The Exile's Redemption (The Heart of a Tyrant Book 1)

by Reece Dinn

  'I guess. I'm not big on celebrations. Too many people,' said Koma.

  The Monster laughed, a little too hard. 'Oh, Koma. You're so funny.'

  Funny?

  'We're going to pay Barren a visit before we venture down to the Lower Tier. I want his advice on something,' said the Monster.

  So that''s why she's fussing over herself. She wants to look good so that lecherous Koku will fuck her. 'If it's regarding finding this poisoner...'

  The Monster shook her head, those awful eyes of hers widening. 'No. He's made his stance very clear on that. Unfortunately, other than you, my best friend and loyal servant, I don't think I can speak with anyone else about it. They are too enamoured with my mother and her bastard lover to ever believe that they could murder my father.'

  Koma felt ill. Best friend? When did that happen?

  'No,' the Monster continued. 'I want to ask if he'll escort me to the Olsap Plateau.'

  'The Olsap Plateau?' That freaky place were you can supposedly reunite with your dead family? Oh yes, that's a great idea. First you drag me down to the Lower Tier where there is a war being waged, only to then take me south to the place that you and the Benigradans have been fighting over for near a century. Why don't you just feed me to the karrons and be done with it?

  'Yes. I wish to see my father again. One last time. If he hasn't already been reincarnated of course,' said the Monster.

  No, you deluded fool. Most likely he's been placed in the front lines of the Old Gods' army. By now he'll have been obliterated by the Ragi, along with all of the other departed trespassers. 'I hope he has not yet returned to life so you can see him,' said Koma as sweetly as she could.

  'Thank you, Koma.' The Monster flashed her a big smile, but it only made her look like a diseased, starving whore. The sight made Koma even more nauseated.

  They left the palace at midday in a trobaam-drawn carriage. Ten Guards accompanied them; three sat on top of the carriage, the other seven followed behind on burmaback. The Monster had wanted to walk but, to Koma' relief, the Socrae of the Guard forbade it, citing it to be too dangerous. Why he didn't prevent her from going entirely I don't know. Lerama will kill him when she finds out he allowed her to venture down to the Lower Tier at a time like this.

  Their first stop was the Koku-bier's temple. Koma opted to wait inside the carriage, which the Monster allowed. Koma curled up and fell asleep, taking advantage of the rare moment of solitude. The Monster reappeared about an hour later, waking her. She looked flustered, but appeared much calmer, almost satisfied.

  'He said yes,' the Monster gleefully informed her. 'We leave in three days, if my mother allows it.'

  Koma sat up straight. She's far too much optimism. It's driving me crazy. 'I'm sure she will.'

  The Monster ordered the Guard outside her window to continue on to the Lower Tier. With a jerk they were soon off again.

  Koma didn't dare look out the carriage window, the less she saw of this horrible place the better. What worried her the most was the possibility that one of the gangs would see them, kill the Guards, abduct her, then do unspeakable things to her. I should just kill myself.

  The journey to the platform down to the Lower Tier was long, due to the crowds of people swarming the streets. According to the Guards areas had been cordoned off by the Konar due to another gang related incident in the night. They were diverting traffic, which was causing the congestion.

  'Why do they not just go in and kill them all?' the Monster asked the Guard outside her window.

  'I don't know,' he replied. 'The situation is more complicated than that.'

  'How much longer will it take to reach the Lower Tier? We have far to travel. I want to be able to visit each market in each district before they close for the day.'

  'No more than half an hour. If you'd like one of us can go on ahead and clear the way for you? It'll just mean one less Guard to protect you should..'

  'Do it,' she snapped, waving him away.

  The Guard grunted, then shouted something to one of the others.

  A newsreader could be heard regaling the news as their carriage rolled by.

  '..as merchants flee south from the evil dragon army of the Raginarsaru. The Zanaiduns resistance was crushed under the might of...'

  'What was that?' asked Koma. 'Tell them to turn back. I need to hear what he was saying. Zanaidu has been invaded?'

  'It doesn't matter. It's far away from us,' sad the Monster.

  Doesn't matter? She really is delusional. She won't be thinking that when the dragons are burning her city to the ground.

  It felt like another hour had passed before they finally reached the platform down to the Lower Tier. Koma spent the whole journey wondering how much longer it would take her people to come and burn this place to the ground. Not soon enough. The carriage rolled on to the wooden platform, planks creaking under the weight of it. A moment later the loud cranking of the chains vibrated through the carriage and they began to descend.

  'It really is amazing how they make these platforms. What do they call the stones they use?' the Monster asked.

  'Emekki stones, Sabu,' said Koma.

  'Emekki stones. I remember now. From that magical sounding place, Wenoda. It apparently floats in the air because of these stones. Isn't that magical?'

  Clank. Clank. Clank.

  Why do the chains have to make so much noise? 'Yes, Sabu.'

  'I'd like to go there someday.'

  Koma regarded her. 'That's not going to happen. Wenoda is the homeland of the Rengokuda Empire. Bitter enemies of Predemagda. They don't let anyone from here across the border into their territory. You've more chance of seeing Raginar than you do Wenoda, I'm afraid.'

  'When I'm Saban I'll try to make friends with them. Re-establish trade relations. Yes. If my father can make peace with the Beingradans, then I'll make peace with the Rengokudans.'

  Delusional fool. 'I'm sure you will.'

  'Why are they called the Rengokudans when their homeland is called Wenoda?'

  'I think Rengoku was the name of the first emperor. They named the empire after him.'

  'I see.' The Monster leaned back in her seat and gazed out of the window again.

  Far too much excitement and optimism. Maybe an attack from one of the gangs would be a good thing. Beat it out of her.

  Eventually the clanking stopped and they touched down onto the Lower Tier. A gut wrenching dread suddenly turned Koma's stomach sour. Please, Ragi. I beseech you. Don't let anything happen to us.

  One of the Guards leaned into the window. 'The market in this district should only be ten minutes away from here.'

  'Where are we?' the Monster asked.

  'In the Main District.'

  The carriage jerked into motion.

  The Monster turned to her, bouncing excitedly on her seat, eyes alive and wide. 'Do you reckon we'll get lucky and find this poisoner in the first place we look?'

  Koma shrugged.

  The Monster giggled. 'Lighten up. We're on an adventure.'

  Every shadow that flickered through the window made her jump, every shadow a potential attacker. I don't think I've ever been this scared before. Not even when Holi came to take me away. In fact I wasn't scared then. He'd been sent by the Ragi. I knew I'd be safe as long as I obeyed. This. This is delving into the savage heart of the world. Rolling around in its blood and filth. She shivered. The noise outside gradually increased until it seemed that voices entered the carriage from every direction. Soon enough they lurched to a stop.

  Koma bolted upright. 'What's going on?'

  'I think we've reached the market,' said the Monster, rubbing her good hand against her gloved one.

  A moment later one of the Guards leaned into the window to confirm that they had indeed reached the market. The carriage door opened.

  Koma shook her head. 'We're getting out?'

  'How else are we going to explore the market? Gods, Koma. You'd think that I was the handmaiden and you were the Sabu, the w
ay you're acting. We're not going to be attacked. Relax.'

  A new low. The Monster being brave and me scared. Koma shook herself awake. Snap out of it. Anyone comes near you, kill them. I've my knife and hairpin. Plus Guards. It'll be fine. She took a deep breath.

  The Monster stepped out of the carriage, helped down by one of the Guards. Koma took another breath and followed after her. No one helped her down. Thankfully years of jumping out of trees as a child had taught her how to land properly. She landed on both feet and closed the carriage door behind her.

  An assortment of strange scents hung in the air. Foreign spices and meats, mixed with sweat, shit, and the gods only knew what else. The market was composed of many tents and stalls decorated in a variety of bright colours. The place teemed with people of many different shapes and sizes. It was far more cramped than the market up in the Business District had been. Everything was so close together that Koma wondered how there was room to even breathe.

  She took another deep breath.

  The Monster headed into the throng, her Guards falling into line either side of her. Koma hurried to her side. Two of the Guards moved in front of them, another two fell in behind them, blocking them off from the other market goers. The Guards in front ordered people to move aside for the Sabu. People parted for them, blocking the market stalls they wanted to see from view.

  'How will we know which one is the poisoner?' the Monster asked.

  'Don't know. It's not like they're going to advertise themselves as such. And now we can't see anything anyway. My guess is we look for the shiftiest looking merchants and ask them,' said Koma.

  Koma caught the eye of a large, orange skinned creature, a brebuu, if she was guessing right. The creature was a head taller than the tallest person around, and far bulkier. It possessed two small, skin-covered horns protruded from its head, and long, floppy ears which came down far past the chin of its long face. She looked away, the gaze of its big, dark eyes causing her discomfort. Gods only know what goes on inside the minds of creatures like that.

  Two yegeyor caught her eye on the other side of the marketplace, their yellow eyes glancing over her a second before shifting to the Monster. Why does there have to be so many strange creatures in this land? They're just as hideous as the human savages, Perhaps even more so.

  The market's air was suffocating. Everyone around was dirty and coated with sweat, their stench penetrating her. The thought of even one of these disease ridden people touching her was enough to make her vomit. If it wasn't for the Guards protecting them she didn't know what she'd do. So many eyes, hands, feet. Her skin crawled at the sight of it all, at the many smells invading her nose. She couldn't breathe.

  'They all look decent people to me,' the Monster said.

  Something growled disturbingly close to Koma. Something else hissed. She could almost feel whatever creature had made that noise spitting saliva onto her neck.

  'The food smells delicious here. Perhaps we should get something to eat for later,' the Monster continued.

  'I'm not eating anything from here,' Koma snapped.

  'Why?'

  'Its disgusting.'

  The Monster looked at her with a puzzled expression. 'You're weird.'

  Through the throng of people Koma caught sight of a fruit seller juggling some black fruit shaped like a man's penis, only it was bigger, or at least bigger than what she imagined a penis to be. The fruit seller was dressed in a baggy white and red garb that ruffled as he juggled. Through gaps in the fabric she could see his hairy chest. She looked away, grimacing.

  Another merchant, this one a Kopasian from the look of it, a brown furred creature with four arms but only two legs, was selling wooden statues depicting various gods and deities from different cultures. Some of them she recognised as the Ragi, although they were crude and not painted so it was difficult to tell which of them they were supposed to be. From the impoverished look of the merchant, and its tardy clothing, it didn't sell many. I thought the Kopasians were either farmers or miners. Did this one think it'd try its hand at being an artist?

  The Monster pointed at a female merchant a few stalls ahead. 'How about her?'

  The merchant was a tanned woman with long black hair that had a faint green tinge to it. She wore a rare gold circlet, necklace, and bracelets. I'd imagine they're fake. No one would be stupid enough to flaunt such wealth here, especially in times like this. The merchant's stall was covered by a bright pink tarpaulin, lined with golden thread, which matched the thin, loose clothing that draped her rotund body.

  'Why her?' Koma asked.

  'She looks mysterious.'

  'She looks like a well paid whore.'

  'I'm sure there are plenty of whores who know a thing or two about poisons.'

  Koma glanced about at the Guards in case any of them had heard her, but they were all too busy clinking around, fighting through the throng of people barring the way through.

  'I want to speak to her,' the Monster told one of the Guards, indicating the merchant.

  The Guards made a path for her to approach the stall, forcing aside the customers who were perusing the merchant's wares.

  'What do I ask her?' the Monster whispered to Koma.

  Koma shrugged.

  The merchant woman slouched in her chair, but straightened up when she saw the Monster. On the table before her were many pouches of varying colours.

  'Sabu, what an unexpected pleasure,'' said the merchant, rising, her shiny hair falling over her shoulders.

  The Monster flushed. 'You know who I am?'

  'Of course. I've seen you at the City Council meetings recently. How may I assist you?'

  'What do you sell?' Koma asked.

  The merchant opened one of the pouches and produced a small green orb from it. Several more lay inside. 'These are fortune balls. Ingest one of these a day and you'll be blessed with good health, vitality, youth, and fortune.'

  Koma rolled her eyes.

  The Monster sighed. 'I'm afraid that isn't what we're looking for.'

  The merchant's face dropped, and she pouted. 'What are you looking for, Sabu?'

  'The opposite.'

  The merchant frowned, then her eyes widened and she said 'Ah. I think I know just the person you need.'

  Her eyes widened. 'You do?'

  'Over in Rudai District. Just past the market there look for a man named Panagon. A trader from the Broken Kingdoms, I forget which kingdom. He should have what you're looking for.'

  'Thank you very much.' The Monster clicked her fingers at one of the Guards. 'I need money.'

  The Guard walked forward, reached under his armour, and pulled out a small purse, handing it to her. The Monster rummaged around inside and produced several yorae chips. She handed them to the merchant.

  'For your troubles,' she said.

  'Please, Sabu. There's no need.'

  The Monster picked up a pouch. 'Then it's for one of these then.' She dropped the chips into the merchant's hands.

  The merchant eyed the chips dubiously for a second, saying nothing, then finally mumbled, 'thank you.'

  The Monster turned and walked away.

  The merchant frowned, then threw the yorae chips down on to the table.

  She's underpaid. Brilliant. She was about to inform the Monster, but then decided against it. She didn't like the look of the merchant anyway. Too smug.

  'We're moving on to the Rudai District,' the Monster informed the Guards. 'But first I'm going to purchase some of that sweet smelling bread over there.'

  They travelled over to the market in Rudai in search of the merchant named Panagon. This market was much like the one in Main; dirty, sweaty, and crammed with people. They asked various market goers and merchants the whereabouts of this Panagon, but no one had heard of the man. The main topic of conversation in the marketplace centred on the trouble brewing abroad, specifically that of Koma's people's impending invasion of Zanaidu. It was impossible to escape, to the point were it had quickly become tedio
us listening to people's opinions on the matter.

  'She lied to you,' said Koma, after near an hour of walking around aimlessly.

  The Monster made a face. 'Why would she lie?'

  'I don't know.'

  'He's here. I know it. We've only been around half the market. We'll find him.'

  On and on they walked, passing stall after stall, asking after Panagon, but no one knew the man.

  Koma kicked a stone across the pavement. 'We've been taken for fools.'

  'Excuse me,' the Monster asked a tall man eating a large red fruit, its juices splattering over his flabby cheeks.

  'Yes?' he asked with a mouthful of fruit. He swallowed quickly and wiped his mouth when he saw who had addressed him.

  'I'm looking for a merchant named Panagon. Have you heard of him?' She still had the same optimism she'd had earlier that morning. It was almost admirable.

  The man nodded enthusiastically. 'Yes. Yes. He has a shop just five minutes down the street from here. Just go back down the main road there. There's a sign. It's called Panagon's Tradestop.'

  'Thank you very much.' She motioned to the Guard to hand her her purse, but Koma stopped him.

  'Do not pay for information,' she said to the Monster.

  'Why?'

  'Because you don't have to pay everyone who helps you.'

  'I don't?'

  Koma shook her head. Gods help me.

  'Oh. Oh that's much better. Let's go then.' Without another word to the man she turned her back on him and walked away. They left the market and headed down the road until they found Panagon's Tradestop. The Monster ordered the Guards to wait outside.

  The merchant, Panagon, stood behind a wooden counter, goods of seemingly every variety displayed behind him, from freshly made bread to beds, cupboards, windows, and one large stone statue of a five breasted woman. The merchant was a thin haired man with a greying beard. He wore a long brown cloak over a red shirt and brown trousers.

  'Ah, women of quality, welcome, how may I be of service.' The man's voice held a strange accent, every word mumbled rather than spoken, and he spoke quickly, like he was in a permanent hurry.