Her focus returned to the path in front of them. They arrived at a conference room adjacent to an office. Oshone was about to knock on the door, but the Matriarch held up a hand to stop him. She motioned for him to step back and grabbed the door knob. She looked back at Amyar. “Ready?”
Amyar nodded. “Let’s go.”
The Matriarch opened the door and walked in.
*~*~*
Despite the anger Amyar felt at seeing Timendum, he almost laughed out loud at the sight of his cousin and three other high-ranking officers seated around the table gawping.
“Your Majesty, had I known you were coming, I would have been better prepared to greet you,” Timendum finally blurted out. He stood and bowed to the Matriarch. The other officers followed.
The Matriarch smiled broadly. “And I’m sure your greeting would have been … appropriate to the circumstances. You haven’t greeted my son.”
Amyar noticed that beyond the initial shock, Timendum had avoided looking at him. Now, with some effort, but still with an unctuous smile on his face, the prince’s cousin focused on him.
“Of course, ma’am. My prince, I rejoice at your safe return,” he said, bowing again.
His words were hollow. They made Amyar’s blood boil. This was the man who’d had him kidnapped and threatened with death. He was attempting to overthrow his mother. He had hurt Rouden when he was part of the harem.
He lunged forward and landed a solid punch on Timendum’s jaw. His anger overrode any pain in his hands resulting from earlier fights. He raised his fist to get in another punch, satisfied to see Timendum flinch, but his mother pulled him back.
“Not our way,” she said before turning back to Timendum and his accomplices.
“Now that the pleasantries are out of the way,” the Matriarch said with a sharp tongue. “Guards, take these men into custody.”
Soldiers rushed past Amyar and into the conference room. Any doubts about their loyalty faded. They were fighting for the Matriarch.
Timendum backed away from the advancing soldiers until he was against a wall and surrounded.
“Your Highness, I am loyal.”
This seemed to make the soldiers pause.
“No, you’re not,” said the Matriarch flatly.
With those words, the soldiers rushed at Timendum. The other officers tried to put up a fight, but after a brief tussle, the soldiers overcame their resistance.
“I’m on your side,” Timendum yelled. “Stand down.” The soldiers did not.
One of the soldiers thrust his arm out with the speed of a Jeddick serpent and clamped his hand down on one of Timendum’s arms. The captain looked alarmed and tried to pull away, but the soldier held fast. Timendum had nowhere to go. The soldier pulled Timendum toward him. The other soldier grabbed hold of Timendum’s other arm. Together they pulled a furious, writhing Timendum across the table and laid him out flat.
As Timendum tried to wriggle out of the soldiers’ grasp, the Matriarch walked closer to him. She ran a sharp nail down his cheek. Amyar could see a redness on his cousin’s jaw. It would probably turn into a bruise soon.
“Your branch of our family has always been so... disappointing.” She paused and thumped her fist down on his chest, causing him to buckle and cough. “No member of my branch of Thasali would have employed someone like Stymer Totven. You’re more familiar with him under his other name. Lerion. You would do yourself an enormous favor if you tell me now where he is.”
Her hand thumped down again. Timendum writhed and let out a scream. A cough brought forth blood.
The other officers had been pushed down to their knees and were being held still by guards. One of them spoke up. “Ma’am. Totven is out with two attachments of soldiers to take control of Lake Valonde.”
“Good choice to speak,” said the Matriarch. “Maybe I won’t have you killed when this is all over.”
Amyar knew Lake Valonde was the largest lake in Tanshar. Tansharians revered it. For General Eppon’s soldiers to take complete possession of it would be a tremendous blow.
“Mother, we have to stop them,” Amyar said.
“We will. Who’s the officer in charge of those attachments?” she asked and looked at Timendum. He wouldn’t meet her gaze.
“It’s Captain Malu, ma’am,” Oshone said, stepping forward.
“Lieutenant Oshone Wera, you will take a small group of soldiers with you and rendezvous with Captain Malu.” She reached down to Timendum’s hand. She ripped his ring from his finger. He howled in pain. She turned her back to the still restrained man and handed the ring to Oshone.
“Take his ring with you.”
She wrote a message on paper that was on the conference room table. She signed and folded it before handing it to the lieutenant. “Show this to Captain Malu. It will tell him all he needs to know about Timendum and Totven.”
Oshone bowed and started identifying the half dozen men who would join him.
“Mother, I want to go with him.” For Amyar, though, it was more than want. He needed to go. This trip, so unusual for a prince, had changed him, but he’d mostly felt along for the ride. He had learned so much. He was ready to take action.
The Matriarch looked surprised. “Are you sure? You’re safe now.”
He looked at his hands, scraped and dirty. One of his pinkies throbbed and was tender to the touch. He started to smell something foul. He suspected it was himself. He smiled a little, realizing how far he’d come from the perfumed prince he once was and didn’t want to be. He was ready for more.
“I’m sure. None of us will be safe until the coup is put down once and for all, Mother. I know I can help. I have to go,” Amyar said. His voice was deep and strong. His resolve was unbreakable.
She nodded. “You may go. But what about your friend, the harem boy? Rouden, I think his name is? What should I tell him?”
Amyar thought for a moment. “Tell him to come find me.”
The Matriarch raised an eyebrow. “I will, my son.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Getting dirtier
Although their way to Lake Valonde wasn’t through marshland, the ground they trekked across was still damp and musty. Amyar, Oshone, and the handful of soldiers with them had to alternately walk crouching low or crawl across the ground. Despite having crawled through tunnels with Rouden, he still wasn’t an expert. He was surprised most of all by Oshone Wera, who scrambled with ease over the rugged terrain.
“We hold much of this area now, but Tansharians still know the territory better than we do. They could ambush us from anywhere. And there could be Thasali traitors as well. Best to keep a low profile.” Oshone added that they would be able to walk upright once they got to the forest that surrounded the lake.
They passed a cluster of squat, gray buildings—residences, storage, a civilian medical clinic—that Thasali had fought to hang onto. Oshone told Amyar that the rebels had attacked the buildings shortly after he had been kidnapped.
“They put up a good fight.” Oshone still sounded surprised. “It was a close thing. A bit more organized and they could have gained a foothold at the front door of the compound. Fortunately, they’re not organized enough.”
The buildings bore scars from the fight with the rebels. There were deep gashes in the masonry from swords and battle axes. The roofs of a couple of the homes had collapsed in. Half of one of the houses was a pile of charred rubble. Sticking out from the jagged rocks were signs of past lives lived there, a bit of blanket, a broken chair leg, an arm from a child’s doll. Amyar felt an odd sense of guilt. It seemed that his presence in Tanshar from the beginning had been used as the catalyst for mayhem and betrayal. Now more than ever, he wanted to be part of an end to the chaos. Amyar felt bile rise up in his throat when he saw dried blood smeared on some of the walls.
They continued their progress. At one point, Oshone ordered them to lay flat and completely still. When Amyar flattened himself on the ground, he accidentally ended up with a little di
rt in his mouth. This didn’t unsettle him as it might have just a few days ago. He quietly spat out the dirt, grimacing at the bitter taste. They were shortly moving again with Oshone setting a rapid pace.
The prince was relieved when he saw the edge of the forest. They would soon be able to stand up and walk more freely. As they entered the forest, he recalled the inky blackness of the woods up in the mountains with Rouden.
He heard a faint clicking noise, two clicks. Oshone signaled for the prince and the soldiers to stop and crouch down. Amyar watched as his friend took a small metal disc from one of his trouser pockets. He pressed on it, producing a clicking noise similar to the one Amyar had just heard. Two clicks just like before. Then, a rustle of nearby bushes.
A hushed though clear voice said, “Lieutenant Wera. Is that you?”
Wera stood. “Yes. Sergeant Helwy?”
“That’s right. What are you doing here?” Helwy emerged from the dark. Blood gleamed on the sleeve of his uniform, but he otherwise looked fresh and fully presentable. A handful of soldiers stood armed and ready in the shadows behind him.
Amyar and the other soldiers stood up and moved cautiously toward Sergeant Helwy and his men.
Oshone said, “I have a message for Captain Malu. For his eyes only.”
Helwy seemed pleased to see Oshone. Then his eyes widened as he caught sight of the prince. He bowed. His soldiers followed his example. “Your Highness.”
The prince nodded. “What’s the situation, Sergeant?” It occurred to him that perhaps he should have let Oshone ask that question, but he couldn’t help himself. This was why he had come to Tanshar—to experience life outside the palace. He wanted to be more than an observer of negotiations. He didn’t want to be a pawn.
“Captain Malu just sent two soldiers ahead to scout out the rebels’ positions, Your Highness.”
“And then what?” Oshone asked.
“Sir, the original plan was to attack the rebel position near the lake. The rebels have been holding that position for a while now, since after their attack near the compound, sir. But the rebels seem to have fallen back. The fighting has gone quiet,” Helwy said.
“Is Stymer Totven with Captain Malu?” Amyar asked.
The sergeant nodded.
Oshone exchanged a look with Amyar and then said, “Take us to the captain, soldier.”
The walk to the spot where Captain Malu and Totven were positioned was a short one, but it gave the prince enough time to ponder how he had gotten here. He was Thasali through and through. He wanted to see Thasali prevail, but what Timendum, Eppon, and Totven had done was wrong. They were traitors. He smiled when he thought of Rouden and how he had saved his life. Then he realized that Rouden was a traitor to the rebel cause and had been from the moment he engineered his escape from the safe house. Amyar was increasingly unsure about his loyalties. He wasn’t even sure who was in the right anymore. He’d always felt Tanshar’s water was rightfully Thasali. Now, he wasn’t so sure.
Oshone stopped just short of the hut that Captain Malu was in. Sergeant Helwy assured them that Stymer Totven was in there.
“Wait here, my prince,” Oshone said. “We don’t want to show our hand too early.”
Amyar understood. It was best if Totven believed he was still in the rebels’ custody and probably dead, but the prince stopped Oshone just before he walked over to the hut. Someone else should go in first.
“Helwy, tell Captain Malu that there’s an urgent, private message for him out here.”
“Good idea. We’ll wait over there,” Oshone said, indicating a small clump of bushes a few paces away from the hut.
Helwy pushed aside the heavy curtain that served as a door and went inside. Amyar could hear someone else speaking in response to Helwy, but couldn’t make out specific words. After a few moments, the captain emerged. The prince thought his square jaw and deep brown eyes looked familiar. He remembered he had seen Captain Malu a few months ago. It was at a banquet that was part of celebrations for the anniversary of some historic Thasali military victory. Amyar’s oldest brother, the Crown Prince Baboye, got to meet the military officers, including Malu. It hadn’t been considered as important for Amyar to meet them and, at the time, he hadn’t been interested.
Now, it was Amyar’s turn.
Malu came to the spot by the bushes where Amyar and Oshone were waiting. He raised his right eyebrow when he saw the prince. He bowed. “Your Highness, I’m glad to see that news of your possible death was incorrect.”
Wordlessly, Oshone handed Malu the message from the Matriarch.When Malu finished reading the message, he glanced up quickly.
“And there’s this, sir.” Oshone gave him Timendum’s ring.
Malu took it from him, examined it, and gave it back. “I never thought much of Timendum. His preening self-regard was enough to make me dislike him.” He waved the message at Amyar and Oshone. “This makes me despise him. And Totven is his creature through and through.”
The captain beckoned Helwy over. He told him to assemble their soldiers around the hut, then wait for his signal to enter.
“I’ll tell Totven that I’ve received emergency orders to return to the compound,” said Captain Malu. “I’ll tell him that he needs to take control of the situation here. He’ll like that. He’s been wanting to take over from the start.”
While Helwy got the soldiers into position, doing it so quietly that Amyar wouldn’t have known what was happening if he closed his eyes, Malu told the prince that he wanted him front and center.
“I want him to see how badly his plans have gone awry,” Malu said in hushed tones and with undisguised glee.
Just as Malu was about to re-enter the hut, Totven stepped out.
“Malu! Get back—! What is going on here?!” he said.
Amyar stepped into view.
“Sir,” he said. “My mother would like a word with you.”
Unlike when he confronted Timendum back at the compound, Totven’s bland face showed no trace of disbelief, fear, or outrage. The prince thought he saw the spy’s thin-lipped mouth twitch, but he couldn’t be sure. Totally stone-faced, Totven turned to go back into the hut. A couple of soldiers blocked him. They grabbed him by the arms and pushed him to his knees.
“It’s over, Totven. Or should I call you Lerion?” Malu said. “Your dream of overthrowing the Matriarch has met cold, hard reality.”
Totven’s eyes darted here and there. He was like a burninga who had been hunted into a corner and didn’t know which way to turn to avoid slaughter. He pulled against the soldiers. They held fast.
“There’s a failsafe, Malu. We planned for this. If one of us went down, the plan could still be carried out.”
Amyar could feel the delight radiating from Malu. It matched his own.
“Timendum is in custody, Totven. The Matriarch herself apprehended him,” Captain Malu said, grinning broadly.
His statement tickled Amyar. While he knew his mother to be capable of many things, he knew she hadn’t actually arrested Timendum herself. He had been there, but he realized he was witnessing something his history tutor had tried explaining to him once—myth making. Malu’s assertion about the Matriarch, making it sound like it was she who had taken the miscreant Timendum into custody single-handedly, was the version that the soldiers present would tell other soldiers. They, in turn, would tell their family and friends back in Resedna. They would tell how the Matriarch had foiled a coup against her. The story would spread to other parts of the Thasali realm. The story would build on the Matriarch’s already considerable base of fear and respect.
Totven said, unperturbed, “Eppon was the tip of the spear. He’ll—”
“He’ll do nothing.” It was a voice that made Amyar feel warm. It was the voice he’d been waiting for—Rouden. He emerged, alone, from the shadows. The bottom of his pants was wet. His hair was a mess. The prince felt an indescribable thrill upon seeing him, looking scruffier and grimier than usual
The soldiers
pointed their swords at Rouden. He put his hands up.
“Where did that rebel come from?” Malu said. “Get him!”
Rouden slowly backed away from the advancing soldiers.
“Give me one reason why I shouldn’t have my men kill you right now, rebel.” The captain said the word rebel as though it were some dirt stuck to the bottom of one of his boots.
“One reason? I helped prevent the murder of a Thasali prince and stop a coup,” Rouden said with confidence.
The captain paused, looking uncertain.
Amyar pushed through the soldiers. Oshone tried to hold him back, but nothing could keep him from the man he loved. He took his place beside Rouden.
“Captain Malu. Sir. His name is Rouden Vasser, and he has done all he says and more. He saved my life. He’s with me.” Amyar wrapped his arm around Rouden. He wanted to protect him.
Captain Malu walked toward Rouden. Malu was ready to draw his weapon, although it was sheathed for the moment. He scrutinized Rouden from his head to his toes. “What did you mean that Eppon will do nothing, rebel?”
“Tell your men to lower their weapons,” said Rouden. “I’ll tell you what happened to him. I’ll tell you everything.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Different worlds
Rouden was unfazed. This was not the first time Thasali had threatened him or spoken to him as if he was worth less than them, but he knew his worth. He stood his ground. He felt Amyar’s warm arm around him.
The captain, standing just a few feet in front of Rouden and Amyar, ordered the soldiers to stand down. “For the moment,” he added.
Rouden told how he and his brother had tracked Eppon to the woods.
“He was with Wyke.” Rouden kept his eyes on Totven while he told of Wyke slipping into the marsh, the struggle he heard as the rebel leader called his name, and the last gurgle as he was finally sucked under. Totven’s face alternated between a cruel smile and a despondent frown, but then he seemed to turn crazy with joy.
“Wyke was convenient, easily persuaded to betray your precious cause,” Totven said. “He told us about you. He was grooming you to be his consort when he took over this water-logged place. He thought you very pretty. You’d make him a fine prize in what he claimed would be his new paradise.”
Tales of the Thasali Harem Box Set Page 32