Having put the purses in the horse’s saddlebags, Tre slapped him on the rump to send him on his way. “Thank you Catherine! You know where to find us.” He then returned to the pile of supplies the hunter’s had brought to see what provisions they could use for their trip.
II
“You can come in Deminar, she’s not here.” The High Councilor entered the ambassador’s office cautiously. The Red Knight waited as Deminar took a seat to the side with his back to the wall.
“What of the slave and guardsman, have they been brought back for questioning?” The Knight continued to read while he waited for Deminar to answer. After a few moments he looked up from the report to face the High Counselor. “Since you have had limited time to understand my method, I will allow you this one instance with the instruction that when I ask a question, I expect an answer. It does not matter if you believe that I may be displeased. I tell you in all candor that any answer will lead to a longer life than silence.”
“No my Liege, they have eluded our best slave hunters and escaped into the mountains.” Deminar did not let the tone of his voice belie any of the emotion that seethed within him. “How dare this one man threaten everything I’ve wrought! He may be immortal, but he commands only fourteen swords while I control every armed man on the continent.” He allowed the steel like self-control that had been his greatest tool in achieving power to subdue his rage.
“I apologize my Liege, I mistook your attention to your reading as a sign not to interrupt. I will of course answer promptly any question you have.” Deminar’s tone balanced respect with a relaxed demeanor.
The Knight sat back and considered the councilor. He had met many men like him. Some have been intelligent enough to become strong leaders, assuming they recognized the instruction they were offered. “Enough said, now tell me what you know of the fugitives and their escape.”
“I have found nothing unusual about the boy, he is just another slave.” Deminar still hadn’t discovered how the Red Knight knew of their absence before he had. “My men are still looking into him, although we’ve been able to account for all his history. What little there was of it.”
The Knight dismissed the young slave. “The boy is of no concern, his only importance was the death sentence you arbitrarily imposed upon him. Your efforts should concentrate on the guardsman.” He leaned forward to emphasize his instruction. “There are many reasons for someone who has the responsibility of power to impose a death sentence Deminar. A whim in a pique of anger at circumstances he dislikes is not one of them, not even for a slave, if for no other reason that it displays a flaw in the ruler’s character that can be exploited by his enemies. What of the guardsman?”
Deminar’s face went flush despite his best efforts at control, “He was not what he seemed. Five years ago he was accepted into the Palace Guard, his history as a trader was well known and the Guard officers thought he would make a dependable guardsman. He supposedly grew up in the Northern Protectorate, however I received a report this morning that confirms our suspicions, none of the information on his youth could be substantiated.”
The Red Knight surprised Deminar with a wry smile. “Do you see the significance councilor? Your magic warders would seem to have need of flesh and blood spies. I’m beginning to believe that the greatest weapons of those who are keeping you bottled up on the coast are your own ignorance and superstition. What else do you know of him?”
Deminar searched for an answer and finally admitted, “We could find no suspicious activities. He was well liked and no one could remember any unexplained actions or absences. He was, for lack of a better term, unremarkable.”
“The hallmark of a excellent spy.” The Red Knight mused. “Are there any other details about him that you’ve come across? Small things, perhaps you would think them unimportant.”
“Well,” Deminar hesitated. “I told my men that they had been sloppy when their report on his trading prior to becoming a guardsman had contained dozens of merchants he purchased from, but none he sold to.” He was loath to give the Knight this information, it was his only lead and he wanted to follow up on it privately. However any benefit is only good if you are alive to take advantage of it.
“It seems that your mythical power is also in need of goods on occasion.” The Knight returned to the reports on his desk. “Have your men continue to search for traders that buy and do not sell, you will not find the traders themselves but you will know them by their sudden and recent disappearance. Have a list of goods that were commonly bought by these traders sent to me as soon as it’s compiled.”
The Knight glanced up briefly, “Now explain to me how the combined efforts of this kingdom’s resources failed to capture one man traveling with a boy? Please keep in mind that this report,” he lifted it for emphasis, “contains a glowing description of your Slave Hunter Corps. I believe you are familiar with this report since it bares your signature as the official responsible for the corps. Correct?”
“Yes my Liege.” Deminar considered the fact that the Red Knight had either assumed or knew that he had men searching for traders who bought but did not sell. “He doesn’t underestimate me and is unconcerned with my knowing that fact. It is time I stopped underestimating him.” His thoughts turned to being two moves ahead of an opponent of equal, or perhaps greater skill to his own. His heartbeat quickened with the realization that this would be a challenge he had never faced before.
“The ‘how’ of their escape is simple to deduce, they had help.” Deminar chose to put subtlety aside in favor of a direct approach, intellect to intellect. “My Liege has already determined that my report on the Hunter Corps is both accurate and complete.” He spoke as a statement of simple fact since he knew the report to be a fair appraisal and credited the Red Knight with the knowledge to recognize it.
Deminar continued his line of reasoning, “The discoveries of spies and clandestine traders however does not eliminate the evidence of unusual activity involved with these mountains, nor does it explain the historic accounts or the strange evidence of the guardsman’s escape. I personally assembled a group of six highly skilled and experienced hunters, any one of which should have been able to return the fugitives. The bodies of all six were found at or near what appeared to be a confrontation with a single man. Four of the men were killed by a predatory animal and only two died of battle wounds.”
The Knight leaned back, “I see you’ve finally decided to start thinking, good. We have a mystery that has kept this kingdom from expanding since its settlement, it’s time to separate fact from fiction. The mysterious aspect needs to be examined and understood, however one thing is clear, there are other aspects that contain no mystery at all. Spies can be caught, men can be defeated, and supplies signify a tangible community.”
“It’s time to examine the Mindow question.” The Knight paused, “It is unclear whether the guardsman had an interest in the boy because he was Mindow, or was merely offended by your stupidity and arrogance, in which case he took the slave to give you personal insult and embarrassment.
“Have the two lead slave dancers brought to me. That is all for now, I’ll summon you when you are required again.” Deminar left the office quickly as rage threatened to overcome his relaxed facade.
III
Long ago when ships first sailed into the natural harbor that would become Kingsport, Paladin chose the hard stone of the harbor’s north slope to begin his settlement. He had hoped that the natural terrain would offer some protection until time allowed them to understand the local weather patterns and plan accordingly.
In the years since the fall, the Mindow have become the sole residents of that original settlement. Few others had any interest in the bare rock and ancient buildings. The descendants of the original builders however found there an advantage they put to good use. They delved deeply into that hard stone to create a sanctuary for all that was saved from the fall, the Mindow Sanctum. Its existence is a strictly held secret known to only a small part of the Mindow
population. Those who carry the secret understand that a single death, their death, would be a small price to pay to keep the Mindow heritage intact.
In addition to the armory, meeting, and training rooms, there are the treasuries. Isabelle often walked the treasuries before a meeting. The busts from palace’s entry hall, which had been spirited away just as the Garden Tiers fell, never failed to renew her hope. They inspired in her a sense of destiny that they would one day return to their pedestals.
Isabelle was greeted by a strange sound as she entered the meeting room. The laughter was soft and quickly muted but unmistakable. “What part of our dilemma do you find amusing?” Her gaze raked across the six seated at the table.
Her arrival completed the council of four woman and three men. The council had been created after the fall to bring order and purpose to the surviving Mindow. To help accomplish these goals it was decided that a woman’s wisdom, which had not been heeded before the fall, should be the deciding vote when discussing the Mindow’s future.
“What were you laughing at?” Isabelle’s disapproval was evident as she took her seat.
Desiree lowered her head and spoke softly, obviously embarrassed, “It seems that our king is no longer our king. The Red Knight has sent him off to the south with instructions that they make a nice place for him by the sea where he can live out his days undisturbed.”
Isabelle was surprised, but it didn’t answer her question. “I still don’t see the humor.”
“You’re right of course,” Daniel spoke up, “from what we’ve heard, it appears that Deminar had slowly poisoned the king with an herb that eats away at a person’s reason. When the Red Knight arrived he found a blithering idiot on the throne.”
“More drooling than blithering now.” Adora added, “They were so worried about the Knight’s arrival that they overdosed the king at the arrival banquet, now he just smiles at shiny things and drools a lot.”
Quiet James began to speak, and as is their habit, the other Elders became silent in respect. Few have known the unspeakable acts of Deminar’s minions as well as James, and lived. Their cruelty to him was vicious. Whether a blessing or a curse, his reason survived while the rest is best left unsaid.
James raised his head and cleared his throat as a slight grin began to cross his lips. “He smiles at shiny things now.” James’ words ended in a muted chuckle as he looked up wistfully. “Ah well, at least someone’s happy, that’s a start.” He shrugged with quiet laughter that could be clearly heard by the shocked assembly. There was a three beat pause before his six fellow Elders joined in.
Daniel turned to Isabelle, “See, don’t blame us, it was James!” Isabelle’s reprimand combined with laughter as she playfully wagged her finger at James. His only response was a sheepish grin.
“We know that our words are unkind,” Gabriel spoke more solemnly, “and are against our beliefs not to wish someone ill for ill’s sake, but power has its own price and we who have so little power ourselves are still only human. Please Isabelle, do not judge a moment’s indulgence too harshly because all too soon we will need to discuss matters that will banish any laughter from our hearts.”
The moment passed and James leaned forward once more, his expression now reflected the weight of his life path’s trials. “The king was never our friend, nor was he our enemy, and while Deminar has been our bane, he is mortal and will in time pass. We have received a report that should give all of you cause to reflect.”
“The morning of the second day after his arrival, the Red Knight brought Deminar to the execution compound. He had every conspirator involved with the king’s poisoning lined up. The Red Knight was seen whispering in Deminar’s ear as the executioner removed each of the conspirator’s heads with no more thought or ceremony than we give the rats we clean from our cellars.”
James paused as he struggled for breath, “Our enemy is not cruelty, it is cold, calculated power. In one day, in a court completely unknown to him, the Red Knight uncloaked and eliminated Deminar’s scheme. I believe the most important fact of this report is that Deminar’s head is still on his shoulders.” He sat back, the toll of his exertion visibly evident.
“So, that’s what happened to the king.” Isabelle took a deep breath and paused before proceeding. “Thank you James.” She bowed her head in respect to her fellow Elder and continued, “We will need to better understand the Knight’s relationship with Deminar, and if possible, find out his plans for our High Councilor. Desiree, the time has come to take some risks. We need you to take over for Alicia at the Ambassador’s Residence. She is good but we need our best listener close to the Knight. Please be very careful and try to avoid direct contact with the him as much as possible.”
Both women’s expression reflected what did not need to be said. Desiree’s hand absently went to the small vial that they all carried, the contents of which would end her life in seconds. Gabriel’s prophecy held true, the laughter that had momentarily touched their hearts just moments before had been thoroughly banished.
“Let’s not be here all night.” Isabelle broke the silence and continued on her agenda. “Dorothia, what have you learned of Raphael and the guardsman?”
IV
“It’s been over a week, don’t you need to go guard your Lord?” Kalibra walked along the rocks that framed the secluded inlet, Yamikura shadowed her from the tree line.
“He is immortal. He will live.” Yamikura’s dispassionate statement of fact did little to dissuade Kalibra.
“I don’t have a weapon and there’s no one here to decapitate anyway. So go, I promise to come find you when I finish my walk.” She faced her friend and motioned for him to go away.
“My presence in no way inhibits your freedom. Think of me as a tree.” Yamikura stood centered in a wide stance, hands crossed in front.
“Trees don’t move.” Kalibra dashed from rock to rock as Yamikura kept pace.
“A deer then.” He added as she stopped.
“I kill deer and eat them.” She smiled.
“You have no weapons.” His tone again stated fact.
“I wouldn’t be so sure if I were you, at this point I’m reasonably confident I have enough incentive to kill you with my bare hands.” She leapt the few rocks that separated them and walked around her guard making a visual assessment. “No, too much grizzle, not worth the effort. You wouldn’t be very tasty.” She concluded.
Yamikura stood unmoving, perfectly centered and balance while Kalibra decided on her next move. She reached up and undid the clasp at her shoulder. Her dress fell to the ground as she displayed herself in nothing but sandals. “As long as you aren’t going to leave my sight, we might as well enjoy the time.”
His eyes met hers then slowly dropped across her body. He circled and gave her at least as detailed a visual assessment as she had given him. Once he had come full circle, he returned to his centered stance and idly gazed out onto the water. “Beautiful,” was his only response.
“Beautiful? That’s it?” She asked in a stunned voice, then lowered and slowed her tone to the seductive ultimate. “Would you not like to take hold of such beauty, to possess it for your pleasure?”
“That would not be possible. One cannot possess beauty, one can only appreciate the pleasure derived from knowing that such unique beauty exists in the world, and to be humbled by the knowledge.” His gaze never wavered from the sea.
“You can possess this beauty.” She took his arm and sinuously wrapped her limbs around his.
“Please forgive me, I was unclear. The beauty I referred to was that of the sea.” If Yamikura had a reaction to Kalibra’s shout of exasperation, he did not show it.
“Your loyalty to your Liege is commendable but misplaced.” She relaxed a bit as she stood to the side, arms crossed. “He is enthralled with his work and I am bored, lonely, and tired of being watched without the customary lust that such watching usually elicits. I am a queen in my own right, and I decide what is proper, he has no say in th
e matter.”
“Agreed.” Yamikura remained composed and serene. “Perhaps it would enlighten you to learn of the instructions I received for this assignment. My Liege cautioned me that you may become increasingly displeased with the circumstances and that I should do whatever I thought necessary to keep the situation stable. He did however leave me with one stern warning, and I quote, ‘She may forget who she’s with when she is in the thrall of excitement, so be very careful of a hidden dagger at her moment of truth. I am very busy and have no time to break in a new captain.’ Unquote.”
Kalibra’s steely glare had no effect on him. “I’m going for a swim.” The sound of her flat, monotone voice faded as she navigated the rocks and dove into the water. Yamikura, his stance, gaze and expression unchanged, thought he noted a slight bit of steam rising from the water where Kalibra dove in.
V
“Yes!” Atheria’s hand brushed the beam. “Next throw.” She thought. In perfect form and rhythm, she turned in mid-air as Simon whirled upright from his back flip to execute a flawless blind catch.
“I never thought we’d have enough practice time to work that out,” Simon’s comment did not interrupt their graceful transition from catch to dance, “but I do miss the performance a little.”
Atheria stopped cold and stared at her partner with concern. “When did you hit your head?” She ran her fingers through his hair to feel his scalp. “I don’t feel any new lumps.”
He pushed her hands away and smiled. “I didn’t say I missed the beatings, or the ugly old matrons who put on enough perfume to knock out a bull, and as for the court dandies,” Simon rolled his eyes. “Practice is fine and not having palace banquets is even better, but there is something about the thrill of performance.” He let his words trail off as he picked up the routine where she had stopped.
“You always did long for the dome light.” Atheria finished her move with a flourish. “I just want to get through this and become a Fourth Tier tender.” She moved closer to whisper in his ear. “Love, compassion, empathy, and all those beautiful flowers in a thousand subtle shades of green.” She pulled away from him and grinned, “One more time and we’ll move on. Okay?”
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