by Lee M Eason
Small openings provided the corridor with clouded light, the painted plaster was faded and the whole place had a dusty forgotten feel and clearly hadn’t been used for some time. She reached the door indicated. Two more guards were sat either side, both looked bored and didn’t bother to stop her. She wondered where the other guards were and decided that the number Grenor had quoted allowed for shift changes. She quickly balanced the tray on one hand and knocked, there was no answer so she cautiously opened the door and went to go in.
“Hey, you,” one of the guards grabbed her arm. “Empty that onto the food before you give it to him.” The guard dropped a small vial onto the tray. “And make sure you give it me back, empty. No funny business, or else,” he threatened. Kara nodded and entered.
The room was scruffy and stank. There was an unmade bed in the corner, a table and a chair but apart from these the room was bare. The window shutters were closed and after putting down the tray she went over and attempted to open them to clear the air and allow a breeze to cool the unbearable heat. They had been nailed shut. She peered through a small gap in them taking note of the grounds some distance below, before giving them another shake.
“Y-you’re, wast-ing your time,” a voice mumbled groggily.
She spun round to confront the speaker. The door had been knocked closed revealing a man sat on the floor his knees pulled up to his chest so his forehead could rest on them. He didn’t look up. He was thin, dark skinned and dirty. His clothing was poor and his black hair looked like it was growing back after being roughly shaved. She could not see his face but the voice sounded young, which surprised her, as she assumed Halleck would be of a similar age to Kellim. Her heart sank, could it be that after all this time they’d got the wrong man.
“I’ve brought you some food,” she said hastily opening the vial and pouring the liquid onto the floor.
The man didn’t speak.
“Is there anything else you need?”
His head lolled back against the wall. “Y-you… sound… different,” he slurred.
He was clearly having difficulty concentrating. His beard covered a lot of his face but she could tell he was about Jac’s age maybe a bit older and clearly Nebessan. At least the man was from the right country. Kara quickly stepped over to him mindful that she shouldn’t linger.
“What’s your name?” she asked urgently bending down to look at him.
“What?”
“Your name?” she hissed a little louder.
“Name… my n-name… Halle…”
The door swung open nearly knocking Kara aside and a guard stepped in.
“What’s taking so long?” he snapped.
“He’d fallen over,” she lied, regaining her footing.
“He’s always falling over. Leave him and get going,” the guard ordered irritably.
Kara knew it was pointless to argue or to make a fuss. She did as she was told and left, making her way back down the corridor and returning to the study. Culsen had gone, which was a relief, so she swiftly made her way through and got on with her never-ending tasks, she didn’t want to be late for the evening tray. Back on the servant’s stairs she paused, suddenly feeling very weary. The early starts and long days were catching up with her. She was more tired now than she had ever been and wondered how Letta managed so well. With a sigh and an effort, she straightened herself and hurried down. She began to think through the problem of getting a heavily drugged man out of the house. They had brought some antidotes, assuming that Halleck would have to be drugged to contain him but not to this extent. She became angry at the thought; how did people justify such treatment?
Even though she was tired Kara made good use of the next few day’s tray duties, steeling herself against Culsen’s leering gaze as she passed through the study. She was finding his attention very unsettling, feeling more and more uneasy at having to tolerate his behaviour. His tray inspections were humiliating and though she would have happily kicked him in the groin, as he pressed against the tray, she knew she couldn’t or all would be lost. She made herself focus on the task, noting the guard changes and the view and layout of the grounds beyond the openings she passed. She also did her best to assess Halleck’s condition.
Two days before her afternoon off Kara and Letta were cleaning one of the downstairs withdrawing rooms when Culsen entered. They both stood and made to go but he remained in the doorway forcing them to ask to be excused.
“You may go,” he said gesturing for them to pass, barely moving so they had to squeeze themselves passed him in order to leave. He smiled to himself at their evident discomfort.
When they were well out of earshot and back in one of the servant’s corridors. Letta stopped, shuddering involuntarily. “He gives me the creeps. The letch, I’d like to chop off his todger. That’d cure him.”
“He’s everywhere lately,” Kara looked back the way they had come. “Are you sure you’re alright?” She had grown to like Letta and they had started to get on after their shaky start. Kara even felt guilty about drugging her.
“Oh I’m fine,” Letta sighed. “I suppose it’s part of the job.”
“No it isn’t and don’t you forget that. Have you thought about looking somewhere else?”
“I might end up somewhere worse,” she scoffed. “He only notices me when you’re around anyway. It’s you who needs to be careful,” Letta warned picking up the bucket again and setting off back to the scullery. “He’s got his eye on you.”
She didn’t see Culsen at all over the next two days. Letta informed her he was away on business and so on her afternoon off she headed for the park feeling less uptight and at least relieved to be out of the house. She made her way through the city, unable to linger and take note or enjoy any of its sights and sounds. She was intent on getting to the park before Mia Sara so she could have some time to herself and clear her head. Despite the ever-present heat it was good to be outside.
She arrived at the meeting point and sat in the shade, letting the world pass her by. Birds chirped in the trees about her - they were a constant feature of the city. The little blue creatures were everywhere and the sound of their calls was a part of the atmosphere of its quieter parts. She watched them flutter and squabble over crumbs, bouncing about on their little red legs, heads cocking to one side as they looked for the next scrap. She wished she could fly away with them. Lost in her thoughts it was only when the birds suddenly scattered that she was aware of Mia Sara’s arrival.
“I didn’t mean to startle you. You look tired,” Mia Sara observed not unkindly.
Kara was about to come up with a waspish retort but didn’t have the energy. “It’s been a long week,” she said by way of a reply as the other woman sat.
“Everything’s ready,” Mia Sara began, sensing the fatigue in Kara and allowing her to sit and rest. “I have placed several markers and supplies at intervals as far into the jungle as I can reach, they should allow me to transport the three of us a reasonable distance away from the city and make it difficult for anyone to pursue. It’s been quite exhausting. Have you been able to locate and communicate with Halleck?”
Kara stretched and sat up slowly. “Yes but he’s heavily drugged and in a poor state.”
“Have you any idea what they’re using?” Mia Sara asked a note of concern in her voice.
“I have no idea. They give it to me to do and then check the vial. For all they know I could be pouring it on the floor,” she shrugged. “Which is exactly what I am doing. He’s lethargic, can’t focus, mumbles, can barely concentrate and his breath smells!” She grimaced. “Actually he smells, his breath stinks but there’s a definite smell of… you’re going to think this stupid,” Kara warned. “It smells of dirty socks.”
“Not at all. Your observations are very concise,” Mia Sara complimented. “Dirty socks would suggest the use of leriun. The Ildran Order is well known for its use of poisons and drugs. I had thought they would be using something more sophisticated. But at least we
have an antidote for that. She said reaching into a bag she had brought.”
“I should be able to put it into his food after the guards have inspected it. They aren’t that interested.”
“Good. If you’re able, begin adding some of the antidote to his food from tonight. A few drops should do it. It will take some time for it to build up in is blood stream but it will begin to make a difference in time for our departure.”
“Okay.”
“At the risk of insulting you,” Mia Sara began carefully. “Are you quite sure the man you speak of is Halleck.”
Kara rolled her eyes and snorted. “I’m as sure as I can be about a man no one has seen for almost a century.” Kara relented aware that Mia Sara was making a concerted effort to be pleasant. “He’s been able to answer the questions we agreed on, though it’s taken some time to get the answers out of him and he matches the vague description we’ve been given, apart from his age.”
“His age?”
“He’s very young for a Panid.”
Mia Sara nodded slowly. “Remember we were told about that. It is thought he hasn’t aged as the other have.”
“Of course. I’d forgotten.” Kara exhaled heavily. “I’m tired, ignore me. Things are getting to me that normally don’t”
Mia Sara waited trying to read Kara’s expression. “It must be very hard but I trust your judgement,” she said finally. “Your escape plan?”
Kara yawned. “Do we have to do this now? I’m shattered.”
“We’re taking a considerable risk as it is Kara. If we are unclear about any aspect of our arrangements, we will fail. Culsen is a powerful Adept and will have directed energy weapons in the house if not on his person. Our actions must be rehearsed.”
Kara knew the sense in Mia Sara’s words so didn’t argue. She stifled a yawn and pulled herself together. “Right. There are four guards on duty at any one time but no one in his room. I think the other guards sleep in rooms on the floor directly below. I’ve seen one or two of them on the lawn there,” she explained. “I’ve been able to get some food down Halleck each day, which has made a surprising difference. The guards made a fuss at first and then just gave up and let me get on with it. The two outside the door aren’t always there. Sometimes they talk to the two up at the study door. I’ll find a way of making sure they do that when we make our break. There’s a fair distance between them and Halleck’s room so I should have enough time to get him, get through the shutters and meet you on the lawn bellow.” Kara shifted her position and turned towards Mia Sara. “The shutters are locked so I’ll have to smash them to get out. This will alert the guards on the ground floor. You might have to take care of them.”
Mia Sara thought for a while. “Let’s hope they’re sound sleepers. I’ve made the first transport a long one to make it difficult for anyone to match us. Dealing with the guards will mean I’ll have to draw on the field even deeper to make the jump and that will add time to our departure. If Culsen gets to us, we will have to defend ourselves and I may be unable to affect a transport.”
“Oh, I forgot to say,” Kara suddenly remembered. “He’s left and isn’t expected back for some time, so that’s one thing we won’t have to worry about,” Kara tried to make light of the fact. “Simple really.”
Mia Sara raised an eyebrow. “I don’t need to remind you to be careful…”
But you will, Kara thought!
“…and in my experience things are never simple.”
The last of her time at the house trudged by and on the final day Kara was about her morning tasks when one of the other serving girls came running through the room.
“He’s back,” she hissed, “get this mess cleaned up quickly and get yourself out of his way. He’s in a stinking mood.”
Culsen hadn’t been expected back for several days, more than enough time for Kara, Mia Sara and Halleck to be miles away. Her growing ease was now shattered. The careful plans she had made over those days had not included the Adept. She straightened and stretched her back. This was the last thing she needed. Now she’d have to alter her plans to include him. She clumped out of the room and wearily headed for the kitchen. She collected the morning tray, with a yawn and wondered if Culsen would be in his study yet. With luck he’d still be busy in another part of the house. Climbing the servant’s steps, she heard his voice downstairs in the reception room and increased her pace in the hope of getting upstairs before him. On entering his study, she noticed one of his desk drawers was opened. She looked at the door to the west wing and then at the draw. Her nagging curiosity made her falter. Carefully she put the tray down on the dresser and checked the landing. She could just to say hear him below. He must have left the reception room and was in the corridor that led to the stairs. From what she could make out he was in conversation with the captain of the guards. She had minutes. She sprang back into the study and quickly stepped across the rugs to the desk and the open drawer. So this is where he keeps them, she thought. Several, foot long rods were placed in a specially padded tray. Kara recognised them as directed energy weapons, beautifully crafted rods that held a relatively large charge of field energy. The energy could be released producing a bolt capable of killing. Voices suddenly sounded at the bottom of the stairs. He must have moved closer but he was still talking irritably with the captain. What had got Culsen so riled? Without another thought she carefully pushed the drawer closed and locked it. Where to put the key! She couldn’t keep it. Maybe outside? No, someone would see. Book shelves! She scattered papers with a careless turn and dashed over to drop the key behind a row of books. She paused listening. The conversation had stopped and she could hear Culsen’s heavy foot falls on the main stairs! The papers or the tray? She was about to dash for the tray but she caught sight of another rod on the desk. It was the one Culsen always carried with him. For a second she hesitated. Culsen was nearly at the top of the stairs. She grabbed the rod stuffing it in the folds of her dress. He was at the door but she wasn’t near the tray. There was a call from below and Culsen stopped to respond. His temper flared. Kara almost threw herself at the tray, lifted it shakily and moved as quickly as she dared. She tapped on the connecting door. Come on - come on she hissed listening to Culsen rant. There were footsteps, the door clicked open and for the first time she was relieved to see the guard’s face.
“You’re late,” he accused.
“Then get out of my way or I’ll be later,” she snapped pushing past him with a glance backwards. Hurrying on she dumped a handful of biscuits on the table and swept down the corridor heart thumping.
Mia Sara was furious with herself. He’d seen her! She’d been carrying out a final check. Kara had said Culsen was away so she hadn’t bothered to alter her appearance. She’d been leaving, ready to head back, when the carriage had pulled up. Her sudden awareness of his proximity made her look up at the exact moment he’d passed and for a fraction of a second her eyes had met his. She was sure in that fleeting moment he’d recognised her. Thankfully she had been steps away from a corner and once round it had quickly turned down several others in case she was followed. Now she calmed her breathing, losing herself in the crowds and assessed the situation. Was it possible he hadn’t recognised her? It had been ten years since they’d met and only then by way of introduction. He had moved on to meet others and had been quickly distracted. They had met for seconds - a bland and unremarkable encounter but she knew, damn it, he had recognised her.
The day dragged with everyone on a knife-edge. The more Kara willed it to pass the slower it went and to make it worse the temperature was hotter than ever, making everyone irritable and every job a monumental effort. She’d kept herself out of sight and managed to get rid of the rod. It was no good to her, like the others it would be designed only to operate at Culsen’s touch. The morning slowly passed as she worked and the afternoon crawled through the heat of the day but finally evening came. She entered the kitchen silently and pocketed several handfuls of biscuits. A routine she had
started in order to draw all four guards together at the connecting door to the study. They were now accustomed to the habit and so would be there waiting. She collected the tray with a sense of tension that even the returning cook picked up on.
“What’s got you in such a mood? You be careful with that.”
Kara didn’t answer but took the tray belligerently banging the door open with it as she left.
Letta met her on the servant’s stairs.
“Be careful up there,” she said gently squeezing Kara’s arm. “He’s still in a right mood with himself. Something’s happened to bother him and it’ll be us who get it in the neck. He’s had someone in there with him and they’ve only just gone. There’s been comings and goings all day long. There are even extra guards in the streets outside and everything.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. You just think about what I told you,”
Letta giggled. “You sound like my mother. And one of those is enough. Hurry up or they’ll be starting supper without you.”
Before Kara could say anything else Letta headed off down the rest of the stairs. I’ll miss you, she thought and then turned. Come on, she said to herself, get yourself sorted and this started.
With tired legs she climbed the rest of the way and with her shoulder carefully opened the door that marked the boundary between the plain utilitarian staff corridors and the plush décor of the main house. Her boots had echoed and crunched on the stone steps and now they were hushed by thick hand woven rugs. She reached the study door and with what now amounted to practised ease balanced the tray while she knocked. The usual pause lasted longer, Culsen liked to make her wait before he allowed her to enter. She could hear sounds as if he was searching for something. Would he have time to miss the rod or his key?