The Traitor of Tyiku

by Edeline Wrigh

  "Somehow the Sralossan scum has learned about the damn prophecy."

  Eryx was shaking more. He sat down, almost as if he could no longer stand. Minndi fumed, looking around at the three soldiers and Jaklyn as if trying to decide who to blame. Alikos was fighting the urge to get closer to Jaklyn. Arro was unaffected by Minndi's demeanor, but was deciding what to do. Jaklyn took liberties with Minndi's mind and pulled out a few thoughts.

  It was she who spoke. "Do you think that someone betrayed us?"

  It was a dangerous move. Minndi glared, taking steps toward her. The redhead was no taller than Jaklyn, but she still felt Minndi towered over her before she raised her voice again.

  "Yes, you mind-intruding bitch. I think someone betrayed me. And I think you had better give me the name of every person you told about your mind powers and the prophecy, or I will have you put away for treason until the end of all the bullshit."

  "Minndi-"

  "Your Highness. Don't you dare call me 'Minndi.'"

  What? "I'm sorry, Your Highness. I apologize. I have told no one about the prophecy, and the only people who knew about my magic were one of my slums friends and my father-"

  "Well, no wonder then. This is why you warned me against slums people, isn't it, Arro?"

  "They didn't even know a prophecy existed-"

  "Yes, but they know you're here, and they know you've got a power. Sralossa knows there's a prophecy. I can put two and two together."

  Jaklyn felt herself crying. "None of my friends would have bothered. They don't care enough."

  "You know the slums suck as much as I do, Jaklyn Klain. Don't tell me they wouldn't have done something if someone gave them the promise of getting out of them."

  She paused. She wasn't sure what "suck" meant in this context, but... she couldn't deny that someone may have given her up. It was exactly the type of thing her father would do.

  "Say something, Jaklyn."

  She slid down the wall and sat. Throwing her head against it, closing her eyes, and biting her lip, she took a moment to say, "You're right. I know at least one of them would have."

  Minndi smiled in victory. "And this is the exact reason that you are not supposed to keep secrets from Your Highness. The entire operation could have been compromised had they found you when you were gallivanting through the streets. They could have recognized you easily with magic."

  "I'm sorry."

  "You'd better be."

  "How do you know they've learned that Jaklyn's the Object of the prophecy?" Alikos asked slowly.

  Minndi gave him an icy stare. Her eyebrow twitched. "Because, Alikos, we have this thing called a 'mage' who can do things like, I don't know, scry."

  Arro sighed. Jaklyn could read that he didn't care much for the empress. That was an interesting tidbit. "Minndi, how clearly did the mage See it?"

  "Clearly enough."

  "Do you have any doubt-"

  "None."

  He nodded. Jaklyn buried her face in her knees. Eryx hadn't stopped shaking, though he was now making efforts to hide it. Alikos formed a tight fist by his side when the empress wasn’t looking, but seemed calm otherwise.

  "What do we do now?" Eryx asked. His voiced trembled.

  "Now, I give a speech to the citizens of Tyiku to let them know that I am the one with the One, Jaklyn is to be supervised at all times, and you three will do your best not to act like idiots."

  "How, exactly, am I going to be supervised?"

  "A soldier is to camp out in your room at night. You must be accompanied wherever you go, regardless of your activity or what room you're in. And," she added, with a look of malice, "you are to come to the palace whenever I ask to have your brain scoped by the palace mind reader."

  Her jaw dropped. Minndi didn't fool around.

  "Yes, Your Highness."

  Minndi snickered. "Well, I guess I need to give a speech to the populace now. Let them know that we do, in fact, have the Object, and she's safe."

  "Is that wise, Your Majesty? Could you be mistaken about what the enemy knows?"

  "I doubt it. The vision was crystal clear."

  "Alright, Your Majesty."

  "Now, I am going to speak to my organizer about the event. I imagine he'll have a lot to do. So, I must be going. Guard our Object well. And don't you dare let her out of sight."

  Chapter 10

  Those working for the empress knew how to attract a crowd.

  A mere three days after Minndi declared she was going to give a speech, crowds flooded around the designated building a few blocks down from the slums. The organizers had rented out a decrepit two story building with a balcony, and they renovated it in less than two days. What had once been brown, crumbling granite now appeared to be the finest turquoise, embellished with gold, silver, bronze, and crystals.

  Magic could work wonders. Jaklyn was convinced that was all they had done to it. There was no way she'd believe they'd done that high quality of work in such a brief period.

  It seemed a different kind of magic had overtaken the crowd. The building was not only selected for its balcony but also for its location. Unlike her predecessors, Minndi recognized there was a potential ally in the slums population. She made it a point to allow them information about what was happening at the palace—at least, as much access as the nobles were allowed, which was selective.

  Even so, with everyone dressed up, it was apparent who was affluent and who wasn't. The poorer people gave a better showing; part of this was because of the larger number of people in poverty, and part of it was the percentage of nobles who refused to put themselves in such company.

  The few nobles in the crowd stood out like gems in dress clothes against the old and tattered clothing of those less fortunate. Though they had shown up to be members of the eclectic crowd, they were reluctant to mingle with the slums people around them. They had reason—when ever a noble made eye contact with the wrong person, groups of poor people would descend on them. The more generous nobles gave handouts to the first four or five groups, but by the tenth, even they grew frustrated.

  Jaklyn had convinced Alikos to allow her to dress down for the occasion—way down, in fact, so that she could more easily blend into the crowd. As a noblewoman, people would watch her, would wonder about her, and would even approach her. She'd be in the spotlight.

  As a slums girl, she'd be noticed by no one but those whose job was to pay attention to her. This, she argued, would give her the ability to read minds for potential dissenters.

  Really, she just wanted to be left alone.

  Now, she waded through the crowd, always within sight of Alikos but without giving him much thought. As she passed by those she had attended school with, she cringed. She was falling further behind with every day, and her penalty homework assignments were stacking up in her absence.

  With a sigh, she turned on her magic. She was determined to make herself useful.

  Wow... I didn't know this place even existed... She sure is taking her time, and in this weather, too... Just like her parents... I bet people will drop things as the leave, I should move toward that group in the dresses... Is that her? She's so much younger than I'd imagined... This clothing is itchy, it's a wonder some people still make a living... I don't think that's Minndi, but if that girl can stop this war I don't care... I hate her, she'll be as bad as they were unless someone brings her down too... Bitch killed Diveldo... I wonder if I forgot to lock my house up, I hope nothing gets stolen... Oh, it looks like the empress is about to speak...

  Jaklyn snapped her magic off and turned toward the balcony. Minndi was stepping forward and surveying the crowd of people below her, a look of triumph plastered on her face. After a moment, the sound of instruments marched over the people below, making the mass turn toward Minndi and go silent as one. Once they came to the end of their brief number, Minndi took a breath and began.

  "To the loyal gentlemen and ladies that consider themselves my subjects: Allow me to wholeheartedly welcome you her
e today. I am eternally grateful for your support. I cannot stress enough how much I appreciate your efforts to accept and to assist an unfamiliar face on the throne, especially given the stresses put upon us in these times. I know who you are, and it is my will that we give you your due reward at the end of these battles.

  "I know, however, that several you are less than thrilled with my placement on the throne. Perhaps it is uncouth of me to mention it, but I suspect a number of you would be more content had the Sralossan's attempt to take my life been successful. I hope that you will reconsider your position. If you do not," she paused here to smirk at the audience, "rest assured that, when I learn of your treason, you will feel the full weight of my fury in time.

  "To those who support me and those who do not alike: Let it be known that I will be the victor of this war. The Sralossans have attacked, and we won those battles. Their attacks had a goal. Not only did they wish to kill the very people standing next to you, not only did they wish to cause chaos in our beautiful land, but they also wished to find a specific person. They have discovered a prophecy that they believe will be an integral part of their war strategy. This prophecy states that there is One who will determine the outcome of this war, and one of the new ruler’s own attacked them. We believe they know who this One is, they simply do not know where the One lives.

  "Do not fear. I have wonderful news for the righteous who support their crown: I have the One on my side. I have had several magicians trained in the analyzation of prophecies that agree she is the One, and it has been revealed to me that she is a mage herself. She is being kept under close supervision, and she is loyal to not only me, but Tyiku itself.

  "We are in grim times. We have been pulled apart by schemes of the enemy, we have had to hide and run for our lives. Blood has been spilled on the streets outside our homes, and children have cried at the realization that their fathers will never return. Yet, you all stand where you are, and I stand where I am. We have lost a lot, but we have not lost everything. If you will put your spirits forward, if you will fight for what is rightfully ours, you will not lose everything. We have what it takes to win. We have strength in numbers, we have a history of prosperity. We have new ideas to work with, and we have old knowledge to guide us. We have resolution, and above all, we have the One that will see us into the new day. Do not despair, my subjects; it is not yet time to compare losses and gains..."

  Minndi's speech continued on for another ten minutes, and the crowd had varied reactions. Many people were still dubious about supporting the young leader. A greater number were now willing to give her the assistance she needed, either out of fear, out of conviction, or out of faith. Jaklyn did her best to focus on what Minndi was saying in her closing remarks, but it was hot and she couldn't help but feel weak.

  As she was struggling, a short man in brown clothes approached her. He whispered a phrase into her ear, and it filled her with a sense of calm and internal warmth, as if she had just taken a sip of warm, delicious tea. She felt tired but giddy, and when he beckoned her to follow him, she couldn't help but feel wonderful about the decision.

  He led her out of the crowd and down the street. Somewhere at the edge of her mind she could hear footsteps following them, footsteps of her guardian and his assistants, but she couldn't be bothered to be concerned—this man had been kind so far, he was not a danger...

  It wasn't until they turned the corner and he threw her into the arms of groups of muscled men that she was scared. Her arms were heavy, and she couldn't fight them. She was awake, she was alive, but the man's words had made her lose control of her body. She wanted to fight, to scream, but she had no control over her mouth or legs. She laid in the hold of a blue-eyed man who smiled at her as she laid helpless.

  She was certain she was going to die, even as she heard the footsteps of Alikos, Eryx, and Arro turn around the corner. She could hear them arguing with these strangers, could hear angry insults, then grunts and clangs. Are they fighting? She couldn't look to be certain, but it sounded like it....

  She felt ground, but it didn't hurt. Her captor had taken care setting her down before running off to fight. Staring into the bright sky, she felt her eyelids grow heavier, and she felt warm and comfortable. Here it comes now, she thought. Death is soothing. Her eyes shut, and she descended into internal darkness. Had she had muscle movement, she would have been smiling.

  Jaklyn looked at herself in a mirror. She was weak; whatever incantation the man had used had not worn off, and she didn't think she could move if she tried. The room was dark. She waited in silence, trying to remember where she was and how she got here. She heard noises and conversations outside the door, though she couldn't quite pinpoint where that was until someone opened it, blinding her with the light from the hallway. They lit the room as they entered.

  "What do you know about the palace's intentions in this war?" one of them began the interrogation.

  She said nothing.

  "Who is this 'One' they talk about? What does she look like? Answer me!" His hand slapped against her lip.

  She scorned him with her eyes.

  "Would you prefer that we start with an easier question? What is your name?"

  "Jak."

  He snickered. "Full name?"

  "Jak… Phoenix."

  The two men exchanged glances, and an understanding passed between them.

  "Thanks for telling us. We might have used rope had you not told us."

  Great. "I'm glad I could oblige."

  "Now, what do you know about the One?" He gave her only a second to answer. He didn't expect her to. "What plans are going on at the palace?"

  She spit at him. That was a mistake. Within a moment, they clasped both of her arms in their hands, dragged her struggling body to the corner, and made use of the shackles on the wall.

  "Don't be a pain, girl. You don't have any power here. Answer our questions and we'll probably leave you alive. Who is the One?"

  "Look, if you don't start answering our questions, we're going to call in a mind mage."

  "I'm not afraid of mind mages."

  "Of course you're not." He smiled. "But since you've given 'permission', I suppose I'll get her."

  He left her under the eye of the other guard. He looked her over and stared too long at the holes in her top.

  She wished she could burn him with her eyes. She was glad when the other soldier came back into the room followed by a person she couldn't quite see.

  But then the person stepped into the torchlight and Jaklyn could make out who, exactly she was.

  She gasped. "Ezra!"

  "I am surprised you know of my name."

  "We met, remember?"

  "Young one, I have never before set my eyes upon you."

  Oh. She's playing dumb. Jaklyn realized. She stopped talking.

  "Do you know who the One is?" one soldier asked again.

  Ezra's face lit up in surprise in response to Jaklyn's mind.

  "She knows who the One is," she told the man, "indeed, it is her."

  "Her?"

  "Yes."

  Ezra appraised her, scowling. Jaklyn could feel her slowly enter into her mind, surfing through her current thoughts...

  She pushed back. She saw scenes flicker in Ezra's mind... papers detailing the prophecy, an archway covered in flames with symbols written down the sides. There was something important about this archway, something that had to do with the One...

  Ezra pushed deeper into Jaklyn's mind.

  Jaklyn saw how well their plan was going to work. She panicked for a moment before realizing what she'd have to do: use her magic without knowing what the consequences would be.

  She drew from the power within her and forced a block around her mind. She concentrated on it to the point that she could feel it surrounding her very brain. Her thoughts evaporated bit by bit until her only focus was on the magic, and nothing else found a place in her brain to live. It reminded her of the relaxation meditation she had been taught.
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br />   Like meditation, she drew so much into herself that she was no longer aware of anything but the feel of the magic around her brain. She no longer felt the floor beneath her or the shackles that held her against the wall. She couldn't hear the voices of the other people in the room. She could barely see them and could not register their irritation as they continued asking her questions only to get absolutely no response from her.

  She knew vaguely that their mouths had stopped moving several minutes earlier. She allowed the magic to ease up, but she couldn't get it all out of the tissues of her brain. She could still feel it seeping in deeper.

  And she couldn't make it stop.

  "Why couldn't you see anything in her mind, Ezra?"

  "She put up a block."

  "A block?"

  "She has mind magic as well. Perhaps more powerful than my own."

  "So, all we've found out is that she's the One and that she's a powerful mind mage."

  "That's enough, though."

  "Indeed."

  The shackles that held Jaklyn in her place were uncomfortable once she noticed there were there again. She fought against them uselessly.

  "What do we do with her?"

  "Well, we can't kill her."

  "I beg your pardon, but I believe I am going to take my leave," Ezra said and left the room.

  The man who had stared at her earlier looked down the hallway and waited until he couldn't see Ezra any longer. "We could have fun with her," he suggested to the other man.

  The other man smacked him. “They could hang us if we do something the boss doesn't approve of."

  Jaklyn blinked her eyes to clear them of the clouds that had formed while she had been in her magical reverie—that apparently was not fully over. She couldn't remember why she had brought it on.

  She also couldn't remember why she was in this dungeon, shackled to the wall, or who the men talking about her in such ways were. She struggled to remember who their leader was but met only a wall of magic. Why would this mysterious figure care about her fate more than about that of other prisoners?

  "Excuse me," she started with feigned politeness; it was an effort when in such a position as she was in, "what exactly are you talking about? You're saying that I'm 'the One'… What do you mean?"