by Paul Heisel
For the last month he had thought of this moment, wondering what Iristi would do when he arrived to save her. The scenarios he had imagined flashed, and in a matter of a short time one of them would come true. He lifted his hand, offering it to her. They could be out of the palace and escape in the darkness, and she could be free. The smile he gave her was genuine, and had he not been promised to Owori, he was sure he would have made room in his life for Iristi. She was standing there enchanting as ever, radiant. For some reason, she frowned at him.
“You are so naïve,” Iristi said.
His heart pounded.
“What is it?” came a voice from the other room.
Hiru came through the door. He was bare-chested, wearing long, black silk pants. Broad shoulders and muscles dominated his triangular frame. There was no look of surprise, no indication that Hiru was alarmed at the intruder’s presence. “You eluded the guards. Iristi said you were good at that. I thought it was just flattery because you saved her from Kojo. Now I know you have a secret skill.”
Feln glanced from Hiru to Iristi and back. They were together. They were a couple. This was going to be bad for him.
“I think he’s realized his mistake,” Hiru said. He went to the wall and flicked part of a decoration. Feln could hear a faint noise in the distance. Soon there would be guards.
“Iristi,” Feln said. “I promised that I would help you. I kept that promise. You are free to go back to Hou, or wherever you want to go.”
Hiru laughed. Feln cringed, betrayed, and his mind spun trying to piece it all together. Guards opened the outer doors, swords brandished. Feln didn’t bother to count them, as he knew there would be too many. Hiru gave them instructions, but Feln didn’t hear anything, the blood was pumping so hard in his ears that he may as well have been deaf. Many times he had been in battle, fought to the death, and braved unthinkable odds to survive. Yet now his whole world had been shattered by a woman’s betrayal. The guards took up positions, more so to make sure that he didn’t leave than to capture him. His senses were back, as was his logical mind. There were eight guards with swords and knives, the ceiling here was too short for long spears. Through the door came another man wearing a wide brimmed hat. His clothing was simple and brown, familiar, and Feln clenched his teeth. It was the Fury. The one who helped to kill Chang. The real murderer.
“I’m sure you remember my bodyguard,” Hiru said.
Before Feln could answer an unseen force threw him sideways into the wall. He attempted to curl into a ball, but only managed to protect his head from the impact. His back and shoulders stung, and the air rushed from his lungs, now burning as he tried to gather his breath. The guards moved away from the Fury, backing off. Feln could see Hiru smirking, while Iristi pulled at his arm. He couldn’t make out what she was saying. Hiru made a motion toward the Fury.
The force subsided and he dropped to the ground on his knees, allowing him to breathe, and he sucked in the air. The stark truth hit him; there was no getting out of this. He failed, betrayed by his belief in Iristi’s desire to be free. It became clear now, he understood, or thought he did, that Iristi chose to stay with Hiru. None of that mattered. Not now. He was at the brink of death for certain, but he wouldn’t die like this. He would die on his feet and he would fight them no matter what.
“Take him to the dungeons,” Hiru commanded. “Cut his head off. Get rid of the body but bring me the proof and his belt.”
Iristi grabbed Hiru’s arm for the second time. “There has been enough bloodshed. Chang is dead and you are to be the Most Favored of Emesia tomorrow. There’s no need to bring about the ire of the Xialao family by killing their Most Favored.”
“I’m bringing him to justice for murdering the head of my family,” Hiru stated. “Justice must be done for Chang’s death. See to it. Take him to the dungeons.”
Feln watched as the guards hesitated, they seemed to be waiting for the Fury to move. The Fury tipped up his hat and wiped sweat away from his brow. Iristi, eyes downcast, wouldn’t look at him or Hiru.
Deep breath. Soothing, calm. Feln stood. He was confident he could find a way to escape on the way to the dungeons.
“Get out of here!” Hiru shouted.
Feln caught a glimpse of two servants stepping through the door. One was a young man with a broom, the other a kitchen maid. Both looked lost, bewildered by what they were interrupting. The young man with the broom came to an awkward halt, then he fumbled the broom and it clattered to the polished wood planks. All attention went to the clamor. The kitchen maid, carrying a silver serving tray, had ringlets of blond hair and striking blue eyes. The serving tray flew out of her hand with great force, spinning, the square edge catching one of the guards in the face. Before he hit the ground, she was moving with wicked curved knives in her hands that appeared from nowhere. Hiru's Fury turned in time to feel a knife pierce his heart, then two more strikes landed in the lung then in the back. Suun spun and took down the nearest guard with the same shocking efficiency. The other guards reacted, they too were late. The young man with the broom shot out a panther tattooed arm, lightning striking from his fingertips and searing through the air with a crack. The magic struck and killed four of the guards, throwing them on their backs. Smoke rose from the bodies as they slid across the floor and came to a halt. The two remaining guards jumped to avoid the magic, only to find Suun waiting for them. They scrambled to fight her. She had the advantage and killed the nearest one with a strike through the throat as she sidestepped a blade. The other managed to nick her shoulder with his sword, drawing blood. It was the last thing he did. Moments later Suun was standing over him with blood dripping from her knives.
Feln hadn’t moved. He didn’t help or hinder. The fight unfolded and it ended as quickly as it had begun, the total surprise of Suun and the Fury had won the fight. Iristi moved behind Hiru for protection, and Hiru obliged. Though he was trying not to show it, Hiru looked fearful because Suun wasn’t done. She was like a viper, not going to stop until everyone tasted her venom. Now that he had seen her efficiently kill these guards and neutralize the situation, Feln knew who he wanted to be his bodyguard. He didn’t need a Fury with fiery magic, nor did he need a host of soldiers to be fodder for a clever assailant. What he needed was Suun, a whirlwind of death. No one would dare come close to him. Suun moved toward Hiru, blades at the ready. She was fearless. She was going to cut him deep unless he stopped her.
“That’s enough,” Feln said.
Both Suun and the Fury backed away. One of the downed guards moved, coming to his knees. He was the one Suun hit with the serving tray. The guard grasped the hilt of his sword. Suun finished him without a thought before he could get the blade out, then she stood there, staring at Hiru, holding the dead man while his blood ran out on the floor. Her face was expressionless. With a single glance she looked at Feln, telling him that he only needed to say the word. Feln knew there was a difficult decision to be made. He had the opportunity to put an end to Hiru. He looked at Hiru, not sure what he saw – was this a murderer or a schemer? What good would come from killing him? Feln wasn’t sure.
“Iristi is right. Enough blood has been shed,” Feln said.
Iristi’s shapely figure stepped from behind Hiru, her vise like grip around his arm. She looked horrified, and had that same look on her face when Kojo and his men nearly ran her down while fleeing from the hill man. Her eyes flitted to the ever-expanding pools of blood on the floorboards. The rugs absorbed a lot of it. A sense of calm came over Feln, a relief. He was going to get out of here alive, and all because of Suun and the Fury.
“Let’s get out of here,” Feln said.
“There are still hundreds of guards in the palace,” Hiru said. “They won’t let you pass.”
Suun pointed her bloody knife at Iristi. “Then we take her with us.”
“No,” Iristi begged. She had an iron grip on Hiru’s arm and didn’t look like she was going to let go.
“Let us go, or we take her
with us to Safun,” Feln said. “I’d like to see you rescue her from our palace. Do you think he would come for you Iristi?”
“He would,” she whispered.
It was Feln’s turn to laugh. “I don’t think so.”
“I’ll escort you,” Hiru said. “No one will question. I agree with you, and Iristi is right, too much blood has been spilled.”
Suun turned to Feln. “No matter what we do, they’ll attack us. If we go by ourselves, the guards will try to stop us. If Hiru goes with us, they’ll believe he’s being kidnapped. They will cooperate only to a point. We should take the woman as our hostage. We can let her go when we’re finished.”
“No!” Iristi hollered.
Hiru yanked her hand away from his arm and pushed her towards Feln. She was barefoot and hit the bloody floor and fell on her back side. Iristi sprawled upon the wood planks, flailing in the blood. Feln stood there, unmoving, while Iristi writhed at his feet. Suun sheathed her knives and hoisted the shaky Iristi up as if she were light as a child.
“I promise no one will stop you,” Hiru said. He gave a slight nod with his head that was meant to be a bow. “Please, don’t hurt her.”
“I came to rescue her. Why would I hurt her?”
“Not you, her,” Hiru said, pointing to Suun.
“Keep begging you worthless dog,” Suun spat.
“I’ll release her when we’re safely away,” Feln said with a calm voice. “As you can tell, we won’t be staying for the funeral. I paid my respects to Chang the night you had him killed.”
Hiru looked at the dead bodies, blood still draining on the floor. The smoke from the scorched bodies had gathered at the ceiling and was dissipating. It was as if he was pondering a decision.
“Go. If you ever return to Emesia, you’ll understand what pain is.”
“I already do,” Feln said, glancing at Iristi. “Justice has been done. The Fury responsible for Chang’s murder is dead. Your friend Kojo has met a similar fate.” Feln wasn’t sure, but he was guessing Kojo was dead by now, or if they had figured out their ruse, alive but shaken. If he was dead that would be an additional benefit.
“Kojo isn’t here,” Hiru stated.
Feln shrugged his shoulders. “Still he’s dead. And by your hand.”
Hiru laughed. “Ridiculous.”
Nothing came to mind that would have resembled a witty retort, Feln was tired, physically and mentally. He felt drained. The only thing that gave him energy was the thought of returning to Owori. He would go to Sabrin and find a way to bring her to Pyndira. She would help him run Safun. It was a wonderful notion, and he desperately needed the companionship and assistance.
“The laws of Pyndira are not to be ignored,” Suun said. “Justice from Safun will be swift and unmerciful should you not adhere to the laws. And on a more personal note, Hiru, do not cross me again. Feln may not be there to save you.”
“As long as the laws are enforced upon the Xialao family as well,” Hiru snapped. “Your duty doesn’t make you immune.”
“We aren’t above the law and justice will prevail upon all of the families, even mine,” Feln said. “That I promise you.”
“This isn’t over.”
“It will never be over.” He was going to hurt Hiru badly, but with the unexpected. He smiled. “Just as you have threatened me with pain should I come to Emesia, so shall I bestow the same pain upon you if you come to Safun. On neutral ground I will be cordial, but I won’t turn my back on a treacherous dog like you.”
“You can count on the same from me.”
Feln departed Hiru’s private chambers, Suun at his side. The Fury gently directed Iristi forward, who was in mild shock. Feln had seen it before, but this time he didn’t care. She betrayed him to Hiru, probably set him up to be the accused in Chang’s death. What he didn’t know was how much of the plan had been hers. Should he care?
“We don’t need her,” Feln said to Suun, thinking they should leave her in the palace and not take her outside.
Suun glanced at Iristi, who was having trouble keeping pace. “I know, I thought you would want closure. I don’t understand it all, but you need to put all of this behind you. Chang’s death, Iristi – everything so we can move forward.”
“I will.” Feln dropped back and took Iristi by the arm. Looking up at him, she was expressionless. The blood was drying on her arms, legs, and silk top. Her hair was askew.
“I didn’t know Hiru was going to blame Chang’s death on you,” Iristi said. She shivered. “He took me prisoner when you went to visit Chang and he told me I had two choices, I could join you in the blame for Chang’s death or I could stay here safe with him. You have to believe me.”
“Did you plan to betray me all along?”
“I was planning to have you free me from Hiru in the beginning and I was planning to go to Safun with you, to be your friend, your wife, your lover – whatever would get me what I wanted. Then when Kojo caught me, it sent this into an unexpected direction. You came for me. I fell for you, or at least I thought I did. I didn’t have a choice though.”
“I came back here for you once again.”
“I know and you shouldn’t have,” she said. “You may never understand and you may never forgive me. Feln, I don’t care. I have what I want right here, I will be married to a Most Favored, and I will have influence and power that you, a simple monk from Malurrion, will never understand. It was my only choice and now I will stand by it. It is your choice whether or not we remain friends. I still want to be your friend.”
“You’re lucky to be alive,” Feln said.
“What will it be?” she asked.
“Friends don’t betray their friends. That is my answer.”
“So be it.” She paused as they came to a public part of the palace. “You can’t get out of the palace this way. You need to go straight down the stairs, through the atrium, and out the front door. That is the quickest way.”
“I don’t trust Hiru or you. We’re going out our own way.”
They came to floor with the guest suites. A few late-night partygoers saw Suun and Iristi, blood and all, coming toward them. They ducked into their rooms, latches were engaged, and doors were barred. Feln indicated the door and Suun went there, opened it, and she ushered Feln inside, then the Fury. When Iristi started inside the door, Suun gripped her shoulder and held her back.
“This is where this ends.”
Iristi’s eyes drew wide open.
“I’m not going to hurt you sweetheart.”
“Oh,” Iristi said. “I…never mind.”
Suun closed the door and barred it with the latch. Across the room Feln took off his Most Favored belt. He put it back on, then took it off, put it on, then took it off. At last he tied it securely and went to the balcony. There hidden was the most precious item, rope, and he handed the long coil to Suun. Without an order or instruction, she tied it securely to the rail and tossed the coil down a hundred feet to the ground below. Suun went first, making it down quickly, then Feln, then the Fury brought up the rear. At the base of the palace, they waited for Sli to arrive.
“I can see why she had you fooled,” Suun said to Feln.
He gulped, swallowing his pride. No way would he fall for that again. He felt so stupid, or as Iristi had said, he was naïve.
“She did have nice legs. Men fall for that you know.”
The Fury chuckled.
“You have no idea,” Feln said. He laughed, and with that, Iristi became history. The future, and Owori, awaited him. A sense of urgency came, but Sli was here yet, so he couldn’t leave. He was sure by now Hiru was gathering guards, men, and Furies – the palace would be buzzing soon, there was no doubt. They had to get out of here.
“Are you still going through with your plan?” Suun asked.
“I have to return to Malurrion to find Owori,” he said. “I will return. I have the book; I can see if it will work from there.”
“I doubt it,” she said. “Otherwise your
mother would have taken it with her. I’m sure of it.”
Feln reached inside his clothes and took out the book. He handed it to Suun.
“Keep it safe, until I get back.”
“You keep it. You may need to write me before you leave. Plus, it’ll be a reminder that you need to come back.”
Taking the book, he secured it in the hiding place amongst his clothes. “I do have an order for you. After we get out of here, I want you to go back to Safun. Send another to take your place with your team.”
“That makes no sense,” Suun said. “I can take care of myself, I don’t need to be protected. This is what I was trained to do.”
“You misunderstand. I want you to return to Safun because I want you to be my bodyguard. Furies aren’t for me and I can’t have a host of soldiers slowing me down. I need a dependable warrior. I need someone who can protect me.”
He expected more protest, but none came.
“It would be my honor, Most Favored. But I have one request.”
“And that is?”
“Let me join you when you return to Hou from Malurrion. That way you’ll have me to help you on the journey back to Safun. The team and I have our book. We can wait in Hou until you get back.”
“Agreed.”
A dreadfully long five minutes passed and a shape momentarily blotted out the twin moons, the gliding dragon came to a soft silent stop on the turf a dozen feet from the three people. Sli came forward and put his head down. The saddle and supplies were there.
“You can tell me about it later,” Sli said. “I see we don’t have an extra passenger. Get on.”
“Suun, you first.”
“No, we’re not coming with you. I’m going to get the rest of the team and we’ll travel,” she looked at Sli, “via normal means. I’ll monitor the book, just tell us when you’ve arrived in Hou. We’ll take up residence there and we’ll wait for as long as it takes.”
Feln climbed aboard Sli and strapped himself down to the saddle. This was definitely more comfortable. Feln knew that Sli despised it and he was only wearing it because the Emperor had commanded it.
