Justicar Jhee and the Cursed Abbey

by Trevol Swift

  The prioress grinned for the first time Jhee had ever seen. “I calculated the market rate for the wines and fees versus the industry standard for the services you rendered us.”

  Lay people loaded their belongings onto the ferry. Jhee tucked the small chest containing the relics, sermon, and triptych under her arm. The litter arrived bearing Jhee’s younger spouses accompanied by Shep who had chosen to walk. Mirrei’s fever had broken sometime during the night. The abbey’s select blend had indeed worked wonders. And she now had a container of both that and their traditional nectar to study or sample as needs be. The two couples, Mr. Zane and Ms. Anshula, Raigen and Mr. Akesheem, came down the stairs behind them to see Jhee and her entourage off. Ms. Anshula shook hands with Shep. She passed a vial to him which he pocketed.

  “Are you sure we can’t see you to the capital or perhaps another isle?” Jhee asked.

  “No,” Mr. Akesheem said. “I left home to find my way, and I have. Raigen has promised we shall build a new home and new birthline together.”

  “I have made similar promises to Mr. Zane. We shall go forth as a group of bright and brave companions to make our fortunes in the world. We will honor our parents and see their sacrifices earn dividends through our prosperity.”

  Jhee smiled. “I’ve often wondered at the romantic ideals of the young. You have restored my hope that indeed, romance has not died even in these changing times. I wish you all the luck and blessings the First Makers will see fit to have me give you.”

  Bax arrived.

  “Is it done?” Jhee asked.

  “Yes. The solar arrays have been recharged, and the communications array restored. You may transmit soon.”

  “Alas, what remains of my report to Central Authority is not enough for Lady Bathsheba’s crimes full crimes to be known.”

  “Do you anticipate trouble?”

  “Perhaps. Which is why I sent a copy of my report of the fate of a certain vizier to Jeja and asked for advice. She has agreed to act as my advocate should anyone become too curious about it. I also learned that she was not the only one who shed shark’s tears at the news. She said, ‘You should have spoken to me first, Jhee. I could have told you Bathsheba was a well-known predator.’ Which leaves the matter of you.”

  “Me?” Bax stepped back and asked, “What?”

  Jhee folded her arms and grinned. “I thought I set you to follow Raigen, not work with her.”

  “She... caught me.” Jhee heard the hitch of wounded pride. Indeed, catching the infamous Shadowcat during his crime spree had required some cleverness on her part.

  Dari barked. Itzil emitted a chastened yelp. Her harness clanked as Dari herded her away from the ferry and the gathered people. Despite Lady Bathsheba’s fate, the much larger bull hound remained a comical sight being harried by a dog a fraction of its size. Jhee read through her report again.

  “Lady Bathsheba met with an unfortunate accident while wandering around the cloister. She ventured out too soon having thought the storm ended and took a wrong turn into the courtyard where Itzil was housed. The frightened creature on edge because of the weather mauled her to death. Ms. Anshula, I will, of course, have to fine you for improper housing of and failure to secure Itzil, a dangerous animal, properly. If the family and friends of Lady Bathsheba wish for further redress, they can take up the matter with the courts. She likely had to renounce any outside family to retire here, and with the Sanctuary statutes in effect standing will be difficult to establish. A solid case can be made that only the Drakist Order and the abbess has standing to do so.”

  With Jhee’s conch charged and no longer low on space, she transferred over Mr. Akesheem’s testimony. The two critical pieces of evidence she had, namely Pyrmo’s confession and his witness account had no explicit mention of the vizier. She had to classify Leigh’s death under accident and negligence. A tricky descent, at night, in a hurry, weak frame of mind, during a storm. Yet, he would not have been out on such a miserable night if the vizier were not after him.

  The litter was brought aboard the ferry. Jhee waited on the dock until all her retinue had boarded.

  Jhee turned to Shep. “What did Ms. Anshula give you?”

  “Some of Itzil’s bioplasm.”

  She glanced down at her conch and all the messages that had flooded in once she had proper access to off-isle communication. Among them, the confirmation of their reservation at the resort run by an old schoolmate of hers. “Are you sure you don’t want to come with us?”

  “I want to stay here a little longer and get my head right. I’m not fit company for festivals, right now. I’ll go on ahead to the capital and get the house set up while you and the dendes bond.”

  Jhee paused. People surrounded them, least of all the younger spouses. Her hands itched to pull Shep close. A gesture utterly inappropriate in such a public venue. She knew Kanto, in particular, to be sensitive how much affection she showed Shep.

  When Jhee turned back to the ferry, Mirrei and Kanto watched her with eager expressions. They both nodded. Propriety be drenched, Jhee and Shep indulged in a public display of affection by touching escae. Mirrei and Kanto grinned.

  “You are wind and waves, my lady,” Shep said.

  “Beloved cohort are we ready to cast off?”

  “Your timetable is our timetable,” Kanto said.

  “As you lead, we follow,” Mirrei said.

  Jhee smiled. She stood near the prow of the yacht as they pushed off. She took a last look at the abbey with its many spires and congruous frogman’s antenna. The hothouse and the fields of sun panels. She stared at the statues adorning the edifice of the abbey. She shuddered. After her experience in the crypts, she could not help it. She studied one after another to see if she could pick out which of the gruesome figures were honored or fettered dead or mere imaginative fancies. She waved at the couples until they had passed from sight. She smiled. All in a day’s work.

  Kanto and Mirrei held her arms. Jhee would not break her promise to Miramar nor Kanto’s grandam. I will fulfill the promise I made to their dames to see them safely to the capital where they can decide for themselves what it is they want.

  “Kanto, you mentioned not liking our robes. Would you be opposed to designing us new ones?”

  “I would love nothing more. I’ve been waiting for you to ask.”

  Vast waters of enormous change lay ahead. Who knew where they might land? What she knew is her household must stay vigilant in the trying times to come at court. They set sail for the trials and intrigues of the capital.

  THE END

  Join the Swiftnesse Community

  Thank you for reading JUSTICAR JHEE AND THE CURSED ABBEY! If you enjoyed it, please join the Swiftnesse mailing list to receive the first two chapters of Justicar Jhee Book 2!

  Join now!

  Excerpt

  Please enjoy this excerpt from Justicar Jhee Book 2...

  Galleon City is a central point in the Empire; the place where the Storm Shield protects the Blessed Isles from the wrath that surrounds them. But it is also a city that is being ripped apart by restless factions and swamped with refugees, the destitute and the unwanted.

  Justicar Jhee arrives in the city in the midst of this chaos, but it isn’t long before intrigue strikes once more, when a murder occurs.

  Chapter 1

  The Maid of the Mists

  Jhee held up the viewer to the stately villa where they would holiday for the next few full-tides as artisans finished the last bit of construction on their new home on the capital island. “Our ferry arrived without incident, and we are safely at the resort. I wish you were here with us.”

  “Non-stop social engagements? I’ll pass. You’re in Kanto’s world now. Allow him to show you around. Besides, this will give you more time with him in his element. It’ll do you and him good to spend more time together especially in an environment which showcases his talents.”

  “It won’t stop me from missing you anyway.”

  “E
ther crest life never suited me, but it’s cut to fit for Kanto. The three of you need time together without me. Besides someone needs to oversee the final work on our new home, so it’s ready for your arrival. You’ll be so busy with balls and parties you won’t even notice.”

  “Don’t remind me.”

  “Jhee, it’ll be fine. Between them, I’m confident they’ll see you don’t make a fool of yourself.”

  Jhee spun to capture the rest of the private island off the cape’s view of Straya the largest island in the Blessed Isles, even larger than the capital isle. A few buildings from Galleon City could be seen in the distance. She ended on the magnificence of the ocean and the harbor, a combination of both Makers and mortal achievements.

  Kanto and Mirrei approached. “Is that our absent, boring, old denme who’d rather babysit a house than ride the high crests with us?”

  “Correction: who’d rather babysit a house than babysit you.”

  Kanto made the childish gesture of pressing his nose. “Fine. Then every stick of furniture must be precisely where I specified and every possession as I outlined or else I’ll blame you.”

  “A fair turn.”

  Kanto had spent days laboring and pouring over manuals and catalogs and images of furniture. He would see their new home brightly and gaily and fabulously and opulently appointed.

  Jhee had the utmost confidence in his design skills. He would know what every stick of furniture and window treatment would convey about their situation. They had spent their night together going over it extensively. He quizzed her on what impression she wanted their home to communicate to visitors. Jhee did not much care herself, but it made him happy. And she wanted him to be satisfied. He asked for so little, and tasks like this delighted him. He vowed to make their new home convey the tone and image she wanted while also remaining stylish and opulent as befitted her rank.

  “I’ve seen images of places like this. In my grandmere’s day, this used to be all the rave. A stay at a posh resort then you motor up to the capital and stay at your own or rent a townhouse during festival season.”

  Jhee tried not to think too hard about what that said about her taste or her age.

  This was the first time she recalled being with the two spouses without Shep there to act as a buffer or point of friction.

  Lady Delphine, their host, awaited them atop the sandstone and seashell steps to the entryway. Jhee held out her hands. “Oh, Lady Delphine, I want to thank you again for hosting me and my cohort.”

  Delphine clasped her forearms then pressed each temple against Jhee’s. “Oh, you old fool. Come here. Come here. Shame on you for thinking to slip through our waters without a visit. So good to see you. It’s the least I can do for the help you gave me when we were in the academy together. I couldn’t believe it when you told me you had expanded your household. When do I get to meet the rest of your welcome entourage?”

  “Momentarily. Shep sends his regards. He’s overseeing the final transport of our belongings from the barges to our new home.”

  “How regretful. He will join us later, I hope.”

  “He’ll do his best. He is not much for the festival scene.”

  “Ah. I won’t press.” Lady Delphine linked her arm with Jhee’s. “About those other matters we discussed, have you had a chance to mull them over?”

  “While the situation has been a little hectic, I did give your proposal some thought. Let’s see how the stay goes before making any final decisions.”

  Lady Delphine cleared her throat and glanced from side to side. “And the last matter?”

  “I had no immediate conclusions to draw from what you told me. I might have a better idea once I’ve had a chance to look around the work sites.”

  “You will be discrete, of course?”

  “As much as I can be.”

  Liveried barbarian porters bustled by them and picked up their trunks and suitcases. Mirrei held Kanto’s arm as they ascended the broad stairs of the front of the island resort. Mirrei had a figure slenderer and daintier than her mother at that age. Her gossamer champagne traveling robe hid her delicate steps. She appeared to glide up to meet them. The pale complexion to her fuzzy skin along with her light gown gave her ascent an ethereal quality. It reminded Jhee of the stories of the Maid of the Mists. Right near the top, Mirrei’s steps faltered. She coughed and turned a bit red. Kanto held her steady.

  Jhee offered her arm and helped Mirrei up the mansion’s broad steps. “You should have let me secure a mobility chair or litter for you.”

  “Nonsense, denbe,” Kanto said. “Poor, Mirrei, didn’t want all that fuss.”

  Mirrei cut Kanto a brief look. “My fellow spouse is right, denbe. What would your friend think of me if I can’t manage the simple task of walking up the stairs?”

  And any situation Jhee might later wish for them. “As you wish, my... dear,” Jhee said, trying a less formal term.

  Both Kanto and Mirrei pulled a face. Mirrei smiled wanly and gave a slight shake of her head. Jhee agreed. Too much. Jhee had only said it in a vain attempt to please. Her affection for her had not become even that deep yet. It was an insult to Mirrei to pretend otherwise. She rushed to amend herself. “As you wish, my wife.”

  “Thank you, denbe.”

  “Yes, thank you, denbe,” Kanto repeated. He smirked. Those two and their teasing.

  “Am I going to have to separate you two?”

  “No,” Mirrei said.

  The three of them finished their graceful ascent to the landing. Misty rain had replaced the torrential downpour which plagued most of their journey. The island resort rested far enough away from the storm curtain to experience lessened effects from its significant weather disturbances. Once the storm curtain stabilized, even the drizzle might stop.

  Hopefully, the drier weather would alleviate some of the symptoms from Mirrei’s Fresh Lung Sickness. The less saline waters of the inner islands did not agree with many. Mirrei like Kanto and Jhee were used to the saltier waters of the Far Reaches. Though, their Fresh Lung Sickness had come and gone relatively quickly. The damp also did not help. Much like the storms, hopefully, the younger woman’s condition would stabilize.

  Jhee checked her pockets to see if she had any saline tablets on her. Even if they did not have to manage her saline levels and ensure her diet heavy in rock salt, Mirrei never had the hardiest constitution to begin with according to her mother.

  Miramar, Mirrei’s mother, had a difficult pregnancy. Mirrei had been Miramar’s only child. A miracle child, much like Kanto. That may have been why the two spouses had bonded so quickly. Still, it was one more child than she and Shep had managed. Perhaps that would change. Or perhaps that was indicative of what difficulties Jhee might have if their plans for Kanto proceeded.

  “Lady Delphine, may I present you, Bright Harmony, my second husband.”

  “A pleasure, Lady Delphine,” Kanto said. He gave the most formal of bows before planting a kiss on the back of Lady Delphine’s hand.

  “Likewise, Bright Harmony,” said the Lady Delphine.

  “This is Star Mirror, my youngest spouse,” Jhee said. Jhee used their outside name because neither had been formally introduced to the Lady Delphine. Once they had stayed under her roof, they would be less formal.

  “Lady Delphine.”

  “Delighted, Star Mirror.”

  “Are we the only guests?”

  “I dare say we have quite the full house. There’s a rather crude businessman, a travel writer, a mining supervisor, an organizer for fishing combines, a free-spirited advocate, and an ambassador to the barbarian lands. He is also a man of waves.”

  “More clergy. My, we’ll have to be on our best behavior.”

  “I don’t know about all that now. He seemed a perfectly reasonable sort. Some of the others though are quite the characters.”

  “Speaking of waves and devotion,” Jhee said. “I’d like to pay my respects to your Makers’ Shrine.”

  “Of course. I�
�ll have you brought to it once I’ve shown you to your rooms and given you a chance to refresh yourselves.”

  “Much appreciated.”

  Lady Delphine grabbed her arm and bundled them up the stairs to the solar where drinks with ice melon balls in them awaited them. A bit of a warm sunny drink for these overcast times, but Lady Delphine did love it so even when they were first-years together. Lady Delphine had been also assigned to the intelligence pool just as Jhee had. The compulsory military service every citizen had to undergo had better positions than others. Intelligence pool is where the wealthier could get themselves or their offspring stationed and kept off the front lines. Not so much for Jhee and Shep though. The Path Maker had different plans.

  Jhee shuddered and tried to shake off thoughts of her and Shep’s military service.

  “We have so much to catch up on. I’ve put you up in the Observatory suite: one master bedroom with adjoining suites. If that doesn’t suit, we can rearrange. I’ll have the last bed put away until you need it.”

  At their rooms, Jhee turned to Kanto and nosed him on his cheek. “See, here in time for festival season. Just as I promised,” Jhee said.

  Jhee looked over the invoice from their abbey stay. Now she understood more and more why so many rural Justicars were corrupt. The sum had almost matched the cost of booking the resort stay. Due in no small part to purchasing Tranquility Gold at market price.

  “I had no doubt you would see your promise fulfilled. If anyone could it would be you, dear wife.”

  “Thank you for your vote of confidence. You’ll be happy to know, Mirrei, in addition to following Pascoe food protocols, they operate as Blue Waters certified for environmental protection and sustainability.”