Star of Sakova

by Richard S. Tuttle

  StarWind's throat constricted with emotion and she tousled Jostin’s red mop. “Thank you, Jostin. I know she will be happy.”

  StarWind turned and strode away from the freckle-faced boy swiftly, holding her emotion down as she went in search of MeadowTune. She saw Goral as she was walking and signaled to him.

  “I am going to Campanil in the morning,” she said quietly. “I would like you to go with me.”

  “Then I shall,” the gruff giant replied. “How long will we be gone?”

  “I need just one day there,” StarWind answered. “I will see you at first light.”

  StarWind left Goral without waiting for a reply that she knew would not come. Goral never wasted words and he had never refused her request for help. StarWind continued looking and finally found MeadowTune in MoonFlow’s quarters.

  “StarWind,” cried MeadowTune as she embraced the Sakovan spymaster. “I am so sorry for you. I know how close you were. I thought I would clean this up so you didn’t have to face it.”

  “That was very thoughtful,” StarWind said quietly as she returned the slight woman’s embrace. “You may want to just leave it and move in. I would like you to take over MoonFlow’s job. I know you refused it before, but you are the best person suited for it and with the coming of the Star, we need your expertise.”

  “I will not refuse this time,” MeadowTune agreed in her musical voice. “The last time you asked I refused because I knew MoonFlow really wanted the job and that she would be good at it. Now I wonder if I sent her to her death by my refusal.”

  “You blame yourself as I do,” sighed StarWind. “We must not continue to do so. We lessen her memory by thinking that we controlled what she did. I was hoping you would agree. I am leaving in the morning for a short trip to Campanil. There are claims of a Sakovan attack being floated there and I must discover who is doing it. I have informed Jostin of your appointment with hope that you would accept. I will inform Lyra immediately. Here is a key for the office.”

  “Have a safe journey,” MeadowTune called after her.

  StarWind realized that she had missed the evening meal as she strode to Lyra’s room and knocked on the door. The door opened and Temiker stuck his head out to see who it was. When he saw StarWind, he opened the door and motioned her in.

  “Thank you wizard,” StarWind said as she scanned the room and found Lyra sitting on the floor in front of the fireplace. She walked over and sat facing the new Star.

  “I know this is all new to you, Lyra,” StarWind began, “but I must continue the work MoonFlow was working on and that requires me to leave StarCity for a while.”

  “I understand,” Lyra replied softly. “I need your help as well, but I know I come after Sakova. What was she working on?”

  “There are rumors circulating in Campanil about a Sakovan attack,” informed StarWind. “Someone burned all of their watula fields and blamed us. I want to find out who. I am also starting to see mention of Sakovans in the agent reports concerning the general population. You are not aware, but this is highly unusual. Most Omungans either do not know we exist or think we are dark creatures who never leave the Sakova. That attitude suits us and someone is destroying it around the country. I think the two are related.”

  “Then we must find out,” agreed Lyra. “Who will handle things in your absence?”

  “On the information end, I have asked MeadowTune to be my new assistant,” answered StarWind. “She is very capable. The boy Jostin handles the messages coming in and going out. He is very reliable and he may need contact with you if certain messages come in. He cannot depend on RavenWing to take the messages any more.”

  “I understand,” smiled Lyra weakly. “My uncle, er, Temiker has been helping me cope with all of this. I am sorry for my weak start, but I promise I will learn what I must do and get it done. I value your input and would like to discuss things with you when you return. I am going to need a lot of guidance in this job and while Temiker is wise, I need a Sakovan’s input. I would like yours.”

  StarWind noticed the switch from uncle to Temiker and smiled as she realized that the wizard was already advising her regarding how she should behave and interact with others. StarWind was beginning to take a liking to the old mage.

  “There is nothing critical going on that I know of besides the Campanil thing,” stated StarWind. “Why don’t you continue your magic lessons and limit your audiences to a couple of hours a day? Use LifeTender as a buffer and get her to schedule appointments for people to speak with you. Most audiences will deal with good wishes to you and offers of support. If something important does come up, LifeTender will not let you miss it. In the meantime, she can also help familiarize you with our way of life and who everybody is.”

  “That is sound advice,” Lyra smiled, “as long as I don’t get people angry with me for putting them off.”

  “You will not be putting them off,” smiled StarWind, “LifeTender will be and she can handle it. Besides, people will understand that you need time to acclimate yourself to our way of life. Everyone knows you are new here and they will give you time to learn the ropes.”

  “She speaks well,” Temiker interjected. “As I said, the Sakovans know that you have been thrust into this position. They will be patient with you. Never forget that you are Rhodella’s daughter. She has taught you to think clearly and logically. Learn the Sakovan way of life as you would study magic. Approach it in an organized manner and you will succeed beyond your wildest imagination.”

  “Exactly,” StarWind agreed. “I am taking Goral with me to Campanil. We will return in a few days and I will put myself at your disposal when we return.”

  “Thank you, StarWind,” Lyra said as the Sakovan spymaster rose and left the room.

  ***

  To the southwest in Okata, a buxom young woman toyed with a strand of her golden shoulder-length hair as she sat on a stone bench in her private garden. She stared at the stone wall surrounding the garden, ignoring the multitude of flowers and bushes that she delighted in tending. She removed her gardening apron and stared at the small slip of paper one more time. She rose from the bench and walked to a small wooden building in the corner of the garden and opened the door.

  Inside the small building were shelves with garden implements, pottery planters, numerous tins of various seeds, and bottles of liquids. She removed a small glass dish from the shelf and placed it on the work counter. Next she opened a small bottle of liquid and poured a tiny portion into the glass dish. She placed the little slip of paper into the liquid and watched as it hissed and steamed. Within seconds, the paper was gone as if it never existed. She took a small pouch of granules off the shelf and poured some into the dish and observed the interaction between them and the liquid. Within moments, the dish was again empty and she placed it back on the shelf and left the building.

  The beautiful blond strolled through her private garden and opened the doors to the mansion beyond. She walked across the marble floor, ignoring the rich tapestries and marble sculptures and ascended the wide spiraling staircase to the second floor. At the end of the wide hall she opened the ornate double doors to her suite and went to her clothes closet. She removed a long tight-fitting black dress from the rack and laid it on the enormous bed. Next she went to the dresser and withdrew a pair of black hose. She stripped off her gardening smock and admired her tan body in the tall mirror. Subconsciously she touched the birthmark on her right arm and frowned slightly.

  Shaking herself out of her pondering, she swiftly dressed and slid on a pair of black leather shoes. She wrapped a black kerchief around her golden locks and checked her reflection one more time. Satisfied with what she saw, she picked up a small black purse and returned downstairs and slipped out a side door to an alley. At the mouth of the alley, she stopped and checked the street for traffic before boldly stepping out and walking along the street past the fashionable shops of the wealthy district in which she lived. Nobody paid any attention to her as she continued walkin
g out of the wealthy district into the more common part of the city.

  A half-hour later, she slipped into another alley near the border between the common man’s section of town and the seedier waterfront area. She moved stealthily now, down the alley until she came to a small, unmarked wooden door. She reached into the small purse and extracted a thin piece of metal and applied it to the lock on the door. Within a scant few minutes, a snick indicated that the door was unlocked and she slid cautiously inside.

  The main room was a shambles. Papers and drawers littered the floor. Furniture was knocked over and broken glass was everywhere. The woman in black ignored it all and went to the small door leading off of the main room. She silently turned the handle and crept into the small room. Two small beds and a small dresser were the only pieces of furniture in the room and the dresser had been ransacked. She moved to the bed along the far wall and pulled it into the middle of the floor. Walking around to the far side of the bed, she threw the covers on the floor and laid down on them. She wiggled her curvaceous body under the bed and felt along the inside of the headboard leg until she found a small hole. She stuck the thin piece of metal into the hole and worked it in a professional manner until a small compartment slid open. She reached into the compartment with two fingers and extracted a small book. With a click, she closed the small compartment door.

  Squirming out from under the bed, she slid the small book between her breasts and threw the covers back onto the bed. She walked around to the other side and shoved the bed back against the wall. Easing herself back out the way she came in, the woman paused at the rear door and placed the thin piece of metal into her purse. With her hand of the doorknob, she heard a scuffing sound from the alley beyond the door. With the swiftness of a cat, the woman moved back from the door and flattened her body to the wall. The doorknob turned slowly and a slight shaft of light penetrated the dark room as the door eased open.

  The woman sprang swiftly, throwing the door open and driving her stiffened fingers into the throat of the man entering the room. The man gurgled and clutched his throat as his knees buckled. Deprived of air, the man struggled to understand what was happening. He dropped to his knees and his hands came up to his throat. The woman viscously punched the side of his head and the man sprawled unconsciously to the floor. She stuck her head out the open door and checked the alley for any accomplices. Seeing none, she dragged his body into the alley and propped it against the wall. She slipped the lock mechanism of the door and pulled it shut. Moving quickly and quietly, the woman worked her way back up the alley and onto the street. She walked casually, but swiftly as she retraced her steps to her home.

  Chapter 22

  Campanil

  Goral did not feel much better on a horse than he did on a choka, but at least the horse would not cause the Campanil residents to run screaming in fear of an invasion as he entered the city. The giant was clothed in dark pants and a garish red shirt that shouted for people to notice him. StarWind rode several distances ahead of him attired in a plain gray shift as they entered the city from the north. She passed through the gate without comment and lingered just inside to make sure Goral was not hassled too severely. She dismounted and tied her horse to a post and waited. As she expected, the guards could not let the giant pass without some challenge or comment. Two Imperial Guards approached Goral and blocked his path with pikes, ordering him to dismount. Goral dismounted and stood silently next to his horse. The white-clad guard asked him what business he had in the city and Goral cocked his head and stared at the man. Slowly, he brought his hands up and started moving them rapidly, making signs.

  “He can’t talk,” surmised one of the guards. “What is he saying?”

  “How the heck would I know?” retorted the second guard with skepticism. “If he can’t tell me his business in the city, then he isn’t getting in. State your business or be off with you.”

  Goral stood staring at the man’s moving mouth with a puzzled look upon his face. For a seemingly endless moment, the three participants stood staring at each other. Only years of practice in shedding visible displays of emotion allowed StarWind to maintain a straight face as she watched her friend perform.

  “I don’t think he can hear either,” the first guard finally said. “Maybe we should just let him pass. He hasn’t caused any trouble.”

  “I don’t like it,” complained the second guard. “I think he is faking it. Either he tells me his business or he doesn’t enter the city.”

  He watched Goral for signs of comprehension and was disappointed. A line began forming behind Goral as other travelers sought entrance into the city and their murmurs grew louder although nobody was going to openly voice displeasure with the Imperial Guards. With the patience of a rock, Goral stood fast and waited for the Imperial Guards to make up their minds.

  The first guard grew nervous about drawing so much attention. The Watch Commander wanted visitors to the city challenged, but he also was known to be irritable when bothered by something trivial and the guard did not need a confrontation with the Watch Commander. “Let him go. He does not appear violent to me.”

  “Not until he states his business,” reiterated the first guard, “and I do not intend to wait all day for it. Go on and get out of here,” he ordered Goral as he leaned his pike against the wall and reached for the reins of Goral’s horse to turn the animal around.

  The giant’s hand streaked out and seized the guard’s wrist as he reached for the reins. Slowly, Goral shook his head in an exaggerated fashion and pointed towards the inner city with his free hand.

  The guard struggled to free his hand, but Goral’s grip was solid and refused to yield. The act of touching an Imperial Guard was an offense and the giant could end up in jail for his insistence on entering the city, but Goral kept his resolve firm.

  “Cut off his arm,” the bound guard ordered his companion. “He won’t let go of me.”

  The nervous guard approached and stood next to his companion and whispered to him, “He would not act this way if he could talk. You are making us look like fools. The giant does not even exert himself holding you captive. If we continue this, the Watch Commander will be here and we will both be cleaning latrines. Just let the fool enter and he will be a problem for someone else.”

  The captive guard thought for a moment and ceased struggling to free his hand from Goral’s grasp. As soon as he stopped struggling, Goral released his grip and the guard yanked his hand back. The guard’s hand hovered over the hilt of his sword threateningly for a moment, but finally the guard stepped back and waved Goral through the gate.

  StarWind watched the guards carefully while Goral’s back was to them and as soon as she saw that they meant no harm to the giant, she continued on her way, meeting up with Goral down the street far enough to be out of sight of the gate.

  “You took a chance back there,” StarWind whispered after they had rejoined. “Touching a guard can mean imprisonment.”

  “Perhaps,” smiled Goral as he tied his horse to a post, “but public humiliation is a powerful incentive. My grip was tight enough that the guard had to doubt his ability to take me captive without harm to himself.”

  StarWind shook her head mirthfully and said, “I have to go into the Imperial Guard headquarters. Go down to the waterfront and snoop around the taverns. Try not to get in trouble,” she pleaded humorously.

  StarWind watched Goral leave. She smiled inwardly and turned to approach the Campanil office of the Imperial Guard located in the center of the city. As she passed through the market area, she perused the wares and halted abruptly in front of a grain merchant’s stall. She shook her head with wonderment as she read the sign denoting the price asked for watula. She turned slowly, scanning the marketplace, and started reading the prices of other foodstuffs posted at the market stalls. She frowned as she realized that it was going to be a harsh winter for the residents of Campanil. The prices were so exorbitant that many would starve for lack of money to buy food.

/>   StarWind watched the people as she walked further into the city and tried to catch fragments of conversation as she passed. Most of the fragments were normal city talk, but she caught the word “Sakovan” several times, which was very unusual for Omungan conversation. Undoubtedly, everyone blamed the Sakovans for the charred fields she had passed on her way into town.

  StarWind passed from the market area into an area of fine shops and government buildings. Imperial Guards, resplendent in their gleaming white suits, were plentiful in this area, while the rich and powerful people of the city went about their business. The Red River ran through the city and there were several bridges over it in the Central District. Two of the bridges were located in a large park with tree-lined paths, which sat directly in the center of the city, and StarWind steered towards it. On one side of the park sat the home and palace of the Mayor of Campanil, on the opposite side was the stark stone building of the Imperial Guard Headquarters for the Campanil District. It was this impressive fortress-like structure that was StarWind’s first stop.

  The Sakovan spymaster steeled her nerve, marched up the steps, and into the lion’s maw. The entrance lobby was a large open area with guards everywhere. Citizens and merchants were crowded around a long wooden counter on the far wall and StarWind recognized it as the place to register complaints or ask about permission for some endeavor or just inquiries in general. She took her place in the line waiting to speak and let her eyes travel around the room while she waited. There were two large archways on each end of the counter and each of the other walls of the room had doors. The walls were stark and bare, devoid of any embellishments. The floor was stone, and like the walls, empty. Most of the Imperial Guard traffic went through the archways or out the front door. There were no benches or chairs for people to sit on, not that anyone would want to loiter here, StarWind thought.

  The line moved fairly quickly and StarWind could hear the people in front of her talking to the clerks behind the counter. The bare room seemed to echo voices and the din was constant. Most of the people in front of her were registering complaints about other citizens or travelers. One old woman complained that Sakovans had stolen her cat the night before and a merchant was asking for compensation for his goods ruined when the Imperial Guard searched his wagon. The clerks scribbled furiously, but their standard refrain was that it would be looked into. Most people were sent away with little satisfaction.