Against the Empire: The Dominion and Michian

by Jeffrey Quyle

  “You’ve found quite a medical genius here, Cander, it appears,” Reast said in a different, respectful tone of voice. “I’ll try your tea, healer. You’re right, my throat is raw and painful. If this helps, we’ll see that the clan takes very good care of you. Who knows what we might accomplish with your talents?” he pondered thoughtfully. “Now, let’s all go back to the villa, and we’ll dress your friend appropriately, and have a bit of rest before the promenade tonight.”

  The whole group moved through the tent opening, Cander, Marjet, Reast, Alec three ladies, and a half dozen servants, some of whom Alec suspected were primarily guards, walked to the left as they departed. As they walked, Alec noticed that the servant girl, Rief, was not with them. He turned and looked back, and saw her face sticking out from the tent. He raised his right hand and waved at her. A smile came to her solemn face, and she waved back, then ducked back inside the tent.

  Within two minutes the group was passing a brilliant yellow tent, one that put Alec in mind of a giant lemon, so brightly hued was its canvas. The faces of Alec’s companions took on grim expressions as they passed the structure. Loud laughter, music and sounds of general festivity came from the tent, and Alec understood that the woman who had summoned the monstrous creature, who had been clothed in yellow at the end of her activity, had scored some great victory for the clan of this tent, much to the dissatisfaction of his companions.

  Their passage was noticed. “Hey Reast, do you want to come kiss Sharlan’s feet now, or wait until tonight?” a nasal voice called out.

  “Do you know any poisons we could use, healer?” Reast asked.

  Alec shrugged and smiled.

  “Couldn’t we just take the restorer home this afternoon, and come back tomorrow?” Cander asked, reminding Alec that he had made a similar request earlier.

  “We aren’t going to cut and run,” Reast replied. “And we need to let the emperor’s army continue to use our restorer for the next few days, especially since Sharlan’s sorceress just produced a brand new one for the emperor.”

  Alec intuitively made the connection. The animal he had seen led away, the ugly large animal that he had seen disappear from Stronghold with Mooreen and Elcome, was a restorer. It had the ability to somehow disappear, and the emperor apparently needed or wanted to use the animals.

  After several minutes, they came to a corner, where a large white stone building, surrounded by imposing columns stood. All the members of the group paused, turned and genuflected to the building for a moment, then continued on their way. “Not a fan of the war god?” a woman asked. “You’ll have to adopt Raigg as one of your gods if you’re going to be part of our clan household,” she said conversationally as they continued on.

  Alec walked along in shock, thoroughly disconcerted by the notion of a temple to another god. It made no sense to him, especially when he had just experienced such a personal, intense encounter with his own true god. This society grew stranger and stranger with each passing minute he was introduced to it. In just a few more minutes they arrived at a large fenced park, and turned in through a gate. Alec noted that at least two servants appeared to relax, as bodyguards do when entering a safe location.

  The mansion on the grounds of the park was a large, magnificent facility. “Charten, take the healer to have him dressed decently for tonight, and find a nice room for him near the family quarters,” Reast said, and one of the presumed bodyguards dropped back to walk with Alec.

  “Come this way, healer,” the man said pleasantly as they entered the mansion. Alec followed him through several hallways until they were in a laundry facility. “Migred,” Charten called to a woman. “This boy needs a robe for tonight’s promenade. Would you whip something up for him?”

  The woman gave a momentary look of exasperation, then put down her work, picked up a basket, and promptly measured Alec. “Where shall it be delivered?” she asked.

  “We’ll put him in Room 3 for now,” Charten replied, and he touched Alec on the arm to move him along. Alec turned, and bowed to the woman as a means to say thanks.

  Minutes later, his guide opened a door for Alec. “This is your room. Just follow your nose to find the kitchen if you’re hungry. Be back here before sunset to wash and dress, and we’ll take you to the promenade,” he told Alec. “I need to go back to a few chores, so stay out of trouble!” he said with a laugh, then walked briskly down the hall.

  Alec entered the room, or rooms, as it turned out to be suite. He relieved himself in the necessary room, then looked out the window of the bedroom. More park and garden space were visible, and he had a small balcony he could sit on. He took a seat in the warm sun, closed his eyes, and fell asleep, exhausted by the endless stream of new experiences he had just lived through since going up the valley in the Pale Mountains to find John Mark’s cave.

  Chapter 20 – At the Promenade

  A gentle tap on the knee woke Alec from a dreamless sleep. He opened his eyes to see that the sun had moved towards the horizon, and that dark-haired Rief, the girl servant he had met at the parade, was standing next to him.

  “Your clothes are here, and you need to be down in the hall in five minutes,” she told him once his eyes focused on her. “I’m here to make sure you’re there on time,” she gave the hint of a smile.

  Alec stood, and followed her inside. On a table he found a blue-and-white striped robe folded. He picked it up shook it open, and studied it momentarily, trying to decide how to put in on. He suddenly jumped as Rief began to pluck his shirt from him. He dropped the robe in surprise, and stepped back.

  Seeing the look on his face, Rief laughed. “Modest, are you? Then put them on yourself, but be quick about it. I’ll get a whipping if we’re very late,” she said in a way that made Alec believe she wasn’t kidding. He picked up the robe, stepped behind a screen, and changed clothes quickly, then stepped back out where Rief could see him.

  “Turn around,” she commanded, and Alec did, reminded for no particular reason of Bethany modeling her new clothes for him back in Goldenfields. He raised his hands above his head in a silly pose, then bowed as he finished his twirl. “You do have a sense of humor behind that silent face, don’t you?” Rief said laughingly. “Now let’s go!” she told him as she took his hand to lead him from the room at a swift pace.

  He stopped her, and pointed back at his room. “What?” she asked, but he just darted back, grabbed his bag of healing items and rejoined her. “Here, wear that under your robe, so you don’t spoil the clan’s appearance,” she told him, and rearranged the bag against his body. “Now we have to run,” she said with a serious face, and took off through the halls, slowing to a walk just before entering the main hall.

  “Ah, our healer is with us,” Reast said, seeing their entry. The group in the hallway was more than two score in size, although Alec couldn’t gauge how many were clan members and how many were servants or guards. “The carriages and wagons are lined up outside, everyone find an appropriate place.”

  “You’ll spend the night taking care of me, won’t you, Rief?” Cander asked, stumbling over to where the servant and Alec stood. Alec could tell that the man had already drank a great quantity of alcohol.

  “Sir, the healer has already asked me, so to speak, to spend the night with him,” Rief replied quickly, putting her hand on Alec’s arm. Alec didn’t understand precisely what was implied or expected, but he liked the servant girl, and was willing to play along with her game for the time being. He reached his hand across, and patted it atop hers.

  “Healer, you’re a quick one, aren’t you?” Cander said without malice. “I’ll find a woman along the walk to take care of me. You enjoy Rief’s attention.” He stumbled away towards the door.

  “I thank you, master healer. I’ll make sure you have fun. Cander’s not the worst master for an evening like this, but I think you’ll be much more fun,” she whispered with her mouth pressed against his ear. Alec blushed, and faintly nodded his head. They stayed in line, and by
the time they were out of the door, most of the vehicles had already departed, so they climbed up in the bed of a wagon with five other people, and rode the jostling contraption away from the house.

  “Who do you have, Rief?” an older lady asked.

  “”This is the clan healer. The clan leader just accepted him this afternoon at the parade,” Rief explained.

  “Welcome! We’re glad to have you serving the clan,” the woman said. “What’s your name? Where do you come from?”

  “He can’t speak,” Rief explained. “He doesn’t have a tongue.”

  All heads turned to stare at Alec intently as soon as Rief spoke. “Let me see,” said a young boy, and Alec obediently displayed his vacant mouth.

  “That’s cool!” the boy said.

  “He’ll be a spectacle tonight, won’t he?” another man said. “He’ll give the Indige clan something to talk about besides the Canares’ brilliant act today.”

  They rode on, and Alec looked out the sides of the wagon, watching the scenes of the city pass by as the wagon lurched along and the other passengers chatted amiably. The city was filled with countless large buildings, showing that it must be far larger than Goldenfields or Oyster Bay. Twice, the other passengers made perfunctory acts of homage towards buildings they passed. Eventually, as the sun began to disappear below the horizon, the wagon crossed a long bridge over a wide, dark river then turned sharply, and rolled down to a circle of torches, where they waited in line for a chance to disembark with hundreds of others.

  When their turn came, Rief got out before Alec. He understood that she would be his companion, presumably his own servant for the night’s adventure, and he motioned with a sweep of his arm for her to lead the way. She promptly stepped forward through the crowd, and Alec followed, shouldering and jostling to keep up in the swarm of brightly clothed people who were milling in all directions. They quickly caught up with a large knot of other Indige clan members, and Rief discretely maneuvered Alec in front of her and into the clan group that was walking as a unit along a paved riverside roadway.

  Bright torches illuminated the entire area, and food vendors and other merchants had tables and tents set up haphazardly along the side of the route. The air was heavy with scents – cooking food, scented oil from torches, cooking fires, and the perfumes of ladies. Alec felt overwhelmed by all the sensory overload he was experiencing, and he stayed as close to Rief as possible.

  “Krayo,” Reast said as a large group in red appeared, “may I introduce our new clan healer?” he pulled Alec up front beside him. “The boy is a natural talent. Had two healings the first hour we selected him! And he’s a mute. Can’t say a word; doesn’t have a tongue. Good to see you. All hail the emperor,” Alec’s leader finished his quick monologue, and they proceeded to move along.

  Time and again, Reast repeated the demonstration, exhibiting Alec as a shield against any other topic being raised. After an hour’s time they had walked nearly a mile, and came to a large, golden tent, rising from a foundation on the river bank above them, where several people were sitting on a balcony overlooking the festival. Abruptly, everyone on Alec’s group knelt in homage to someone on the balcony, and Alec clumsily imitated them, staying down on his knee until he heard others start to rise.

  “Sharlan was right there on the emperor’s patio!” someone said indignantly to Reast.

  “He put on a stupendous show today,” Reast said calmly. “We have to acknowledge that and move on.”

  A few minutes later, they came to the end of the brightly lit promenade. “Thank you for remaining with the clan,” Reast said. “You all may go now to pursue your own pleasures. The carriages will depart as they fill up, and the last wagon will leave at midnight, whether it’s full, empty, or anything else. How you get home after that is your own matter!” he laughed, reached out and tousled Cander’s hair affectionately, and watched as people started walking away.

  Rief took Alec by the hand, and led him to Reast. She bowed slightly. “Clan leader, our new healer is without coin, I believe. May he have some tokens to purchase food and drink?”

  “And he’s claimed you for the night already, eh?” Reast said. “Well, that’s good. I wouldn’t want Troona or Rewas getting their claws into him too soon. Here,” he dropped several coins in her hand, “Take him around and let him enjoy the promenade. By the by, healer, I tried your tea, and my throat feels better already!” he gave a warm smile, and turned to talk to someone else waiting on him.

  Together Rief and Alec walked slowly along the promenade. “Here, try this,” Rief said, exchanging a coin for two small pies from a vendor. Alec bit into the warm flaky crust, and tasted a sweet, juicy berry filling, with a flavor he enjoyed but did not know. He found that the absence of a tongue made it surprisingly difficult to eat, so that he had to tilt his head at times to position the food. He smiled in appreciation, then ate the rest of the pie.

  He pulled Rief behind him hurriedly moments later as he saw two lion-sized cats approach. Rief spun around, saw the animals and laughed. “Look,” she pointed at the thin leashes Alec had not noticed, as the animals were walking ahead of four men in robes with blue and green waves.

  Alec grinned, and they started walking again. He saw a vendor selling clothing for ladies, including dainty pairs of gloves. Thinking of his hand, he walked over and picked up a pair.

  “They’re not your size, healer, and lace doesn’t look right on a man,” Rief told him. “Do you have gloves for men?” she asked the vendor. He gave a puzzled look, then found a pair of work gloves. Rief looked at Alec, who nodded his head, eager for something to cover his strangely altered left hand. Rief arranged a price, paid it, and watched Alec pull the left glove on. He was relieved to have a way to hide the scars and to prevent the hand from jolting him with frequent exposure to the character of the people he touched. Rief gave a shrug. “I hope that helps,” she said, and they started walking again, until she stopped and bought two skins to drink. It was wine, Alec realized with a sputter as he tasted it and started coughing.

  “Want something else?” Rief asked with a laugh. Alec nodded. “Beer? Whiskey? Berry juice?” she listed options until Alec nodded yes, and she purchased a new skin for him.

  She continued to drink her own wine, and grew more garrulous as they walked. “You’re so easy to talk to; you never interrupt!” she giggled as she described growing up as the daughter of a slave. “I was sold to the Indige clan when I turned 16, three years ago. They’ve treated me well; better than most slaves get treated, I know.

  “They’ve certainly taken to you! Timing is everything, my mother told me. You certainly showed up at the parade at the right time, and helping the clan leader’s son was the right thing to do.

  Oh heavens! That man over there, the one with the yellow turban – no! Don’t stare. He was the first boy to kiss me,” she blurted out. “Hello, Laver,” she said as he stepped across the road to intersect her and Alec. He appeared to be slightly older than she was, and three other yellow-clad men followed.

  “Rief, you must be so upset to have been sold from Canare to Indige,” Laver said to the girl, ignoring Alec. “Give me a kiss and I’ll arrange for you to be bought back.”

  Alec looked at Rief, trying to figure out what dynamics were underway. He suddenly had a sense of unease, and another of confidence, and another of hostility, feelings that he realized he was detecting in the people around him through the normal spiritual ingenaire way, not through his extraordinary hand. He placed a hand on Rief’s elbow, and the uneasiness became much stronger.

  “Don’t try anything foolish, son,” Laver told him immediately. “I’m just having a friendly conversation.

  “Come up here with me, Rief, so we can talk,” Laver said. He grabbed her other arm, and began to pull her away from Alec, towards a grove of trees and underbrush on the riverbank, as she looked back over her shoulder at Alec with a look of panic on her face. Alec knew he wasn’t going to let the poor girl suffer. He remembered Jo
hn Mark’s admonition to do good and to do better, and he knew he had to take action to prevent this violence.

  Alec stepped forward and grabbed Laver’s arm, causing the man to look in astonishment at him. “Healer, don’t! Don’t get yourself in any trouble,” Rief said, her voice unnaturally high-pitched and her face pale.

  I’ll count to two, and you better not be in sight,” Laver said through gritted teeth. He looked significantly at his companions. “One, two,” he counted quickly.

  Alec heard a footstep behind him. He released his hold on Laver and turned around, his warrior energies coming to full capacity. One of the three attackers, the heaviest one, swung a heavy fist at Alec’s head as he turned to face the assailants. Alec dodged the fist, grabbed it and pulled it forward, raised his knee into the man’s midsection, then chopped his free hand down hard on the back of his neck, driving the man into the ground.

  All around them, people instantly moved away, opening a wide circle of spectators to the confrontation. The other two men looked at their companion, suddenly on the ground, then looked at each other. They spread apart, and both pulled out knives. Alec looked over his shoulder at Rief and Laver, who hadn’t moved, then looked back at his opponents. He rushed at one in a feint that made the man jump back, then slid into the feet of the other, knocking him to the ground as Alec popped back up. But then he immediately fell with his knee jammed hard into the stomach of the assailant, wretched his knife away from him, and jumped back.