Chapter XIV
Shushy
Achil lay back on his bed, Nishga was bathing in the tub in a small chamber divided from the main room by an ornate sliding door. He could here her splashing as the hot water revitalised her tired limbs. It was good to bathe get into some clean clothes and lie once more on a soft bed with soft pillows.
Nishga stepped out, wrapped herself in a bath robe, and went into the main room where Achil was already relaxing. She looked over and smiled as their king size invited her to lie back and rest. Light filtered through the unguarded open window, outside they could hear the day to day drudgery found in most towns of commerce.
“You know there is something disconcerting about this place I just can't put my finger on it,” she said lying back on her bed.
“I know for all its gilded finery its more like a prison cell than any other place we've visited,” said Achil, with a far away look in his eye.
There was a knock on the door, Andreas and Nicholas entered.
“Do you have any idea where we are?” said Andreas anxiously.
Nicholas walked over to the window to shut it, before Andreas continued.
“Nicholas and I were just down at the reception desk. And these two burly looking Wrath warriors walked through the door; where a well dressed looking man directed them through to a large hall. After they had passed us by, we casually asked the man if there were some special event on. To which he replied that there’s a banquet tonight in the Grand Palace for the Wraths warrior of the year award they're coming here from all over the empire. And it's going to be attended by none other than Marshal Ti, apparently this City is also the command post for the Shadow Warriors; we’ve landed right in a nest of vipers.”
Both Andreas and Nicholas looked at Achil with astonishment.
Achil just smiled, “Nishga you have that cloak of yours don’t you. Perhaps you wouldn’t mind snooping around a bit to try to find out what’s going on out there. I would first make my way over to that large charming building we passed and see who's in residence. Then see if you can find the best way to get over that wall of theirs.”
Nishga sighed deeply took out some fresh clothes and went into the small side room to get changed. She then put the cloak around her disappearing from view. The door to their room opened and closed on its own.
“What do you think she’ll find?” asked Nicholas.
“If you're right and this is the stronghold of the Shadow Warriors then we might find out Jin’s plans and when next he intends campaigning against us. If it's not their stronghold then at least we‘ll find the best way into the wastelands.”
Achil & The Kingdom of Jin Page 20