Council of War

by Richard S. Tuttle

  "Doing what?" inquired the officer.

  "I don't see as that is any of your business," Natia retorted. "If Colonel Fisker wanted you to be aware of his affairs, I am sure that he would have already informed you."

  Some of the soldiers chuckled outright, and the man who had just mentioned that Tedi was drowning his sorrow over a problem with a woman was almost doubled over in laughter.

  "Silence!" shouted the captain. The captain glared at Natia and said, "I am investigating a very serious matter. You will explain your business with Colonel Fisker immediately."

  "I will not," refused Natia. "What transpired between the colonel and me is our business. If you want an explanation, I suggest that you go and consult with your superior."

  The captain's face reddened at the verbal slap, but he retained his composure. He nodded at a soldier, and the man immediately departed the room to find the colonel.

  "Were you with the colonel all morning?" the captain asked calmly.

  "Most of the morning," answered Natia. "I do not recall the exact time that we met, but I was with him for hours before he escorted me back here and suggested that I remain in my room."

  "I am going to go lie down," Tedi said as if he were sick.

  No one objected as Tedi shuffled across the room and entered the sleeping quarters.

  "Did you really have to proceed with such questions in front of him?" Natia asked softly.

  "I have a duty to perform," replied the captain. "It concerns a far more serious event than any problems you might encounter because of the questioning. Perhaps you should have just been forthcoming with your answers."

  "It is not my place to discuss the colonel's affairs," retorted Natia. "You will no doubt question him as well, so why should I say anything? Would you take my word over a superior officer's word?"

  "Of course not," sighed the captain.

  The soldier returned from his errand and whispered in the captain's ear. The captain's eyebrows rose, but he smiled at Natia when the soldier had finished.

  "The colonel speaks very highly of you," he said to Natia as he scribbled on a piece of paper. "This will allow you to pass through the city gates. I have included your husband's name on the pass so that you both can leave the city together. I wish you a safe journey."

  The captain handed the paper to Natia and ordered his men to depart. Natia remained frozen as the officer left the room and closed the door. Loud knocking sounded on the next door, and Tedi came out of the bedroom and looked at the pass. Together they walked through the adjoining door to Garth's suite.

  "What was all that about?" asked Garth. "Who is Colonel Fisker?"

  "He was my escort to the elf reeducation center today," grinned Natia. "He was quite the guide as he showed me everything there is to know about the security of the center."

  Garth's eyebrows rose, but Kalina giggled.

  "I think he believes me to be a high level spy for the Emperor," grinned Natia. "I met him through Judge Julius, who we owe two figurines to by the way. It is a long story that can wait for another time, but Tedi and I have been given a pass to leave the city. What should we do with it?"

  "You should use it immediately," answered Garth. "Get out of the city before someone changes his mind. Go to the campsite and wait for two days. If we do not show up, carry on as if we will never show up. It will be up to the two of you to guide the others."

  "There is a problem with guiding the others that should not wait too long," stated Tedi. "I learned at the common room that soldiers are being dispatched to search the desert. If Aranak is discovered, our people will be trapped underground. There will be no possible escape for them."

  "I had suspected as much," nodded Garth. "That was part of the reason for this trip. We need to move our people out of there, but it is not clear where to send them."

  "I would vote for Tyronia," suggested Natia. "The area around Giza has been hot for a month, and Kalina's magic has just made it hotter. I think we need to send our people far away, and Tyronia is about as far as they can get."

  "I agree," nodded Garth. "When you get to the campsite, send Button to Aranak. I want a tripwire set up when they leave the lost city. If we ever plan to use that hideout again, we must know if anyone has discovered it in the meantime. Put Karl in charge of the group, but advise him to lean heavily on Clint and Prince Rigal. Did Kalina tell you what we discovered at the docks?"

  "Doors," nodded Tedi. "Or at least the possibility of Doors. That changes everything, doesn't it?"

  "It does," sighed Garth. "My plan was for the five of us to head south from Giza. I think we need to get closer to the heart of the Federation if we are to have any chance at all of mucking up their invasion. If Kalina and I do not make it out of here, the three of you would be well advised to make your way all the way to Despair."

  "Don't talk like that," frowned Natia. "We will wait for you at the campsite. Try not to be too late."

  * * *

  The city gates opened just wide enough to allow a single rider to pass. The gate guard took Natia's pass and waved the riders through. In addition to Tedi, an old man on a mule followed Natia out of the city. The riders rode calmly along the road until the forest obscured the city gates. At that point the Knights of Alcea quickened their pace slightly so that they could talk in private, but the old man on the mule matched their pace. Tedi turned around and glared at the old man.

  "Did you want something?" Tedi asked brusquely.

  "Nothing in particular," answered the old man. "I do not mean to intrude on your party, but traveling alone is sometimes not safe in these woods. I thought I might attach myself to the two of you."

  Tedi grumbled, but Natia turned her head and smiled at the old man.

  "I am Natia," she said cheerily, "and my husband is Tedi. You are welcome to ride with us for a spell."

  "I am most grateful," smiled the old man. "I am Fakir Aziz, tutor, philosopher, and historian. I assure you that I will be no trouble to you."

  "Where are you heading, Fakir Aziz?" asked Natia.

  "I am heading north," answered the old man. "While my destination is uncertain, I yearn to put the Federation behind me for a while."

  "Do you not care for the Federation?" Tedi asked suspiciously.

  "It is not a matter of like or dislike," smiled Fakir. "The level of discourse within the Federation cities has diminished of late. I seek to hear new and interesting ideas. One in my profession cannot allow his knowledge to go stale. Besides, how will I discover new talent for my tutoring services if I stay in the same location all of the time?"

  "Surely there must be students within the great cities of the Federation," posed Tedi. "How can you deprive them of your skills?"

  "There are indeed many smart students in the great cities," agreed Fakir. "I have had the pleasure of tutoring more than a few of them. I have taught in all of the Royal Palaces, and my students include the children of a fair number of the wealthy in each of the great cities."

  "Yet you just up and decided to throw such a lucrative business away?" probed Tedi. "Why would you do such a thing?"

  "Who can say what prompts any of the decisions we each make in life?" retorted the philosopher.

  Tedi turned back to face the road ahead, but a little while later he moved close to Natia and whispered, "I do not trust this man. I think he may be a spy for the Federation."

  "To spy on us?" balked Natia.

  "Yes," nodded Tedi. "I think we were purposely let free so he could join us and investigate who we really are."

  "That is crazy," retorted Natia. "Your imagination is running away with you. You don't have a single reason to suspect the old man."

  "Don't I?" countered Tedi. "You had to surrender your pass in order for us to pass through the gates. Fakir Aziz gave the soldiers nothing. They never even spoke to him. Do you really think with the current turmoil in Giza that they would just let someone ride out of the city without permission?"

  Natia frowned and glanced back at F
akir Aziz. The old man appeared to be gazing off into the woods, but Natia felt as he was watching her every movement. She turned to face forward again and nodded.

  "Maybe," she said softly. "He seems friendly enough though."

  "Of course he does," replied Tedi. "His manner is to make us feel comfortable so that we slip up and say something that will reveal our true selves. It is probably more effective than a harsh questioning would be. At least during an interrogation we would be forewarned to keep our defenses up."

  "Where are the two of you heading?" Fakir asked.

  "Olansk," Natia replied.

  "Farmin," Tedi stated simultaneously.

  Fakir Aziz raised an eyebrow as he stared at the young couple.

  "We are going to Olansk first," Natia said as she tried to recover from their blunder, "but our eventual destination is Farmin."

  "I see," the old man said. "There will be fewer bandits on the second leg of your journey. The road from Giza to Farmin is well traveled with few patches of forest. My father actually tutored King Harowin when he was a boy. What line of business are you in?"

  Natia pressed her lips together and let Tedi answer.

  "We are merchants," answered Tedi.

  "Your wagon must be very small," chuckled Fakir. "I cannot see it, although my eyes are not what they used to be."

  "We do not caravan," Tedi sighed. "We deal in small objects that do not require a wagon."

  "Must be expensive goods to make a profit from it," mused the tutor. "Are you going to Olansk to pick up something for delivery to Farmin?"

  "Maybe he works for the bandits?" whispered Natia. "Be careful what you say."

  "Sometimes we act as couriers," replied Tedi. "Carrying information can be as profitable as valuables. I do not mean to be rude, Fakir Aziz, but we are always hesitant to discuss our tasks with strangers. I am sure that you can understand our need for secrecy."

  "Secrecy," smiled the old man. "Ah yes. There are far too many secrets in the world today. They become a burden on your mind, you know. Secrets exact a toll on you as sure as hard labor in the field. Yup. Sure glad I don't have to deal with the heavy weight of secrets. Fear me not, young man. I will delve no deeper into your secrets."

  Tedi sighed with relief as silence once again fell over the small group. The old man continued to talk over the hours it took to reach the campsite, but he no longer tried to pry information out of the Knights of Alcea. Tedi was disappointed that the tutor decided to camp the night with him and Natia, but they could hardly refuse him. Sharing a campsite was a common courtesy of the road and to deny it would give notice of foul intent. After the camp was established, Tedi moved deep into the woods before releasing Button with a message for those in Aranak. The Knights of Alcea decided to have an early night of sleep and left the old man alone at the campfire. When Tedi rose in the morning, Fakir already had the morning meal prepared and welcomed the young couple with a wide smile.

  "A beautiful morning, isn't it?" the historian asked.

  "It is," smiled Natia as she joined the men around the campfire. "I thank you for preparing the meal, Fakir. I wish you a safe journey on the road today. I think Tedi and I will stay here another night."

  "You know," smiled Fakir, "I had the same thought myself. While I am not a stranger to my mule, it has been a long time since I spent so many hours in the saddle. I guess I should try getting acclimated slowly."

  Chapter 5

  Unwanted Guest

  "Stop pacing," pleaded Kalina. "All you have done all morning is pace around the room. You are making me dizzy."

  Garth stopped and turned to face his wife. "I am sorry," he apologized. "I have never been one who can leave his fate to the whims of others. Maybe we are better off just busting out of here and taking our chances."

  "Our chances would be slim," Kalina responded. "There are tens of thousands of soldiers around Giza, and more than a few mages as well. As soon as we were missed the entire strength of the Federation would come falling down on us."

  "Maybe so," conceded Garth, "but the battle would be costly to them as well."

  "We are worth much more to Alcea alive than dead," retorted Kalina. "We have a lot invested in Garth and Kalina Shado. To start a new identity at this late date would be difficult at best. Let's wait a bit longer to see if they accept the ruse that Morro's people are spreading around the city."

  "Garth Shado may be well known now," replied Garth, "but Kalina is not. Why don't you fly out of here and get to safety. I am sure that I can make up a believable story about your disappearance. I could say that an officer wooed you away from me and that I don't know where you are."

  "Forget it," smiled Kalina. "We are in this together, and we will leave together."

  "Alright," sighed Garth, "but if the travel ban is not lifted by nightfall, we are both going over the wall."

  "I agree," nodded Kalina. "If they intend on keeping us longer than today it will only be because they do not believe our alibi. While Morro's man might be the most reliable person in the world, he will not survive an interrogation by K'san."

  "I don't think we would either," stated Garth.

  "I am not so sure," countered Kalina. "We both have a strong ability to focus our thoughts on what we want to. I do not understand the mind magics of the Zarans, but I suspect they can only pick up what we are thinking about at the time. Without physical probing, I mean. If they start an actual mind probe then all bets are off, but that has not seemed to be their preferred method so far."

  "Interesting," mused Garth. "I wonder why not."

  "I don't know," admitted Kalina, "but I don't think they got as much out of Tyroma as they could have. I think they discovered that we used a water witch, but I saw no traces of knowledge about our fairies."

  "Tyroma was never exposed to the fairies," Garth pointed out. "Captain Gomery was good at keeping knowledge of them secret. He could hardly do the same where Haditha was concerned. What sailor could fail to notice a ship sailing without masts?"

  "Good point," nodded Kalina.

  "You said that there was a trap waiting for you in Tyroma's mind," frowned Garth. "Wouldn't that indicate that they had scoured his mind thoroughly?"

  "One would think so," mused Kalina, "but I have a feeling that they did not. It is a riddle to me. For example, why were Tyroma's bones broken? If K'san could do a mind probe and pull out everything of interest, why would there be a need for physical coercion?"

  "A good question," Garth conceded. "Yet the trap must have required a physical touch, wouldn't it?"

  "I don't know," declared Kalina. "The Red Sword in Tagaret was put under another's will without physical contact. Why couldn't someone with that ability also set a trap in Tyroma's mind?"

  A soft knock on the door interrupted the conversation. Garth and Kalina glanced at one another and began moving apart. Garth slid open the pouch that held his Lanoirian stars, and Kalina moved to where she would be able to cast a spell into the hallway without hitting her husband. Garth walked to the door and opened it slowly. A distinguished looking man stood in the hall with his hand raised to knock again.

  "I hope I am not disturbing you," the man said in a manner that showed he didn't really mean the words spoken. "Are you Garth Shado?"

  "I am," Garth answered.

  "I am Judge Julius," declared the man. "May I come in?"

  Garth nodded and opened the door all the way. The judge walked into the room and spied Kalina. He waited while Garth closed the door, but he kept his eyes on the woman waiting for an introduction. Garth did not pick up the cue and Kalina introduced herself.

  "I am Kalina," she smiled. "I am Garth's wife. May I offer you some water?"

  "No, thank you," smiled the judge. "I understand that Natia is one of your people, Garth."

  "She is indeed," replied Garth. "She is a very valuable member of my team, but she is no longer in the city. Is there something that I can help you with?"

  "Quite the opposite," smiled the judge.
"Natia stopped into my office yesterday on her way out of the city. She told me that you were not given a pass as she was, and she was worried about that."

  "As are we," replied Garth. "A special agent makes no money while he is stranded in an inn."

  "I understand," said the judge. "She asked me to review your case, and I have spent the morning doing so. I suspect the investigation team was concerned with why you would spend a morning with a mere jeweler's apprentice and not the jeweler himself, so I took it upon myself to ask the jeweler precisely that question. As it turns out, he has the highest regard for his apprentice. In fact, he has given the lad a great deal of latitude in the affairs of the shop, and the results have been satisfactory."

  "The lad certainly appeared to know his business," stated Garth.

  "Indeed," agreed the judge. "Armed with that knowledge, I approached the investigative team on your behalf. I have secured a pass for you and your wife to leave the city. I trust the results of my interference will meet with your approval."

  "Most certainly," smiled Garth. "I understand from Natia that I am already in your debt to the tune of two figurines. I think it would only be fair to add something to that when I next come to Giza. Sidney Mercado is a man who greatly values those who look after his interests."

  "I thought as much," grinned the judge as he handed a paper to Garth. "I would use the pass at your earliest convenience. While it is currently presumed that the villains escaped through a gap in the wall, it is my experience that soldiers too often like to reexamine every little thing as if some new clue will suddenly pop up. You know what kind of delays that can cause."

  "Indeed I do," Garth smiled broadly. "We will leave immediately. I am very pleased to finally make your acquaintance. Natia has spoken highly of you."

  The judge left the room, and Garth exhaled his held breath. "I hope you will not look askance at me if I hug Natia when next we meet," chuckled Garth.

  "Hardly," giggled Kalina. "I will be hugging her, too. Let's get out of here."

  The two Knights of Alcea quickly got their belongings together and headed for the stables. They saddled their horses and made straight for the northern gate. There were no questions asked as Garth presented the pass. The gate was opened slightly, and the Alceans filed through the opening before the gate was pulled closed. When they rounded the bend in the forest, a rider appeared out of the trees.