Dragons' Onyx

by Richard S. Tuttle

  “But his cavalry will open up the supply shipments again,” argued Captain Orteka. “It is large enough to defeat whatever forces you have in Lanoir.”

  “His cavalry will never reach Lanoir,” promised King Arik. “I have another army waiting in the mountains for him to try.”

  “How many armies do you have?” asked Sergeant Musaraf.

  “Many peoples have aligned themselves with me,” replied King Arik. “I hope the Sordoans will be added to that list. I could not think of a finer group to aid in Emperor Hanchi’s defeat.”

  “You act as if we are going to be following you,” accused Sergeant Musaraf. “General Mobami is our leader.”

  “General Mobami has proved himself to be a patriot of Sordoa,” King Arik said solemnly. “He has also shown himself to be a great leader.”

  “But can he bring back the sun to Sordoa?” asked Caan.

  Amidst gasps from the Sordoans, King Arik turned and stared at the Ranger. Slowly, a smile spread across his face. He turned back to face General Mobami.

  “I shall make a deal with you,” he offered. “I will get your army out of the city. You will remain as the general in charge. If and when I restore the sun over Sordoa, you will become the governor of Sordoa under my rule.”

  “And if you fail?” asked the general.

  “Then you shall be king of all you rule,” offered King Arik, “and all that I rule.”

  The general’s eyes brightened and he smiled. “Your offer is outstanding,” he grinned. “Should you fail, I am recognized as a king over the land which I love dearly. If you succeed, I shall still rule, and be subservient only to a king who has proved that he can rule wisely. How will you get my army out of the city?”

  “Your men will be removed by ship at night,” explained King Arik. “It will take several nights, so you need to fool the Lanoirians into thinking everyone is still here. I understand that your night watch is sparse. That will work well for the deception.”

  “I think it is time for that private chat, Your Highness,” smiled General Mobami. “Sergeant Musaraf, see that the Lanoirians are repelled in my absence.”

  Cheers rumbled along the wall as the general bowed to King Arik. Word of the agreement spread like fire along the ramparts. King Arik could only imagine what the Lanoirians were thinking when they heard the men of the besieged city cheering so loudly.

  Chapter 13

  In Service to the Emperor

  Bin-lu sat on the ground with the rest of the men from his patrol. Periodically, he gazed at the door flap to the interrogation tent where a Supreme Officer was handling the investigation into the gypsy attack. He could hear the sounds of battle clearly as the Lanoirians attacked the walls of Trekum. As nervous as Bin-lu was about the investigation, he was relieved not to be among those charging the walls of Trekum.

  The interrogation tent was fairly close to the emperor’s tent, and Bin-lu kept the larger tent under close surveillance while he waited to be called. He was curious why nobody had entered or left the emperor’s tent since the battle started. The only people he had seen near it were the guards, and they appeared rather lax about their task. While he was watching it, a familiar face appeared walking towards his small group. It was the Lanoirian noble who had seen him in the palace in Ongchi when he had gone to help rescue Tedi’s mother. Bin-lu quickly lowered his face and stared at the ground between his feet.

  Bin-lu’s peripheral vision was good enough to keep track of the approaching noble without letting his face be seen. He continued to stare at the ground as the noble passed by the emperor’s tent and stuck his head in the interrogation tent. He heard the noble ask about the reason for the group behind him. Bin-lu could not hear the answer from the Supreme Officer, but the noble appeared satisfied and continued on his journey.

  After the noble had left, Bin-lu raised his head and followed the progress of the noble. He suspected that the man was rather close to the emperor and was curious why he had not stopped in the emperor’s tent. Bin-lu watched as the noble approached an old stone building that was part of a winery. Guards appeared out of the shadows and halted the noble. Loud words were exchanged, but not loud enough for Bin-lu to hear what was said. The noble disappeared inside the building.

  While the interrogator called the men of his patrol, one by one, Bin-lu sat and watched the emperor’s tent and the winery building. Whenever one of his men came out of the interrogator’s tent, another was called inside. Although everyone wanted to know what was said inside the tent, nobody spoke for fear of punishment.

  Bin-lu’s curiosity perked up when a man finally approached the emperor’s tent. The man did not wear the uniform of the Lanoirian army, but was dressed in a simple black robe. When he approached the tent, the guards snapped to alertness. He tried to casually walk into the emperor’s tent and was met with two swords pointing towards his chest. The guards spoke loudly as they questioned the man. What really caught Bin-lu’s attention was the stranger making the identification sign of a Black Devil.

  Responding to a shout from one of the guards outside the emperor’s tent, two more guards appeared from behind the tent. The man’s hands were bound behind him and then he was shoved into the emperor’s tent. Bin-lu watched intently. One of the guards turned and ran towards the winery. Within moments, the guard returned with another soldier. The new soldier had gold fringe along the edges of his uniform. Bin-lu realized what that meant. He had only seen uniforms like that one when he was taken before the emperor. The soldier was one of the emperor’s bodyguards.

  The emperor’s bodyguard looked around before entering the tent. Bin-lu managed to divert his gaze before he was noticed taking too much interest in the emperor’s tent. The bodyguard disappeared into the tent. Minutes later he reappeared. He walked briskly to the winery building.

  Bin-lu pondered what a Black Devil would be doing visiting Emperor Hanchi. He also wondered why the man had been treated so roughly. When Bin-lu had been a prisoner and taken before the emperor, he had not been bound and pushed around. Only those who were violent were so treated. Suddenly, it occurred to Bin-lu that the guards recognized the Black Devil sign for what it was. They knew the man was a magician, and therefore he was considered to be carrying a weapon. While it began to make some sense, Bin-lu felt that something was still amiss.

  Bin-lu saw the bodyguard reappear from the winery building and walk to the emperor’s tent again. This time the bodyguard stayed inside for a long time. Half a dozen of Bin-lu’s men were interrogated during that time. When the bodyguard emerged from the tent, he issued orders softly to the guards. Bin-lu saw the guards nod their understanding as the bodyguard left and returned to the winery building.

  As the guards slipped into the tent, Bin-lu leaned back and eased open his breast pocket. Shrimp cautiously stuck his head out and looked around. Bin-lu whispered to the fairy.

  “Find out what is going on inside that tent,” he instructed the fairy. “Do not get caught, and come right back. I may need you when it is my turn to be interrogated.”

  The fairly rolled his eyes and shook his head. “I am not an amateur at this spy stuff, you know,” he scowled.

  Bin-lu shook his head as the little green fairy darted into the sky. Bin-lu looked around nervously to see if anyone had noticed. He never saw the fairy enter the large tent, nor did he see Shrimp come out, but in minutes the fairy was back on his shoulder.

  “There are four guards and a dead man inside,” Shrimp reported while hiding behind Bin-lu’s hair. “Two guards are shoving the body into a sack while the other two dig a hole.”

  “A hole?” whispered Bin-lu. “They are going to bury him in the emperor’s tent? Was the emperor inside?”

  “Did you not hear my whole report?” snapped Shrimp. “There is no one else in the tent other than what I reported. There is nothing else in the tent other than what I reported. Sheesh, amateurs.”

  “No furniture?” quizzed Bin-lu as he ignored the fairy’s tirade. “No rugs? No
cots?”

  “You need your ears checked,” sighed Shrimp. “There is nothing else in the tent. Shall I paint you a picture?”

  Bin-lu imagined the fairy showing the vision in a white cloud and shuddered. “No,” he whispered as he held his pocket open. “Get back inside where you won’t cause a commotion.”

  While Bin-lu was pondering the mystery of the empty tent, the last of his men exited the interrogator’s tent.

  “We can return to our encampment,” the man announced. “All except you, Officer Bin-lu. He wants to see you now. Good luck.”

  “Thank you,” nodded Bin-lu as he rose.

  Bin-lu dusted off his uniform and straightened it. He marched into the tent portraying a proud Lanoirian officer. He walked up to the Supreme Officer and saluted smartly.

  “Officer Bin-lu, Sir,” declared Bin-lu.

  “Your patrol failed in its mission, Bin-lu,” the officer began without niceties. “I am sure that you are aware of the penalty for failure in this army?”

  “I am aware of the punishment,” nodded Bin-lu, “and I agree with it. This army cannot accept anything but the best from its men. I take exception to your characterization of my patrol, however. We did not fail in our mission.”

  “Oh?” asked the Supreme Officer as his eyes narrowed. “You succeeded in your mission?”

  “Our mission was to scout the perimeter of the camp,” replied Bin-lu. “We did so. It is well known that our patrol was attacked as it was returning to camp. Our losses were high, but our patrol was intact and itching to return to battle after carting our wounded to the healers. Officers in this camp refused permission from my patrol to go back out after the attackers. That is inexcusable. They should be punished.”

  The interrogator’s eyebrows rose as he studied Bin-lu. Finally, he smiled and shook his head.

  “There are few times in the course of my job that I come across a soldier who is eager to die for the emperor,” the interrogator said. “Your story matches what all of your men have said. I think it is safe to assume that there was no fault on your part.”

  “Those officers?” questioned Bin-lu. “Will they be properly punished for denying my men the chance for revenge?”

  “None of your men could properly identify them,” sighed the interrogator. “Unless you can do so, I will declare this matter ended.”

  “I cannot,” Bin-lu shook his head sadly. “My mind was on punishing the attackers.”

  “You have the makings of a fine officer, Bin-lu,” declared the interrogator. “I think you should get a promotion for your bravery. Of course, it is not my place to offer such a thing, but I have something else that will please you and your men.”

  “Oh,” responded Bin-lu. “It is not rewards that we care for. We just wish to serve the emperor as best we can.”

  “I understand that,” grinned the interrogator. “I have not seen such high moral anywhere in this camp. Tomorrow, you and your patrol shall have the honor of leading the attack on Trekum. It is sure to get your bravery noticed by those who can award such promotions. The matter against you is dismissed.”

  Bin-lu swallowed hard as the interrogator mentally dismissed Bin-lu and started writing in his journal. Bin-lu turned and walked out of the tent in a daze. His mind spun as he walked past the emperor’s tent. He wondered how he would tell his patrol that they were going to charge the wall of the city the next day.

  “You!” a voice said accusingly. “Seize that officer.”

  Bin-lu turned to locate the voice and was immediately grabbed by two guards. A tremor of fear coursed down his spine as he saw the noble walking towards him. The noble walked to the emperor’s tent and held the flap open. The guards dragged Bin-lu inside.

  “How dare you show your face around here,” scowled the noble. “You will not get away this time. Bind him.”

  The guards were swift in their duties as they rapidly bound Bin-lu’s hands behind him. Bin-lu thought about attacking them, but he was in the heart of the Lanoirian encampment. There was no way that he could escape with people shouting for his capture.

  “Leave us,” the noble ordered the guards.

  Bin-lu frowned at the dismissal of the guards. He wondered if the noble planned to kill him himself. Suddenly, it dawned on him. The noble was embarrassed by his own performance the last time they had met in the palace at Ongchi. Bin-lu wondered if he could use that information to his advantage.

  “I cannot believe that you have returned after escaping from the palace,” scowled the noble. “It only confirms my suspicions that you work for a foreign government. Which one do you work for?”

  “I work for the good of the people,” replied Bin-lu. “Is that not the same with you?”

  “Do not take me for a fool,” warned the noble. “You broke into the palace and freed two of the emperor’s teachers. That is punishable by death. Emperor Hanchi will be pleased to learn of your capture.”

  “I was used by the foreigners,” argued Bin-lu. “I believed them to be diplomats from afar. It seemed only logical that they would wish to visit with other foreigners who lived in the palace. How was I supposed to know?”

  “You would have me believe that you were duped by those foreigners?” asked the noble with suspicion.

  “Of course,” nodded Bin-lu. “When you arrived and started the ruckus, I did not know what to do. I wanted to run away and that is what I did. I was so ashamed afterwards. You must believe me.”

  “Bah,” spat the noble. “I can believe nothing that comes from your lips. All of your dealings have been with foreigners. First you just happen to have a necklace that was given to you by some unnamed foreigner. I let you go that time only to be rewarded with your treachery the next time. You will not survive this encounter.”

  “Believing in foreigners has been my weakness,” admitted Bin-lu. “It has been my nature to believe in everyone. I guess that is my failing, but it does not make me a bad person. Why do you think I have joined the army and come here?”

  “To spy on the emperor,” accused the noble. “There is no other believable explanation. Is it not strange that I find you hanging around the emperor’s tent?”

  “Emperor’s tent?” echoed Bin-lu. “But this is an empty tent. Nobody lives here. Certainly not the one in that freshly dug grave.”

  The noble frowned and followed Bin-lu’s gaze. He saw the fresh mound of dirt and his face clouded over with unspoken questions.

  “Besides,” continued Bin-lu, “I was not hanging around this tent. I was visiting the tent next door.”

  “The interrogator’s tent?” questioned the noble. “What trouble have you been caught at now?”

  “It is not trouble,” shrugged Bin-lu. “My patrol was ambushed. It was a normal investigation as to what happened.”

  “Your patrol?” questioned the noble. “Are you saying that you really do have a patrol? What did the interrogator say?”

  “He was impressed with my leadership,” grinned Bin-lu. “In fact, he has given me the honor of leading the attack against Trekum tomorrow. I will finally get my chance to show everyone my devotion to Lanoir.”

  The noble shook his head in disbelief. He started to speak several times, but the words never came out. Finally, he stormed out of the tent. After a few minutes, he returned.

  “I can’t believe that I have misjudged you so,” apologized the noble as he cut the bindings on Bin-lu’s hands. “Still, the emperor needs to be informed of your presence here. You must pay for your indiscretion in Ongchi. As a favor to you, I will not mention it until after you have had a chance for heroics tomorrow.”

  “That is most kind of you, Sir,” smiled Bin-lu as he rubbed his hands and bowed.

  “Za-chan,” the noble said. “You may call me Za-chan.”

  “Thank you, Za-chan,” smiled Bin-lu. “I will be ready to take whatever punishment the emperor deems necessary. I am glad that you are willing to let me prove my honor on the battlefield before going in front of the emperor again. Per
haps it will not even be necessary for the emperor to be involved.”

  “What do you mean?” Za-chan asked suspiciously.

  “I am to lead the charge tomorrow,” explained Bin-lu. “While I will prove my worthiness to everyone, there is a good chance that I will not survive to face the emperor. That would be a kindness to you.”

  “To me?” questioned Za-chan. “Why would it be a kindness to me?”

  “To bring up such an old matter before the emperor,” explained Bin-lu, “is to remind him of the pain of that day. I would not want him to take his displeasure out on you. I have no doubt that he already did so once before.”

  “He has,” Za-chan nodded and frowned as he recalled the fit of rage he had to endure before Emperor Hanchi. “He was very upset.”

  “It is not pleasing for the Lanoirian people to see the emperor upset,” shrugged Bin-lu. “This is especially true when we are so far from home and facing a mighty enemy.”

  Bin-lu could almost smell the gears turning in the noble’s head. He smiled inwardly as he watch Za-chan squirm while he tried to balance his duty to the emperor against his own displeasure.

  “Perhaps it is best if it is forgotten,” decided Za-chan. “Emperor Hanchi has not been himself lately. I should not distress him with such trivial things.”

  “Not himself?” questioned Bin-lu. “How has he changed?”

  “He seems to be a different man these days,” mused the noble. “He does not take my advice anymore, or that of any of the other advisors.”

  “Perhaps he is engrossed with executing this war,” suggested Bin-lu.

  “No,” Za-chan shook his head. “It started before we left Ongchi. He also gets many strange foreign visitors now. People I have never seen before, yet his old visitors are no longer welcome. If I had not served him for so long, I would swear that he was a different man.”

  Bin-lu pondered the strange revelation form the noble. He wondered if this knowledge would be of any help to King Arik.