When the sermons were over Parso and Rapheth wandered out, ready to enjoy the rest of the day. It was the fourth day of the week. On this day Parso usually went to one of the popular teahouses for a good cup of tea and some discussion with other learned men of the community. This time Rapheth came along. It was a microcosm of the culture of Rhuctium, Aishanna-La style. Rapheth usually did not have time to engage in it when Ilim was home because Ilim always kept him busy reading, reciting, writing and preparing his sermons. Or other practical tasks around the house. But now he felt like more a man than a youth.
Around the corner Rapheth thought he heard someone mention his name. He and Parso glanced at each other. He tried to listen more closely among all the thronging voices. Parso went close to the corner without walking around it. Rapheth came up close behind him.
"What-"
"Ssst!" Parso put his forefinger to his lips, straining to hear. Parso glanced around the corner, even as the crowds were just beginning to empty out of the courtyards. Parso shook his head. They went another way out into the street and down the Garden Way, the main road in the city. The city spidered out before them and not a mile away was one of the smaller markets.
"Who was that?" Asked Rapheth.
"Well, that is the question. Who was it?"
"Is this a bad thing, my getting to know other people beyond the wall of our enclave? Because I do not think it healthy to be a shut-in around one's own people all of the time, Parso. I am too sheltered."
"You are. But for good reason. I am not normally a champion of the sheltered life but you are in a precarious position." Parso lowered his voice.
"Yes, I know." Rapheth said, exasperated.
"I am all for a man making his good name known among his fellows. It can open up avenues of interest. But there are real dangers."
"So, maybe this is not such a bad thing then."
"Just be careful, Rapheth. Not everyone who appears friendly is a friend. I have found that out the hard way in life." They found their way to Parso's favorite place, an unmarked shop front within the market, filled with soft rugs, hangings and the scent of high quality tea leaves. Behind this front was the teahouse. Parso ordered his favorite and they sat down in a private space away from other ears.
"I think it is high time you stay away from Injep. He is bad news. I do not trust him."
"But he is a great teacher!"
"Perhaps to others. Look, there are many here," he lowered his voice "who are still on the lookout for the queen's son. Most believe you were killed along with your half brothers and sisters but some realize you are still at large, a youth nearly grown now. There are people all around who are in the employ of the queen, Rapheth. She has them everywhere and that does not include those who spy for the Ainash. They too, are very dangerous to you. Do you think they want to see change?"
"I do not see how I can bring about any change at all. I have no armies. I cannot lead anyone."
"Not now, but a way will be found. You have the ability to lead. I can see it and so does Zigal."
"Among all my brothers and sisters-"
"Please listen to me and your mother Zigal! The prophet Ilim, we worry for him for we have not heard word from him in a long time. But he worked hard to raise you to your destiny. It may not happen in the way that you expect but I have no doubt it will happen. But you must make the right decisions and learn to perceive dangers better. Do not do like I did at you age and befriend everyone who smiles at you. A smile can hide a cunning heart. Zigal told me about her odd day at market yesterday and your assignations at the school. Those books, take them back. The man could not fail to see that you are one of the faithful when he gave you those books. He has some trick up his sleeve, I think."
"I do not see the harm in reading books people try to hide. Maybe those books have something they do not want us to see."
"And sometimes it is true. But if you had not already had a good grounding from Ilim and Zigal about what the book actually says you would be in great confusion. I can only imagine the trouble this would have caused. Many people go astray. Why do you think so many things that are evil are sanctioned now in the world? Not all people have the same spiritual heritage that you have."
"But what about the Book of the Women? I would like to keep those."
"So would I. It has been many years since I have heard about Ranna or Medella."
"I shall keep them a little longer, then. Perhaps I will copy them." Parso smiled approvingly as a man came and prepared their tea in front of them and poured it. It was strong, hot and sweet, smelling of fresh ginger-root and black pear and just as spicy with a hint of soft, white mint.
"You know what? If you want good conversation and theories with learned men, come here." Said Parso. He took a deep drink of his tea, then continued.
"When Ilim comes back things will change. I hear on the wind of the sands that the word "usurper" is on the tongues of more and more people these days. That the queen's uncle is ready to come up against Jhis and destroy it. Ilim is right in the middle of it. Do not doubt, son, momentous things are happening." Said Parso. Rapheth took a sip of his tea.
"And do not brush off what I have said about Injep. Something about him is not right." Rapheth nodded, deep in thought.
He did not know how things would work out but he was along a line that was just beginning to crest. He could not see the future yet, only feel its tremors. He saw things in his dreams, of which he spoke of to no one. He would work to make sure he did the right thing. Only, there was one more thing he had to do. Just one more, and then he would go to the school no more. There was the play. Such a little thing and it would be great fun! He wished the men of the temple had such customs. He enjoyed plays and theater.
A group of men across the room began to sing, an old song, called Lament of the Lost Soul. Some men began clapping and singing along until half the teahouse was singing. The men added new verses to the old song and one man lamented the destruction and the massacre of the people of Rhe, to which there was much moaning and lamenting over. It was not the first time Rapheth saw or even sang himself, quietly, for usually such songs were for the older men while the younger ones listened, but this time everyone sang and wept. People were ready for a change. For something different. After the play, Rapheth promised silently, things would be different. He would be different. Better. People were in fear; they were dying. Everywhere there was growing terror. Terror of the usurper. Usurper. He said under his breath. He felt his face grow dark and hot with rushing blood, feeling his own terror. And anger. Usurper.
Chapter Thirty-Three
"There are so many you can offer in replacement of her. Let me have her."
"For what, exactly? To add to your ever growing harem?"
"What is the harm?"
"She is already offered to the goddess. You would dare snatch what is hers to satisfy your base pleasures? You are as weak as the king was." She said, contempt oozing from her voice. Bakku looked down at the floor, more to avoid looking at the horror that was her face as well as his fear of her.
"You have enough concubines to satisfy your needs. If that is not enough I shall offer you up to the goddesses as well and then you may spend an eternity satisfying them both. How like you that?"
"I am sorry if I have offended, Your Greatness." He whined. She lashed out and struck him so hard his head snapped back and her long fingernails, hard as talons, ripped across his face. He lifted out a kerchief and wiped thin streaks of blood away.
"You cursed, opium freak! You men! You disgust me with your base desires. Gather yourself. They come." She straightened her veils around her face so that only her eyes could be seen and waited for the counselors and generals to station themselves at the table.
Her eyes were wild with hatred. They possessed an alien, inhuman look. Bakku's stomach knotted itself. He took deep breaths to try and contain his fear. He could not show fear in front of the men. One in particular he noticed gave him a look brimming with contemp
t.
Cardith. Bakku took note of that. Something will have to be done about him one day. They all filed in and stood by their chairs until she signaled for them to sit.
"Tell me, what news? I hear reports of war." She said, staring at her top general.
"It looks as if Teraht has at least twenty-five thousand gathered to him and more are flocking to him daily. He has ridden forth and set himself up at the capital, Egium. He has openly declared himself king. He is making ready to march to Hybron, making his way to Jhis according to our source. This was yesterday." Cardith was stone-faced. The queen was silent for a long moment at this news.
"I want all men available to hold the wall. Where are all my men, Cardith? My great warriors? Where are those I sent for to defend the city?"
"They will be here by nightfall, Your Greatness. Men from Galieh, from Hevan, Beth-Ayin, Haiga and Rhuctium have been called and more are coming as we speak."
"He commits treason! He would dare march against his queen! Egians rising up in rebellion against me! Those are my warriors he has stolen!"
"There is another problem, Your Greatness." Said Cardith.
"What?"
"King Kufun has restarted the building of the fortress city of Tarkal. From there rumors have been for some time that he may restart his father's old campaigns to strike us from the south and invade."
"Beth-Ayin is well-fortified. Tarkal is far away from Hybron anyway. Why should I worry about him now?'
"Because his new ships, the drekar are swift. Very swift. They make it much easier to launch a sneak attack on our southern border. I have an idea."
"What is your idea?"
"Have the men coming from the east and the north man the wall and send some of those from the southern cities to the southern border along the coast-"
"No! His drekar will not prevail against me! Kufun is weak. Why do you persist in this nonsense? Beth-Ayin has already been fortified to defend the coast. My uncle the viper comes to rise up against me. It is he you must give attention to! I do not fear Kufun. Send all warriors to defend the walls in Jhis. Where are all the so-called princes of Hybron when I need them most? They come to the banquets but not when they must lend their arms to fight?" Cardith and the other men remained quiet at this and said nothing more. Bakku took this opportunity to show him up.
"You speak of imaginary enemies when we have a real threat on our western border, Cardith. Perhaps the position of adviser is too difficult for you." Cardith lifted his eyes, they flashed dangerously.
"I am more than able to handle my position. I merely point out that there is more than one threat to the land."
"A threat that did not reveal itself even when the king was alive. He is weak, this Jurite king. Like his father before him. Nothing but wind and worthless salt." She said.
"We have talked of this and we believe there is a solution to the problem." Said another general. They glanced at one another apprehensively and then toward the queen, avoiding her eyes. There was an audible sigh and he began again.
"Though we should prepare for a long siege we believe it is in the best interests of the throne, the city and the whole kingdom to make an alliance and sue for peace." He let this fall upon everyone's ears and waited for the queen's response. Which came swiftly.
"I bring you here to advise me. What mean you of peace? Of an alliance, with a rebel?" She enunciated these carefully and her eyes turned black as ink, with fire burning within.
"How long do you think we can hold out in a siege, Your Greatness?"
"The city walls will hold."
"Even if they do, the plagues, the famine! Think of that! People will resort to eating their own children. It has happened before. If we sue for an alliance-"
"I ought to have you flayed alive you coward. COWARDS!! I will never make peace with that wicked war dog! Never! You come to me about alliances? There is no alliance between a goddess and her subjects! Do you think that Nimnet, Elyshe, Nisrok or any god would think to make an alliance with anyone of you? You will send all men to the wall and you will hold it with all the forces you have!" She raged until her voice dwindled away into a raspish, beastly sound. In front of them she transformed a little further and they looked in horror. She seemed to loom over them like an evil shadow.
"Get out, you dogs! Get out of my sight before I kill you! I will kill you all if he does not, I swear it upon my mother and father's grave, I will kill you if you disobey me! All men to the wall! Defend the wall!" She raved and pounded her fists upon the table, her long talon-like nails cracking the surface of the table until it seemed as if it had been shredded by a lion or some other great-taloned beast.
They hurried from the room, including Bakku. Her screams were so livid now that they could be heard far below on the ground floor of the palace.
Cardith hurried to his own house later that evening and against all safety for his person he sent for a falcon. It would be sent at night. He wrote the letter in cryptic sigils, in case it was intercepted.
Zarhaz, Esteemed Teacher,
I have seen what the future of the kingdom is and for once your brethren are right in distancing themselves from the monster. If we do not die from starvation or murder in the streets from the siege, if the walls fall we will surely die by the hand of the Lord Chieftain. If we succeed we will surely be consumed by the queen. She is no longer a woman but has become a demon and I mean that in every possible term. Her transformation to which many of us thought was a jest and a thing for ridicule is a very real thing and a threat to all people, men, women and children. She will kill us all and destroy the land for her godhood. She must be stopped. I have had a secret meeting with other generals and we are all agreed that an alliance is in the kingdom's best interest and all our souls. The usurping queen must be destroyed before the day of High Summer, else we will all suffer a grim fate. Pray to your god, Zarhaz, that we may be spared the evil that is coming. May he be merciful.
Cardith
Lord General
The queen instructed to have all those in the arena prisons and the jail cells taken from them and sacrificed to appease the goddesses. Incense filled the air as victim after victim was impaled upon stakes. The city was groaning with the shouts and screams of the dying which frightened the people. The queen had ordered it to protect the city, saying: "They must go, in order for the rest of us to be saved when the armies come to assault the city." Yet secretly, the generals instructed those at the gate to not put up a fight because the Lord-Chieftain would first seek an alliance with the city. The queen's most recent sacrificial offering was a grave mistake and the fact that she no longer allowed the people to see her face did not help matters, but in fact, distanced her from them even more.
"The Egian woman!" She was called. "That foreign woman!" The usurper. Both outside and, secretly, within the palace.
Chapter Thirty-Four
The city was unusually busy. Kaisha watched from behind the curtains of their litter. People seemed to climb on top of each other and the streets were often jammed.
"What is the matter out there? I do not understand." Complained Betal. It did nothing but but set alight Kaisha's already frazzled nerves. It was a typical market day. Except this day wasn't typical. In a fit of insanity, impetuosity - and mercy - Kaisha had finally decided to do the unthinkable. To help Betal escape her looming marriage. She thought this might be the very last thing they would ever do together and she had prayed many prayers to Airend-Ur to prepare her for the terrible vengeance the family would mete out. But if she could help one woman escape a terrible marriage she would have at least done something useful in this world. She was no prophetess or priestess, no woman of business or fame. She was a noble woman by marriage only. She was low born, unimportant and even her marriage, which started as a love match, was an utter failure. Perhaps Betal's marriage to the boy she loved would turn for the worse and be just as miserable in the end but there was always the chance that they would make a good match. Either way, she was steppin
g upon the edge of the void, the edge of death.
It took far longer than they had intended to get to the market. The city was filled with warriors traveling through, warriors arrayed in battle armor. Foot soldiers and men on donkeys. A few from wealthy families on horseback. War was finally a reality. In the caravanserai rumor-mongering had taken on a rampant life of its own. Kaisha heard many disturbing things but she tried to keep on task. They were here to meet with Betal's personally chosen intended. She sent Betal to wait by the wing over-looking the dye pits and gave her a veil to wear to mask herself. She sent off the maidservant to buy the foodstuffs for the house and left the carriers at the marketplace entrance while she went to the tea house.
"A private table for me."
"Come this way, madam." They wound around in the dim, smoke-filled tea house to a tiny, private table sealed off from the rest of the room with a thick curtain.
"Mint tea, please. A man named Nedul will arrive soon. When he comes, bring him to my table."
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