The Habit of the Emperor

by J J Moriarty

  Until now.

  Luan never saw it coming. Hyzou used his core and his legs to force himself from the ground, and up into the air. Then he snapped his right hand out and caught Luan’s right wrist just as the sword was about to cut Hyzou in two. The blade stopped still in the air. It was the fastest Hyzou had moved in his life, and faster than anything Luan had seen before in his life.

  Luan didn’t even realise he had fallen into a trap before it snapped shut.

  Hyzou didn’t often punch things, most Servants never needed to. He certainly never used his full force when punching, it was enough to break an ordinary man. Now, however, was a special instance. Hyzou knew Luan would take quite a blow before he went down. So Hyzou used Luan’s right arm as leverage to drag him into range, then threw a left hook that crashed straight into Luan’s jaw.

  Luan’s face crumpled, his jawbone halved under the force of Hyzou’s blow.

  Luan collapsed and was left sprawling on the ground. Kyria Iset screamed aloud. Hyzou leaped onto Luan and grabbed his arm. Tearing each way, Hyzou broke Luan’s arm just below the elbow. Switching sides, Hyzou did the same to the other arm.

  Luan screamed. Hyzou gathered the old man’s hair in his hand and exposed his neck into the air.

  “Iset. Iset, come here”, Hyzou said.

  Luan squirmed, but Hyzou had him pinned, and Luan couldn’t use either arm.

  Iset stayed where she was.

  “Iset, he murdered your father”, Hyzou said.

  “Iset, I didn’t”, Luan said, his voice a messy slur. “I loved your father, just like I loved yours Hyzou. We were brothers.”

  “Why did he leave the Servants? Why did Mygst go into hiding? Why did he shield his children from the Servants?” Hyzou asked.

  “I don’t know. I didn’t know he survived”, Luan said.

  “You thought you’d done the job when you ran a sword through his back?” Hyzou asked.

  “I’d never harm Mygst”, Luan cried.

  “You cut him down like a stray dog. Fuck you”, Hyzou said.

  Luan tried to roll his way free, but he still couldn’t gain any purchase on Hyzou’s hold.

  “You’re insane”, Luan said.

  Hyzou reached out with his Qi and brushed against Kyria Iset’s psyche. She was powerful, but completely untrained. Hyzou subsumed her whole mind and took control of her movements. He made her get up and walk over towards him. He made her lean over and pick up Hyzou’s fallen sword. He made her come over and stand before them.

  Only in the light could Hyzou truly see her. She was terrified.

  Hyzou released her, and she gasped.

  “Hyzou, what was that?” Iset cried.

  “It has to be you. You’re the one who needs to take the vengeance, you’re the one who has the cause. You must avenge your father’s death”, Hyzou said.

  “I can’t”, Kyria Iset murmured. “How do I know he did it?”

  “Iset!” Luan screamed. “It wasn’t me!”

  He was hysterical.

  “You know it’s true”, Hyzou said.

  Kyria Iset shook her head.

  “I’m the only one who can save you. The only one who can save you and your son. Your husband is dead, and Luan will die soon. I’m your only hope, everyone else who tried to help you failed. I’m going to kill the Pharaoh, I’m going to kill them all”, Hyzou said.

  “You’re going to lose”, Kyria Iset said.

  “Join me, Iset. Become my pupil. It’s your destiny”, Hyzou said.

  “ISET, I LOVE YOU”, Luan screamed.

  “He’s the past, Iset. Examine your heart, and you’ll know that he did it”, Hyzou said.

  Kyria Iset stared at him. Hyzou could see only the pools of moonlight that gathered where her eyes should be, but he knew she could see him.

  “It’s your duty, Iset. You must avenge your father”, Hyzou whispered.

  “ISET, SAVE ME!” Luan screamed.

  It was over as quickly as it began. Kyria Iset brought the sword down and drove it straight through Luan’s exposed neck. Blood spurted everywhere, coating Hyzou. Hyzou felt Luan’s wriggling figure go limp beneath him.

  Kyria Iset dropped the sword and stepped away. She covered her face with her hands, sobs wracking her body. She fell to her knees.

  Hyzou arose and walked over to her.

  “You did well”, Hyzou said.

  Kyria Iset punched him.

  “I loved him”, Kyria Iset said.

  Hyzou grabbed her and pulled her into a hug. She was bawling.

  “You’re not alone”, Hyzou said.

  “You and your fucking war”, Kyria Iset said. “I was happy until you came along.”

  “I’m sorry. But that’s the nature of history, isn’t it?” Hyzou asked.

  “Teach me. Teach me, please”, Kyria Iset said.

  “I can train you”, Hyzou said.

  “I need to learn”, Kyria Iset said.

  “Do you renounce the Pharaoh, renounce your Nobility, renounce everything of your old life bar your son?” Hyzou asked

  “I do”, Iset said.

  “Then you shall be my pupil, and my spymaster. Together no one can stop us. You’re as strong as I am, the world will shiver before the combined weight of our Qis”, Hyzou said.

  Iset pulled out of his embrace.

  “I need to get my son out of Lamybla”, Iset said.

  “Do you need my help?” Hyzou asked.

  “No. I have people that can help”, Iset said.

  “Good. Bring him south here, he’ll join the House of Nuyin, as he should”, Hyzou said.

  “What now?” Iset asked.

  “I’ve no doubt the Pharaoh has spies in Piquea, so we’ll pretend you’re a prisoner until your son is safe”, Hyzou said.

  “Thank you”, Iset said.

  “I need you to do something else for me”, Hyzou said.

  “What’s that?” Iset asked.

  “Kyrios Nerikare. He has to die”, Hyzou said.

  “Really? That’s your plan to hold Piquea?” Iset said.

  “Among others. Can you arrange it?” Hyzou said.

  “Of course, the second his army begins moving he’ll be vulnerable again, and I can have an assassin ready to strike at that moment”, Iset said.

  “Good. Very good”, Hyzou said. “We can use ekstasis to communicate with your assassins, and those sent to rescue your son.”

  “What’s ekstasis?” Iset said.

  “It’s a plant in the mountains. It lets Servants speak to each other when they’re miles apart”, Hyzou said.

  “Servants can do that?” Iset asked.

  “We can work on this later. Now isn’t the time”, Hyzou said.

  “What do we have to do then?” Iset asked.

  Hyzou walked over and lifted Luan’s body up. He carried it over his shoulder.

  “He really did it, didn’t he?” Iset asked.

  “Yes”, Hyzou said. “It’s sad, but he did.”

  “Would this war have happened if he hadn’t?” Iset asked.

  “For that you’ll have to ask a soothsayer. I just live in the reality gifted to me by the gods”, Hyzou said.

  He left the barn, Iset was at his side. She had the presence of mind to take Luan’s sword too. Outside the rain was heavy, and Hyzou was soaked once again within seconds of stepping outside.

  “What do you want to do with it?” Iset asked.

  Hyzou walked over to the edge of the grassy knoll. The water was about four feet below him. The moonlight showed on a surface that was chopping and changing under the barrage of the rain. The sound of the rain falling on the water was deafening.

  Hyzou leaped. He managed to make some twenty feet before he hit the water and was subsumed. Hyzou dived beneath the water and let go of Luan’s body. It fell from him and began to descend.

  Hyzou submerged and swam back to the bank.

  “His body will float to the surface”, Iset said.

  “Only after he’
s swollen a bit. By then anyone that finds him will just think he was another victim of the war”, Hyzou said.

  “Is there anything else we need to do?” Iset asked.

  “Only return to Piquea”, Hyzou said.

  “Let’s get going then. To Piquea”, Iset said.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  “He should be here”, Iset said.

  Iset was jittery, drumming her fingers against the table on which she was sitting.

  “Relax, he’ll be here soon”, Safia said. “You have to be patient, it’s safest that way.”

  “Do you hear that?” Iset asked.

  Now that she mentioned it, Hyzou did. Something was different, some noise was there, or it wasn’t.

  “The rain! It’s stopped raining”, Safia said.

  “The Pharaoh was waiting for the rain to dry before moving”, Hyzou said. “War’s coming.”

  “Not until some of the floods have evaporated off”, Safia said.

  “The Pharaoh will invade within a week I’d say”, Iset said. “He can’t wait for much longer, he has to strike. This war is expensive.”

  “I’ll have to start marching soon then, maybe even tomorrow”, Hyzou said.

  “So soon?” Safia said.

  “Aren’t you going?” Iset asked.

  “No. Safia will be ready to flee with the children. If we lose”, Hyzou said.

  “Where will you go?” Iset asked.

  Safia was about to answer, but a knocking rang out throughout the room.

  Iset leaped and opened the door. Gemenfkon was the one who had knocked.

  “Your Majesty, an old woman is here to see you”, Gemenfkon said.

  Iset pushed past him and ran down the corridor. Hyzou sprinted to follow her.

  Iset ran all the way to the entrance hall. There was an old woman there, a baby in her arms.

  “Give him to me”, Iset said.

  The old lady frowned.

  “I want to be paid”, she said, speaking in Lamyblan.

  “You’ll be paid”, Hyzou said.

  The old lady didn’t seem happy, but she passed the child over. Iset took him and held him close, the boy seemed confused. Iset grabbed the boy’s head and began to cover him with kisses.

  “Thank you”, Hyzou said.

  Gemenfkon appeared around the corner. He’d run after them, as fast as his old legs could carry him.

  “Your money is here”, Gemenfkon said.

  He passed a tiny purse over to the old woman. She smiled and left them.

  “Come on, people could see you. Let’s go upstairs”, Hyzou said.

  Iset and the child walked upstairs. Hyzou followed.

  “What’s his name?” Hyzou said. “I just realised I never asked you.”

  “What’s your name?” Iset said.

  The child seemed wary, no doubt he recognised Iset, but that didn’t count for so much after they’d been so long apart.

  Iset bounced him up and down.

  “Come on, tell the nice man your name”, Iset said.

  The child seemed to consider for a bit, then finally spoke.

  “Orman”, the toddler said.

  “Fitting”, Hyzou said.

  The child was at least two years of age, long hair covering his face. He was dirty from such a long time on the road.

  “Oh, you don’t know how much I’ve missed you. I’m never leaving you again”, Iset said.

  Orman placed his head against Iset’s neck.

  “The last few weeks must have been so tough for you”, Iset said. “I’m so proud of you.”

  Orman looked at Iset, then placed his thumb in his mouth and looked away again.

  “The Pharaoh was happy his heir was called Orman?” Hyzou asked.

  “He didn’t have much say in it. Menes chose the name”, Iset said.

  They returned to Safia’s room.

  “Oh, who’s this little man”, Safia exclaimed, when Iset entered.

  Orman buried his head in Iset’s neck.

  “He’s just had a long couple of weeks, he’s a little shy”, Iset said.

  “Poor boy”, Safia said.

  “You should go with her”, Hyzou said.

  Both women looked at him.

  “What?” Iset said.

  “You should stay here while I go to war. You’re not a Servant yet, you don’t know how to fight”, Hyzou said.

  “My training though”, Iset said.

  “Has only been for several weeks. It’ll be a while until you’re ready to face enemies in battle. You’ll stay here with Safia, and if the battle is lost you’ll take Orman with you as you flee with her too”, Hyzou said.

  “Hyzou”, Iset said.

  “No. It’s an order. Safia will take over training you if that happens, and together you should be able to keep safe as you flee to the south”, Hyzou said.

  Iset smiled.

  “I’ll help keep your children alive”, Iset said.

  “I know”, Hyzou said.

  Iset took Orman with her back to her quarters. Hyzou stayed with Safia until nightfall.

  The next day Hyzou ordered his army to move out. It took two days for all the preparations to be completed.

  The morning they were due to depart, Hyzou was woken early and summoned by the war council. He dressed simply and went to them.

  “What is it?” Hyzou asked, irritable from his tiredness.

  “We just received news from within the Pharaoh’s camp. Yesterday he began to march towards Piquea”, Vorska said.

  “Good. We’ll meet him on the Khemmis then if we leave later today”, Hyzou said.

  “Yes, sir. There was more in the message though”, Vorska said.

  “Tell me”, Hyzou said.

  “Kyrios Nerikare sir, he’s sick”, Vorska said.

  “Sick? Sick how?” Hyzou asked.

  “He’s fallen unconscious through the night, he never woke up from his sleep”, Vorska said.

  “Will he live?” Hyzou said.

  “He’s still alive, but barely. The same sickness has affected a lot of his guards and his handmaidens. He’s been poisoned”, Vorska said.

  “Good news”, Hyzou said.

  “Who would have done such a thing?” Gardem asked.

  “I imagine the good Kyrios had many enemies. He was a vicious man”, Hyzou said.

  “Agreed, sir. And it’s good this happened. He’s a brilliant general, we’ll be all the better if he’s dead”, Tsy said.

  “Was that it?” Hyzou said.

  “Yes”, Vorska said.

  “We’ve no time to waste, if we’re going to reach the edge of the Khemmis before they do”, Hyzou said.

  “Agreed, sir”, Tsy said.

  “You’re all awake now, go. Go, all of you, and begin your preparations for today’s march”, Hyzou said.

  Once they’d gone Hyzou returned to his chambers, where Safia was awake and waiting for him.

  “What happened?” Safia asked.

  “Kyrios Nerikare is dying”, Hyzou said.

  “I see”, Safia said.

  “I think they expected me to have more to say on the matter. To want to investigate it”, Hyzou said.

  “Did you?” Safia asked.

  “No. Definitely not”, Hyzou said. “Maybe they know I was behind it, maybe not. Who cares, he’s dead is all that matters.”

  “It helps us”, Safia said.

  “It does. The Pharaoh won’t realise what’s going on in the battle until it’s too late. If the trap works”, Hyzou said.

  “I feel bad about this”, Safia said.

  “The battle? Me too. By any measure I’m doomed to defeat”, Hyzou said.

  “Then why are you fighting it?” Safia whispered.

  “We’ve had this discussion. I won’t flinch before the Pharaoh’s dogs”, Hyzou said.

  Safia sat up in the bed. She was naked.

  “I wish this wasn’t so”, Safia said.

  Hyzou went over to her, lay beside her, took her han
d and kissed her.

  “I wish so too”, Hyzou said. “You won’t let go of your sword will you?”

  Safia shook her head.

  “It’ll be with me from the moment you leave. I’ll be dressed for a fight. As always”, Safia said. “The horses are ready.”

  “If the battle is lost I’m not coming back here”, Hyzou said. “I’m heading directly south. That’s assuming I don’t…”

  “Don’t say it. Don’t. It can’t happen”, Safia said.

  “I’ve never felt this way before”, Hyzou said. “So sure I was doomed.”

  “If you’re going to fight this battle, your men can’t know you feel that way”, Safia said.

  “They won’t know”, Hyzou said.

  “Maybe you can win. Your plan is clever”, Safia said.

  “It won’t work”, Hyzou said.

  “I know. But when it fails, you run, ok?” Safia said.

  Hyzou pulled her into a hug. He held on for minutes, before he let go. When they pulled apart he saw that she was crying.

  “You know I’ve to leave soon”, Hyzou said.

  “I know”, Safia said.

  “There’s a chance I might not…” Hyzou said.

  “Don’t say it”, Safia said.

  “There’s a chance I might not be coming back”, Hyzou said.

  “I told you not to say it”, Safia said.

  “I’m sorry”, Hyzou said.

  She grabbed him and pulled him into her. She kissed his forehead, kissed his lips, kissed his cheeks, kissed his neck.

  “You said you’d never leave me”, Safia said.

  “Watch for the signal”, Hyzou said. “Wait for it. Then move.”

  “I know”, Safia said.

  Hyzou got up but Safia grabbed him again and kissed him some more.

  “One last time”, Safia said.

  She pulled him beneath the covers.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  It took them a day’s hard marching to reach the spot at the edge of the Khemmis. All eighteen thousand troops. They waded through knee high water, ground that was waterlogged, and the swarms of mosquitos that lived above the flooded land.

  At the edge of the Khemmis the land was even worse. The thousands and thousands of fist sized stones Hyzou had commission were made into piles the height of a man. They stood in lines, in a semi-circle facing north. There was enough space between each pile for two or three Servants to stand. Hyzou and his men made camp on the southern side of the pile. The flooded ground meant that they couldn’t put up their simple tents, but it didn’t matter. Hyzou was just planning to have them sleep there for one night.