Star of Sakova

by Richard S. Tuttle

  The old man walked right up to her. “Why do you search for Harac?” he asked.

  “Why are you following me?” StarWind retorted.

  “Because you are searching for Harac,” the old man smiled. “Your turn to answer.”

  “I wish to talk to him,” StarWind admitted.

  “What about?” persisted the old man.

  “That is no affair of yours,” she stated. “Do you work for him?”

  “I do not work for him,” stated the old man, “but what you want to talk to him about might interest me. What I know about him might also interest you.”

  “What kind of game are we playing here?” StarWind inquired. “Is it money you are after? Or something else?”

  “It might be that we can help each other,” the old man smiled. “I am not with the government if that is what you are concerned with.”

  “What makes you think I am concerned about the government?” asked StarWind, suddenly feeling very unprotected and exposed.

  “A number of reasons,” noted the old man. “For one, you left the tavern too quickly when you saw the Imperial Guard.”

  StarWind’s mind flashed back to the last tavern where the Imperial Guard had been. The old man had not been in that bar. She was sure of it. “Nobody likes to be around Imperial Guards,” StarWind pushed. “You said a number of reasons, what are the others?”

  “I saw you perform in Campanil,” grinned the old man. “I know that you are not with the government or you would not have cleared out of that city so swiftly.”

  A slight spasm of fear shot through StarWind as she wondered who this old man was. Her fear eased slightly as she saw Goral come up behind the old man.

  “Tell your friend not to hurt me,” the old man said. “Neither of us will get the information we want that way.”

  “How did you know?” asked StarWind. “How do you know all of this?”

  The old man put his back against the building so Goral was not standing behind him. “Perhaps we should all stop playing games,” the old man suggested. “Let’s go somewhere where we can talk in private. I do not know who you are, but I am sure that you are not working at odds with me and I do think we can help each other. Will you at least try to cooperate?”

  StarWind looked at Goral and the giant nodded. “Very well,” she agreed. “Where do you suggest?”

  “I have a room above the Bard's Breath,” the old man offered.

  StarWind and Goral followed the old man up to his room. He opened the door and let them in and then lit a candle. StarWind drew her sword when she saw the Imperial Guard uniform lying on the bed.

  “Relax,” the old man chuckled as he ripped off his beard and threw it on the dresser. “It is just a disguise. That is how I knew you left the last tavern in a hurry.”

  “Who in Kaltara’s name are you?” StarWind spat. “I want an answer now.”

  “Well you have answered my question,” laughed the old man as he tore off the rest of his disguise and revealed a well-muscled body of not such an old age. “I guess I can answer yours. My name is Fisher and I am a spy.”

  StarWind’s face was puzzled. “A spy for whom?” she quizzed. “And what do you mean I answered your question?”

  “Please sit, Sakovans,” smiled Fisher. “You should not use Kaltara’s name. The Omungans do not worship him.”

  StarWind mentally kicked herself. She knew better, but she had allowed Fisher to confuse her and that was not professional. “Who do you spy for?” she asked again.

  “Lord Marak of the Torak Clan,” Fisher answered. “I am trying to find out if and when the Omungans plan to invade Khadora. As I said before, we may be able to help each other.”

  “The Omungans are planning to invade Khadora?” StarWind repeated. “This is news to me. We are trying to find out when the Omungans are going to attack us. Perhaps we can help each other.”

  “I would not have revealed myself to you if I did not believe we could,” declared Fisher. “My identity is one of the greatest secrets in Khadora. I know of the Sakovans and their plight. Lord Marak would sympathize with you. He seeks to restore Khadora to a fair and honest society as the Sakovans do here. It appears that someone in the government is planning war on both of us. Why should we allow them to pick on us one at a time?”

  “How do you know war is coming?” Goral asked.

  “We captured an Omungan spy last month,” Fisher stated. “He had maps of the Clans with indicated troop strengths on them. He also had a notebook with detailed information on mountain passes, roads, sea vessels, everything one would need to know before an attack. I was sent to find out what is going on. I just happened to be in Campanil on the way here when you had that altercation. I recognized you when I was portraying the Imperial Guard and decided to switch disguises and follow you.”

  “That all makes sense,” StarWind agreed. “You are very good at your craft. I am called StarWind. My companion is Goral. You probably saw the charred fields at Campanil. Someone did that and blamed the Sakovans for it. We believe a man called Harac led it. We are trying to find him now to see who he works for.”

  “Harac is dead,” Fisher declared. “He was murdered last night. I normally would not be interested in such local things, but I saw a man last night doing the same thing you were doing tonight. He went to each tavern looking for Harac. When Harac turned up dead this morning, I got interested. I posed as an Imperial Guard to question the otherwise silent barkeeps. They don’t like messing with the Imperial Guard much and I found out that the man who was looking for Harac had done this several times before. If Harac was hired to burn the fields, the trail is effectively dead. The man I saw was wearing a disguise and a poorly done one at that. I do not think we will ever see him again.”

  “Harac had been bragging that he was going to be rich,” interjected Goral. “He was gone from the city when the Campanil fields went up and there was a lot of talk about Harac being the last of his group. Seems many of his friends have disappeared.”

  “So our trail is at an end,” sighed StarWind.

  “Perhaps for finding which official is plotting against you,” offered Fisher, “but I think your trip was still worthwhile. I think the Sakovans and Lord Marak should talk. You may find an alliance to your liking and I know that he would be sympathetic to your cause.”

  “We know nothing of Lord Marak,” StarWind stated. “The Sakovan people cannot afford to rest our future on someone we do not know.”

  “Then get to know him,” suggested Fisher. “If the Chula can trust him, I am sure that the Sakovans can too. What do you have to lose?”

  “I did not think the Chula trusted any flatlander,” remarked StarWind as she remembered stories of the fearsome cat people of the North. They had always been friendly to the Sakovans until they too were driven to the point of extinction by invaders. “How would we contact this Lord Marak?”

  “I can arrange it for you,” offered Fisher. “Select a spot along the east coast where your leader will feel comfortable and I will arrange for Lord Marak to arrive there at the appointed time. This way your leader will not have to leave the Sakova and Lord Marak will not have to enter it.”

  “I will need some time to get you an answer,” replied StarWind.

  “I have time to kill,” Fisher said. “You know where to find me.”

  Chapter 25

  Katana

  Cherri sat alone in her large mansion at a loss of what to do with her time. She loved the exhilarating feeling that raced through her earlier in the evening when she had been back in her old routine of gathering information. The years of deactivation had been hard to bear. Now that she was reactivated, she was anxious to get the task underway and sitting around doing nothing was not on her agenda. True, she had obtained GoldenEar’s book and met with StarWind, and she had the Minister of Defense baited, but she yearned to do more for the Sakovans than just sit around.

  She rose and strode to a large mirror, admiring her reflection and the bea
uty of the long, flowing, red gown. With a devilish grin, she decided to return to the party at the palace to see if she could uncover some more Omungan secrets. She fussed with her hair and straightened her dress and headed for the front door.

  ***

  The three well-decorated generals stood off in a corner as they watched the icons of high society mix and mingle.

  “I cannot understand how they came to the decision to appoint him as the new Minister of Defense,” repeated General Valdey as he looked at Minister Kapla standing in a circle of people.

  “Perhaps Asgarte can inform us,” General Romero suggested as he adjusted the empty sleeve where his left arm used to be. The loss of his arm had happened many years ago, but the general was still conscious of its absence.

  “It is simple,” declared General Didyk. “Someone did not want any dissenting voices on the Council. I am not sure whether it is Alazar or someone using him though. From his questions of me, it was obvious that someone took exception to Asgarte inviting me to speak. Kapla is easily manipulated. His selection was based on his gullibility.”

  “Well if Kapla is so easily manipulated,” smirked General Valdey as he twirled his long mustache, “then we should have no problem dealing with him ourselves.”

  “He will be dealt with,” assured General Didyk, “as soon as I find out who is pulling his string. Here comes Asgarte now. It is about time he showed.”

  Minister Asgarte waddled over to the group of three generals. “I am sorry about the Council,” he smiled grimly. “I think offense was taken that I invited you without asking first.”

  “Who took offense?” General Didyk inquired.

  “Alazar was the one who spoke,” reported the Minister of Agriculture, “but I think that was because he does not like surprises. He actually made a good argument for not selecting one of the three of you. He presented a list of twenty less-distinguished generals and suggested that we vote among them. Kapla was just the default choice.”

  “So he was already prepared not to choose one of us,” scowled the one-armed general.

  “It would appear so,” nodded Minster Asgarte. “He said that the three of you were so distinguished that your skill in leading the armies would be sorely missed and that the Minister of Defense position was not as important to the country. He has been talking as if we are going to war.”

  “He has been pushing the Sakovan threat for years,” General Valdey scowled. “That man does not understand that the Sakovans are too weak to threaten us.”

  “Not when they start attacking the cities,” Asgarte interjected. “The Campanil attack will reign havoc all winter. There will not be enough food to go around.”

  General Didyk snorted at the fat Minister of Agriculture, “You will not starve Minister. Do not tell me that Alazar has you convinced of the Sakovan threat.”

  “Actually a majority of the Council is now leaning towards some action to teach them a lesson,” Asgarte stated. “They cannot be allowed to come down out of the Sakova and destroy our crops. The Katana’s resistance is probably the only thing stopping Alazar from bringing it to a vote. You will excuse me. I should offer my congratulations to our new Minister.”

  General Didyk stared with disgust as the fat minister waddled towards Minister Kapla. “I cannot believe this country has survived so long with such soft rulers,” he spat. “We have the military might to crush any opponent we want and we are ruled by fools who worry about the Sakovans or their precious crops.”

  “Careful General,” cautioned General Romero, “such comments can be considered treasonous.”

  “And who would try me?” sneered General Didyk. “Together we have the three strongest armies ever amassed. A majority of the other generals would support us as well.”

  “And what would you do with the country once you ruled it?” questioned General Valdey.

  General Didyk snapped his head and stared blankly at Valdey. He had been angry and disappointed that he had been passed over for the Minister of Defense position and his talk had been that of rage and frustration, but the idea of running the nation suddenly intrigued him. Why shouldn’t the army run Omunga? The Katana and his Council represented an outdated and inefficient system. The army on the other hand was organized and efficient and it maintained strict discipline. The structure of the army was well defined and nobody ever questioned an order.

  “Expand,” General Didyk finally answered with a smirk. “There is no reason for Omunga to occupy such a small land mass. Khadora would present a bit of a challenge, but Fakara would fall quickly,” he continued as he watched the expressions of his two comrades. He expected to find fear on their faces, but his colleagues were smiling and nodding.

  “It would take a lot of planning,” cautioned General Romero. “Any attempt at a quick overthrow would not be accepted by the people. The armies would be spending their time quelling local disturbances and expansion would become a wisp of a memory.”

  “Getting rid of the Katana would be no easy feat either,” warned General Valdey. “The Monitors are fiercely loyal to him. If they knew an attack was coming, they could defend the palace from the armies for a very long time. No matter how large an army you wield, the palace was designed to be defended like a castle. A long siege would defeat our chances of winning.”

  General Didyk stared at Minister Kapla with hatred as he thought about what must be done to accomplish his new goal. His fellow conspirators had brought up valid points and the General’s mind whirled around a strategy to circumvent their objections. Suddenly, he cursed and his mouth hung open.

  “It is happening now!” he exclaimed. “Someone is seizing power as we speak.” Seeing the confusion on the faces of the other two generals, he explained, “What if the people of Omunga were beset by Sakovan raids and the government did nothing? The people would demand order and reprisals. They would look upon the Katana with disdain. Don’t you see? Alazar is trying to use the Sakovans to gain power for himself. He doesn’t really care if the Sakovans are crushed or not, just as long as the troubles vault him into power.”

  “Amazing,” commented General Romero. “We should notify the Katana right away. With Alazar out of the way, we can fill the void and complete his task.”

  “The Katana would never believe us,” General Valdey interjected. “We have no proof.”

  “It would also alert the Monitors to the possibility of an overthrow,” added General Didyk. “No we must plan and be prepared to move as soon as the Katana is removed and before Alazar takes power. If we are too slow and Alazar gains power then we face the same problem trying to get rid of him as we would with the present Katana. In any event, we do not want to disclose that we suspect anything. Gentlemen, I think it is time to abandon this celebration and retire to someplace where we can plan our moves.”

  The three well-decorated generals headed for the door out of the palace. They stepped aside gentlemanly to allow entry for a beautiful blond woman in a flowing red gown. The woman smiled her thanks and headed directly to the line waiting to speak with the Katana.

  Thankfully the line was short, Cherri thought as she scanned the room and saw Minister Kapla still encircled with his new admirers. She continued looking around the room, trying to remember the names that went with the faces she saw. She had not been attending court for some time, as her orders had been to maintain a low profile after Minister Calix’s death.

  Time passed quickly and soon Cherri was kneeling before the Katana. “Your Holiness,” Cherri greeted the Katana.

  “It is a long time since I have seen this angelic face in my court,” smiled the Katana. “Rise so I may look upon you and feast my eyes with your beauty.”

  Cherri rose with a feigned embarrassed smile. “You honor me with your favor,” Cherri replied.

  The Katana smiled and gazed around the room. He rose and two Monitors suddenly appeared behind him. “I feel the need for some lighter talk than is available here,” the Katana stated. “Would you do my the honor of
a walk, Cherri?”

  “Who am I to refuse the Katana,” Cherri smiled. “It is I who will be honored.”

  The Katana made a small hand gesture and two more Monitors preceded the couple to the Katana’s private entrance. Cherri took the Katana’s offered arm as they strode from the room. The small procession proceeded through the halls of the palace with the two leading Monitors appearing to know the destination. The Katana did not speak during the short journey, which ended in the Katana’s private garden. Two Monitors took their posts outside the doors to the garden while the other two made a circuit around the garden before leaving.

  “I can be more relaxed here,” smiled the Katana. “There was no need for you to stop attending court when Calix died, you know. I have missed seeing your cheery face and I am sure others have as well.”

  “I guess I just felt out of place,” Cherri responded as the Katana led her to a bench and they sat down.

  “And what brings you back?” asked the Katana. “Surely not our new Minister of Defense?”

  Cherri felt slightly uncomfortable when she realized that her luring of Kapla had been so noticeable. The Katana had never really taken a personal interest in her before although he had always been friendly to her. “You are kind to take such an interest in the widow of an old Minister,” evaded Cherri.

  “Widow?” chuckled the Katana. “Cherri, you must think me as senile as my Ministers think. The documents you presented after Calix’s death were obvious forgeries. I authorized the transfer of his assets to you because you are useful to me.”

  Cherri tensed and started to rise, but the Katana placed his hand firmly on her thigh to indicate that he was not done with the conversation and that she would not be permitted to leave. “I like you Cherri,” he smiled. “Besides the obvious benefit you and your fellow Sakovan spies provide, I have always admired both your beauty and your dedication.”

  “I do not understand,” squirmed Cherri.

  “Then allow me to explain myself,” chuckled the Katana. “Our government, my government that is, is always tenuous. There are always ambitious people trying to claw their way to the top. Often the intrigues are well hidden, but sometimes they are obvious. The obvious ones are normally dealt with before they have a chance to develop, but the others are often hard to uncover. Your Sakovan spies help me find them.”