Forcing my thoughts from her but not my desires, I left the room abruptly and descended the stairs to the tavern below where I consumed large quantities of wine and in time took an available blonde headed slave to an alcove but afterwards knew no peace.
19. MARCH TO TASLEA
My efforts towards finding a patron so that we could live obscurely in Runah through winter’s passing met with only moderate success. I sought a position with a single shop owner who would provide a private room for me and my “slave” as well as meals and a modest salary. My “slave” would be required to work in the shop but protected by my sword the Lady Shelba was prepared to do her part in helping me assure her safety. After the lifelong confines of the Great House of Rahdon, she looked forward to her new role as slave in Runah. Even as a slave she would experience and see more than she ever had as a Free Woman of the High Caste. This freedom to see and experience would all end with her return to Taslea.
Ctesias and Koptos had much enjoyed their night with the Rashmalan slaves on the caravan and so it came as no surprise when they suggested we locate the tavern in which the slaves would perform and that we see them the night before their departure. They arrived at our room boisterous and mildly intoxicated. I departed with a final word of caution to Shelba who remained silent.
We located the dancers performing in a sizeable place called the Love Nest. The tavern offered a wide selection of slaves and specialized in exotic entertainment. Our serving girl informed us that the Rashmalan beauties were featured at least twice a year.
Ctesias was convinced that he had so thoroughly introduced his slave dancer to the joys of love with a man that she would rush to him the moment the dance was finished. Koptos and I sought to cool his enthusiasm but met with no success. Ctesias could be very stubborn.
The crowd of merrymakers gathered for the performance showed little interest in the readily available tavern slaves. Unlike the Four Feathers in Taslea, the Love Nest did not cater to Sekers. Many were present but so too were merchants and shop owners of the Low Caste. Even a few of the High Caste were seated at front row tables. The slave dancers of Rashmalan were a star attraction and a crowd pleaser. The serving slaves were flushed and excited, no doubt in anticipation of the hours following the dance.
We were unable to get near the dance floor through the crowd and were forced to stand far to the rear, much to Ctesias’s consternation. We had finished two pitchers of wine and already Koptos was preoccupied with our petite serving girl.
Ctesias concentrated on his drink but soon spotted a fellow Seker of Taslea from the cut and color of his tunic. He went to exchange pleasantries while I was content enjoying the fine wine and watching the varied crowd. Ctesias returned shortly much disturbed and pulled Koptos from the slave girl over to me at the table.
“We must leave for Taslea at once,” he said, a sense of urgency in his voice. “My friend there arrived only today directly from home and he says that the Great House of Rahdon is in immediate peril.”
“How?” I asked.
“He had no details but this upstart Zagos is involved,” Ctesias concluded. We could not leave that minute as Runah like many cities closed its gates at dusk and left them sealed until dawn. We would not be allowed to leave no matter how urgent our needs.
I made arrangements to meet my companions at the main gate before it would open. They were going to pass the word throughout the city searching for other Rahdon Sekers. I hurried through the streets to my tavern for I would need to make arrangements for the Lady Shelba.
I awakened her and informed her that I must leave that very night. Startled by my unwelcome news she nevertheless recalled a Lesser House in Runah, one with which her father had favorable contacts and which she believed would take her in. We would lose a degree of safety, as she must enter their House a Free Woman and within days, travelers would carry the news to Taslea that she was in Runah. But the situation in Taslea was such that I believed the risk justified.
I had purchased the garments of a Free Woman shortly after we had arrived, never knowing when they might be needed and now had her dress herself in them. She did so slowly and with apparent reluctance. With my key, I removed the slave collar placed about her neck before we had departed Taslea.
Her moist, sad eyes rested upon me and ever so softly she said, “So easily I become free again and no longer your slave.”
“You were never my slave.”
She gave me a strange, lingering look. I hurried her from the tavern and escorted her to the House of Landor. Just as we were about to approach the main doorway she pressed me against a wall and with tears in her eyes kissed me fiercely upon the lips.
“Go in safety, Jon and know that you have a lifelong friend in me.” She hurried to the doorway and I was just barely able to catch up to her as she approached the Sekers. Within a few minutes she was admitted and the arrangements complete.
###
Before dawn I was at the main gate where Ctesias and Koptos awaited me as did five other Rahdon Sekers. It was our intent to force march for Taslea. In this manner we could cover nearly four times the distance a caravan typically traveled in one day. We expected to reach the city in four days, barring unforeseen difficulties. At the appointed hour we eight men set out for our home marching at a rapid pace. We would not arrive too late if we could prevent it.
The following days consisted of marching, running and fitful hours of sleep. The trek was uneventful until we approached the forest’s edge before entering the extensive cultivated fields in the valley beyond the great stone walls of Taslea. We had pushed ourselves as hard as we dared but still maintained fine spirits. We passed a lone caravan on the second day but saw no others. We stopped for a brief final rest when I suggested we not take the road to Taslea any further.
“But why not?” asked Koptos.
“As we are about to leave the forest we will no longer be in danger from outlaws.
Traveling cross country will only slow us slightly compared with remaining on the road. If the House of Khonos has moved against us than perhaps it was anticipated that help would arrive and if so then steps may have been taken to prevent our entry.”
There was a murmur among the men before reluctantly agreeing to my course of action and when we set out we crossed into the forest, taking farmer trails towards Taslea once we descended out of the trees. As we crossed over the first major hill at the edge of the farms one of our group spotted a road block along the main road in the distance. It was manned by Sekers who stopped only the incoming traffic. None with me had ever before heard of such actions.
We could not identify the Sekers from this distance but not one of us doubted which House they served.
As we pushed for Taslea, I thought of what might greet us when we arrived. Zagos would not have moved unless he was certain of success or desperate. We had effectively eliminated Shelba from his evil plans but a schemer such as he would have alternate methods for achieving his goals.
The Seker with whom Ctesias had spoken at the tavern in Runah had only been able to tell him that the Great House of Rahdon was in danger of falling. He had not known the details of the threat, only that acts of violence against members of the household were common, that Zagos played a part and that it was believed in only a short time the Great House would cease to be.
Our party elected to approach the wall surrounding the city by a minor road, entering through one of the smaller gates. As we passed through the gate amidst a contingency of farmers, Sekers spotted us and calling out for reinforcements, set after us weapons drawn. We broke through the farmers and made for the nearest side street which would lead us approximately in the direction of the Great House of Rahdon. The Sekers behind us, not surprisingly of the House of Khonos, pushed and bullied their way through the crowd and set after us, toppling carts, trampling the small and elderly as they went.
We ran at full speed down back alleys and narrow streets seeking to lose our pursuers. Our efforts met with success f
or in time we reached one of the several rear entrances to our House without confrontation.
We caught our breath as we examined the scene before us. Apparently, the House of Khonos largely controlled the streets of Taslea. Most Sekers visible were of their House and a detail of them loitered near the doorway to our own.
We spoke in whispers as we discussed our options.
One of the men, urged an immediate frontal assault. The mood was such that action held great appeal for them. I argued that until we knew the true situation, our duty lay in reaching the Urak’s House intact. If enemies were to be slain it could wait until we had direct orders to do so or until the situation left us no alternatives. This was no such situation. The men reluctantly saw the matter my way and the realization that I was after all a Commander of One Hundred had no small part in convincing them.
My plan was, as most good plans were, very simple. One of us would circle around and attempt to gain entry from the opposite side. The Sekers would at once pursue him and leave the door unguarded, or at the least, guarded by fewer. The remaining men of my party would then charge the doorway. Hopefully, help would come from within the house but even without in it most of us would gain entry.
The only weakness in the plan was the fate of the Seker who drew the rest towards him. Because of the risks involved I informed the men that I would be the one to circle around. Ctesias and Koptos both objected but I insisted and as the ranking Seker, they were bound by my decision. I bid them a hasty farewell and moved quickly to the opposite side whereupon I strolled casually up to the entrance. I feigned surprise at seeing the enemy Sekers and the moment they broke for me I turned on my heel. I had no way of knowing if my men had successfully made its entry but at the same time I had other matters of concern.
I cut through a fabric shop and came out into an alley, then a short distance away entered the rear of a tavern. I broke across a main street and ran into a pottery shop, then out the rear and in a headlong flight raced down the alley until I was winded. I could not remain in the open so I entered the rear of another tavern. An empty alcove was at hand so I stepped inside, pulling the curtain behind me. Fortunately, business was slow and I remained undisturbed. In time, I walked out of the tavern and strolled down a short street to a clothing shop where I purchased a tunic which the tailor quickly altered to the style of the House of Khonos. He informed me that he had been doing a lot of that lately.
A short time later, smiling, I made my way back to the rear entrance of the House of Rahdon, hoping someone who knew me by sight manned the door within.
20. SIEGE AT THE GREAT HOUSE OF RAHDON
She was a lovely slave girl and a most ardent, skilled lover. Naked beside me, her soft hand stroked my stomach, her head to my chest. Tanah from the baths hummed a pleasant tune and moved the calf of her leg luxuriously against mine.
“I am happy you returned, Master. I feared when no one had word of you. Has Tanah pleased you this night?”
“Yes, you have pleased me much. Now let me sleep. I must rest.”
She stretched and smiling mischievously, slid her hand down my stomach, searching for me. “Must you sleep now, Master?”
Of course she was right. I did not need to sleep just that moment.
###
The Sekers in front of the entrance had greeted me earlier as I strolled to the doorway. I smiled and walked through them until I reached the door. The House of Khonos had quickly expanded its Seker force, acquiring mercenaries, outlaws and misfits so rapidly, few knew each other by sight.
Calling out to the Sekers of Rahdon within, I turned my back to the entrance and pulling steel, proceeded to make short work of three Sekers, two of whom died before unsheathing their weapons.
I had my hands full with the rest, thrusting and parrying, all the while calling out to those on the other side of the door. I anticipated I would last only a short time against the remaining men as I continued the fight but more desperately now as gradually their superior numbers overwhelmed me.
At last I heard shouting behind me and saw Ctesias, Koptos and Lonnan along with others entering the fray. One of ours fell but many more of the House of Khonos did as well. Shortly thereafter, the survivors relented and broke ranks. We entered the House, barring the door behind us.
“Your assistance was most timely,” I remarked, breathing heavily, leaning against the wall, nearly exhausted.
Lonnan replied, “We watched you approach the Sekers of Khonos and I suggested that perhaps you might need assistance but your good friends Koptos and Ctesias assured me that so few would present no difficulty for you.”
“My two friends, you say? No difficulty they said? I take it then, you observed me from the beginning and could have rendered assistance at any time?”
“You think us incompetent, Hunter?” Ctesias replied. “Of course we saw you. We
merely assumed you would have no problems with so few of the enemy. We are aware that you spent over a month, alone, with the Lady Shelba. After that experience we thought you prepared for any number of Sekers.”
Laughing, we left the doorway to others and went in search of wine. I wished to know the state of matters and Lonnan was just the man to tell me.
###
I laughed with Lonnan in his cubicle, sharing a flask. Ctesias and Koptos had gone to the gymnasium for a bath and to select a slave for later that evening.
“Tell me then, Lonnan, what has occurred since I left?” Lonnan took a short swig of wine and began.
Shortly after I had departed with the Lady Shelba on the caravan bound for Lathanah, Zagos had demanded a seat on the Council of the High Caste. This had been unprecedented, since historically membership was restricted to the head of a recognized House and by practice only to one born High Caste. Zagos had only recently been placed on the Lists of the High Caste of Taslea and his new demand met with strong resistance. But only at first.
The head of the House of Khonos submitted a letter of adoption which proclaimed Zagos his first born son. Within days he announced his intention to step down from the Council because of ill health and nominated his adopted son, the upstart Zagos, as the properly designated representative of the House of Khonos on the Council of the High Caste.
Other first born sons served on the Council but all were naturally born and not raised in Caste as Zagos. None were adopted. The Council resisted but was trapped by its own customs. Urak Rahdon could normally have been depended upon to lead a strong opposition but instead was ineffectual and distracted by minor procedural details. Without his effective opposition, Zagos bullied his way onto the Council.
For a time, matters remained calm. Increasingly the House of Khonos was reclusive and members of the Khonos family were no longer seen in public or at the usual High Caste social functions.
Zagos alone spoke for the family and was seen everywhere. He lavished gifts on influential men and it was said, curried favor with merchants in secret business with members of the Council of the High Caste. Each day that passed saw the number of Sekers for the House of Khonos grow. Many were strange to Taslea, suspected outlaws from other cities and many had been fired by other substantial employers for good cause.
“Surely, this Zagos has been exhausting the resources of the House of Khonos to pay for all of this,” I commented. Lonnan nodded then continued with the story.
Although the numbers of Sekers employed by Zagos had grown several fold, they maintained a low profile within the city. Seven minor Houses allied themselves with the House of Khonos under suspicious circumstances. Several prominent and well respected members of the Council were murdered. Others were assaulted and incapacitated. Each turn of events increased Zagos’s influence.
Zagos particularity was adept at ingratiating himself into the social circles of the High Caste, comprised mostly of young idle family members. They looked down upon him but responded to gold and, it was said, to the depraved offerings of his torture chambers and numerous slaves.
He appeale
d to the basest side of many high born, with remarkable success. It was said that some were held in captive in his house while pressure was applied to their families. Others of respected families who took part in his depravities found themselves blackmailed for their support on the Council of the High Caste.
Thus by such vile means did Zagos seek to further debase the offspring of the High Caste and use such measures as were most expedient to influence the heads of the families.
Less than one month after he was placed upon the Council of the High Caste, he felt himself strong enough to risk his next move. Zagos petitioned the Council to have the House of Khonos elevated to a Great House of Taslea, one of but eight if granted. The Council stalled on his petition, reluctant to take such a drastic step. Seeing their hesitation he proposed then that to demonstrate good faith the House of Khonos assume some duties of a Great House while the Council considered the merits of his claim for elevation.
Following a lengthy debate, during which Urak Rahdon failed to speak, the request was granted. One of the responsibilities now falling to the House of Khonos was the duty to patrol the streets of Taslea and the surrounding countryside for one month in each year.
Some days before our arrival the House of Khonos had assumed these functions for the first time. Initially the patrols did well and performed much as those of the Great Houses. Abuses were rare in this system for each month brought new patrols into the streets and the new Sekers were quick to repay any abuses perpetrated by their predecessors. Pride and tradition, of course, were the two elements which most discouraged misuse of power. These new patrols of the House of Khonos possessed neither quality as soon became apparent.
Hunter: Warrior of Doridia (The Saga of Jon Hunter Book 1) Page 17