Chapter XVIII
In the Heart of the Empire
Racing across the plain they did not bother or take time to look back. And only after they had placed a safe distance between them and the Valley of the Orochi did they stop for breath. Hearts pounding, sinews bursting, they almost could not believe that they had really conquered the worst of the Wilderness, by surviving it. Achil drew out the map and laid it on the floor, like everyone else he was happy for the rest, the day was drier than usual and everywhere flowers were in full bloom. According to the map they had passed all the subject principalities and states and were now about to enter the Kingdom of Jin. They were not far from the city of Jinton: ‘City of the Sham‘, that would lead them straight to Jinopolis. On the map it was equal in size to every other major city they had passed. The manpower at the disposal of the Mandrake Imperium was breath-taking; it was indeed awesome and ominous for the four conspirators to see. Indeed had they not seen it for themselves they would not have believed it. Achil rolled up the map and the four weary travellers headed first then to Jinton city, and whoever the people known as the ‘Sham’ were. The land they had now wandered into was lush, the sun beat down on them tiring them the more until they found a quiet knoll where they could rest, eat and make camp; a few hours respite for tired limbs did not go amiss and there was a stream nearby that they could wash in and for the first time in what felt like an age they could change their clothing. Once refreshed they were on their way to a roadway and were soon walking among people of the Imperium. No one paid them much attention. Arriving at what was marked on the map as a waterhole was in fact a tavern called ‘The Waterhole.’ It was a large stone built building with a slate tiled roof. Next to the tavern was a shop, called the ‘Half Way Store.’ Further over on both sides of the road were a mixture of domestic buildings, stables, and a smithy. They were very much relieved that there was a place to rest at. Achil and Nishga entered the tavern while Nicholas and Andreas went over to the stables to see if they could purchase some horses. The tavern had a few travellers sitting and eating by the long bar. There was sawdust and straw scattered along the wooden floor. With many empty tables and chairs, the Innkeeper was a tall muscular built man, a deep scar running down his face, with long dark hair down to his shoulders, and brown oval shaped eyes he wore a tunic beneath a chequered apron which hung down to scuffed boots he seemed eager to speak about himself and his achievements. He was an ex-legionary who had campaigned for the empire on many occasions, making enough money to buy the tavern. Achil listened to the innkeeper patiently before paying for a couple of rooms for the night, and making arrangements for their supper. The man gave them a complimentary bottle of wine to go with the meal they had ordered. When Andreas and Nicholas returned with the good news that they had managed to buy some horses the four sat down to eat. That was the first decent meal they had had for several days in fact they were unsure how long it had taken for them to cross the Wilderness. When they had finished and retired to their respective rooms, they found bath tubs filled with hot water and bathing salts waiting for them. With relief each in turn bathed. The first hot bath for many a day and it felt like it. Achil and Nishga had a room large enough for two beds; a single and a double, with a small curtained off side room containing the bath tub. There was a short wicker table one end plus two chairs by the hearth. The window was a long narrow one, with drawn curtains on either side. After bathing and putting on her night gown, Nishga sat back on the bed, she took the Orb and with a nod from Achil began concentrating, trying to get through to the Alchemist. Achil sat close by waiting in silence as the Orb began to glow, which was a sight he was now accustomed to, it meant Nishga was through to the Alchemist. She relayed the news that they were nearing their goal. The Alchemist told them that spies had reported that the build-up of forces in the Mead had escalated, that if they were to succeed in their mission they would have to hurry, as the threat from the Imperium was growing. The Seer had also worked out how to get the silver sphere to work. It could only be used by a powerful crystal bearer, which Nishga was. The Alchemist then gave her the necessary direction as to its operation. When she had finished communicating with the Alchemist, the light within the Orb faded; Nishga lay back on her bed and closed her eyes. Using the Orb had taxed her strength, as the distance between her and her point of contact had grown, greater effort was required to first make, and then hold onto the contact.
There was a sudden knock on the door. Achil and Nishga looked at one another then back at the door, they were too weary to care whether there was a threat so they just stared expectantly at it. Andreas’s hushed voice called out. He and Nicholas quietly entered.
“Nishga managed to get through to the Alchemist,” said Achil. “It appears things are heating up back home, the Mandrake are building up their forces in the Mead. Although we don’t know for what purpose it seems pretty obvious.”
“Invasion,” said Andreas.
“Looks like it doesn’t it? It appears they wish to hit us with everything they’ve got. We must hurry before it's too late and we don’t have a Kingdom to go back to.”
Achil looked up at Andreas whose face was showing signs of the strain they all felt.
“We have some good news also; we know how the silver sphere works. So if we’re ever in a tight spot we’ll hold an advantage. We’ll rest today and tonight and continue on our way in the morning.”
They talked long that day recounting their many adventures together, they were all hopeful that their mission would soon end. After eating a light supper, Andreas and Nicholas left to go to their room, Achil and Nishga lay back on their respective beds both were staring up at the ceiling which had been darkened by the attentions of the hearth. There was a slight fracture running down one side, a small spider crept along and disappeared inside it.
“It has been a hard journey,” said Nishga.
“A hard journey but a necessary one,” repeated Achil, his words echoing the same thought. “It is the journey that gives what we’re trying to do such meaning. These are high stakes. You know I didn’t think we’d make it this far.”
“What do you mean?” asked Nishga.
“I mean if you had told me at the start of this journey what we would have had to face. I would have said it could not have been done. I guess its right what the philosopher says; only in desperate times when the darkest shadow descends do we see someone's true quality.”
Achil sighed heavily.
“I think it's more because there is no other choice," said Nishga. “Is it courage to not want to die or suffer the grim yoke of a power like the Imperium? Perhaps, though I would suggest we’re doing what anyone would do given our circumstance. I’m sure to those in the Imperium, it is normal for them to view the world the way they do, because they know no different. It is exceptional people only who question the natural order of things, who question convention, and ask is this all that there is? And just because things are the way they are does not make them right? But tell me honestly if you were part of the Imperium would you behave any differently to the way they behave?”
Nishga eyes searched Achil's face for and answer.
“I cannot say,” said Achil, after a while. “I think maybe we have done exceptional things as needs have required it, but whether that makes an exceptional person is another thing. I am also sure there are things that we've done that are not the least bit exceptional, like making a pact with someone like Telallamain, a villain to be sure. I know that such people as you are would question the world around them, if they truly disagreed with it. And would have the courage to speak out, to stand up for what should be, and not for what is. If they felt it were unjust that is. I just pity those others that cannot or choose not to see things for the way they truly are, but instead accept their world because that just happens to be the easy route, and why? Because it is too challenging for them to change, and too difficult for them to look at themselves and find fault in what they do. Most people want to get on with
their day to day lives and not be bothered with the affairs of the world. Until those affairs directly affect their lives. Perhaps that’s how people perceive what makes a just world. Not how justice affects others but merely how it affects them personally, which only then, at that moment, when things are at there most dire will they feel the necessity to fight for change: Personal injustice eventually will lead to collective justice.”
Achil now turned on his side to face Nishga
“So tell me then Achil” replied Nishga. “Who's to say what is just and what isn’t.”
“I guess the Gods, and the elders who made and make our laws,” said Achil with a tired yawn.
“And what if they were wrong, and are wrong?” murmured Nishga. “Would we then know any better? And worse would we even question it?”
“What was that? What if they were wrong?” murmured Achil, “Well if our laws were made by mad men or mad gods then surely they would not have stood the test of time.”
“Ah! But there's the point. They would have stood the test of time if they were not understood to be unjust. This Zero tolerance of the Mandrake is unnatural after all, but consider how people agree to it, and they do so out of fear for their own personal safety. The wars they have waged are unnecessary, yet they still go to war. Slavery is also highly unjust yet there is still slavery. We learnt a long time ago that a free men, is a more productive individual to the realm especially when the cloak of being thought inferior is lifted from them. It is no coincidence that our greatest achievements in the west have been made through our self-belief of the individual rather than any stoic doctrine to oppress the masses. In the Imperium, their ideology is like a disease that corrupts the soul. The thing is this, whether or not we become contaminated by it. Say we win, will that lead to the creation of a Western Empire. I know you think that it would remain a Western Alliance built on trade but tell me how long you think it will be before someone tries to turn that alliance into one individual state of the west, and from there, into an empire. And after that how long will it be before someone comes up with the idea of zero tolerance. How long before seemingly just laws for the protection of citizens and subjects alike, become diluted into unjust laws. I tell you the greatest threat to us from the Mandrake is not a military one; it is not what they are that threatens us but what we might become because we have an adversary like them. It is not whether we are forced into becoming part of their empire but whether we choose to become one ourselves that I find chilling. To beat our foe we may have to become like them, and that means all the dissenting voices will be silenced, and then whether you are fighting against injustice or for justice becomes academic, and it's that that should concern us all.”
Achil fell silent staring up at the ceiling, still contemplating her troubled words. He was physically wearied by the past days, and Nishga had now managed to tire his mind also. He soon heard her shallow breathing. Looking over he noticed that for the first time in an age she was at peace. Achil's mouth was dry, shaking his head softly, he wondered how long Nishga had been troubled by such thoughts, what was most important was the task directly ahead, other concerns would have to wait. He also closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
The next day by the time he awoke, Nishga had already bathed and dressed.
“You slept like a log. I’ve refilled the tub with hot water, so jump in,” said Nishga. “I’ll meet you downstairs for breakfast. Andreas and Nicholas were around a little earlier, and have already gone down.”
After Nishga left Achil took her advice. The steaming bath was filled with rose petals, the effect of which was to relax his tight muscles; the soothing hot refreshing water took to his body immediately. He soon fell back to sleep. Only to be woken in what felt like moments later by Nishga. Achil jumped out of the tub with a start forgetting that he was naked. Nishga calmly walked over to him with a towel and covered up his embarrassment. Achil smiled and quickly got dressed, gathering up their bags he followed Nishga downstairs and outside into the clear light of day. Andreas and Nicholas had got the new horses ready and were waiting to set off. They were soon on their way to Jinton last stop before Jinopolis. The road was straight, a long and furrowed path over vale and hill. Every so often they came across small camps by the side of the road manned by a few well provisioned men. Passing one of them they overheard two guards talking about the shadow warriors, and how they were doing a detailed search of people and randomly taking some off for questioning. The four of them warily travelled further on across the rolling hills.
“We should leave the road,” said Andreas quietly. “If these shadow warriors are out. The last thing we want is for them to search our things, discover the Orb, the silver sphere, and the fact that Nishga is able to use Crystal Magic.”
“Not yet if I understood those two back there correctly the shadow warriors are behind us and not in front of us,” replied Achil. “I think we will be safe for the moment.”
“Check the map Achil, how far are we from Jinton?” asked Nicholas.
Achil was about to take out the map when over the hill rode a troop of Warriors. As they approached they slowed to a canter, then a trot, finally walking to a stop in front of Achil. He had moved his horse ahead of everyone else’s and gestured for them to stay back.
At the head was a man of some considerable stature. He urged his horse forward; he looked Achil up and down. He was a stern looking man, dressed not in black like the others but in a deep purple; his armour looked heavy though he seemed to wear it lightly enough. His hair was parted down the centre and braided at the sides. His eyes were black, deep set beneath a heavy brow. As for his guards, one was definitely a Vendigo but there was something different about him, he was still half human, white sallow skin drawn back so tight that his eyes looked as though they would explode from his face. His very appearance was menacing enough without the spikes on his gloved hands or the whip at his side, a cat of nine tales; each tale with small metal claws running down it. His hair erupted from his head, long straggly and matted. He was covered from head to foot by a long dark cloak beneath which he wore a mail coat. The other guard close too was unmistakeably a Wrath warrior. One of the biggest Achil had ever seen, he was even taller and broader than Marshal Ti. He wore a helmet in the shape of a wolf's head. His eyes were fixed, sharp; his long hair ran down his back, his chain mail armour was black as was his cloak. The broad sword at his side had a wolf's head on the hilt of it. These were undoubtedly the infamous Shadow Warriors.
“My name is General Rega please show me your papers,” his voice was hoarse from a long days travelling.
Nishga and the others passed their papers to Achil, who passed them on to the General, who began inspecting them closely.
“You are a Merchant Guilder from Mead, that’s far from home,” said the General. “Where are you headed.”
“We’re going to Jinopolis on business, to purchase quality goods, goods that would be highly prized in Mead.”
The General was almost dismissive of his words.
“Business, all you Guild merchants are the same, well Meadian, since I am looking for five travellers with a large Wagon full of furs,” said the General. “I’m going to let you go on your way. Before you leave have you seen anyone fitting that description?”
Achil looked at him and smiled, “I’ve seen quite a few people matching that description.”
The General turned to one of his aides with a shake of his head, and then back at Achil, “We have to stop and search all of them. Anyway you four can be on your way.”
The General raised his hand shouted a command, and waved them forward. His troop moved off in the opposite direction. When they were beyond earshot they all breathed a collective sigh of relief.
“That was too close for comfort," said Achil. “Next time you mention taking a different route we’ll do it.”
“I don’t know how we got away with that,” said Andreas quietly.
“Well you heard him, “whispered Nishga. “Th
ey're looking for five people with a wagon load of furs.”
“Yeah, a strange and accurate description of us prior to the death of Ventrigar, something doesn’t quite fit,” said Nicholas. “It’s probably nothing but didn’t those guards at the fort back there say they were stopping and searching everyone.”
“That’s right, except members of the Merchants Guild. To Which I belong. The Merchant Guilds must have a lot of power,” said Achil. “What did Telallamain say? It was the Guilders who paid for the army. Without them everything’s thrown into confusion. If anything should happen to the Guilders it would take the Imperium years to recover, maybe even decades and maybe not at all. Come let's be on our way, I sense an end to this long road.”
The four of them stirred their horses into action. They raced along the road passed farmers tilling the land, and stall holders selling wears at the side of the path, until they reached a hill top that overlooked Jinton. The city shimmered, like it was caught in a summer haze.
“What does that map say about Jinton,” said Andreas unsure of the sight he saw before him.
“Ah!” murmured Achil.
The three of them stared at him curiously.
“What’s ‘Ah’ supposed to mean,” said Andreas.
“Apparently Jinton isn’t an ordinary city,” said Achil meekly, scratching some dirt from his map, “It's not the City of the Sham, it's the City of the Shamen.”
“That’s just brilliant, we just escaped the wilderness only to be discovered by some Shaman in Jinton,” said Andreas.
“Look at the positive side,” responded Nicholas.
“What positive side?” replied an exasperated Andreas.
“We have the most powerful Shaman of them all in Nishga, what could possibly go wrong.” said a smiling Nicholas.
They rode on into the city. It was a city where all types of magical arts were practiced, where Jin’s Shamen had their headquarters. There were stores filled with potions that could kill a man in seconds or weeks. This is where spirits such as the Valkyrie, Vendigo, Banshee, and many others could be summoned and were allowed to possess willing volunteers and unwilling ones too. The City was large indeed, split up into quarters like all the well-designed cities of Jin. There was a quarter for the Municipality buildings and Temples alike both large and small, and all were similar in appearance. A Quarter for commerce where the Guilders worked, in what were the tallest buildings, the four of them had ever seen, each with large banners hanging from the front of them with the insignia of that particular guild in occupation, one banner had a barge within it was a crate, symbol of the haulage-men another flag had two swords crossing one another for the makers of arms. There was a standard showing Potions for the Guild of Shamen, another had people in chains for the Guild of Slavers, and Wheat and Barley for the Guild of food Merchants, and another had scrolls and books on it, for the Guild of the Guardians of information and so on. As they looked they truly began to understand why the guilders were so powerful.
There was a domestic and leisure quarter, where there were amphitheatres, small arenas, with one magnificent large columned forum surrounded by statues of heroes and the Gods. There were Hospitals and Schools, Two Houses of Higher learning one of which contained the oldest library in Suberia, and row upon row of smaller residential dwellings where the main populace lived. The last Quarter was a contrast, there were large domed palaces housed behind guarded walled off areas, that no plebeian had entry to. The River Mercer cut this quarter off as on the other side was a steaming slum where the poor lived, where people rarely lived past middle age. They were in awe, each city they had arrived at was a massive metropolis. Looking around people went about their business. Achil stopped a passer-by so that they could be directed to a place to eat. The man looked up at Achil, and pointed to the direction where they could find open air taverns in the district of many comforts. The sun beamed down on them as they found this district, the area was a bustling centre of what they concluded were mega shops, literally Guild super stores. After they had finished eating and drinking, Nishga and Nicholas went off to shop in the different stores, while Achil and Andreas stayed behind for a quiet drink. The first store Nicholas and Nishga entered was part of the Guild of Shamen. Along the walls were shelves filled with books and vials of potions, some for love making, other more sinister poisons. The two looked at each other in the West things such as these could not be brought so easily. A woman wearing a fine blouse and brown leather breeches tucked into her boots with a pleasing casual manner came over to help them. Her hair was long and tied back. She had brown sparkling eyes and a youthful face.
“Do you need any help?” asked the woman.
“We were wondering about some of these substances and what they were used for,” said Nishga.
“That’s Cumin it helps people to see in the dark, that’s Sulphur, it’s very destructive when you add water to it. This one over here is the root of the Manseed tree, a powerful poison. If you want other things, like Dragons tail which is a powerful aphrodisiac, I can get it for you. We have some incense sticks, which with the right incantation will help you to start a fire. Over here we have our latest creation its only come into use over the past two months in these small vials are contained enough oil to keep your lamps burning for a year. They are expensive as you’d expect.”
“Well in that case I would like three of those vials,” said Nishga.
“Three," said the woman. “That must be some palace you live in. Three it is. They’re thirty gold pieces each.”
Nishga gave her the money collected her change and then she left with Nicholas.
“Let's get back to Achil and Andreas,” said Nishga “we should be leaving for Jinopolis sooner rather than later.”
Achil and Andreas had waited patiently watching people go about their business. Every so often warriors of the Imperium would pass them by in casual dress. By the time Nishga and Nicholas had got back to them they had already got bored and were impatient to be on their way. In whispered tones Nishga informed them of her purchase and its uses. They now had a mighty weapon at their disposal. By the time they were on their way the sun was high in the afternoon sky. Jinton was a pleasant enough city to visit, but none of them would have wanted to live there.
Achil & The Kingdom of Jin Page 25
