by Paul Heisel
“Thank you.”
Feln departed, taking a path through the garden that would lead him out into the open. They escorted him for a time, then let him go on by himself. Distant to his left was the barracks and where the Fury Caji had gotten on the roof to go after Haworu. As he came closer, he could see the window to his room. To his right the ground was scorched, blackened by the Fury’s explosive fireballs. Resting next to one of the scorched patches was a burnt body, laid there with arms crossed over the chest. Sondossasya. He would have to tell the Grand Master that his favorite Dragonmaster was dead. To his right and a long way off was the main gate. It was closed and the pinpoints of light he saw were the guard towers. He wondered, was the army here? Would they enter the grounds? The presence of more soldiers could accelerate the situation for the best or the worst. The best that could happen was everyone standing down. The worst was a full-scale battle amongst the Accord of the Hand, and he was certain the Furies would prevail. Magic would win over steel, fists, and might. From where he was he guessed it would take time to return to the Grand Master. There was no sign of Djaa or the monks he brought with him. He would report what he saw and heard, then go to the church to get ready for the meeting. He looked back to Sondossasya. It reminded him of what he saw earlier in the Grand Master’s chambers – the burnt bodies.
Feln was at another juncture, a decision point. Far across the front of the monastery was where the stables were located, a ten-minute walk or a few minute run. Had the Grand Master let their monks go? He had to be sure, though he had no time to spare. Feln crossed the open grassy area, jogging, his eyes set on the destination ahead. The stables slowly came into view. The main building was several hundred feet long with tall walls to accommodate lofts where hay could be stored. The horsemasters were bedded down for the evening and boys were still inside the stalls finishing a long day’s work. Feln saw no signs of the monks from Waskhal. They had departed. Good. The Grand Master kept his side of the bargain.
Feln backtracked and headed straight for the barracks where he would make one sweep through the different buildings to see if he could find Djaa. He doubted he would find him. There he found no one except Sabrin monks and soldiers who were gathered in platoons and making for destinations unknown. Feln asked questions and all answers were the same; no one had seen or heard from Djaa since the celebration in the great hall. It made Feln wonder what Djaa was up to, or was he the smartest of them all and fled? Or was he caught in a dangerous situation that he couldn’t get out of? The time for the meeting was drawing near and Feln quickened his pace, making his way to the great hall so he could speak with the Grand Master.
#
Feln ascertained by the activity that the Grand Master was putting a plan into motion in addition to the meeting. Monks were leading soldiers in and out of the hall, weapons at the ready. Only a handful of soldiers remained as protectors, the rest looked to be the more senior monks and the Grand Master’s precious Dragonmasters. Akuka was there, going over a map with the leadership.
“I’ve delivered your message. Everyone has agreed, I believe. Djaa was nowhere to be found, though. We’ll see who attends.” He handed the ring and leather necklace back.
The Grand Master acknowledged Feln with a nod. He then dismissed those around him, including the Dragonmasters. They took up positions around the room, coinciding with the entrances and exits. Akuka took lengthy strides over, robe flowing on his heels. He looked tired. “What else have you learned?” the Grand Master asked.
“Sondossasya is dead, killed by Kara’s monks. I went to the barracks and sent soldiers to retrieve his body. I thought it was the proper thing to do.” It was clear by Montishari Gatôn’s expression that he was devastated by the news.
“How did he die?”
“Magical fire. He was escorting one of the monks from Bora into the monastery when they encountered a group of Kara’s Furies who had climbed over the wall. They attacked the two of them on sight – that’s the explosions we heard earlier tonight. The Fury from Bora, Hector, survived by feigning death. You will see him at the meeting.”
“This magic is getting out of hand. Thank you for sending someone to retrieve Sondossasya’s body. That was decent of you. Akuka, make sure we have a safe and clear path to the church. Go.” Akuka departed.
“I must warn you that Kara and Ash may or may not come to the meeting. They claim it is a trap and that we should be explaining to them what is going on rather than conducting a meeting. They are on the east-northeast side of the monastery, as Akuka indicated earlier, and they are making attack plans as far as I can tell. She was adamant about her innocence, condemning Caleth for this violence. I’m sure we haven’t heard the last of her lies.”
“We found a survivor from the attacks in the prisons,” the Grand Master said. “He confirmed that those who freed the prisoner were as you said, Furies. I can only conclude they are from Bora and that Kara is responsible. He said they attacked with lightning and that you and Caleth wisely fled.”
“After we fled, Caleth came straight to you to find out what was going on,” Feln stated. “What did you do to him?”
“I’m aware of what happened. Mistakes have been made. We were too eager to believe the assassin’s confession. It was convincing.”
“So you won’t question Caleth’s loyalty?”
“No.”
“Or mine?”
The Grand Master was slow in responding. “It depends, what are you more loyal to, the Accord of the Hand or your family?”
Feln smiled. “I would answer the question as you would answer it.”
“Then we understand each other.” The Grand Master sighed. “No sign of Djaa?”
“I couldn’t find him. I looked in all the likely spots, but didn’t have time to search the entire monastery. No one I came across knew of his whereabouts. He has departed, is hiding, or is waiting for this to come to a resolution.”
“This worries me,” he grumbled.
“There are two groups of Furies who have come from Bora,” Feln said. “One is led by a Fury named Pearl. She claims to have come to stop Kara from killing you. Not because she loves the Accord of the Hand, but because she despises Kara.”
“And the others?”
“It a group of Furies led by Hector, who was nearly killed alongside Sondossasya. He claims to have come to stop Pearl from killing you.”
“Is there anyone here that doesn’t want me dead?”
“Apparently only Caleth and I. A lot of good that did us.”
“You point has been well made, no need to salt the wound. Anything else you can tell me?”
“I went by your quarters. The outside of it was scorched, two guards are dead, burnt beyond recognition. The interior looks unharmed as far as I could tell.”
The Grand Master waved his hand. “There is nothing of importance there. I’m saddened that I have lost so many of my Dragonmasters. I'm sad that Sondossasya is dead.”
Akuka returned from his errand and came straight to the Grand Master and Feln.
“We have many Furies in our midst as we suspected,” the Grand Master said.
The tall Fury said nothing in response.
“In Feln’s presence you can refer to them properly,” the Grand Master said. “There is no doubt he is familiar with Pyndira.”
“How many then?”
“In total?” Feln asked. “With Kara there are about fifty personnel, maybe half of them are Furies. Pearl has fifty, Hector has a hundred. So that is a hundred and seventy-five Furies. I said this before; this monastery will be in ruins if you can’t negotiate a peaceful settlement.”
“But what do these Furies want? Did you ascertain that?”
“What I know is Pearl came to stop Kara. Hector came to stop Pearl, but he will soon realize he was coming here to stop Kara. You have allies in them, but they aren’t going to support you just because they are part of the Accord of the Hand. They will support you because they are against Kara. That was c
lear to me.”
“Take refreshment and you may leave,” he said, pointing toward a table with food and drink. “You have served well and it won’t be forgotten. Go, you may join your brethren outside of the walls. No one will stop you.”
“I’m staying. With Caleth safely away, I’ll represent the interests of Waskhal if you don’t mind. I think you’ll need an ally at this meeting.”
“Very well. I suggest, though, that you keep your interests in political matters true to the Accord of the Hand, and not to your province or your family. There are five monasteries we must consider in our discussion.” The Grand Master again motioned to a table with ewers of water, bowls of fruit, and plates of cheese and bread.
Feln kept quiet and went to the table. He had the full contents of a pitcher of water under his belt when one of the doors burst open. A monk came forward, rushing, with a mixed expression on his face.
“Sondossasya is alive, barely,” he announced.
From the door came two other monks bearing a litter. On it was Sondossasya. His injuries didn’t look as severe in the light of the room, but he was hurt badly. His hair had been singed off, and it looked as if his robes had completely burned off his back and through his fighting clothes. The front of him had little damage – Feln thought he must have dived to the ground for protection. His hands and arms were burned as was the left side of his face. Feln couldn’t imagine what pain he would be in when he awoke. The monks attended to him, cleaning his wounds and pulling out charred pieces of clothing.
While the Grand Master went over to speak with his Dragonmasters, Feln nodded to Akuka and departed for the old church. He didn’t know what to expect, but he was happy this would finally come to an end one way or the other. He hoped they would be able to cast Kara out of the Accord of the Hand, along with Ash, and maintain the stability of the Empire. The hope, though, was thinly spread at best. He decided it would be best to find a good spot in the church near the front door where he could blink and depart if he needed to. As he recalled, there was only one entrance and exit to the church, and he was certain the Grand Master picked the building for that reason.
Chapter 17 - Trapped
The temperature dipped outside, bringing with it crisper air. It wasn’t cold enough to see his breath, but just on the verge. He looked up at the sky, the pinpoints of the distant stars were so clear. There was activity as the Grand Master’s monks and soldiers secured positions of strength in the areas outside of the church. So much for being subtle. The door was partially open, and Feln wondered if the leaders had arrived at the church for the gathering. Feln went up the steps, his legs felt heavy, and he realized he was tired. When this night ended, he would sleep for an entire day and then some. The ornate wood door he came to was so weathered that the details in the carvings had been lost long ago, smoothed over by wind and normal use. It creaked when he pulled it open. The small vestibule was bare and an aisle extended to the dais down the middle of the church. There was no altar. Wood benches lined the expanse of the room as did stone columns sporting carved demonic faces. The chandeliers were lit; the hoisted iron behemoths blazed away and brightened the entire room. Feln took a step forward down the aisle, looking for a favorable spot so he was close to the door. He could see a man was sitting in the spot he wanted. Caleth looked up. Bruises had formed on his face and his jaw was puffy on the left side. His hair looked messier than usual. He stood and gave a deep bow to Feln.
“Well met,” Feln said.
“Well met, and thank you,” Caleth responded.
“You should have stayed outside of the monastery with the others. More trouble is brewing. It’s going to get far worse before it gets better. The Grand Master is going to come down hard on Kara, and it will result in conflict, I can feel it. The Grand Master’s forces are taking up hidden positions. This church will be surrounded as soon as the meeting begins or ends.”
“Then let’s get out of here. It’s clear to me the Accord of the Hand no longer functions as a united organization. It’s splintered. Frayed. Anything decided here will be meaningless. I’d be surprised if Djaa, Ash or Kara attend, much less listen to anything the Grand Master has to say.”
“I couldn’t find Djaa. Kara and Ash were devising a plan. Despite the dangers, I need to stay here.”
“Why?”
“Pearl is coming. She knows where Owori is, I'm certain of it. She just isn’t talking. I need to make sure she stays alive so I can get the information I need.”
“So what did I miss?”
Feln sat down on one of the benches and began, hoping he would finish the story before any of the others arrived.
#
The outside doors swung open with a screech, but no one came into the light. From his vantage point, Feln thought he should be able to see anyone entering. Whoever was at the door wasn’t coming inside. Akuka came into view, one big step after another. He surveyed the vestibule with his hand outstretched and strode ahead, coiled and ready to strike with his magic.
“Feln, Caleth,” he said. With a hand motion, he summoned the Grand Master. “No one else is here yet?”
“Not yet.”
The Grand Master strode inside, his robes flowing behind him. His face was stone, not expressive at all, and he stopped when he was in front of Akuka. He bowed to Feln and Caleth. Without a doubt, Feln thought, this was going to be all business and not pleasant.
“We didn’t know where you wanted us to sit,” Caleth said. “This isn’t the best place to hold a meeting.”
“But it’s the safest,” the Grand Master replied. “There is only one door in and out. That one. Let’s move these benches into a more agreeable arrangement.”
They situated the benches in a circular fashion, leaving room in the middle of the floor. The Grand Master insisted Feln and Caleth sit where their eyes could be fixed on the vestibule and the outer doors. Akuka and the Grand Master sat near them, their back to one side of the church. It was getting colder inside, and the only one who didn’t seem to notice was Akuka. The Grand Master was rubbing his hands. Caleth and Feln stuffed their hands inside their robes.
“There are old wood burning stoves in the corners,” the Grand Master said. “If it gets too cold, we’ll build fires.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Caleth said. “I’m sure it will get heated in here soon.”
Through the door and vestibule came Pearl, the statuesque woman in the lead with a smallish woman in tow. They were strikingly different, but both carried themselves with confidence. There were quick introductions all around. The other woman was named Tasha. Next to arrive was Hector. With him came a thin wispy woman named Ryl, who kept her eyes on the floor. She wouldn’t look anyone directly in the eye, nor did she speak when introduced. Her hair was long, black and pulled together into a ponytail. She, like Hector, looked exhausted. Finally came Kara and Ash, each of them flanked by a gray robed monk. They bowed curtly to everyone and didn’t bother to introduce the two guards with them. The Grand Master directed them to the benches and seated Ash and Kara across from him and Akuka. Akuka went and shut the front door. While everyone else sat down, the two men accompanying Kara and Ash stood behind the benches with their arms crossed.
The Grand Master stood to address the group.
“Where’s Djaa?” Kara asked before the Grand Master could say a word.
There was a pause. Feln was about to answer when the Grand Master spoke.
“We can’t find him,” he said, tone flat and serious. “We don’t know what happened to him.”
“That doesn’t concern you? One of the Seasons is missing from this meeting and it doesn’t concern you?”
“It concerns me,” he answered. “What is happening concerns me. The lack of respect and the disloyalty I have seen concerns me. That’s why I called this meeting, to figure out what is happening so we can work, as the Accord of the Hand, to restore order to this situation. This will occur with or without Djaa. We need to move forward with the leadersh
ip and the groups represented here. Unless you can fetch Djaa, please make yourself comfortable. Let’s press on, shall we?”
Feln scanned the room, the furnishings and decorations in the old church looked shabby and unkempt. The walls were bare, marred by time and neglect. He wondered, why had this building fallen into disrepair? Near each wall were piles of benches, chairs, tables, and odds and ends. Unwanted storage. Fitting arrangement, he thought, for the unwanted people who were here. Feln breathed deeply. The air was colder. Kara looked agitated and angry, Ash appeared calmer than her, but Feln detected determination in his eyes. There was intensity in Ash that Feln had seen many times in warriors before battle. The two monks protecting them looked ready to attack if the order was given. Pearl, on the other hand, was composed. She caught Feln’s gaze and held it for a moment, staring him down, looking away just before he did. The small woman next to Pearl, Tasha, was observing the room, measuring it. She didn’t look as calm as Pearl, but maintained her outer tranquility. Were both confident this meeting would end with a peaceful solution? Hector was impatient and anxious, fidgeting, and his companion Ryl stared at the floor and was still as a statue. She didn’t move, look up, or appear interested at all. The Grand Master appeared ready for a political battle, and Akuka was alert and scanning the participants just as he was. Caleth gave Feln a frail smile. He leaned into him.
“We should have left,” he whispered.
“Owori,” Feln whispered back.
“Disturbing things have happened these last few days,” the Grand Master boomed. His voice was loud and strong. “The past weeks have been difficult I must say. First and foremost, we lost Seveth.”
“We know this already,” Kara said, standing and motioning to the group as if to gain their agreement. “He drowned, did he not?”
