The guard followed Nikali down the crowded streets. He kept his distance to not spook the Royal Council member. Nikali stopped at several corners. He would talk to beggars and performers hustling for change before moving on. The guard watched, but could never get close enough to hear what Nikali was talking about with them.
Nikali never once looked back to see if the guard was still following him. Together they made their journey deeper into the heart of the reclamation.
Cassandra was directed to the brothel house of choice by most men of Myrus. The house was actually a series of tents at the back of the camp. Men from other districts would come all the way to the center of the city for the girls at this brothel.
Men glared at Cassandra as she walked through the grounds. She continued to keep herself covered up. It was no longer about the filth in the air, but about not giving away her body for free.
It did not take long for two men to approach her. They stood in front of her cutting her off from advancing through the campground.
“Are you looking for some money?” one of the men said. He was near skin and bone. His yellow teeth hung to his gums loosely.
“I haven’t seen you around here before,” said the other man. He was old enough to be Cassandra’s grandfather. “If you’re new I will gladly show you the ropes.”
“None of that will be necessary,” said Cassandra. “Please tell me where I can find the madame here.”
The two men looked at each other then back at Cassandra. “The what?” asked the skinny man.
“Where can I find the person in charge?” Cassandra asked.
Both men shrugged their shoulders. Cassandra rolled her eyes in annoyance. She had no further time for their distractions. She pushed them aside. Before the men could grab her back they fell to the floor. Their ankles had suddenly given out in pain. Cassandra paid them no more attention.
As she walked further into the brothel campground she was stopped by a young girl. She was topless. Her hair had been pulled back enough that it looked like it was almost pulled out of her head.
“You are looking for Madame Eries,” she said.
“Is she in charge?”
“Yes,” said the young girl.
“Then take me to her,” ordered Cassandra.
As the girl led Cassandra to their master she noticed several marks and bruises across the girl’s back. They arrived at the tent. Cassandra slipped the girl several coins for her help. Then she gave the girl a tiny bottle. It was filled with Tamor Blood.
“Stay here,” Cassandra said. The girl nodded her head. She cupped the coins tightly in one hand so they wouldn’t jingle. In the other hand she popped the cork off the bottle and started quenching her thirst.
Inside the tent, an older woman was being pampered by two men. They kneeled on the ground massaging her hands and feet.
“Madame Eries?” Cassandra asked.
“Yes,” the woman replied. “Who are you?”
“My name is Cassandra. I have come from the Capitol.”
“You’re a little too old to work here,” said Eries. She waved off her two men.
“My work is just fine,” said Cassandra. “I have been traveling as of late. The recent destructions of towns have left a lot of turmoil. It has created opportunities for a wider set of clientele. How is the managing in Myrus?”
“I thought you weren’t looking for work?” Eries asked.
“I am looking for a partner,” said Cassandra.
Eries smiled. She stood up fully naked. Her body was still firm despite her age. “You’re from the Capitol? That must be nice. Much of the senate is there, as is the royal class. Your value shows. That is a wonderful sheet you are using to cover yourself with. It would cost a month’s wage to buy it here.”
“Myrus will see its glory again,” said Cassandra. “That is why I am here. I want to be a part of it, with your help of course.”
“What would you do? Will you help satisfy the men?”
Cassandra laughed. “I thought you said I was too old for that? No, I’m sure you’ll understand when I say my place is above that now.”
“The clientele here can be rougher than what most are used to. I was at the Capitol once. What I would give to have those days back.”
“I want to invest in Myrus,” said Cassandra. “These tents are not pleasing at all. We can build room and board for not only our workers, but for the clients as well. There needs to be a reason for people to stay.”
“There is already a reason for them to stay,” said Eries. “My girls are the best.”
“I have heard that,” said Cassandra. “What is your secret?”
“Obedience,” said Eries. “Once they are broken they long for the men that come to this camp.”
“I saw several of the men around here. I doubt they long for them.”
“The men here are garbage. They have flocked to the city because there is plenty of work and coin to go around. None of the nobility will return until the city is done. That does not mean our work is over. The girls just have to see the scope of things. They train with animals until they beg me to be with a man again, any man, any way. Then that coin the empire throws around to rebuild the city finds it way to my pocket at any cost.”
Cassandra took off the sheet she was wearing. Her hands became dirty with grime, but she did not mind. “With my help, we can lure better prospects into Myrus. There would no longer be a need for that kind of training.”
Eries dismissed Cassandra proposal with a slight laugh. “Even the girls here are garbage. They need to be broken. Too many artists and dreamers. Myrus was a city of fools before it fell.”
Cassandra rushed forward. She threw her filthy sheet across Madame Eries’ neck. It wrapped tightly around the old woman. Then Cassandra pulled harder cutting off the woman’s circulation.
“You are a disgrace to our world,” said Cassandra. “Have you felt the pain or consequences of what you put your girls through?”
Madame Eries tried to fight off Cassandra, but she was powerless. Cassandra’s grip on the sheet was too strong. Eries could no longer breathe. Then pain coursed through her body. She could feel her back be punctured in several spots. It was nothing compared to the next pain. It felt as if her groin had split open. The force drove into her several times, reaching deeper into her body with every thrust. Her face was frozen in a silent scream.
Cassandra continued to hold on to the sheet across the woman’s neck. Finally, Madame Eries’ body collapsed. Cassandra let the body drop dead to the ground.
The young girl outside the tent was still waiting for Cassandra when she came outside. The bottle of Tamor Blood was empty. Cassandra looked at the poor girl.
“Do you want more?” Cassandra asked.
The young girl eagerly nodded her head.
“Then find your friends. Tell them to come with me.”
Nikali talked to nearly a dozen men around the broken city. The guard watched him speak to every man for a few minutes, shrug his shoulders, then walk on looking for the next one. The guard was never able to figure out what Nikali was saying. He never had time to talk to the men Nikali left behind. Nikali was constantly on the move and he had to watch the visitor.
The last man Nikali was talking to was different. He stayed and chatted for several minutes. Nikali pranced in place as they spoke. The guard took the opportunity to approach the two men. He only got close enough to hear mumbles from Nikali.
The beggar stood to his feet. He stretched out, popping several joints in the process. His leg shook awake. The man was taller than he appeared when sitting down. He was pencil thin. His mustache curled from grease and grime of his everyday life. When he turned his head moved first then his body followed.
He turned to look at the guard. His smile looked to devour a single person. Then his body turned to the guard and he walked briskly towards him.
“Good afternoon!” the beggar cheered. His hands moved with his words. “My name is Raphaiel. You’r
e looking for a partner? Allow me!”
Raphaiel took the guard’s hand. He slid his other hand around the guard’s waist. The guard did the same, unable to control his movements.
The guard and the beggar danced in the streets. Raphaiel hummed music to keep in step with. His feet glided along the ground with no effort, as did the guard’s. Nikali started to hum along to the music enjoying the show.
The guard could not help it. His feet carried him along with no resistance. His hand would not let go of Raphaiel’s. In the back of his mind he desired to dance.
Raphaiel pulled the guard in close. He whispered into the man’s ear. Then he pushed him away. The guard spun in his partner’s hand finally released from his trance.
“Good show!” Raphaiel clapped. “You have some of the best timing I have ever seen. The military knows how to train their men.”
Nikali clapped along with the beggar. The guard was too afraid to continue. The whisper to run echoed in his thoughts. He looked over at Raphaiel. The man was still swaying to the music he was humming. Nikali danced along. The guard retreated unable to cope with the two men and their abilities.
“That was wonderful,” said Nikali.
“I have never felt so alive,” said Raphaiel. He presented the empty bottle of Tamor Blood Nikali gave him when they first met. “Where can I get more?”
Nikali smiled. “Come with me. Bring your troupe. There will be plenty.”
Chapter 44
Just inside the Cylo Forest, the Tcher soldiers had made camp. The next day they would begin their trip deep into the heart of the forest to find the avadons lurking within.
The camp ended up as two distinct circles. The Lousons had separated themselves from their Tcher allies.
The Tcher group sat quietly in small groups. Rilla guarded her master, Aldrin. The other guards lounged around. Genom slept with one eye opened. Off to the side were Abigail and Falon. They ate their dinner while Falon talked.
“I would have liked to have seen the south of the country. The north is a bit of a bore.”
“You would have destroyed it,” said Abigail.
“Not us,” said Falon. “We’re on the run.”
“Then you would have all been caught,” she said.
“What about you?” he asked her.
“I could explain my situation,” she said. “Heric would let me go.”
“The Emperor?” Falon pondered. “What’s he like?”
“He’s strong. He was my rock,” said Abigail. “He was always there to protect me. When we were growing up he would save some of his food from dinner and give it to me later in the night or the next day during lessons. It was always better than what I was served. He was always looking out for me.”
“Can you tell me another story about Eluan?” Falon asked.
“You haven’t earned it,” said Abigail.
“What could I do to earn it then?” Falon asked.
“Get me through this alive,” told Abigail. “I’ve seen the avadons. We are on a fool’s mission.”
“Then you’ll tell me about the Night’s Flower? I’ve always wanted to see the Night’s Flower,” said Falon.
“Yes,” she said. “When this is all over I’ll tell you about the Night’s Flower.”
Falon smiled as he put another spoonful of porridge in his mouth.
The five Lousons sat around their campfire. Marina and Randal faced each other while their guards looked the other direction in case of an attack. They spoke freely in their Louson language.
“Do you know where the avadons are?” Marina asked.
“Yes,” said the Randal. “We’ve been scouting them out. They’ve claimed two towns. We’ll need to take them during the day. We can take one town at a time.” Randal looked over at the Tcher campfire a short ways away. He looked unimpressed with their numbers.
“Is this all you have?” he questioned. “Perhaps we should rethink this strategy. We should wait for more of their men.”
Marina looked back at the Tcher guards as well. She smiled. “It is all that we will need. They can cut through the Eluan army on their own.”
“Then we can wait for the rest of his army to make it out west,” argued Randal.
“No,” said Marina. “There is no more waiting. I am not living out of the carriage any longer. The palace is my home. I want to be back there on the throne. There are already plans to take the Capitol. When we return, Tcher will be waiting for us with the gates wide open.”
“You better be right,” said Randal. “If his men can not handle this, Rarian and I are ready to return to Louson. You can come with us.”
“Father would have me hang for that,” said Marina. “I was sent here to submit to Heric and my father’s wishes, not to start a war.”
“You are his daughter. He will understand,” said Randal.
“I am not returning,” said Marina. “Father gave me Eluan whether he realizes it or not. I will do with it as I please. Aldrin will help me do that.”
“Then Aldrin is crazy for continuing with the plan,” said Randal. “Without Alexus there is no direction. There were other pieces in play that have become useless, and the Other is trying to stop us.”
“Aldrin wants the glory as well,” said Marina. “We can still salvage Alexus’ plan to bring down Eluan. I just need your cooperation.”
“You have it, Marina,” he told his sister. “But that does not mean I trust your allies.”
“I will worry about them,” said Marina. “They strike out at the wrongs against them. Don’t show weakness and they will respect you.”
“They have never fought an avadon before,” said Randal. “How do you know they will last in a fight?”
“This is what they were bred for,” said Marina. “I was on their ship. I have seen them fight. The Eluan army is afraid of them. So will the avadons be.”
“We will see,” said Randal.
“Just get us to the first town,” said Marina. “They will handle the rest.”
“We’ll show you the way,” said Randal. “His men better be ready at all times. We move at first light, and quickly. Avadon scouts will be through here tomorrow. The arcks will cover our scent. We’ll need to pick the avadons off one by one until we reach the town. Then we slay them all.”
Chapter 45
The Tcher army spread out across the river. Ships were sailed half way across the known world through many narrow paths to finally rest in the calm waters staring down the Eluan Capitol. Tcher soldiers surrounded the shoreline. Tcher was advancing despite not being at full strength. Heric would allow it. He had the advantage at the moment. Every day the Tcher numbers grew larger. If the lead force attacked now, Heric could stop them before the others arrived.
Down the river the Eluan army was amassing their army as well. They were the final defense between Tcher and the walls of the Capitol. Their numbers were scattered. Legions from across the empire poured in beaten and broken. Despite their tribulations their flags still hung high in the air.
Emperor Heric Caning overlooked the battlefield from the uncomfortable position of the palace watchtower. It was the highest point in not just the Capitol but all of the empire. Stories were told of past emperors climbing to the top to find peace. They could look out and reflect on their world. It was said some would realize just how small they were. Heric looked out over the horizon and only saw the responsibility he had upon his shoulders. His decisions meant the survival of the world.
Tcher ships were approaching. An army of Tcher foot soldiers marched along the riverbanks. They were on a direct course for the Eluan army in their path.
On the ground, Forman stood with his men. His legion was one of the strongest currently in the Eluan Empire. They had remained at the gates of the Capitol, and had yet to run into war against the Tcher invasion.
He glanced up to the tower to watch for the signal from Heric. Forman was in charge of leading the men into battle. He was to represent the Emperor who reluctantly sta
yed off the field. Forman promised to lead the army as Heric would.
Out in the distance, the Tcher ships came to a halt. The river pushed, but the ships would not budge. The Tcher army stopped in line with the lead ship.
Quaet stood next to Heric on the balcony of the watchtower. He rested on the railing examining the Tcher army. “They have stopped,” he said. “Perhaps they already know the Eluan forces are too much for them.”
“I doubt that,” said Heric. “They did not come all this way to turn around.”
“They have not had numbers against them like this yet,” said Quaet. “We outnumber them four to one. They are hesitant.”
“They are patient,” said Heric. “Aldrin waited twenty years for this.”
“What are your orders?” Quaet asked.
“We wait,” said Heric. “I want to see what they will do.”
“I beg to differ,” said Quaet. “Attack them now. You can not let them rest.”
“Tcher is ready for a battle,” said Heric. “We need to wait. They came here for a reason.”
The men on both sides of the field waited in silence. The river roared in defiance of both armies. On board the ship, the Tcher army was being lead by the Tcher Elite Guardsmen, Worl and Mylo. The two men had broken off from Aldrin and the others right after the escape from Omni Beach.
Forman studied the speck of men across the battlefield. Then he looked back toward the watchtower. Heric had yet to relay any orders.
Minutes turned into an hour. Neither army advanced. The tension never released. Every soldier stood at attention for the fear of their enemy finally attacking.
Heric watched quietly from his perch. He saw little movement from the Tcher army. They were even more obedient than the Eluan troops.
Then Tcher made the first move. A small boat was dispensed from the larger head ship. Worl was the only occupant of the boat. A green flag flapped in the wind as it approached the Eluan army. It was an emissary boat.
Forman stepped forward. He went into the river. The water crawled up to his knees where he waited for Worl to touch the riverbank. The boat stopped for a brief moment yards away from Forman before finally making the final trek to the waiting Eluan soldier.
Eluan Falls: The Tides of Utter Undoing Page 17
