Marina dropped the subject. “Does Heric no longer expect me to socialize the rest of my life?”
“Not at all,” said Forman. “You will be present for galas and other social events. You can help with the development of the city all you want, but you may not speak with the royal class unless otherwise instructed.”
“An exile?” Marina questioned.
“Not at all,” said Forman. “Heric is protecting you.”
“Protecting me from what?”
“From the decisions he will have to make.”
“He is making a horrible decision now, Forman.”
“I would have gone a different way. But it is his to make.”
“How dare you speak to me like that,” said Marina. Kastor began to pull his sword out. Tyeche did the same. Forman did not move.
“Keep your weapons secure,” Forman ordered. “You both owe your life to me. You would still be in Louson had I not vouched for you. Do not betray me because your empress is not amused. I am the Emperor’s confidant. My death will bring swift justice to my attackers. Emperor Caning swears to that. Can your empress protect you from him?”
Kastor and Tyeche remained still. They put their swords back into their holsters. Marina on the other hand came face to face with Forman.
“My father expects protection from Eluan, not a hurt daughter.”
“I am well aware of what your father wants in our alliance,” said Forman. “Your life will be without want. There is no need for any further arguing. Find peace in the Capitol, my empress. This is your new home.”
“I will not be held back, Forman,” Marina screamed. “This is my empire!”
Forman turned away from Marina’s rant. He had nothing further to say to her.
Marina continued, “You are nothing to me, Forman. You are just a discarded gift from my father. He won’t stand for this. When he hears what you are doing.”
Forman turned back around. He had one more thing to say, “And how will that happen without the bridge?”
Forman left. As the door closed, he could hear Marina scream out her frustrations.
Chapter 13
Cassandra walked through the house with her new guest. The other girls followed Nikali with their eyes. He was an unusual suitor for Cassandra. She was company for many of the upscale royalty in the Capitol. Nikali was in rags, his hair unkempt. As soon as the two of them passed a door, the girls would turn away from the stench.
Cassandra showed Nikali into a room two floors up. The room had been permanently reserved for her years ago. She brought in many of the soldiers working in the refugee camps, and every once in a while in the recent year a wealthy traveler who had found himself without a home. The house was closer than her own quarters. Dragging Nikali through the entire Capitol was not a solution to their problems.
Nikali carried himself into the room. The bed was only feet away from him. He could sense its inviting tone. He collapsed onto the covers. Mud and grime dusted onto the sheets. Nikali was ecstatic.
“It has been too long,” said Nikali.
Cassandra rolled her eyes. She would have to burn the bed later. Nikali padded his hand on a spot on the bed for Cassandra. Instead, she sat in a chair in the corner of the room. The entire walk over to the house she was careful not to touch Nikali. There was no reason to start now.
“Bath first,” said Cassandra. “You are disgusting. I am not touching you like that.”
Nikali chuckled. He pulled the sheets around him and rolled across the bed several times. Cassandra concentrated her anger into a gentle sigh.
“Where have you been?” she asked. “It’s been over a year. I thought you were dead.”
“Is my pet alright?” Nikali asked. He was referring to his fury arck. Nikali had spared its life during a fight in Louson. He had left it in the care of Cassandra before he disappeared.
“Your monster is fine,” she answered.
“Good. I’m anxious to see him. I have so much to tell.”
“Tell me,” she said.
“It would just bore you,” said Nikali.
Cassandra jumped to her feet. “Stop with these games, Nikali. I am not the royal class. I am your friend. I was worried about you. Probably the only one. The moon is a star. Skip through the fields.”
Nikali stopped moving. He sat upright in the bed. The sheets fell to his side. He tried to smooth them out as best he could.
“You’re right. I owe you an explanation,” said Nikali.
“Thank you.”
“I went to Insabal’s Canyon.”
Cassandra dropped her defensive stance. She stepped closer to Nikali. “What? Why? Where?”
“I went to the crossing.”
“They’ve had men there year round. Heric is trying to rebuild the bridge. Why has there been no word of you?”
“I was there before that.”
“Then where did you go?”
“I was there the whole time. I went down.”
“Into the abyss? That’s insane. Insabal’s Canyon has no bottom.” Cassandra got even closer. She bent down to directly face Nikali. The stench no longer bothered her.
“That’s what they say,” said Nikali. “I had to know. I sent those avadons plummeting into infinity. I could still hear them screaming in my dreams. They were calling to me. But there was more. The gods that Louson speak of were calling to me to join them down the canyon. My father was calling me. I had to go down there. I had to see for myself.”
“What was down there?” whisper Cassandra.
“Nothing,” Nikali smirked. “There was nothing.”
“It really has no bottom,” said Cassandra.
“No,” said Nikali. “I found it. There is ground. And it’s just nothing. A small river flows in the middle. Bodies of the avadons smeared across the rocks. That was it. Nothing.”
Cassandra held Nikali’s hands. Their fingers interlaced. “I’m so sorry, Nikali.”
“Don’t be,” said Nikali. He looked Cassandra eye to eye. A smile grew across his face. His grip on Cassandra’s hands tightened. She couldn’t pry herself loose.
“Nikali, what is it? What is that look?” she asked.
“There is no need to worry,” he continued. “The gods offered me more than enough. Nothing was plenty.”
Chapter 14
Heric was in the council room with the members of the Royal Council. He sat on his throne at the end of the table. Forman sat to his left. To Heric’s right was Alexus’ empty chair. His former mentor and traitor to Eluan had not yet been replaced.
There was one visitor sitting in on the meeting. It was Captain Francesco de Seres. He had come all the way from Myrus to discuss the development of the city with Heric. He was well liked by many members of the council. He was a welcomed addition.
The rest of the council sat quietly while they listened to one of their members speak. Heric had formed his own council when he took the empire. Only three men from his father’s reign were still around. The rest were people Heric knew and had worked with in the past. Many of them were soldiers Heric had fought in battle with. He knew he could trust them. The older generation was stuck in their ways. Heric needed new dreams for the future. The blight of the war on Prial was to be washed away. Heric would see to that.
Captain Henrick stood at his seat. He spoke to the council about the problems out in the west. It was too dangerous to send small amounts of soldiers into the forest. The avadons held their territory now. Two towns, Hilldad and Linsow, resided in that area deep in the forest. Contact had been lost many months ago. Henrick wanted a full scale attack on the forest. He believed a full force attack up the main roads would be effective. Eluan could defeat the avadon demons once and for all.
“No,” Heric said.
“Sir,” argued Henrick, “We’ve dealt a major blow to them already. We cannot stop now. They have settled in. They will soon have complete command of the land. The longer we wait the harder it will be to defeat them.”
/> “How many men have we lost in the forest?” asked Heric.
“Under a thousand,” said Henrick.
“How many did we lose at Myrus? Here at the Capitol?”
“Roughly ten thousand men.”
“And even more civilians,” said Heric. “Since then what has happened? When was the last attack by the avadons? How many men have we lost since we attacked them?”
“Their last attack was three months ago. There has been no sighting of them since. We have lost no soldiers since then,” Henrick said humbly.
Heric stood up to level himself with Captain Henrick. “The avadons have calmed down. In Louson they would disappear each year and only come out during the raining season. This could be the same case. This could be something different. We don’t know. It is wise to build our forces and wait for the opportune moment. The avadons are going nowhere. We continue to guard the roads, and keep an eye on the tree line. We only go into their territory when a victory is guaranteed.”
“What about those people?” asked Henrick. “Hilldad? Linsow? I have friends in there.”
“We are no longer in the heat of battle, Henrick. I’m sorry. We have to accept that those towns are lost. I knew soldiers stationed there, as well. I understand the loss we are taking. The avadons destroyed Myrus in days. Those towns are nothing compared to that. That battle is over.”
“I refuse to accept that,” Henrick said.
“I’m afraid our emperor is correct,” broke in Seres. “I fought against the surviving avadons. Their numbers must still be in the thousands. The towns are lost. We may one day rebuild them, but it is unwise to go in now.”
“Thank you, Seres,” said Heric.
“How many died in Myrus?” Henrick asked Seres.
“The records are unclear,” said Seres. “Myrus never kept great bookkeeping. People came and went as they pleased. Plus, the wandering after the city was destroyed left little trace to how many survived. Whenever questioned people say they are from another town. Nobody is from Myrus. They all started somewhere else.”
“Your ramblings are unnecessary,” said Henrick. “Regardless, thousands still flocked to Myrus. Emperor Caning, you sent the greatest army to retake a city that nobody knew how many people died or remained. Why can we not do that again?”
“This discussion is over,” said Heric. “Eluan will attack the avadons in the Cylo Forest when I deem we are ready. That is not the time. You are all dismissed.”
The Royal Council got up to leave. Henrick held his chin high as he walked out. Before Seres could get up, Heric signaled for him to stay.
The two men waited for the rest of the council to leave before they started talking.
“Thank you for siding with me,” said Heric. “Henrick is passionate about his friends. It’s why I wanted him here.”
“I understand his pain,” said Seres cooly, “I have friends in the Cylo Forest as well. We all do. It does not change the way we act.”
“How are things in Myrus?” Heric asked. He wanted to officially move on from the subject of the avadons in the forest.
“The infrastructure is coming back. It’s not pretty, but the city is functional again. Everybody is doing their part. We see to it that there are no useless citizens. Myrus is being built by its people for its people.”
“That’s great to hear,” said Heric. Every since he ordered the city to burn he had wanted to see it rise from the ashes.
“There is one more thing I wish to speak to you about,” said Seres.
Heric perked up. He was curious to hear what Seres had to say.
“Very well,” said Heric.
“You have one seat open on your Royal Council,” began Seres. “I feel that I would be a valuable asset to your advisors. My work in Myrus speaks for itself. Those men follow me. And you will find I have the vote from the other council members. I respect them as they respect me.”
Heric was not surprised at the request. Francesco de Seres was ambitious enough. He took any obstacle as an advantage. Seres was present during the Tcher invasion on New Salid. He had nearly gotten his head cut off for it. The scar remained clearly visible on the back of his neck.
That incident got him the position in Myrus originally. It was there he met Ellen Caning, Heric’s aunt. She was the final push behind Seres’ grab for power.
She was the empress at one time; the wife of Emperor Nikali Caning. Since her husband’s death she had tried to get back to her seat of prominence. There were others before him, but Seres was the ticket back to the palace. Seres had the drive, and with Ellen he had the money.
“No,” said Heric.
Seres quickly hid a look of disgust toward his emperor.
“Oh,” he said to his emperor. “Why is that?”
“The seat will remain empty,” said Heric. “Alexus can not be easily replaced. I do not want to fill the seat just to have a full council.
“You are a great soldier, Seres. I need you in Myrus. Rebuild the city. Those people need you there,” affirmed Heric.
Seres did not say a word. He bowed his head for leave. Heric granted Seres his exit. The defeated captain walked silently out of the room. His jaw tightened up along with his fist. His anger would not leave his body.
Chapter 15
The streets in the Talons were cluttered more than usual. Nikali hated it. He did not remember the Talons like this. There were too many people now. Every step he took brushed up against another person. They all had some place to go, and were in a rush to do it. It aggravated him. There were too many thoughts, too many emotions around him. Nikali wanted his peace.
There were new artists in the Talons that Nikali did not recognize. Dozens of new shows sprinkled on the corners of the community. They told stories of the Fall of Myrus and of the heroic Francesco de Seres, the man who saved the Capitol. Nikali pieced together the stories as they walked through the streets. Each story had a happy ending. Nikali smirked. He knew the truth was very different. He could see it all around him. He felt the truth. Many of the people surrounding him were miserable. Every day they fought for food and shelter. The work was disappearing. But there was no place else that could offer what the Talons had.
Nikali was now bathed. His beard remained. He had merely tied it to a tip. The clothes he wore were from a gentlemen caller of Cassandra’s. The man had been forced to leave them behind after a dispute about payment. They were too big for Nikali, but he made do. He tied areas of the baggy clothes down to his arms and legs. He looked like a puffy doll.
Cassandra walked beside Nikali holding his hand. She rushed them through the streets. Everybody was in a hurry.
Nikali reached out with his arcan. He sensed Cassandra’s urgency. He could feel the hairs rising on her arm. Every few seconds she would glance towards the setting sun. Her pace quickened.
“We could have done this tomorrow,” Cassandra huffed.
“I want to see him tonight,” argued Nikali. “I have been gone long enough.”
The sun was still lingering over the horizon. To Cassandra’s relief their destination was just around the corner. She picked up her pace. They were almost home. Then Nikali stopped in his tracks. Cassandra was yanked back still holding on to his hand. She nearly toppled to the ground, but managed to keep her composure.
“We have to go,” said Cassandra.
Nikali did not listen to her. He kept staring off into the streets of the Talons. Decorations hung from the buildings and along posts down the road.
Vines grown from the gardens across the Capitol were hung as streams across the sky. They stood on their own volition with the help of arcan. Nikali could see it in the details. It amazed him.
“Get inside,” Cassandra demanded. Nikali turned to see her standing at the doorway of his old home. The sun was lowering behind the horizon. Night would be coming shortly. Cassandra gestured for Nikali to come inside.
He looked around. The streets were nearly deserted. Only a handful of people continued to walk a
bout. None of them were alone. It was a strange sight for the Talons. This part of the Capitol rarely slept.
Nikali remained where he was. He turned in every direction. Dusk blanketed the area. The hairs on Nikali’s neck began to rise.
He whistled in the direction of the streets. It echoed quietly against the buildings.
“Stop that,” said Cassandra. She walked back out to grab hold of Nikali. “We should not be here.”
“Who is out there?” Nikali said to no one in particular.
A feint whistle replied. It carrier through the air then disappeared into the night.
Cassandra grabbed hold of Nikali’s arm. She would not let go. “Please come inside,” she asked.
Another whistle carried over the street. Nikali breathed it in.
“An ox has strength. The water washes away,” said Nikali.
“Babies cry. Owls know who,” whispered Cassandra.
Without another word Nikali retreated to his home. Once inside Cassandra locked the doors behind her. Nikali looked over his place. It was just as he left it. All of his junk had not been touched.
Footsteps scampered across the floor in another room. Nikali opened his arms for an embrace. Then the mighty beast rushed into the main room. It stopped in front of Nikali’s hand. The fury arck was obedient as ever.
Its scales felt rough against Nikali’s touch. His hand stroked the fury arck against the back of its head. The animal dropped its tongue in excitement.
Nikali had gotten the fury arck while in Louson. During a fighting spectacle for the kingdom he killed several of the arcks sparing this one to follow his lead. It was never unfaithful.
“Your pet helped guard this place,” said Cassandra. “Nobody wanted to go near it.”
“Good boy,” said Nikali to his fury arck.
Cassandra looked out the window. Night had fallen over the Capitol. There was nobody on the street. She let out a breath of relief then ventured off to the kitchen. Since Nikali’s disappearance his house became a second home for Cassandra if she ever needed it.
“We’re staying here tonight,” said Cassandra from the other room.
Eluan Falls: The Tides of Utter Undoing Page 5
