Women of Power

by C. R. Daems

  "I never—" He stopped when I raised my hand and moved around the table to face him.

  "You can see our dilemma. You and I must choose whom to believe. I find it hard to believe you would encourage Sergeant Lazar or anyone else to do anything so stupid. I believe Sergeant Lazar acted on his own, mad at losing face over an argument concerning my Qi. I would find it equally hard to believe that you would think a Qi'advisor would lie."

  Wenrich said nothing when I finished. Before he could, I continued.

  "The facts are simple enough, Your Grace. Sergeant Lazar followed me out of the castle with the two privates, caught me in the open field, and attempted to rape me. I killed him, and his two friends ran." I now stood within two paces of Wenrich. Our eyes locked. My Qi pulsed through my body until my hair felt alive.

  Wenrich's eyes darted around the room. He saw his dilemma clearly. He acquiesced or tried to kill me; however, he now understood my confrontation with him the other night had not been a bluff. Finally he relaxed and smiled.

  "Of course I believe you, qi'Nisha. I could not believe you would kill my sergeant if there were another option. As you say, Lazar had a nasty temper. He has, according to rumors, raped other women, although it was never proven since the women went missing." He turned toward the officer standing off to the side. "Captain, have the two privates arrested. Tomorrow they are to be given fifty lashes for their complicity with Lazar and for falsely accusing qi'Nisha."

  Punishment for failing, I mused. "Thank you, Your Grace. I knew I could depend on you for swift justice." I bowed my head in a sign of respect and returned to my seat. The room was so quiet you could hear people breathing.

  "Now that justice has been served, it's time to eat. I'm starved," Wenrich said as he sat and reached for one of the pheasants in front of him. The hall slowly returned to normal as guests resumed interrupted conversations and servants sprang to life, filling glasses and serving meals.

  As I left the hall for a meeting in Sandar's room, qi'Senka appeared and followed me down the hallway.

  "Qi'Nisha, you've upset Duke Wenrich. I believe his two options are to kill you or to kill Duke Sandar and hire you as his Qi'advisor. Of course, killing you both would also work. You were annoying before you killed Lazar. Now you're dangerous." She paused. "Would you have killed Wenrich the other night, if he had attacked you? You had the right."

  "No. I knew he was arrogant, but the possible ramifications of his death on the kingdom were more important. Now I know he's ruthless, devious, and without a conscience. But even if I could predict the consequences, which I cannot, is it my duty to kill him, qi'Senka?"

  "I'm afraid that's a question only you can answer." She paused, looking down the hallway as though searching for answers. "You've stronger Qi than any Qi'advisor I've ever known. Only in our history books were there Qi'women who achieved such power, and it took them years of meditation alone in isolation. And you've taken the duties of a Qi'advisor to include action. I do not say you're wrong, but this is outside my experience." She bowed her head to me and wandered down the hallway in the opposite direction.

  My mind was in chaos as I watched her walk away. I wanted to go to my room and meditate, but I knew Sandar expected me to see him in preparation for tomorrow's meeting of the dukes and answer questions about Lazar.

  When I arrived, Harkin and Mastal were already there. They were particularly quiet when I entered the room. I wanted to scream, "If you have something to say—get it out." Instead, I found a chair and sat, waiting for them to speak. No one did. A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door. Harkin opened it. Tebos and qi'Senka nodded to the group and found seats. Sandar finally broke the silence.

  "Lazar tried to rape you in order to get me to confront him, so he could kill me, and this was Wenrich's idea?"

  I didn't answer for several minutes, thinking through what I had observed and contemplating my response.

  "Wenrich sees you as a threat to his ambitions. I suspect, judging from our meetings so far, that Dukes Fabiao and Janko support Wenrich and would be willing to declare him king. I suspect my presence made him think I'd be an easy way to provoke you."

  "I believe," qi'Senka said, "Wenrich thought he could turn Duke Tebos against you, Duke Sandar, using the rumors against qi'Nisha, which would have given him a solid majority. So he insulted her, hoping for a violent reaction from you. When that failed, he hoped for a straight vote, which would have produced a majority—three to two—in his favor. When that failed, he used Lazar."

  "We're on the very edge of a war with an enemy on our border, and Wenrich plots against us. What next?" Harkin asked, looking at Sandar.

  "Qi'Nisha has neutralized him for now. He wants to be king but doesn't want a civil war if he can help it. He's arrogant but not stupid. He hasn't given up, but I believe he'll wait for now," qi'Senka said.

  Tebos propped his elbows on his knees and leaned toward me. "The rumor is that you killed Lazar with Qi. Is that true? The Inari surgeon said he looked like he had lain out in the sun for days. I've never heard of such a thing. Can all Qi'advisors do that?"

  Qi'Senka shook her head. "No, Your Grace, neither I nor any Qi'advisor I know have Qi strong enough to kill. We can to one degree or another protect ourselves using Qi and our knowledge of self-defense. Qi'Nisha's unique in many ways."

  "Your Grace, I did kill Lazar with Qi, and I'm sick because I did. Qi should never be used for that purpose. Duke Sandar and I must talk about whether he should continue our contract."

  "Why? You had no choice."

  "One always has a choice, Your Grace. As a Qi'advisor, I do not speak for you nor make decisions for you. The traditional role of a Qi'advisor should be as a passive participant, available for unbiased advice, should her client want it. It appears that I have taken an active part. I confronted Wenrich to keep you from doing so and killed Lazar to avoid his attack on you and Mastal. I wonder if these actions constitute bias and make me unsuitable as a Qi'advisor." I looked to qi'Senka.

  "Qi'Nisha is right to question her conduct. The Qi'temple teaches us that we must remain passive to remain unbiased. If you ask whether you should go left or right, we are here to offer our observations. But it is not for us to stop or hinder you from going one way or the other. We are advisors, not your conscience or bodyguards. Qi'Nisha could justify her actions on the basis that the attacks were against her, but she did act in a way which stopped you from acting." She shrugged ever so slightly.

  "Qi'Nisha, it's you who should be voiding the contract. I've unwittingly dragged you into a deadly situation, which has caused you to be treated like a concubine and, if not for your skill, killed or…" He paused and took a sip of wine. "But this is not the Qi'temple, and I'm not a Qi'teacher. This is the world of men and their schemes. You have taken independent action, but I feel you were justified, since the attacks were against you. I'm more than pleased with you as my Qi'advisor and hope you'll stay."

  I nodded acceptance, although I had much to think about. This was not the Qi'temple, but did that negate their teachings?

  "Sandar, I suggest we take advantage of our Qi'advisors and decide on a strategy for tomorrow." Tebos smiled at qi'Senka. They looked like they would make a good team. The discussion continued for several hours, but it became obvious that a coherent strategy couldn't be put in place without more information.

  * * *

  At the dukes' meeting the next day, there was unanimous agreement that we needed more information, and two scouting missions would be sent out to assess the situation in the Sands. Tebos and Sandar would take the area west of the Central Mountain range—called the Iovis Corridor. And Wenrich, Fabiao, and Janko would take the area east of the Central Mountain range—known as the Castor Corridor. The approach was a good one, but I could not help feeling it somehow benefited Wenrich's plans. The next day, the dukes left for their respective provinces. Sandar agreed to join Tebos at Inwood in two weeks.

  * * *

  The mood on the two-day rid
e back to Xihu was sober, with everyone locked into his own thoughts. The soldiers knew a division existed between the provinces and there was trouble with the tribes—both meant war.

  Riding on Windrunner was glorious. I used Qi to lighten myself in the saddle and rode leaning forward, resting my head on his neck. I could hear the air being sucked into his lungs, the blood pulsing through the veins, and felt we were one. I knew he felt the same as our Qi mingled. That night around the campfire, the younger soldiers talked about the promotions they would get if there were war. Older ones looked at each other and shook their heads. The duke, Mastal, and Harkin wrapped themselves in silence, faces drawn with worry.

  After the meal, I wandered off to a quiet spot, where I rested in a meditation posture through the night and awoke rested. My guilt over killing Lazar coiled in my stomach, but I couldn't let it eat away at me. I had done what I had done. Emptying my mind, I meditated, sorting through my chaotic thoughts and putting the previous day's events into perspective. By the time we reached Xihu, I felt once more in balance.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Xihu castle: Determining the Ferox scouting party

  The sun had sunk to touch the mountains as we came in sight of the city walls, and a horn sounded, announcing the duke's arrival. As if sensing trouble brewing, the people on the streets seemed quiet as we passed. When we reached the castle courtyard, Duchess Vidya and her daughter were there waiting. Vidya stood patiently while Sandar dismounted and the stable boy took his horse. Suetta had mimicked her mother's calm dignity, although from the look in her eyes and the slight tapping of her foot, she wanted to run and throw her arms around her father.

  "Welcome home, my husband. You look tired."

  "Father, there have been all sorts of rumors while you were gone," Suetta said before Sandar could say anything.

  "Later, Suetta. This is neither the time nor the place. It was a tiring trip and everyone's worn out."

  "Nisha and Windrunner look fresh and rested," Suetta said, pointing at Windrunner and me. Her eyes sparkled and she grinned.

  "But I'm not," Sandar said, shaking his head. "I need a wash and change of clothes before the evening meal. I'll explain everything there."

  I may have been less tired than the others, but I too needed a wash, rest, and change of clothes. When I reached my room, Crina was there waiting.

  "Mistress, how was the trip? Do you need anything?" The words came out in a rush. Then she blushed.

  "The trip was interesting. I had never been to Inari and had an opportunity to meet the other dukes. And yes, I need a wash and to change into clean clothes. I'd also like the dirty ones cleaned, but there is no rush." Crina was a sweet girl, but I feared anything I told her would be common knowledge before the evening meal started.

  "Mistress, there's warm water in the bowl ready for you."

  "Thank you, Crina. You're very efficient." I undressed, and she ran off with my dirty clothes and a smile from ear to ear. The water felt good. There had been no opportunity to wash or change clothes during the ride to Xihu. Afterward, I sat in a meditating posture, resting while I waited for the evening meal.

  Crina knocked and entered, then hesitated, waiting for me to acknowledge her presence. I nodded.

  "It's time for the evening meal, Mistress." She had become less nervous in my presence, which pleased me. Her day was undoubtedly filled with enough stress. She didn't need me adding to it. At least she would have one place where she could relax without fear.

  When I arrived at the family dining room, the door was open and everyone there. I found my chair and waited.

  "Sit, Nisha. You're part of the family and can dispense with any formality," Vidya said, then turned to her husband. "Well, Ashtad, what happened?"

  Sandar sat for a while looking at me but said nothing. Then he took a sip of wine before speaking. "I'm fortunate qi'Nisha picked me—"

  "You didn't mention that before. She picked you?" Vidya said, before he could continue. He grinned.

  "Yes. I told you most of the story before, and that qi'Rajini was adamant she didn't have anyone available. She did mention she had one student who she thought would be right for me, but she wouldn't be ready for a year or two. Just then, Nisha walked up with her packed bag and said she was ready. At first I thought the young woman was joking or crazy." Sandar looked at me and shrugged. "I don't know why to this day I felt certain I needed a Qi'advisor. But I was desperate enough to accept Nisha on a trial basis."

  He paused and took another sip of wine. "Qi'Rajini was right, Nisha was right for me, and qi'Nisha was right, she's Qi and ready to be a Qi'advisor. The only problem has been she looks even younger than she is."

  "Yes, even I had reservations," Vidya said. "But she's proved to have the insight to recognize potential problems and to address them quickly and effectively. Lieutenant Irmak's now her biggest supporter."

  "The same problem occurred at Inari. Their initial reaction was to tag her as my concubine—" Sandar stopped when Vidya choked on her wine and Suetta coughed into her napkin. "It wasn't funny. They put her in a small room normally reserved for low-level administrators and didn't invite her to dine with the nobles the next day. Nisha took it in stride, but the rumor spread. For some reason she chose to visit Mastal in the soldiers' area."

  Mastal grinned. "Top sergeant Dinesh found her first. Somehow, she arranged for a one-copper bet that she would be proved Qi before we left. He accepted the wager."

  "Why only a copper?" Suetta asked.

  "The copper was a token that one of us owed the other an apology. More than that would merely have been a wager."

  "Anyway, that night Wenrich called her a doxy, and said she wasn't fit to sit at the same table as the ladies."

  "Oh, my God!"

  "Unfortunately, that was my immediate reaction. It was the same as calling me a liar, and I would have attacked him for the insult if Nisha hadn't stopped me. She goaded Wenrich into an open attack and forced him to admit she's Qi. It became apparent that Wenrich's insult had been meant to cause a fight so that he'd be justified in killing me."

  Vidya's face turned ashen, but Sandar raised his hand before she could interrupt. "The next day he sent his top sergeant, Lazar, to rape her, again hoping I'd attack him when I found out, and he'd be justified in killing me. Worse yet, they knew Mastal would then confront Lazar, which would have given him provocation to kill him—in the name of self-defense."

  When I looked over to Vidya, she had tears in her eyes. "What happened, Nisha?"

  "I killed him. If I hadn't, he would just have kept trying to carry out his liege's wishes."

  "How?" Suetta blurted.

  "With Qi."

  Sandar continued, "As you can see, it was a harrowing six days. Wenrich hoped to get rid of me and be appointed king. Things ended in a stalemate instead of mass bloodshed. Qi'Senka and qi'Nisha convinced the dukes we need more information before we try to deal with the tribes. We'll send out two scouting parties. Tebos and I will take the Iovis Corridor, and the other dukes will scout the Castor Corridor into the Sands. I plan to leave in three days. That will give me time to decide on who and how many to take."

  "Why you? There are plenty of others who could lead the group," Vidya said, coming out of her chair.

  "It's my responsibility. Tomorrow morning I'll meet with my military staff and Minister Mirza to work out the details." Sandar looked to me and nodded. "Qi'Nisha, you're invited to all the meetings, unless I ask you not to attend." There was little talking during the rest of the meal. Afterward, Vidya pulled me aside.

  "I'll never forget what you've done for my husband. And I have no right, but I plead with you to stop him from leading the scouting party," Vidya said, her eyes misty and lines of worry evident in her face.

  "Your Grace, I'm a Qi'advisor. I'll share my observations with the duke, but I don't make or try to make decisions for him."

  "You did before. I doubt you cared what Duke Wenrich called you or what anyone in the castle thought
. It saved his life. What's different now?" She had a point—I didn't care.

  "The difference is that I'm not being used against him. Wenrich tried to use me to kill the duke. If I had let him, I would have been complicit in his treachery. I had to act, as there was no advice I could have given the duke which would have precluded Wenrich from using me."

  On the ride back to Xihu, I had concluded I had done the right thing, although it appeared to go against the Qi'temple teaching. It would seem cruel to Vidya, but if the duke had been insulted directly, it would have been wrong for me to interfere—no matter the consequences.

  "It would be wrong for him to go, qi'Nisha," she said and walked away. When I returned to my room, Crina had my dirty clothes cleaned and laid out for me, warm water in the washbowl, and a fire in the fireplace. I went to sleep a traveler on the Path, looking forward to tomorrow.

  * * *

  Crina knocked somewhat earlier than normal and poked her head through the doorway. "Mistress, the duke has requested you and the others meet in Sir Harkin's war room within the hour. I have fruit and cheese if you want a snack before you leave." A small smile danced on her lips.

  "Thank you. That's very considerate of you." I collected her carefully wrapped bundle of nuts, berries, and cheese and strolled to the soldiers' area, nibbling at Crina's gift on the way. Lieutenants Mastal and Irmak were already there, along with Harkin and a lieutenant I hadn't met. He gave me a small bow when our eyes met.

  "Qi'Nisha, I'm Lieutenant Watts." He smiled. Before I could answer, Irmak spoke.

  "Qi'Nisha." She stood grinning and gave a small bow of her head. "I heard what happened. I wish I'd been there to see it."

  Sandar entered before either of us could say anything more. "Sit and relax. By now, you know that Duke Tebos and I are responsible for scouting the Iovis Corridor into the Sands. Today we need to plan for that expedition—men, supplies, etc.," he said, walking over to a map Harkin had hanging on the wall. I listened as he discussed the numbers of soldiers he wanted, the route to Inwood, and the supplies needed for the trip. He would lead, and Harkin, Irmak, and Watts would command the hundred-man detail.