Emblems of Power

by C L Patterson

  “I saw you preparing to fall upon this man with that knife,” Kosai glared at the syndicate member, holding his gaze as if he were in combat. The blonde haired man stood and climbed down from the wagon. Kosai looked at him as he walked past. He understood now why the stable boy was so urgent. This man had the same hair and eyes. Kosai assumed it was his father. “Sheathe your knife,” Kosai ordered. The syndicate member did so.

  “Guards, this young recruit is a disrupter to our business, do away with him,” the syndicate member ordered.

  “Hold!” Kosai roared. The command rose above the noise of the crowd. He stood tall in his saddle and stared down at the guards. “Release your spears and walk away. You are no more worthy to be considered guards than a flea bitten cur. Stand down!”

  “And what right do you have to command my guards with such arrogance?” the syndicate member said before his guards could react. Kosai looked up at him and dismounted from his horse. As soon as he did so, the syndicate’s guards dropped their spears, backed up against the wagon and stood at attention.

  “I am Kosai, Wolf of the Capitol’s Barracks.”

  “I know who you are. I also know what happened to you. You are weak. My men could crush you right now,” the syndicate member said. “Men, have at him!” the syndicate member said. Kosai stood his ground, glared at the men and clenched his fists, his knuckles popping as he rolled his fingers into his palm. The men didn’t move. “Go, attack him, he is threatening our business. Do away with him.” The syndicate’s guards stood still.

  “Your men prove their worth do they not?” Kosai called. “They are afraid. They cannot even follow a simple order.” Kosai looked at each of the guards. “None of you have done anything wrong. I am assuming that he is paying to you to stand here?”

  “Yes sir,” one of the men said. “But not with pieces. We are being paid in bread.”

  “What happened to the government caravan?” Kosai asked.

  “We don’t know,” the man said.

  “Do not speak for me!” the syndicate member said. “Your precious caravan was attacked after the Captain left it. They had to retreat to Linnouse.”

  “How do you know this?” Kosai asked.

  “We passed by them, late yesterday evening. They were quite a pitiful site,” the syndicate member said shaking his head.

  “Twenty pieces for a sorry substitute of bread,” Kosai said. “Your bread is nothing more than wheat and oil. It’s harder than rocks. Will you not lower your prices?”

  “How can we? It is not our decision. If I do not charge this, I will not have this job. I too have to pay for this bread and a substantial portion on what is earned.”

  “Yet each of your fingers is adorned with gemmed rings, and your clothing is more than necessary. If you did not live so fashionable a style, perhaps you could afford to eat as well.” The syndicate looked down and shook his head.

  “There are things, Wolf, things that you cannot begin to understand about this city. I am as in much need for bread as any of these people. I cannot,” he said.

  Kosai shook his head angrily.

  “Escort these caravans out of here,” Kosai said to the armored men still standing at attention. As the wagons began to move, Kosai turned back to the crowd.

  “That man would take you for all that you have,” Kosai said to the populous. “And then what would you have for bread tomorrow? Be patient. The Council is doing all that it can to feed you and protect you.”

  “You can’t even bring bread to us!” someone cried from the crowd.

  “My children haven’t eaten in days,” cried a woman. Kosai held his arms up for silence.

  “I will take what you have said to the Captain. He is doing everything he can to get to the bottom of this. I and others in the Guard eat the same bread and drink the same water as you. Please, be patient. You and I will survive one day without bread.”

  “Is there anything you can do to stop the syndicate?” another cried.

  “According the law, no. I wish there was enough to feed you. Please, be patient. There will be enough in time.” Kosai said. He climbed back onto the horse and headed back towards the barracks. As the crowd slowly disbursed, individuals gave Kosai a disappointing glare as he rode by them.

  When Kosai was back at the Barracks, he nodded to the stable boy. The boy took the reins and held the animal as Kosai dismounted.

  “You are your father’s son,” Kosai said. He rubbed the horse’s neck.

  “I get that a lot. He said he was going to get bread, no matter what. He said I wouldn’t go hungry again. He promised not to breathe another breath until I was fed.”

  “We are doing all we can to protect our caravans. You will have bread in time.” Kosai closed his eyes and shook his head. “I will tell the guard to double its efforts. I will do all that I can to make sure there is a caravan for you tomorrow. I promise.”

  Kosai was careful not to promise the boy and his family bread but that he would do all he could to ensure the success of the caravans. It would take more than his willpower and skill for a single loaf of bread or measure of wheat to reach the city. Kosai gave a quick, frustrated sigh and then smiled to reassure the boy.

  The boy smiled back and took the horse into the stable. Kosai stood and watched the boy work. He led the horse into its stall, and brought it a bucket of water. After the horse began to drink, the boy climbed up a ladder that was near the entrance. The boards creaked as he walked in the loft. An armful of hay dropped from the second floor, into the horses stall. When the boy descended the ladder, Kosai walked up to him.

  “Tell me, where does the hay come from?”

  “The caravans use it as stuffing for their goods. When they offload, we buy a portion of their hay. It’s a good enough amount to make due for the horses.”

  Kosai nodded and walked into the barracks.

  “How is it that our people starve,” Kosai said to himself as he walked through the halls, towards the training ground. He stopped and punched the wall. We’re not good enough yet. People starve because of us, because of me. I need to be stronger. We need to be stronger. There’s only one thing to do, Kosai thought. He took a deep breath, stood up straight and continued walking to the training grounds.

  The training grounds were filled with students. A thin cloud of dust stirred at their feet as they practiced kicks, punches, grapples and counterattacks. They didn’t hold back. In the Barracks, mistakes were paid for with pain. Their arms and legs were covered with black and blue bruises. Some of students had a cut eyebrow or lip. Kosai stepped into the arena and paced around pairs of sparring students, offering correction on techniques. Lieutenant Nuevon was in front of the group, sparring with Deakon, the young student Kosai met earlier.

  Deakon punched, feigned, kicked and punched again, hoping to land a blow, but without success. His strikes looked more like spasmodic jerks rather than trained attacks. He was covered in sweat. Nuevon easily blocked or dodged the attacks with minimal effort. The longer the exercise went on, the more the younger student began to flail and drift away from the basics of combat. In a fit of anger, the young student jumped and attempted to land a kick on the lieutenant’s neck.

  Nuevon leaned back enough for the kick to pass in front of him, and then thrust his shoulder into the boy’s side before he hit the ground. The boy crumpled like a burning leaf in midair. Deakon landed with a thud, tears beginning to grow in his eyes. Nuevon walked over to him and stretched out a hand.

  “Leave me alone, I can get up myself,” he said. Slowly he pushed himself up from the ground and fell into a firm battle stance, head back, arms out, body turned to one side. His face was blotchy from heat, sweat, and tears. The side of his face was scraped from his fall and blood began to run down his cheek. “Again!” he yelled.

  “No,” Kosai said. The boy turned and locked eyes with Kosai. “You aren’t in the right mind. You are completely dismissing the basics.”

&nbs
p; “I’m not going to give up!”

  “I never said that you did. But you can’t continue,” Kosai looked up at Nuevon. “Let me teach you something,” he said, still addressing the boy. Kosai took off his shirt and handed it to the new recruit and walked up to Nuevon. “Let me be your partner. Don’t hold back.”

  “As always,” Nuevon said as he fell into an aggressive stance. His arms were bent and in front of him at eye level, hands in loose fists. Kosai took a deep breath, rolled his neck and relaxed his shoulders. His hands rested at his sides.

  Nuevon jabbed with his left. Kosai shot his right arm up and out in a circle, blocking the jab and forcing Nuevon’s left side open. Kosai took a quick step forward and landed a strike below Nuevon’s left eye. The lieutenant stumbled back for a moment, but before he could regain his footing, Kosai was on him again.

  Kosai struck out with the heel of his hand, landing another blow to the jaw of the lieutenant. Then, as the lieutenant stumbled, Kosai grabbed the back of his head, and struck a knee into his solar plexus. Nuevon wheezed, but the wheeze was cut short. Kosai wrapped his arm around Nuevon’s neck, tucked his head under his arm and fell backwards, smashing Nuevon’s head into the ground.

  Kosai pulled himself out from underneath the massive lieutenant. The other guards applauded him as he stood. Nuevon groaned and stirred, and slowly stood. Kosai grabbed his arms and helped him stand.

  “Once you find an opening, a weak spot, anything, you push and push on it until your opponent is defeated; flailing about gets you nowhere,” Kosai said to the young guardsman.

  “Kosai,” the lieutenant said. “I congratulate you on your quick recovery.”

  “Thank you sir,” Kosai responded.

  “Buy why did you spar so hard? You have taken me down before, but never like that,” Nuevon said. Kosai growled and shook his head.

  “Why? We aren’t good enough,” Kosai said angrily. “Today people will go hungry because we cannot protect our caravans. We need to step up the training. Every time we fail, someone dies of starvation. We cannot let that happen again!”

  “Kosai,” Nuevon said softly. “Talented as you are, do not forget your place. I and others share your frustrations. But these students would only learn to cower and run, especially Deakon, if we beat them every day.”

  “Then motivate them. Tell them to fight hard and never hold back. Tell them that on this ground, they don’t need to be afraid of failure,” Kosai said.

  Nuevon suddenly stood at attention. As Deakon lined up next to the Lieutenant and stood at attention, Kosai turned, facing the entrance to the training grounds and stood at attention as well. The Captain walked down stairs and onto the dirt. He wore brown trousers and a white shirt, the training clothing of the Barracks. The students and guards smiled. A few doctors, nurses and other students stood, watching the Captain, and occasionally looking at Kosai.

  “At ease,” the Captain said. The guards on the training ground relaxed their posture slightly and watched as the Captain walked up to Kosai. “I cannot walk five steps in the Barracks without hearing something about you.” The Captain turned to Nuevon and cocked his head slightly. “What happened to you?”

  “Kosai wanted to spar, to show our new recruit here a few things. He took me down almost instantly.”

  “I see,” the Captain said. “Kosai, today’s training exercises was to be on the basics of combat. What you did was a full on attack. Why?”

  “Another caravan was attacked and did not arrive earlier this afternoon. People cannot afford the syndicates prices. Every time we fail, someone dies of starvation. I won’t let that happen again. We need to step up the training. We need to become stronger.”

  “I see,” the Captain said softly. He paused for a moment and looked down at Deakon and then back up at Kosai. “Do you know what our students would learn if we were to teach by your methods?”

  “They would learn to be better guardsman,” Kosai said without hesitation. “They wouldn’t be afraid of holding back. They would learn from their mistakes.”

  The Captain shook his head.

  “The reason for this training program is to build confidence in our students and in their ability to fight. They understand that when they go out, it could be their last excursion. It is the fear of death that keeps them alive, not their fear of pain.”

  “It is also that fear of death that immobilizes them and costs them their life and the success of the caravans. Your most famous maxim is that ‘the pain is good for you, it will make you stronger.’ Why do our students have to learn the pain of near death in the field? Why not here?”

  “I would rather have my students fear battle than fear training. If they fear training, they will not learn. Pain is a good teacher, but it is a poor master.”

  “Then what is your plan for ensuring the success of our caravans?”

  “That will be discussed later.” The Captain looked over his shoulder at the entrance of the Barracks. More students gathered on the steps, eyes fixed on the Captain. The Captain turned to address the growing audience.

  “Most of you have heard about Kosai’s condition when he arrived. Most of you have heard of his recovery. But does this surprise you? This is the Wolf of the Capital Barracks! You have seen him today walk the halls, and a few of you have seen him spar on these grounds today. Yet some of you doubt his miraculous recovery.” The Captain looked directly at the doctors. “I am here to prove to you that Kosai is as healthy and strong as ever.” The Captain turned back to Kosai and stretched his arms across his body. “Kosai, let’s try your methods and see how things turn out. Don’t hold back.” Kosai smiled wildly.

  “Same to you Captain,” Kosai said.

  Lieutenant Nuevon and the Deakon stepped back, giving the Captain and Kosai room to spar. Kosai stayed still and waited for the Captain to make the first move. He didn’t wait long. The Captain shuffled forward and struck out with his right. Kosai took a step back and twisted his position so that the punch passed by his face. Seeing the opportunity, Kosai reached up to grab the Captain’s arm, but missed. The Captain had his left hand up by Kosai’s shoulder and his right arm was down by his waste.

  Kosai got his arms up in front of him just in time. The Captain swung his massive forearm across his body and connected with Kosai’s block. Kosai grunted and doubled over as an unseen knee smashed into his gut at the same time.

  “Stupid,” Kosai thought. A second later, the Captain slammed both of his fists on his back. Kosai hit the ground and inhaled a mouthful of dirt. Through the coughing, Kosai managed to roll out of the way and onto his feet before the Captain could stomp his ribs. Kosai wasn’t able to get a firm footing before the Captain was on him again.

  The Captain struck downward toward Kosai’s collarbone with a fist. Kosai recognized the feint, took a step backwards and rotated his body so that the blow passed by. Kosai grabbed the Captain’s wrist, locked his fingers around it, pressed down on the hand and pulled. As the Captain lurched forward, Kosai struck out, attempting to strike the Captain’s jaw with the ridge of his hand. The Captain blocked with his left arm and smashed through Kosai’s grip with his left fist. As soon as the grip was broken, the Captain feigned an elbow strike. Kosai brought his hands up to protect his face, and the Captain punched Kosai in the stomach.

  Kosai leaned forward slightly. The Captain took advantage of the opening out and uppercut Kosai in the jaw. Kosai fell back as the blow connected and everything went black. Kosai woke a few moments laters as the Captain was patting him on the cheek. He sat up slowly, coughed, and spat blood on the ground.

  “There you go, up now,” the Captain said as he grabbed Kosai by the arm and helped him up. “If any of you have doubts about Kosai’s health, let him speak freely. I am pleased with your efforts. Carry on,” the Captain said. One of the nurses began to whisper something to one of the doctors, but was quickly hushed. As the students worked and practiced, the Captain helped Kosai up the stairs, hol
ding one of his arms over his shoulder.

  “Captain,” one of the doctors started. “We need to move him to the medical wing.”

  “No,” the Captain said flatly. “Kosai is fine. But if you would please bring a basin of water and a cloth to my office, it would be much appreciated.”

  “Yes Captain,” the doctor said. He nodded to one of the nurses who went running ahead of the Captain.

  As the Captain and Kosai entered the hall of the Barracks, Kosai stopped walking and stood up straight.

  “Captain, I think I can handle it from here,” Kosai said. The Captain let go of his arm, stood up straight and faced Kosai.

  “Never interrupt my training exercises again. Next time, you will be put back in the medical wing.”

  “Yes sir. But-”

  “There are no buts. The program is set up this way for a reason. We will discuss this more in my office.”

  The two walked silently back to the Captain’s office. A basin of water with a small wash cloth was placed by the door. Kosai picked them up and walked into the office. Neither spoke as the Captain gestured for Kosai to sit in a chair across from his desk. The Captain took the cloth that was laid on the edge of the bowl, and wiped the dirt and blood away from Kosai’s face.

  “Kosai,” the Captain started as the last smear of blood was cleaned off. “You are a talented fighter and guardsman. Yet you lack one thing. You lack patience and humility. If you thought as you fight, with a strategy in mind and waiting for your enemy to reveal his weakness to you, I would consult with you on more matters. You want problems solved now. You are rash in your thinking. Do you realize that if we trained students as I have trained you, they would fear battle? Yes they would be cowards. Your plan lacks practical instruction. Do you understand?”

  “Yes sir,” Kosai said with his head bowed.

  “I understand that you are frustrated. I am too. That is why I am sending you on an assignment. You need to find out who is leaking the information. Once we find that, then we can attack. If you notice behind you, your cloak has returned from cleaning and repair. I hope it fits you well. Oh - and there is a present there for you too.” Kosai turned and noticed steel framed coat rack that was next to the door. The steel twisted upward and sprung out at the top in four directions. Each limb had a hook, and on one of those hooks was Kosai’s hooded cape.