Circle's End

by Lisanne Norman

  K’hedduk sat back in his chair and looked at him in surprise. “Well, this is an interesting turn,” he said. “Not only are you willing to back us, but you also want to garner more support for us.”

  “I know which side is going to win, Majesty,” said Kusac. “I intend to ensure I am well placed on that side.”

  “Your honesty and ambition is refreshing. It may be that we will have some tasks that only you can perform. If this is the case, don’t doubt that you will be well rewarded.” He leaned forward again, as swiftly as a striking snake. “And don’t doubt that your failure will be equally punished. It is extremely unwise to cross me.”

  “Nothing could be further from my wishes, Majesty,” said Kusac, fighting to keep his tone even and confident, and not to break eye contact. Right now, anger and fear were warring inside him. He wanted nothing more than to leap across the table to kill K’hedduk, and he wanted to be safely with Carrie far from this poisonous individual.

  Abruptly, K’hedduk stood up. “Then we’ll see how the Council meeting goes. If it progresses the way I wish, then I am sure that you will find yourself one of the youngest acting Generals in our military by the end of the meeting. Good morning, Lord Nayash. I’m pleased our little talk was so productive.”

  Kusac sat there trying not to tremble with reaction as K’hedduk swept out of the room, leaving him alone. After a few deep breaths, he reached for his bowl of maush and took a long drink.

  The door opened again, and so on edge was he that without realizing it, he leaped out of his chair and crouched down facing the door, ready for anything.

  A high-pitched almost squeak of terror greeted him as Chamberlain Garrik tried to press himself into the wall.

  “I’ve only come to escort you back to the main courtyard, Lord Nayash,” he said. “Please be assured that I offer you no violence!”

  Still shaking, Kusac rose back to his feet. “Take me to my people,” he ordered. “I need to dress for the Council meeting.”

  One look at Kusac and Noolgoi smoothly ejected Chamberlain Garrik from the side room he’d been allocated to change in.

  “Perhaps you could send for his Lordship’s Steward Laazif, Chamberlain.” said Noolgoi. “I know you have more important things to do than wait around to lead my Lord to the Council chamber.”

  “Indeed, I have. I’ll send someone for your steward now, but be as swift as possible. His Majesty hates tardiness!” With that, the brightly clad Garrik bustled off.

  Noolgoi shut the door and leaned his head briefly against the wall.

  “Let me get you out of this robe,” said Rezac, reaching behind Kusac’s neck for the fastening of the broad collar.

  “I can undo it myself,” hissed Kusac, reaching up to yank the offending jewelry off.

  “No, don’t do that,” Rezac’s grip on his wrist was like iron, making him involuntarily open his fingers. “If you break the collar, we’ll have to explain why, and it will take us forever to pick up the bits. Do you want to do that to Noolgoi and me?” He quirked an eyebrow up at Kusac.

  “No,” he admitted, relaxing the tension in his body. Dammit, I want him dead, now, by my hand, for what he did to us! I can barely be civil to him!

  This was your plan, Kusac. If you can’t follow it, then we have no chance of success, and we shouldn’t even be on M’zull, sent Rezac.

  “We’ll have to hurry,” Noolgoi said, oblivious to the unspoken conversation. “They’re already gathering for the Council meeting. Garrik will send Laazif to lead us to the chamber.” He noticed how the other two were standing and nodded at them. “You’d better ease up on that temper, too, Lord Nayash. I can’t guarantee how long we’ll be alone,” he added quietly.

  Kusac pulled free of Rezac and took a deep breath. “I’ll manage. Nicely done with Garrik, thank you. Just help me get out of this ridiculous outfit.”

  “You look good in it, my Lord,” said Noolgoi moving forward to help Rezac undress him. Taking hold of the belt, he began unwinding it from around Kusac’s waist. “There is something to be said for the court dressing formally like this.”

  “Pray the Gods our young friend doesn’t adopt it!” Kusac muttered as he raised his arms to let them undress him better. This was definitely a job he couldn’t do alone.

  Five minutes later, more comfortably dressed in his military uniform and boots, Kusac stepped out into the corridor where Laazif now waited.

  “We should be just in time,” said Laazif. “Hurry, my Lord. This way!”

  They followed after him as he threaded his way through the people toward the main courtyard area. From there, they went down a side corridor until they reached an open door. On either side were black-uniformed guards, standing at attention, hands resting on their automatic weapons.

  “ID,” demanded the guard on the right.

  Kusac turned questioningly to Noolgoi.

  “Here, my Lord,” said Noolgoi, digging into his pocket and pulling out the requisite ID card.

  Kusac took it from him, handing it to the guard.

  A quick glance and it was returned. “You may enter, Lord Nayash,” the guard said.

  Inside, various uniformed persons mingled with courtier types, all chatting animatedly. A flash of somber red among the brightly colored courtier clothing told him the Head Inquisitor was already there.

  “Your aides can wait in this anteroom, Lord Nayash,” said Laazif. “If you need them, one of the assistants within the Council chamber can fetch them. I’ll leave you now.” With a quick bow, Laazif turned and left just as Chancellor Garrik entered and called them into the Council room.

  * * *

  The meeting focused mainly on matters that Kusac thankfully knew about—first up was the attack on Lord Rachal’s chapel, the leaflets that had been found there, and most importantly, the desecration of the statue of the Emperor and the font of holy water.

  “I don’t give a damn right now about why it was done,” snarled K’hedduk, “I want to know how! It is beyond any technology we have, and I want those weapons for myself!”

  “If it was a divine act, then there was no technology involved,” said Inquisitor Ziosh, sitting back in his chair and looking round the large oval table where some twenty people were seated.

  “Divine act be damned,” snorted Dr. Leddark. “There is no such thing!”

  “I realize you are a person of Science,” frowned Ziosh.

  “Not open for debate,” interrupted K’hedduk. “The hands of people did this, not ancient saints or evil spirits. People with a technology more advanced than ours, as I said. I’m sure even you can see that, Ziosh!”

  “Ones capable of building that mechanical beast,” said General Geddukk. “Who left at least one of their number behind on M’zull!”

  “I’m glad at least one other person has the wit to see what is in front of you all,” snapped K’hedduk. “I want that spy found, and found now! The credulous will see the hands of this ancient Zsadhi in this attack no matter what we say, unless we can come up with the spy. How close to finding him are you?” he demanded, turning on Nazhol, the head of the military police.

  “Majesty, this is not a simple matter. This person is obviously a master of disguise and opportunity who may even now be hiding among us.”

  “Stop stating the obvious,” interrupted Geddukk. “We all know that. What have you done to find him?”

  “I’ve set up checkpoints all over the Palace as well as the town. Identity and movement papers are being checked for everyone, so this should flush our spy out. You’ll notice you were all asked for your ID cards before you were allowed into the anteroom.”

  “Providing he isn’t already settled in with a fake or stolen ID,” said K’hedduk, “this is good. I want you all to increase security on your estates and public buildings. Nazhol, you’ll see it’s done on state buildings. He might pass through ou
r checkpoints, but we’ll get him if he tries an attack like this again.”

  “Yes, Majesty,” said Nazhol.

  “I meant all of you, not just the MPs,” said K’hedduk, sweeping a glare round the whole table. “We all need to be alert for this infiltrator. And if you find him, take him alive and able to be questioned. Make sure all weapons or devices he carries are also given to my security forces. Lieutenant Zerdish will take charge of them.”

  In the small hiatus that fell, Inquisitor Ziosh spoke, “The next item is the reclamation of resources at J’kirtikk. We need to redouble our efforts. Thirty-five destroyers were lost at the recent attack on the Prime world, and they need to be replaced. The Third Fleet has been seriously depleted—it’s below half strength right now.”

  “We’re well aware of that, thank you, Ziosh, We don’t need you and your spy force to tell us that,” said Geddukk, signing for one of the attendants to bring him over a dish of maush to drink. “This is our domain, and I’ll thank you to keep your nose out of it!”

  “As head of the Treasury . . .” the Inquisitor began.

  “As to that, you were appointed to that position by my brother,” interrupted K’hedduk, idly examining his nails. “That appointment has not been ratified by me since I took over the Sun Throne. You will hand the key to the Treasury over to me now, if you please, Ziosh.”

  “Majesty, this is neither the time nor place for . . .”

  “Oh, but it is.” K’hedduk looked up and across the table at the Inquisitor. “You will hand over the key now. It is my intention to run the Treasury myself.”

  “This can surely wait until we are in a more private setting,” said Ziosh smoothly. “We should stick to the business at hand.”

  “This is my business at hand right now, Zerdish.” K’hedduk raised a hand and gestured his head of security forward. “Get the key from the Inquisitor, if you please. If he objects, have your men facilitate this for me.”

  As one, the ten black-clad security guards who had appeared to be only an honor guard, took one step away from the walls where they had been standing and turned to salute K’hedduk.

  “Majesty, this is most unethical,” hissed Ziosh, gripping the arms of his chair. “This is an insult to my position as head of the Inquisition!”

  “Perhaps, but I wanted to be sure of your compliance this time, and there is no insult intended to your position as a priest, only as Treasurer.”

  “The key, if you please, Inquisitor,” said Zerdish, holding out his hand for it as he stepped round the table to where Ziosh sat.

  Fuming, Ziosh lifted the heavy chain from around his neck and handed it and the ornate key threaded on it to Zerdish.

  “As you wish, Majesty,” he hissed. “May we now return to the matter of the recovery of assets from J’kirtikk?”

  “General Chaikul, how does work on J’kirtikk proceed?” asked K’hedduk, taking the key from Zerdish. He examined it briefly before placing the heavy ornamental chain around his own neck and positioning the key in the center of his chest.

  “Well, your Majesty,” said the elderly General, lifting a folder lying on the table in front of him. “I have details if you wish them.”

  “Zerdish,” K’hedduk gestured to his officer who went over to the General to collect the papers. “I will certainly look them over, Chaikul. Inquisitor Ziosh is correct, however; we must reclaim more of what remains of their navy to replace those lost to the Sholan Alliance at the Prime world. I want the Third Fleet back up to strength as soon as possible. Don’t you agree, Lord Nayash?”

  “Yes, Majesty,” said Kusac. “We have no way of knowing what emergencies we could face, especially with a spy loose on M’zull. We need to be at full strength again, in all departments, as soon as possible.”

  “Succinctly put. I think you should help General Shayazu at this time. We need the main courtyard and concourse repaired as soon as possible. This turmoil gives the ideal opportunity to anyone wanting to cause even more chaos. Shayazu could do with a pair of younger feet on the ground, couldn’t you, General?”

  “I can manage, Majesty,” protested the older male.

  “I’m not inferring you can’t,” said K’hedduk a shade testily, “I’m just giving you an extra pair of eyes, Shayazu. Be thankful, dammit!”

  “I am, Majesty. I am most grateful,” stammered the General. “No one can be in two places at once. He will be most helpful, I am sure.”

  He’s expecting to be challenged by you and lose not only his seniority but his life, sent Rezac.

  I know. Is there a way to avoid doing that without seeming weak?

  If you can find one, do it by all means. Just make sure to not seem too weak for what K’hedduk wants! He will destroy you if you have no use to him. Noolgoi says Shayazu is in charge of ground troops in the Palace.

  I need a space posting, not to be stuck with ground troops.

  You have your own units in space you can visit, reassured Rezac.

  “As well as replacing the lost ships, we need to increase munitions production,” said K’hedduk. “That involves you and General Lezhu, Nayash. Both of you need to increase your output. We lost more than just ships at the Prime world.”

  “We’re operating at full efficiency already, Majesty,” objected Lezhu. “We can’t do more than that.”

  “I’m sure we’ve room to improve, Majesty,” said Kusac. “There’s always areas where we can cut back on wasted time and increase production.”

  “That’s what I like to hear—take note, gentlemen. This young Lord is snapping at your heels! You’d best pay him mind! In fact, as we’re a General short with his father’s death, I am appointing Nayash in his father’s place.”

  A slow handclap broke the silence that fell with the announcement. All eyes turned to Lord Telmaar. “Majesty, your reasoning is impeccable! At last someone around my own age to talk to on the Council. Welcome aboard, Nayash.”

  “I’m glad you approve, Telmaar,” said K’hedduk dryly. “Perhaps you should be helping him with the rubble shifting!”

  “Certainly, Majesty. I’m sure we two could get the whole mess cleared up in half the time it would have taken Shayazu.”

  “Then do it and impress me,” he snapped, getting to his feet. “This meeting is over, We’ll meet again in a week. I expect to hear that this spy has been caught!”

  Standing, they waited for the Emperor and his security detail to leave before conversation broke out and they began to file out into the anteroom. The only one who didn’t wait was Ziosh. In a flurry of red robes, the Inquisitor left the room.

  Kusac felt a hand touch his elbow and turned to find Telmaar standing beside him.

  “Well, that was useful,” the other said. “We get to work together on cleaning up the courtyard and tunnels around it. Better than hunting down that damned spy, don’t you think?”

  “Infinitely,” said Kusac without thinking, then realized he’d perhaps been incautious. As he began to try and cover his tracks, Telmaar laughed.

  “Don’t. Your frankness is a relief after a morning spent with this lot! I was trying to avoid being roped into the spy search because traditionally our family is always lumped in with the MPs and security. Personally, I think the search is a fool’s errand. Heads will fall before they find him, if he exists.”

  “Surely he exists,” said Kusac as Rezac and Noolgoi fell in behind him. “If not him, then who, or what, caused the damage in the chapel?”

  “Maush for both of us,” Telmaar ordered one of his aides before taking Kusac again by the arm and guiding him into the anteroom and toward a side table with two comfortable chairs bracketing it.

  “I’m supposed to be meeting with Inquisitor Ziosh,” said Kusac as he let himself be led.

  “I’m sure you’ll find that Ziosh has no desire to talk to you or anyone else at this time. Send one of your peop
le to check if you’re worried. Meanwhile, let’s be comfortable,” he said, sitting down as their aides came over to stand behind the chairs.

  Kusac signed to Noolgoi to check at the Inquisitor’s office.

  “I know a person caused the damage,” Telmaar said, “but I’m not sure about this spy theory. After all, what do they base it on? That a group of warriors attempted to kidnap the Emperor’s chief wife by stuffing her into a space suit, so someone must have stayed behind because no one was carrying a spare suit? Who would stay behind for a mere female, no matter who she was? Anyway, they got her back, so that kidnap plan failed. No, I cannot see anyone staying behind. I think it more likely it is one of us, someone dissatisfied with the current order and wanting a change.”

  “You just had a change, a new Emperor,” said Kusac.

  “The court used to be far more relaxed than it is now. Now it’s an armed camp, and we’re treated like we’re in the barracks. That’s fine for the troops, but not for the officers or nobility of the Court.”

  Kusac glanced around, seemingly nervous at Telmaar’s outspoken words, but most people were busy with their own conversations. “I think you should be more careful who might overhear you, Telmaar. You don’t want to be thought to be spreading sedition,” he said quietly, accepting the glass of maush from the servant.

  “Don’t worry so much,” said Telmaar, accepting his drink. “If you listen carefully, you’ll hear the hisses of outrage from the Generals as they discuss the unacceptable losses at the Prime world. The only ones you really need to worry about are the Inquisition. Anyone in red is your natural enemy, and Ziosh was so incensed at his public humiliation that he and his minions have left already.”

  “Yes, I saw him leave,” said Kusac, relaxing and sipping his maush. He was learning a lot from this young lordling: the pulse of Court opinion, for one. Time to sit back and just listen.