by John O.
Two men, clad in black emerged from the bush, one of which rushed towards Ziri while the other looked around.
“She’s dead,” one man replied after having checked for her pulse. “The plan was never to kill them. We need three of them alive.”
“How was I supposed to know she would be too stupid not to abandon her horse in time? I thought they were trained for this sort of thing!” the other countered, to the glare of his companion, “Quit complaining and join me to find the other.”
Immeasurable anger enveloped Surita as she heard of Ziri’s demise. She vowed to herself that these men, and whoever sent them, would pay dearly. With resolve, she reached for two carefully hidden knives within her bodice and readied herself.
She felt insulted that these men would show themselves in the open, while knowing that the two Spyinmes they hunted were still at large. Fearless, stupid, or ignorant, she concluded as she launched her knives simultaneously. With force, the knives hit true, impaling the skulls of both men instantly. Unappeased, Surita suppressed every urge to reveal herself. They were dead, of that she was certain. However, it made no sense that only two men would attempt to capture three Spyinmes. No. There had to be others, she reckoned. Two things caused her to worry. First, Julya Rose was yet to show any sign of being alive. Second, if there were indeed more attackers, it was possible that one of them would possibly detect where she hid from the trajectory of the knives that killed the men. But after waiting for what seemed like an eternity, she decided to show herself. With caution, she stood and began walking towards where she last saw Julya. She half expected darts to come flying at her as she walked, but nothing happened. On getting to the location, she noticed a piece of Julya’s garment, amidst other signs, that suggested a struggle.
It was only then that she realized what must have occurred. The two men had been looking for her only, for their accomplices had already bested and captured Julya. Realizing that searching for Julya now would be futile, Surita quickly went back to examine the corpses of the men she had slain. If only she had a horse, she thought as she rushed towards the bodies. She would easily have conveyed them back to the court for detailed examination. All she could do now was to examine for clues and take whatever evidence she could find that will enable the HN to locate Julya and conduct a detailed investigation. There was also the matter of Ziri’s body. Had she time, she would have dug a makeshift grave for all three bodies and returned for them later. Yet, she was fully aware that time was not on her side. As soon as the other kidnappers realized that their comrades had spent too much time in capturing her, they would return.
Quickly now, she ransacked the bodies of one of the men, a knife here, poisoned darts there, nothing that could help identify who they were and where their motives lied. Professionals, she concluded. They must have stripped themselves of any links to their master in anticipation of failure. Then she spotted something−a black-star tattoo on the upper arms of both men. She had no idea what that meant, but her instincts told her it would prove to be enough if only she could escape this place alive.
Thinking on her feet, she quickly lifted Ziri’s body and proceeded towards the West Forest. She would attempt to bury Ziri with shrubs before making her way to the Main Farm. Her decision was illogical by all justifications, but that was exactly her strategy, for the attackers would expect her to either proceed on foot for the court, or attempt to return to the Ispris residence. The only thing that worried Surita was that the forest itself was rife with perils of its own.
“No honor in battle, no virtue in death,” she reminded herself aloud.
4
He heard the Ispri speaking to a man whose voice he hadn’t heard before. It was not abnormal, for many who were strangers to the temple sought out the Ispri for advice over one issue or the other.
“I’m here to see the boy you spoke of,” he heard the man say.
“Yosi, you mean,” replied the Ispri. “He’s in the library, I believe. Let me summon him.”
“Yosi!”
“On my way, Holy Father,” replied Yosi as he half-ran towards the hall. Stumbling in, he came face to face with a man whom he recognized from the register as the HN, Ruki Sen. With him were two Leades which he also knew about from the information contained in the register.
Standing erect to his full height of six feet and two inches, the HN spoke with a voice full of charisma, “Good day to you.”
“Good day…” Yosi hesitated, at a loss for words on how to refer to the HN.
“‘My lord’ will do,” Ruki Sen smiled. “I have heard quite a tale about your gifts, boy. A man like me has little faith. Until I have tested for myself, the Ispri’s words about you are as dust for all I care.”
“Ruki, show some reverence for your uncle, if you won’t show any to the priest,” replied the Ispri fondly.
“Tell me of these two men with me,” the HN asked Yosi.
“From the accounts of the register, with you are Leades Rosi Lite the Merciful and Ron Riten the Ruthless. They were recruited by your father from the central orphanage alongside another who was eventually dismissed for rape. His whereabouts remain unknown till this day.”
Impressed, but determined to give nothing away, Ruki Sen maintained a fixed gaze on the boy as if to prod him for more information.
Disconcerted, Yosi continued, “By the way you keep these two around you, it is clear that of all ten Leades, you trust them the most.”
“Well said boy. It is no small feat to recall all this from that massive register. However, you wouldn’t be the first with an ability to memorize.” Speaking slowly now, he said, “Listen to the following story…” He went on to narrate a long riddle with about twenty seemingly incongruous clues without making any attempt to repeat them for Yosi’s benefit.
“How long do I have, my lord HN?” Yosi asked when it was evident that the HN was done.
“As long as you need. However, your time will determine whether or not the words of the Ispri hold any merit. You wouldn’t want to be the one to lead me to believe he is a liar now would you?” Ruki Sen replied, enjoying every moment of the interaction.
Silence ensued as Yosi contemplated the riddle. Ten minutes and three counts later, Yosi gave his answer.
Ruki Sen replied, “I can rest easy, knowing that there is veracity to the Ispri’s claim. Your time is only one count longer than the record holder for this puzzle. I am more than impressed.”
“Why, thank you Sire,” Yosi sheepishly replied.
Switching his gaze to the Ispri, Ruki Sen said, “Dear uncle, did you solve it before he did?”
“I still haven’t put the clues together, I must admit,” replied the Ispri with a smile.
The sight of corpses of men and horses in the middle of the street jolted Yosi from his reverie. As he rode closer, he noticed protrusions from the heads of bodies. They appeared to be the hilts of throwing knives. An ambush must have occurred here, he concluded as he alighted from his horse to examine the men. Spyinme knives, he realized. Examining the bodies for clues, he spotted the tattoos on the men. While it was familiar, he wasn’t exactly sure of where he had seen them before. It was clear to him, however, that these were the hunters, and the Spyinmes were the prey. The wounds on the bodies were fresh, too fresh, that he proceeded with caution. There was no telling as to whether whatever transpired there was truly over.
He decided to mount the bodies onto the chariot, and ride into the cemetery. He had with him the key to the Ice Hall used to preserve the bodies of noblemen until a proper State burial could be conducted on their behalves. He was going to defy tradition by storing these carcasses in the same hall that would house Ruki Sen’s body for the time being. It was justified, he reasoned. For it was possible that preserving these bodies as clues would go a long way in solving the puzzle that prematurely ended the lives of Ruki Sen’s and many others.
As he finished and began riding away from the cemetery, Surita Stone did not realize that she had just miss
ed her rescue; for she was not yet deep into the West Forest. In fact she had hidden in silence when she heard the hooves of Yosi Sint’s horses, fearing the return of the kidnappers. Upon hearing the horses depart, she resumed her treacherous journey through the forest.
The Island Hall was an agglomerate of smaller units, from offices to stores to orphanages, and many more. Amongst these units was the healer, Jorraine Sint’s, workroom. He was speaking with a girl who had an odd protrusion from her neck, when his daughter Maya Sint, leader of the Spyinmes, walked in.
“Father. My apologies for coming unannounced−I have interesting…” on noticing the little girl, Maya realized she was interrupting a consultation. “Forgive me. I’ll wait for you in your office.”
“Not to worry, Maya. I‘ll be with you shortly,” Jorraine replied as he returned his attention to his patient. The sight of his daughter always inspired in him great joy. Not that he was particularly proud of her. But he saw her ever so less often these days and as such, he missed her deeply. The illness of the patient before him was befuddling. He could not understand why a gland in her neck swelled inexorably. He was yet to ascertain the cause, rendering it almost impossible to brew an antidote. It was due to cases like this that he sometimes had doubts about continuing in this field. The sadness that came with the realization of a patient’s imminent demise was sometimes too much for him, as was in this case. Hurriedly, he gave her a palliative to ease her pain as he dismissed her to return on the morrow.
“Maya child,” he said as he strode into his office.
“How fares it with you, father?” Maya replied as they hugged each other.
“As well as can be, thanks to the Almighty Spirit.”
“And mother?”
“In excellent condition dear. So tell me, what brings you here?”
“It’s Yosi, father.”
“What of him? Has he been hurt?” Jorraine asked with a dread-laden voice.
“You worry too much,” laughed Maya. “Contrary to your fears, Yosi now sits as the HN of Lionea.”
“Oh my…” he replied taken aback. “I had no idea. I was only fuming that he is yet to return with the Astragalus I asked him to obtain from the East Forest.”
“He has the plant alright. But certain matters of State have besieged him, and I’m sure he will find a way to get it across to you. For one, he had to slay Leades Marc Even and Jetsi Foté shortly after assuming his title.”
“And why would he do that?” Jorraine asked, wide-eyed.
“They challenged his claim before us all. I tried to stop Marc, knowing Yosi’s skill at the sword. In any case, it’s done now. Tensions are sure to escalate.”
“How is Ruki Sen? I’ll be surprised if he still lives.”
“Not well. From what I saw during the meeting, he should be with the goddess by now.”
“Did he tell you anything about his illness?”
“Nothing except that it was incurable,” she lied. She trusted her father, but couldn’t risk divulging any details of Ruki Sen’s attack and eventual poisoning. “Why do you ask?”
“Well, he never told me how he came upon the illness. It was no ordinary illness, however. He was poisoned like his predecessor. I fear for Yosi now that he has inherited the mantle. With the deaths of Marc and Jetsi, he may even have more enemies.”
After some silence, Maya said, “The best we can do is watch over and protect him. He has survived far worse.”
“Indeed, my child.”
“Unfortunately, I must be on my way now, father.”
“I understand. Try to see your mother when you can dear. She misses you a great deal.”
“I’ll try,” she said as she departed.
Leade Roy Ni emerged from the training hall earlier than was expected. While practicing, he had figured out where his brother must have gone and why. If he was able to, then there was a high possibility that another would figure it out in time. He had to warn Remy, he decided. With a smile that was barely genuine, he made his way towards Zach and requested of him, “Permit me leave to collect a debt. A merchant, Ruck Ludo, who resides in the Even province owes me. He promised to pay this morning. It is past the Sun’s Hour and yet he is nowhere to be seen.”
“Permission granted,” Zach replied.
As Roy Ni departed, Rosi Lite was all too aware that it was but a ruse. Remy was yet to return from ‘feeding his birds’ and Roy suddenly felt the need to go after his debtors. No. Those two were headed for the Even province with ulterior motives.
When he was sure that Roy was well away, he decided to share his concerns with Zach. “Clever ones, those twins. It seems to me that they intend to collude with those in the Even province who bear ill will towards the new HN. Roy will attempt to cover his tracks by going to Ruck Ludo’s abode indeed. But if I’m correct, they will somehow send word to Stev Even.”
“Word of what?” inquired Zach.
“My guess is that if Stev is made aware that the HN rides alone on the treacherous Cemetery Street, an assassination attempt can more easily be passed off as a normal attack by bandits. Remy has a fair head start. Perhaps Roy, who could barely depress his distaste for the HN, could wait no longer to discover whether or not Remy was successful.”
“You accuse these men of treason, Rosi.”
“Is it beyond them?” Rosi smirked, unconcerned with the alarm in Zach’s voice. “It is no longer news to you that I suspect there is something odd about those two.”
“Odd does not translate to treachery.”
“Yes but consider this. HN Ruki never assigned tasks of great importance to them. Do you not think it was deliberate? Your father was adept at reading people. If I can sense their ill will from a mile away, how much more him? You should have them followed at the very least. But if I were you, I would do even more than that. Best not to take any chances.”
Zach considered it briefly before making a decision. “If Stev Even were to make any move, it is possible that he would waylay the HN as he returns through Cemetery Street. Poisoned darts most likely, for Stev has already witnessed firsthand what the HN can do with a sword. Rosi, tail Roy. Be careful that he doesn’t make you out. Once you’re past the Even Province’s gates, confer with Melly Eifel. I reckon she is the Spyinme assigned to the front end of the Even Province at this time. If she has already seen Stev ride out, then we may be too late, for the HN should be making his return journey by now. Please hurry. In the meantime, I will discuss with the Spyinme running central reconnaissance.”
Rahel Ni, whose current duty was to observe all occurrences within the hall, watched as the two Leades departed. She wondered how Zach knew of Melly’s duty post. Maya Sint had taken great lengths to ensure that no single Spyinme had a fixed post. The posts were rotated on a shift basis so for one such as Zach, who apparently wasn’t close to Maya, to know a Spyinme’s duty post at a given time, he must have figured out the logic with which Maya used to rotate the spies. The logic itself wasn’t entirely complex: each field Spyinme did eight-hour shifts, rotating around each province. If a Spyinme had been assigned to watch the front end of the Even Province from two hours before the Crow’s Hour to the Hen’s Hour yesterday, then that Spyinme would watch the Foté Province for the same duration today. After having gone around each province in a clockwise manner in relation to the map of Lionea, then the cycle would be repeated, the difference being that the time of duty would change in a clockwise-like manner.
Rahel knew it wasn’t far-fetched for Zach to know the names of all the Spyinmes. But it was next to impossible for him to keep track of the daily movements of the Spyinmes, even if he was aware of the order in which they moved. Or was it possible that Melly had told Zach of her post? Why would she? Bewildered, she decided to go after him.
He had just emerged from the reconnaissance room of the Spyinme when Rahel appeared before him.
“Leade Zach Sen, if I am correct. You must have dispatched pigeons to Cemetery Street with the hope that the HN will rece
ive your warning and detour from that route. The only problem is, if Stev is already in place, there is a chance that he would also be warned that his plan has been discovered.”
“Your concerns would have been valid, if the prime objective was to arrest him in the act. However, we only seek to ensure that the HN lives. Hence, it matters not if Stev discovers he has been made. It even helps our cause, for he will likely refrain and retreat. I trust you are aware that this is confidential.”
“Clever man, you are. And yes, I am aware. But answer me this. How did you know of Melly Eifel’s exact duty post? Did she tell you?”
“Oh that,” he said smiling. “No she didn’t. You see, I try to keep track of the locations of every security operative on this Island in my mind. It is a mental exercise I have engaged in since I was a child. At the week’s end, I think about the operatives; where they were each day of that week, where they were first appointed to work, their transfers, and working hours. I then make a prognosis of where they will work each day of the coming week. It is not easy I admit, but I have gotten accustomed to the routine of you Spyinmes, so I no longer need to ponder for long before figuring out who is assigned to what. Perhaps it is time for Maya to adjust the routine lest ill-doers take advantage.”
“You sure are a highly gifted man!”
“You call this a gift?” He replied, all emotion now absent on his countenance, “I think not. If you were to consistently engage in mental exercises, you will easily do what I do in no time.”
“Tell me then, do you play Strag?”
“Not in a while. Why?”
“I was wondering if we could play while you await the outcome of events. After all, there is nothing more we can do from here. I am quite good at it, I must warn you. Your sister, acclaimed for her skill at the game, was no match for me. Perhaps you will be a worthy opponent.”
