by John O.
“I agree,” replied Maya. “Perhaps there is a need to take active steps to placate both provinces. Resourcing the vacant Leade positions with Studes from these provinces would have been the best step at this time. However, with the appointment of Sly Zozan, only one spot may be used.”
Yosi regarded Maya with admiration, “It is with good reason that I have appointed Sly; your reasoning is however not lost on me. I may still use the remaining opening as you have suggested. I will make out time to scout their grounds for worthy Studes. Perhaps Ron Riten and Rosi Lite may go with me on the quest. However, are there other available options besides the Leade position?”
“There are certain economic matters that may be leveraged upon, that is if you can influence the Ishe.”
“The Ishe and I did not exactly get off to a great start, still let’s hear what these matters may be.”
“I see. The Even province has long been clamoring for the monopoly of the Korosh Wine. It is true that they produce the best; however, the availability of cheaper versions not produced by them tends to hamper their profits. Ishe Fiten, as well as the Ishes before him, has refused to grant them sole production license, possibly due to fear of further empowering them. As you are aware, the relatively large number of Icasa settlers, who are excellent craftsmen, has resulted in economic fortune for the province. If they obtain sole license for Korosh production, their wealth will greatly increase, thus tipping the balance of power.”
“I cannot but agree. I am not sure it would do the Nation well to have the Evens so wealthy.”
“True. However, if by some means you are able to swing Ishe Fiten in their favor in this matter, they will readily make peace with you. As for the Foté Province, they have not enjoyed as much economic success as their allies. Opening trade of foreign beverages with the largely insular island of Wesoa will see their fortunes turn around. From what I hear, they have already begun to sample these beverages and are already working to establish a good relationship with the Wesoan leaders. The logical next step will be to obtain an approval from the Ishe to officially begin. Aishe Foté has already briefed the Ishe on it, according to reports. However, the matter is yet to be discussed in detail. Knowing Ishe Fiten, it is likely that he will not be in favor, especially as not much is known about the western island. To influence the Ishe favorably would instantly rally the Foté province to your cause,” she finished.
“Hmm,” considered Yosi. “Not a bad angle to tread. However, like I said earlier, the Ishe and I have our differences. It will probably be a difficult task to have him consider my views in economic matters. As for military matters, which are in my sphere, the Leade opening is all I can think of for now. Thanks all the same, Maya. This information may yet prove valuable.”
Maya nodded in agreement and glanced over at Zach as if to ask if he had any reservations. He barely nodded, affirming that he too was in agreement.
“Zach Sen, thanks again for your quick thinking and advice. If you don’t mind, I will now like to have private words with my sister.”
“Your command,” Zach replied with a smile as he gathered himself and made his way out.
“What do you have on Loila Even?” asked Yosi.
“Nothing new, although I suspect it is more than a coincidence that she is an Even.”
“You think it had something to do with Stev’s ambush?”
“I cannot be sure of that. It doesn’t seem to make any sense, the kidnappings and the ambush,” said Maya.
“No apparent connection indeed. Earlier, she asked me about my disposition towards the Icasa. For one with a native mother, the question is not odd by itself. However, there was something in her voice that betrayed a little too much passion than is ordinary. Do you think there may be something more?”
“Why? The natives who are intent on remaining ‘pure’ have largely been peaceful. I am not sure there’s anything to suggest otherwise. Meanwhile, the missing girls are still out there somewhere,” explained Maya.
“I know. It has not been three days yet. Have someone dig deeper into her story. Who knows what we will find?”
“I will.”
Maya fell silent, contemplating how to broach the next concern that had been bothering her for some time. Yosi noticed her unease and gave her a look that suggested he was prepared to hear anything, no matter how absurd. With a deep sigh, she began.
“There is something that has been on my mind lately. As you know, the office of HN directly deploys and controls the covert Spyinmes that operate overseas. However, HN Ruki Sen trusted me well enough to provide me with some detail as to how they fared every now and then. Before he died, he began to lose contact with the Norwaland spies in a somewhat progressive manner. It was as though they were being executed one by one. I fear that their identities may have been compromised and, before long, we will have no more assets within that hostile country. With internal tensions brewing, we cannot afford to go blind within Norwaland. You may need to investigate what went wrong, and how we can plant new spies to restore proper sight at the Mad King’s court. I believe HN Ruki apprised you of how he contacts the spies before he died.”
“Yes he did. It is definitely worth looking into.”
At that moment, there was a soft knock on the door.
“Who knocks?” Yosi asked.
“Rahel. I have come as you asked.”
Maya smiled at her brother before proceeding to usher in Rahel while leaving the room in the process.
Surita Stone cleared the table in silence, inwardly chiding herself for letting down her guard as they ate. Not only had she finally revealed her true name to the odd pair, she had also hinted at the fact that she was an officer of court. There was something about Sido’s manner that inspired her trust, though she hoped to the Almighty Spirit that it wasn’t a feat of dark arts, as was typical with the Icasa.
“What troubles you, scarred one?” came the voice of Sido, who had furtively crept towards her.
Startled, Surita gave him an angry stare as she replied, “You enjoy disconcerting people, clearly. About what troubles me, would you not think it odd if I was not troubled? I am on the run from who knows what, and yet I am here in a stranger’s home pretending like all is right with the world.”
“Look. I know you might find it hard to believe, but we bear no ill will towards you. And the objective thing to do, if you are being hunted, is to hide out in a stranger’s home such as ours, at least for a few nights. If anything, you should at least open up to me. After all, if we wanted you dead, you would be dead already.”
Surita agreed with the logic, but was however hesitant to divulge everything to this strange man of strange roots, “Why should I trust you?”
“Because you have no other choice! Hasn’t that already been established? Besides, I am just as Lionean as any other out there. My father, who was not Icasa, was a drunk who abandoned my mother when I was barely three years old. Frustrated, she returned to her home community and raised me by herself. That I have chosen to live here doesn’t make me any different from the other people who reside within the provinces. The lumbermen here are a ready market to a caravan guard like me, as they always need escorts when delivering their produce to factory. Does it not make sense that I live in close proximity to my source of coin?”
“Do not upbraid me for my distrust. It is only that the inherent paranormal means available to the Icasa is a cause for concern for the rest of us. Hinary and his throng of settlers all came from lands where only natural abilities prevailed. Look, you do not need to concern yourself with my plight since I would be gone by the morrow. So let’s just talk about something else.”
“Don’t be ludicrous, Surita. Do you think that I would escort you out of these lands without knowing who or what hunts you? That would put both of us at risk if I don’t know what I’m protecting you against. What’s more, it is against my very being to turn a blind eye to a beautiful lady in peril. I insist on helping you.”
Surita laughed scornfully and sa
id, “You flatter me. With an ill scar on my face, you still mock me as beautiful? Perhaps I shall very well tell you a few things, if only to restore your honesty.”
“I mean it Surita. There is nothing absurd about that scar. In time, it will heal. And if you are willing, I can have my mother heal it with one of her medicinal arts. You will have your original face as though nothing ever happened. It is up to you.”
The thought of restoring her beauty was indeed tempting, so tempting that Surita struggled against enticement. Instead, she shrugged it off saying, “That would only make my journey with you more perilous, as it would be evident that I am not from around here.”
“That scar will fool no Nimushan. By itself, it screams that you are not from these parts. It should be expunged for its futility, Surita. You should consider it.”
Eager to change the subject so as not to reveal just how badly she wanted the scar gone, she ventured, “The men who attacked me both had tattoos of a black star. Do you know anything of it?”
Sido’s sudden unease suggested that whatever he knew of the star, it wasn’t a good omen. “A black star, you say. Are you absolutely certain?”
“I am. I examined their bodies myself after having killed the fools for underrating me,” Surita said with a tone of pride.
“Perhaps you shouldn’t be so jubilant. That tattoo is a brand that belongs to what I refer to as a rogue nation of bandits, criminals, assassins and all sorts. They are for hire, just as we caravan escorts are. This means that someone of means likely commissioned them to attack you.”
“Why would anyone want to attack me? I am no one of particular import.”
“The person who sent them apparently thinks the opposite. In any case, this only underscores my earlier argument. You need to stay hidden for a while.”
“I cannot afford to, don’t you see? I was not the only one who was attacked, Sido. A friend was killed and the other kidnapped. I need to convey this information to the Helesp officers, so that a search effort can be launched. I need to save my friend; otherwise I will not be able to live with myself. Hiding out is just not an option.”
Sido beheld the brave lady before him with wonder. Despite the danger, she was willing to risk her life to save her friend. Scar or no scar, such valor in a woman so young was beauty in itself, and he felt a deep stir within him to protect her at all costs. Am I being unduly influenced by my lack of intimate female company in recent times? he wondered. It was not that he did not fancy women, he just simply could not afford such relationships due to the notion that he still lived with his mother. True enough, he had enough savings to start out on his own. However, his mother, who had sacrificed so much to raise him, was not earning much these days; leaving her to fare for herself struck him as an ungrateful act. He had indulged in a few sexual relationships over time to help maintain some level of hormonal stability, but never before had he felt the need to protect or save a woman other than his mother.
“Sido, please say something. Tell me we depart on the morrow as planned,” said Surita, interrupting his thoughts.
“Yes, however, we must see to it that your face is restored. Also, we need to consult my mother for more insight on what is at play. She has the ability to ‘sense’ things. Perhaps she can shed some light on who might be after you. That way, we will at least be armed with some information that will not only aid your safe travel, but will also help to rescue your friend.”
Moved that he had implicitly hinted at his willingness to do more than she had brokered for, she whispered a heart-felt thank you after him as he left to converse with Osaio Minabi.
13
The great throne room served as the meeting space where the council of Aishes met before the Ishe to discuss matters of governance. In a circular fashion, the chairs of the Aishes were arranged around the throne, which was a few meters further from the pattern’s locus. On this particular day, the Aishes had gathered as requested by Ishe Fiten and were awaiting his speech as he regarded them from the throne. As was customary, the Aishe’s sat in a clockwise manner according to the order of birth of Hinary Rosento’s direct progeny, to which their respective provinces belonged.
To the immediate left of the throne was Aishe Reed Rosento, seventy-five years of age and first son of Hinary Rosento. After his father’s assassination, he had ruled as Ishe for six years before passing the virtual baton to Aishe Riva Rosento. Unlike Reed, Riva only ruled for five years before he was assassinated at the age of seventy-two. His first son, Remy who was fifty-two years of age, was now Aishe of the Riva province. Aishe Riko Sen, who was forty-eight years old, was the younger son of HN Sen Rosento, third son of Hinary. His elder brother was Ruki Sen, who had served as HN until his recent assassination. Aishe Ben Fiten who was forty-nine years of age was the first son of Ishe Fiten, fourth son of Hinary Rosento. In line with the law, Aishe Ben was to serve as Aishe over the Fiten province until his father’s tenure as Ishe was complete. Aishe Thorne Rosento, fifth son of Hinary Rosento, was sixty-eight years of age and was also grandfather of Beau Even, Mila, Dan and Joni Thorne.
Aishe Luk Ni, who was fourty-four years of age, was the youngest Aishe in Lionea, having assumed the mantle of Aishe after his father Ni Rosento, sixth son of Hinary, was assassinated four years prior at the age of sixty-three. The Aishe was father to Rahel and uncle to Raiden, Roy and Remy. Aishe Sint Rosento, sixty-six years of age and seventh son of Hinary Rosento, was father of great healer Jorraine Sint. Aishe Even Rosento was the eighth son of Hinary Rosento. He was sixty-five years of age and father of Stev Even, Raci Even and the late Marc Even. He also fathered other children from numerous women to whom he was not wed, one of which was Loila Even. Aishe Foté Rosento, younger twin to Even Rosento and hence ninth son of Hinary was also sixty-five years of age. He was father to Johatsu, Jetsi and Prisca Foté. The tenth son of Hinary, Aishe Hart Rosento, was sixty-three years of age and father of the Legator, Henri Hart.
“I welcome you all to another council meeting, great Aishes. I hope that all is well in your respective provinces,” the Ishe began. The Aishes echoed in the affirmative, giving him leave to continue.
“I believe by now, you all are aware of the circumstances under which the late HN Ruki Sen passed on. A healer in the Helesp diagnosed him to be poisoned and, as we all know, his father Sen also died by poisoning. Whoever is responsible has succeeded in depriving the Nation of two great minds that have been crucial in the defense of our lands against the beast to the North. I am yet to ascertain the motive behind their deaths; I can only imagine that they were murdered in order to prevent them from discovering the sinister plan of a powerful person within the Island. You see, only someone of power would be bold enough to make an attempt on our military leader, and this indicates me to believe that the perpetrator is amongst us, even as I speak.”
For maximum effect, Ishe Fiten paused as he observed the Aishes with special focus on Aishe Even. Observing nothing, he continued.
“Personal ambition is a dangerous thing, dear Aishes. To compromise the goals and stability of an entire populace for one’s personal gain is akin to folly, for in due time the negative consequences shall also catch up with such a person. The murderer, or better still, the idiot, is endangering us all if all capable military leaders become extinct in the face of the Norwans. As for the Leades that were killed for their stupidity, this is what I have to say. They have only brought shame upon their respective provinces, for it can only be as a result of poor upbringing that such trained men would act out of character and die as a result.”
At the last comment, the Ishe expected a reaction from the bereaved Aishes Even and Foté. Instead, all he got was an expressionless Even and a smiling Foté.
“What happened yesterday, I am afraid, may result in more internal strife. Leade Marc was quite popular within the Even province and many waited eagerly for him to succeed Ruki Sen. His shameful death may well give the restive supporters more cause to retaliate against the Sint province. In a like mann
er, some of Jetsi’s supporters in the Foté province may take it upon themselves to avenge his death. As Aishes, we cannot allow this to happen, lest we become a greater enemy to our nation than the Norwans. This is the core reason why I called this meeting. I ask that you all do whatever you must to ensure that law and order is maintained within your provinces. I will not have any further strife tear us apart, and I am sure the reason is evident to you all. This is all I have to say at this time. If anyone has something to say, you may now speak.”
Aishe Reed, known for his long speeches, began, “Ishe Fiten, your words could not have rung more true or been more transparent. Our great father, who founded this Island nearly seventy years ago transformed it from a superstitious forest into a prosperous Nation. He raised us all to be leaders and gave each one of us an opportunity to demonstrate all that he taught us through the position of Aishes of the provinces which he created. We must remember that we are not above the law, but are subject to it. Our task is to ensure law and order is maintained and that all under our charge never have the need to sleep on empty stomachs.”
Aishe Reed disregarded some of the bored-looking Aishes as he continued, “I believe most of us present here have done our best to practice what Hinary Rosento taught. However, it seems one or two amongst us have decided to eschew the values he instilled in us. It is only a matter of time until you will be caught. That I can be sure of. And when you are caught, be assured that the full extent of the law shall be used in your prosecution.”
“As for the inter-province tensions, they must be managed effectively through our positions as Aishes. It is natural for tensions to sometimes exist between brothers, families, and provinces. However, we need to remind our subjects that the provinces were only created to ensure better governance at a ground level and not as a means to divide us. While we do this, it is important that we also remind ourselves of the same fact. We are one nation.”