“I know nothing more.” One perfect tear spilled from Asumi’s left eye and slid down her porcelain cheek.
“Do not give me that rubbish, Asumi. I’m not stupid,” Senshu snapped, gripping Asumi’s shoulder so tightly that she winced in pain. “All the concubines spend their time in here chatting inanely, so you must have learned something about her.”
“She knows nothing,” Nerya interjected. “I’ve never spoken to her of my past. I told her I was from Usaka, and she had no reason not to believe me. Don’t hurt her. I’ll tell you everything you wish to know.”
“Everything? Such as how the Dai’Shi-en even knew you existed?” Senshu snarled.
“Asumi took me with her to Prince Brion’s quarters. The Dai’Shi-en saw me there. He ordered me sent to his room. He may be a Dai’Shi-en, but he is also a man, and men have needs, do they not, Lady Senshu?”
“And is he a brutal and violent lover?” Senshu spat, stalking over to Nerya.
“I do not question—I just do as he says.” Nerya lowered her eyes. “All I can say is that he showed no displeasure, and I appeared to satisfy his needs.”
Senshu curled her lip in evident disgust. “You will satisfy his needs no longer, Nerya.” Leaning forward, she whispered in Nerya’s ear, “Soon he’ll be mine completely.”
This woman was clearly insane. So why had Jaden ever involved her in his plans? “I’m sorry. I was under the impression you were Lord Naga’s consort. So why do you take such a personal interest in my sexual relationship with the Dai’Shi-en?” she challenged.
“Bitch! How dare you question me?” Senshu slapped Nerya’s face. “You’re lying about who you truly are. I’m certain of that.” She glanced over at the man holding Asumi. “Strip her!” Senshu stared deep into Nerya’s eyes. “I know you won’t be easy to break, but your little friend is a different matter…isn’t she?”
Nerya turned her head away, watching in horror as the man tore Asumi’s silk gown from her body. “Please don’t hurt her,” Nerya begged. “She knows nothing.”
“Whether she gets hurt is entirely up to you, Nerya.” Senshu strode over to Asumi and roughly fondled one of her small breasts. “So tiny. So easily broken.” Senshu took Asumi’s left nipple between her finger and thumb and squeezed it so hard the poor girl whimpered in pain. “Now, do I allow my guards to take their pleasure with her? They’re very brutal, and it’s been a while since they’ve had any female company.”
“I am not from Usaka,” Nerya said.
Senshu released Asumi’s breast and swung round to face Nerya. “Go on. You have my full attention.”
The partial truth was often more convincing than an outright lie. “I’m from the Western Kingdoms. I came here with Lord Sarin and King Tarn.”
“Really?” Senshu raised her eyebrows. “How did that come about?”
“I was at King Tarn’s court when Jaden of Iberim arrived. We were attracted to one another and we became lovers.” She paused, intending to appear nervous, although such fury filled her she could have happily slaughtered Senshu. “We continued our sexual liaison when we traveled with the king and queen of Kabra to meet up with Lord Sarin.”
“And when Prince Brion was abducted and Jaden led Tarn and Sarin here, you accompanied them? Why?” Senshu’s cold blue eyes glittered. “What use would you have been to them?”
“King Tarn hoped to rescue the prince. I came so there would be someone to care for him—a woman he knew.” She sighed. “That’s why I persuaded Asumi to let me accompany her when she visited Brion. Not that the poor child recognized me.”
The door suddenly opened and another mercenary appeared. He carried a bundle of clothing and a sword. They were her clothes and her sword. “Lady Senshu,” the man said. “These were found concealed in Asumi’s chamber.”
He gave them to Senshu, who picked up Nerya’s leather breeches. She wrinkled her nose in disgust as she examined them along with the rest of the grubby garments Nerya had been wearing when she was captured. “Yours, I presume?” she asked Nerya.
“Yes. It seemed wiser to wear male garments when traveling.”
“That doesn’t quite explain the sword, does it?” Senshu brandished the weapon. “Tell me.” She pressed its sharp tip against Asumi’s trembling stomach.
Her friend’s whimper of terror moved her more than Senshu’s threats ever could. “I carried it for protection.”
“Protection?” Senshu dug the tip into Asumi’s pale flesh until it drew blood. “That’s all?”
Nerya wasn’t quite sure how much to tell her. She sensed that Senshu knew more than she was saying. If she gave the wrong answer, Asumi would suffer. “It was vital on such a dangerous journey.”
“But I hear you’re as good with a sword as any man.” Senshu raised the weapon until it pointed at Asumi’s left breast. “The heart is about here, is it not?”
“Yes. I’m good with a sword,” Nerya replied, wondering how Senshu knew this. She hesitated to tell her more, but Senshu might run Asumi through if she didn’t. “I’m a warrior. Queen Rianna’s mother is from Freygard and—”
“I know about Freygard,” Senshu interrupted. “Are you from there?”
“No. But because of her heritage, the queen likes to have a female bodyguard,” Nerya lied. “It was she who sent me to help look for her son.”
“We get close to the truth at last. A truth I do not care for.” Senshu frowned. “I cannot explain it, but the Dai’Shi-en seems to care for you.”
“That’s impossible,” Nerya insisted. “Men like him have no such feelings.”
“Since I arrived in Acheron, I’ve learned that nothing is impossible.” Senshu addressed the men holding Nerya. “Bind her hands and take her to the dungeon. A short time there might loosen her tongue. After that, I have a little treat in store for her.”
“One hundred and ninety-nine,” Sarin counted as he paced his small cell. “Two hundred,” he gasped. Pausing for a moment, he leaned against the cold stone wall, irritably pushing a lock of greasy hair from his face. Just walking back and forth proved exhausting. It was only eight paces wide, but every time he walked across it, he hoped his body was gradually growing stronger again. His muscles had weakened considerably after he’d been chained in one position for so long, and that, coupled with the lack of decent sustenance, made everything difficult for him at present. Although, since Jaden had freed him from his chains, the food they brought him had improved both in quantity and quality.
Short of breath, he sank onto the floor and examined his grimy hands. No doubt he stank, but he’d become almost immune to such smells by now.
How he longed for a hot bath and a change of clothes. He wondered how his cherished wife Zene was faring. He smiled as he thought of her and his two sturdy sons. He couldn’t imagine losing them. That was why he’d offered to help Tarn find Brion. If he hadn’t acted so magnanimously, he would’ve been safely home in Percheron by now.
Sarin tensed as he heard the bolt of his cell being drawn back. Rising to his feet, he watched the cell door open. A man entered, wearing loose black trousers and a simple white sleeveless top belted around the middle with a narrow black sash. He had a strangely exotic look about him with his shaved head, dark, slanted eyes and yellow-tinted skin. Gill-like scars marked the lean cheeks and strange tattoos of serpents ringed his bare forearms. The man carried a pile of clean clothing and a bucket of steaming hot water.
“Leave us,” the man commanded the guard. As the guard pulled the door shut, the man put down his burdens. “Lord Sarin.” He inclined his head. “My name is Chang.”
The man undid his bundle and withdrew a cake of soap and a linen towel. He held them out to Sarin.
“Why are you here?” Sarin asked.
“I understand the Dai’Shi-en spoke to you.” When Sarin made no attempt to take the soap and towel, Chang laid them at his feet. “I come to tell you that the time is almost upon us.”
Sarin’s belly churned. The time when he was
destined to lose his mind. Jaden had told him what Naga intended to do to him. He’d been appalled by the news, but had still been unsure about trusting Jaden. Nerya had insisted Jaden had his best interests at heart, and he’d no reason to question her judgment.
Jaden had briefly told Sarin how he was forced to become a Dai’Shi-en and why he’d chosen to reassume this identity when he was captured. Jaden hadn’t told him nearly enough, but in the circumstances, he’d really had no choice but to believe him. Jaden had also said he planned to assassinate the mage that very evening. It was now many hours later. It might have been a day or more—one lost perception of time in here. Jaden had told Sarin that if he failed to kill Naga, Sarin was to put his trust in the man who would be sent to him.
“He is well but, he failed in his endeavor,” Chang said. “Fortunately, no one suspected he was the assassin.” Chang paused, his penetrating gaze making Sarin a trace uneasy. “You can trust him—Jaden is an honorable man. He will do all he can to save you and King Tarn. It is an almost impossible task he faces, but I will help him as much as I can.”
Sarin frowned, unsettled by this man’s ability to read him so easily. “You trust him?”
“With my life. I care deeply for young Brion. I will do all I can to help the child and his father return home to Kabra unharmed. Also your suspicions of both me and Jaden are entirely misplaced.”
Sarin supposed he’d have to accept this man spoke the truth. He had no wish to lose his mind and become Lord Naga’s pawn. He’d rather die while attempting to escape than surrender to that dreadful fate. “So what happens now?”
“First you wash and change into the fresh clothing I’ve brought you,” Chang replied. “You should hurry. The guards will become suspicious if I remain here too long.”
“I would prefer to face my fate clean rather than covered in the dirt of the dungeon,” Sarin said with a wry grimace as he slipped off his filthy shirt. He followed it with his breeches. His undergarment had been disgusting—stiff with grime and sweat—so he’d taken it off soon after Jaden had freed him from his chains. He grabbed the cloth draped over the side of the bucket, dunked it in the steaming water and covered it liberally with soap.
“There are things you must know,” Chang said as Sarin began to wash. “The guards will chain your hands before you’re taken to Lord Naga. The manacles will look normal at first glance, but one of the links of the chain is made of a much softer metal. It will take some effort, but Jaden tells me you’ll be strong enough to break them when the time comes.”
“Go on.” Sarin swirled the cloth in the already filthy water.
“Before the guards come to chain you, Lord Sarin, you must conceal this on your person.” Chang removed a stick-like object from beneath his shirt.
“What is it?” The stick was sheathed in chased silver at one end, almost as if it were a handle of some kind. Sarin recalled Jaden carrying a similar object with a far more elaborate, gold-wrought handle when he’d come to this cell with Nerya.
“It is a keitan,” Chang said. “I cannot go into more details now, but you must be very cautious when you use it, as it is infused with the magic of the Dragon Lords.”
“Magic? I have no knowledge of magic. What would I do with such a thing? Why not give me a dagger instead?”
“A dagger is a paltry weapon compared to this. The keitan is dangerous even to those with magical abilities. Full mastery takes much training. Nevertheless, I can teach you just enough to enable you to use it to protect yourself when the time comes.”
Jaden returned to his room just before dusk. Thankfully, it was empty. Nerya and Asumi must be safely sequestered in Brion’s quarters by now. He’d no doubt Chang would do all he could to protect Nerya. He had a fair amount of influence in the citadel, and Brion’s private rooms were off limits and would not be invaded unless Lord Naga himself commanded it.
Jaden had been obliged to spend some time with Lord Naga, listening to him going on about the failed assassination attempt and his hatred of Commander Mikoto. It was irritating, but at least Naga had never thought to suspect anyone in the citadel, let alone him. As soon as he could get away from the mage, he’d gone to the stables and instructed the servants to prepare horses and supplies for him and his escort, as he would be departing for Antoku to see the empress later tonight. Last but not least, he’d been obliged to follow up on his promise and visit Senshu.
Jaden hadn’t seen Chang. He hoped his foray to the dungeon had been carried out without mishap and Sarin was prepared and knew what to do. It’d been fortunate that Chang had discovered how much one of the guards in the dungeon hated Naga. The mage’s men had abducted the guard’s sweetheart just days before they were due to wed, and she was now one of Naga’s concubines. He’d been happy to accept a generous bribe and the promise that, when Naga was vanquished, he would be reunited with his beloved again. He would ensure the manacles they put on Sarin were those that had been specially made for them.
The silver box was missing. Nerya must have taken it, most likely hoping they would never have to return to this room again. If the gods were on their side then soon they would be on their way back to Kabra.
He could not allow himself to fail—he had to stop Naga from harming Tarn and Sarin. If Naga ever gained control of them, all would be lost for the Western Kingdoms. They would be overrun by the forces of Acheron and his own land and the Empire of Marquab would be next on the Dark Lord’s agenda.
Jaden had made Chang promise that if the worst happened and he failed, he would help Nerya and Brion escape. She could warn Rianna, Gerek and the rest of the leaders of the Western Kingdoms. They would need to be prepared if Naga did manage to performed his cruel magic on Sarin and Tarn.
Jaden splashed some water on his face and tied back his hair. After his rash promises last night, he’d had to couple with Senshu once more. He’d also been obliged to pander to some of her more perverse demands. Having sex with her had been even more of a chore than usual. Senshu disgusted him, and he’d found it even more awkward and uncomfortable now that he knew Tarn was so close. At least now, whatever happened, he’d never have to couple with her again.
Jaden glanced out the window. It was time! The sun was setting, and soon Naga would begin. He’d never felt fear before a battle. It was a useless emotion. Yet a strange, sinking feeling festered deep in the pit of his stomach. It wasn’t just his life at stake tonight; it was Nerya’s, as well as Tarn’s and Sarin’s. He tucked a large dagger in his belt, then bent to conceal a smaller one in his left boot before sliding his keitan securely down the side of the other boot.
He left his room, knowing it would be the last time he saw it, regardless of what the future held for him, and descended the wide staircase. The last dying rays of the sun streamed through a window, turning the white marble statue of Lord Naga at the bottom of the stairs blood red. Some might think that an omen, but Jaden had never been superstitious—omens, prophesies and the like were for gullible fools.
The building seemed unusually silent today, and there were barely any servants about. Jaden’s footsteps echoed in the quiet corridors as he crossed the citadel and strode toward the stone steps that led into the bowels of the castle where Naga carried out his cruel experiments on the poor citizens of Usaka.
The guards on duty made no attempt to challenge Jaden. He walked down the steps and into the first of the narrow stone chambers. Chained to the walls were a number of pathetic creatures, the results of Naga’s most recent experiments. It sickened him to see them. Why hadn’t the mage put the poor things out of their misery? One sat in a pool of blood, clawing at his own flesh; another cried hysterically, while others lunged pleadingly toward Jaden, trying to speak, but unable to form words as drool dripped from their slack mouths.
The pathetic grunting rang in his ears as he walked into the adjoining chamber. A small group of soldiers stood at the far end of the room, directly in front of the door which led to the mage’s most private chambers. He’d be
en curious about what he’d find inside ever since he’d been forced to watch the guards drag Naga’s poor, unsuspecting victims into the room.
As any Dai’Shi-en would, he totally ignored the soldiers, but as he went to pass them, a couple of the men stepped in front of him to bar his way. “How dare you!” His gaze was both cold and threatening. “Get out of my way.”
“We have orders to challenge everyone who enters these chambers,” the lieutenant in charge explained.
“Challenge everyone? That surely does not include me. I am a Dai’Shi-en—a personal representative of our esteemed empress.”
“Forgive me, my lord.” The man’s insolent manner disappeared. “I appreciate your anger, I really do, but I’m only following Lord Naga’s orders.”
Jaden frowned. “I will speak to him about this later. It’s unforgivable of him to order his men to treat me in such a disrespectful manner.”
“No weapons, Dai’Shi-en.” The lieutenant pointed to Jaden’s sword. “I’m sorry. You must leave both your sword and dagger here.”
Choked with anger, Jaden protested. “No one dares to force a Dai’Shi-en to disarm without just cause.”
“You will not be allowed to enter unless you surrender your weapons.” The lieutenant’s tone was polite but insistent.
“It appears I have no choice, but my mistress will hear of this.” The lieutenant paled at the threat but continued to hold out his hand. Jaden withdrew his sword and handed it to the man. “Be careful with the sword. It was a gift from Empress Eridea.”
“We will treat it with great care, my lord.” He placed the sword reverently on a small side table. Jaden slid the dagger from his belt and set it beside his sword.
“That is all.” He didn’t mean it to be a question as he went to walk past the men.
“No.” The lieutenant dared to put a restraining hand on his arm. “The assassin who tried to kill Lord Naga was wounded in the side.”
Savage Kingdom Page 28
