Servants and Followers

by Courtney Bowen

  He didn’t know who they were, what they were supposed to be doing, but they caused quite a stir. They might be important, or it might be a bunch of hoopla over nothing.

  He hoped they’d be okay, and he wouldn’t get caught up in their wake. He needed to report to Marlo, but what would he say to the steward about these newcomers?

  * * * *

  “Harmless?” Fobata read the report his steward had handed to him.

  “What’s the matter, my lord?” Goga reluctantly asked.

  He sat in the corner of the study he and Lord Fobata went to almost every other afternoon, currently drinking a bottle of wine by himself. Most afternoons Fobata and Goga would play a game of chess, or drink and talk about their daily affairs, occasionally touching upon their duties to Doomba.

  Fobata quite liked the study, imagining himself to be a studious man who enjoyed reading. But Goga was indifferent, never having been a book reader and unable to imagine what sort of joy Fobata might get.

  He only attended these meetings to get some wine and a break from his tedious job guarding a backwoods castle that saw little if any action. He also enjoyed the change of venue from his outdoor work, which could always be counted upon to provide some discomfort. Of course, today was different, this was already their second meeting today.

  “I put Marlo in charge of spying on the newcomers, but he ordered another servant to do it instead. In this report, they declared the group’s mostly harmless, which I don’t believe. Do you?”

  Goga rolled his eyes at the mundane affairs of bureaucracy, always passing along the task for others to accomplish and fail at. “I can’t say for sure. I duelled one of them this morning. He didn’t seem threatening, though he’d some luck in prolonging the fight.”

  Goga frowned, mulling over the wine. “It quickly ended, but I didn’t kill him when I could’ve. Aren’t you proud of me?”

  “I’m proud.” Fobata stared at the report like its ink color might change. “Something’s terribly wrong. I feel like we’re not doing something right. That we’re forgetting or overlooking something important.”

  “Oh, grow up, you’re being paranoid. Perhaps this whole thing’s unnecessary in the first place. Have you ever thought that?”

  “I’ve messed up too many times in the past to afford another mistake. If they want these children, I’ll arrest them. I’ve no other choice. I’m merely acting upon orders, that’s the only sense I can find. Understood?”

  “Completely. What can go wrong?”

  “I don’t know. I’m afraid.”

  Goga scoffed. “You’ve got that right.”

  “I’m serious, this sense of unease’s plaguing me. Like I’ve got to face this great big thing and I’ve no idea what I’m dealing with. I’m not ready.”

  “My lord, you’re forty years old, and you’re being naïve. You’ve got to face whatever this thing is, and destroy it, or else it’ll destroy you. Understand?”

  Fobata silently nodded. “Good, I’m going to the stables,” Goga got up from his chair, leaving behind an empty wine bottle. “I must tend to my horse.” He burped. “Excuse me, my lord.” He left the study.

  Fobata sighed, and rubbed his cheek. “I need to shave. If my wife was still alive, she would’ve told me so,” He glared at the empty spot Goga had occupied. “No thanks to you.”

  Goga staggered down the hallway, singing, “I embrace the darkness...”

  * * * *

  Janus sorted through the castle laundry, folding up and bundling clothes into separate piles for every room, when Nisa came up alongside him. “You still haven’t answered all of my questions.” She dumped out her own load to sort through.

  Janus glanced around to make sure no one untrustworthy was listening to them. “I’ve got my reasons to lay low. I hope you respect them.”

  “Why here, though? Why send a spy to this place unless the king or government distrusts those in charge or suspects some wrongdoing? Something is going on and I’ve a right to know what sort of threats or dangers my group might be facing.”

  “They’re not your group, though. They’ve no idea that you’re traveling along with them, spying.”

  “How do—you told them I was here?”

  “No, though the bird might know, he keeps his own state secrets as well. I don’t think he’d blurt it out to your companions. Who’re they, though, that group traveling to find Tau’s Cup that Black Wolves chase after?”

  “Nothing that need concern you. You’ve got your own problems to worry about, haven’t you? Spying on Lord Fobata and his entire household, finding out as much as you can about their allegiances and what sort of business might be going on.”

  Janus sighed. “We’re getting nowhere like this. None of us is willing to share anything, yet our information is vital enough that the other party needs to know. We’re likely to continue pestering each other until one or both of us breaks, exposing everything, and practically drawing attention to ourselves from others. We’d be lucky to escape with our lives, which seems rather pointless when it’s a matter of trust and faith in a little exchange between partners.”

  “I certainly don’t consider you a partner of mine, unless you count espionage under our respective fields as being a close tie, which it mostly certainly isn’t. It’s the very definition of an opposition when our concerns might be completely conflicting and we could very well be enemies instead of allies.”

  “I don’t believe that at all.” Janus smiled. “I believe we’re on the same side, whether we know it or not, and we might actually benefit ourselves if we knew exactly what the other person’s dealing with. If you knew what I know, you might help your group, and if I knew what you know, then I might have a better understanding of the situation involving them.”

  “There’s a situation involving them?” Nisa asked.

  “It’s happening right now with Fobata and Goga. They’re probably having a discussion about it even as we speak.”

  Nisa frowned, debating what she should do as she studied Janus. “A free exchange of the general information regarding our respective goals and missions, without going into detail?”

  “Fine by me. Whenever you’re ready.”

  Chapter 11

  Gnat’s Run

  Release me, and I’ll run, as fast as I can;

  Release me, and I’ll go, as far as I can;

  Release me and I’ll be trapped in the

  Fear left behind.

  ~ Song of Running, Tarak

  It took a while for the group to locate, and secretly arrange to talk with Gnat. But finally she met them just before sunset in the boys’ room on the pretense of delivering more blankets.

  “First of all, I want to apologize.” Gnat said. “I’m not involved, never was a Follower of Doomba. Yet I still know I should help you all.”

  “How’d you find out about whatever this is?” Basha asked.

  “Servants like me often go unnoticed. Sometimes, we hear things when others don’t know we’re there. A message came several weeks ago, but I only heard about it this morning. Lord Fobata and Captain Goga were meeting in a study where I was cleaning up, which they normally don’t do. I hid myself inside an armoire when I heard them coming. I didn’t want to be seen by them, especially Goga.”

  Gnat cleared her throat. “Anyway, I heard them arguing. Goga was complaining to Lord Fobata that they’d expected a group to arrive on Markee 14, yesterday. They’d been warned by this Lord Crow to beware this group, because they’d bring a lot of trouble with them. The only group that arrived were you all.”

  “Lord Crow.” Fato shifted on his perch.

  “Is that the only reason? That’s both pretty vague and specific.” Basha said.

  “I know it doesn’t make sense, but it’s true. Even they doubted it, especially Captain Goga. He doesn’t trust Lord Crow, said he was their ‘old friend’ sarcastically. There was even something about bloodlines. Somehow Lord Crow had the most to gain, and Captain Goga was at the bot
tom.”

  “I don’t believe this,” Oaka got up. “First, you say they’re Followers of Doomba. Now you’re talking about bloodlines, and Lord Crow, whoever that is, and that we’re only targets of this whole debacle just because we happened to arrive on a specific day chased by Black Wolves.”

  This was exactly what Oaka feared, the proof that it was possible Doomba was somehow involved, yet he struggled to deal with it.

  “It’s true! We’ve known or suspected for years that Goga and Fobata were Followers, but it wasn’t until a few months ago that Janus—” Gnat gasped. “Ask Fato!”

  “Fato?” Monika asked as the others faced him.

  Fato winced and lowered his head. “I’ve a message for King Sonnagh from Janus, a spy employed by His Majesty, that Janus intends to sabotage Lord Fobata and Captain Goga, who are Followers of Doomba. That’s all I’ve got to say at the moment.”

  Fato was thinking about the woman he’d seen with Janus today, but it probably wasn’t worth mentioning. Nor was the rest of the message to King Sonnagh, when it dealt with a private matter.

  “Why didn’t you stop us?” Monika asked.

  “I did try to warn you all against coming here, that we should bypass Coe Aela. But you three wouldn’t listen to me. I couldn’t tell you about the message when it’s a state secret.”

  “Never mind.” Basha said, angry at the bird as he turned to Gnat. “So it’s true. Fobata and Goga are Followers of Doomba, and Lord Crow must’ve found out Fato had this message, and was coming back here.”

  “It still doesn’t make sense.” Oaka wondered if Basha was coming up with another excuse for why Doomba and his minions were after them.

  “Does it matter?” Basha asked Oaka. “We’ve got to go. Gnat is our only way out. There’s a way, right, and we can get out tonight?” Basha asked Gnat as Oaka shook his head.

  “Why do you think I’m here? There’s a way and we can all go as soon as you’re packed.”

  The group started collecting bags, and Monika was about to slip out to go to her room when she asked, “What about the horses?”

  “I’m afraid it’s not going to be possible to get them out.” Gnat said.

  Monika grimaced, sad about leaving her horse Deja behind, but she still left to gather her belongings.

  The others paused, thinking about their own beloved animals as Basha lowered his head. “I suppose we should’ve known. There’s something else I need, though, in the stables. It’s in my horse’s stall, a sheathed sword attached to the saddle. Can we get the weapon out?”

  “You really want to go to that trouble for the Coe Anji sword?” Oaka asked.

  “I suppose, but it’s far better for you all to get out and I’ll fetch the sword, if you really need it.” Gnat said.

  “Thanks, I do.” Basha patted Gnat on the back. “I don’t know how we can repay you. Do you want to come with us? Get away from Coe Aela, and Captain Goga?”

  “That definitely sounds like a good idea.” Fato remarked.

  “I can’t.” Gnat lowered her head. “Thanks, but it wouldn’t be fair to the other servants, to Janus even, if I were to just go. I’m not ready yet. Maybe someday, when we’re all together, but not yet.”

  “You should go.” Fato said.

  They rearranged their load, leaving behind a few possessions so that they could carry enough for the trip without weighing themselves down. Gnat led the way through the corridors of Coe Aela.

  She paused to shove them into alcoves or abandoned rooms if she thought someone was coming they should beware of, but for the most part no one was about at this hour. Gnat opened a door that led outside.

  Basha had gotten turned around, but as he looked out, he knew it wasn’t the front, back, or east bailey, but the west bailey, which apparently had been abandoned by groundskeepers. Weeds ran rampant, vines crawled up the walls and trees, and irregularly shaped and untrimmed bushes gathered together in clumps.

  Statues, allowed to break and fall, had been left lying beside still, dry fountains. The group stared at this grim sight as Gnat crept up to the curtain wall, feeling around amidst the vines.

  No sentries were within sight on the ramparts as Gnat paused and pushed aside some vines, waving the group over. They came over and felt the gap in the wall.

  She pushed them through the hole, barely large enough for a full-grown woman to slip through, but Oaka and Basha managed it after Monika. Gnat came through and Fato had flown over the ramparts.

  Trees clumped together outside of Coe Aela, the start of Mila Forest, hid the hole from where the guards could’ve seen it on top of the ramparts. Basha gasped, turning around to face the hole in the failing light.

  “How’d this happen?”

  “No clue. It’s been there for a while, I think.” Gnat panted. “Perhaps as far back as when Fobata’s ancestors claimed they’d invaded this impenetrable castle. No one knows how, but maybe it was through this breach?”

  “I hope they’ve forgotten about this,” Monika muttered as she and the others followed Gnat through the forest.

  Gnat led the way, trying not to trip over everything as they ran until they came upon a glade surrounded by wild oaks. A waterfall tumbled down a rock formation’s lip into a pool with a thin creek wheedling away from it.

  Gnat went around the pool toward the rocks at the edge of the outcrop, and they followed her slowly across the slick surface, careful not to slip. They hesitated as they thought she might be leading them to a dead end at the waterfall. But then she slipped through without coming back out, so they followed her and nearly fell over the edge of the cave mouth.

  “Sorry!” Gnat called back, lifting her head. “I should’ve warned you all. It’s just a bit further. You all should be safe in here until it’s clear to leave with Basha’s sword.”

  Fato flew into the cave just above their heads, flapping about to shake off the water he’d been doused with. The others shook off the droplets as well, wondering if the bird was going to explore the cavern.

  “Why can’t we just go?” Oaka asked. “Leave Coe Aela, Goga, and all of this stuff behind. Why should we wait?”

  “Because I need the sword, Oaka.” Basha started to say.

  Monika shushed him, staring straight ahead into the half-illuminated darkness, which shimmered with the waterfall and falling sunlight. She thought she’d seen something glisten in there, something she’d never seen before, yet she recognized it.

  “Oh, no! Not again!” Fato cried in the distance inside the cave.

  “There’s another reason, isn’t there?” Monika asked, staring down at Gnat. “Why you’ve brought us here?”

  “Is she going to betray us?” Oaka asked. “Is this like a second trap to lull us all into believing you?”

  “It’s not a trap, it’s important.” Gnat stomped her foot. “I need to show you all this so that you can understand. It’s something you might need,” She turned away. “Climb down, slowly, carefully.”

  The others followed her, inch-by-inch until they made it down onto the cavern floor. Monika thought she knew what was here, what she’d been searching for since last Havin.

  Part of her dreaded finding it, as it might mean she was someone completely different from what she’d thought of herself before. Yet it was also a confirmation of sorts, that she was the person she’d thought herself to be, or at least suspected.

  This might be the culmination of all her efforts in finding it. Fato flapped down to join them, landing on Oaka’s shoulder.

  “This place is amazing.” Fato looked about. “Difficult to see with very little light, but what I could see…it’s amazing to think what water can do to create a place like this.”

  “What happened to you? Why’d you scream?” Oaka asked.

  “Nothing.” Fato muttered.

  “I came here quite by accident, exploring around some years ago,” Gnat walked deeper into the cavern. “Occasionally the washerwomen use the pool above to clean laundry in, and I accompanied
them. I nearly fell into the cave the first time, but I managed the climb down after a while. I kept coming back, sneaking out through the hole in the wall that I found in the meantime. I was lured here, in a way.”

  Gnat lifted her head. “I heard or felt a presence, not human, but not exactly a thing either.” She stopped in front of—they couldn’t see it clearly, thrusting up out of the darkness.

  “It sang to me, whispered to me a lullaby I’d never heard before, soft and gentle, like a mother I’d never known.” Gnat stood aside.

  They saw the hilt, pommel, and its guard, above the wavy figure of a curved sword in its blue scabbard thrust into the cave floor. The light from above touched a hint of blue, turquoise, cobalt and azul in the darkness, from the leather hilt down to the blade’s wavy steel-forged lines.

  “What is it?” Basha stepped forward to stare at its appealing form.

  But Oaka recoiled slightly. It assaulted his senses, made him feel trapped, cornered, like he might be drowned or quenched.

  “What’s wrong with you?” Fato asked now, frowning at Oaka. “At least it’s not so bad.”

  “Not so bad?” Oaka asked, shocked. “Compared to what?”

  “Compared to the Coe Anji sword.” Fato glanced briefly at Basha.

  They could feel the qualities Gnat mentioned of a gentle, sweet, nurturing touch they longed to take comfort in. Yet it was also a powerful wave that could sweep them away to a far-off land where they might never find home. Wash away all they’d ever known. Oaka was afraid of that awesome power.

  “It’s a sword, and not just any sword,” Gnat turned to Monika. “It’s your sword, isn’t it? Powerful, like the way you fight, a Blue Sword of water.”

  “The Blue Sword of Arria.” Fato muttered to himself.

  Monika stared down at her weapon. When she dreamed about Renrawr’s death, the water closed in on her, as if she’d fallen into the ocean instead.

  But she didn’t drown as she might’ve done, when she didn’t know how to swim. No, instead, she dreamed of being swallowed up by the water, floating and sinking at the same time as she breathed in water like a fish.