Graedy flinched as Sub-Commander Luhxdal glared at him. ‘I don’t trust you,’ Luhxdal growled standing over the Overseer and glaring down at him. Guli strained to hear the conversation from his hiding place behind the drinks counter of the silahfohr. It annoyed him that he had missed the beginning of the discussion.
‘I don’t know what you mean,’ Graedy said nervously, his eyes flicking to the corners of the crowded room.
‘One of my Guards wonders if you are doing exactly what you are supposed to be doing,’ said Luhxdal, resting his hand on the hilt of his sword.
‘Of course I am.’ Graedy’s attempt at indignation failed when his voice rose an octave in fright.
‘Why is it, that every conversation we have is about money and how you are managing it?’ Luhxdal didn’t wait for Graedy to answer. ‘When are you due back inside the Sanctuary?’
‘I need to be there this evening.’
‘Good. Guard Penn would like a few words with you. He too has a few concerns about how you are managing your work. You will see him as soon as you return to the Sanctuary.’
‘I’m supposed to report to the Empress.’
‘Then you’ll have to move quickly, won’t you? It wouldn’t do to be late.’
Graedy ducked his head nervously and backed away.
‘Oh and Graedy, I want to know if any foreigners try to enter the city. See to it that anyone unusual is brought to me, directly to me.’
Luhxdal watched Graedy go then sat himself at an empty table. Guli was just about to crawl through the rear door of the building when another man he recognized entered the Silahfohr. He returned to his hiding place and pressed his face forward to watch the man through the slight crack where the two sides of the serving counter were badly joined. The man walked directly over to Luhxdal and sat opposite.
‘I told Graedy to come and see you tonight,’ said Luhxdal.
Guard Penn guffawed loudly. ‘I’ll bet the fat bastard just about pissed in his pants!’
‘Probably, he does seem to have a guilty conscience. More to the point, I’m hoping the threat of having to explain himself might help him remember where the money is coming from and who it belongs to.’
‘It might help but I doubt it will make a lot of difference. He already knows you’re watching him like a hawk watches an injured lizard. I doubt we’re the only ones who have a problem with the spineless bastard. I don’t trust him at all. He could have any number of little schemes running behind our backs. Who knows what he’s up to?’
‘I keep him a bit scared, just in case.’
‘The Empress?’ Guard Penn rested his elbows on the table and his head on his clenched fists.
‘The Empress is young.’ Luhxdal leaned back in his chair and put his hands behind his head. His eyes narrowed. ‘But she’s not an easy target. Anyone who attempted to attack her would be dead in seconds.’
‘I agree. Her personal guard is about the fastest thing I’ve ever seen on two legs. And he rarely leaves her side. Have you means to protect yourself from questions, should they arise?’
‘Uh...no...I suppose not.’
Guard Penn held up a small pouch and waved it in Luhxdal’s general direction. ‘Keep this handy. And remember, if you have to use it, don’t overdo it. It’s only Ollneda, but it will kill you if you eat too much of it. One leaf is enough to get you out of trouble. Are you entering the Sanctuary this evening?’ He placed the pouch of Ollneda leaves on the table.
‘Yes. The Empress’ cousin is expecting me.’ Luhxdal’s face was entirely devoid of emotion.
‘Ah. Pevita! Not too bright, but certainly a tasty little dish.’
‘Insulting, but accurate,’ agreed Luhxdal. ‘She’s exactly who I need.’
‘You mean to marry the girl?’
‘All in good time. Tonight I am simply courting her.’
‘So, she’s exactly what you need; a means to an end.’
‘Again you are insulting but accurate.’
Penn grinned and rose from the table. ‘Well, it certainly won’t inhibit my plans. I wish you...success,’ he said, turning away.
Luhxdal snorted and shook his head. ‘Let me know what you find out from Graedy. You know it might be time to do something about his inefficiency. I mean, do we really need him? We know he’s sneaky, conniving, spineless, easily influenced. Those who work beneath him are far more efficient.’
Penn turned back towards Luhxdal, with a bemused expression. ‘It’s strange. I was having that exact thought just as you spoke.’
Luhxdal folded his arms and smiled. ‘You’re my half-brother. It’s bound to happen occasionally.’
Penn frowned and shook his head slightly. ‘Keep that to yourself. It wouldn’t do for people to know the Sub-Commander is related to me. They’d think any promotion I might get comes from favoritism.’
Luhxdal shrugged. ‘As you wish. Sit back down for a moment.’ Penn returned to his seat and looked expectantly at his brother. ‘How do you feel everything is coming along?’
‘It goes reasonably well. I’ve had a few setbacks, but its back on schedule.’
‘Are you sure you want to go through with it?’
‘I have to!’ Penn watched Luhxdal angrily. ‘These are my people! People just like me! I won’t let them down.’
‘Keep the noise down! It’s just such a huge undertaking. I heard there was a problem at your factory.’ Luhxdal stared interrogatively Penn.
‘It’s nothing.’ Penn waved his hand dismissively. ‘There were a few difficulties. So we moved the factory. We have a new building, new workers, so it’s all fixed.’
‘I have no idea where you find the time. If anything else goes wrong, you can’t come running to me, I have enough to deal with inside the Sanctuary right now.’
‘I’ve never come running to you before and I don’t intend to start now,’ Penn said scornfully. ‘You go and chase your woman and I’ll go and interrogate Graedy.’
Luhxdal shrugged, rose from the table and disappeared through the door.
Guli stayed hidden under the counter in confused silence. He frowned when he heard Penn’s voice once again. He pressed his eye to the crack and then drew back sharply. The man standing in front of Penn was definitely a warrior of the fallen. Even at this distance, Guli could see his almost black eyes.
‘We’re ready,’ Penn was saying. ‘Provided there are no unexpected interruptions, I’m certain all will go as planned. And I doubt there will be any interruptions. We have the Empress surrounded by useless servants. Anyone who seemed like they might be even remotely helpful to her, we’ve removed. Unless she calls for help from another country, I doubt we need to worry.’
‘Hmm. Another country.’ The warrior looked at Penn speculatively. ‘Keep an eye on the city gates, won’t you. Cahndrech might be young, but she’s not stupid. Never assume anything. Don’t leave anything to chance. And keep an eye on that soldier from Alkira. I wouldn’t put it past the Empress to send him for help. Have Guard Kaduk keep an eye on him.’
‘I told my brother to watch the city gates for foreigners. Tell me - not that I don’t appreciate your help - why would one of the...er...Free be interested in my business? Penn seemed nervous talking to the warrior and Guli couldn’t blame him. The warrior could kill him easily and disappear before anyone even realized what had happened.
‘You don’t know who my father was, do you Penn?’
‘How would I know that? I know your mother was from Nyinaku. That’s all I know. I have no idea who your father was.’
‘Let me give you a clue. The Empress is my sister- well, half-sister I guess you’d say.’
Penn gave a low incredulous whistle. ‘Does she know?’
‘Of course not, stupid. Do you think Alem was going to admit to having produced me?’
‘But with Alem dead...’
‘That’s right. With Alem dead, no-one would ever believe who I am.’
‘That still doesn’t explain why you want to kill Cahn
drech. Is this about power?’
‘Not power. This is what my people do best. This is about pure, sweet, unadulterated revenge.’
‘But if you kill her, what do you gain? No-one will know who you are, so it makes little difference.’
‘I don’t need a reason. I don’t need to gain anything. I just need to know that Alem has paid for his ignorance.’
‘Alem is dead.’
‘And so will be Cahndrech, when I’m done. Alem’s line will be broken. He would never acknowledge my mother, and for that I will avenge her.’ He hesitated, and for a split second he seemed unsure of himself. ‘They say my people cannot betray their own siblings...I guess we’re about to test that theory. And speaking of betraying siblings, I thought you were going to give that pouch of Ollneda to Luhxdal?’
Penn flushed deep red. ‘I guess I forgot.’
Marlea looked at him speculatively. ‘You forgot. Hmm. Not a problem. I’ll see he gets it,’ he said, scooping up the pouch and stalking from the room.
Penn didn’t move. He wondered why he’d been unable to actually pass his brother the pouch of Ollneda. After several minutes, he left the silahfohr.
Guli stayed where he was for a full ten minutes after the two left. He considered in great depth what he had heard and eventually he came to the only safe conclusion. He’d done everything he’d been paid to do, to date, other than murdering the child, and for that he would make arrangements. He would arrange for people to watch the child’s home, and for others to find him if he attempted to leave the city. He was confident the task would be completed. It was time for him to disappear.
Chapter 2
Gift
‘The Empress of Tatharlia sends her greetings. She wishes you to know that she is not unaware of your current...difficulties,’ the Captain of the ship stated. He stared around in astonishment at the activity within the city of Castle. Little remained standing of the original city other than the castle itself, the curtain walls and the city walls, and a few stone houses, as most of the city had been destroyed when it was overcome by a massive ocean wave. In an ironic twist of fate, the citizens of Castle had evacuated the city and were sailing away to take refuge in the Dwellings, the city of the Daoine Maithe, when the wave struck, and the only people destroyed by the wave were the strange creatures called Nailmarni, who had attacked and occupied the city only hours before the wave destroyed them. Kelian’s parents, King Dannicus and Queen Aithne had been killed by the Nailmarni in their attack, but Prince Kelian had made it safely to the Dwellings where the soldiers of Castle along with the Daoine Maithe had finally faced and defeated the Nailmarni. Newly crowned King, Kelian returned his city of Castle to rebuild, being concerned that any Nailmarni who remained in Alkira might not be the only people who had the potential to take advantage of their weakness. Many of the citizens of Castle were now being housed within the castle and the few remaining buildings such as the castle warehouses, as the work of cleaning away the rubble and rebuilding the city continued. Kelian had chosen the higher ground to the south of the city as the safest place for housing, and he ordered that no-one was to build in places where the wave had destroyed homes. Houses were springing up on the southern hills, roads were being made and a new wall was being constructed around the city. Kelian knew it would be a long time before the wall was complete, and he made sure the citizens were reminded that the safety of the castle was theirs to claim, should the need arise even after the walls were complete. The docks, which had been smashed apart in the massive wave, had been partially reconstructed, but as yet only one single, long jetty stretched into the harbor. Food had been an ongoing matter of concern for Kelian. The first thing he had done when he returned to Castle was to appoint certain people to oversee their food supplies. The ships brought some food from the Dwellings, but Kelian knew it wouldn’t last long enough to see them through until trading could resume between his country of Alkira in the east and neighboring countries of Sagria and Tatharlia to the west. Relations between the east and west had at times been more than a little shaky, but there had been peace for several years and trading had increased dramatically. There had been no trading since the Nailmarni first surrounded Castle, but now a massive Tatharlian ship waited patiently in the harbor and Kelian wondered why they had come in such a large vessel, if not to trade. He watched the vessel hopefully, wondering if it carried food. He had nothing useful to trade, but he would willingly dive deeply into the royal coffers, if it made the difficult task of feeding his people a little easier.
‘The Empress wishes to strengthen the current peace between Tatharlia and Alkira,’ the Captain continued, ‘and she extends an invitation for King Kelian and Queen Elena to visit Tatharlia.’
Kelian’s eyes opened even wider as he considered Captain Mercah’s words, and he hesitated, not knowing how he should answer the Captain. He glanced sideways at Administrator Tappy who was staring at the huge ship shrewdly. He caught Kelian’s glance and without missing a beat, he replied, ‘His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen are most pleased to accept the Empress’ invitation.’
‘Wonderful!’ Captain Mercah exclaimed, seeming relieved. ‘The Empress will be delighted.’ He took a small colorful polished stone from his pocket and held it out. The sun struck the stone and Kelian could see blue, green, pink and yellow in its depths. ‘The Empress sends this stone as a token of friendship.’ He dropped the stone into Kelian’s hand and the King smiled.
‘Please convey to the Empress our greetings and thank her for her invitation. Please inform her that we will indeed visit as soon as...’ Kelian’s voice trailed away as he thought of how much work remained.
‘As soon as the King’s ship is made ready,’ Tappy finished firmly, looking meaningfully at Kelian.
‘Wonderful!’ said the Captain once again. ‘Now, may I instruct my crew to unload the Empress’ gift?’
‘Gift?’ Kelian echoed, looking at the Captain of the ship in surprise.
‘Yes. A gift,’ Captain Mercah repeated firmly. ‘The Empress expected you might have need of some supplies since the unjustified attacks on your cities. My ship is filled with food and many useful items.’
‘Please inform her of my appreciation,’ said Kelian sincerely.
‘Majesty, I wonder if I can ask for a special favor,’ Mercah eyed Kelian worriedly.
‘Ask,’ ordered Kelian.
‘There is a woman aboard my boat, a Tatharlian woman with her two children. She has done nothing wrong, but her husband fears for her safety. He asked me to take her and her children from the city. I will swear upon my own life they are not spies and will do you no harm. Would you be willing to keep her here in safety?’
Kelian opened his hand and studied the beautiful stone once again. ‘I will ensure the lady and her children are kept safe. You have my word.’
‘Thank you!’ Mercah sounded like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. ‘This is a beautiful place,’ he said as he gazed towards the hills south of Castle. ‘Or it was. I mean no disrespect Majesty, in view of the tragedy which has befallen your city. But I can see how good this land is, and I know our visit must seem...may I speak to you alone at your convenience, Majesty?’
‘Of course,’ said Kelian. ‘I have matters to which I must urgently attend. I will return to the docks at midday.’
Kelian waited until they passed through the city gates and before speaking to Administrator Tappy who was eyeing the King nervously as they walked. Once they were far enough from the docks to be unheard by the Tatharlians, Kelian stopped and turned to his Administrator. ‘You’d better have a good reason,’ he stated crossly, ignoring the amused faces of his guards.
‘I’m sorry Majesty, but I can explain,’ said Tappy, looking quite distressed.
‘I’m supposed to have met Marnol and some of the others in the conference room over an hour ago, so you can give me your explanation once we get there.’
‘Yes Majesty,’ said Tappy, and his face turned red with emb
arrassment as several of the King’s guards deliberately turned away to hide their amusement. King’s Marshall Danil frowned at them sternly.
Kelian stopped walking and placed his hand on Tappy’s shoulder. ‘I’m sorry Administrator. Just so you know, I trust your judgment implicitly. If you say I need to go to Tatharlia to visit the Empress, then I know it is imperative I go. I just can’t pretend I have any idea why, and it’s such a damned inconvenient time! But I know you will have sound reason for replying to Captain Mercah as you did. My mother and father always said you were an exceptional Administrator, and had more knowledge of how best to run Alkira than all the nobles put together, and from what I’ve seen I think that was an understatement. I truly don’t know what I’d do without you, Tappy.’
Tappy smiled at Kelian. ‘Thank you, Majesty. It is crucial you go. The-’
‘I can wait until we reach the conference room Administrator,’ Kelian cut in. They remained silent until they reached the castle.
Kelian entered the conference room and instructed those gathered to be seated. He was pleased to see Princesses Lerise and Jade had recovered sufficiently from their recent illness to be in attendance and Princess Amy and Duke Laughlin from Tarlique were also present, along with King’s Colonel Borgulnay and King’s Captain Gilgarry, brother to Queen Elena. King’s Captain Borgulnay was entirely smitten with Queen Elena’s younger sister Immosey, who had no objections to his attention.
‘What just happened down there Tappy,’ asked Kelian, gesturing towards the docks.
‘Something’s wrong,’ Tappy stated firmly. ‘Even though we’ve not had open war between Tatharlia and Alkira in years, the relationship has always been reserved.’
‘Sending us an entire ship of supplies isn’t exactly reserved,’ agreed Kelian. ‘So what do they want?’
‘I don’t know,’ said Tappy honestly, ‘but the Empress is willing to pay for your visit with a shipload of goods at the very time we need them so badly.’
‘And what if I’d said no? To the visit I mean.’
The Fallen (Book 1) Page 55
