Floreskand_King

by Morton Faulkner

  He found that he was unable to report to Saurosen because the king had shut himself in his room and would not leave until another shomshur spider had been found and destroyed. He briefly wondered why there was mention of “another spider” – how many of the things were there? By rights, there should be none this far manderon. Were the recent earth tremors responsible, upsetting the natural balance?

  Resignedly, he decided to go to his quarters to wait for his chance.

  Thankfully, they were not far, situated to the right of the gate, against the Kcarran ring wall, and overlooked the gold canal, so named since it was heavily financed by the goldsmith gild, and the closed portcullis access.

  ***

  The royal palace, Old City, Lornwater

  “Are these the two men of whom you spoke?” Queen Jikkos asked Fio, her lady-in-waiting, as they entered an ante-room.

  “Yes, your highness. Jumo Bem and Murar Hun passed me a message while I purchased your latest silks.” Fio bowed slightly, a little to one side of the pair.

  The two men stood shoulder to shoulder, eyes darting, as if reluctant to be seen ogling her.

  The queen stopped in front of them. “I received your message, Jumo Bem. You’re a long way from Goldalese.”

  He bowed extravagantly, and almost hit his forehead against her bosom. Unaware of his near-miss, he said, his words whistling, “It was my honour, your highness.” He gestured at Murar. “We wish to serve you and the king. We have come from Aurelan Crossis’ toumen; it is camped by Dhur Bridge.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, your highness.”

  Arms akimbo, chest thrust out, she said, “I will take you to the king, then. He may have need of your intelligence.”

  “Oh,” intruded Murar Hun, his eyes squinting. “I wouldn’t go so far as to say we are intelligent, my queen.”

  Fio clipped him across the back of his head. “The queen meant information, dolt!”

  “Oh!” yelped Murar.

  “And,” added the queen, “if you disappoint the king, Jumo Bem, be assured that you will have no teeth left to whistle your words through…”

  ***

  Sector one, Old City, Lornwater

  Saptors clucked and cooed, flapping their wings as they shifted along their perches.

  Prime Watchman Zen-il sat heavily on a stool to one side of the loft of the royal council building, passing a series of saptor messages between his fingers.

  Each time he read them, his heart seemed to overturn.

  The comfortable world he knew was at risk; nothing might ever be the same again.

  He bit his lip. He could not keep it from the king. He dared not.

  The fighting was not constrained to the New City, it seemed. These messages came from far and wide and revealed that there was fighting to the dunsaron in many of the local towns and villages beyond the city walls. The road to Norta was blockaded by armed brigands; no field produce would get through from that direction.

  More worrisome were the messages that revealed that toumens were fighting against each other, something that was unheard of for many years.

  So far, it was restricted to the ranmeron, only between General Kis-Halon Ordsson’s thirteenth and General Durmis Ephell’s eighteenth: a so-called neutral toumen against a toumen loyal to the Black Sword.

  It did not bode well.

  Some saving grace was that not every town was involved.

  Worse, though, was the underlying implication: the majority of the serious blood-letting outside the city was between the private armies of the nobles, jostling for position.

  This signified that the unrest was not merely due to displeasure with the king’s latest edict; no, this was the beginning of a civil war that threatened to consume all three cities of Lornwater and even beyond.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  AUDIENCE

  “We are more often bribed by

  our loyalties than our ambitions.”

  - Tangakol Tract

  Second Dekin of Fornious

  The royal palace, Old City, Lornwater

  “Sire,” said Zen-il, bowing, “I regret to inform you that the New City is almost entirely in the hands of the rebels.”

  “What?” Saurosen leaned forward on his throne.

  Jikkos touched his arm. “Calm yourself, dearest.” Neither stood on ceremony when the Prime Watchman was present.

  Saurosen nodded and eased back in his seat. “I thought there were only a few disturbances over the carnival. Surely my troops can quell this nonsense?”

  “Alas, sire, my watchmen tell me that only the troops in the dunsaron barracks are still holding out.”

  “And what about the doomsmen?”

  “All the doomsmen have joined the rebels, sire.”

  “And your watchmen – where does their allegiance lie?”

  “They uphold the law, sire, and do not take sides.” He sighed. “They attempt to maintain law and order, but in these circumstances it is an impossible task.”

  Queen Jikkos asked, “Do we know who is leading the rebels?”

  Zen-il sighed. “There are many factions, your highness. Nobody wears identifiable crests or colours. It is an absolute nightmare out there.”

  The queen glanced at Saurosen and shuddered visibly. She turned to Zen-il. “Prime, is the Second City secure?”

  Zen-il exhaled another sigh.

  “I wish you would stop sighing, Prime,” she berated, “it is quite aggravating!”

  “My apologies, your highness. The Second City is secure, though under siege by the rebels…” He paused, bit his lip; doubtless biting back on a sigh.

  “And?” she urged.

  “The rebels themselves are also under siege by the fourth toumen outside the city wall.”

  The queen eyed Saurosen. “Is this true? Have you ordered the fourth to enter the city?”

  “Well, yes, I send a saptor.”

  “It is folly to permit any toumen to enter the city! You know they can switch allegiance with the greatest of ease. Their generals are not as loyal as the palace guard, you can be sure!”

  “I have every faith in General Pinur Nhev. He and his foresters are loyal to the Black Sword.”

  “There’s the rub, my dear. Loyal to the Black Sword, not the king.”

  “You split hairs, Jikki. You’ll see; he and his men will come to my aid.”

  Prime Watchman Zen-il cleared his throat. “I have received a report from sector ten concerning Captain Aurelan Crossis, sire.”

  “Really?” said the queen.

  “Tell me more, Prime,” said the king.

  ***

  Daen hunting pavilion

  Baroness Laan Jaora pulled the sheepskin blanket up to her chin to cover her nakedness as the aide entered the room with a parchment message.

  Thin, willowy and naked, Haltese stood before the aide, the nevus on his neck in stark contrast to his yellow-brown complexion. She admired his slim physique, the tight buttocks, the narrow, sloping shoulders.

  “Send a saptor to generals Jaray Ulan Sihn and Luascar Quelin.”

  “Aye, sir. What is the message?”

  “Make ready your toumen…”

  The aide’s eyes started. He nodded and retreated, closing the door softly.

  So, thought Jaora, it has finally come to this. Was it what her husband had planned? Haltese against his father. Had Jhuren sided with the son, after all? That would prove awkward later, when Haltese became king, she realised, since she had bedded both…

  Her loyalty was to Jhuren and her heart belonged to him, naturally, but in the final analysis it depended on the fickle moods of Haltese. Snug under the animal skin, she did not relish a dungeon cell.

  ***

  Haltese turned to face Jaora and leered as she flung off the sheepskin. She stretched provocatively for him, splaying her legs. “We enter a new phase, my dear,” he said.

  “Enter…” she purred. “Yes, Haltese, do that…”

  As he made lo
ve, his mind was on more than gratification of the senses. He’d been using Jaora to influence her husband in order to get the nobles on his side; for he knew his own limitations in diplomacy and feared he might not be as pursuasive as Baron Laan. Now, it seemed that his ploy had worked.

  He thrust with added vigour, enjoying her. Jaora moaned and tensed exquisitely.

  It was no great hardship for him to maintain his liaison with her until the nobles declared themselves, then, reluctantly, he would send her back to her husband, since she would be of no further use to him.

  ***

  The royal palace, Old City, Lornwater

  Saurosen paced the throne room, Jikki watching anxiously. “If the reports are true!”

  “We don’t know, Sauri. There are bound to be rumours.”

  “Yes, but if there has been sporadic fighting in the Old City … on our very doorstep!”

  “I didn’t know our palace had a doorstep, dearest?”

  “Do not attempt to lighten my mood, Jikki!”

  “Very well. Reports say it was a small faction of rebellious city-dwellers in the dunsaron quarter that rose up.”

  “Ha! See!”

  She heaved a sigh. “But most of them were vanquished.”

  “There you have it. Only ‘most’ beaten, see!”

  “A few cowards hide. So what?”

  “So what? Because they’ll be biding their time!”

  “The numbers are not worth all this worry, Sauri, dearest.”

  At that moment, one of the sentries at the door announced, “The spider patrol, sire, is outside, ready to report.”

  “Spiders…” Saurosen whined.

  “Show them in!” Jikki commanded.

  The spider patrol comprised six soldiers. Their leader reported that two spiders had been found and disposed of with haste.

  Dismissing them with faint praise, Saurosen breathed easier, though only briefly. His brow darkened. Who is planting these spiders here?Launette would know how to get to the bottom of this plague of arachnids; nothing seemed to worry that man.

  He turned to his wife. “I am terribly vexed that the Lord-General has chosen this time to leave Lornwater.”

  “He has family commitments, Sauri. And bear in mind that his affiliation with Endawn can benefit Lornwater. You know that.”

  “That may be so, but I wonder if he deliberately planned to leave now for a wedding, so he would be unavailable. He’s a schemer, that one!”

  “You gave him leave to go.”

  “Yes, but that was before things got out of control here!”

  “Precisely, dearest. Launette couldn’t know the rebellion would erupt.”

  “Oh, Jikki, I dread what will become of us. Already the New City is in the hands of the rebels!”

  She kissed his cheek. “Your men can hold the Second and Old Cities against the rabble, dearest. Have faith!”

  He peered over his shoulder, his face creasing in puzzlement. “Where is Nemond Thand? By now that contingent shoud have brought him here to answer my questions…”

  “I will summon Sergeant Bayuan, dearest.”

  “And while you’re about it, I fear we should send for more toumens…”

  “What, the fourth won’t be enough? We’re talking about citizens, not soldiers. This uprising can be crushed, I’m sure, without recourse to soldiers.”

  “I do not have your conviction, dear Jikki. And remember, the fourth is good at fighting in woodland, not city streets.”

  “I most strongly advise against that notion. It would be precipitate to seek aid from other toumens yet.” Her face lit up. “I know, why not consult the Sardan?”

  He screwed-up his face, remembering how uncomfortable he felt in the presence of Nostor Vata; but she’d proven her worth time and again. “Very well, my dear.” He patted her cheek. “That is a good idea!” She always thought of his welfare and he loved her for it.

  ***

  Finally, word reached Aurelan Crossis that he was to be given his audience with the king. On his way, he first visited the palace guard, where he was welcomed by his loyal men. He noticed that Bayuan Aco didn’t appear so pleased to see him, though the man appeared to put on a brave face.

  Accompanied by Bayuan, he approached the throne room, his heart beating in anticipation.

  The door opened.

  But the king was not alone; he was flanked by two alert sentries.

  So Aurelan had little opportunity to drive a sword into the king’s chest. He’d anticipated the moment this long; a little more time did not matter too much. As always, the close proximity of the king threatened to make him sick: he continually had to guard against betraying the repugnance that twisted his insides.

  “Captain Aurelan Crossis, your highness!” barked Bayuan.

  Saurosen gestured vaguely. “Lord Tanellor told me of your bereavement, Captain Aurelan. I am sorry for it, but I have serious problems of my own and as you are my captain of the palace guard I expected you to be here.”

  Aurelan bowed his head. “My apology, sire, I was given leave by Lord Tanellor. At the time when I left for Oxor, there was no indication of an open rebellion. I was greatly surprised to learn of the unrest in the New City.”

  “Yet you – a member of the palace guard – managed to get through without hindrance.” The king’s tone dripped with suspicion.

  “I met few who knew my identity, sire.” He tapped the hilt of his sword. “And few others would dare waylay me.”

  “Even so, I have a mind to punish you for dereliction of duty!”

  Aurelan lowered his eyes. “I wish to serve, sire.”

  “Well, considering your family loss, I am feeling magnanimous. And I have already been notified about your valour in Neran Square.”

  “Your eyes are all-seeing, your highess.”

  “We will not speak of your dereliction of duty again.”

  “Thank you, my liege.”

  “Now, do your job, and secure the palace. In particular, make sure the escape tunnels are clear – since there have been earth tremors, some of them might have become blocked.”

  Aurelan saluted. “It will be done, my king.” He turned and brushed past the guards and left, while the king told Sergeant Bayuan Aco to stay behind.

  Another chance wasted! Perhaps he needed to set a plot that isolated the king.

  ***

  “Now, Sergeant Bayuan,” the king said, “tell me why I have not interviewed my cousin Thand yet. I understood you sent men to arrest him. That is so, isn’t it?”

  “Y-yes, sire. I am at a loss to understand why they have not yet returned.”

  “They have not returned?”

  “I was just going to send two men to chase them, sire.”

  “Just?” Gnashing his teeth, the king stalked up to the sergeant, his face so close his breath could be felt. “Bring me Thand, Sergeant, or by all the gods you will answer to Che-man Car!”

  ***

  Sector one, Old City, Lornwater

  Watchman Dasse Clan reported directly to Welde Dep. “Sir, I was in the Open House and overheard a group of nobles plotting. Considering the unrest, I considered it wise to place them under arrest.”

  “Plotting in what way, Dasse?”

  “They did not look favourably upon the king, sir.”

  “Who are we speaking about?”

  “Ban-so, the slaver, Pelnoo the financier…”

  “Pelnoo? Interesting! Go on, who else?”

  “Yes, sir. Qued…”

  “I am surprised. As a recently elevated noble and ex-soldier, he owes his new status to the king…”

  “My contacts imply that Qued owes the house of Laan for the recommendation of his ennoblement.”

  “Indeed. Quite a cell-full. Anyone else?”

  “Xarop…”

  Welde Dep nodded. “I’m not surprised, even though he is one of the oldest nobles in the city. Since his daughter was recently widowed, I imagine Xarop is anxious to find security for her and f
eels that can best be gained outside the remit of the king.”

  Dasse Clan’s eyes were alight in admiration. “You have your finger on the pulse of all of them, sir!”

  “It comes from being head of the Special Investigation Branch for eleven years.”

  “Perhaps one day I will be able to emulate you, sir.”

  “You’re doing very well as it is, Dasse Clan.”

  “Thank you, sir. What shall I do with them?”

  “Let them stew for a day or so.” Welde Dep stroked his chin. “It’s an intriguing group. Do you have any idea who brought them together?”

  “No, sir. I’d barely entered the inn when one of their group left their table and went out through another door. I couldn’t see who it was: he wore a cloak and was hooded.”

  “And none of these nobles will volunteer any information about this absent associate?”

  “No, sir. Not one.”

  ***

  Second Sidin of Fornious

  Manderranmeron Fault

  Lord-General Launette reined in his horse to a halt on the crest of a slope that led down to the ranmeron edge of the Fault. His good eye easily discerned a grouping of his advance guard from the fourteenth toumen clustered at the structure of the Ren-Kan Crossing. A contingent of similar size was already stationed at the Andorestil crossing, further manderon, in an attempt to confound prying eyes. These two crossing points were chosen by engineers expressly because they were the narrowest sections of the fault on the road to Endawn.

  Captain Omagma steered his horse alongside him.

  “Let’s go ahead, Captain, and prepare the Ren-kan family for the crossing.”

  “Aye, sir. They’ll hardly believe their luck.” Omagma thumbed at the caravan. “So much coinage, it must be beyond their wildest dreams!”

  “You are mistaken, Captain. The crossing family earns a good living.” Plenty of large trading caravans and diverse travellers had to be transported from the heights of the ranmeron side, down to the rocky floor of the fault itself, and then up the manderon side. Coin was required to transport each person and vehicle. “Even so, rarely does a caravan as large as this avail itself of the Ren-kan family.”