Falcon tried to suppress to laugh at her reaction. “Let’s get this moving, shall we?”
The three wielders trudged quietly down the tunnel. The drips of water were the only sounds that broke the silence. They turned a few corners, their abnormally long shadows dancing on the walls as they moved up yet another set of stairs. Falcon wiped the sweat from his brow. The flames from the torches filled the tunnel with a musky heat.
“We’re here,” said Chonsey as they arrived at a dead end. The brick wall obstructing their path was much cleaner than the walls they had passed until now. Chonsey pressed in two left bricks then three bricks on the bottom, and finally he pressed a brick at the center of the wall.
Some type of code, thought Falcon as the wall opened straight through the middle. The young wielders moved sideways through the narrow slit.
Falcon’s footsteps echoed as he stepped into a large kitchen. Rotten fruit and vegetables were stacked in neat piles atop a long table. Pans and pots of all kinds, colors, and sizes dangled above the many stoves aligned against the wall. There was a plate of moldy half-eaten food on the table, as well as a knocked-over mug of what appeared to be goat milk, though it smelled rancid.
“It doesn’t look like anyone is here,” said Faith.
Chonsey looked around sadly. “I suppose not. Most of my family must have escaped at the first sign of trouble, along with most of the butlers and maids. That just makes it more suspicious that my father is still here. Why didn’t he escape with everyone else?”
“Let’s go find out,” said Falcon, eyeing the luxurious swinging double doors before him. Throwing caution to the wind, he walked out of the kitchen and into a narrow hallway.
“My father’s study is this way,” said Chonsey. He led them out of the hallway and into the grand hall. A crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling. Long windows let in rays of blue moonlight, illuminating Falcon’s friend as he climbed the red-carpeted stairs. Once atop, Chonsey moved down another corridor filled with oil paintings of great battles and the occasional glass display filled with swords, maces, and daggers. That was when he saw it. At the very end there was a thick door that was slightly ajar. A bright light streamed out of it.
Falcon didn’t need his timid friend to tell them that this room was his father’s study. Chonsey’s trembling face and slow gait were enough indicators. As his friend pushed the door open, the trembling intensified.
“Chonsey!” exclaimed the shocked commander in a thunderous voice. He was standing overlooking a large table. On the table lay an over-sized map of Ladria. There were scribbles of black, blue, and red ink over the map. “What are you doing here?”
“I could a-ask you t-the same thing, father.”
The commander’s eyes drifted from his son, to Falcon, to Faith, and then back to his son. “I would have thought that was obvious. I’m overseeing the occupation we’re under. The Suteckh are ruthless, I’m here to get the remaining citizens through this ordeal. Maybe, just maybe, some of us can make it as long as we follow orders.”
“You mean as long as we submit like slaves,” said Falcon angrily. He thought back to the dinner where the commander had made light of his warnings. “I told you this would happen. I told the emperor that the Suteckh were planning an attack on the capital cities, and you counseled him to not listen to me.”
The commander stared down at his map. “I know. I know. We weren’t ready, and when they attacked we were caught off guard. Which is why I feel the guilt of every single death that has occurred heavy on my conscience. It’s up to me to save as many lives as possible.”
“How are you going to do that?” asked Chonsey through gritted teeth. “By kicking children unconscious?”
Falcon stepped back, not believing what he was seeing. His friend was a timid boy, never one to raise his voice at anyone, especially his demanding father. What was happening?
The Commander stared at the floor. “I’m sorry you saw that.” He gulped loudly. “But if I hadn’t done that he would have killed her. At least this way she’ll live.”
“Yes, some life. Left starving and beaten half to death by the man who is supposed to protect her.”
“How dare you talk to me that way? I am your father. You will—”
“How dare I?” shouted Chonsey as his small frame shook. “How dare you? You’re no father of mine. The father I knew would have died before he submitted to the enemy. He would have never turned into a groveling coward! What happened to all those stories I read about in those books about the great Commander Meloth?”
For once, the commander actually looked ashamed. He played with his finger as he slowly glanced at his son. Falcon found it awkward, to say the least, for such a large man to be scolded by such a small boy.
“Son,” he whispered. “They have your mother, the love of my life. And they have your sisters. All I can do is play along and follow their orders. Maybe this way they’ll live.”
“Is that what Mom would want?”
An awkward silence filled the room. Falcon looked over at Faith, who looked just as uncomfortable as he did.
“You know Mom would want you to keep fighting, even if that meant her life. She would have never stood for this.”
The commander crumpled on the wooden chair beside him, his face buried in his hands. “I was always the best. Always. On the battlefield I feared nothing. Whoever my foe was, I vanquished them with my power.” He gulped. “But this kind of battle isn’t one that requires brute power, and unfortunately brute power is all I know.” Tears streamed down his face. He looked down, as if the sight of such a powerful man sobbing would shame his son.
Chonsey’s hardened features softened. His hand travelled over to his father’s hunched back, and he caressed it. “Then let me help you. You always overlooked me because I wasn’t the fastest, the strongest, or the bravest. You completely ignored my affinity for tactics and strategy.”
Falcon nodded. While it was true that, unlike Falcon, Chonsey had no raw power, Chonsey, along with Aya, had always been the best strategist and tactician at Rohad.
“With my brain and your strength, we can figure out a way to reclaim Ladria.”
The commander gazed into his son’s eyes. He looked determined. But more than that, he looked proud. “You’re right, son.” He stood. “First we will free your mother and sisters along with the rest of the prisoners. That way the Suteckh can’t hold them over our head as threats. But it’s going to be difficult.”
“Not to worry,” Chonsey exclaimed. “I already have a plan in mind. But first.” He turned to Falcon. “My friends need some information.”
“Anything,” said the commander.
“We need to know the whereabouts of Emperor Romus. Do you know where he is?” asked Falcon. “And his daughter, Hyromi, how is she?”
The commander scratched his head. “I’m afraid I’m not privy to that information.”
Falcon went cold. He had gone to so much trouble to get to the commander, only to discover that he knew nothing.
“But I do know who knows.”
Falcon’s attention peaked.
“My neighbor, Councilman Nakatomi.”
Falcon gazed at the commander, not sure if the man was speaking truth. “Aya’s father? How would he know?”
“He aided the emperor in his escape. I saw it myself.”
Falcon’s eyes widened. “The emperor was bound to have his own hidden routes from the palace. Why would he need Councilman Nakatomi’s aid?”
“Perhaps you should go ask him, mate.”
Falcon stared at his friend, realizing he was right. Standing around wasn’t going to get him anywhere. “Good luck, Chonsey.” He took his friend and shook his hand. “I wish I could stay and help, but—”
Chonsey held his hand up. “No need for explanations. You have your own duty to fulfill. Fortune be with you.”
Letting go of Chonsey, Falcon turned and headed out the door. Faith followed close behind. As he headed down the sta
irs, through the grand hall, and out the front door, he couldn’t help but smile for his friend. It had taken the sacking of their home, but Chonsey had finally become the capable man Falcon always knew he was.
Chapter 5
Falcon and Faith moved quietly through the yard. The moonlight drenched the grass, giving it a blue color.
“Are we going to jump the fence?” asked Faith, eyeing the large black metal fence that separated Chonsey’s home from Aya’s. Sharp black spikes rose from the top. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”
“No,” whispered Falcon, hoping to not alert the few remaining soldiers who patrolled the city streets. For once he was glad that his friends lived in mansions. Their yards were so large that they were a good nine hundred feet from the soldiers, which meant it was going to be that much harder for them to be spotted. “Aya’s and Chonsey’s parents are both top members of Ladrian nobility. They built a gate back here to connect their homes in the times they met.” He frowned. “At least that’s what Aya told me.”
“Wait a minute. Are you telling me that you been Aya’s friend for years, but have never seen her home?”
“Her parents never thought much of me.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. I never asked, and she never spoke about it.” Falcon stopped walking once he saw the bronze nob. “There it is.” He opened the fence, which was made of the same black metal as the rest of the gate, and opened it slowly. He gritted his teeth as the fence squeaked softly. He turned toward the street, but the silhouettes of the soldiers remained oblivious as they moved up and down. Once through, they moved through the front yard, which was filled with statues of famous women, and over to a long window. Falcon peered inside. There was a large hall filled with furniture. There were a half dozen sofas, countless tables with hundreds of porcelain and glass decorations, and large candle sticks. It was strange seeing the place his friend had grown up for the first time.
“It looks like they’re asleep,” said Faith.
“Looks that way. Let’s go in and have us a little midnight chat.” Still crouching, he moved over to the doorknob, but when he was inches away from reaching it, the luxuriously patterned door opened. Falcon gulped as a short woman stared down at him. She wore the black blouse and skirt that were typical of a maid.
“My master has been expecting you,” she said. “Please follow me.”
Hesitantly, Falcon and Faith accepted the maid’s invitation. His body warned them that something was amiss. How did Councilman Nakatomi know Falcon was planning to visit him?
As they moved through a series of doors, Faith stopped and stared, twinkle-eyed, at a vase of blue-streaked flowers that rested atop an oak-wood table.
The maid stopped, rolling her eyes at Faith. “Please keep up. My master does not have much time.”
Faith nodded and continued on, though she gazed back at the flowers a few times.
Falcon’s heartbeat intensified as he reached a black door. He suddenly realized that not only was this entire situation bizarre to say the least, but this was to be the first time he would meet Aya’s father. What would he think of him?
“They are here, Master,” said the maid as she knocked the door lightly. “Just as you said they would be.”
“Good,” came a voice from beyond the door. “See them in.”
The door screeched open, and Falcon walked into the poorly lit office. There was a dying fire on the fireplace. Hundreds of books filled the walls. High, near the ceiling, there were dozens of paintings of past Nakatomis. A desk covered with scattered papers rested at the middle of the room. There was a long cushioned chair in front of the chimney, where a man sat with their back to them.
Falcon took in the aroma of firewood as he collected himself. “Hello, sir. I’m Falcon…Falcon Hyatt.” He motioned to Faith. “And this is Faith Hemstath from Asturia.”
Mr. Nakatomi turned, staring at Falcon as if he were an unwanted piece of trash. “I know who you are. Everyone knows who you are.” His strongly chiseled face frowned as he stood and headed for the table. He grabbed a brown bottle of rum and offered it to Falcon. “Care for a drink?”
Falcon tried his best not to gag at the overwhelming smell of strong liquor emitting from the councilman’s mouth. “No, I’m fine, sir.”
“Very well, then. Something lighter perhaps?” He reached for a steel teapot that rested over the desk. He dug into his desk and pulled out three small mugs. With trembling hands, he poured green tea into them.
“Are you well, sir?” asked Faith.
“Why yes,” answered Mr. Nakatomi. “Why wouldn’t I be?” He offered them a mug. Not wishing to offend the man, Falcon took it in his hands. Faith did the same.
“You seem a little on edge,” said Falcon tentatively.
Mr. Nakatomi’s robes rustled softly as he turned the chair around and took a seat. The fire illuminated half his face; the other half remained obscured in darkness. “We’re under a siege, how do you expect me to be? And to make matters worse, I now have a wanted criminal in my home.” His gaze met Falcon’s. “I knew after your little space display earlier you would come here. You aren’t content with the dishonor you have brought upon my family, are you now?”
Falcon’s expression turned to one of confusion.
“Don’t pretend,” continued the man. He pointed at the pictures that hung on the wall. “You see that? Those are all members of the great Nakatomi legacy: all men who held the family’s honor above anything else. My daughter was to continue this great tradition.” His teeth clenched. “But you…you ruined everything. By associating herself with you, she brought shame on this family.”
Falcon felt a red fury take over him. “Me? I did nothing. Aya—”
“Don’t talk back to me, boy! I’m the head councilman, and you’re a simple Rohad. Or what? Are you going to turn into your brother and murder a councilman in cold blood too?”
“Don’t talk about my brother,” said Falcon, raising his voice for the first time. He wanted to pick the man up and slam him into the desk, to punch his smug face until he could no longer speak.
The man grinned. “Do it. Kill me. Prove that all I ever told my daughter about you was correct.”
The mention of Aya caused him to stagger back. He balled his fists but remained unmoving. No matter what the man did or said, he couldn’t lay a hand on him. He was Aya’s father, after all.
“Please sir,” said Faith in a low voice. “We are only here to find the location of the emperor, nothing else. As soon as you tell us where he is we’ll be on our way.”
The man burst into a fit of mock laughter. “The emperor? What do you think he’s going to do? He’s a coward who ran away as soon as this began. You’ll get no aid from him.”
“Just tell us where he is,” demanded Falcon, his patience wearing thin. “We know you helped him escape.”
“Yes, I did.” He took a long sip out of the bottle before continuing. “As soon as I heard the attack was to take place I knew I had to act.” He grinned widely. “And act I did. Now that so-called emperor is exactly where I want him.”
Falcon and Faith turned to each other, their eyes wide.
“You knew of the attack?” asked Falcon.
“Of course I knew. I am the one who orchestrated it. I orchestrated everything.”
“What are you saying?” said Falcon, still confused. Nothing the councilman was saying made any sense.
“Falcon,” whispered Faith. “He’s Suteckh.”
The councilman clapped mockingly. “Bravo, young lady. You’re not as thick-headed as this idiot.”
Falcon staggered back, too shocked to even be angry. “B…but how. Y…you have served in the council for years.”
“You mean I’ve been undercover in this wretched city for years. It was I who created a vacant spot for me to take on the council. Or what? Did you actually think Albert murdered the councilmen of his own accord? He did so because I made it so. And I’ve been gaining th
e trust of the idiots in this city for years.”
Falcon remained silent. His head was spinning with a jumble of questions that he couldn’t form into words.
Mr. Nakatomi burst into a fit of hysterical laughter. “I can see you’re quite confused.” He stared daggers into Falcon. “You see, my family’s legacy will live on because of my actions. Once the Suteckh take their rightful place as the rulers of Va’siel, no one will ever forget the name Nakatomi. My daughter will make sure of that.”
“You’re wrong,” said Falcon, glad to see a fleeting moment of doubt in the councilman’s eyes. “Aya will never go along with you. She won’t continue your reckless path to destruction.”
“Aya?” The councilman cackled. “Who said anything about Aya? No, Aya has been corrupted by the city and you. My legacy will instead live on through my true daughter, Selene, or as the world has come to know her, the Blood Empress.”
Falcon eyes wandered aimlessly through the room. Aya had a sister. And she was the leader of the Suteckh? How?
“But Aya’s sister was kidnapped when she was just a girl,” added Faith quite suddenly. “She can’t be the Blood Empress.”
Faith’s confession sent Falcon’s stomach hurling to his throat. Faith knew!
Councilman Nakatomi smiled with satisfaction. “Like everything else, I staged that little kidnapping. I had Aya take Selene out to play and then arranged for Selene to be taken. Once back in Tenma, she was brainwashed and turned into the ruler she is today.”
Faith looked at the man with a pained expression. “You put your two daughters through all that pain for power? Do you have any idea how much guilt Aya has carried with her all her life?”
Mr. Nakatomi stood. “I don’t care! I was fortunate to have two daughters who were extremely powerful, much more powerful than anyone in our family line has ever hoped to be. It was this power that attracted the Suteckh nobles to them. Aya, naturally, was the first choice, but her older mind was much too sharp, too aware. So we opted for the much younger Selene.” He gazed silently at the paintings above him. “We are simple pawns that will live and wither away in a few years, forgotten to history. But our legacy will remain for the ages.”
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