The First Five Days: of the Lionean Saga

by John O.

Continuing, Aishe Reed countered, “Ishe Fiten, one thing I did not agree with was your comment concerning the ‘poor upbringing’ of the deceased Leades, Marc and Jetsi. In my opinion, that was absolutely unnecessary. Such statements do not solve problems; instead, they tend to aggravate them. As a result, I recommend that you retract that comment and apologize to Aishes Even and Foté. That is all I have to say at this time,” he concluded.

  Ishe Fiten nodded at the Aishe, before saying, “Aishe Thorne, did you have something to say? I noticed you were about to speak, but gave way to Aishe Reed respectfully as an elder to us all.”

  “Indeed I did. However, he has said all that was on my mind. I have nothing more to add.”

  “Very well. Does anyone else have anything to say?”

  “As a matter of fact, I do,” Aishe Riko Sen replied.

  Suddenly looking cheerful, the Ishe said, “Alright Aishe Riko, let us hear you then.”

  “Welcome, Rahel. Call in Zach as well. I wish him to be here during our discussion.”

  “Your command!” Rahel replied. Shortly after, Zach walked in behind her as she made her way to sit before Yosi Sint. Her countenance was visibly shaken despite her efforts to control her shivering hands and legs. Zach wondered whether she was afraid that the HN had discovered their brief kiss, which by itself was not against the laws of the Helesp.

  “HN Ruki Sen divulged to me your detective abilities, Rahel. Based on what he said, and as is evident, I believe you have sensed something from me. Am I right?” Yosi began.

  Rahel looked askance at Zach and hesitated before replying, “You are correct, Sire.”

  “Only a handful of people are aware of the circumstances that led to your grandfather’s execution four years ago.”

  Assassination, you mean to say, thought Rahel in anger as Yosi Sint continued, “I guess when you came across me yesterday, you became among the few who know the identity of the executioner. If I am right, you believe he was not executed, but was assassinated. Also, I believe you have always wondered as to why you were not also killed on that very day. True?”

  Rahel nodded in anticipation of what was to come, for she had been haunted by nightmares ever since the tragic event.

  “About four years ago, HN Ruki Sen received word of three missing Spyinmes who were last seen at the Ni province. At the time, we were still at war with the Norwans such that the HN and his Leades could not divert their attention towards the case. As a result, the investigation was left to the Protor of the province who, after one week, was unable to discover any concrete evidence or information regarding the missing girls. Displeased with the Protor’s performance, HN Ruki dispatched Zach to lead the effort. Zach, please speak from here as you’re in a better position to discuss your findings.”

  Rahel looked expectantly at Zach, eager to learn the truth while dreading the discovery altogether. Zach began, “When I spoke with your grandfather about the case, his Deftor and guards were in the room. Although they all claimed to be just as ignorant as I was about what must have happened, their body language belied their words, and it was then that I began to suspect something was amiss.”

  “Fortunately, I noticed that one of the guards seemed to be visibly disconcerted all through the discourse. I suspected that he was willing to disclose what truly happened, and for this reason, I asked to be escorted by the guard on my way out of the province. Your grandfather objected, claiming that this guard, whose name was Rimi Seeze, was just recovering from an illness and was, hence, in no shape to depart on such an errand. I insisted, suggesting that perhaps such a walk was what he needed, and that the Aishe was better off sending the weakest Guard, lest he be poorly protected in such a time of inexplicable murders.”

  “Having realized that I had put him in an awkward position, your grandfather acquiesced, much to the irritation of his Deftor who appeared poised to attack me. On the way back, Rimi Seeze revealed that your grandfather was behind the entire conspiracy.”

  That’s impossible, thought Rahel, who began to wonder if this was all a ruse to taint her grandfather’s name. With incredulity, she continued to listen.

  “I remember the exact words of this Rimi Seeze and I quote, ‘Aishe Ni and his Deftor ordered a few of us guards to kidnap the girls before their shifts’ end. During the attempt, some province guards came upon us and, as a result, we had no choice but to engage them in combat, leaving them dead. We then delivered the girls to a secret room as Aishe Ni bade us. There, we discovered two other girls chained to the walls like prisoners. They were without garments and till date, I have no idea who they were and when they were abducted.’ At this point Rimi lowered his head and shed a few tears before continuing: ‘A few days later, Aishe Ni invited us one after the other to do as we pleased with the two naked girls as reward for our loyal services. We did things to those girls, things that I now strongly regret. I haven’t been able to think or act straight ever since. I tried to hide my discomfort, but evidently the Aishe and his Deftor are well aware that I’m becoming an ongoing risk, which is why they would have preferred if I did not have to escort you. I fear that they may kill me soon, although I would not mind if they did, if only to absolve me of the crime I have committed.”

  Zach Sen noticed the tears that trickled down Rahel’s face and could not bring himself to continue. The two men watched in silence as she cried for thirty counts before she regained herself. “I’m very sorry about that… I’m indeed surprised at myself. I know I’m supposed to be stronger than this but it is painful to hear that a man I admired and loved was capable of such inhumane behavior. Please, you may continue.”

  “Do not rebuke yourself, Rahel. It is only natural for you to react this way. In truth, admiration is often the furthest thing from understanding. It taints our sight, such that we fail to see the truth even when it stares us in the face,” Zach Sen ventured in an attempt to assuage her pain. In truth, it was all he could do in order not to take her into his arms and comfort her as his hormones urged him to. He then continued.

  “When I told your father, who was the Lector of the Ni province at the time, about all that Rimi Seeze had said, he was livid beyond measure. He threatened to confront your grandfather, but I cautioned against it and instead advised him to act as though nothing was amiss. He reluctantly agreed, but insisted on accompanying me to discuss the next steps with my father, the HN.”

  “After briefing HN Ruki Sen on my findings, the three of us proceeded to consult with Ishe Riva. On Ruki Sen’s account, the Ishe agreed to call a council meeting in order to enable the search of your grandfather’s personal manor while he was away. The Ishe also gave the HN leave to execute your grandfather and his guards if evidence to corroborate Rimi Seeze’s claim was found. However, your father requested that the executions be carried out covertly while spreading a false story in order to preserve the family name. The cover story he suggested was that the Aishe had been accidentally slain as he intervened in a quarrel between his guards that had escalated into swords being drawn. Upon realizing that they had murdered the man whom they were sworn to protect, the Deftor and his subordinates had made a decision to end their own lives in hope that the goddess would accept them for their atonement.”

  Rahel had heard that story times over as her father attempted to convince her that her memories about the assassination were but a dream. With a sigh of relief, having received some closure, she listened to the rest of the story.

  “Ishe Riva approved your father’s request and called the council on the morrow as planned. Your grandfather, a wily and cautious man, ensured that his manor was guarded such that your father, Ron Riten and Rosi Lite met heavy resistance as they embarked on their quest. As sword met sword, the Deftor, in an attempt to cover their tracks, stole away to the secret room and began to murder the girls one by one. Ron Riten pursued and was able to kill the Deftor before he could take the life of the last girl. He also discovered the corpse of Rimi Seeze along with the bodies of the remaining girls. Rosi Lite assi
sted your father in cleaning up the mess, while Ron Riten reported back to the Helesp to inform the HN of what they had found. Lord HN, I believe you are in a better position to tell the rest of the story,” Zach Sen concluded, inwardly glad that his part in Rahel’s pain had come to an end.

  Aishe Riko Sen began with his characteristic subtle charisma, “All ten provinces are governed by the same laws. Our peoples are bound by the same customs; we all speak the same language; and other than the pure natives, most practice the same religion. In addition, our wise founder saw to it that the Nation is structured such that we never have to compete for land and resources. Finally, we have a common threat in Norwaland, who we have managed to stave off over the years. Considering these cohesive forces, one would expect us to be strongly united. Surprisingly however, we constantly grapple with mild inter-provincial conflicts, some of which are beginning to escalate. To effectively address this worrisome problem, we first have to understand the root cause of the mounting tensions.”

  “My grandfather, Ishe Hinary Rosento encouraged us to organize activities that foster inter-provincial cooperation and constantly remind our people that we are one, and that the provinces were only created for security reasons and ease of governance. While the solutions proffered thus far address the second part of that statement, nothing has been said to address the cause of the problem, which in my view, stems from the fact that the inter-provincial activities we have organized seem to achieve the exact opposite of what Ishe Hinary intended.”

  “Thirteen years ago, council majority voted in favor of the introduction of national competitions. According to those in support, these competitions were aimed at spurring the youths to improve their skills in the face of the threat from Norwaland, as well as providing a source of entertainment for the people at large. I remember Aishe Foté was one of those against the motion. He warned that such competitions would encourage a stronger sense of belonging to individual provinces at the expense of national unity. Furthermore, he warned that the heightened sense of competition would naturally seep into other spheres of society and could very easily escalate into violence.”

  “I strongly supported his views while the rest of the council dismissed our warnings as ridiculous. ‘It is nothing but a competition!’ was the echoed response. As you will recall, in the third year after the competitions were formally introduced, a representative of the Foté province lost his temper and inflicted serious injuries on his opponent from the Sint province as well as on the referee who hailed from the Ni province. An inter-provincial clash ensued, with unrest breaking out between the three provinces.”

  “Fragile order was restored by the military operatives and, had the Norwans not chosen to attempt an invasion three months later thereby galvanizing national unity, chaos might have broken forth. The war also afforded us the suspension of the games, which resumed for a fourth time this year. Like I said thirteen years ago, the youth do not need such competitions to improve. The high standards set by the recruitment processes of the elite military groups are enough to inspire them as it is. As for those who seek entertainment, they should realize that we have far more grave issues to worry about, lest we fall to the might of Norwaland.”

  “Here is what I think can be done, however. We can change the nature of these games. As opposed to the current province versus province scheme, teams comprising representatives from all provinces may be constituted to compete in games of unarmed physical combat. This will not only encourage learning to work with others towards a common goal, it will also develop a consciousness of national unity. Thank you all for listening,” He concluded.

  Ishe Fiten, head of the council and moderator spoke, “Isn’t it funny how we sometimes easily overlook the obvious? The point made by Aishe Riko Sen is indeed clear and I am in full support. Unless the rest of you object, I will now place Aishe Riko Sen in charge of developing the details of such games. Any other person who is interested may as well develop games of his own, which will achieve the same objective. I believe we have now come to the end of this meeting, thank you all for coming,” he concluded abruptly, much to the ire of some of the Aishes.

  Among the vexed was Aishe Thorne Rosento, who whispered to Aishe Luk Ni, “How dare he close the meeting just like that? His tyranny knows no bounds. The developing tensions have little to do with the organized competitions. It is more about the silent competition for position and power than anything else.”

  “I could not agree more,” replied Aishe Ni who listened attentively while the other Aishes exchanged pleasantries.

  “If Ishe Fiten had not brought the meeting to an end, I would have suggested that we limit the powers wielded by the office of the HN. That office is much too powerful. Despite the fact that it ranks at Aishe level, it is often seen to be far higher than that of even the Ishe, based on power and prestige. While Aishes and Ishes are chosen by inheritance, the HN is appointed on account of merit alone. Although in principle, he reports to the Ishe, the Ishe virtually agrees with everything the HN recommends in order to also appear as intelligent. Competition for that office begins at an early age for most aspiring men, and is a major source of tension for our people, just as it has resulted in the deaths of Leades Marc Even and Jetsi Foté.”

  Aishe Luk, who also shared similar sentiments, added, “Go to the training halls of each province and you will find Lectors motivating their Studes to become better than all those in other provinces in order for a future HN to be chosen from their province. Such intense competition has far more wide-reaching effects than that offered by the current games.”

  “Indeed. The tensions will continue to mount until the power of the HN is curbed.” Aishe Thorne concluded as they left the throne room.

  Yosi Sint picked up from where Zach Sen left off. “On that fateful night, Ron Riten came to the temple at about three hours past the Sun’s Hour and informed me of my latest mission; to execute Aishe Ni and his remaining guards. Shortly after Ron’s departure, I set out for your grandfather’s manor and managed to infiltrate undetected…”

  Aishe Ni and the remaining eight guards rode into the courtyard through the main gate. On noticing the marked absence of the guards he had left behind, he was immediately wary that something was amiss. With caution, he entered his manor and stationed his guards in a defensive position around him. Just as he was settling himself on his throne, Rahel walked in.

  “Grandfather!” she exclaimed with delight.

  “Rahel, child. How fares it with you?”

  “To be honest, I’ve been insanely bored. I have been alone all day. Imagine my excitement when I saw your chariot pass by our house some minutes ago.”

  “So you rushed down to see an old man for lack of better company,” Aishe Ni laughed. “Why didn’t you go to the training hall instead?”

  “My father commanded that I stay indoors. If I go to the training hall, he will discover in no time that I have defied his orders.” She smiled with mischief. “Will you play Strag?”

  “Oh no, my most beautiful child. Not today. I have just returned from a tedious meeting. I need to rest now. Come back later?”

  “Of course! I will be back in an hour. That should give you enough time to rest,” Rahel replied with a wink and made her way out.

  Glad that his granddaughter was out of possible harm’s way, he said to one of the guards. “I suspect the Deftor thought it best to dispose of the girls. Perhaps the other guards are helping to bury them as we speak. Yet it wouldn’t hurt to be cautious. Take a look around to ensure nothing is amiss.”

  “There is no need for that,” came the voice of Yosi Sint, who had emerged from hiding. “Aishe Ni, you and your guards have each shamed your name beyond measure. You shall be executed in accordance with the laws of the land.”

  Sword met flesh as Yosi began the execution, sparing no one. Rahel, who had stopped by some flowers on her way out, overheard the sounds and ran towards the manor.

  “In order to prevent you from screaming, I knocke
d you unconscious before leaving the palace. That way, I ensured that the nearby guards would not be alerted, an outcome that could have complicated my ease of exiting without detection. I am sincerely sorry for the pain all this has caused you,” Yosi concluded.

  A lot had been said, and Rahel wasn’t sure what to believe. He knew of her abilities and as such could have conjured this story to explain away the ill feeling she experienced whenever she came across him. After a brief silence, she asked, “What were the names of the three missing Spyinmes?”

  “Sila Rin, Vica Lorento and Belise Hun,” Zach replied.

  “You said one of the kidnapped girls survived. Please, tell me her name and her whereabouts now.”

  “I’m sorry but I cannot give you that information. To enable her reintegration with society, she requested that she was never to be associated with that unfortunate event.” Zach replied.

  Yosi, upon noticing Rahel’s lack of belief, ventured, “Rahel, I trust that this is difficult for you to believe. I only chose to apprise you of what really happened to your grandfather in order to provide some closure and put you at ease when working with me. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, lord HN”

  “Very well. If you no longer have questions, that will be all. Please feel free to approach me or Leade Zach anytime with whatever concern you may have.”

  “Thank you very much,” Rahel replied before gathering herself and walking out of the room.

  Zach Sen watched her as she left. “She has her doubts, that one,” he said as soon as he was sure he wouldn’t be overheard.

  “It is only natural. On a lighter note, she is indeed a beautiful lady. I wouldn’t be surprised if you were in love with her.”

  Zach was about to reply when Yosi added, “I believe she’s also in love with you. You two might someday make a great couple. I will now be on my way to the Even province to see if I can find a worthy Leade. I truly hope to find one there. I would rather take my chances with the Ishe on the Wesoa trade license for the Fotés rather than support the Even’s ambition to monopolize Korosh wine.”