The Imperial activates a comlink on his wrist. His voice is quiet, but I can hear him say, “She’s awake if you wish to see her.”
Someone is waiting to see me. My mind instantly jumps to Centum. If Centum has indeed infiltrated the Citadel, then perhaps their Order wanted me alive. I’m still afraid of the implications. I need to escape.
Before I can think about it further, the doors swing open and a figure rushes into the chamber. The lone figure is a young woman. Gowned in an indigo, silk gown and decorative pauldrons, she walks with dignified grace. Her long, dark hair is in a ceremonial bun. Eagerness tugs at her peach-colored face.
She rushes over without any warning. Excited relief is in her blue eyes. I attempt to stand, but she nearly tackles me with a hug. She’s overjoyed. I’m unsure how to respond at the moment, for I’m in a bit of shock. Releasing me, she takes a step back and clasps her hands in excitement.
“Sarina!” she says with a smile. Her eyes are rimmed with tears. “My dear sister! Welcome home.”
“Sahari,” I say quietly, trying to suppress my nostalgic feelings. “You’re looking well. Aside from the fact that it also looks like you’ve been enjoying our stores of O’ranian wine.”
Sahari lets loose a chuckle. She certainly has missed my droll humor. “Well, as the Lady of Z’hart, I should be allowed to enjoy the perks that come with my position,” she says sweetly, brushing loose hair out of her eyes. “But now that you’ve returned, you should be the one to enjoy all of this privilege.”
“I never really wanted to,” I reply dryly, pursing my lips. “Too much politics. And I’ve never liked the taste of wine. I prefer keeping a clear mind.”
Sahari smiles and gestures for me to join her at the table. I reluctantly ready myself and follow her. We sit opposite each other. Unease is still trapped within my stomach, even after seeing my sister. I should feel safe, welcome. Yet, I feel the jadedness of what’s happened since last we saw each other. It’s been a long year.
“I suppose my mind does get a little silly after drinking,” Sahari says, pouring herself a goblet of wine. “But I did turn sixteen last week, so by Z’hart’s standards I’m an adult. But don’t you think it’s a bit ironic that you don’t like wine, and yet, you chose to work in a bar?”
I laugh faintly. “I suppose it was, but it was more about the service than my wellbeing,” I retort before my tone turns sly. “Did father not teach you the same lesson before he died? Nothing is inherited, only earned.”
Sahari looks a bit concerned at my reference. “He didn’t tell me anything, really,” she says rather indifferently. “You are the firstborn, so the pressure and lessons fell unto you. That pressure only found its way to me when you disappeared last year. Part of me understands why you chose to leave. When father died…”
“Don’t presume to understand why I left, Sahari,” I reply rather coldly. She looks a bit frightened by my response and I regret being so taciturn with her. Letting my aggression fade a bit, I take a few bites from the roast placed in front of me. It’s been so long since I’ve tasted broiled meat spiced with garnishes.
Sahari relaxes somewhat and sips more of her wine. Her thin fingers wrap delicately around the goblet. She’s always been a gentle soul, even if a bit ditsy. But fear starts to writhe within me.
“Sahari,” I say after a moment. “How exactly did you find me?”
“I’ve been searching for you since the day you left,” Sahari replies, taking a sip of wine and regarding me a genuine look. “My resources were limited since I wasn’t of age to take the throne, so I had to rely on word of mouth. But despite all my searching, only my new associates were able to find you. And within only a week after I sought them out!”
There it is. My dread starts to become more and more tangible. But I need her to keep talking. I have to finish the puzzle.
“I guess you’re not as clever as you say you are, Sahari.” I say with a grin. “It took you a year to find me while I was in the same city.” My tone turns serious. “Who might these associates of yours be?”
She lowers the goblet and gives me a look of cautious concern. “That’s what you want to ask me after all this time? Come on, Sarina. Let’s catch up like normal sisters. We can deal with other political matters later on.”
“Sahari,” I say darkly, my voice uncompromising. “Who are they?”
“They’re called the Remnant,” she replies aloofly, waving her hand as if to brush it off. “Not many are aware, but the Remnant has existed as a secret society for the last millennium. Old family records instructed me on how to summon them and they said they’d help find you as well as eradicate the Insurgent terrorists in this city. I figured it wasn’t that big of a deal allowing military access to help stabilize this city.”
I look into her blue eyes. While she wears the guise of regent, I still see the foolish child she’s always been. Acting impulsively and without thinking of consequences. A family trait of ours, but I’ve always thought I’d been the more skeptical child. She let her desperation to find me cloud her judgment.
“You’re already a foolish ruler of Z’hart, Sahari,” I say, pressing my hands to the table. “You’ve compromised our nation’s security and infrastructure just to find me. These people have their own agenda and you played right into it! Don’t you see that?”
Sahari looks appalled by my answer. “They just wanted all access to old Domain artifacts and technology,” Sahari defends, her tone becoming irritated. “But look what they gave us! Extra militia to bring peace, a reduction in Insurgent activity, and returning the firstborn heiress of House Z’hart home!”
“Being kidnapped and shipped off to the Pyrack is a funny way of bringing me home,” I hiss, my temper rising. “Or did your new friends forget to mention that?”
Sahari’s eyes express true shock before she adopts a look of grave concern. “Wait what? You were shipped off to the Pyrack? When? Centum said they’d only managed to locate you a few hours ago!”
I gulp in unease. If what Sahari is saying was true, the Remnant still holds her ear. Centum can whisper any lies into my sister’s ear. That means that they hold enough of her trust to feed her any information and gain whatever favors they want. I begin to think of the dangerous implications of this. Centum holds the keys to Z’hart’s infrastructure. Political favors, dictating laws, distributing money, strengthening our army… Centum nearly has control of this entire nation because of Sahari’s foolishness. Militia guards who aren’t native to the nation is a dangerous proposition, for their loyalty isn’t to the Lady of the Silver Palm.
I think a coup is almost upon us. Upon my naïve little sister.
Sahari has bargained with the entire nation to find me, but at what cost? There’s no safe endgame for her if she placed her rule in the hands of the Remnant.
The puzzle has formed. With Sahari’s trust, the Remnant was able to increase military activity and begin campaigns against Insurgents. Centum took me out of the picture when no one realized I still resided in Z’hart City. If I had been discovered, the people would’ve had me elected and Centum’s influence could’ve faded. Now, they’re formulating a way to take the capital from Sahari. They must have wanted me alive and under watch in the Pyrack as an insurance policy.
Yet, why did they send me out there? Why not keep me imprisoned here? There’s still something here that doesn’t make sense.
“Sahari!” I exclaim, leaning forward. The Imperial guard twitches nervously. “Please listen to me. You mustn’t trust any of what these people have to say. They found me last week at the embassy gala. I was drugged and shipped off to the Pyrack while they used the riots to weed out Insurgents. They had forged invitations sent from the Citadel, commissioned illegal toxic darts, and issued coded commands to capture me!”
Sahari’s lips part in confusion. Although she’s sincere, I can see misgiving on her face. I’m not sure if she fully believes me. “That’s a… lengthy accusation. Why would they do this? Their Ord
er believes in the preservation of order and peace.”
I hear thunder outside. “I don’t know what their final goal is,” I say. “But they’ve got enough influence in this city to stage a coup, Sahari. They could take this city and you’d have no power to stop them. You—”
Her hand raises to cut me off. The misgiving on her face has deepened. Sahari says nothing for a long moment, her expression conveying an array of complex emotions as she struggles with what to believe. She’s always very emotionally expressive while I choose to be more reserved, a way of balancing each other out. She was raised with little to no restriction while I was brought up to be a responsible ruling Lady. That is a part of myself I’ve never accepted. I want freedom, but evidently Sahari wants responsibility. An ironic reversal that I’d never thought possible.
“My coronation was a little over a week ago, Sarina,” she says in a very calculating manner. Her compassion has faded. “If I’m to establish any credibility as the Lady of the Silver Palm, I have to uphold political bargains I have struck. Even if there is something dubious about them. Politically, they’ve placed themselves in favor of the Council—and I can’t just back out of this deal. They could retract all of what they have done. Still, I won’t ignore your story, Sarina. Centum will be summoned here to answer your allegations.”
No! I can’t risk Centum discovering what I’ve learned. They’ll kill us all if we directly interfere with their plans.
“You can’t be serious,” I protest. I can feel beads of sweat on my forehead. “Sahari, you mustn’t—”
“Enough!” Sahari interrupts with a stern voice. “Sarina, I want to believe you. Truly, I do. But you’ve been through a lot these last few hours. Stunbolts can have nasty side effects. Even if your story is true, I have to consider the political ramifications first. Despite what you think, father did teach me one thing: A ruler never goes back on their word.”
She addresses the Imperial who stands near the door. “Inform the Remnant that I request Centum’s presence immediately. I also wish for a doctor to see to my sister’s health.”
“No,” I say flatly, causing the Imperial to halt in mild confusion. “Centum mustn’t find out what I know. Not until we figure out what their end plan is. I have to leave.”
Sahari’s azure eyes shine with defeated disappointment, and she lets out a soft sigh. I know my story must seem a bit manic. Especially considering the circumstances of my discovery. Yet in this instance, Sahari is electing to act like a ruler should. Perhaps my words about being a foolish leader sank in. But this is not when I need her to be a wise ruler. She can be wise when it comes to solving the predicament Centum has placed her in. Right now, I need her to be a sister.
However, I cannot risk being captured by Centum again. My awareness of their conspiracy mustn’t be discovered until we have a solution to deal with them. Sahari’s life will be at stake if my knowledge is unveiled. So it is my job to protect her as I continue my efforts to bring Centum to justice.
“I’ve tried to play nice here, Sarina.” Sahari says suddenly in a dangerous voice. “I have your best interests at heart, but I suppose tough love is the only way to get through to you.” She sternly addresses the Imperial. “You will escort Lady Sarina to the healing rooms. I will seek out Centum and we shall join you there shortly.”
That’s my cue to leave.
He takes a step in my direction. I’m already on my feet and positioning myself behind my chair. I duck behind the wooden seat just as the guard instinctively fires his bowrifle. The stunblot smacks against the back of the chair with a thud. My makeshift shield works.
With my adrenaline fueling me, I twist around and fling the chair at the guard with all my might before sprinting to the doorway. A loud smack and a grunt of pain indicate the chair has made its mark. I snatch up my spear from the table as I pass. A meter from the door, Sahari attempts to stand and stall my exit but is too slow. I shove her back into her seat.
As fast as I can, I retrieve the hololetter from my boot and cram it into her hand. “First letter of each word,” I say in a rush. “If they still hunt me, they have no insurance if they kill you. Stay safe, solve this conspiracy. I love you.”
Before she can react, I flash her a look of genuine compassion—a way of saying farewell. Then, I make a break for it. Nearly crashing through the doors and into the stone-carved corridors of the estate’s tower. I find the exit stairway and start running down.
The staircase is very spacious; the dark rock that’s been carved out is painted a variety of shades to provide diversity. Torches and lamps line the walls to provide a fiery light in the spiraling staircase. My boots trample unto each step as I race down, hearing distinct shouts from above. It takes several minutes to descend the tower, but when I reach the antechamber connecting the tower to the Citadel, I know exactly where to go.
As I begin my retreat, I remind myself of my mission. To flee and have Centum’s forces hunt me for as long as I can. The Remnant needs me, so their efforts will focus on me. That will keep Sahari safe. At least, I hope it does.
Chapter 28: Sarina
The Citadel
I CAN HEAR THE CITADEL begin to bustle with activity as shouts from Imperials and rushing footsteps reverberate in every hallway. I start to guess which exits they are going to start quarantining: the atriums, the dungeons, the sewers, and even the throne room.
Quite obviously, I’m familiar with the Citadel and the various lockdown procedures that the guards implement. For once, I feel like I’m ahead of the curve. No longer waiting for help. No longer unsure of what to do. Still, our welcome in Z’hart City has worn out and I need to regroup with the others. I will need them in the missions to come.
If my suspicions are correct, the guards are going to section off the escape routes they think I’ll take. So the sewers are out of my initial plan.
But the unlikely escape locations will be unguarded. Such as their own barracks. An emergency shaft leads through the mountain, connecting the barracks to the city itself. Easy for the Imperials to respond to crises. I’m not entirely sure if the barracks will be empty. However, I’m certain the majority of the Imperial guards are on their way to secure the dungeons. Most common break-ins or break-outs involve the sewers and lower regions of the Citadel, so I plan to make an unorthodox escape.
◆◆◆
Cautiously navigating through the wide, carpeted corridors of the estate of Z’hart, I make my way closer to the inner sanctum that separates the various estates. The left side walls are lined with towering windows that show the night sky shrouded in a rain storm. Lightning flashes illuminate the halls. Portraits and art line the right side, depicting historical events or past lords and ladies of the various houses.
Taking a right at an intersection in the hallway, I sneak several meters down the corridor that connects to the inner sanctum on the left side and the barracks on the right. Minutes later, I approach the massive entrance to the barracks—the oak doors have been left open by the rush of guards.
Furtively, I enter and note the burnished cobblestone floors and the angular architecture of the complex. The first rooms in the complex are merely filled with desks, lockers, and crates for supplies and items. Entering a cross-shaped room, I note the empty weapon racks and lockers and deduce I’m in the armory. My grip tightens around my collapsed spear. I press onward.
Following the corridors within the barracks, I enter the primary training grounds. The circular center chamber is nearly fifty meters in diameter and nearly just as tall. Targets, straw dummies, weighted objects, and obstacles litter the grounds. Unlike the cobblestone floors of the inner rooms, the training center is covered in mud, soil, and patches of grass. Imported, of course, but nonetheless a pleasant contrast to the bleak grayness of the chamber.
A rack of wooden training bokkens is situated on the far side of the room. While lacking lethality, the bokken training swords are used for effective sparring sessions. A few training bowrifles and bo staffs a
re also situated upon racks in the chamber.
I move further into the combat arena and finally find the emergency access tunnel. Nearly twelve meters in diameter, the tunnel has already been opened. The passageway snakes from the mountain all the way to the Merchant District, so my escape will be nicely streamlined. I move towards the door.
“Halt right there!” someone calls from behind me.
I turn to see an Imperial standing a few meters from me; a bowrifle is clenched in hand and pointing at me. But his sloppy stance and the slight quivering of the bowrifle tells me that something is off about him. Looking closely, I realize that the guard is a young man. Likely in his early twenties, he has a slender frame and silver Imperial armor that seems oversized on him. Shaggy blonde hair can be seen under his helmet and his clean shaven face peeks out from under the facial mask.
This has to be a new recruit. Likely commissioned by the guild recently to add to the Citadel’s security. And it’s clear that he has been left behind to do grunt work in the barracks.
I realize there might still be a way to escape without drawing too much attention. Maybe I can play on his hesitancy, even convince him to let me go.
“Don’t move!” he says, his voice strong but lacking certainty. “You’re the fugitive, Lady Sarina, aren’t you?”
“That’s perceptive of you,” I reply, remaining still but keeping the spear tight in my hand. “What’s this about?”
“It’s not my job to ask questions, My Lady,” he says sternly, taking a step forward. “Lady Sahari’s advisor Centum wishes for you to be escorted back to the estate, so I need you to come quietly. Lady Sahari has only recently informed the Citadel of your escape.”
The Maven Knight (The Maven Knight Trilogy Book 1) Page 22