by S K Wee
“Chandra can play the piano and sing for us while we have our dessert,” the Councilman’s wife declared with great pride. After her giggling fit was over, Chandra began playing. Her piano skills weren’t too bad but when she started to sing, Kappy thought he heard the dogs howl outside. It was terrible but her parents sat and smiled proudly through the whole show. Kappy had a hard time getting the sound of it out of his ears even after he went to bed.
There was a break of two days before Councilman Flemming accepted his invitation to bring his two nieces to dinner. Flemming’s wife had died several years earlier and so his oldest niece, Karla, had taken over managing his household. Karla was sixteen and not too bad looking. She was somewhat overweight, but Kappy didn’t mind that at all. The younger one, Trishna, was fourteen years old and she looked uncomfortable. She kept her eyes down, focusing on her plate and said next to nothing throughout the meal.
“So, Amir Kurush, what do you plan on doing with the criminal element that seems to be flourishing near the waterfront?” Karla looked at him like she was somehow testing him.
“Um . . . what exactly are you talking about, Miss Karla?” Kappy hadn’t heard of any killings or thefts, though the city watch would probably handle most of those.
“Well, I assume that you plan to eliminate the prostitution. Also, there is too much alcohol consumption, which I believe is the root of the problems that assail our beautiful city.” Karla sounded condescending at best. Kappy didn’t imagine the sailors coming into port would appreciate not being allowed some drink and women.
“Well, Miss Karla, I hadn’t really thought about it. Actually, I haven’t heard of any problems with that area which can’t readily be handled by the city watch. Maybe you have heard something I haven’t. What do you think, Trishna? Have you heard of these problems, also?” Kappy looked over at the younger sister. Though she did glance up at him, she immediately turned to her sister.
“She feels the very same way that we all do. What repulses all the law-abiding elite can be found near the waterfront—dancing girls, harlots, drinking, and fighting. It’s absolutely disgusting how these people are allowed to continue what they are doing. If we re-established slavery, we could sell the whole lot and restore the city.” Karla sniffed and gave her sister an evil sneer. Kappy noticed a look of fear in Trishna’s eyes before she went back to studying her plate. Karla was a bully and Trishna was her victim.
“Let’s speak of lighter things, shall we?” Aunt Rose chimed in just in the nick of time. Kappy didn’t know how to steer the conversation very well, and he really wasn’t going to cause any problems with the fierce organization that ran most of the Waterfront District. He didn’t know a whole lot about it, but he did know the palace and the government made a handsome profit from the activities down there. Why would anyone want to rid the city of dancing girls? And slavery? Everyone knew how much better the country prospered since it was abolished over eight years ago.
Rose had changed the topic of conversation to parties and spring cotillions, which were all the rage. Karla seemed in her element here, telling Rose all about her new gowns and slippers. When Rose asked Trishna about her gown, she looked up and mumbled something about not being interested in such things.
“Trishna only cares about her writing pad and reading stupid books. She’s about the dullest person in the world. No one wants to invite her to their parties. A few ask her along for my sake, but I always make sure they know she hates parties.” Karla smirked at her sister’s look of horror. Evidently, Trishna hadn’t realized she had ever received any invitations. Kappy was starting to feel sorry for the poor girl.
“Trishna, do you write stories or is it some sort of journal?” Kappy was starting to think about his stack of petitions he had yet to peruse. Maybe he could help them both out by giving her a position here at the palace.
“Um . . .” Once again Trishna looked to her sister like she was asking permission to talk. Karla gave her a slight nod. Ah, permission granted! “I like to keep a journal, just notes and things that come to mind, sir.”
After dinner was completed, Kappy took Aunt Rose aside with his suggestion. She agreed wholeheartedly with the plan and asked Trishna if she would like to see the Amir’s study. Kappy had to suppress a smile when her eyes grew round with excitement. It was the first sign of any positive type of emotion he had seen from her.
The rest of them went into the parlor where Karla once again touted the sins of the riffraff that called the waterfront home. She even brought the churches’ teachings into the discussion, quoting scripture from the Book of Sar about the sins of the flesh. Kappy was thrilled when the evening came to an end. As Rose escorted the group to the door, she approached Councilman Flemming with an offer for Trishna, as she had seemed quite able to take over the duties of a steward. Flemming looked to his younger niece, who now wore a wide smile and agreed. Trishna would be back in the morning to start her new position. Kappy was happy that she would be separated from her bully of an older sibling. Karla would need to find someone else to push around.
The following morning, Trishna arrived with her uncle. She quickly settled into her new office and shown the basics of her duties. She took to it immediately. Kappy had never seen anyone who loved paperwork so much. Plus, he now had much more time to waste. He spent most of it outdoors training with his guards. He missed Sylly and Quin and though Sylly sent messages once in a while, it just wasn’t the same without his friends there. According to the most recent message, they were still unable to find any sign of Dianna.
About a week later, they hosted yet another dinner. This one was with Councilman Nirav and his wife, along with their lovely daughter, Birgit. Finally, Kappy found one that was a definite possibility. Birgit was sixteen but with her poise and beauty, she seemed even older. She had shimmering deep green eyes and dark lustrous hair. The way she looked at Kappy told him she found him acceptable as well. The easy way she glided across the room and the glances she tossed his way sent waves of pleasure through him. Yes, she might be the one. For once, both the dinner and parlor conversation went by far too quickly, and Kappy felt he had little time to speak with Birgit personally. Both her parents kept the conversation on business while she sat in the background with no complaint.
“I think I’m in love, Aunt Rose,” Kappy stated as soon as they left the palace. “Did you see her eyes? Did you see how she smiled at me?”
“Slow down, Kapp.” Rose laughed back at him. “Don’t confuse a little lust for any lasting romance. We are trying to find your soul mate here, not some roll in the hay. We’re talking about the mother of your children and a partner for life. I suggest you take your time and think long and hard about any life-long commitments. We have plenty of time to play the field. We certainly aren’t going to make any binding agreements before Frankie looks her over. I know without a doubt she will see the person’s true intent.”
“You’re right, of course. I got a little carried away with those dark, sensuous looks she was throwing my way.” The memory still sent heat surging through his body.
Chapter 9
City of Briar, Eastern Coast of Mandalay
With Dankal taking over most of the shipping operations and Timm doing all the leg work, Ekky really didn’t have enough work left to keep his mind off Dianna’s disappearance and the pain he constantly saw in Conny’s eyes—a pain he shared with her. He would have loved to ease it, if at all possible, but that was beyond his control.
They spent a week at the house in Uttara but eventually realized they would not hear anything any sooner no matter where they stayed, and so they decided to go back to their estate in Briar and back to work in the shipping company.
Dankal seemed to immerse himself in the business while Ekky had a very hard time concentrating on the business at hand. “Why don’t you take the rest of the day off?” Dank took the paperwork from Ekky’s hands. He had been absently staring at the manifest for quite a while already. “We can take care of every
thing here.” Dankal was now seventeen and taller than Ekky. When did that happen? Ekky was sure Dank was suffering himself but hid his pain in the work. Dank had always been close to his sister Dianna and Ekky shared his feelings of impotence. There was absolutely nothing the two of them could do to help locate Dianna that wasn’t already being done. Now, Ekky didn’t even feel useful at his own workplace.
“I need something to keep me busy. There just isn’t enough here for both of us to lose ourselves in. Maybe I’ll head home and workout with Bolten. At least I’ll get rid of some of this nervous energy.”
“I know how you feel. Amma’s already cleaned out every storage compartment and closet in the entire manor three times over. I heard she even cleaned out the stable and armory yesterday. I don’t think there is anything else left for her to clean.”
“I’ll amble on home and see what she’s got going. Take care of business, son. I’ll see you later at dinner.” Ekky left the business in Dank’s capable hands and walked up the hill to the manor. He was getting to the point he dreaded seeing the look of devastation in Conny’s eyes but was at a loss on how to change that.
As he made his way around the last bend, two assailants bombarded him. Rohan and Riley were Frankie and Twig’s seven-year-old twin boys. That meant Frankie had come for a visit. Hopefully, that would cheer Conny up to have her close friend there to talk to. Ekky wrestled the two boys to the ground and played with them for a while. They were blond-haired and blue-eyed little monsters, and they reminded him quite a lot of what his wife looked like when he had first met her. He had to admit that he liked her a whole lot better dark-haired and brown-eyed. And, of course, he was happier she had the body of a woman.
Frankie and Bolten came around the corner of the manor. “Come on you two, leave your uncle Ekky be. Bolten wants to show you the new horses. That’s what you wanted to see, wasn’t it?” Frankie yelled at the boys.
“Yes! Horses! Yippee!” Bolten took a boy on either side of him and they quickly disappeared into the stable.
While Frankie checked him over with a concerned frown, Ekky knew what the answer was before he voiced it. “Any news?” He may be sure about the response, but he needed to check anyhow.
“Sorry, no. I got lonely at the Academy without Twig there and thought Conny might need some distractions also.”
“How did she seem to you? Do you think she’ll be all right? I know she’s been very depressed.” Frankie had more insight with the use of her gift and he trusted her judgment.
“Her color isn’t too deep, but I do worry about her. She is taking this so hard. I hope they find something soon. Any clue at this point would give her some hope.” Seeing the mutual concern in his cousin’s eyes helped.
“I think so too. I don’t know how much longer this not knowing can go on. Maybe another trip to see Sophia? It’s strange that Sophia hasn’t had any sort of vision at all. This is important to the family, after all.” They had made numerous trips to Waldeburg with various items belonging to Dianna to promote any sort of vision.
“I spoke with Sophia the other day and she is just as confused. She wishes she could will a vision on herself, but it just doesn’t work that way, I guess. Come, let’s go inside and get some refreshments, your colors aren’t looking all that rosy either.” They walked through the back door, which led to the kitchen area. Ekky grabbed some cups and the teapot and they entered the front parlor. Conny was standing in front of the window staring out at the ocean.
“I see we got some company, sweetheart.” Ekky kissed his wife and led her back toward the chairs. “Come on and sit.”
As she seated herself, Conny seemed to try to force a smile for Frankie. “Have you heard anything from Twig or Darby at all? We haven’t heard from Sylly for days.” Conny sounded like she was beginning to lose hope.
“Last night. I mentioned to Twig that I was coming here and he thought it was a good plan. They left the Hi-lotti village almost a week ago and haven’t found any trace that anyone had been through the woods to the west. Darby sent his hawk out to scout and she hasn’t found anything of importance.”
“I’ve been looking over the maps and they should run out of forest soon. Mountains to the north and desert to the west. What were their plans when they reach the end of the forest?” Ekky hadn’t heard of any decisions they may have made. He knew they would continue looking but didn’t know where they would go next.
“Darby has scouted the mountains through his hawk’s eyes and it doesn’t seem likely that anything lives there but mountain goats. He has kept Erram flying through them with nothing to show for it. When they reach the desert, they will need to decide what to do next but will have to come back for supplies soon. They have little left and don’t dare start across the desert. The sand changes the view so quickly they would never be able to maintain a bridge to or from there.”
“Ah, yes, I suppose that would be a problem. I hope they plan on coming here for supplies. We have warehouses full of them.” Ekky knew Conny would be happy to have Sylly back home, even if it was only for a couple of days.
“Why don’t you mention that in a message to Sylly, sweetheart? If I knew when they were coming, I could have some supplies ready for them.”
“I have already done so, husband. You think I’m just a pretty face? I’m way ahead of you, but they will need some time to regroup if they want to return to the desert. Not only that, but I believe they should enter the desert from the other end because that was where Dianna disappeared.” Conny was right about the desert. Because of its vastness, they should discuss various starting points.
“That is something they will need to consider. If the hawk flies over the eastern part of the desert, we can be assured that no settlement is in that area. Then they can concentrate on the western side. I really don’t know much about the desert, and I’ve never heard of anyone ever actually living within it.” The history of the desert was sketchy at best.
“Centuries past, it wasn’t even considered a desert. There were trees and vegetation throughout the area. The original Temple of Sar was located right in the center of the area. Makes you wonder if that wasn’t where the devastation began.” Conny would have studied anything connected with the Zoran temples when she was younger.
“Maybe we should start looking through old textbooks or maps.” Ekky had never paid much attention to geography in general unless it had to do with the shipping industry, and the subject of the desert was definitely not part of that.
“I remember reading about the area in some books in the palace library when I lived there. I bet Sophia remembers—she taught me many things about the ancient temple. I don’t remember what happened to it though or why it was left to fall into ruins.” Conny now had more of her normal curious glimmer in her eyes. Getting her involved in any sort of research was the best medicine for her.
“Why don’t you send a message to Sophia also? The more we know about what we are dealing with, the wiser our decisions will be on what to do next.” Yes, there was that spark of the old Conny.
“Let’s wait to hear from the group first. I’m praying they find something that will make those inquiries unnecessary for us.” Conny looked like she didn’t expect them to actually find anything and Ekky agreed. If they were to find anything in that area, it would have been found by now.
“I like your thinking, sweetheart. Though, I doubt it will be that easy.” The conversation stopped as the three of them sat in quiet contemplation.
Frankie was the one to get the first message. Though her device did not change color, she said it warmed up when Twig wanted to talk to her. Ekky and Conny sat quietly while Frankie conversed with Twig. They had a device similar to Frankie’s and knew that the communication ran telepathically and not verbally.
After Frankie let go and opened her eyes, she gave a small, sad smile. “They are on their way here. The hawk did not find any signs as far as it could fly and Darby knows the hawk can see for many, many miles. We will discu
ss what comes next when we are all together, but I think Conny is right—we should consider entering the desert from the western side. I also wonder what those ruins of the temple are like. I wouldn’t doubt that there is underground shelter there.”
Conny’s eyes held a spark of life. Ekky could tell her heart was still heavy with worry but at least her mind was now in full swing. “Quite likely, Frankie. We need to find information on the construction of that temple. I’m sure we would need to look through tons of old scrolls, but I want to get a message to Rosaline to start digging immediately. I will never give up looking for her, never!” Conny started to cry, her frustration once again showing through.
“We’ll find her, Conny. I just know we will. I’m going out to meet with them. They should have built their bridge by now.” Most of the bridges connecting the various cities around the globe were permanent bridges that Twig had developed many years ago. All they needed was routine charges on the gems that held the spells. But the group was coming from an area they had never been before, thus they needed to build a bridge from scratch.
Conny got herself together and Ekky handed her a cloth to wipe her eyes. He knew she would not want the boys to notice she had been crying. By the time they started arriving, she had not only dried her tears but also had the dining hall ready for the whole group.
When Ekky first saw Sylly, he could hardly believe his eyes. He must have grown two or three inches in just the couple months they had been gone. Now both of his boys were taller than he was, and at over six feet tall, Ekky was not a short man. The boy’s birth parents, Nalu and Saxa, had both been tall people so Ekky had expected them to become tall, just not this soon. They were all but grown up and he had no idea where that time had gone.
Darby and Twig kept the conversation going all through dinner. Darby had actually traveled through his hawk and was able to view the area high up in the mountains and quite far out into the desert. Neither Darby nor Twig felt that Taichi had brought Dianna across the desert from the west coast as there were just too many miles. It was the general consensus that there was some sort of settlement on the western side of the desert and possibly another in or near the temple ruins.
