by Paul Heisel
“I am thankful in that regard,” she said. “No need to get angry. No good can come of it.”
“Something has to be done, I can’t keep her alive forever. She’ll waste away to nothing.”
“You should have taken her on a boat and taken her to Daiwer-dar.”
“That isn't what she wanted. Besides, would you be angrier if she was gone or dead?”
“I'm done talking about this,” Pearl said. “We have more important issues to worry about. You are about to be inundated with Furies. If I could take them to a different place in Pyndira, I would. But I can’t.” Pearl paused. She was calculating it was going to take a week to get all the Furies from Malurrion to Pyndira. With Owori slipping away, she didn’t have a week. She needed to get Owori to the Emperor and as fast as possible.
“Inundated?”
“Yes, and you’re going to help me, no matter what I ask of you. This time if you disobey me, my playful threats won’t be just banter. Understand?”
He nodded.
Pearl looked at the door and called, “Tasha.”
The door opened and in came Tasha. The demure woman looked tired. She had a healed cut across her cheek. “Yes?”
“Do you remember Paq?”
“Certainly, he gave me my tattoo.”
“He’s going to help us. Do you know how to transport between Pyndira and Malurrion?”
Tasha nodded. “I do. But once you’ve established your connection, that’s it. I thought you were going to bring all the Furies from Bora. I thought our plan would minimize the connections?”
Pearl motioned to Owori. “I have to take Owori to the Emperor. It’s distant from here, many weeks of travel away. I would send you to take Owori, but you don’t know Pyndira like I do. I’m not asking that you waste your connection, you need to do this for Owori’s sake.”
The Fury stood as tall as she could. “I’ll bring them back myself, one by one. Then what?”
Pearl looked to Paq, measuring him, wondering if he took her threat seriously. Would he betray them all as he betrayed Owori? Would his family take advantage of having so many Furies here? No, he would do as told this time, and she meant what she had threatened. He would help Tasha hide the Furies until she could return, then she would lead them to safety. “Paq will help you hide them. All of them.”
“Hide them? On the island? Impossible!”
“Yes, you’re going to hide them.”
“But my father will find out. How can I hide Furies?”
Pearl glared at him. It had the desired effect.
“What do you want me to do?” Paq asked. “I can’t go against my family. You know that. You’re putting me in an awkward position.”
“I don’t care about that. First I need you to arrange for a boat to the far shore. Make sure Owori and I have provisions for our journey to Daiwer-dar. I will need horses and a well-made cart. I’ll also need gold. Lastly, I want to visit your vault.”
“What if I want to come with you to Daiwer-dar? I’ll help you.”
“I need you here to assist Tasha. Make sure all of the Furies are safely hidden until I return or I send word.”
“My father will find out!”
“He won’t find out. You’re a wonderful man, one of the most decent men in Pyndira. I’m not asking you to go against your family. What I’m asking you to do is hide these Furies until I get back. You can do that for me, because you’re a good person, because you owe me.”
Paq blushed. “I have an idea that might work. There are islands around here that no one knows about. We can put them there. Yes, that will work, that’s how we’ll hide them.” He took a breath. “Now, why do you want to go to our vault?”
“You took me there to show me swords and armor, remember?”
“Yes, I do.”
“I saw four remarkable blades; I want to retrieve them.”
“My father will know they’re missing. Inventory is kept.”
“He won’t miss them, because we’re going to steal them. As far as the accountants know, nothing will be missing.”
“What? I can’t steal my family’s fortune!”
“It’s hardly a fortune we’re taking, just a few blades. Now,” she turned to Tasha, “go to the other island with Paq and establish your connection back to Bora from there. Transport from the baths – that’s one place in the monastery that won’t get destroyed. Bring the others here as fast as you can – push your magic to the limits and bring as many as you can each day. Paq will see to everyone’s needs.”
“Pearl, you can’t travel around Pyndira without being bound to a family,” Paq said. “If someone catches you…they’ll kill you! Pearl…when you get to the Emperor, they’ll find out! Even if you lie to them, they’ll find out eventually.”
She stayed him with a gentle touch of her hand. “I’m in the service of a family.”
“But…how…only we can do that!”
“Calm down,” she said. “I joined a family willingly and I’m bound to that family. It’s just unfortunate for you that you won’t collect your usual fees. If that’s all you care about.”
“No, the compensation means nothing to me.”
“Good,” said Pearl, “then you won’t mind me lifting a few blades from your treasure piles.”
His mouth opened, but no words came out. “What family,” he said. “Ku?”
Pearl had a hearty laugh, as that was the original family she was supposed to go to. It was a good thing she had stopped the process before it had begun. None of the families knew she existed. “No, I wouldn’t serve Hiru, I hear he’s a pig. I would have probably been assigned to protect Chang, that old crone.”
“Chang is dead,” Paq said. “Chang was assassinated not long ago. Hiru has taken the Most Favored belt and rules in his stead. Another Most Favored stands accused of the crime – the Most Favored of Xialao. He has denied it though, or that is what I’ve been told. It’s a huge scandal and was the talk of the last celebration we had.”
Pearl couldn’t believe what she was hearing. It couldn’t be true. She couldn’t believe Feln would do such a thing. She trusted Feln… But why wouldn’t he speak of it? Was he that cautious? Why wouldn’t he tell her? She shook away the self-induced trance. It didn’t matter, the truth would come out. She was part of the Xialao family now and would support Feln. This was crazy! Feln wouldn’t assassinate another Most Favored! She admitted, though, that Feln had been elusive about his time in Pyndira and now she understood why, and for good reason. If he was accused of this crime, there was going to be repercussions no matter what the truth was. “I’m sure there is more of that story to be told and don't believe what the rumor mill has spun. Paq, do you trust me?”
“Of course!” He sounded exasperated. “With my life.”
“I’m in the service of the Xialao family. This assassination you speak of was not his doing, I’m certain of it. The story has been twisted to serve a political purpose.”
“Xialao? Why did you choose them? Now you’ll have to go to Safun. You’ll be so far away. And you think Hiru is a pig? He sounds worse! A murderer!”
“Take me to the vault. Don’t insult my family again, lest you want me to teach you a lesson.” Pearl motioned toward the door. “After you.”
Paq slipped out the door.
“Keep an eye on Owori,” Pearl said, glancing back at Tasha. “But stay out of sight, at least for now. These people may be lazy, but they’re not stupid.”
#
The boat carrying Owori and Pearl departed early the next morning, as the dangers of the lake were too great at night. Paq couldn’t hide that from his father, but the real reasons were overshadowed by the story he told of Pearl returning and insisting on taking Owori to the Emperor. Quin accepted the explanation and let the boat leave without additional questions. If she made it to the Emperor, there would be more wealth delivered and he wouldn’t have to return the first payment that had been brought. That was all he cared about.
I
n a smaller flat-bottomed craft, Paq took Tasha to one of the other islands in the great lake. It was distant from Salt Island and not well known or explored. Tall leafy trees and dense brush dominated the middle of the island, making travel difficult. Narrow rocky beaches surrounded the island, hardly a paradise compared to Salt Island. They made camp toward the interior, out of sight and within the cover of the forest. The entire time Tasha never spoke, and when Paq became too interrogative, Tasha politely reminded him that all questions should go to Pearl. She told him there was no sense pursuing information from her because he wasn’t going to receive it.
Morning came and Tasha left by transporting with her magic. Paq waited for Tasha to return, but after two hours she didn’t return. The sun was blazing on the horizon and he decided not to wait and returned home. There were casual questions about his whereabouts. He deflected the questions, saying he was upset that Pearl had left and upset that she had joined the Xialao family. He asked his father if he could take a large boat to the shore, as he needed to get away for a few days. He would go to one of the smaller towns on the shore where he could quietly sip wine and enjoy company of the common folk. Quin was sympathetic and reminded Paq while he was out, he should expand his search for a companion beyond Pearl. Paq agreed with a thoughtful nod and went to make the arrangements. He would only be gone a few days.
No one missed the boatload of provisions he had taken to the small island, enough to last Tasha and the other Furies for months. The note he left for Tasha was self explanatory – he was leaving and she wouldn’t see him again. Even the accountants didn’t take issue with the trunks he took from the vault; after all, Paq had often retrieved gold and coins for his family. No one missed the excess inks he had stored over time, as they had long disappeared from anyone’s inventory. No one missed Paq until it was too late. And they had no idea where he went.
Chapter 6 - Emperor
The black-clad form remained crouching as Feln pushed away from the bed. It had an odd shape, unbalanced and lopsided. He maintained a solid base, assuming an attack. The calm he had achieved was now gone. Not even a day had passed and he was faced with another foe, and from within his family’s home! The full strength of the twin red moons beamed through the crescent shaped window and illuminated the figure. In front of him was a small child four feet tall. Her hair was long and messy, and on one shoulder she carried a bundled ratty old blue blanket. Her skin was dark. The dread he felt washed away.
“Are you really the Most Favored?” she asked.
“Yes, I suppose I am,” Feln said.
A clatter interrupted their conversation. A similar looking woman, but taller, came through the ajar door. She had dark hair and dark skin like the child, reminding Feln of TeBroo's people who lived in near the Sand Sea. Her brown robe was only partially covering her bedclothes.
“Apologies,” she said quickly. “Mori, back to bed. Apologies. I’ll punish her tomorrow.”
“She was just curious,” Feln said.
“No!”
The woman grabbed Mori, who started thrashing.
“No!” Mori screamed.
“No harm was done,” Feln said.
Mori put up a struggle. “That’s it! No cooking for a week!”
“No!” Mori wailed. “No!”
The daughter went limp in her mother’s arms, making her more difficult to carry. Mori was crying. “Apologies,” she said again. The woman turned to leave but was intercepted by Emato.
“Forgive us,” Emato said to Feln as he ushered them out of the room. “I will deal with both of you tomorrow.” He shut the door.
“She was just curious,” Feln said.
“Understand, but the servants can’t just go wherever they please.”
“Who are they?”
“May is one of our cooks,” Emato answered. “Mori is her daughter, who is learning the trade. Despite her young age and the tantrums, she is talented. All the cooks live in the house proper because we can’t keep running back and forth between here and the servant’s quarters. I will make sure you aren’t disturbed again.”
“I’ll get over it.”
“Is there anything you need?” Emato asked.
“No, thanks.” Feln wondered what he should say next. “You’re dismissed.”
#
The bustle of the manor was impressive and he thought it fascinating that all the activity was because of him. Emato and the staff served him throughout the morning. It didn’t take long for Feln to become weary of the constant attention. He didn’t need the coddling. What he needed was time to think of what the day would bring him. That morning Emato briefed him on what he should expect when the Emperor called on him. It would center on matters of state and protocol, and he would want an update on the goings on in Safun. The meeting, most likely, would take place with the Emperor, the Warlord of Pyndira, and the Chamberlain. Another dynamic that would add dimension to the meeting was this; the Warlord was the Emperor’s son.
Emato insisted that Feln wear rich robes while at the manor. They stocked the estate regularly with the latest fashions so visitors from Safun wouldn’t be out of style. Feln declined the offers, telling Emato that fashion was wasted on him. Even after indulging Emato and trying on dark silk robes with gold embroidery that didn't look half bad, he decided to wear what he had brought with him. There was no sense in trying to fit in and fail at it, as he knew it would be considered a sign of weakness if he was constantly tugging at the uncomfortable clothes, adjusting what shouldn't need adjusting. He was the Most Favored of Safun, and he had to be himself in his new position, which meant simple robes would cover his functional fighting clothes. He laughed at this notion, that he was the Most Favored of Safun, and he wasn’t sure who he was or what he was supposed to be doing. He missed Owori, and he longed to have a sane person to confide in and talk to. Plus, Owori would know how to help him with all of this with her uncanny sense of propriety and perfection. She would know how to deal with Emato and all this family business better than he. Suddenly he was reminded of the messages he sent, and he hoped all of them arrived safely. What he wasn't sure of, was when he would receive answers. Emato mentioned it only took the birds three or four days to deliver anywhere in Pyndira.
After breakfast, he changed into clean Xialao fighting clothes, walked the grounds, exercised, and worked with his new katana. Handling Dragonfly was comforting and far more soothing than any conversation Emato could drum up. Bathing refreshed him and his washed clothes made him feel better. The air felt good and warm, so Feln went to the gardens and sat on a stone bench to relax and ponder. Around him were manicured green bushes, trimmed cherry blossom trees, and thick grass. A short distance from him there was a pond with a small decorative bridge and expertly trimmed plants he had no names for. As Feln’s eyes wandered, he noticed a man using shears to clip the branches of a bush. He was covered with dirt and grime from the morning's work and his face was tan, yet even crouched Feln could tell this man was solidly built. His wide brimmed hat was atop the hedges instead of his head. Black hair with flecks of gray shined in the morning sun.
“The gardens are beautiful,” Feln said, projecting his voice toward the gardener. “I suppose you are the person I should thank for keeping them so well.”
“I am,” the low, smooth voice answered. He didn't stop working. “Thank you for your kindness.” His arm snaked toward the hedge, snatched the hat, and put it on his head. The shears went on his belt with other tools. The steel tools clanked as he approached.
“My name is Feln.”
“Nar,” he said.
What did he just say? “Excuse me?”
“My name is Nar,” he said, clarifying, as if understanding Feln's confusion.
“Oh. Sorry. I though you said 'no.'“
“No need to apologize,” the gardener replied. “I know you are new here and haven't been introduced to all of the workers yet.”
“I’m the Most Favored of Safun.”
“So I’ve b
een told. What is your full name?”
“Feln-en-Xialao-Narneth.”
“Interesting,” the gardener said. “Is Narneth a family given name? But you go by Feln?”
“I suppose so, does it matter?”
“As you said, you’re the Most Favored, so only what you think matters.”
There was a lengthy pause while the gardener stood attentively. “You seem anxious to me,” Nar said. “Are you waiting for someone to arrive?”
“I was brought here yesterday by the Emperor’s dragon,” he began.
“I repaired the damage the dragon did to the grounds if you were wondering,” Nar said. “Need to teach them to land on the paved roadway.”
“Then it would have torn up the pavers,” Feln said. “I supposed it would have been more work for another instead of you. Is that it?”
“My point exactly. What, or perhaps who, are you waiting for?”
“The Emperor is going to send for me. I’m meeting with him today.”
“I see. Matters of state. You will go before the Emperor, perhaps the Chamberlain, perhaps the Warlord of Pyndira. Maybe all three? Be on your guard and first and foremost, agree to nothing if asked. But you must do as you are told.”
The sudden advice stunned Feln into silence. What was this gardener trying to tell him? “Do you know as much about politics as you do gardening?”
“No,” he answered.
Nar wasn't as tall as Feln but had unnaturally broad shoulders reserved for blacksmiths and brutes like Gargam. He was muscular, that was apparent, and he stayed that way from the amount of manual labor he performed.
Nar continued, “I bet, though, I know more about Pyndiran politics than you.”
Feln figured the gardener was right, but was it wise to agree with him? “I’m not as inexperienced as I look.”
“Experience has nothing to do with it. I’ll give you this advice again - don’t agree to anything, but if you are given an order, you must obey. Remember, you are a subject of the Emperor.”
“Why should I believe you?”
“Trust me, I have your best interests at heart.”
