by Davis Ashura
“Jaresh’s actions don’t come close to meriting such a punishment,” Bree said, also sounding offended. “It’s preposterous.”
“Hal’El and his House claim differently,” Sophy said calmly. “They say Suge was too inebriated to have full control of his actions or his words. They also offer a very unique challenge. One I’ve never come across. We’ll have to have someone research the medical and law journals to find out if it has any true basis in fact.”
Amma glanced at Sophy, a disapproving frown on her face. “Will you tell him, or must he guess?”
Sophy smiled slightly and nodded acknowledgment of the mild rebuke. “House Wrestiva claims that you are able to conduct Jivatma from your Well, and with it, increase your speed and power. They say you used these…questionable means to defeat Suge, even after knowing he was too intoxicated to offer fair combat. Therefore, it was a purposeful and malicious killing. Thus, the Slash of Iniquity.”
Jaresh sat back, not knowing whether to laugh or be offended. House Wrestiva’s claim regarding his supposed abilities was utterly idiotic. It bordered on the sacrilegious. A barking laugh escaped him. “They must be as mad as Suwraith if they think anyone will believe such a ridiculous fable. Like Bree said: it’s preposterous. Only Kummas can use Jivatma like that.”
“Not necessarily,” Amma said. “According to our preliminary research there may be a few anecdotal cases from other Castes, specifically Murans and Rahails doing exactly what the Wrestivas claim. The Talent only manifested in the heat of battle when death was a near certainty. There is even one supposed case of Kumma casting a Blend.”
“Myths more like it,” Durmer muttered.
Amma shrugged. “No matter how unlikely the Wrestiva claim, we have to treat it as a defensible argument.”
Bree’s eyes widened in sudden insight. “They want to claim Jaresh is Tainted. They’ll say Jaresh has either learned our Talent having been raised as a Kumma, or it manifested as these others did: in the heat of battle with his life on the line. Either way, if they get enough ‘Els to agree with them, they could decide Suge’s death wasn’t malicious, but Jaresh’s supposed Kumma Talents warrant his expulsion from Ashoka. Either way, Jaresh would be dead.”
Nanna nodded. “I agree. That is their ultimate goal: Jaresh expelled from Ashoka, by whatever means necessary.”
Jaresh snorted. “It still sounds like a thin line upon which to hang their case.”
“So it is,” Durmer said. “But that’s not the issue.”
Jaresh nodded. “I know. We spoke of it last night. They’ll use their political influence to achieve the judgment they desire rather than appeal to rationality or facts.”
Garnet grunted. “Spoken like a true Sentya,” he said, in his hoarse, croak of a voice.
“It is who I ultimately am,” Jaresh replied.
Nanna shook his head. “No. You are Sentya by birth and breeding, but your heart is ours. You are Kumma. Never forget it.”
“I hardly think…” Jaresh began.
“It is who you are,” Amma interrupted. “We never expected you to take to the Trials, but you did and you’ve been chosen. Your sword is equal to that of the finest Murans and Rahails.” She stared Jaresh in the eyes. “In your heart, you are Kumma.”
“It is true,” Durmer said. His words were unexpectedly kind, more complimentary than any Jaresh had ever heard from the old man. The Great Duriah had actually sounded affectionate.
Jaresh blinked back sudden tears. He’d never expected to hear such words.
Nanna smiled. “And now that Durmer has suitably embarrassed you, we need to move on and discuss our defense. I’ve spoken to the other House elders, and while some still don’t consider you a true Shektan, all of them recognize their personal feelings are immaterial. The rest of Ashoka sees you as being of our House. For this reason alone, your honor – and by extension, our honor – must be defended at all costs.”
Garnet harrumphed. Jaresh didn’t need to guess where the old man’s feelings lay. He had never made secret his dislike of a Sentya being adopted into the House. As such, Garnet’s next words surprised Jaresh. “The Wrestivas are an ancient House and influential, but they are caught in the past. Much of this complaint is but a mere regurgitation of a triumphal attitude and idea of Kumma supremacy we should have left in the shadows of history. These beliefs have no place in a modern society, and they know it. I would wager that the focus of their arguments will be aimed toward the reactionary elements of our Caste.”
“I believe you’re right,” Durmer replied. “But, we must still make our case unassailable to even the most regressive ‘Els, especially in light of how those Houses view our own.”
“What do you propose?” Nanna asked.
Durmer gestured toward Jaresh. “I had the training of him for much of his life. He is good for one not a Kumma, but he’s never demonstrated our Talents. I would have known. His most recent tutors from the House of Fire and Mirrors would tell you the same.”
“In which case, House Wrestiva will have to prove that not only is Durmer Volk a liar but so are many of the Martial Masters of the House of Fire and Mirrors,” Bree concluded.
Garnet chuckled dryly. “It won’t be an easy task.”
“Then they’ll say I recently acquired this Talent,” Jaresh said. “While I was fighting Suge.”
“Again, it is easier said than done,” Garnet said. “The Wrestivas must prove what is at best a fanciful notion. Since they can’t, they’ll rely on their political influence. It may even work, but only if the Chamber feels it has enough substantiation to afford the risk of alienating the other Castes. If the ‘Els find in favor of the Wrestivas, it would set a bad precedent: defending one’s honor against a Kumma could result in one’s expulsion.”
“There is one other thing which might be a problem,” Jaresh began hesitantly. “I was with Bree and Mira. We shouldn’t be surprised if many of the ‘Els will be offended to learn that a Sentya was escorting two Kummas to a play.”
“I’m you sister,” Bree countered. “Accompanying me to a play is part of your brotherly duties. It’s irrelevant to the matter at hand.”
“I’m curious as to why you would believe so,” Garnet asked. “Many of the conservative ‘Els might side with Hal’El on this one issue alone.”
“Because it happened. We can’t do anything about it. When I say it’s irrelevant, I mean there is nothing we can say to refute such an obvious fact: Jaresh accompanied me and Mira to a play. It is a fact well known to all by now. We simply acknowledge it as true and move on as though it is of no relevance.”
“You think we should brazen our way past it?” Garnet asked.
Bree shrugged. “I don’t see what other option we have.”
“Besides which, while the Wrestivas will claim Suge was simply trying to uphold Kumma honor, it’s nonsense,” Nanna said. “Suge never sought the truth of the situation – and what could be more innocent than a brother taking his younger sister to a play. Instead, he interjected himself into a situation where he wasn’t wanted or needed. We need to make sure the other ‘Els see it the same way.”
“A true warrior looks before leaping,” Durmer agreed.
“Suge was no warrior,” Garnet said with a scornful snort. “The man was a known coward who Jaresh rightfully mocked for his craven behavior.”
Amma rapped her knuckles sharply on the table. “It is not enough,” she said, forcefully. “This challenge must be crushed.” She glanced around, staring each of them in the eyes. “With this perverse assertion, House Wrestiva has directly challenged our honor. We must answer in kind.”
Nanna glanced at the others before turning to her. He nodded. “I feel the same way,” he said. “If they wish to wallow in the mud, so be it. We’ll do the same. If Hal’El Wrestiva sees this as an opportunity to bring dishonor to our House, then we can do the same to his. We will use this trumped up, rabid charge as our own stalking horse and do all we can to destroy his son’s reputation
, and by extension that of his House.”
Jaresh smiled. They were going to take the fight directly to House Wrestiva. Good. He hated playing defense anyway.
Durmer looked similarly pleased. “Yes. Their arrogant House has too long hindered our own.” He cracked his knuckles. “How do we proceed?”
Nanna steepled his fingers and closed his eyes, his way of focusing his thoughts. He sat in silent repose for several moments, seeming to almost fall asleep. He opened his eyes and smiled coldly. “We will raise every despicable rumor, no matter how puerile, about his son. We will bring utter ruination upon the already sad and despicable character of Suge Wrestiva. When we are done, Hal’El will wish that the mangy carrion eater he fathered had never been birthed. The standing of House Wrestiva will be brought low.”
Amma smiled just as coldly upon hearing Nanna’s words. “It begins then. I want a report on Suge Wrestiva from each of you, everything about his birth, his habits, his friends, his training, his girlfriends…everything. I want a detailed dossier so complete that we know Suge better than his own father.”
“I’d like to be present at Suge’s autopsy,” Bree said, speaking up suddenly. “There’s something about his death that’s bothering me.” She blushed. “Other than his dying, I mean. I don’t know what it is, but I think it might turn out to be important.”
Nanna considered her words. “I had planned on being at the autopsy myself. I see no reason why you can’t accompany me.”
“I still want your report,” Amma warned.
“I’ll have it ready,” Bree replied.
“One last thing,” Jaresh said. “If Suge had lived, how much would have been demanded of him in payment for the insult paid to Bree?”
“He got off easy,” Durmer growled. “He should have been beaten senseless even after he offered a public and groveling apology. Until then, he wouldn’t have been safe anywhere in Ashoka.”
“We should play that up then,” Jaresh said.
“Wasn’t there some rumor about Suge and a Rahail courtesan?” Bree asked.
“Let’s not dredge up old hearsay unless we can prove it,” Amma said. “I want absolute verification first, with as much documentation as possible before we assassinate his character.”
“Let’s get to work,” Nanna said.
“They must be mad,” Bree said upon hearing Nanna’s words. “They admit Suge acted dishonorably enough to be found Unworthy?” she asked. “Why would they do such a thing?”
“Because the story we released yesterday is true,” Jaresh said, smiling smugly. “The past week has not been a good one for House Wrestiva, the death of Suge and the destruction of the thug’s already poor reputation.”
“It was clever finding the Shiyen physician,” Garnet said, chuckling dryly.
Once more, House Shektan’s advisors were meeting in Nanna’s study. Since Suge’s death, each of House Shektan’s councilors had ferreted out every possible nugget of information about Suge Wrestiva. What they had learned, when put together as a portrait of the man, had made for ugly reading. The son of the ruling ‘El of House Wrestiva was a braggart, a bully, a drunk, and a coward. All of this was well known, but the depths to which he had sunk were absolutely appalling. Even worse, he had fathered a ghrina, an abomination: a child conceived with a woman not of his own Caste.
Jaresh had managed to confirm the rumors about Suge and his Rahail courtesan. The woman had disappeared two years earlier, but the Shiyen physician who had helped care for the woman during her pregnancy had remembered her well. During one of her appointments, the courtesan had tearfully confessed her sin: the father of her child was Kumma, and no less than the son of the ruling ‘El of one of Ashoka’s oldest Houses. Afterward, the Shiyen only saw her a few more times, and then she was gone, vanished as if she had never existed. The City Watch had been unable to find any sign of foul play, but coincidentally, at around the time of her disappearance, Suge was known to have exited the city, alone apparently and on a training exercise. A small Ashokan Guard contingent had come across him as he passed Ashoka’s Outer Wall, and according to the sergeant in charge, Suge had been driving a small, covered wagon.
It hadn’t taken much to get the rumor started about what might have truly happened. Suge had probably murdered the courtesan to hide his disgrace, and his thin excuse for leaving the safety of the city had likely been to get rid of the courtesan’s dead body and that of his murdered child.
The city was abuzz with every new lurid piece of gossip about Suge’s dissolute life, all of it provided courtesy of House Shektan. Of course, the Wrestivas were furious, but they could do nothing to counter the claims made about the deceased son of their ruling ‘El. The Shektans had been meticulous, carefully cultivating multiple sources and testimonies for the stories they produced, seemingly one every day, each one more shocking than the one before, with the most recent tale acting as a capstone.
“I still don’t understand why Hal’El would say such a thing about his own son,” Bree said, glancing at the other advisers.
“Because Hal’El knows what we claim is true, and it doesn’t do him any good to try and argue the point,” Sophy replied.
“Also, accusations are most potent when made for the first time,” Nanna added. “By admitting Suge’s corrupted nature now, Hal’El hopes to minimize the outrage such an allegation will raise when we bring it up again in the Chamber.” He shrugged. “Perhaps we should have held back this final detail.”
Durmer cleared his throat. “I find myself troubled by something else,” he began. “I spoke to the masters at the Fort and the Sword, the military school favored by the Wrestivas. They all make mention of how significant Suge’s improvement has been over the past few months, in all aspects of combat, both armed and unarmed. It makes what happened with Jaresh even more difficult to understand.”
“Any idea on how to explain such a discrepancy?” Dar’El asked.
“No,” Durmer said. “Suge’s autopsy…you mentioned he had been drinking but not enough to be drunk. Was there anything else that could have caused a reduction in his skills?”
“The autopsy turned up nothing,” Bree said. “Suge had dilated pupils and possibly cyanotic digits, both of which might indicate a poppy-based drug, but nothing like that was found in his body. As far as the pathologist could tell, Suge was completely healthy.”
“Nothing else at all?” Durmer asked in a hopeful tone.
“That was it.” Bree shrugged. “I’ll do my best to make sure we aren’t missing anything, but I wouldn’t hold up much hope on that end.”
“It may not matter,” Garnet said. “From my initial polling of the Chamber, the numbers are swinging our way. It’s still close, but if we’re effective in presenting our case in the actual tribunal, we should be fine.”
“I would prefer if we had something more concrete,” Amma said. “This entire tribunal is a farce. The Wrestivas haven’t paid nearly enough for what they claim Jaresh can do.”
No one had a respose to Amma’s words, and the room fell silent for a moment.
“Perhaps we should play up the differences between Suge and Jaresh,” Garnet said, breaking the quiet. “Consider: we have two scions of ruling ‘Els, but only one of them was leaving for the Trials, and it wasn’t the Wrestiva. It was the Shektan,” he finished in satisfaction.
Bree was surprised by the older Kumma’s statement. All knew how little Garnet had cared for Jaresh’s admittance into House Shektan, but ever since House Wrestiva’s challenge, the old councilor had been painstakingly diligent in searching out every angle through which Nanna and Amma could defend their Sentya son. More surprising, though, were the complimentary words he occasionally paid to Jaresh. It was unusual but welcome.
Her brother had always had a difficult time with many of the other Shektans. Perhaps this would be a turning point for him. Perhaps others in their House would start seeing him as the asset she knew him to be and accept him as someone worthy of respect. She hoped so,
but it would have to be a dream for another day. First, she had to help him get past this stupid charge.
“That particular piece of information is not well known,” Nanna said, “ and I think we should hold off on releasing it until the actual tribunal.”
“We’ve done well so far, but we must ensure the Chamber never comes to believe House Wrestiva’s lie about Jaresh and his supposed Taint,” Amma reminded them. “And we still lack the final nail with which to hammer the Wrestivas to their yoke. For what they’ve done, Hal’El Wrestiva must face utter humiliation for even bringing up such a possibility.”
Bree shared a smile with Jaresh. Amma had always been the more hard-nosed of their parents, unwilling to give an inch when she believed a point needed to be made. It was an attitude seen in her child-rearing as well. The three of them – Rukh, Jaresh, and Bree – had quickly learned that Amma’s word was law, and to cross her was to invite serious consequences. Nanna could be a disciplinarian as well, but he was also more flexible and more willing to compromise. And besides, Bree had him wrapped around her finger.
“I don’t know if we can do what you want,” Sophy said to Amma. “I understand your anger and your frustration, but you’re asking us to prove a negative.”
Nanna sighed. “Sophy may be right,” he said. “But we need to keep looking for any other oddities surrounding Suge; something which might explain what happened that night.”