by Reece Dinn
Cutter hesitated.
'Yer greedy cunt,' said Awon.
The Brebuu hit Awon hard on the chest. 'SHUT UP,' he snapped.
Awon grunted, doubling over.
Banen smacked the table and laughed. 'He really is a wild one, ain't he? You're right though, lad. I am. Got to be in this game. No use being content.'
Awon righted himself, then spat on the floor.
Banen grinned. 'If I'm going be teaming up with a traitorous prick like you, Cutter, then I want it all. What do you say? Can you handle answering to one of your bitterest enemies?'
'If I say yes then you're no longer my enemy, you're my boss,' said Cutter.
'Very wise of you,' said Gobmu.
'I get to keep my districts?'
'Yeah. But I get a ten percent cut of everything you earn,' said Banen.
'Thieving bastard,' spat Cutter.
'It's what you take from your subordinates ain't it?'
Cutter scratched his head. 'I guess.'
'Don't worry. Say yes and I'll make you my left hand man.'
'Left hand?'
Banen held out his right hand. 'Gobmu's the right. Gotta have a left too.' He held out his left hand and wiggled it. 'You killed my last one. Jon was a prick anyway though.'
Cutter sat thinking for a moment longer, then said, 'Don't have much choice really, do I?'
Banen sneered at him. 'No, you don't. You lose either way. May as well get your districts back and kill some Drowners. Always hated that blue skinned cunt anyways.'
Cutter chewed his lip for a moment, then said, 'okay.'
Banen rose, kicking back his chair. 'Then it's settled.' He offered out his hand.
Hesitantly, Cutter rose from his chair and approached the huge gang leader, grasping the offered hand.
Banen's face twisted into a grin. 'It's finally happened then. The Cutters are dead.'
Chapter Forty Three
Koma knocked on the door again. 'Sabu. Sabu. The door's locked. Can I come in? Are you alright? Saima?'
The Monster didn't respond.
Gods. Three days now she's refused to leave her room.
'We'll send for you if she wakes,' said the Saban's Guard to her right, a softly spoken man whose voice contrasted his bulky, muscular frame.
The Saban had ordered that more Guards be placed around the palace, due to both the disturbances abroad, and the trouble in the city below. The order meant that the Guards didn't get a day off now. They were becoming more irritable by the day, Koma had observed. More eyes around the place too. That can only be bad for me.
'She's awake. I know it. She's just sulking.' Koma banged on the door again. 'Sabu, please. It's me, Koma. Let me in.'
No response.
'She's not going to come out,' said the other Guard, the woman who'd escorted them to the temple below on their last visit. 'Not after what happened.'
She shot the girl Guard a dark look. 'How do you know what happened?'
'The whole palace knows.'
'How?'
The girl Guard shrugged. 'Someone said they heard it from someone else. Don't know.'
Little minions. Always talking about their superiors. Although I suppose I'm a minion too. She banged on the door again.
Nothing.
Koma huffed. 'Okay. As soon as you hear her stirring send for me, please. The Saban will have me strung up if this continues.'
'But it's not your fault,' said the boy Guard.
'It's my fault I've allowed her to stay in her room.'
He leaned in a little closer. 'If the Saban wants her out of the room she should come and do it herself.'
I agree. But life isn't fair, is it? 'The Saban has the affairs of the country to attend to. That is why she employs people like me.'
'Attending to the affairs of the country? That's what they're calling it these days, is it?'
Koma did her best to hide her smirk. 'I don't know what you mean.'
The Guard leaned in closer. 'Yes you do.'
She straightened her robe. 'I'll be off then.' Gods only know what I'll do with myself. Went for a walk around the gardens yesterday. That grew tiresome fast. There's a City Council meeting today. I wanted to attend, but without that Monster I can't go. Or can I?
Koma pondered to herself as she headed back down the hallway. Civilians can attend Council meetings, can't they? She took a right, deciding to head to the kitchens to pick up some bread and cheese to take with her. If I can't then I'll go some place else. The Archives, perhaps. Or maybe I'll just flee this place once and for all. Burn it to the ground as I go.
Shonmu rested in his chair like it was a throne. I'm surprised he doesn't just take the Saban's Seat while he's here. Or would that be too obvious?
To Koma's relief civilians were allowed to attend, and there were a lot of people here today, far more than there'd been the previous times she'd attended meetings. Merchants, traders, and other businessmen all clamouring to be heard, shouting as loud as they can. The bleating yegeyor were loudest, yet ironically they were the ones whose requests were ignored.
All of them angry about the damage being caused by the gangs. Gods only know what it's like down there.
The Nobans of the city sat quietly, their heads slunk forward, staring at the ground. It was evident that no one had any idea what to say to quell the anger in the room. Only Shonmu addressed the crowd, but his nonchalant attitude only seemed to anger them.
'Gods be damned, I hear you,' said Shonmu. 'The Konar are doing everything within their power to end this conflict between the gangs and restore peace to the city.'
'I hear the Konar-kas is supporting the Drowners. Is this true?' shouted a small merchant next to her, dressed in a smooth, shiny purple robe. He was hidden from the Tekan and Nobans by the throng of people around him, but others began to repeat his question, over and over, and much more loudly.
'That accusation is a lie,' Shonmu yelled back, looking genuinely annoyed. 'The Konar-kas would never support any of these criminals. That is completely absurd.'
Not really. Backing and controlling who wins would be a valid strategy for maintaining law and order. Probably better than just locking them up, or even killing them all. New gangs would only take their place. I'd say it's better to have one gang in power, backed by the Konar. Similar to how Emperor Majeh vanquished the other clans so only his remained to rule the empire. If these accusations are true the Konar-kas is quite smart, for a savage. I'd imagine this Shonmu is in on it too.
The crowd erupted with even more questions, no one's save for the yegeyor could be heard however. Those yegeyor may as well not bother. No one will listen. Not even the two yegeyor Nobans down there. And certainly not Shonmu. He's a scumbag of a Tekan. Not that the rest of them are any better. All politicians are bastards, as far as I can tell. Even those back home.
'Settle down. Settle down,' ordered the Konar on either side of the room. They stamped the butts of their rifles on the floor.
The crowd didn't settle. They were much too angry.
Shonmu stood up. 'What do you want me to do?' he shouted. 'We're doing the best we can. These people are violent criminals and they will be dealt with. Right now the situation is out of control. The fighting is escalating. But it will be brought under control, I promise you.'
The crowd responded by shouting even louder, somehow.
Koma covered her ears, the noise was beginning to give her a headache. I've had enough of this. Gathering up her small bag of food, she rose from the bench and squeezed her way out of the hall. For once no one seemed to notice her pass by.
Koma hung her legs over the edge of the rooftop and looked out at the glowing lights of the city below, spreading out into the distance. This place is beautiful at night. All those torches burning, like a thousand stars on the ground.
The sky above was overcast, blocking out the red moonlight of Renoma and the stars. The clouds hung heavily, threatening rain. They glowed with Renoma's light, making them look like as if the
y'd rain fire.
Of late she'd taken to coming up here to gaze out at the city. It was soothing, the only place, other than her room, where she could be alone. Besides, it gave her a good cover story if she was caught going to see a Shadow again.
A couple of nights before she'd seen a gang attack some warehouse, or another similar sized building. There'd been lots of rifle fire, bullet beams trailing into the night. She'd been able to hear the wail of rifle fire from all the way up here. What if the gang war reaches this tier? Those useless Saban's Guard aren't going to be able to stop them. We'll all be killed, or raped, or robbed.
Clinking.
She huffed. Who's this now?
A Saban's Guard appeared in the doorway behind her, the silhouette of his armour distinct in the evening's dull red light. 'I was told I'd find you up here. The Saban sends for you,' said the Guard, his features hidden by the darkness.
'What does she want?' Koma asked.
'How should I know? Come on. I'm off duty as soon as I deliver you.'
'It's the twenty eighth hour of the day. What pressing plans do you have?'
'I'm back on duty at nine tomorrow. I want some damn sleep. Now come on. Don't make me drag you to her by that pretty hair of yours.'
Koma grimaced, which was thankfully hidden from him by the darkness. He led her back through the maze of corridors and halls to the Saban's rooms at the rear of the palace, overlooking the Saban's Gardens.
'You can knock on the door yourself. I'm going,' said the Guard.
'But my arms are too weak. I'll barely make a sound,' she said as squeakily as she could.
'You're a right bitch, you know that?'
You're a savage trespasser who has no right even breathing this air. Did you know that? She shrugged, then turned away from him and knocked on the door.
The Guard left.
The door was opened by another Guard who examined her from head to toe, far too much for Koma's liking. A second Guard stood beside the door at the end of the small passageway.
'I'm here to see the Saban. She sent for me,' said Koma, doing her best to mask her irritation.
'Koma? Yes. Come.' He stepped aside for her.
The other Guard opened the far door leading into the Saban's suite.
'She's in her bedroom,' said the second Guard. 'You can go in.'
Koma nodded.
The walls of the main room were painted gold and white. The leather of the chairs was painted white also, and lined with golden thread. The tables were gold painted. The carpet too. In fact everything was gold. It hurt her eyes. There were golden goblets that shone so bright in the light that it dazzled her. The only thing that was likely brighter was the Socrae-al's teeth.
There were four doors. She had no idea which was the Saban's bedroom. Two were glass panelled, most likely leading out into the gardens, but it was so dark outside that she couldn't see through them.
That left two.
The Guard had closed the door behind her. Not asking them for help. Would rather die. The door to her right was further away, on the other side of the room. It seemed logical that the furthest room would be the bedroom. She headed over to it.
There's no Guards in here. What if someone comes through the gardens? A Shadow could be in and out of here in no time. I'll have to report it to them. They'll be pleased. Although thinking about it, why haven't they just tried it themselves? They sneak about this place with ease. It wouldn't be difficult for them. Surely they don't fear the Socrae-al?
Light spilled out from under the door. On the other side of it one of those irritating grebbin was squeaking something.
She knocked.
'Enter,' Lerama shouted.
Koma opened the door. Lerama's room was just as golden as the main room was. The only thing that wasn't gold was the bed sheets, which were plain white. How does she ever get to sleep in such bright surroundings.
'It's about time you arrived,' said Lerama. She was sat on her pillows at the head of her bed, dressed in a purple silk night gown. The grebbin Koma had heard stood motionless facing Lerama on the end of the bed. 'I hear you're often difficult to find.'
'I'm sorry, Saban,' said Koma, doing her best not to grumble.
Lerama waved the apology away. 'In any case, I need to talk to you about my daughter. She's not left her room in days.'
'No, Saban. She won't let me in.'
'She's sulking. I can't allow it. She has duties to attend to. She cannot abandon them just because she is upset. You need to do something about it. Use force if necessary. But I will not allow her to remain hiding in her room for another day.'
Why don't you make her? I'm just a handmaiden. You're her mother. 'She has the door locked from the inside.'
Lerama frowned. 'Then have the Guards knock them down.'
Just slit her throat. It'd make life so much easier. 'Yes, Saban.'
'My daughter, for better of worse, is my heir. I'll be frank with you, if she does not improve then I'll see to it that she never becomes Saban. I'm relying on you to get her back on track. She doesn't listen to me, but she does listen to you, for some reason. For the good of the nation we need to mature her fast, and forget these foolish notions that she has.' Lerama eyed her suspiciously, looking for a reaction from Koma, but kept her face expressionless.
'I shall do what I can, Saban,' she said.
Lerama nodded. 'That is all.'
Koma bowed slightly. What would she do if she discovered that she is placing her trust in an enemy spy? She hesitated. I could kill her. Remove the leader of this country. It'd be so easy. Predemagda would be thrown into chaos. They'd know it was me, but it wouldn't matter. If the Shadows knew I'd managed to be alone with the Saban they'd surely question why I hadn't killed her. This is an opportunity that can't be missed. I may die doing it, but my family's name would be made immortal.
'Is there something you wish to ask me?' asked Lerama, her eyes narrowing.
'No, Saban.'
'Then leave.' She shooed Koma away with a flick of her hand.
'Yes, Saban.' Koma hurried out of the room. Coward. Such a coward.
Lerama clicked her fingers and the grebbin began to squeak again as Koma closed the door behind her.
Koma headed to the Monster's 'lair' as early the next morning as she dared. The same two Guards stood at either side of the doors to her room. Have they been here all night? She huffed. How am I going to get her out of there? Her mother beat her pretty badly. Gods only know what state she's in. It's her mind I'm more worried about though. She's delusional as it is. A few blows to the head may have sent her over the edge of sanity.
'She's still not stirred,' said the girl Guard.
Koma sighed. 'Figures.'
'May as well take the day off again.'
'Can't. Saban's orders.'
'The Saban gave you orders?' the girl sniggered.
Koma shot her a look. 'She sent for me last night. That a problem?'
'No, no problem,' she said with a smirk.
'I need to speak to her in private. Do you both mind waiting down the hall?'
'Leave her unattended?'
Koma rolled her eyes. 'If someone was going to attack her they'd come through the window, not the bedroom door. She'd be dead before you'd even get to her.'
The boy Guard with the soft voice turned to face her. 'Don't be ridiculous. How would someone scale up three storeys of flat stone wall, and then climb in through a window that small?'
Easily. Care for me to demonstrate? I could climb in, slit her throat and be out without making a sound, if I wanted to. Actually, I do want to. 'Regardless. She might respond better if it's just me and her. Please?'
'We can go to the end of the hall,' said the girl Guard.
'Thank you.' Was that so hard?
The two Guards clinked off down the hall. When they were far enough away Koma quietly spoke through the crack of the door.
'The Guards have gone, Sabu. It's just you and me.'
No resp
onse.
'Sabu, are you alright? Are you hurt? Please, talk to me.' Has she slit her wrists? Please say she hasn't? I don't want to have been robbed of the privilege.
No response.
I'm probably going to have to get them to break the doors down. She's not going to leave of her own accord. Unless. This might work. 'I've been doing some research, Sabu. While I've had some free time. Researching poisons.' She glanced down the hall at the two Guards. They were watching but gave no indication that they could hear. 'I think I've found someone who might know of a poison like the one we've been seeking. A foreign merchant.'
'Really?' came the reply from close behind the other side of the door.
Koma smiled to herself. 'Yes, Sabu. So I've heard. We'd have to find the merchant ourselves. Heard it from some other merchant I spoke with.'
The door creaked open slightly.
'Come in, quickly,' the Monster whispered.
Koma pushed the door open a little more and squeezed through, then closed it behind her and locked it. She turned to face the Monster and gasped.
One of the Monster's disgusting eyes was badly bruised, the bruise covering half her face. The rest of it was marked with small scratches, presumably from Lerama's nails.
'Sabu, you're face,' Koma exclaimed. To her surprise the sympathy she felt was genuine. It made her a little ill.
The Monster looked away, hiding the bruised side. 'It doesn't hurt so much now,' she said. Her eyes glistened.
'Gods. No wonder you've remained hidden away. I can't believe the rumours are true. I should have stayed with you.'
'You weren't to know what mother would do,' the Monster whimpered.
'Still.' Koma went over to the night stand and pulled out the stool, 'Come sit down. Let me take a closer look. I'll put on some make up. Try and conceal it.'
Reluctantly, the Monster sat down on the stool. 'You said there was a merchant who sells poisons?'
'Down in the lower tier.' Why did I just say that? She's going to make me go down there now. Me and my stupid mouth.
'Which district?' the Monster asked, eagerly.
