“This is confusing.” Gnat muttered.
“I know!” Oaka said, interrupting Basha’s conversation with Monika, and then sobered up a little bit. “Basha, the Old Man knew all of this time, ever since we were children, that you would be…I don’t know if he knew exactly what, one of the Knights of Arria or even carrying the Black Sword, neither do I, but he must have suspected or known somehow that something was amiss. That you and me, or just you, would be in trouble, in danger because of Doomba and his minions chasing after us. Basha, how could he have known that? What did he know? And why would he have protected us?” Oaka asked.
“I don’t know.” Basha repeated, suddenly serious as well when a new thought had struck his head, almost as outlandish as the Old Man’s involvement. “And what if Nisa has been following me as well?” He asked. “Following me until I needed some help. What if that was her back at Coe Aela, in the grand banquet hall, and then helping Gnat get the Black Sword back? And what if she has been following me for a long time as well? Following me not just since I left Coe Baba, but since I was living in Coe Baba, just like the Old Man.”
“The Old Man was following you?” Oaka asked.
“How else could he have known about the gruelmoff attack unless he was right there, watching or waiting for us?” Basha asked.
“This is disturbing.” Monika muttered, shaking her head as she paced around. “The Old Man following you your whole lifetime, and now Nisa, without your knowledge? This is disturbing, no one should be able or allowed to do that, not even your parents. Who knows what else they might have seen?” She asked. “They might have been following us together back in Coe Baba, when you were showing me about the town. No wonder I felt so strange there. I do not like being followed.” She said.
“I know.” Basha grimaced and blushed, remembering a few embarrassing minutes he had experienced in his own lifetime that he had never wanted anybody else to see. “No one should have that kind of freedom when it takes away from your own, disturbing your privacy.” He remarked.
“Does the Old Man, or Nisa even, have your best interests at heart?” Monika asked.
“Probably not always,” Basha said, looking away, “If they knew I would be risking my life like this and never told me…they could have at least warned me.” Basha grimaced and sighed. “I don’t know what to think anymore.”
“And what if Nisa was the Old Man’s daughter?” Gnat asked, getting involved in the conversation. Everyone stared at her. “Nisa did tell me that she had heard about the Black Sword from her father, and Basha, you said--”
“Eeewww...” Oaka said, shaking his head. “Imagine a 3,000 year old man or something like that sleeping with Brigga, with a daughter coming out of it.”
“Don’t even think about it.” Basha said, shuddering and shaking his head. “Let’s not even talk about this stuff anymore, it is disturbing.” He said.
They heard the flapping of wings, and looked up to see Fato returning. “What is going on here?” The falcon asked, and then seemed nonplussed as everybody else started laughing helplessly. Fato rolled his eyes and sighed.
Janus sat on the barrel, and waited for an hour, watching the castle doors as people, mostly guards but a few guests and some servants as well, walked in and out of Coe Aela’s keep, conversing with each other or just going about their business, until one person in particular came out through those doors. Janus sat up straighter and watched as she shaded her eyes from the sunlight, and came towards him, wobbling a little bit as she crossed the front bailey. He stood up and went towards her, meeting her halfway as she seemed about ready to collapse.
“They didn’t suspect me,” Nisa whispered, leaning towards him as he wrapped his arms about her to keep her upright. “Or at least I don’t think so.” Nisa whispered.
“How are you?” Janus asked.
“Fine, thank you,” Nisa said, glancing up at him. “It could have been worse.” She sighed, pushing herself away from him. They had gotten to know each other better yesterday and last night before the guards had come to take her away, but Nisa didn’t trust him completely yet. “I need to get out of here.” She said.
“I don’t think that’s possible, or at least not yet.” Janus said. “The guards are going to be watching us even more closely than before. If a servant, especially a woman, tries to leave Coe Aela in the next few days, they will probably kill her before she gets out of the gate.”
“They are getting away from me.” Nisa insisted. “I need to catch up with them.” She sighed. “I have not exactly been the best bodyguard in the last couple of days. I had to stay behind to help Sir Nickleby and fend off the Black Wolves, and then I was informed that I should go on ahead, to Coe Aela, to infiltrate the castle and wait for them to come. I missed whatever happened in Coe Anji, and now they have this girl Monika, the falcon Fato, and the Black Sword with them. I am a complete wreck, I have messed things up so completely--”
“They got away, Nisa.” Janus said, gripping her by the shoulders and staring her in the face. “I don’t know how, but with Gnat by their side, they got away. And at least they have the Black Sword with them. I think it is for the best.” Janus said. “You had to let them go on sometime without you, and with what you have done for them, I think they will be ready to face whatever lies ahead for them.”
“But it is not enough, Janus.” Nisa whispered, and shook her head as she looked away from him. “I have to be certain.” She said.
“Then wait.” Janus said. “Wait just a few more days, and then you can go. With me by your side, and all of the servants of Coe Aela.”
“What are you talking about?” Nisa asked, turning to him.
“This is the final straw for the servants’ rebellion.” Janus grinned. “With the way Goga, Fobata, and Goga’s guards treated the servant women, they will not tolerate this any longer. They will be ready to stand, fight if they have to, but they will march out of Coe Aela, and go all the way to Coe Kiki. And you can catch up with them, your group. They are going to Coe Kiki, are they not?”
“Yes, but they will be too far ahead of us, Janus.” Nisa said.
“Perhaps not. They are on foot?”
“So are we.” Nisa said.
“Ah, but they will be stopping there at Coe Kiki, and perhaps at other places along the way,” Janus said, wrapping his arms about her, “If they need supplies or if they need to rest. Though we will be a large crowd of people, with elderly and young alike slowing us down, we may have horses. And that will make traveling easier for you.” Janus said.
Nisa groaned and threw her hands up in the air, but it was the best chance she had at this rate. And perhaps she did not mind so much if Janus was with her.
“Pack everything you need!” Goga cried, striding through the barracks of Coe Aela as his men rushed about, gathering weapons, clothes, and sundry items into their packs. “We should have been gone by now! We leave in an hour!” He sniffed. “Be prepared for several days’ worth of travel. I don’t care how long it takes! I don’t know when we will be coming back to Coe Aela, but I am not coming back without the heads of those youths.”
“Are we going to kill them?” Hava asked, turning to Goga.
“I would much rather kill them.” Goga shrugged, wiping his nose. “Makes things easier. Fobata wouldn’t like it, I’m sure, but that’s why we are in this mess.” Goga turned to one of the soldiers who did not seem as busy as the others. “You, go to the kitchen and confiscate as much food as you can.” Goga said, gesturing. “Take three of the men with you, and don’t be afraid to use a little force if a servant tries to stop you.” Goga smiled.
“Sir!” One of the guards cried, coming up to Goga. “We need more horses. Currently we have only twenty--”
“Confiscate them!” Goga cried. “All of the horses in the stables, confiscate them! We will pay back their owners later!” He shook his head. “Why can’t you men think for yourselves?” He asked.
The guard nodded, and went off again. “I
don’t understand how they could have escaped,” Goga muttered to himself, pacing back and forth with Hava still following him. “Everything was locked up tighter than a drum, and everything was being watched--wasn’t everything being watched?” He asked himself, staring straight ahead.
“Sir, I’m sure you did your best.” Hava said.
“My best wasn’t good enough.” Goga said, shaking his head. “This cold is bothering me. I want them back, I want the Black Sword back.”
“Were you--” Hava blinked. “Did you have the Black Sword with you?” Hava asked. “I thought you would have, or should have, given it to Lord Fobata.”
“The Black Sword does not belong to him. It belongs to me.” Goga said, striding away from Hava. “I found it, I should keep it.”
“But sir, Lord Fobata is your lord, he--”
“He and I are equals!” Goga cried, turning to Hava. “He was just born to a better station than me because he was born earlier than me!”
“What do you mean by that, Captain Goga?” Hava asked.
“He is my brother.” Goga said, turning away.
“You are--brother to the Duke of Coe Aela--” Hava gasped, realizing now why Goga was no ordinary captain of the guards, why he was allowed to be insubordinate and untouchable to Lord Fobata--an equal on almost every level to the lord, except one. No wonder Goga hated Fobata.
“And I should have been the Duke of Coe Aela.” Goga hissed, striding away from Hava. “I would have been a better Duke than him!” Goga cried.
The guards in the barracks didn’t even flinch at hearing Goga’s treasonous words—men loyal to Goga, but not to Fobata, perhaps? Hava shivered, wondering what could make this instability he had found here in Coe Aela even worse.
“Your Grace?” Marlo the steward called, ascending the winding staircase to the tallest turret of Coe Aela. “Your Grace? I hope you’re up there.” He muttered, his knees protesting.
“Yes, Marlo, I’m up here.” Fobata’s voice called back. “Sorry you have to walk up here after me. Do you want to wait until I come down?”
“No, your Grace, I’ll come up to you.” Marlo said, still continuing. “Good exercise.” He muttered. Marlo reached the top and sighed, collapsing on the last couple of steps, watching Lord Fobata gaze off towards the distant mountains in the south. If he peered hard enough, Marlo could see the dot receding towards the horizon.
“I sent the gruelmoff to Doomba.” Lord Fobata said, leaning against the windowsill. “To tell him of what has happened. He may know already, but sometimes he doesn’t always know what exactly occurred.”
“What do you know of Doomba’s sight?” Marlo asked, thinking about Janus and the secrets that they shared.
“He sees much, but not always enough,” Fobata shrugged. “I’ve heard tell he sees the possibilities of actions, of what might happen, but he doesn’t always see the result of what does actually occur. It’s as if there is too much for him to see, when it comes to the possibilities of actions.” Fobata sighed. “I wish I had such sight.” He said.
“I have taken an account of all the servants, after Goga released the last female servants,” Marlo said, continuing on with business as he did not wish to hear anymore about Doomba when it frightened him. “To be certain that none were missing, and I have accounted for nearly everyone--except for Gnat.”
“Gnat?” Fobata said, slowly turning around to face Marlo.
Marlo slowly nodded. “I believe so. She’s gone, my lord. Probably with those youths.” He muttered the last.
“Gnat. I saved her life.” Fobata said, turning around to face the south. “I saved her life when she would have been killed, died, and I gave her a home, here. I provided her with food and clothing, training and education in a useful manner, as a servant, for all of these years. She was a servant, but she was well treated compared to other servants. She should have been happy. She should have been pleased with her lot in life, when it could have been a lot worse.” Fobata said, shaking his head. “A lot worse. I saved her life, and this is how she repaid me? Gnat was probably the one who knocked Goga out and stole the Black Sword for the Knights.” He whispered, stunned by this last thought.
“Are you sure, sir?” Marlo asked. “Goga said that it was an older woman--”
“Gnat was probably the one. Goga was probably sick or drunk, maybe both, before he was knocked out by her, and it messed with his head.” Fobata said, waving Marlo’s interjection aside. “He interviewed all of those other women for nothing, and now we might just have a riot on our hands, thanks to him.” Fobata muttered, shaking his head. “Goga never knew when it was best to act. Gnat,” Fobata addressed thin air now, holding out his hands. “How could you do this to me? I could strangle you right now if you were here with me,” Fobata continued, gesturing, “But you’re not, so--you betrayed me. You betrayed everything I stood for, what Coe Aela stood for. How could you run off with those ruffians, those Knights of Arria? It makes me sick,” Fobata thumped his fist down on the windowsill. “You were like my own daughter. Marlo, I’m tired,” He said, addressing his steward now. “I’m tired, and I want to be left alone now. Can you go back downstairs?”
“I will try, my lord,” Marlo said, disappearing down the staircase.
Fobata sighed, leaning against the windowsill. Gnat was gone now, the last remnant he had of his past. Though Fobata’s eyes were fixed upon the south, they sometimes gazed northward, in the direction that another one had taken so long ago. His mind could not abandon the path of wistful thinking, the hope that she might return to him after all these years.
Fobata ran out of Coe Aela’s castle, his face shining and bright, his hair still upon his head, and with a slimmer chest. “Kala!” He cried, arms extended.
“Fobata!” Kala cried back, awkwardly descending from her horse in the front bailey. She allowed her cousin, second or third or fourth in generation, it made no difference, to embrace her tightly on the ground before she pulled away from him.
“What happened to you?” Fobata asked, looking down at her belly.
“It’s called getting pregnant.” Kala remarked as a servant led away her horse. “You should try it sometime.”
“It would ruin my figure.” Fobata laughed, patting his stomach. “Still, you look good. Pregnancy certainly does agree with you.” He remarked.
“At least something here still does.” She sighed, looking around. “Coe Aela.” She murmured, seeing it for the first time ever. “It looks good for its age.” She remarked. “I thought it would be a veritable ruin, considering your descriptions.”
“It almost is. I’m sorry for your loss.” Fobata murmured, wrapping his arm about her.
“Think nothing of it.” Kala said, waving him away and pushing away his arm. “You didn’t even know him. It’s been awhile, and I’ve learned to deal with it.” She sighed. “He was a nice man. A very nice man. Perhaps too nice.” She remarked. “I’m sorry for your loss as well.” She added to Fobata. “Your father was--a strong man, a good man, courageous and--”
“Think nothing of it.” Fobata muttered, walking away from her. Kala had a way of twisting words around sometimes to bite you back. “My father was not a strong man. He was not a particularly good man either.” He turned towards her. “He was evil in his own way, but not evil enough for a Follower of Doomba. You know, I think he was--never mind that,” Fobata said, shaking his head. He would not trouble her with his own worries when she had her own.
“Still, at least something of your husband remains.” Fobata said, looking down at Kala’s belly. It made him feel jealous, even though the man was gone.
Kala patted her belly. “Something of him still does remain inside of me, yes, and I hope it’s enough to carry me through.” She said, looking up at Fobata. “Now, show me around Coe Aela, your Grace.” She bobbed a little curtsy.
“With pleasure, I suppose.” Fobata shuddered slightly. “I’m still not used to it,” He said, grasping her hand and leading her off towards the
east bailey. The gardens and the orchards in that direction would be pleasant enough for her to look at after taking such a long, arduous journey through the Popo Hills. He had found a prommenade could always clear the mind of trouble and woe, and it was just what she needed right now. “I’m still not used to being Duke of Coe Aela,” He said.
“You will be. Your brother will help.” Kala said, looking around as they approached the first orchard. “Where is Goga by the way, your Grace?” She asked.
“Out on the battlefield still. I came home as quick as I could, once I heard the news that my father was dying.” Fobata said, before pointing out the fine apples ready to be plucked. “But Goga stayed out on the battlefield.” He said, picking out an apple to give to Kala. “He did not want to come home.” Fobata sighed as they walked on. “You know, I think he is jealous of me. I think he wanted all of this more than I did,” Fobata said, waving an arm about their surroundings.
Kala, eating the apple, paused to say, “Then perhaps you should have just given him what he wanted, and be satisfied with whatever position you could get elsewhere.” She said. “It is what a brother would do.”
“What? All of this?” Fobata laughed. “That is ridiculous, Kala. I couldn’t have just given him all of this without some serious problems.”
Servants and Followers (The Legends of Arria, Volume 2) Page 28