Emblems of Power

by C L Patterson

  “It will be ready tomorrow afternoon. Give Kosai our best,” Ellene said. She handed the sword back to the Captain, handle first and smiled.

  “I will,” the Captain replied. He turned back down the street and made his way back to the Barracks.

  It was dark when he arrived and his students were performing their evening duties. Some were sweeping and mopping the floors, others washed windows. There were a few in the training yard organizing the sparring weapons and raking the dirt. The Captain smiled at each of his students as he walked by, and each student seemed to work with more vigor. Satisfied with his students’ efforts, he went to Kosai’s room. He lit the lamp with a sulfur match and sat in the chair. Kosai lay strapped to his bed with a thin wool blanket draped over him. The strap around his head was removed.

  “How was the escort Captain?” Kosai asked groggily.

  “We were ambushed. One of our guards was injured but should make a full recovery,” the Captain said.

  “It’s almost a surprise if we aren’t attacked,” Kosai said shaking his head. “I heard some talk from the nurses. The guard admitted himself this afternoon and the field dressing was rather impressive,” Kosai said. He gritted his teeth and groaned. He flexed every muscle in his arms and chest, attempting to block out the pain.

  “The pain is good for you,” the Captain started.

  “I know. It will make me stronger,” Kosai said through gritted teeth. The Captain stayed seated in the chair, focused intently on Kosai. When the pain subsided, Kosai took a couple deep breathes and relaxed.

  “Sir, you had mentioned on our last visit that you had an assignment for me.”

  “Yes,” the Captain said. He stood and walked over to the bedside. “I may have found the reason why our caravans are being attacked, though I’m not sure who is responsible for the attacks.” The Captain turned and stared out of a window into the training grounds. The moonlight cast a white glow on the ground.

  “Sir?”

  The Captain turned from the window and began to pace around the room, explaining his appointment with the School of the Faye, how the Seer planned all the routes, and how the route information was being compromised. He also explained the history of the Dark One and what Kosai’s part was in all of it.

  “So I am to find whoever is leaking the route information and learn how to kill someone that even the most talented teachers failed at?” Kosai asked. The Captain walked over to his bed and leaned over him.

  “Are you sure, absolutely sure that you didn’t injure him?” the Captain asked. “Think hard. Remember! What about the gash in your leg? Do you remember how that happened?” Kosai closed his eyes and furrowed his brow.

  “I stabbed him in the gut. My blade didn’t hurt him. It was like cutting mist. He broke it in half and took the portion that was in him, and stabbed my leg with it. I took it out and defended myself. I slashed at his leg and then at his wrist as he brought the club down on me again. I remember! The blade made contact both times. The club fell out of his hand. He grabbed his wrist and the lightening shot out of the vile. Then he disappeared. Captain, I hurt him.”

  “Yes, Kosai you did,” the Captain said. He smiled and sighed. “I think that was the first time in a long time that he felt pain.”

  “When am I supposed to report to this school and what about my work in the Barracks? I will be graduating in a couple months.”

  “Your assignment begins when you are healed and no sooner. Your mentor at this school is labeled by the Seer as the prime suspect but don’t let it blind you; suspect everyone. While you are with this school, I will be investigating the Three Brothers syndicate. You may have seen their members in the city.”

  “Yes, their caravans were with us the morning I was attacked.”

  “My theory is that they are buying the information on the government routes and then hiring the nomads to attack the caravans. For now, get your rest, you will need it. I will keep you posted. We will worry about your graduation later.”

  CHAPTER 6

  When the Captain closed the door, another bout of pain ripped through Kosai’s body. Kosai clenched his teeth and flexed his arms. When the pain in his back stopped, his shoulder felt like someone jabbed searing metal into his wound. Kosai groaned and breathed deeply.

  “The pain is good for me, it will make me stronger,” Kosai said to himself. After the sharp pain dulled into constant throb, the door opened, but the person didn’t sound like any nurse that visited him.

  The person closed the door and touched the glass of the lantern. The wick sparked and caught flame. Once the lantern was lit, the person walked over to the bed to look at Kosai. The silhouette was clearer. It was a woman. When she moved, she made no sound. Kosai thought she might be wearing cloth shoes.

  Kosai clenched the side of the bed, thinking what he could do. It hurt too much to move. He could scream for help, but if this person was here to kill him, why did she light the lantern?

  “Kosai,” the woman said in a soft, gentle whisper. “You can relax. I’m not here to hurt you. I’m a conduit, a healer.” She looked at his wounded shoulder. As Kosai breathed through his nose, he caught the smell of the woman; lilac and salt. “It looks bad. Let me help,” the woman said. She placed her hands on his shoulder and a silver glow radiated from her eyes and hands. The silver glow penetrated Kosai’s shoulder, causing relaxing warmth that soothed and erased the pain.

  “Now let’s turn you over so I can fix your back.” The woman clicked a lever on the floor and turned Kosai so that he was facing the ground. There was the same soft silver glow and the soothing warmth that seeped into his back. Kosai let out a moan of relief as the knotted muscles in his back untied themselves.

  “Can you heal my leg?” Kosai asked hopefully.

  “Of course,” the woman said. She turned Kosai over, and the woman healed his leg in the same fashion.

  “Who are you, why are you doing this?” Kosai asked. The healer smiled and placed her hand on his shoulder.

  “Don’t ask too many questions. Answers will come in time,” she said. “For now, speak to no one of this visit.” Kosai looked her in the eyes, and the silver glow emanated from them again. But instead of a warm, healing glow, the silver color grew brighter and brighter. Kosai closed his eyes to guard against the light.

  When he opened them, he was lying in the bed. A cold sweat covered his body. The straps were undone and he could move freely. He touched his recently injured shoulder feeling the moist wrappings. Slowly, he rolled his shoulder. There was no pain. He sat up and slowly twisted his upper body from left to right. He checked his leg. He laughed quietly as he took off the bandage, feeling the flakes of dried blood on the cloth. He felt for the wound in his leg but found nothing. It was as if the injury never happened.

  [][][]

  The next morning, the doctor and nurses were baffled at his sudden recovery. They checked his movement in his arm and leg and asked him to twist his body as he did the night before. The doctor then asked Kosai to walk around the room, which he did joyfully. His legs were slightly stiff, but there was no pain from his wounds.

  “I’d advise you to go out and get some light exercise. A good walk would do you some good. But report back here strictly for observation purposes before you go back to work.” As the doctor spoke he pulled out the Barracks training clothes from the cabinet; a pair of brown trousers and white shirt.

  Eagerly, Kosai put on the trousers, removed the apron and put on the white shirt and walked to the Captain’s office. When he arrived at the door, he stood at attention and knocked.

  “Enter,” the Captain said. As Kosai did so, the Captain looked up from reading a paper at his desk. “Kosai! You’re up and about! What happened? Last night you were riddled in blood and pain. Now look at you.” Kosai closed the door behind him and walked up to the desk. He promptly told the Captain about the doctor’s orders to take it easy. Kosai then sat down in the chair opposite his father and lea
ned close.

  “A healer came last night,” Kosai whispered.

  “What? That isn’t allowed unless I give written approval, which I didn’t. The school of the Faye knows that. Students need to learn from their mistakes. I’ll make sure that Daius knows about this.”

  “She told me not to tell anyone, but considering you are my father, I thought you had the right to know.” The Captain folded his arms and leaned forward.

  “Why do you think she doesn’t want your healing known?” the Captain asked, suspicion rising in his voice.

  “Perhaps she wants those who saw my injuries, and those that would catch wind of it, to believe that I am miraculous. If the Dark One found out, it might give him a reason to worry.”

  “There might be some promise in you yet,” the Captain said softly, leaning back in his chair. He paused for a moment and looked at the bookshelf. “How do you feel?”

  “I feel fine sir,” Kosai said. He rolled his arms and twisted his body. “No pain, no stiffness, nothing, it’s as if the attack never happened.”

  “If you feel up to it, come to the training ground this afternoon. Let’s put you through a couple sparring exercises. I’ll ask the doctor to be present. The sooner you can get started on your assignment the better. You’re excused.” Kosai saluted and left the Captain’s office.

  “I need some fresh air,” Kosai said as he began to walk out of the Barracks. Two students were walking down the hall towards him –Ulryck, who was the same age as Kosai, and a new recruit. New recruits were always paired with a senior student. This way, the education would be solidified in the older students, and the younger students would have a sense of security that someone was watching over them.

  At times, these partnerships would quarrel, but when it came to life and death situations, the bond was stronger than ever. The younger student slowed his pace and went pale as Kosai approached them. The older student stopped walking, seeing that his young companion was disturbed.

  “Do you know who that is?” the older student asked in a quiet hiss. The young guardsman shook his head.

  “No. I saw him when he arrived. He looked dead… or at least close to it?”

  “That’s Kosai, the wolf of the Capital Barracks. You shouldn’t be surprised that he has healed so quickly. If he wasn’t a student, he could be the Captain’s second in command no doubt.”

  “A lieutenant, right?” the young student asked.

  “Right,” Ulryck said. Kosai and Ulryck clasped each others’ forearms as they met. Ulryck then stood at attention and the younger student followed suit.

  “At ease,” Kosai said with a smile. “Ulryck, it’s good to see you’re showing your new companion around.” Kosai looked down to the new recruit. “I wouldn’t believe all the stories he tells you. What’s your name?”

  “Deakon sir,” the boy said. “How did you heal so quickly?”

  “That is the buzz this morning Kosai,” Ulryck said. “What’s happened? No one ever recovered as fast as you did.” Kosai stood up and looked at Ulryck.

  “Are you and Deakon going to be at the sparring ground this afternoon?” Kosai asked, avoiding the question. The pair nodded. “I will be giving a demonstration then.”

  “Yes sir, I’ll be there,” he said.

  “Concerning my condition,” Kosai continued, “let’s just say that it looked much worse than it actually was. A few stitches and a day’s rest and I am back in action. I wouldn’t worry about it.”

  “But sir,” Ulryck leaned in close and whispered into Kosai’s ear. “The wound in your leg, and your shoulder; you were unconscious. I saw you when you came in and waited outside your room when you and the Captain spoke.”

  “I said I wouldn’t worry about it,” Kosai said firmly. Ulryck slowly nodded.

  “I understand. We will see you this afternoon,” Ulryck said.

  As Kosai walked out of the barracks, students congratulated him on his swift recovery. He gave a wave or nod in appreciation but did not entice a conversation. He wanted to get out of the Barracks. He wanted to breathe new air and see things other than the walls of his medical room.

  As Kosai took the first steps outside, he took a deep breath. The sunlight warmed his shoulders and pricked the skin on his tan neck. It was good to finally be out among the people that he protected.

  “Kosai sir,” the young stable boy said. “Are you in need of a horse this morning?”

  “No, not today,” Kosai responded. He looked out on the roads, wondering where he should walk to. “Tell me, if you were to go for a walk this afternoon, where would you walk to?”

  “If I was you Kosai, sir,” the boy started. He tugged on the Kosai’s sleeve and waved his hand for Kosai to come closer. Kosai leaned down so the boy could whisper in his ear. “We stable boys hear quite a bit when the horses come back. For example, I know the doctors said no rough work for you, but if I was you, and if I was itching to do some good, I’d head over to the market, but you didn’t hear it from me. It isn’t a pretty sight over there.” Kosai stood up and padded the boy on the shoulder. As he started off again, the boy yelled to him.

  “Kosai, sir,” he said. Kosai stopped and turned to the stable boy. “Are you in need of a horse this morning?” Kosai walked back to the stable boy, confused.

  “I don’t have the money for one right now,” Kosai said. The boy shoved one hand into his pocket and grabbed Kosai’s hand with the other.

  “Open,” the boy said. Kosai did so, and the boy placed two silver coins in his palm.

  “Kosai, sir, are you in need of a horse this morning?” Tears began to fill in the boy’s eyes. “Please,” he mouthed. Kosai, now concerned, placed the coins in the boy’s hand.

  “I am in need,” Kosai said. The boy ran into the stables and returned with the same white horse that he rode into the desert. Kosai mounted the animal and looked down at the boy again.

  “Not too fast sir. Wouldn’t want you to hurt yourself,” he said with a wink. A tear rolled down his face. Kosai nodded and prodded the animal to move forward. He rode the animal at a walk towards Market Street. Long before he arrived, he could hear the voices of the crowd, but it wasn’t the common sound of bartering and trading. Today, the market sounded riotous and violent. Kosai quickened the animal to a trot, uncertain of what to expect. Instinctively he reached his hand down to his side for his sword.

  “Foolish,” he said to himself as he re-gripped the reigns. “Hopefully I won’t need it.”

  Five caravan wagons were lined up in the middle of Market Street, though the flag and mark they bore was not that of the capital. Two golden snakes, coiling around and facing each other with fangs bare, were painted on the wagons. The same emblem was on the red flags. Armored men with spears surrounded the wagons, though they weren’t members of the Guard. People surrounded the wagons, yelled and raised their fists in the air but kept a safe distance away from the guards.

  “Make a path!” Kosai ordered. Slowly, and reluctantly, people moved so that he could make his way towards the wagons. It was then that he understood why the people were so upset. A syndicate member stood atop the center wagon, holding a loaf of bread in one hand.

  “If you want to eat, you need to pay! I cannot give you this bread without you giving me in return what I need to survive,” the man said. He wore a long red robe with gold cuffs and lapels. There was a ruby gemmed gold ring on each of his fingers. Gold loops hung from his ears. His square jaw and dark skin gave him a commanding look. “Twenty pieces for a loaf of bread, thirty for a pound of meat, take it or leave it. No negotiations, no exchanges!”

  The crowd began to encroach on the caravans. The man on the wagon waved his hands down to the armored men. They stuck their spears out clumsily. The tips of their spears wobbled and bounced in the air. Not one of the guards stood firmly.

  “These men don’t know what they’re doing,” Kosai said to himself as he maneuvered through the crowd and closer to the wago
ns.

  “Starve or pay! If you do not pay, I will take this caravan to other, more grateful cities,” the syndicate member said.

  “I will pay!” a man said from the crowd. The crowd quieted. “I will pay,” the man said again.

  “Good, good, yes see there is a man who knows what this is about. Let him through guards, let him through,” the syndicate member said.

  Kosai watched as a second path was made in the crowd. He was a man of average size with blonde curly hair and his body showed signs of hard labor. His muscles were well defined, though he slouched as if he carried a great weight. A quiet determination filled his eyes. Kosai had seen that look before, though this was the first time he saw it in a citizen.

  Senior members of the Barracks carried that look during battle and pursuit. It was the same look right before a killing stroke was dealt. The Captain was known for that look.

  By the time Kosai reached the front of the crowd, the citizen was atop the caravan, looking at the syndicate member. The man held out an empty hand and then pointed down to the guards. The man was yelling at the syndicate member, Kosai could tell from the red face and the bulge in the man’s neck, but the crowd was so loud that Kosai couldn’t make out what was said. The syndicate member leaned back, eyes wide with fear. He reached inside his robe, pulled out a dagger, and took a few swipes at the man. The crowd screamed and yelled. The man dodged the syndicate member’s attacks well enough but lost his footing and fell onto the walkway that was atop the wagon. The syndicate member placed his foot on the man’s chest, pinning the man down and pointed the dagger at the man’s throat. The crowd went silent.

  “Sheathe your dagger,” Kosai yelled. The syndicate member looked at Kosai, fumbled with the dagger for moment, regained his composure, and still keeping the dagger pointed at the man, cleared his throat to address Kosai.

  “You saw what he did! This man attacked me,” the member said.