by Ian Gregoire
In spite of herself, Kayden started feeling better disposed towards the woman. She didn’t like that one bit. She tried to keep in mind her conviction that Fay was resolutely sabotaging her training to prevent her induction into the Order. The woman was without question the bane of her life. Who cared if she showed a different side of herself to the rest of the world?
A short while later they reached the outskirts of the port town. Waiting to meet them was a male Sanatsai alongside two tethered chestnut geldings. Looking at him, Kayden instantly saw a forty-something version of Lazar. Not that they looked alike, it was more a case of them being of the same archetype. He was over six feet tall. His uniform accentuated the toned, athletic physique beneath, his mousey hair was neatly trimmed, and a week’s worth of facial hair embellished his strong jaw. He was the archetypal rugged ‘pretty-boy’ that so many women seemed to fantasise about. And the glint in his brown eyes gave away his awareness of the effect he had on such women.
“Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes,” he exclaimed heartily, seizing Fay in a bear hug.
Kayden was astonished by the way the Sanatsai was holding on just a little tighter than was necessary or appropriate. The ‘mmmmm!’ that emanated from deep within him as he squeezed Fay’s body against his, suggested he was excited to see Fay in more ways than one, an observation quickly confirmed by one of his hands gliding slowly down Fay’s back to…
“Tobin, if your hand wanders any lower,” said Fay, a hint of coy threat in her voice, “you will lose it…for good.”
Tobin released Fay from his enthusiastic embrace, grinning.
“My humble apologies,” he said with mock sincerity, one hand placed over his heart. “But it has been three years. You can’t blame me for being happy to see you and your shapely be―—”
He cut off as he caught sight of Kayden standing behind the two female Sanatsai. The cheeky grin vanished instantly from his face. He slowly looked Kayden up and down, his eyes devouring her as though she were a sumptuous desert.
Realising she was being mentally undressed, Kayden scowled at him. But the intensity of Tobin’s gaze did not falter until Fay snapped her fingers under his nose.
“Hey!” she barked, clearly unimpressed by the leering. “Put your eyes back inside your head.”
Gazing at Fay with innocent eyes, Tobin said, “I was just inspecting the next generation.” His tone was affectedly meek. He returned his attention back to Kayden. “And who might you be, apprentice?”
“She is Kayden Jayta,” Fay offered. “More than that, you do not need to know.”
Tobin took a step towards Kayden, extending an arm to her in greeting. “Allow me to introduce myself; Tobin Rinaldi.”
Kayden reached for Tobin’s outstretched limb. Before she could grip his forearm he took hold of her fingers then leaned forward to plant a delicate kiss upon the back of her hand.
“It’s an honour to make your acquaintance, Kayden Jayta. I hope you will permit me to say that they certainly didn’t make apprentices half as beautiful as yourself during my tenure as an apprentice.” Tobin’s voice was velvety charm personified. “You must be a real heartbreaker back at Antaris.”
Kayden yanked her hand back from his grasp. “Well, I don’t know about that, Master Toby.” He did not react to the deliberate mispronunciation of his name. “However, I have been known to break other body parts when the need arises.”
Dora, who had remained silent until now, tried and failed to suppress an outbreak of laughter at the expense of her colleague.
Tobin was left speechless by the quip. He quickly recovered his wit, smiling as he turned to address Fay. “I see your three years at Antaris has been spent moulding the apprentices in your image.”
“I assure you, Kayden requires no guidance from me when it comes to putting a lecherous Sanatsai in his place.” A sardonic smile curled Fay’s lips. “You’d probably do well to remember that. Now, I suggest we head out before I’m tempted to break something.”
“Very well.” Tobin untethered one of the horses, handing the reins over to Dora. “Presumably, you and Fay will want to ride together, so to speak.” He began to untether the second horse. “So, I guess Kayden will have the pleasure of riding with me.” He raised his eyebrows suggestively at the apprentice.
“I don’t think so!” Fay snatched the reins of the second horse away from Tobin. “I’d prefer to reach Temis Rulan without incident, if you don’t mind, so Kayden will ride with me.”
“Why are we not getting horses of our own to ride?” Kayden demanded to know, indignant.
“Oh my, she’s not just a pretty face, is she?” Tobin uttered to Fay, with a cheeky smile. “Likes to ride too, it seems.” He fixed his lustful gaze on Kayden. “Let me guess,” he continued. “It’s the sensation you get having something big and powerful between your legs that does it, am I right?”
Both Dora and Fay simultaneously rewarded Tobin with a smack to the back of the head.
“Tobin, if one more inappropriate word comes out of your mouth...” Fay did not finish her stern warning. Tobin would know he had crossed a line she wasn’t prepared to overlook just from her glowering countenance.
“All right! I was just joking.”
Moments later Tobin was mounting his ride, then pulling Dora up to sit behind him. Likewise, Fay mounted the other horse, giving Kayden a helping hand up, to sit behind her. Without further ado the grey and black clad quartet rode away from the port at a gentle canter.
Kayden’s arms were wrapped tightly around Fay’s waist, her head resting gently against the Sanatsai’s back. In the hour or so since riding out of the port, she had contented herself with wistfully breathing in the scent of Fay’s burgundy hair. The combination of jasmine and sandalwood brought to mind her beloved mother, and it had a soothing, calming effect. The warm summer air, coupled with the sights and sounds of the unspoilt countryside all around them, with its rolling fields of dandelions and daisies, lavender covered hills, and fleet rabbits scampering through the long grass only served to relax her further.
The journey thus far had seen them pass through two farming villages, both inhabited by communities comprised of Sanatsai and Jaymidari. The observation provoked a new appreciation for the Order in Kayden. She had always viewed it as a shadowy organisation of powerful warriors, but there was obviously more to it than that.
The horses were now moving at a languid trot across open fields rather than a brisk canter. Since passing through the second village, the conversation between the Sanatsai trio had thankfully moved away from Tobin’s tiresome repartee, and his testing of Fay’s patience with his unabated sexual innuendos. At Fay’s request, Dora was giving a brief rundown of the mission in Yaristana to bring an end to the border dispute between the kingdom and its neighbour, Randissar; Kayden was listening with interest.
The so-called border dispute was in fact a full-scale insurrection in the restive province of Mattis. About six weeks previously a long-gestating secessionist movement in Mattis had taken up arms to break away from the kingdom with the aim of merging with Randissar. As more than two thirds of the province’s population was of Randissari descent the rebellion had considerable internal support, not to mention the rebels were unofficially receiving help from within Randissar, in the shape of weapons and volunteers smuggled across the border.
Despite assurances from the Randissari ambassador that his government were not in any way providing support to the rebels, King Santando and his advisers held firm to their conviction that the rebellion wasn’t possible without outside interference, an assertion that had been seemingly confirmed two weeks ago when Zarantar-wielding fighters first began to appear among the ranks of the separatists. At this point the Yaristanese king had no option but to formally request assistance from the Order to quell the insurrection.
A five-hundred strong cadre of Sanatsai was deployed in Yaristana by the Council in response to the request. For over a week, what was ostensibly intended to be a
brief intervention to restore peace in Mattis province was nothing of the sort. The Sanatsai were engaged in fierce fighting, side-by-side with Yaristanese soldiers against the rebels.
“Three days ago we helped to push the separatists out of the provincial capital, after recapturing and securing all the major towns in the eastern half of the province,” proclaimed Dora. “We were subsequently able to negotiate a truce with the rebel leaders. For the time being they still hold the western areas of Mattis where support for the rebellion is strongest.
“Our Yaristanese friends did not welcome the ceasefire, to say the least. But the truce is holding…for now.”
“I can’t say that I blame them,” said Tobin. “Why didn’t we continue our momentum and push west towards the border? As long as their supply lines to Randissar remain intact the rebels have no reason to lay down their arms.”
“Because our orders were to bring an end to the fighting, which we’ve done. Besides, we don’t currently have the manpower in Mattis to fight an all-out war if Randissar should enter the fray on the side of the separatists.” Dora sighed in frustration. “We’re having a difficult enough time as it is preventing the Yaristanese soldiers from exacting retribution against their fellow subjects of Randissari descent, even those not involved with the rebels.”
“Is that likely to happen?” Fay inquired. “Randissar entering the conflict, I mean.”
“Despite the lull in fighting, Danai Rentis is concerned that intervention by the Order all but guarantees an escalation in the conflict.”
“Pouring oil on to fires never seems to put them out,” mused Fay. “But knowing Larko Rentis, as I do, his mind does tend to favour the worst possible scenario.”
“While I was at Beltranis campus this morning, updating the Council on our progress, he had me request that the size of our contingent in Mattis be increased tenfold, to five thousand. He believes it’s only a matter of time before an incursion from Randissar to annex the province.”
“Have we ascertained whether or not the government of Randissar really is behind the supply of weapons and men to the rebels? Knowing that will make it easier to predict how they may react to our involvement.”
“Covert operations inside Randissar have confirmed that support for the rebellion is being orchestrated by three high-ranking military officers,” Dora said. “However, there’s no evidence to suggest the ruling body is aware of this, let alone actually sanctioned it.”
“It’s possible that if presented with proof of the unauthorised actions of these three officers, the government could put an end to it.” Fay didn’t sound particularly hopeful. “It would go some way to taking the wind out of the sails of the rebels.”
“Or…” interrupted Tobin. “They’ve been in on it from the word go, and having their secret exposed would simply force them into openly pursuing the annexation of Mattis province. If that happens, we’ll have no choice but to go to war on the side of Yaristana.”
“The Order won’t be drawn into open warfare so easily,” warned Fay. “The Council will pursue any and every avenue available to avoid that.”
Kayden, who had been listening attentively to the discussion until now, decided it was time to speak her mind.
“If the Order truly wants to end the conflict without going to war, the Council should be demanding that the king and queen of Yaristana rectify the poor treatment of their subjects who are of Randissari descent.”
The conversation came to an abrupt halt. Both Dora and Tobin peered across towards the other horse, looking quizzically at the apprentice.
“Why are you staring at me like I just said something crazy?” Kayden challenged the two Sanatsai. “It is well known that those of Randissari heritage are treated worse than dirt throughout Yaristana. As far as I’m concerned, the separatists are more than justified in taking up arms against their oppressors. The interests of their people would be better served by breaking away from the kingdom, and for Mattis to be absorbed into Randissar.”
Tobin began to laugh heartily. “Oh, Fay,” he managed to say between fits of laughter. “Only you would have the testicular fortitude to bring a separatist sympathiser to Temis Rulan.”
“Be quiet, Tobin,” said Fay, irritably. “And stop laughing.” He promptly obeyed her command. “Kayden, there is undoubtedly truth in your assertion that the poor treatment of the Randissari population has been a contributing factor in the current crisis. That being said, the Order cannot tell the rulers of Yaristana how to govern their kingdom.”
“Why not?”
Dora answered on Fay’s behalf. “The Order was founded to prevent the misuse of Zarantar in the Nine Kingdoms. We do not interfere in the internal politics of any of the kingdoms.”
“Well, maybe it is time you started.” There was an unmistakable edge to Kayden’s voice.
“You seem to be taking this personally, Kayden,” observed Fay.
“I have no stake in what’s happening in Mattis province, if that’s what you’re wondering,” she replied. “But I know what it’s like to belong to a visible minority living in the Nine Kingdoms. Assumptions are made about us based on fanciful tales that people carelessly spread. The wrongful actions of a single individual are used as a pretext for smearing the rest of us with the same brush, and if the fortunes of the land take a turn for the worse, we become convenient scapegoats for people to point the finger of blame.
“The Order should be taking advantage of the current truce to insist on the rulers of Yaristana taking steps to address the terrible mistreatment of their Randissari subjects. Why should they be treated less favourably than everyone else simply because of what they look like? It’s not as though they can conceal their pallid complexions, their freckles, or their ginger hair.
“It may not be enough, initially, to quell separatist sympathies entirely. But acknowledgement that there is a problem is a necessary first step.”
“Your suggestion has merit, Kayden,” conceded Fay. “The Council, too, would see the wisdom in advising King Santando to act accordingly. However, as I already stated, the Order cannot compel the rulers of the Nine Kingdoms to adopt policies they do not wish to adopt.”
Kayden was becoming exasperated. “What is the point of having all this power if you can’t force people to do what you want?”
From the corner of her eye, Kayden noticed that neither Dora nor Tobin reacted well to her words; they were both directing concerned glances at Fay sitting in front of her. Fay, for her part, seemingly feeling the weight of her companions’ gazes upon her, glanced wordlessly at them for a moment before returning her attention straight ahead; the two horses were starting to ascend a steep hill.
“Is that what you would do, Kayden?” queried Fay. “Use your power to impose your will on others.”
“If that’s what it takes.”
The reply was decidedly blasé.
Her words appeared to mark the end of the discussion. Fay offered no response to her answer, though glancing at the other two Sanatsai it certainly seemed to Kayden as though Dora really wanted to take issue with it. Instead, the woman directed her address to her friend and counterpart.
“Red? If I may ask―—”
“No, you may not,” said Fay abruptly, cutting Dora off in mid-sentence. “This conversation is over.”
The affable woman who had emerged during the journey to Temis Rulan was gone; the stoic administrator of Antaris campus had returned. “Any questions can wait until we reach Temis Rulan.”
“How much further to go?” Kayden asked no one in particular.
“The other side of this hill,” said Fay.
Minutes later the two horses reached the top of the hill, ready to begin the descent down the gently sloping, grassy incline.
“Oh, my...” gasped the apprentice.
In her mind, Kayden had always envisioned Temis Rulan as a larger-scale version of the Antaris campus that had been her home for the past five years. The reality that now lay before her dwarfed th
ose preconceived notions. She marvelled at the sight of the sprawling cityscape in the distance, at the centre of which she could clearly see the complex of buildings that could only be the headquarters of the Order, surrounded by a circular perimeter wall. From her vantage point it was difficult to accurately gauge the size of the headquarters but she estimated that it must cover five times the area of the Antaris campus.
Radiating outwards from the perimeter wall, myriad buildings and habitations stretched out in every direction. Kayden guessed that it would take at least two hours to walk from one end of the city to the other.
“I had no idea Temis Rulan was a city in it’s own right,” she exclaimed.
“I’m not sure that it qualifies as such, at the moment,” Fay replied in her customary matter-of-fact fashion, “but it continues to grow over time. When it was first established, Temis Rulan was contained entirely within the perimeter wall you can see at the centre. Over time, as more Sanatsai were inducted into the Order, and people began having families, it became necessary to expand beyond the wall in order to accommodate the increasing population.”
Given how much it had expanded, Kayden could only imagine the size of population, currently.
“Just how many people live here?” she wondered aloud.
“Well, there are over a hundred thousand people on the island, most of whom live here in Temis Rulan.”
“A hundred thousand!” Kayden was flabbergasted. “Surely they can’t all be members of the Order?” She found it inconceivable that there could be so many Sanatsai in the world, let alone just on the island.
“No,” acknowledged Fay. “At the last count, the number of Sanatsai in our ranks was just north of the thirty thousand mark. At any given time, you’ll find at least three quarters of us living here. The rest of the population is made up of Jaymidari and the offspring of those who have started families here.”