Abraham nodded in silent agreement. David opened the back door, which appeared to be a regular sized door at first glance, but inside the normal sized, hinged door were a pair of latches that allowed a second door panel to open, doubling the size of the doorway. David guessed that a busy carpenter would have used this extra large doorway to accommodate the occasional oversized materials and products he made.
David grabbed the front of the Cart, and Abraham jumped out as David pulled it into the wood shop. He carefully positioned the Cart among what wood fragments remained and lowered its short legs. He switched it off, which lowered the weight of the Cart onto the stone floor as he looked upon Beth’s peaceful face. He still could not believe she was gone.
He shook his head to clear his mind. He had a job to do with Abraham right now, and he needed to remain focused. His grief would have to wait. He left the back of the shop, latched the second door, and then closed the main door. He took a deep breath to brace himself and turned to Abraham.
“Now what?” David asked. He had to allow Abraham to have the lead here, whether he liked it or not. In his mind, David had to convince himself he was giving control to an old friend, not a Tepish.
“Give me your sword,” Abraham said. David grimaced. He was afraid this was coming. It would make little sense for David to walk inside with his sword intact. Grudgingly, he removed his scabbard from his back and placed it in Abraham’s open palm. Abraham calmly closed his hand around the scabbard and dropped the sword to his side.
“I’m going to want that back,” David said.
“When we get inside, you can have it,” Abraham assured him. “I told you already. I’ve spent too much time away from fighting to be effective. You could probably take me down unarmed before I could land a blow with this thing.” He glanced at the scabbard for a moment, and then looked back to David. “I’ll lead you by the arm. Act like you can’t walk a straight line on your own.”
David nodded and allowed Abraham to lead him from the alley toward to the entrance of the gigantic Tepish Fortress overlooking them as soon as they passed onto the road. Their destination was the main entrance where two guards watched them as they approached.
Step by step, Abraham and David drew closer as the guards watched them, unblinking. Whatever they might have been before, this pair at the entrance was well suited for their post. Though David often glanced away to keep up his act, the guards’ eyes were trained on them each time he hazarded a glance. He was certain their eyes had not shifted during their entire approach.
Finally, they reached the entrance, and one of the guards wordlessly stepped in front of them.
“I am Abraham Barber,” Abraham told him without prompting. “Alchemist under the Kurvatz Malnak. Working on the Mutation serum.” The guard silently turned his gaze to David. Abraham continued, “This is David Taylor. I have a truth potion I can give him so he can tell a Triver where the Rastem are located.”
David swayed slightly from side to side, still keeping up his intoxicated charade. He knew of the Triver, or Triver Shradna. Just as the Fälskrüz and Redäl Kötz were the lower two ranks of the Tepish Order, the Triver Shradna were second only to the Elrod Malnak himself. Tiberius had been uncertain as to what extent the Tepish had restored themselves, but the existence of the Triver Shradna indicated that the Tepish had likely filled out their numbers to the extent that they needed that level of leadership.
The guard cocked his head, watching David intently. “He is drugged and docile,” Abraham said, noticing the guard’s expression to David’s actions. “I can handle him.”
The guard turned his gaze back to Abraham, and without a single word, he stepped back and allowed Abraham entry into the Fortress. Abraham roughly pushed David toward the entrance, causing David to stumble. He had not expected Abraham to be so rough, but he knew that it was necessary for their cover.
David lolled his head back to glance at the guards as Abraham closed the doors to the Fortress behind them. The guards watched them even still, but David noticed as the doors cut off his view that they seemed to be amused. Other than amusement at his capture or apparently docility, why else would they be smiling?
He looked forward to Abraham who stepped into the main hall of the Fortress. The main hall was large enough to accommodate an army and stretched upward three stories at least. The smooth walls were only interrupted by balconies on the second and third floors as it ended at a ceiling just above the third floor balconies. Unlike the old Council Body Hall, however, the Tepish had built this building for function over lavishness. The walls were plain stone with two halls leading in opposite directions from the main hall, and one wide staircase directly ahead of them that curved out of view as it went up. But with so much room, there was one problem that David noticed. It was quiet.
Even Abraham looked puzzled. Before David could ask, Abraham handed him his sword back, and gestured to follow him down the hall to the right a short distance. David strapped his scabbard to his back and walked behind Abraham down the silent hall to where Abraham had stopped. Abraham opened a door that led into a small room, like a closet. Abraham stepped in first and waited for David.
David stared at him, confused.
“Whenever you’re ready, David,” Abraham said. David stepped cautiously into the small room. Abraham stood next to a switch on the wall that looked like it would move up and down, but at the moment, it rested in the center position. He looked up and found the roof of the room open with a tall shaft leading far, far up into the highest parts of the tower. There were ropes or something similar attached to the top of the room leading up and out of sight as well.
“What’s this?” David asked.
“More Fempiror ingenuity,” Abraham said. “You’ll want to stand away from the doorway.” He flipped the switch to the up position. The room shuddered, and then moved upward slowly. There was no door on the inside of the room, so David watched as the floors passed by on the outside of the room.
“This is amazing!” David exclaimed.
Abraham shrugged. “It is,” he said. “Some of the Tepish came up with it years ago, but never had anything to use it in. Then they wanted to make the Fortress taller than any building in the area, so it gave them a chance to try it. It could use some improvements still, but it works well enough.”
David nodded and turned back to see the third floor pass by and then the fourth. He looked at Abraham who looked worried as the floors passed. “What’s wrong?” David asked.
“It’s too quiet,” Abraham said. “The last time I was here, there was much activity. Or at least, you could hear talking. But now, there’s nothing. It concerns me. You’ll want to be ready for anything.”
David nodded and drew his sword as they passed the fifth floor. This time, they saw several Fempiror passed out on the floor. Some were clearly dead, lying in pools of their own blood, but others appeared to be merely resting. David looked at Abraham again. This time, Abraham looked scared. Even after ten years and everything they had been through, he could still read his friend’s expressions. He knew what Abraham was thinking.
“Ten seconds, right?” David asked.
Abraham nodded.
“Any unconsciousness after that?” David asked.
“About 30 minutes to an hour,” Abraham replied quietly with more than a little fear sneaking through.
“Which means we’re going to have some problems getting out,” David nodded. He recalled the difficulty they had had with only two Mutations back at Kelïrum, so the thought of a fortress full of them did not sit well with him.
They passed the sixth floor, which had yet more Fempiror lying unconscious near the little room. Curiously, they had seen no Mutations yet, but they both knew the Mutations would be in here somewhere. What concerned him more was that they might be watching David and Abraham right now.
The room reached the seventh floor, and Abraham flipped the switch back to the center position. Unlike the lower floors, these walls were white, caus
ing the floor to appear brighter than the rest of the Fortress. David sidled out of the room slowly, ready for anything. He looked up and down the hall, and it was completely clear. Either the Mutations had not reached this level, there were no Fempiror to be had, or they started here and those Fempiror were changed already. There was no way to be certain. He signaled to Abraham that it appeared clear.
Abraham walked out of the room and turned to the right. “Follow me,” he said as he moved past David.
Even though it was on the seventh floor, the hall was long, and took a couple of turns, which told David that their destination was nowhere near the little traveling room. Abraham reached a room labeled Laboratory and stopped. The door was open just a little bit. Apparently, the last person out of the room had failed to latch it. Abraham gently pushed on the door, and it swung open easily. Abraham entered slowly. David followed.
The room was a mess. Shattered glass lay everywhere. It crunched beneath their shoes as they stepped. Papers littered the floor. Tables were smashed. A corpse lay broken under a cloth against a wall. David glanced to Abraham who looked at the chaos, maintaining his concerned expression. Finally, he sighed.
“David,” Abraham began, “you know the story of Voivode and the creation of the Fempiror, right?”
“Of course,” David said. Not only had Zechariah told him the story, but he had also heard it countless other times since he had been with Tiberius. Tiberius told David what he knew of it, and then David had heard Tiberius tell it to other new Rastem. It was practically required knowledge among the Fempiror.
“Then you know what the Tepish did to him and his laboratory when they took over?” Abraham asked.
“They changed him and destroyed everything,” David answered.
“You know that history all too often repeats itself?” Abraham asked him grimly. David had been afraid this assertion was coming. He had no desire to be a part of that history.
“Then we better get out of here,” David said.
“Right. There’s a lavatory,” Abraham began, but his words were cut short when the door to the laboratory slammed open and several Fempiror dressed in the Tepish red and black armor filed into the room, their swords at the ready ahead of them. They parted to allow Vladimir, also dressed for battle, to enter.
Vladimir looked at Abraham, and then at David. “You were seen approaching, Abraham,” Vladimir said. “Interesting to find you here with your old friend, on whom I believe you swore vengeance.”
“What’s going on Vladimir?” Abraham asked, ignoring Vladimir’s observation entirely.
“I’m surprised you need ask,” Vladimir said. He turned to the other Tepish waiting on him. “Bring them.”
David knew he would have no hope defeating so many, so he relinquished his sword and followed them out of the room. Abraham also found himself a slave to their line as they forced him to follow along with David.
The Tepish walked in two lines of seven warriors with Vladimir at the head. They had placed David and Abraham in the center of both lines. David stole a glance at Abraham asking with his eyes if Abraham knew what was going on. Abraham shook his head with a shrug, and David had no reason to doubt him. They looked forward to see Vladimir lead the line along the hall to a door that opened into the center of the seventh floor.
Vladimir pushed the door opened and inside, several Tepish leapt back, prepared to attack any intruder.
“It is me,” Vladimir announced. “Hold your arms.”
The Tepish relaxed only slightly. David entered behind the squad into a large, immaculate room, draped in shades of blue, red, and purple. In the center of the room stood a throne on a small platform, and before this throne sat three chairs: one directly in front of the throne, and one on each side.
It would be the only decorated room in the fortress, and David knew this setup from his studies. The throne was for the Elrod Malnak, the leader of the entire Tepish Order. The three chairs would be for the Triver Shradna of the Tepish: three high leaders, each over one part of the Tepish Order, taking orders only from the Elrod Malnak. There was no throne for Vladimir, as the Kurvatz Malnak had a different level of authority in the Order, though he could command the Triver Shradna and was in a position to succeed the Elrod Malnak, should the need arise.
It came as no surprise to David that former Council Head Karian occupied the Elrod Malnak throne. David recognized the Triver chairs from the council so long ago. He thought hard over the names of the council that he had studied with Tiberius, since the Rastem knew that the council likely took up the leadership positions of the Tepish. Based on his memory, David presumed these three to be Tyronis, Oligar, and Vyrnya, though he was uncertain he would be able to call them correctly by name, if he had to.
The party halted before the throne of Karian in front of the center Triver’s chair, and Vladimir, Abraham, and the rest of the guards knelt before Karian, who stood up before them. David refused. He stood tall and looked Karian firmly in the eye. Karian was unmoved and only smirked, recognition sparking in his eyes.
“So,” Karian said proudly, “the prodigy of the late Zechariah stands before me again. I do not forget a face, lad. You were silent last time, but will probably say much now. Already, I see you learned much from his insolence.”
“I hold no reverence for you,” David said simply, “so I will not bow to you.”
Karian shook his head, his pride melting away. “It matters not,” he said, his voice growing suddenly tired. He raised his hand, palm up, and the other rose to their feet.
Karian sat on his throne. “At this time, we are all stuck together with the same problem,” he said. “Trapped by our own impudence. By now, you know we have accomplished our goal in creating the perfect Tepish warrior. One who thinks of nothing but the goal. But our perfect creation turned on its creator, and now you two slipped through the cracks to find yourselves trapped on the only floor not yet overrun. How lucky for you.”
“The folly of Voivode repeats,” David sneered.
“So the guards at the door?” Abraham began. David was surprised he needed to ask.
“The guards were replaced first,” Vladimir said, annoyed. “They permit entry to Tiberius, Ulrich, and the whole of the Rastem and Elewo forces. Only because they believe they will eventually transmutate or kill everyone in here.”
“But this floor is not free,” David said. “The laboratory was destroyed.” David saw Karian’s expression change to that of fear. Clearly, Vladimir had chosen to keep this information from his master. David wondered why he would fail to tell everything he knew. Karian turned his eyes to Vladimir.
“Is this true?” Karian asked, his fear revealed in his voice.
“We found the laboratory in shambles,” Vladimir said, unconcerned, “but did not investigate.”
Karian turned to Abraham. “And you did not destroy it, Abraham?” he asked. David would swear that Karian’s tone was hoping that Abraham had done so.
“Realizing the danger of the Mutation, it was my intention,” Abraham admitted, “but someone got there before me.”
“So they’re here,” Karian breathed.
Suddenly, someone desperately pounded on the outside of the doors. A muffled voice drifted through the thick wood. “They’ve awakened. Please, let me in!”
The guards only looked to Karian, who did not move.
“My lord Elrod Malnak,” the muffled voice begged, “They’re coming. Please save me!” Still, Karian did not move, and no one else said anything.
David looked to Abraham who looked like he was going to be sick. David was powerless to do anything. He was outnumbered, and they had his sword.
The person knocked a couple more times, his voice hopeless. “Please…” Then he screamed, but his scream was cut short.
Fear etched Karian’s face as the pounding on the doors began. “We are finished.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
A Gathering
Following their surprise meeting at the cemetery, U
lrich led Tiberius and his remaining Rastem through the darkened streets of town to an old store in the midst of Erim that Tiberius immediately recognized as The Lost Art of Jijunga. The Tepish had destroyed the sign long ago, the large front window was gone, and the door no longer latched, but he instantly recognized his former long-standing, yet covert, Rastem training ground.
Ulrich stepped through the open space that once held the window, but Tiberius paused. “Ulrich,” he said, looking the old store over. Ulrich quietly looked at him in response. “Far be it from me to question your methods, old friend, but why here?”
“Well,” Ulrich replied, “if I were you, I would never come back here. And since the fundamental difference between the Rastem and Tepish involves revenge, the Tepish would also believe you would never come back here. Therefore, they would never search here. That makes this place safe enough for now.”
Tiberius nodded. He fully agreed with Ulrich’s logic, but Ulrich’s “for now” was a very accurate description of how safe this place was in Tiberius’ opinion. Following the exposure of Vladimir’s betrayal after Urufdiam, the Tepish had raided The Lost Art of Jijunga almost immediately, so Tiberius had never returned. The Tepish had placed one of their own in Tiberius’ place, but the word that the Tepish had driven Tiberius out of his home and to avoid his Jijunga shop passed around the Rastem quickly.
Tiberius opened the front door and walked into what was left of the business where he had spent most of his nights for a century and a half. The barrel of the wooden practice swords rested against a wall covered in dust. The training mat he once had on the floor was gone. He glanced to a table in the back where he once had placed a clock that he had purchased in Nuremburg a hundred years ago, but the clock was gone for long enough that an even layer of dust disguised that fact that it had ever set there. He sighed and followed Ulrich’s rapid pace through the exposed front half of the building.
They walked into the concealed back half, which the Tepish had completely gutted right back to the stone walls. Nothing that Tiberius possessed remained, and he had not expected to find anything either. Life was far more important than possessions, so he had let it all go in order to preserve his life and lead the Rastem against the growing threat of the Tepish. At the moment, however, the former Lost Art of Jijunga would serve admirably as a resting place to give them a chance to regroup. The first thing Tiberius noticed when they entered was that there were only a handful of Elewo waiting for them.
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