by Paul Yoder
“From there we will strategize the best line of attack; though, if Tarigannie is not onboard at this point, they will not like having our army in their lands. Even if I mention it beforehand during our conference with them, they may consider it some sort of scheme.
“We may need to leave them to their own means of defense if they stonewall us. Though, their misfortune could ultimately cost us in the end. If they were to be conquered by Sha’oul, he would, in effect, have a whole nation of newly recruited arisen at his disposal. The negotiations will be key, hence why I insist on being there to lead them.”
Leith put down her quill and parchment and addressed Metus, “As long as you leave Bannon to do his job with security and heed his council, I would be more at ease.
“As for seeing to the affairs of the Plainstate in your stead, I would be more than willing to see to the day-to-day and will make preparations with the captains to ensure they are ready to head out upon notice.”
“Good, good,” Metus said, considering the formulating plan so far. “Though I will lead our company, I will have you oversee the execution of orders when it comes to the troops. Is this agreeable?”
“That is fine. I’ll see to the troops as you, I assume, will have your hands full with overseeing Nomad as well as commanding any not within the ranks of our stationed soldiers. Speaking of which, who will be joining as an auxiliary unit?” Bannon asked, asking Metus in specific, but opening the table to any suggestions or volunteers.
“I have no interest in joining this company,” Yozo said, a note of annoyance in his voice.
His comment instantly distilled an awkward quiet in the room.
Arie, seeing no one wanting to address the contentious man, asked, “Yozo, though I admit we would not have gotten Nomad here without your rituals, you also attacked him, and would have killed him had Cavok not intervened. That you have a mixed past with Nomad is clear. Your hatred of the man is plain, so my question is: why are you still here? You want your revenge with him? You know what company you are in. We are no enemy to Hiro. This room is filled with his deepest friends. What is it you expect from us? Sympathy? Understanding?”
“I was promised that Hiro would stand and answer for his crimes, and by the sounds of it, there will be no trial any time soon. I had hopes in Sultan Metus to deliver on his word, to bring a criminal to justice.”
“You will watch your words when speaking of the sultan,” Leith rebuked, and to everyone’s surprise, the order did seem to calm Yozo for the moment, causing him to sit back in his chair awaiting an answer from Metus, having nothing else to add.
“I have given more thought to the matter of Nomad’s past, and to be frank, Yozo, I have come to the conclusion that now is not the time to hold such an investigation.
“Much has come to light over the past few days, and a great charge has been placed at our feet—perhaps the greatest we will see in our lifetime. To slow our plans down to pursue recompense for what your people may have suffered at Nomad’s hands I think is a dereliction of the more important duty. I will look into his past, if any of us survive this mission, after all this is over.
“Until then, we could all use an extra hand in confronting Sha’oul. You’ve handled Nomad at the peak of his madness better than anyone. You would be compensated for your service—”
Yozo’s face contorted as he slammed his hand on the table, cutting Metus short. “—I do not want money. I want vengeance!”
The tension in the room escalated immediately, Bannon standing at ready in case Yozo meant to carry on further. Seeing the room at odds with him, he settled himself once more, spitting out, “It is clear I will not get it here. You risk your lives for a murderer. You don’t wish to save this land from evil. You just want to hold to what corrupt power you already hold here. I’m done wasting time with this council.”
The room was dark, and the downpour was constant against the palace walls as Yozo stood and stormed out into the hallway, breezing past the two sentries who peeked in to make sure all was well within the room before returning to their post. They watched as Yozo exited the building, a floor below, out into the monsoon’s fury.
“Shame. I know he has the deepest contempt for Nomad, but he proved useful, and could have proved helpful to our mission. Though I suppose, at the least, Cavok will be pleased,” Arie said, breaking the tension in the room as she took a calming breath.
“Yes, it is a shame. Though I sense a great deal of darkness and anger in him, I think there’s a decent person deep down,” Metus mused, stroking his chin in thought. “But we have no time for dallying with those who are not fully committed to our cause. Asset, or liability—no use in considering which Yozo would have been now.
“Let us return to matters at hand. Bannon will lead the company of soldiers. Since we’re keeping the numbers low and manageable for swift travel and low upkeep, I motion we employ the Hyperium for this mission. As most of you know, they are my personal division. I have seen to it that they received the finest training, and as their number is one hundred, their size may suit our current need perfectly. What say you Bannon?”
Bannon replied without hesitation. “I would have no other division for this mission. A fine choice. And who will be in the auxiliary unit besides Nomad?”
“Yes, let's go through the charter of who all will be joining this company, aside from those already declared enlisted. I’ll take lead; Nomad will be with us, of course. Arie and Cavok as well as they already have experience in handling Nomad—if in fact he does start to relapse as we’re on the road. Reza, I’d like you by my side as the lead commander of my two personal guards. You have the most field experience with the enemy we face, and I’d like your voice present on matters. Henarus, how many clerics will you require? It is a religious foe we deal with after all, we’ll need divine aid to combat their demonic forces.”
“One cleric and myself should suffice,” Henarus answered.
Metus was slightly taken aback, not expecting such a conservative answer.
“Though we’re traveling light, to have so few members of the faith sounds under precautious.”
“Our faith is one of clarity, not combating the evils of the Deep Hells. We can aid those who do, however. We have one already assigned to the party. Reza is a saren knight. Their order has a long tradition at casting light into the dark, ridding the world of the otherworldly evils that constantly attempt to gain a clawing foothold here in Una,” Henarus offered.
Reza seemed uncomfortable at the remark, even more so with Henarus’ confident stare.
“And there’s one other,” he said, looking to Terra, the whole room centered now on her and her mother.
“You are suggesting Terra join us?” Leith questioned, unconvinced. “She is a child still. To send her on a journey so dangerous is folly.”
Others at the table shared Leith’s reasoning, but Reza intervened before the conversation could go further. “Henarus is right. She could help, greatly. I know the power of Elendium. Bede called upon his light many times in the past,” Reza stated, giving Terra a look of confidence, similar to the look Henarus had given her. “If his presence the night of the healing is any indicator of how close she is to her god, then she has potential beyond any I have come across in her faith, perhaps even Bede. I vouch for her to come if she is willing. Who are we to refuse her?”
Leith’s expression was one of doubt as she argued against the two. “There are hardships present in this journey that I doubt a young one can handle, and I worry about adding any unnecessary burdens to our already difficult task, but it is not my call to make, that decision lies at Sultan Metus’ discretion.”
Metus looked to Terra, then to her mother, considering the council’s input.
“I was the one that sent word to you of your mother’s death, Ja-net, and I was the one who allowed your presence in our assemblies and secret rites, Terra. I did so at first out of respect for Bede, who was a fierce defender of our
people and lands, but when I saw your favor with Elendium, I began to wonder if the fates, or gods, were bringing you here at this time for a divine purpose.
“I believe, Terra, that you have a role to play in the upcoming events. I know your church is going through difficult times, internal corruption running rampant. Though you hold no recognized office in your faith, I believe Elendium will choose who he will, regardless of the clergy’s designations and structure.
“Though you’re young, if you promise to pitch in and carry your weight, and you truly wish to join our cause, I would welcome you to our band—that is, if your mother approves.”
Metus’ invitation was met with smiles from Terra and her mother, Ja-net, gently voicing a few words in response.
“Terra had had powerful visions from Elendium since youth. I’ve known she was destined to play a great role in Elendium’s wishes here in Una. Though I do not possess as strong a connection with the father of our faith, I do know this is where she should be—with you all.
“Please take good care of her. She is my only child and means more to me than life itself—” her voice began to choke, emotions attempting to halt her speech. “May she serve beside you, Reza, as firmly as her grandmother did. Bede will be with her, and I know she will always be with you. She cared much for you, Cavok, and Finian. I think you three knew her better than we did towards the end.”
Reza bit down on her lip, having to break eye contact with Ja-net to control her emotions which were still fresh concerning Bede and her passing. Arie reached out, placing a comforting hand on her back in support, attempting to comfort her through her bittersweet resurfaced memories of her dear friend.
“We shall all look after her as though she were family,” Metus kindly said, attempting to draw the attention away from Reza to save her discomfort.
He issued a hopeful breath, feeling plans were finally solidifying and coming together.
“Then it is settled. We add Terra to our company. Strong and varied are the alliances we have converging on this most important mission. I look forward to working with you all and seeing the threat that Sha’oul poses to each of our peoples soon shattered.
“Now, every day that goes by is a day that Sha’oul harasses the people of Highguard and moves closer to Tarigannie. I propose we set out by tomorrow evening. We should be able to finish our preparations for the road by then and make it to Viccarwood by midnight. Any opposed?”
Knocks on the table came as the gathering agreed to the proposed plan, and Bannon added, “I will begin immediately to ready the Hyperium. Shall we all meet in the great hall tomorrow at noon to head out?”
“The great hall? Yes. That would be an appropriate location for a departure feast. We’ll need our strength for the road, and it has been a long time since we’ve gathered to break bread there,” Metus said, smiling at the resolution to the direction they had charted.
It had been many, many years since he had been out traveling the countryside, a life of adventure and daring having been a foreign daydream to him through the years of routine, though equally important, legislative oversight. He knew their path was one of dire risk, but he admitted to himself, the thrill of it all had roused a wanderlust that had remained dormant within him these many years that he had held the title of sultan.
23
Company In The Rain
The rain rushed down upon Yozo with such force, the cloak he wore was fully soaked within moments after exiting the palace, adding pounds onto his clothes as he trudged through the obscuring storm, seeking a path to his apartment to the side of the courtyard.
After grabbing his things, he’d leave these walls and never return. The sultan of this land held nothing but his own self-interest, Yozo had learned, and he would not be any closer to finishing his forsaken task of bringing Hiro to justice for all the wrongs he had allowed to befall his—their—family.
He had shown mercy to Hiro upon first meeting him those many weeks ago; though, perhaps it was not mercy that stayed his hand in cutting down Hiro where he stood. If he was to be honest, what caused him to hold back that day on the road was his need for Hiro to suffer the consequences of his past.
It had been clear upon their first meeting his mind was compromised, and he doubted that Hiro had been able to reflect clearly on the guilt that Yozo intended to instill in him. He wanted it to burn Hiro, like the pain of his actions had caused Yozo’s life to burn all those years.
Though it wasn’t yet night, the evening was drawing to a close, and the heavy rain clouds stretched all across the sky, with only a few patches allowing sunlight in through their dark folds. The red sand washed over and through the stone brick path, dying it a dusty vermilion, draining downhill like blood staining the walkway.
A voice, close, quiet, but not imperceptible, called to him.
“You come back here…or go after Nomad again…and I’ll kill you.”
Yozo stopped in his tracks. He was not one to be snuck up upon. He had perfected the art of stalking, escaping, skulking, keeping from being noticed. He knew the voice which spoke. He knew it because he had almost been beaten to death by him not long ago, his wounds not completely healed and his face most likely permanently disfigured. He was the only other man he hated more than Hiro, though, he was not afraid of Hiro….
He turned to face his stalker. Cavok, with no shirt over his muscled frame and tattooed body, was looking down at his clenched fist rather than at Yozo, rain matting the tuft of crow-black hair above his forehead, water, like tears, weeping down over his eyebrows, nose, and chin.
There was no anger in his voice, or wicked glee, only a calm resoluteness that was jarring, even to Yozo who had received death threats more times than he cared to count.
The tattoos along his forearm began to glow a dull blue, like flowing ice running up and down his flesh, pumping into his hand, steam rising from his clenched fist before the vapors flickered out, absorbed in the heavy rain.
For a moment, Yozo considered drawing his sword, but the notion passed quickly. He knew of no other outside of his homeland that could beat him in a draw. His swiftness and technique had yet to let him down on the open road in the past years. But with this one—he dared not challenge—not yet at least.
“I will not be returning…as for Hiro—” Yozo paused for a moment, considering how wise it would be for him to finish his statement regarding his kinsmen, “—I make no promises.”
“I do,” was all Cavok had to say, releasing the glow along his sleeve of tattoos, slowly turning, walking back down a dark alley amongst the apartments, sheets of rain obscuring him within a few steps, leaving Yozo on edge and alone.
If he was to deliver his revenge to Hiro, Cavok would need to die. Sooner or later, they would have no civilities left between them, and Yozo feared that he might not yet be up for that duel.
24
A Thousand Shades of the Sun
The three were drenched in sweat. The night had been cool, chilly even, but upon the rise of the morning sun, their fast pace began to exhaust them.
The Tarigannie sun was known for ending the unprepared travelers in its endless dunes. Luckily for them, the trip to Fort Branchill was not that far off from Sansabar, and there was somewhat of a trail to guide them there.
Though there had been downpours in past days, there was a crystal-clear sky this day, and the smell of the desert dunes awash from constant showers lent a pleasant fragrance to the air, though that smell was becoming increasingly harder to appreciate through the stench of their own odor.
The bright sun glittered off all the grains of sands, acting as miniscule mirrors, all seemingly pointed directly at them, blinding them, making it difficult to keep their heading straight. For the most part, they simply followed the weathered trail and trusted that they’d show up to their destination before long.
A vulture swooped past them, startling Fin and Cray, Matt the only one to not bother following the bird’s flight path.
He already knew where it was headed.
Ahead in the far distance, past a mirage pool or two, stood Fort Branchill, buzzards flocking there from miles around. The stench of the place drifted a mile or so to alert Matt of the stank of corpses, though it would be a few hundred feet more before the scent registered with Fin and Cray.
“I hope that smell on the wind isn’t your friends, Cray,” Matt croaked, taking out his canteen to gulp down a few mouthfuls of water.
“They were seized not too far from here. I assume the fort is where they were taken. If they’re not there, well...maybe we’ll find some clue as to where they were taken,” Cray reported, staring fixedly into the blinding horizon, hoping to see a sign of his friends.
“God damn it! I should have followed them instead of coming to get you—I knew that halfway back to Sansabar. What if we lose them! What if Malagar, Wyld, and Hamui are lost for good because of me! I’d never forgive myself!”
“Hold it together,” Fin said, patting the large man on the shoulder, attempting to lend some support to the man’s guilt-racked mind.
“Aye, do as Fin says,” Matt agreed, the two at least outwardly quieting Cray’s worries.
Fin patted himself down, checking all his gear to make sure he was ready for an assault on the old fort.
He had been to Fort Brackhill before as a squatter. Not for very long, but it had proved a nicer camp than the barren dunes.
In times of war, it was a strategic location for Tariganniean troops to base out of, but since war had not raged in Tarigannie for many years, all military was either stationed at Fort Wellspring or Rochata-Ung, with only the occasional temporary occupation of Fort Brackhill. As a result, it was a location that was known to house wanderers, drifters, or the infrequent bandit tribe.
He knew that if in fact an arisen troop had taken up station in the fort, they would have a good defensive structure as their advantage. The sparse landscape surrounding it left little cover to conceal their approach. If they had sentries, it would be easy to spot their advance.
