But there was one man who glanced at me and then quickly away. It was enough. I knew how to read men: it was part of what the Shades did. I knew what that look meant. Other than the wench who was an old hag of a woman, I was the only female in sight.
I finished my meal and retired to my room for the night. As I lay in bed I closed my eyes and slept; however, the sleep of a shade was not the sleep that the other patrons had. We only skimmed the surface of sleep. We did not allow our minds to enter slumber for we had to be always aware. The only place in the world a shade could truly sleep was in the Guild itself.
Within a short time I heard the door creak open. The man was standing there. He was breathing heavy, his eyes like a predator’s in the night. He walked into the room and shut the door behind him and stood like a shadow. He began slowly walking over, ensuring that his steps would not be heard.
He stood over me and bent down near my face and I could smell his stinking breath. Licking his lips, he reached down to touch my breasts and stopped. Glancing down, he saw the split in his belly, then his organs flopped out of him like wet sausages onto the floor. I replaced my blade underneath my leg and attempted to relax, the prince’s face in the forefront of my thoughts.
4
In the morning I rose and looked at the man’s body on the floor. I was about to step over him when he sucked in breath. He was still alive. I sat at the edge of the bed and looked down at his eyes. He couldn’t scream or speak and his only movements were a slow writhing in his own dried blood. I lifted him by the collar and threw him on the bed and he gasped and tried to fight me off. I took the blanket and pulled it up over him and left him there as I went downstairs. No one was serving food so I left.
Balor Gesh wasn’t more than half a day’s ride or three days walk and I decided to purchase a horse. The town held one livery with the odd stable behind it and I went and spoke with the owner of the horses. He was whipping a horse on the side of its face for misbehaving.
“You bastard! You never listen!”
I came up behind him and took the whip as it went up for another strike. I swung out and lashed him across the mouth and he stumbled back, blood beginning to flow from his lips.
“It doesn’t feel pleasant, does it?” I said.
I went to the horse and patted its muzzle. I looked into its eyes and saw a lifetime of pain. I whispered into its ear and it calmed.
“How much for him?”
“You fucking cu—”
I lashed out with the whip again across his face. He screamed.
“How much?”
“Two sesters.”
I took out one gold piece, worth twenty times what he asked, and tossed it to him. “For your troubles,” I said. It ensured he would not get the enforcement authorities of the town involved.
I took a blanket that lay in the stable and placed it on the horse’s back before mounting. I leaned down and whispered to it and it listened before walking out of the stable to the road.
We went deep into the forest and then out again. I found an open clearing of nothing but grass and I let him run as fast and as far as he wanted. He had lacked freedom for so long he wasn’t certain what to do at first, but he learned.
We rested a bit before continuing on our journey. It was customary to give horses names but I did not. Naming something, appreciating it, or loving it, gives an attachment, one that might be difficult to sever when necessary.
Balor Gesh was an unusual city. It sat on the sea and had a great port but also contained wheat and barley fields within its walls. We arrived early in the morning after a night spent in the woods. All night I could smell the stink of orcs around us, but they hadn’t approached. In many ways, orcs were more intelligent than men. They knew when an opponent was too great.
The city was built on the backs of slaves and had an inordinate number of monuments and bridges and castles. It was easy to build greatness when life was not considered precious. Its population had grown so quickly that the masses huddled on the streets, starving, while the wealthy sat in their towers and mansions and ate honeyed eel and Fenish shark.
But the reason I found it odd is that it had never had a slave revolt. Of all the cities in the Empire, few could lay such claim. I was curious to know what the slave owners in Balor Gesh did to break the wills of men.
We entered through the gates and no one greeted us but a handful of guards. One came to me and asked me my business. This was unusual as far too many people came and went for guards to interrogate each one, so I assumed he wanted something. I took out a sester and handed it to him in a manner none of the others could see.
“My business is knowing when and where the Head of Household for the emperor will be selecting her women.”
He nodded. “Where will you be?”
“Whatever inn is closest to the sea.”
I rode inside the city.
It was a mass of humanity that I never grew accustomed to. I wondered why it was that people chose to live in such proximity to one another. The stench of others alone was a deterrent. The shops crowded most of the space available to traverse and merchants shouted at all who passed. Whores lined the porches of the cheaper brothels while the more exclusive ones had young boys outside enticing the passerby.
A group of young boys ran up to me, pulling and tugging at me, begging me for money and scraps. I shooed them away. One boy, however, waited on the porch steps of a nearby building. He climbed adroitly up a pillar and to the roof of another building and followed me.
I went closer to the ports and could smell the saltiness of the sea. I had always loved the sea. You could be lost for centuries upon it and just beyond the horizon lay undiscovered lands and peoples. The entirety of the world was not yet known. In another life, one without the prince’s hand, perhaps I would have been an intrepid explorer.
I turned a corner and saw the crystal blue of the Sea of Benyal, a vast expanse of ocean dotted with wooden ships. Slaves were up on platforms, with dirtied and elegant men alike shouting bids. Young pretty girls received the highest, with young boys the next.
I rode close to the port and sat on the horse watching the sea when I saw movement and the young boy I had seen following me was there. He smiled.
“I told the other boys I didn’t have anything for them,” I said.
“What I offer is a trade, not begging.”
“Really? And what do you have for me boy?”
“What do you need?”
“I have all I need.”
“I don’t think you do.”
“Oh? And what do you think I need?”
“Well, a place to rest your horse for starters, M’lady.”
“I am nobody’s lady. And why does my horse need rest?”
“’Cause them boys poked him with a needle that had reslin berry on it. It’ll paralyze the horse, make it so he don’t even breathe. You’ll think the horse is dead and when you do they’ll come retrieve it and sell it.”
I looked down to the horse. “And why tell me this? Wouldn’t you be privy to part of the profit?”
“Aye, M’lady, I would. But I think the information I could give you is more valuable to you.”
I smiled despite myself. “What’s your name?”
“They call me Spit, M’lady.”
I took out a gold piece, the lowest currency I had left, and tossed it to him. “That’s for you.” And then I tossed him three others. “For those, go to the money changers and get me sesters and nesters.”
He smiled as widely as I’d seen a boy smile and said, “Right away, M’lady.”
I turned back to the sea and watched it a long while before finding the inn on the sandy beach overlooking the port. The building stood tall and was made of stone that had been painted gold. A boy was there to take my horse.
“He will appear to sleep soon,” I said. “Make sure he is somewhere with shade, and give him water when he wakes.”
He nodded and I walked inside the inn. It was decorated well with importe
d rugs and delicate furniture. A bald man stood behind a counter in front of some logs and I went to him and rented a room for the next few nights.
“One with a balcony,” I said, “overlooking the sea.”
I went to the room and it was as elegantly decorated as the vestibule. The balcony was massive with two large double-doors that led out to it. I went and sat on the strawberry-wood chairs and felt the ocean breeze though I was on the fifth and highest floor. I could see the people beneath me as they went about their day. In a haze, they seemed to not live in the moments of their existence, but to fear that moment, for in that moment was a realization that would only unleash a forest of horrors—already they were living as corpses, and just did not realize it.
I heard footsteps behind me and Spit ran in, out of breath. He laid before me nearly a hundred coins and then stood up and watched me.
“How did you find me so quickly?” I asked.
“This is my city. I know everythin’ that goes on in it.”
“I don’t doubt that.” I looked out over the sea. “I paid a guard to tell me when the Head of Household for the emperor arrives and where they will be holding their examinations for the maidens.”
“I wouldn’t a done that, M’lady. Them guards is good for nothin’. A snake is more than likely to keep his word over them.”
“What about you?”
“I will know before they even in the gates.”
I reached down and took a few sesters and threw them to him. “Inform me then when they arrive.”
“Yes, M’lady.”
A spread of sweet-meats and cakes and fruit was on the table. Spit was eyeing it as if he hadn’t eaten in a long while.
“Help yourself,” I said.
He ran over and began gorging himself. I grinned and turned back to the sea.
5
The next day I went about the city. The stable boy informed me that my horse had slept for nearly half a day before waking. I would have to be more mindful: children had passed my guard because of my distraction.
I first went to a clothier and purchased the finest garbs I could, a buttery and lavender dress with jeweled sandals. I felt like a fool. How impractical everyday dress was.
I then went to a den of maidens and had my nails and hair and skin addressed. I felt like a whore, though they assured me I looked like a queen. They were speaking in abrasive tones about the latest gossip in the city, or husbands they found despicable, or children they didn’t love. It was such a sad display that I had to strengthen my mind against it and ignore them. I was still with the maidens when Spit came rushing in.
“They’re here!”
I rose, paid, and followed him out. We took my horse to the center of the city where a procession was coming through. It consisted of elegantly-decorated carriages, the finest stallions, and beautiful slaves handpicked to give an impression of grandeur. Crowds huddled around the procession, some chanting, “Bless the Emperor!” others throwing small garlands.
The procession passed us and I watched them. The slaves kept their eyes forward and neither looked about nor seemed to care to look about. They were beasts of burden and had been so cruelly treated they believed that was all they were good for.
Near the back, surrounded by guards, the Head of Household was a stern-looking woman, a bit older, but you could see that at one time she would have been considered quite lovely. She was waving to the crowds with as false a smile as she could muster.
“Find out where they will be doing the examinations,” I told Spit.
He hopped off the horse without a word and scurried off.
I waited until the procession was finished before I followed the last of them. They toured the city in a circle before coming to rest before a great hall. The Head of Household was assisted out of her carriage, as were a few others, and they entered the hall.
I counted twenty-seven guards, led by one of the Royal Guards, easily identifiable with their shining silver armor with the massive steel shoulder protectors.
“The lady needs this.”
I looked down to an old woman who was offering me something. A piece of jewelry. It was red and faintly glimmering in the sunlight.
“I don’t require it,” I said.
“Oh but you do! I see the way you look at them that enter the city. This will bring you good fortune. If you not buy, I give to you.”
She laid it down across my thigh.
“How much?”
“Whatever the lady thinks is fair.”
I took out three nesters and paid her. She smiled and bowed and walked off. The jewelry was a bit of bracelet and I took it and put it on my wrist. It was oddly beautiful and tingled slightly. I had never worn jewelry before and it gave me a bit of pleasure and I felt foolish for feeling such.
“M’lady,” Spit said, running up. “It will be in one fes’ time there in the hall. They said that they wanted to get business out of the way before pleasure. That’s what they said to the man in the hall.”
One fes was not much time. Perhaps enough for me to eat if I felt like it. But I did not. I wished nothing but to remain pristine for the coming examination. So instead I went to the beach, Spit following behind me.
“Where are your parents, Spit?”
“Me mum died when I was a baby. I don’t know where my pa is. He takes to the alehouses and don’t come home.”
“Where is your home?”
He pointed far across the city, to a gathering of small multi-colored shacks on a hillside. “I live in that one there, on the corner. Just me and my pa and two sisters.”
I looked down to him. “What did you do with that money I gave you? The gold piece?”
“I bought food for me sisters. Enough so they could eat for a long time. But not enough that my pa would see. He would sell the food if he found out about it. Sell it for ale.”
I couldn’t help but notice the bruises coming out of his shirtsleeves and the way his arm bent awkwardly, no doubt from a previous break, perhaps even two or three.
“Your pa beats you regularly, does he not?”
“Yes, M’lady, he does.”
I nodded. “You never get used to them do you? Beatings. Each time is as if it’s the first.”
He was silent a while and I regretted mentioning it. I took out a couple sesters and flipped them to him. “For the information today. How did you manage to hear that anyway?”
He pointed to the top of the hall. “Climbed up to the top among the wooden beams and listened. That’s why they call me Spit, cause you don’t notice me, just like spit.”
“Clever. Run along now and go check on your sisters. I’ll speak to you again tonight.”
I stared at the stone building. A line was already forming of beautifully-dressed women in colorful dresses, mothers doting over them like fairies. None of them had horses: it was unladylike. I went to a nearby alehouse and lashed my horse before walking over and waiting in line.
6
As I waited in line, a woman came out of the hall. She looked us over, one at a time, before standing before us and starting to shout.
“You will each go in one at a time to be examined by her Grace, Head of Household Margaret of Chester. You will never address her as such. You will only address her as Your Grace. When she asks you to perform some action, you will simply perform it without protest. Your place is not to ask questions. Questions can be answered at a later time.”
They began taking the girls in one at a time while the others gossiped in hushed tones about what would be asked of them. I knew what would be asked. I had thought of nothing else for as long as I could recall.
Those who could sew and cook and appeared strong of arm would be put with cleaning staff. Those who could read and write or were good with numbers could be put with the House of Finance managing the Empire’s money. But those who possessed both beauty and charm would be selected for the prince. They were never told this. They were told they would be maidens to the prince’s sister
s, but that was not the purpose. However, one could not come off as too seductive for they did not want whores, and in fact preferred virgins.
“You,” the woman at the door said, pointing to me, “you’re next. Hurry up now.”
I followed her in. The hall was something to be admired. Great statues filled the empty spaces between walls covered with ancient weapons, and rugs imported from as far as the Silver Isles adorned the stone floors. A golden rug led to an enormous chamber where the Head of Household was sitting on a makeshift throne of sorts with an assistant on either side. Her back was straight, uncomfortably so, and she glared at me as I approached. I came to the end of the rug and stood quietly.
“What is your name, girl?” she said.
“Aysta, Your Grace.”
“Aysta … that’s an interesting name. Where do you hail from?”
“Theveese, Your Grace. A small island near the coast of Tamor Bay.”
“I’m familiar with that area. It’s quite lovely. And produces lovely children.”
“You flatter me, Your Grace.”
She nodded, staring into me, attempting to read something that I had hidden away. Theveese was on the other side of the world from where I was born. But they were a crossroads of several different cultures and had no defining characteristics in their people as they had bred with so many other cultures through the centuries. They had white-skinned children with crimson hair and black-skinned women with blue eyes and golden hair.
“Where are your parents?” she asked.
I nearly had to spit it out. “Dead, Your Grace. From a plague.”
“I wasn’t aware of any major plagues near Tamor Bay.”
“We were traveling, Your Grace. My parents were actors in a comedy troupe and I traveled with them. They were infected near Damanzi and died a short while later. I, however, was spared.”
“Such is fate. Nearly indecipherable to us mortals.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
She inhaled deeply and then exhaled. “I assume you are not married?”
Empire of War - An Epic Fantasy (The Empire of War Trilogy Book 1) Page 4
