by J J Moriarty
Then he came to the end of the track.
It was a pit. On this side of the pit all the grass was charred to nothing. There had been a bonfire here. Hyzou walked to the edge of the pit and looked in.
“You probably know more than me, but I’d say the bodies are burned here, then the remains are dumped in this pit”, Hyzou said.
“That’s what I guess”, Gardem said.
Hyzou stared down at the pit; at its blackened, ash-coated contents.
“I’m Piquean. Just like them”, Hyzou said.
“As am I”, Gardem said.
“I had a betrothed, and a sister. They were Piquean too”, Hyzou said.
“May I speak, Archaier”, Gardem said.
Hyzou didn’t reply. Gardem waited a minute, then he spoke again.
“When I first saw all of this, I was consumed by a poisonous anger. I wanted to find a weapon and try to kill each of the soldiers, even though I’m an old man who couldn’t lift a baby I’m so weak”, Gardem said.
“I’m not angry, if that’s what you’re asking”, Hyzou said.
“Why aren’t you? Don’t you understand what…” Gardem began.
Hyzou raised his hand into the air. Still staring down into the pit, Hyzou replied.
“I’m not angry, at least not in the way you are. What I feel now is, well, it’s the same thing I felt when I saw that young girl scalped outside the embassy”, Hyzou said.
“What is that?” Gardem asked.
“It faded, that feeling. It faded because I thought I needed it to. But I know now Gardem, no matter what I do, this feeling won’t go again”, Hyzou said.
“What is it?” Gardem asked.
“The feeling? It’s like that first sup of water on a hot summer’s day”, Hyzou said.
“I don’t understand Archaier”, Gardem said.
Hyzou turned to Gardem.
“Come, let’s leave this forsaken place, and return to Piquea. I’ve got a lot I need to talk to you about. We’ve got a lot we need to discuss”, Hyzou said.
CHAPTER THIRTY
“They’re really quite exquisite, aren’t they?” Supreme Commander said.
Hyzou looked at the man and woman rutting before him.
“Graceful”, Hyzou said, and he wasn’t sure if the sarcasm was noted.
“I’m so happy we could have this time together”, Supreme Commander said.
Hyzou took a sip of his beer.
“Me too”, Hyzou said. “Me too.”
“I think I had the wrong read on you, Archaier”, Supreme Commander said.
“I’ll take that as a compliment”, Hyzou said.
Supreme Commander smiled, nodded, and returned to watching the show. There were nine performers in total.
After a while, Hyzou decided to speak again.
“Are they all Piquean?” Hyzou asked.
“Unfortunately. It’s hard to find Lamyblan girls this far south in the Empire”, Supreme Commander said.
“I’ve never liked them much”, Hyzou said.
The Supreme Commander looked at him.
“Who?” Supreme Commander said.
“Piqueans”, Hyzou said.
The Supreme Commander did a double take.
“But… I thought you were one”, Supreme Commander said.
“Do I look like a Piquean to you? Have you ever met a Piquean with skin as dark as mine?” Hyzou asked.
“I thought you just stayed in the sun a lot”, Supreme Commander said.
“My mother was a Xuan”, Hyzou said.
“So you’re not entirely a savage?” Supreme Commander said.
“My father came from the mountain tribes, he was Kheme but not Piquean”, Hyzou said.
The Supreme Commander smiled.
“All this time I’ve been thinking of you as just another weed”, Supreme Commander said.
Hyzou chuckled.
“I’m not sure what kind of plant I am, but I have no Piquean blood in me”, Hyzou said.
The Supreme Commander smiled.
“That’s good. I’m sorry now that I asked you to leave the city”, Supreme Commander said
“That’s quite alright. You did it for good reason”, Hyzou said, then he raised his cup and tilted it towards the Supreme Commander. “To our friendship.”
The Supreme Commander tapped his cup against Hyzou’s. One of the male slaves screamed out in orgasm.
“Can I trust you?” Hyzou asked.
The Supreme Commander looked away from the show and at Hyzou.
“With what?” Supreme Commander asked.
“The Archai wants to make an offer to Pharaoh Ganymedes. But it cannot be made officially, does that make sense?” Hyzou said.
“It makes perfect sense”, Supreme Commander said.
“Part of it will involve the Servants giving military aid to the Kheme empire”, Hyzou said.
The Supreme Commander’s eyes lit up.
“How will you ask the Pharaoh?” Supreme Commander said.
“Through you, and Kyrios Lysimachus. And I’ll be the one doing the asking”, Hyzou said.
“I’d be very willing to help you with that”, Supreme Commander said. “I’ll listen, and so will Kyrios Lysimachus.”
“And your staff”, Hyzou said.
“My staff? Why?” Supreme Commander asked.
“We need to talk about the issue, you are the first bridge the Archai have tried to cross. Let’s speak together, in friendship, and you and your staff can tell me how workable my insane ramblings are. This cannot be official”, Hyzou said.
The Supreme Commander nodded.
“I’ve done this before, you know. Nothing either of us say is in any way binding. You don’t represent the Archai, and I don’t represent the Pharaoh”, Supreme Commander said.
“I’m glad we understand each other”, Hyzou said.
“My staff are needed too? And Kyrios Lysimachus?” Supreme Commander asked.
“I want everyone to be able to speak freely, but don’t worry, you’ll be in charge. I just want you to be able point out any flaws in the proposal”, Hyzou said.
“Forgive my hearing, but did you mention a military alliance”, Supreme Commander said.
Hyzou raised his hands in the air.
“Please, Supreme Commander, understand that these are mere whisperings. I cannot comment conclusively”, Hyzou said.
The Supreme Commander leaned over and clapped his hand upon Hyzou’s shoulder.
“I’ll have every Lamyblan of any import in the palace to meet you. We’ll discuss your rumours. A hundred of us, if that’s what you’d like”, Supreme Commander said.
“I need to sell it to the Archai”, Hyzou said.
“And you can do that best when you can speak of wowing the masses. I understand, I’ll make sure they’re all there”, Supreme Commander said.
“Thank you”, Hyzou said. “I don’t mean to impinge.”
“No, no, no. Don’t worry about that. Friendship means making time for one another”, the Supreme Commander said.
“I’m glad you think that way”, Hyzou said.
“Will tomorrow evening suit you? I’ll have sixty people in the Palace waiting for you, we can feast, and you can explain your vision. Some of them might get a bit bored, but that’s diplomacy. They’ll be polite because I tell them to”, the Supreme Commander said.
“Four hours before nightfall, does that suit you?” Hyzou asked.
“That suits me well”, the Supreme Commander said.
“I imagined it might be several weeks before I got to sit down with everybody and discuss the proposal. Seeing as it is tomorrow, I must go home now and make sure it’s ready to go. I may have to contact Uqing”, Hyzou said.
Hyzou stood, and the Supreme Commander stood with him.
“If I’m to round everyone up by tomorrow evening, I should begin now”, the Supreme Commander said.
The Supreme Commander left the show with Hyzou, and they split up in the entrance
hall of the Palace. The Supreme Commander went into the building to prepare for tomorrow, while Hyzou left the Palace and walked to the embassy.
After he had left his cloak on a hook, and took an orange from the buttery, Hyzou went to the kitchens. Gemenfkon was there, busy preparing the porridge of bitter vetch for tomorrow’s poor.
“Archaier, I didn’t expect you back so soon, how was it?” Gemenfkon asked.
“I don’t think I’ll ever understand the titillation in watching slaves have sex”, Hyzou said.
“Do you mind me asking, Archaier, when was the last time you had sex?” Gemenfkon asked.
The piece of orange Hyzou was chewing got caught in his throat. He coughed, and banged his chest, managing to clear an airway.
“What?” Hyzou asked.
Gemenfkon put the pot he was stirring down.
“You heard the question”, Gemenfkon said.
Hyzou thought for a bit.
“More than five years, I think. Before Piquea fell”, Hyzou said.
“Life can’t just be duty, Archaier, it must be fun sometimes too”, Gemenfkon said.
“I’ll remember that”, Hyzou said.
“Take that tone all you want, but you know I’m right. And apart from the sex, how did tonight go?” Gemenfkon asked.
“The Supreme Commander wants me to make my proposal before the entirety of his staff tomorrow evening”, Hyzou said.
“Tomorrow? By the gods. You were right, he really did bite”, Gemenfkon said.
“The idea of him being able to order Servants of Qi around was too enticing. He’s a madman, who plans on driving Piqueans to extinction. He knows with Uqing on his side in a military alliance he may actually succeed”, Hyzou said.
“So, he’s really going to assemble everyone in charge of Piquea in one room with you?” Gemenfkon asked.
Hyzou nodded.
“I didn’t think this would ever work, but you got him to agree to a meeting after an hour of a sex show”, Gemenfkon said.
“Careful, I may get the impression you’re impressed by me”, Hyzou said.
“And he’s just walking right into your trap?” Gemenfkon asked.
“This is the only chance he’ll ever get to complete his goal. He’d accept the word of Lorikuy himself if it led to the eradication of the Piqueans”, Hyzou said. “To think, I thought him an officious mandarin when I first met him. A soldier promoted above his station. I was wrong, it seems.”
“Zealots make the best kind of enemies, I find”, Gemenfkon said.
“Have you many enemies, Gemenfkon?” Hyzou said.
“I’ve been here for many years. Serving Uqing has seen me aid many the Archaier with many problems”, Gemenfkon said.
“You know those stories you always tell me about Aliya?” Hyzou said.
“When you’re supposed to be doing your reports?” Gemenfkon asked.
“Do you remember a time when she was ambassador here, and her old teacher appeared wounded at the embassy?” Hyzou asked.
“Mygst. Yes, I remember it well. The Anarchy was a dark time Hyzou”, Gemenfkon said.
“Mygst was my father”, Hyzou said.
Gemenfkon’s eyes widened.
“I don’t believe it”, Gemenfkon said.
“Why not?” Hyzou asked.
“Mygst returned to Uqing after we’d patched him up”, Gemenfkon said.
Hyzou shook his head and laughed.
“He stayed here in the city, assumed a different name, and became King Imhotep’s Chief Scribe”, Hyzou said.
“That’s a joke”, Gemenfkon said.
Hyzou shook his head.
“And Aliya was aware of this I assume?” Gemenfkon said.
“Yes”, Hyzou said.
“Well, my role is just to serve the Archaier as cupbearer, so it really doesn’t matter what I think. But why would she do that? She broke her vows, and helped a Servant abdicate”, Gemenfkon said.
“Because he asked her to”, Hyzou said.
Gemenfkon was about to say something, but perhaps he realised that that was all he was getting out of Hyzou.
“Very well Archaier”, Gemenfkon said.
“Could you heat up a clay tablet for me? Then tell Gardem about the meeting tomorrow. I may be followed”, Hyzou said.
Gemenfkon bowed.
“I’ll have the tablet to you in half an hour”, Gemenfkon said.
“It’s funny, isn’t it, how easily the Supreme Commander realised I wasn’t a Piquean?” Hyzou said.
“It is”, Gemenfkon said.
“I don’t have to be descended from one to be a Piquean though”, Hyzou said.
“I’ll believe that”, Gemenfkon said.
Gemenfkon brought Hyzou the tablet, heated from the oven. It was a small one, of a kind used to send information to another city. Big enough to allow for many lines of text, small enough that it could be carried by merchants from city to city comfortably.
Hyzou was sitting at his working table, and Gemenfkon gently placed the baked stone in front of Hyzou. Once Gemenfkon had left to get word to Gardem, Hyzou picked up a tiny cube and began to scratch a cuneiform script onto the front of the tablet.
My Dearest Safia,
Sparrow tells me you managed to earn grey robes. Congratulations; though we both know it was always only a matter of time. The horses are lucky to have your guiding hand, and I hope you enjoy your new role more than you enjoyed your old.
How is Marrea? I hope she feels safe among the Servants. With your support, perhaps, she can find a peace that eluded you during your childhood. If you see her, tell her I ask after her.
I met with Persimmon just a fortnight ago. He told me you were reluctant to marry him and seemed to put the blame on me. I hope that’s not true, I’d hate to think I came between you and what you’ve always wanted. He asked me to advise you to marry him, but I don’t think I’m going to do that. Rather, I’ll beg of you to do whatever it is that makes you happy. After everything, I think you at least deserve that.
Darkness gathers here in the south. Open warfare has been declared, famine stalks the land, and among the hunger is violence and cruelty like I’ve never seen before. The suffering has become part of the Piquean landscape, and by the day it just gets worse and worse.
My surroundings affect me deeply Safia, and the pressure is so strong upon my mental state that I feel my psyche bend and break under the weight of it. Every day I spend here, I turn more and more into a different man from the one who left Uqing with you last Autumn.
The war is likely to get very bloody over the next few weeks and I fear I shall not survive to see the end of the summer. If that be the case, I just want you to know how immensely proud I am of you, and how grateful I am that I got the chance to be your master.
Hyzou of Nuyin
Archaier of Uqing
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Checking back over his shoulder, Hyzou saw that the lower three levels were truly alive. Crowds were milling about, and the city was loud, in a way it hadn’t been until now. Hyzou passed some soldiers, they looked nervous.
They sense it too. Hyzou thought.
Hyzou walked up the long ramp to the front of the palace. His grey robes, not the formal ones, were billowing behind him as he walked. They acted as a badge of identity, and the soldiers and guards stepped out of the way when Hyzou passed by.
Inside, through a giant arch, was what once was Piquea’s Royal Court. It was a huge hall, with a raised stage on one end. Where King Imhotep’s throne had once been there now was a much simpler chair, and the Supreme Commander sat there. Hyzou’s eyes flashed, despite himself, to the spot just beneath the raised stage. It was where his father would sit, scribbling down all the words of the King.
For years, Hyzou had stood beside that chair, helping out with whatever odd jobs his father needed him to do. He’d have his dice ready and offer the best one for the kind of speech his father was writing down. He’d carry tablets and help his crippled father in
and out of his chair.
Now, nothing was in that spot. It was just an empty space.
The hall wasn’t empty though. They were there, everyone the Supreme Commander had promised and more. Kyrios Lysimachus was there too, beady eyes staring at Hyzou. Hyzou counted nearly seventy men in the room.
This will be the most difficult thing you’ve ever tried to use your Qi for. Hyzou thought.
He breathed deeply and owned his envy. He scanned among everyone and found no one here who was capable of using the Qi. Hyzou stepped into the room. As he entered, he passed the pulley roes that closed the bronze door into the arched entrance into the Court. Hyzou had seen it used before, when a debate or speech attracted such an audience the guards had to start turning people away. In those times, they closed the bronze doors, because they were sturdy, and easier than explaining to everyone who came that the room was full.
“Hyzou of Nuyin”, Kyrios Lysimachus spat.
Hyzou allowed a smile to coat his face, while he began to force his Qi out, surrounding each of the seventy people.
This will exhaust you. Hyzou thought.
“Close that door. I don’t want interruptions”, the Supreme Commander said.
A young man in a far-too-ornate outfit scrambled towards the rope. Instead, Hyzou reached over and tugged it several times, closing the bronze door.
“Thank you Archaier”, the Supreme Commander said.
Hyzou remained silent. He felt out each of the minds of those around him.
Own your envy. You’ve never felt so sure in your life. Hyzou thought.
“Well, I don’t know if you have anything in particular you’d like us to do. If not, please, just begin to tell us of your proposal”, the Supreme Commander said.
Hyzou breathed in, then breathed out. He was as ready as he’d every be.
“Archaier, as I said, this entire meeting is just a conversation. Whatever anyone says here doesn’t matter to us. So please, make your proposal. You can come up to the stage and stand beside me here. It means everyone can hear you”, the Supreme Commander said.