by John O.
This clever ruse by Hinary was soon to be discovered by the purebloods. How was it that the rotational system upon which the title of Ishe was circulated saw to it that no pureblood will ever rule? More so, if each of his sons not borne from a union with the Icasa were to rule their individual six years, not even the half-bloods, Even and Foté, would get their chance. No; Hinary intended to obliterate whatever remained of the Icasa. It was however a good thing that the Icasa possessed a diverse suite of paranormal abilities and for this reason, it would not be easy to get rid of her people’s legacy, of this she was certain.
“Ugh!” she moaned as a sharp pain shot through her. The process of adjusting her facial features was always difficult. It was what had to be done if she were to remain accepted within the Spyinme. The thought of this made her belly churn with more anger. The Subaku, as the sect was once called long before Hinary took control and adapted it as Spyinme, did not have such stringent aesthetic requirements. Seeing as he’d selected only beautiful women as he loaded his ships to conquer and settle in Lionea, these requirements were a tall order for a regular Icasa woman to meet. It was his intent, she was certain, to ensure that the Spyinme was stripped of its Subaku roots and to a large extent, he had largely achieved that. Very few Icasa could modify their looks as she could. Without this paranormal skill, it would have been all but impossible for her to infiltrate the elite faction.
Complete with the re-arrangement of her features, Loila sheathed her swords, donned her dress and began for the Conclave. As she walked, she reminisced on her recruitment into the clandestine unit of the Great Cause. Her mother had seen to it that she was well versed in the lore of the Icasa, and as a result, the commander quickly noticed her flair for and interest in her heritage. She vividly recalled the night he approached her: with a voice as unto the serpent’s beguiling hiss, he convinced her to join the Great Cause, an agenda geared towards Icasa Supremacy. While it would be futile to attempt ridding the Island of the settlers, it was the goal of the Cause to see that only a pureblood Icasa could wear the mantle of Ishe. Though it was not going to be easy, it would be achievable, the commander was convinced. With lust, she remembered how he then proceeded to take her. Right there by the softly susurrating brook, he had fondled her breasts with his slithering tongue. New to the act, she knew not whether to release or hold onto her inhibitions. After she could no longer handle the sensation, Loila began to moan wildly as the commander proceeded down her thighs till he himself was firmly within her. He moved slowly at first, affording her time to adjust, before he began an enthusiastic pounding that left them both shuddering as they came to a mutual climax. She had become a woman, he told her. No man would be able to prey on her hormones now that she was bound to him in love. He was right, she concluded in retrospect; for although she had been taken by other men, it was she who had enticed the men, in a bid to further her schemes.
Approaching the Conclave, she decided to release her thoughts and focus on maintaining her cover. Her part in the Great Cause was still far off, but it would not do to engender any undue suspicion. With resolve, she proceeded to enter the room.
Aishe Foté Rosento was strolling through the lawn in his manor when his son, Johatsu Foté arrived. Firmly strapped to Johatsu’s horse was a body wrapped in a white cloth.
“What is this?” Aishe Foté asked, his eyes ablaze with surprise.
“This here is what remains of your son, Jetsi,” Johatsu replied “Slain at the hands of the new HN, a man named Yosi Sint.”
Now visibly shaken, Aishe Foté struggled to maintain his composure. “How did this come to be?”
“Marc, who we all expected to succeed Ruki Sen, challenged this Yosi Sint to a duel soon after Yosi was announced as the HN. It happened fast. One minute, Marc had his head on his shoulders, the next minute he was a decapitated carcass. Jetsi, upon seeing his beloved friend meet his end, lost control and attempted to take on this Yosi. Behold the outcome of such a foolhardy decision,” Johatsu said drily as he briefly glanced towards the corpse.
Another affront by a Sint! thought Aishe Foté as he mildly tempered his anger. With a calm controlled deadly voice, he said, “Tell me of this man, Yosi Sint.”
“He stands at about six feet−slim build, pale skin and a head full of copper hair. A placid man, he has the gait of one who spends most of his time within the temple. His skill with a sword is otherworldly; otherwise it would have been next to impossible for him to do Marc Even in.”
“What office did he hold before now?” questioned Aishe Foté.
“None I’m aware of.”
Allowing himself a brief moment to mourn his son, Aishe Foté walked towards the body and lifted the upper sheet.
“You were never my favorite, Jetsi, but even you did not deserve to die this young,” he said before stepping away. “He cannot be buried in the main cemetery since he died in the act of treason. Johatsu, inform his mother before proceeding to bury him in the local cemetery.”
With that, Aishe Foté sent his son on his way and began to ponder the wider implications of what had transpired at the Helesp.
Stev Even alighted from his horse. It had been a long and bumpy ride, with Marc’s body strapped to the back of Stev’s horse, while his head dangled in a bag which hung from his saddle. He hesitantly proceeded towards the living quarters of Aishe Even who, at this time, was oblivious to the outcome of the meeting.
“Stev. I see you’ve returned,” Aishe Even murmured as he walked into the room. An observant man, he noticed Stev’s somewhat reluctant body language and concluded that Marc’s absence was not because he had become the HN beleaguered with State matters at the Helesp. “What ill news have you brought with you?” he asked in his never-changing phlegmatic manner.
Stev Even decided that to put it bluntly was the best way to relay the ugly news. “Ruki Sen’s successor was not Marc, as we hoped.” Stev paused. “A man named Yosi Sint now holds the title of HN. Marc, who felt slighted beyond belief, challenged this Yosi to a duel. At Yosi’s hand, Marc now lies headless. Jetsi Foté, son of Aishe Foté, also suffered a similar fate.”
“I wish to see Marc’s remains,” Aishe Even said as he gathered himself and made for the courtyard.
Following closely behind, Stev braced himself in anticipation of Aishe Even’s reaction. Although a man of indiscernible countenance, Marc was his favorite son and there was no telling how this loss would affect him. Upon arriving at the horses, Stev proceeded to open the sack that contained the head. Aishe Even gazed intently at what was formerly part of his son. Only those who knew him as intimately as Stev did could discern that anger brewed behind his eyes. After what seemed an eternity, Aishe Even gave Stev leave to bury his beloved son while he made his way back towards his quarters.
What Yosi Sint did not realize as he listened to Ruki Sen on his deathbed was that the traveling mind of Oracion had been present for the better part of the discourse. Although she had departed the hall when all others were dismissed, she returned shortly after taking caring for a few things that demanded her immediate attention. Now, back within her body in a secret room within the court, she discussed what she had overhead with a man.
“It appears Ruki Sen was able to narrow down his suspects to you and your twin… He told Yosi of a Spyinme, Rahel Ni, who has a unique ability to identify culprits by mere examination of the crime scene. However, my wards were too strong for her to overcome. She fainted each time she attempted to detect me.”
“Was it this girl who convinced him we were somehow involved in all this?” the man asked
“No. He deduced that by himself upon examining your reactions after he revealed his suspicions of foul play to the Aishes. It’s a good thing my dart struck him when it did, for his inquisitive mind was starting to draw too close to the truth. Notwithstanding, I believe our cover is still intact. It is too early to know how the new HN will go about his investigations.”
She continued, “Unfortunately, Ruki Sen was about to speak
concerning Maya Sint when the sting of an ill-begotten insect forced me back to my body. As I result, I could not make anything out of that part of the dialogue.”
“Not to worry. We’ll find it out sooner or later. For now, tell me. What do you know about this Yosi Sint?” inquired the man.
Oracion answered, “Not much really. Other than the knowledge that he is a son of the healer, Jorraine Sint, something Ruki Sen said led me to believe that he spent much of his time at the Ispri’s temple.”
“I see. If I’m correct, does this man look like someone of about twenty-seven to thirty years of age?”
“Yes. Exactly. And very pleasing to behold as well,” Oracion added with a glimmer of lust.
“It seems I know exactly who this man is. Sue, the wife of Jorraine Sint, bore unto him triplets twenty eight years ago. Precocious children they were. Five years after their births, a journey to the east forest with their father left them sick and dying. All attempts to cure them proved unsuccessful save for the touch of the Ispri, which healed only one of them. To show his gratitude, Jorraine must have dedicated the lone survivor to the Temple. Thereafter, I never again laid eyes on the boy.”
Oracion stood in silence for a moment. “I see,” she remarked.
“Ora dear, I must leave now. There are pressing matters that require my attention,” the man said in a somewhat abrupt manner.
“Very well then. See you later,” Oracion replied as she watched him leave.
Yosi Stint stood before the assembled Leades, all eight of them, trained to be the best fighters in Lionea. That he had necessarily dispatched two in quick sequence must have left these Leades with mixed feelings of awe, envy and possibly even hatred, he reasoned. Other than Zach Sen, Ron Riten and Rosi Lite, the three whom Ruki Sen had recommended as trusted allies, Yosi wondered about the rest: Karl Izzy, Tido Riva, Dan Thorne and twin brothers Roy and Remy Ni. Unlike the others, Dan Thorne was new to the troop having being appointed upon the dismissal of a Leade who consorted with a Spyinme without the authority of HN Ruki. The remaining four were seasoned Leades who were strongly in awe of Marc Even, or so they had purported. Would these men come to follow me without question? Not likely. he thought. He was, however, determined not to write them off strictly on the word of Ruki Sen. But first, he had to know for sure if their hands were clean of the sinister deeds that had occurred in the court as of recent.
“Honored Leades,” he began, “I regret to inform you that HN Ruki Sen, son of HN Sen Rosento, now lies dead. His departure for the death goddess was peaceful and painless, thanks to the grace of the Almighty Spirit.”
A perspicacious man, Yosi closely observed the men as he spoke, immediately detecting that Roy and Remy Ni were noticeably pleased by the news. He half expected Dan Thorne, a cousin to Beau Even to be just as gratified. However, his reaction revealed nothing. Yosi immediately concluded that while Dan may have borne ill will towards him, he certainly bore none towards Ruki Sen.
“As is customary, I alone will escort Ruki’s body to the Ice Hall where he shall be preserved until a proper State burial can be conducted on his behalf. Ron, please proceed to inform any Sentor you encounter of Ruki Sen’s demise. Also ensure that the information reaches the Ishe and Aishes. Zach Sen, I charge you with the authority of the Helesp while I am away. Rosi, prepare the chariot while the others will help to move the body.”
“Your command!” they answered and went about their assigned tasks. Yosi Sint watched as the six Leades lifted and moved Ruki Sen’s body towards the chariot. From their countenance, he could obtain no more information as to which one of them could have been involved in the sinister plot revolving around the Aishes. Resigned, Yosi waited for them to fully strap the body to the chariot before mounting and riding away.
“Arrogant dung!” Roy Ni hissed as he watched Yosi journey out of view. “Nothing will please me more when he gets what is coming to him.”
“Brother, surely you say that out of respect for Marc. He’s gone now so don’t be quick to follow in his lead,” Remy Ni replied with a frown.
Comprehending Remy’s true meaning, Roy quickly rephrased, “Of course Remy. I would never dream of harming my own HN. However, am I not free to express my dislike for one so proud?”
“If you still cannot see that it was Marc’s own doing which resulted in his demise, then I do not know what else can be said to convince you,” Tido Riva ventured. “Or is it that his prodigious skill with a sword inspires in you treacherous envy?”
“Guard your tongue Tido!” Roy warned ominously.
“You truly are no different from Marc. Everything with you must be settled by the blade,” Tido chided him drily. “In any case, it is only natural that this HN will inspire jealousy. He is a world ahead of the best of us swordsmen. Without restraint, he issues orders to subjects who did not know of his existence just a few hours ago. Most of all, his comely looks are compelling enough to steal any man’s wife without a second thought. Who wouldn’t envy such a man?”
“My dislike,” replied Roy, “is that he has rendered Beau Even a widow. A man of his skill could have easily subdued Marc without having him murdered. He truly must be coldblooded to have acted so ruthlessly. Who knows what he will do to us should we fail in any task he is to assign? More than dislike, I fear that man.”
Tired of the discourse, Zach moved to end it by saying, “The important thing is he is your new leader and you must follow him even unto death. We are all under oath. That said, time is far spent, as we are yet to practice our skills at the sword today. Take whatever feeling you have towards the HN and use it as motivation to improve. Rosi and I will watch the hall while the rest of you resume practicing.”
“Allow me to feed my birds first. I will join you later,” Remy said as he turned to leave the group.
“Remy, did you not feed the birds this morning?” Zach asked in surprise.
“I was only able to give them water, as I was in a hurry to make the meeting,” an irritated Remy improvised as he hurried on to avoid further query.
Zach could only watch with a raised eyebrow as the surreptitious Leade departed the hall.
Spyinmes Ziri Lenny, Julya Rose and Surita Stone had ridden fast and without ceasing at Maya’s bidding to deliver word to the Ispris. The Ispris, Almighty Spirit bless her, had made her residence at quite some distance from the main court. It was as though she wanted nothing to do with court intrigue and preferred instead the solitude of the shoreline at the southwest corner of the Island. The problem was, the route to her residence was somewhat deserted, making it a prime target for bandits and outlaws. A wonder it was that the Ispris herself had not fallen prey to such reprobates, and the ill fate that comes with them. Ordinarily, an errand this trivial didn’t require three Spyinmes to execute. Quite frankly, by now everyone in the Nation would at least have heard sketches of recent events, with most embellishment occurring around how the new HN did away with two Leades, consecutively. The Ispris, using her powers, was doubtless well aware of the veracious details of the meeting. That Maya had dispatched three of them just to deliver the message could only mean that she feared an attack from outlaws. Based on this reasoning, the three Spyinmes rode with extreme speed and caution, making no stop along the way to relieve themselves. As they rounded the bend from Cemetery Street into the Ispris Street, each felt the welcome feeling of safety and slowed down accordingly. It would not last long, for soon after they would be on their way back to court, treading through dangerous terrain once again.
On getting to the Ispris’ gate, two young Aisprises smiled at the Spyinmes and greeted in unison, “Welcome!”
“Thanks!” they replied. “We have a message for the Ispris,” Ziri Lenny announced.
“The Ispris is praying at the moment. She will be awhile. Perhaps you can leave the message with us so that you may be on your way,” one of the Aisprises replied with a melodious voice.
Ziri contemplated this. Their orders had been to deliver word to the Ispris. We
ll, it was never specified that it must be done in person, she reasoned. Glancing at the other Spyinmes for affirmative looks, she replied, “Very well then. Tell the Ispris that we have a new HN by the name of Yosi Sint. He will be paying her a visit later in the day.”
“Consider the message delivered.”
“Thanks. We’ll be on our way,” Julya replied.
The gate shut behind them as they rode out.
“Do you think we can trust those girls to deliver the message in time? We wouldn’t want the Ispris to be caught unawares upon the HN’s arrival,” Surita Stone, who had been quiet all through the journey, asked.
“They are her assistants, trained in their work as much as we are. You need not worry, Surita. Our main concern now is to return unharmed. So far so good,” Ziri answered. They began to accelerate as they rode unto Cemetery Street.
Thirty minutes passed, and after a largely uneventful journey, Surita felt her horse suddenly wobble under her. A terrible foreboding filled her as she concluded that the horse must have been struck with a dart of some sort.
“Bandits!” she screamed as she jumped off her doomed creature, bruising herself as she hit the ground roughly. She hoped that the others would not attempt to come to her aid. For it would only further jeopardize their safety. She could take care of herself, she thought as she scrambled for cover in a nearby thicket.
To her dismay, she watched as Ziri Lenny’s horse fell headlong, launching her forward with such speed that she was sure not to survive. Julya, in contrast, had jumped off her horse before it collapsed. She fought the urge to come out from hiding to aid Ziri. Her training prevailed as she stayed put, calculating.