The Tower of Bashan

by Joshua P. Simon

  Rondel came in behind her as they maneuvered their way through the vendor stalls toward the front of the tower. He realized that his partner had the same thought as he did, wanting to see what Beladeva was up to before making their escape.

  Several dozen of the crime lord’s men hurried about. Among other things, some shored up the entrance with a defensive barricade while others constructed what looked like some sort of cage.

  “Think that’s supposed to be for us?” he asked.

  “Probably,” said Andrasta. “I don’t see any sign of the prince.”

  “Maybe Beladeva sent him back to the palace. It’s obvious he won.”

  “Could be the prince is dead.”

  Lela let out a small gasp and tugged Rondel’s sleeve.

  “What?”

  “The princess,” whispered Lela.

  “What about the princess?”

  “She’s in that carriage under guard. I saw her through the window.”

  “Too bad. My guess is that she’s Beladeva’s insurance to get what he wants.”

  “Too bad? Beladeva has her prisoner. We need to rescue her.”

  “We don’t need to do anything,” said Andrasta.

  “You’re not going to just leave her?”

  “I don’t owe her anything.”

  “Yes you do. We all do. We lied to her. The whole Lord Rickar deception had her making poor decisions she wouldn’t have made under normal circumstances. And I withheld information that could have helped her while telling her secrets to Beladeva.”

  Andrasta shrugged. “Things happen.”

  Lela spun to Rondel. “You know I’m right.”

  “Too risky. The best thing working in our favor right now is that everyone still thinks we’re inside the tower. We try to save the princess, all we’re going to do is let everyone know we’re out. It’s going to be hard enough to kill Beladeva as it is.”

  “I don’t care. I’d rather save the princess than kill Beladeva.”

  “What about avenging your uncle?”

  “He would much rather me save the princess. Please. I did a lot of people wrong. If we can save her, I’ll have a chance to do good both by her and by Kunal.”

  Rondel sighed. That line of thought hit too close to home. In fact, his guilty conscience had caused him to drag Andrasta into many situations she would have likely avoided. Yes, he had participated in some shady activities, but he tried his best to avoid harming good people. And he tried to help others in the hopes it might make up for the many mistakes of his past.

  He thought of the guards they killed to get inside the tower. But am I truly doing enough? No. Like helping Lela, this is a chance for me to do more.

  Andrasta swore.

  “What?”

  “I know that look. You’re going to help.”

  “Not necessarily. I—”

  “Stop. Quit wasting time trying to talk yourself out of it. We both know it won’t work. Just tell me what you want to do and let’s get this over with.”

  A grin pulled at the corners of his mouth.

  “All right.” He studied the carriage with the princess, ignoring the vacant one farther away. “Well, the best thing to do would be to wait until she’s somewhere more isolated. On her way back to the palace.”

  “What if Beladeva kills her?” asked Lela.

  “If that was his intention,” said Andrasta, “she’d already be dead.”

  “Fine. But that doesn’t mean he won’t hurt her. Trust me, if you can think of something awful, Beladeva has done it to someone.”

  “Well, there’s six around the carriage, including the driver,” said Rondel. “Two more just to the left that we’d have to deal with as well.”

  “There’s another one off to the right by that crate.” Andrasta pointed. “It looks like he’s gnawing on something.”

  “I see him. So, that makes nine.”

  “There’s way more than nine,” said Lela, looking at the others working closer to the tower entrance.

  “We’re not worried about those,” said Rondel.

  “Why?”

  “Because. We’re not trying to kill everyone. We’re moving in fast and hopefully leaving fast. If we can’t take care of those nine quickly, we aren’t going to make it out of here alive.” He turned to Andrasta. “You know, there might be someone in the carriage with her we can’t see.”

  “Safe assumption.” She turned to Lela. “He’s yours.”

  “What!” The girl’s eyes widened.

  “What?” Rondel echoed the question to Andrasta.

  “It has to be her,” said Andrasta. “Like you said, the more time we waste with the ones around the carriage, the more likely we’ll get caught. You need to take out the driver, and grab the reins as soon as possible. That means she has to save her princess.”

  “All right. Here.” He handed her one of his crossbows.

  “I don’t know how to use this.”

  “Open the door, point, and pull the trigger. At that range, you won’t even have to aim much. Go for the torso. Don’t give me that look. It’s safer than you trying to stab someone twice your size with a dagger.”

  Rondel pulled out his other crossbow. “On three. One . . . Two . . . “

  “Wait,” said Andrasta. “We took too long. Something is happening.”

  Sure enough, someone led Mira out of the carriage and back to the tower’s entrance. They stopped before a man dressed in a black turban with white churidars and a white sherwani.

  “Beladeva,” said Andrasta.

  “And that was Gulzar who took Mira to him,” said Lela.

  Words were exchanged.

  “Then what are we waiting for?” asked Lela. “Let’s save Mira and kill Beladeva at the same time.”

  “No,” said Rondel. Beladeva and Mira began walking away from the rest of his men. He judged their current path. “Quick change of plans.” He turned to Lela. “Do you think you could drive a carriage?”

  CHAPTER 36

  Mira marched a step behind Gulzar toward the tower entrance with shoulders hunched, eyes cast down.

  Beladeva waited for them near the entrance, hands clasped behind his back. He said nothing, but watched every move his men made as they hurriedly hauled in more tools and weapons to work on the tower door. To her delightment, the clanking and banging of pick and hammer against the granite inside had yielded nothing.

  Gulzar halted.

  “Princess Mira is here, sir.”

  “Leave us,” said the crime lord.

  Gulzar hesitated, bowed, then walked away. Beladeva slowly turned. “It will be dawn in a few hours and your presence is not needed here any longer. I’m going to have Gulzar return you to the palace shortly. Get some rest and be ready for a big day tomorrow. As the city wakens, news of your brother’s death will spread. You will need to be strong for the people. They must know that nothing is amiss. Gulzar will bring you further instructions as the day progresses.”

  She nodded dutifully. “Of course.”

  He grunted. “You thought about what I said before, I presume?”

  “Yes.”

  He frowned, studying her. He called over his shoulder “Hari.”

  “Yes, sir?” called a voice near one of the vendor stands.

  “Bring the sack.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Follow me, Princess.”

  Beladeva walked away from the tower, past the second carriage that held Brahma. She noted that no one guarded it.

  Does that mean he’s dead? Or just so unimportant it isn’t worth the effort? Please don’t let him be dead.

  They stopped near several empty vendor stalls and waited. Hari hurried over, struggling with a lumpy burlap sack.

  “Dump it,” said Beladeva.

  Hari undid the ties and turned the sack upside down. Four severed heads thudded to the blue marble that surrounded the tower. They stared out with lifeless eyes and gaping maws.

  Mira’s hand went to her mouth
. She looked away before she could vomit.

  “You recognize these faces?” asked Beladeva.

  “Yes.” Brahma’s sons.

  “I thought you might.”

  “Why?” She struggled to keep her voice from shaking.

  “To keep you honest, Your Majesty. I don’t want you trying to stir up trouble behind my back.”

  You’re sick! Besides disgust and sorrow for the crime lord’s act, anger renewed its grip on her. Beladeva had thwarted her plans before she even had a moment to carry them out.

  She lost it.

  Her leg snapped out with all she had. The top of her foot slammed between Beladeva’s legs. The crime lord’s eyes bulged. He gasped and fell atop the severed heads.

  Mira took a step forward ready to strike again when a hand struck her face. Her head rocked to the side, cheek stinging. Someone latched onto her arm. Another hand wrenched her head back. She tried to break free, but it was useless.

  “No,” said Beladeva in a weak voice. He looked up panting, traces of vomit decorated the thin facial hair around his mouth. “Not where people will notice the marks.”

  “The stomach then?” asked Hari.

  “Yes,” Beladeva groaned, then vomited once more.

  Hari spun her quickly and punched her in the stomach so hard it stole her breath. She bent in half, unable to breath. Hari straightened her and punched her again in the stomach. A third punch sent her to the ground. She pushed aside her pain to gaze upon Beladeva struggling to compose himself on hands and knees. Though she couldn’t ever recall being in so much pain, the look on the crime lord’s face made her suffering worth it.

  At some point, Mira heard footsteps from others running over to Beladeva. All the while Hari continued exacting punishment on her for striking the crime lord.

  A boot struck her side. A loud crack sounded. She watched Hari withdraw his boot. She began questioning whether that kick to Beladeva’s crotch had been worth it after all.

  “That’s enough,” whispered Beladeva.

  It hurt too much to cry, but that didn’t stop her from gasping and wheezing for air while rolling on the ground in an effort to better protect herself. She wiped her lips with the back of her hand. It came away wet with blood.

  Hari’s boot hit her again, this time in the back. She found enough of her voice to scream.

  “I said that’s enough! If you—”

  Mira refocused on her surroundings due to the abrupt nature in which Beladeva’s voice cut off. She turned toward him just as his head toppled from his shoulders. The huge woman from Juntark stood nearby, her sword already sweeping back through the air, slicing into one of Beladeva’s men.

  By the gods . . . .

  Hands slipped under her arms. Mira yelped in pain and began to fight them off.

  “Calm down, Your Majesty. We’re getting you out of here.”

  That voice. With help, she rose to her feet. Lord Rickar. She met the man’s eyes. He held a bloody short sword in one hand. The body of Hari lay unmoving on the ground. No. It’s Rondel.

  “Liar,” she snapped, shrugging away from his grasp.

  “Yes. That and much more.” He grabbed her again, leading her away from the carnage being exacted by Andrasta. She tried to fight him but the beating had left her with little strength.

  “Leave me alone,” she said, failing miserably at twisting away from his grip.

  “Really? You want to be left with Beladeva’s men? How much worse do you think they’ll treat you now that he’s dead?”

  She scowled, seeing the wisdom in his question. “Fine.”

  Am I to be yet another puppet for another evil man?

  The sounds of men dying rang out from behind as they began walking again at a hurried pace. “What about your partner? Shouldn’t you help her?”

  “She’s buying us time. Besides, she’s got it under control.”

  Mira glanced over her shoulder. The big woman severed a man’s arm at the elbow. He stared dumbly at the stump and she took one of his legs as well. He dropped to the ground in pieces. Her sword stabbed into the chest of another.

  Yes. I’d say she does.

  * * *

  Lela sat hunched in the driver seat of the unguarded carriage while trying to appear as nondescript as possible. Palms slick with sweat, she held the reins tight in both hands. Her left leg wouldn’t stop shaking.

  Hurry, Rondel. Hurry.

  It was obvious that he was having a hard time convincing Mira that he was no longer the bad guy. Mira didn’t seem to be buying his story.

  Who can blame her?

  Something he said finally registered, for the princess quit struggling and hurried toward the carriage with him.

  It took everything she had not to click the reins and meet them halfway. She knew she wouldn’t be able to quickly swing the carriage around in a tight space to get back on the road.

  Both her legs started bouncing as she waited.

  C’mon.

  Her attention briefly drifted to Andrasta who fought, injured, and killed. Lela had watched her kill Beladeva with eagerness. But when the deed was done, she felt nothing.

  Too fast. No satisfaction. No peace. Nothing.

  But what does it matter how fast he dies? Kill him a thousand times and Kunal is still dead.

  “Now!” said Rondel.

  She gave a nod, put two fingers in her mouth, and whistled. It rang out over the din of fighting. Andrasta cast her a quick look, letting Lela know she heard, then returned to her opponent.

  Rondel led Mira past the horses toward the carriage door. Even in the dark, she could see the pain contorting the princess’s face from the beating she had taken.

  “Your Majesty,” said Lela. “I’m glad you’re alive. I—”

  “Shut up,” Mira snapped.

  Lela closed her mouth, not arguing. She deserved the woman’s wrath and so much more for betraying her.

  Rondel swung the door open. “Hurry and get inside, Your Majesty.”

  Mira gasped. “Brahma. You didn’t do anything for him?”

  “What? We didn’t even know he was inside. We assumed the carriage was empty because it was unguarded.”

  Mira found new strength as she clamored inside to check over the man. He let out a low groan in response to something the princess whispered.

  Rondel threw his bag in with the princess and closed the door. “Lela! Quit staring and get us out of here.”

  Lela clicked the reins repeatedly, urging the horses forward as Rondel took a spot beside her in the driver’s seat. He steadied himself while drawing his crossbows. He aimed one and let the quarrel fly. It struck a man pursuing Andrasta.

  “Hurry up!” he shouted to his partner.

  He let another quarrel loose. Lela clicked the reins once more.

  * * *

  A quarrel zipped past Andrasta’s head. A scream sounded behind her, rising above the other shouts from her pursuers.

  “Hurry up!” Rondel shouted.

  Yes, because I’m taking my time.

  Lela turned the carriage toward the road. Andrasta swore and willed herself faster. The girl was supposed have delayed making the turn so Andrasta wouldn’t have to cover so much distance.

  A dagger sailed past her ear.

  She caught up to the wagon, jumped, and grabbed the window sill while bringing her feet up to the carriage’s step. A yelp sounded inside. Andrasta peeked in. Mira scowled at her before returning her attention to the old man on the floor.

  He looks near death.

  Andrasta nearly fell off as the carriage shook violently, teetering on two wheels before righting itself. Wood snapped as it rolled over debris. Thick canvas flew by overhead.

  “Sorry!” Lela called.

  Andrasta glanced behind her at the remains of a demolished vendor stand. Beladeva’s men slowly gave up their pursuit.

  She moved toward the driver’s seat, finding a spot near Rondel.

  “Just as planned,” he said with a grin.<
br />
  “Who’s the old man?”

  “Brahma. A powerful leader from one of Bashan’s houses.”

  “He looks awful.”

  Rondel ducked his head in the front window just as the carriage passed through the gate sectioning off the city from the area around the tower. “Princess. Look in my pack. There’s a small bottle of yellow liquid that will help his pain. Yours as well, I imagine. The salve next to it will start to heal any bruising you both might have. Use them.”

  “He needs a physician,” said Mira.

  Maybe even a mortician, Andrasta though, catching a glimpse of his battered face.

  “You can call him one when we get to the palace,” Rondel said.

  “The palace? You can’t take me there.”

  “Why not?”

  “I don’t know who’s working for Beladeva.”

  “About half the staff,” said Lela.

  Mira scowled at the girl’s back. “See?”

  Andrasta shook her head at the woman’s venom while continually checking for pursuers. “Be mad all you want, but you’re just as much at fault for failing to notice them.”

  “Beladeva is dead,” said Rondel.

  “Not everyone knows that,” argued Mira. “And I’m sure he has others who would easily step up to succeed him.”

  Rondel glanced to Lela. “Is there anyone who could take over for Beladeva?”

  “Chand was the only one who could have done so immediately and still kept the respect of the others within the organization. But, Andrasta killed him.”

  Too quickly, Andrasta thought. I would have preferred to slow things down for him. And Beladeva. But dead is dead and often life does not allow us to do as we would like.

  “There you go,” said Rondel, meeting Mira’s stare again. “Once news spreads of Beladeva’s death, the rest within his old organization will be fighting each other for snippets of power. In the process, they’ll end up killing each other. Problem solved.”

  “What about Gulzar?”

  “Who?”

  “He heads another of Bashan’s noble houses,” said Lela. “I didn’t see him in the confusion. He might have gotten away.”

  “If he’s still out there, then we can’t go to the palace,” said Mira. “He has money and enough of his own guards that he could probably win Beladeva’s men to his side.”