“True, but I hate to brag.” That one earned him an arch expression from the retired military man. “Look, I want you nearby and in a position where you can do some good. That means around here, and with enough rank to make waves if I need you to.”
“You could use anyone at all for that.”
“I already know you and what you’re capable of handling.”
“I’ll consider the notion very carefully.” Merros leaned back in his seat and stared hard at the sorcerer.
“What more can I ask?” The smile said it all, really. The smile on the man’s face said he knew Merros would eventually agree, if only to stop his life from standing too still. Some people simply aren’t meant to have stationary lives and Merros couldn’t very well abide the notion of settling down.
He hated that the man was right.
There was one last meal for the visitors on the night before they left. The great banquet hall was opened and well over four hundred people were in attendance, many of them officials within the government, many others merely people of influence who wished to see the strangers before they were on their way. The latter group was wide-eyed with excitement, and smart enough, to the last, to know better than to cause troubles.
Noticeably absent was the younger brother of Nachia Krous. It would likely be a while before he was invited to any official encounters. That was also to ensure that there would be no troubles started. Most of the people at the feast were there to enjoy the food and see the strangers before they left to go back into the most inhospitable place anyone could imagine.
That is not always the case with visiting dignitaries and family members.
The Sa’ba Taalor had prepared as best they could for their long trip back. They’d been offered extra supplies, which they accepted, and even a military escort, which they politely declined, and come the sunrise the following day they would be heading back into the Blasted Lands and the valley that nestled in the heart of the Seven Forges.
Pathra Krous made clear that he would do his best to visit them sometime soon, circumstances permitting.
Nachia Krous stared at her cousin with an expression of tolerant indulgence, and then promptly told her assistant to plan to stay in town for a while. More often than not she’d have already headed to the family palace in Canhoon, but if her cousin was feeling the need to explore, she might well be asked to stand in for him.
Three times in the past she’d changed her plans to accommodate the Emperor’s whims. Three times she had wasted her efforts. She did not mind in the least. Her life was relatively placid in comparison and the change of pace was hardly a bad thing in her eyes.
Pathra was in his element. He seemed fully a decade younger as a result of it, too. His face was constantly smiling and his wit was sharp, but pleasant. He could be cutting with his words when it suited him, but at the moment he was, instead, a perfect host, even to that little wench from the south, Lanaie.
Nachia did not like Princess Lanaie and had, for Pathra’s sake, held her opinion in, but she was glad to see the young girl preparing to go back to her father in Roathes. As an added bonus, the girl seemed positively puzzled by everything around her and the expression on her face was quizzical enough to make her cousin stop looking at the girl like she was a prize flower reading for plucking. That, or the hairdresser had finally slipped into his bedchambers and satisfied him. Either way, the enchantment the princess had been casting seemed greatly weakened.
Desh Krohan looked at her with that damnable smirk of his in place, the one that said he knew exactly what she was thinking and that she should likely be ashamed of herself. Part of her remained convinced that the man was a charlatan, but not enough of her to ever test that theory. Really, it was rather like dealing with the gods as far as she was concerned: Likely they did not exist, but she said her prayers and offered her tithings, just in case. The difference was, at the very least she knew Desh Krohan had substance and enough money hidden away to buy most small kingdoms.
Speaking of which, the princess came and settled next to her as the desserts were passed around. There were several choices of exotic fruits – mostly what the Sa’ba Taalor seemed interested in trying – and easily a dozen different forms of cake and pastry. Nachia plucked a round pink pastry from a tray and sampled it with small bites. It was as delicious as it looked.
Lanaie looked at her and gnawed on her lower lip. Like as not Pathra would have found the gesture intoxicating, but Nachia just acknowledged that the girl was too young to know better.
“May I bring to you a delicate matter, Nachia Krous?”
“Of course,” she smiled. It was her duty to her cousin and to the Empire to behave herself. Unlike her little brother, she performed her duties faithfully.
Lanaie looked around carefully and leaned in close enough to have have kissed the heir apparent’s cheek. “There have been… untruths between my father and the Emperor.”
Oh and didn’t that sound appropriately juicy? She kept her face carefully neutral and nodded. “Tell me.”
“My father has claimed that the Guntha came to him and said that their lands were sinking.”
“Yes, I’m familiar with the stories.” She had to be familiar with the stories. As with her cousin she had been raised to understand the machinations of the Empire.
“There are other stories, tales that have not been told because, well, because my father sought financial assistance and to handle the rest himself.”
And wasn’t that often the case? That was why so many requests for assistance were investigated before any resources were put at risk. “What tales, Lanaie?”
The girl actually leaned in closer. Pathra would have been beside himself as the girl’s lips brushed her ear lobe lightly. Knowing Pathra, he’d have been delighted just to watch. He was a bit of pervert, truth be told, but as the Emperor he was also wise enough to be discrete about his unusual habits and tastes. Besides, in comparison to a few other members of the courts her cousin was practically an innocent. He might like watching, but he would never instigate.
“There are stories that the Guntha came seeking help against a fleet of ships, raiders who come from time to time and slaughter anyone who gets in their way.”
“A fleet of ships?” Nachia had to close her eyes for a moment and orient on a mental map of the world. To the south was Roathes, and beyond that the waters of the vast Corinta Ocean and the islands of the Guntha. In the waters to the west of the Guntha? No one could say for certain, because the Guntha had always been a bit on the aggressive side and tended to destroy anything that came too close to their lands.
Corinta to the south, to be sure, but to the north? She had to think for a moment. To the north would be land, yes, but the only land north of the Guntha would be the Blasted Lands and the great frozen wasteland was not exactly an area that had been carefully examined.
“The ships, my lady, are supposedly vast ships, warships of a size not seen anywhere else. They are said to be nearly indestructible.”
“The Guntha make these claims?”
“Yes, my lady.”
Pathra was laughing not a dozen feet away. Something that one of the visitors had said had him first chuckling with delight and then actually laughing out loud. The sounds were welcome and unexpected.
“You say that the islands aren’t sinking? That they’ve been under attack for all of these years and your father has kept these alleged invasions as his secret?” Pathra was laughing. That would change as soon as he heard that accusation.
“Yes, my lady.” The girl nodded her head and looked down at the ground below her feet. “It was wrong, of course, but the claims the Guntha made were preposterous.”
“What sort of claims?”
“The great ships, of course. I mean, of course they could be true stories but they always said the invaders came from the north, and there is nothing to the north but the Blasted Lands.” The girl looked around and then once more leaned closer still. “The claim that my father
refused to believe was simple, however.”
“Yes?”
“The Guntha said the invaders had gray skin. Skin like slate. Skin like ashes. And eyes that glowed in the darkness.” She moistened her lips. “And the faces of demons.”
Nachia listened to the words and considered them carefully as she looked toward the Sa’ba Taalor. Finally she nodded her head. “I will mention this to my cousin. He will decide whether or not the words are truthful. He might wish to speak with you before you leave.” The girl nodded her head and looked oddly relieved though Nachia certainly had given her no reason to relax. “Why do you tell me this now? Why would my cousin believe your words are true where your father’s were lies?”
Lanaie looked surprised by the very notion. “Why would I lie?”
Nachia shrugged and picked up a wedge of pabba fruit that has been sprinkled with honey. “Why did your father lie before if what you say now is truth?”
“He thought the Guntha were making up ghosts to convince him to let them have a place to stay.”
“So he decided to make up a lie about the islands of the Guntha sinking?”
“Yes.”
“My cousin will want to speak to you.”
The girl nodded her head and looked around the room.
Nachia managed not to roll her eyes. Like as not she would have let the matter go, but the fact was simple: as far as she could tell, Lanaie was too stupid to make up a lie, but exactly smart enough not to tell the truth without good reason.
From across the room Nachia saw the one called Drask looking at her. His face was hidden, his eyes were half buried in shadows, and the pupils seemed almost to glow, much like the cats she kept in her room.
She contemplated those eyes as she thought about the princess’ words. And like many people before her, she wondered what was hidden by the veils the visitors wore.
••••
Merros and Wollis leaned against the wall of the courtyard and watched in silence while the Sa’ba Taalor gathered their belongings and placed them in the appropriate spots.
After several minutes of observing the insane efficiency of the group, Wollis spit. “I’ve never seen anyone who could pack that much nonsense onto a riding animal and still find a place to ride.”
“Fair enough, but when was the last time you saw anyone who rode a monster the size of those things?”
The closest of the mounts, Swech’s great beast Saa’thaa, cast its eyes toward them and snorted. Merros stared at the face of the thing, hidden though it was behind the skull-like metal and leather mask it wore, and smiled. “I shall miss you, too, you great lumbering thing.” He meant the words only for himself, but damned if the animal didn’t seem to smile in response. At the very least it bared those massive fangs that could make the average dagger feel inadequate.
Swech sauntered around the animal’s flank and slapped it affectionately. The tail of the beast swished and slapped at the back of her legs.
The woman looked toward Merros and nodded. “You came to see us off?”
Merros looked into her eyes and shrugged. Wollis looked away but not before Merros caught the start of a smile on his aide’s face. The bastard knew more than he should. He normally did.
“Well, I could hardly let you leave without wishing you a safe journey.” He deliberately kept his voice casual. It was best not to show too much affection in his experience. Women tended to expect it after a while. Then again, Swech was hardly like most of the women he’d met. And also, his personal experience with long-term relationships was dubious at best. Most times he tended to be the one to call off anything that might seem like a romance.
Swech regarded him and stepped closer, her hand resting on his chest. He felt the heat of her fingers over his heart and she leaned in until the veil over her mouth was close enough to tickle his ear when she spoke in her native tongue. “I shall miss you too. You are an inventive lover.”
She stepped back and nodded a quick farewell before moving to step onto the saddle on Saa’thaa’s broad back. Even as she prepared to mount, Tusk was bellowing his orders. “We head for home! It is time!” Without so much as a glance around, the Obsidian King started forward. The rest of his people were quick to take his actions for their own.
The great animals and the people started off, only a small number waiting until the wagons had moved out of the courtyard before they left.
Wollis watched with Merros for several heartbeats in silence, and then his voice broke that blissful void. “So you’re imaginative now? I shall tell my mother she should expect nothing less than satisfaction when the two of you finally satisfy your carnal lusts.”
Merros laughed. “She said ‘inventive,’ and you’re a jealous bastard.”
“Maybe.” He shook his head. “You may rest assured it’s been a while since Dretta called me ‘inventive.’” He tilted his head. “Actually, it’s just plain been a while.”
“Will you go back home then?”
“No.” Wollis shook his head. “Apparently I’m deserving of a promotion and a commission within the Imperial Army.”
“Krohan?”
His second nodded. “According to the wizard it was the Emperor’s idea.”
“So you’ll be staying here?”
“Messengers have been sent to gather Dretta and my belongings. She’ll positively have a fit. She’s always wanted to see Tyrne.”
“Where will you stay?”
“There’s a nice little villa in the northern quadrant, not far from the cavalry barracks. You know it. The one with the red brick wall around the entire affair.”
“Indeed I do.” Merros looked to his friend. “You’ll be saying there?”
“I should say. I just bought the damned place.”
“My mind acknowledges that both of us have that sort of money these days, but my heart is still having trouble accepting the notion.” Merros shook his head. “Maybe I should look into finding a place of my own.”
“You? Owning property?” Wollis snorted.
“What?”
“I just thought you’d rent a room at the local brothel and work out a deal. You know, work as bouncer and sample the wares whenever you like.”
“If I didn’t know you were joking, I might have to take offense to that, you northern savage.”
“I’d call you rude, but that would hardly be anything unusual.” Wollis looked away and grinned again. “Planning on settling down with Swech, are you? Going to call her back from her homeland and make an honest woman of her?”
“Gods! I can only imagine.” He spoke with a laugh in his voice that he didn’t completely feel. For the moment at least, he would actually miss her. Perhaps it wouldn’t last, but the woman was interesting enough to keep him alert and exactly mysterious enough to make him want to know her better. That was a rare combination for him.
“Just think, you could have a dozen babies and raise your own little army.”
“Is it just me, Wollis? Or are they possibly the scariest fighters you’ve ever met?”
“No. Their women are the scariest fighters I’ve ever met. Their men are just the biggest fighters I’ve ever met.” He looked at Merros and carefully slid a step away before he continued. “I mean, did Swech even notice you were in there? Because if she was with the likes of Tusk first I’m surprised she’d notice.”
“You’re a swine.”
“I’ve seen you naked. I’m not saying you’re inadequate in that department, but be fair, Tusk is, well, Tusk is just plain large everywhere.”
“I didn’t look.”
“The man had no shame. Saw fresh water and stripped down in front of everyone. I had trouble not looking.”
“You really have been away from Dretta for too long.”
“You have no idea. Those great beasts of theirs were beginning to look appetizing.”
“You have very strange appetites, Wollis.”
“Like I said, it’s been a very long time.”
Merros sla
pped his arm. “Dretta will be with you soon.”
“Not soon enough.”
“There are always the brothels.”
“Dretta would wear my manhood as a necklace.”
“She doesn’t already?”
“You should talk. Was Swech wearing something around her neck as she left?”
“That was just the veil.” He sighed and looked along the path the Sa’ba Taalor had taken. Swech was gone and suddenly he found he was quite tired.
Wollis stared at him for a moment and put a hand on his shoulder without saying a word. That was one of the things he liked about the man. He knew when to quit cracking wise and when to just stay silent.
“Well, no, Nachia. The islands of the Guntha are sinking. I’ve checked on that myself. It’s a slow process, but they are falling back into the sea and nothing can prevent that from happening.” Desh Krohan shrugged. “Well, magic, I suppose, but I haven’t really looked into the matter.”
Nachia rolled her eyes and looked out the window to her suite. The sorcerer was there by her request and she could feel his eyes examining her form. In his defense she was dressed to be noticed. It irked her quite a bit that the man was barely reacting at all.
The sun was rising behind the walls of the palace and the shadows stretched out long fingers that pointed toward the distant Seven Forges.
“So what do you think of the claims that the Sa’ba Taalor have been attacking the Guntha?”
“It seems rather a stretch, doesn’t it?” He paused. “You’ve seen the same maps that I have. I suppose it’s possible that the Taalor have access to the sea, but they certainly don’t have the supplies to build ships of any size, or if they do, they’d have to haul the raw materials for a great distance.”
“The stone that built this castle came from the Wellish Steppes and was carried here by horses and many, many wagons.”
“True enough, but there was a great deal of expense and effort involved.”
“Yes, but how much effort to carry wood to build ships, even if the ships are very large?”
Desh sighed behind her. She turned and saw him staring directly at her face.
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