by C. R. Daems
"I agree," Tenzen said. "Captain, we need you and your men to arrest these nobles. I don't, however, wish you and your soldiers to die trying to fight an army that outnumbers you. It'll prove nothing. Worse yet, it may further the plans of these traitors. I want you to put together several alternative escape plans, in the event they show up with overwhelming force."
"Thank you, Mistress. I'll talk with my men and have those plans for you later this evening. That gives me time to brief them tomorrow before the judgment," Bazar said, as he bowed and left the table.
"Sister Tenzen, your sister respectfully hopes you'll position yourself where you can easily leave if there is trouble. It might be good if you also dress casually so as not to be conspicuous." Jola smiled. "Besides, the king will listen to you far better than to me."
"Funny, that's exactly what I planned to suggest you do. If there is trouble, you're younger and more likely to get away," Tenzen said with her own robust laugh, which showed on her face and extended to her eyes. Got ya, Jola rejoiced silently.
"True, I've a better chance to escape than you do. All the more reason for you to have a headstart." Jola beamed with satisfaction.
"Sister Jola, you're young and have your life before you. I couldn't sacrifice you for my safety."
Jola shook her head. "Thanks to you, I don't lack confidence, nor am I helpless. I'm strong, quick, and know the town well after my walk yesterday, and I believe the town's citizens would help me if necessary. You know that I'm not comfortable with nobles. I also don't have the experience to manipulate them into action. We must each play to our strengths." Jola wasn't about to give up so easily. Tenzen was very dear to her.
"You're doing very well at manipulating me-too well. Let's wait to see what plans Captain Bazar develops, and where we best fit into them," Tenzen said, relenting.
A few minutes later, Bazar returned with his senior sergeant. They sat in a corner where they could talk quietly, and discussed several plans until one was finally settled on.
Only a faint rim of gold showed at the edge of the early morning sky as Jola and her escort disappeared into the merchants' side of Hygorge. When the sun rose, only a stray dog wandered down the otherwise empty street.
A half-hour before noon, Jola and her escort rode a circuitous route toward the central square, where a sizeable crowd had gathered. Jola took her seat and waited. Exactly at noon, she began.
"In the name of King Nicolas, I, Judicator Jola, do hereby call this judgment in session. Captain Bazar, please read the first name on the list of nobles to be examined." Jola looked around. Many nobles were among the crowd, but they appeared to be outnumbered by commoners two to one.
"Baron Aralt."
"I'm Baron Aralt. I don't appreciate being summoned like a commoner, Judicator Jola," Aralt said loudly.
Jola ignored Aralt's remark. "Were you among the nobles who stopped and threatened two judicators on the road to Southgate?"
"No."
"Thank you, Baron Aralt, for your time and cooperation." Jola sensed truth.
"Lord Alroy," Bazar read next.
"I'm Lord Alroy."
"Were you among the nobles who stopped and threatened two judicators on the road to Southgate?" Jola repeated.
"No."
"Thank you, Lord Alroy, for your time and cooperation." Jola again sensed truth.
This went on for thirty minutes. Everyone called was there, and each truthfully answered "no." Then, as Bazar read the name "Lord Ernan," fifty soldiers entered the square, and one man dismounted. He had his sword drawn as he strode toward Jola.
"I'm Lord Ernan. And yes, I was with the nobles who stopped you bitches on the road to Southgate. What do you propose to do about it?" Ernan's sneer, Jola recognized from her years in bondage.
"Let it be known to all citizens of Pyxus that Judicator Jola has declared that Lord Ernan is relieved of his title and his right to inheritance, and is sentenced to life in the Tyrol iron mines. So say the Judicators of Pyxus," Jola chanted.
"How do you think you're going to enforce your judgment?" Ernan laughed.
"You're confused, Ernan. I don't enforce judgments. The king does," Jola said, loudly enough for all to hear.
"You'll address me correctly, bitch!" Ernan shouted.
"I did. You no longer have a title. You're a commoner who will spend the rest of your days in the iron mines." Jola shrugged. The crowd and the soldiers were deathly silent.
Ernan advanced on Jola with his sword readied to strike. Jola stood and nodded to the captain to keep their agreement not to interfere unless it became necessary to escape.
Jola waited, hoping Ernan thought she was too scared to draw her dagger. She intentionally wrinkled her face in what she hoped imitated fear. He pulled back his sword for a cut to the neck as he continued forward. Jola stepped into him, her arms wrapped around his body. The sword whished behind her back and struck nothing but air. Jola's viper struck his neck, paralyzing him instantly. He convulsed for a few seconds before he died. "Power and privilege, but they still die," Jola mumbled as he lay crumpled at her feet.
With a rasp of steel, several of the nobles in the front row of mounted men drew their swords. At her nod, Captain Bazar waved his saber high over his head. Ten soldiers charged out of the trees into the backs of the soldiers who faced Jola. They screamed and shouted war cries. As everyone turned toward the attack, Jola and her guards ran to their waiting horses, jumped into the saddles, and galloped off. At that signal, Bazar's seven surviving soldiers retreated.
"Forget those soldiers. After the judicator!" Jola heard one of the older nobles shout as she galloped around a corner.
* * *
Jola, the captain and the two guards rode through the city on a route they had planned the previous night. It came out on the road to Cape Storm. As they raced along, she heard their pursuers not far behind. They soon passed two of their soldiers, who hurriedly strung up the rope trap between two buildings. A minute later, she heard the screams as men and horses crashed to the ground. She could imagine the chaos it had caused.
Five of their men waited, one dressed in a red cape, each with an extra horse. When the captain, Jola and the guards reached them, they walked their horses onto a path that eventually wound its way to the road to Manito's border. Tenzen walked her horse out of a small copse of trees. Jola took a deep breath, and smiled at Tenzen and Bazar in relief. Ten of the guards immediately hastened off, with their extra horses, down the road to Cape Storm with the two who had sprung the trap close behind them-twelve men total, one in a judicator's cape. Several minutes later, a large party of pursuers followed, and five minutes later, another group. The trap had worked well.
* * *
Captain Bazar pushed them to the limit of their horses' endurance. They were on the road at dawn, stopped to rest the horses for an hour every four hours, and rode until the sun went down. They reached Southgate on the fourth day and took rooms at The Four Brothers' Inn. Tenzen ordered lavish meals and accommodations for everyone.
Jola woke late the next morning. She lay there enjoying the soft bed, and the peace and quiet.
Tenzen, already up, stood by the window looking out. "I'm concerned, Jola. The governor knows we have arrived, but he hasn't sent a message or come to greet us. That's not normal."
"As if they didn't want us here," Jola said with a wry laugh. "How would you like to venture into the market after we eat? I can't believe the merchants are hostile."
They walked around town, bought a few trinkets, ate at small stalls, and talked with everyone they met. They met at least a dozen people who complained of being beaten or robbed by nobles who weren't brought to account. In most cases, these were crimes that should have been tried by judicators. They also heard a rumor that Tasman had a "permanent judicator."
"Sister Tenzen, do you think they are talking about Shalea?" Jola asked. She wasn't sure whether she would like that arrangement. She liked to travel and see new places.
"I think
you are right, but there may be others. I think we should see if we can find any more."
"I look forward to seeing their vipers." Jola giggled. "Speaking of vipers, Sister, what do the sisters believe about the origin of our vipers?"
"Most believe the God Naga imbues them with intelligence and the ability to sense human emotions. Others believe that the God Naga puts a little of himself in each one." Tenzen stroked her viper.
"Do you believe that's possible?" Jola held her viper to her cheek.
"Yes, that's been a topic of debate for over a hundred years. Is the intelligence put there by Naga? Or is the intelligence a part of the God Naga? We'll probably never know. I think we'll be debating it for another hundred years without resolution. The God Naga doesn't seem inclined to enlighten us. I've seen vipers that were indolent, nervous, and excitable. The question is whether that's the viper's personality, or whether the viper takes on the personality of its companion. What do you think?"
Jola smiled at having her own question turned back on her. "I'm not sure what to think. I know its presence makes me feel warm and comfortable. Maybe that's what the vipers do. They give us whatever we need."
* * *
The next day, Tenzen, Jola, and Bazar met downstairs in the inn. They took a small corner table well away from anyone else for a private talk.
"Captain Bazar, something isn't right here in Southgate. Sister Jola and I've been to the market, and there is definite tension in the city. They expect trouble. We need to investigate inside Tasman, but we can't do that with soldiers accompanying us. We also need to update the king on what happened in Hygorge. I've decided to send you and your men to Tyrol with our report. You'll be there in person, so you can answer any questions the king may have. I also have to take into account the possibility that we could be delayed or killed," Tenzen said. "I'll give you a letter authorizing you and your troops to cross all borders, and declaring you in the service of the king."
"We're at your service, Mistress. In fact, it may not be safe for us to return to Sattah right now." Bazar grinned. "When do you want us to leave?"
"I'd like you to leave today. Go through Kasava. The clansmen will see you quickly and safely to Tyrol. Thank you for your help, Captain Bazar. We'll not forget you, and you'll be well compensated for your loyalty."
* * *
After Bazar and his men left, Tenzen and Jola rode out of Southgate on the road to Corvus without ever having seen Marquess Pirmin, the ruling noble.
The woods were dense, and little light filtered though the branches, which formed a dense canopy overhead. Huge trees pressed close on both sides of the narrow road. Jola dropped the reins of the packhorse when a rattle of tack came from the side. A white haired nobleman rode into the middle of the path.
"You're under arrest. Surrender your weapons and dismount," the noble said.
Jola jerked her head around. A triple hand of guards had them surrounded, swords in their hands as two more nobles came out from the dense cover.
Jola watched in horror as Tenzen drew her sword and charged the man who had just spoken, plunging it into his chest. She then spun around to counter a soldier who swung his saber at her, albeit late. He died quickly, along with another noble who was slow to draw his weapon. Jola followed, a few seconds too late. On her way to Tenzen, she cut down two soldiers who had turned toward her sister, and tossed her viper at another.
She screamed into the group of soldiers hacking at Tenzen. Jola fought with no thought of death, just of killing, and kill she did.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Tasman Province
The scene Jola awoke to would have been almost funny, if it hadn't hurt so much to laugh-or even smile. Several soldiers tried unsuccessfully to catch the two golden vipers that twisted in and out of her clothing. One soldier lying close by appeared to have no wounds. She assumed he had been bitten in an early attempt.
She thought her head would split as she moved, but she forced herself to look around. Her heart heaved when she saw no sign of Tenzen.
"The other judicator?" she managed to mutter.
One of the men shrugged. "She managed to break free when you joined the fight. We didn't bother to chase her. From the way she looked, she won't live to see sunset."
"Mistress," another soldier said to her when he noticed she was conscious. "We can't treat your many wounds while those vipers are on you. Help us capture them so we can help you."
"Thank you, Corporal, for the concern you and your friends have shown me and my mistress," Jola barely managed to whisper. She summoned both vipers into her hands. Tears blurred her eyes as she recalled those concerned soldiers hacking at her sister, friend, mentor, and adopted mother.
She lifted the vipers up and with all her remaining strength flung them backward toward the two nobles that stood less than two meters away watching and laughing. By luck or the help of Naga, one viper landed on each noble, struck, and slithered silently into the brush. By the time the soldiers reacted, the nobles were dead, the vipers had disappeared, and no one appeared anxious to go after them. Several soldiers poked carefully at the bushes, but they soon gave up their half-hearted search and returned to the safety of the path.
When she looked down at herself, she saw that her clothes were soaked with blood. One of the veteran soldiers bandaged the slashes, and afterward boosted her onto her horse. When they determined she couldn't ride on her own, a soldier mounted behind her to hold her. Dark gray mists clouded her vision, and she didn't remember anything for a long time. The ride to Corvus was a nightmare of pain, hallucinations, and torture dreams. When she was awake, each of the horse's strides jolted Jola, and her head exploded, pain radiating through every fiber in her body. At night, she slept tied up on the cold ground. The nightmare went on for four days.
* * *
When Jola awoke again, she lay on a cold marble floor in front of a raised platform. A large man stood over her.
"My, the judicators are getting younger and younger-pretty too," the man said. "I'm Duke Chaney, ruler of Tasman, my dear. It happens I'm in need of my own judicators." Chaney flashed a friendly smile. "I could make your life a dream come true, if you cooperated."
"And what would cooperation require?" Jola asked, as she assessed Chaney. He had a rugged face and square, clean-shaven jaw, a wide, long nose, and long black hair pulled back in a tail. It was hard to tell, lying on the floor, but she thought he was tall. He had a solid build with a bit of a belly that protruded from under his black silk clothing, with its wildcats embroidered on the sleeves.
"You'll do what you've been trained to do, but you'll be accountable to me, not the king. All decisions that involve nobles, I'll approve," Chaney said. "It's a reasonable request when you consider the compensation I will provide."
"Why don't you just tell the king you plan to commit treason? I'd be happy to work for you then, since you obviously pay well." Jola winced when she tried to shift her weight. She forced a smile she didn't feel. From the number of bandages she could see, she was lucky to be alive. Right now, she was too tired to spar with this idiot.
"I can punish also, my dear." Chaney's voice emphasized the alternative to cooperating with him. He smiled, but it didn't extend to his eyes. They were the eyes of a crazy man.
"But how can I trust you, or you me?" Jola said with a crooked smile. She smiled because she knew no one could ever trust Chaney.
"My guards will kill you if you betray me," Chaney answered with a laugh. "Not before they have a little entertainment, though."
"That's fair, because I'd kill you if you betrayed me," Jola countered with a giggle, which turned to a grimace as pain racked her body.
"How would you manage that?" Chaney said with a sneer.
"Killing is easy, Lord Chaney. Even dukes can die." Jola was exhausted, feverish, and no longer interested in Lord Chaney's grand schemes. He was the reason her sister and friend Tenzen was dead. One way or the other, she would see Chaney pay.
Chaney turned red.
"Maybe time in my dungeon will help you decide." He turned toward his minister. "Take her to her new room. She needs to learn the price of insolence."
"Maybe time will make you into a kind man," Jola whispered with her last strength. She closed her eyes, prayed, and hoped the God Naga was listening. Naga, protect your vipers, and if it's safe, please return my companion to me. I miss it and could use its comfort.
* * *
Life in Chaney's Corvus dungeon was uncomfortable but bearable. The food was slop and there was too little of it, the bedding was little more than a collection of rags, and the damp stone floor served as a bed. In spite of the conditions, though, her wounds began to heal. She suspected that Chaney had ordered the guards to keep her uncomfortable, but to do nothing that would jeopardize her recovery. Her days in the cell brought back memories of her time in bondage. She had survived that, and she would survive this. Several of the guards wanted to trade sex for favors, and others enjoyed causing pain; she accommodated neither. She didn't seek extra favors, nor did she let the pain show. Bondage had been a good teacher, and she had been a good student.
The guards so far had kept their advances verbal, with an occasional feel here and there when the opportunity presented itself. A few, she surmised, wouldn't know what to do if she'd accepted their advances. However, eventually someone would try force. When she turned up half beaten to death, he would claim that she had invited him to have sex, and then tried to escape.
* * *
Jola had made scratches on the wall marking four eightdays when it happened. In the middle of the night, as she lay shivering on the stone floor half awake and half asleep, she felt something brush against her leg. She kicked, and jumped back into a sitting position. Her first thoughts were of rats. But in the darkness of the cell, she couldn't determine whether it was an animal-rat or a human-rat.
She felt something rub against her hip, and then against her hand on the floor that supported her as she sat. She scrambled up the wall to a standing position and hopelessly strained to see into the pitch-black darkness. The cell had no windows to provide light. There was a small hole in the door that the guards used to check on the cell, and a three finger gap at the bottom of the door that they used for sliding food; these provided a dim light during the day, but none at night. However, the gap under the door was just big enough for rats. She wouldn't put it past the guards to shove a rat under her door for pure fun-to hear her panic or to break her will.
