped, glanced at the emperor’s first courtesan.
“Does your last order concern... the lady present here?”
The girl froze. The spoon in her hand began to shake, tapping against the edge of her cup.
“No, Hector. I am sure of her loyalty.”
Just as the doors banged shut, Keirinia’s chair clattered to the floor with a bang. All together, the morning had been too much for this one particular girl, even if she was the first favorite courtesan of Emperor Ma Ju Ro the Fourth.
Chapter 25. The Greatest Secret
TO KEEP AWAY from listening ears and maintain the legend, Luca spoke with Keirinia in the bedroom. The door was locked. The emperor himself sat on the bed, with the girl sat in a chair before him, frozen upright like a stake. She shifted from foot to foot and nervously wiggled her toes.
“Keep your tongue behind your teeth,” the emperor told his courtesan. “Everything we have agreed on must remain only between us!”
She nodded and looked him in the eye with loyalty, although that meant nothing. The previous owner of this body had seen that look many times. And what had her ‘loyalty’ led to?
But this time, Ma Ju Ro was inclined to believe that the girl was truthful. The former favorite had gotten everything she wanted: freedom, the ability to marry the man she loved, and still she kept all the privileges she’d had at court. And most importantly, she had the emperor’s forgiveness. In exchange, she had to continue to play the role of an agent of Rezsinius, and moreover, to achieve complete trust from the imperial cousin and the displeased aristocrats of the capital.
Ma Ju Ro was certain that there would be more and more displeased aristocrats. Those rich gluttons would choke on his future reforms. And having an informant within their circle was more important than making an example of Keirinia. That said, Luca doubted that his decision to forgive her was purely rational. After all, she was his first... almost first real woman.
“I will not let you down, my lord,” Keirinia assured him. “But how will we explain... the unsuccessful assassination attempt? They were certain the poison was deadly!”
“I had an antidote. Tell your clients that Lentz made me take a certain potion as a preventive measure in the mornings, and that it protects me from all poisons.”
“And how do I explain that my head is still on my shoulders?”
“That’s easy. I got sick, but due to the antidote, I didn’t even realize that it was poison.”
The girl’s face darkened. “And how did I find out about this miraculous potion?”
“Don’t worry about that. You’re a good actress, Keirinia. Just act indignant that their poison didn’t work even though you did everything right. And Lentz is to blame. Say he told you personally about the preventive potion. They’ll have their doubts, but they’ll decide to check whether you’re telling the truth. And the healer will confirm it in some private conversation.”
Thinking it over, Luca hoped that this mythical antidote would prevent the conspirators from trying poisons again. The logs he studied after his revival showed him that even metamorphosis wasn’t all-powerful. If they used another poison unknown to the Wheel, then it could all end far worse.
“My reputation in the palace might weaken if... my lord stops spending time with me,” the girl said playfully. “Now that I see how magnanimous you can be, I... my view has changed, and if my ruler desires it...”
A line scrolled past Luca’s vision.
Tsoui points: +1. Current balance: 23.
Something imperceptible had changed in the universal balance of harmony. Although perhaps not entirely imperceptible.
The woman who had spat in his face with hatred a mere three hours ago now rose, climbing onto the bed, elegantly bending at the waist and sticking out her impressive backside. She crawled on all fours behind the emperor’s back and snaked her hands under his tunic. Her gentle fingers played across his chest and began to make their way lower. Her hot breath and passionate whispers in his ear aroused his desire. A little more and Luca would have fully given into his passion, but they were interrupted.
There was a knock at the door, and Lentz’s voice brought the emperor back to more pressing matters.
“My lord, I have important news of the boy’s family. I need a decision from you.”
Keirinia muttered something in aggrieved tones and raised her eyes. Luca cast a glance at her and realized for the first time in his life that a woman wanted him. The rational part of Esk’s legacy told him that the reason was unlikely to be a physical attraction. It was more likely an attraction to his power that made her green eyes flash with fire.
“Stay here and rest,” the emperor said. He stood up quickly, straightening his tunic. “Wait there!” he shouted to Lentz as he headed for the doors.
“Piglet...” his courtesan reached out to him. “Don’t be too long, I’m on fire for you!”
“No more ‘piglets,’ Keirinia,” Luca said automatically and narrowed his eyes jealously. “Cover yourself up. Nobody should see you undressed except me.”
“Forgive me, my lord!” The girl dove under the sheets. “There’s something else...”
“What?” The emperor turned back impatiently, his hand on the door handle. Mentally he was already far away, somewhere with his mother and sister, thinking about what he’d say to them. “Hurry up!”
“We need to discuss your behavior, my lord,” she spoke in a whisper so that Lentz couldn’t hear her from outside the door. “You’ve always called me Kei, and never Keirinia. You’ve always had breakfast alone and made others stand as you eat. And you’ve never called Hector or Lentz by their names... Or anyone. You’ve changed. There are a few other details, but only I know about those, and they mean that...” The girl fell silent, realizing that she’d said too much.
“They mean that I’m not Ma Ju Ro?”
“I didn’t say that!”
“But that’s what you mean to say.”
“No, my lord, it isn’t like that!” She jumped off the bed and fell to her knees. “Forgive me, my ruler, I’m just a foolish woman with the brain of a pigeon, I say all sorts of...”
“Stand up, Keirinia, and get back in the bed,” Luca offered her a hand and helped her rise. Impulsively, he embraced her and whispered: “Everything is fine, don’t worry. There’s a grain of truth to your words, but the explanation is far simpler than you think. We’ll return to this subject later.”
His instinctive wish to open up was immediately blown away by cold rationality. Telling her about his superpowers and true nature... If Esk had been there, he’d have gone mad and shown Luca hundreds of examples of women destroying men, but the traveler wasn’t there, and only one thought from his experience made itself clear: this wasn’t only foolish, it was also dangerous. Women were unpredictable, they often made emotional decisions, and Ma Ju Ro’s greatest secret would cease to be a secret as soon as this affectionate and far from foolish girl learned the truth. He would tell her that he had some amnesia from the transfusion procedure. That should serve as a sufficiently likely explanation.
Lentz impatiently paced around the large room in which the emperor had recently broken his fast. When the latter appeared, the healer opened his mouth to talk, but stopped when Ma Ju Ro the Fourth raised his hand. He couldn’t wait to find out how his family was, but there were too m
any listening ears here.
“I suggest we go out and take in some fresh air,” Luca said, pointing toward the panoramic window. “The air should be fresh enough on the terrace.”
Nodding his understanding, the chief imperial medic followed him. The terrace opened over a stunning view of the calm, green ocean, extending out from where they stood in all directions. The cries of seagulls filled the air. Amazed, Luca completely forget why he’d walked out there, and stood for a long time breathing in lungfuls of fresh, sea air. Lentz waited patiently.
Noticing the medic’s presence, the emperor suddenly remembered himself. Mom! Kora!
“Give me your report, Lentz,” he said dryly, trying to hide his worries.
“The woman, the boy’s mother, is in the final stages of her illness,” the medic reported indifferently. “Unfortunately, the time for successful healing has passed. She is living out her final hours. She is unconscious, and her hovel was robbed. Nothing was left, they took even the rags the woman wore. I found her naked, the back of her head cracked against a wall. Either the robbers went out of their way to hurt her, or she hurt herself in a fit.”
“Where is she?” Luca asked, hiding the tremor in his voice.
“Still there. One of my men remained to keep watch over her in her final moments. She will be given a worthy burial, my lord.”
“I must see her! And what about the boy’s sister?”
“There were problems with her...” Lentz faltered.
“Speak!”
“The girl turned out to be a thief. She infiltrated the home of a respected healer and stole something. She has already been judged. The victim herself bought her, the one whose home was robbed.”
“Why?” Luca asked, already knowing the answer.
“My lord, it is the same healer that found Luca. I mentioned his name yesterday. Yadugara. They say the bastard has a predilection for teenage girls, so he buys them in bulk. But I think the true reason is something else. It may be that the boy’s sister could also be a donor! Should I order that the girl be confiscated?”
“Do it at once! If a single hair on her head has been harmed... execute Yadugara!”
“I gladly would, my emperor, but his name is already in the list of those you awarded with the Order of the Empire! For special services! And what would be the reason for the execution? He has the right to do what he wishes with his slaves!”
“And?” Ma Ju Ro said in confusion. “Am I not the emperor?”
“Yes, but... My lord, the healers’ guild has already arranged a celebration dedicated to Yadugara’s medal. He has a good reputation, he is respected, and the enmity between him and myself is widely known... If he is executed, then I will be blamed of settling scores by your hand. This requires a more delicate approach...”
“I see,” Ma Ju Ro darkened. “Then bring the girl here.”
“Your will be done!” Lentz saluted with his chest to his fist, appreciating his ruler’s restraint and care for his reputation. He lowered his head, saying goodbye. “My lord!”
“Wait, Lentz... How do I give orders? I’m always alone, except for Keirinia. Where are my servants?”
“You sent them all away, as is usual before a procedure,” the healer answered. “And Naut gave them another day off in the morning, believing the assassination attempt to be successful. I can send my secretary Koerlig to replace your own for today. Do you remember who that is?” Lentz winced. “I advise you to replace her immediately.”
“Her?” Ma Ju Ro said in surprise.
“Yes. Herdinia. A very peculiar lady... At court, she is called the Crane. She trades in positions, lobbies for the interests of those who pay her, signs documents in your name.”
“I will take that into consideration. Now send Koerlig to me and go straight to get the girl, Lentz!”
“Before I send my man to you, will you tell me what you intend? I may be able to help more.”
“Possibly,” Luca thought, calculating how to explain it and weather it was worth it. He decided it was. If he was to trust him, then he had to completely trust him. For effect, he grew several sharp-pointed tentacles from his palm. They waved like strands of seaweed in the water, and reflected a metallic sheen. Lentz unwillingly gulped, staring at them as if spellbound. “I think I can help the dying woman. I must get to her hut.”
Chapter 26. All Hail the Emperor!
KOERLIG, THE SECRETARY of the chief of imperial medics and a weaselly and cunning figure, kept an impassive and cool expression on his face. This was extremely difficult. His gelatinous imperial majesty was currently trying to get outside by climbing through a window.
His mentor Lentz had given him a special task — to quietly escort the emperor to a hut in the capital’s slums and find the donor boy’s mother, who was dying of swamp fever. He was told that the ruler wanted to thank her for her son. Hah, sure! That sounded likely!
It all looked very strange and smelled fishy, but Koerlig was used to worse. And Lentz had promised to explain much when all was resolved.
Getting the heavy and noticeable Ma Ju Ro out in secret turned out to be a difficult task, but Koerlig was no stranger to complexity. There was a reason his career had progressed so quickly for his twenty and some years, and without any patronage. As the top student at the medical faculty, he had drawn Lentz’s attention in his third course, and for the last, he was working as his secretary. And his administrative skills had developed as fast as his doctoring skills. The idea of having the emperor change into a healer’s dress, hiding his face under an air-filtering mask, was excellent evidence of his capabilities.
Ma Ju Ro finally managed to stuff his body through the window, but he didn’t fall, he landed nimbly on his feet. Looking around, he quickly walked to the carriage in which Koerlig awaited him.
“Get a move on!” he commanded.
“Take this, my lord...” Hesitating, the secretary poured a few silver coins into the emperor’s palm. “You are unlikely to be recognized where we are going, so money may come in handy. You never know...”
The ruler studied his barely recognizable profile with interest, and it occurred to Koerlig that this might be the first time Ma Ju Ro had beheld the coins of the Empire.
Two carriages left the palace grounds. Lentz sat in the first, Koerlig and the emperor in the second. In the city, the carriages separated and turned in different directions.
The guards openly yawned under the burning sun, sweating and roasting alive in their plate armor. All the courtiers were hiding in corners as they wilted in the heat, and so nobody noticed the emperor leave the palace in such a strange manner and without guards. Koerlig mentally praised himself, although anxiety soon came to replace his initial joy.
He and his imperial majesty were headed to a place he had never been, and shivers went up his spine as he considered that this could be a one-way journey. It was bad enough that he had to drive the carriage himself; they’d also gone without guards. The emperor remained calm. Lentz had also showed no concern when he gave his orders, and only that calmed Koerlig. Perhaps they did have guards, and they were just clearing them a path?
Because of these thoughts, or because the winding and monotonous grey streets could confuse Two-horns himself, Koerlig got lost. He feared to reveal this to his ruler, hoping instead to ask some passersby for directions. The only reference point his teacher had given him was a nameless inn owned by one Nemania Kovachar, but he hadn’t seen anything that could be that. Low, crooked shanty houses crowded the district, with grubby children loitering in the dirt in front of the doors.
When he realized he was lost, Koerlig made a loop of the district and swore when he realized he was going round in circles. He stood up and saw a crowd of boys. That was all he needed! The children surrounded the carriage! And there were lots of them! Two-horns!
“Giddy up!” The secretary whipped the horses and the carriage jerked into motion.
The children shouted something excitedly and roadside stones started
clattering against the carriage’s sides. He had to whip one who let himself get too close, but that only made the boys worse; now they were aiming at Koerlig himself instead of at the carriage. The next stone hit him hard on the shoulder, and the secretary swore in pain, then looked back in fear.
“Stop the carriage,” the emperor’s voice rang out.
“But...”
“Right now!”
With a certain malicious joy, Koerlig did what he was told. It looked like his ruler had gone completely mad. Well, a little real life couldn’t hurt! And if fate was in a good mood, maybe one of those stones would break his foolish head. Welcome to the real world, your gelatinous majesty!
Ma Ju Ro opened the door and jumped out with shocking agility for his build. The boys, who had cautiously run a short distance away, now guardedly returned to the carriage and surrounded the emperor on all sides. He took a coin out of his pocket.
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