Star of Sakova

by Richard S. Tuttle

  “How?” quizzed Cherri. “I cannot imagine you putting up with Sakovan spies if you know about them.”

  “Your spies seek information,” answered the Katana. “You have never sent an assassin to kill the Katana. If we do not seek to have war with Sakova, then how can your spies hurt us? Instead you manage to find the weak and yet aggressive among us. Calix was one of those and by watching you I uncovered him. Now you grab on to Kapla. This is no small coincidence.”

  “You think that and yet you let me go free?” questioned Cherri.

  “Why shouldn’t I?” the Katana retorted. “You have caused me no harm. In fact you have aided my government.”

  “Why are you telling me this now?” asked Cherri. “Have you decided that I am no longer an asset?”

  “Quite the contrary,” frowned the Katana. “I think that I may need your help. In the past, the calls to war with Sakova have been transparent and easily ignored. I feel that the effort is being accelerated now and I am having trouble trying to find a way to stop it. When my ministers or generals push for war, I can overrule them, but when the Omungan people scream for it, I will be trapped. War between our two countries is in neither people’s interest.”

  Cherri sat bewildered by the Katana’s frankness. She had prided herself on not being detected and it was a blow to find out that she had been identified early on. Yet the Katana was not indicating that anything would change. She would have to report the change in her status, but it did not appear that the Katana intended to expose her. Still, she could not continue her cover with the knowledge that everyone knew who she was.

  “Offering to help prevent a war is my civic duty,” Cherri agreed, “but I do not see how I can help, especially when everyone thinks that I am a Sakovan spy.”

  “Nobody knows except me,” declared the Katana. “The agent who uncovered you is long dead and I have no intention of exposing you. As I said, you have done me a great service.”

  “What can I do to help?” Cherri asked.

  “This problem in Campanil for starters,” explained the Katana. “This is the type of panic that we cannot afford. I cannot believe that it was the result of the Sakovans because it is not in their best interests. Still I have no one else to blame. I am hoping that your spies have some information that I can use.”

  “I will have to inquire,” Cherri stated, finally giving up any pretense that she was not a Sakovan spy. She liked the Katana and she could tell that he was being sincere. “I do know the person investigating that incident and it is believed that someone high up in the Omungan government is behind it. We do not know whom though. It is the reason that I am trying to hook Minister Kapla.”

  “A sensible starting place,” nodded the Katana. “I do not care for his appointment, but then I didn’t care for any of the replacements offered.”

  “We are trying to track down a man in Okata,” offered Cherri. “His name is Harac and he has only three fingers on one hand. I think he is involved somehow. Please do not send men looking for him or you may endanger my friends.”

  “I will leave your work to you and your friends,” agreed the Katana. “I am only interested in your findings. Will you keep me informed?”

  Cherri thought for a minute about what he was asking. “I must report my discovery to my superiors,” she said, “but I am sure that they will agree to keep you informed. We both want the same thing for our peoples.”

  “Fair enough,” smiled the Katana. “You may inform them that I intend you no harm as long as you intend me none. I know you are well trained in killing and I would not have left my Monitors outside the door if I thought I needed to fear you.”

  “Thank you,” Cherri sighed. “As long as we are trading information,” she grinned, “can you tell me if Master Malafar is being held in your mage block?”

  “Master Malafar?” questioned the Katana. “Here? That is not good news. Is he Sakovan?”

  “No,” Cherri replied, “but we think his capture is related in some way although we do not know how. Why are you so concerned about him?”

  “I will have an answer for you right away, Cherri,” frowned the Katana as he fidgeted on the bench. “I am concerned because Master Malafar is probably the most powerful mage in Omunga. I have been wondering who would kidnap him and why, but if he is in our mage cells and the culprit is someone high up in my government then I fear I know the answer. The only reason for such a coincidence is to assassinate me.”

  The Katana slapped his palm on the bench and the door flew open to admit the two Monitors. He issued terse orders and the Monitors disappeared.

  “You must excuse me, Cherri,” the Katana said as he stood up. “I must return to the celebration and feign illness until this matter is resolved. My Monitors will safeguard me until I find out who is behind this. If you must reach me, tell the Monitors to ask me for your admittance. You are the only person I will admit so do not betray me.”

  Cherri rose to offer her assurances that she would not betray him, but the Katana was already on his way out the door.

  ***

  “Greetings, Master Malafar,” smiled Alazar. “I have your release processed. All it needs it the Katana’s signature and we can have an audience with him right now.”

  “Thank you Alazar,” the mage replied as he rose off the musty bed. “I appreciate the efforts you have put forth on my behalf. I never thought I would live to leave this place.”

  “But I have told you all along,” protested Alazar.

  “I fear I did not believe you at first,” sighed Master Malafar. “So many lies. So much deception. I am afraid I painted you as the villain in all that has happened. I hope you will forgive me,” he added as he stumbled into the table.

  Alazar’s brow started sweating as he watched the groggy mage try to walk. Perhaps he had used too much drug or administered it for too long a time, he thought. If the old mage did not kill the Katana, Alazar would be in grave trouble. “Let me help you,” he offered.

  “I am all right,” Malafar responded. “I am just still tired I guess. I never seem to get enough sleep.”

  “There is a celebration going on tonight and the Katana is in attendance so we must hurry,” encouraged the First Minister. “I do not wish you to have to spend another night in this cell. Try to concentrate.”

  Master Malafar did try to concentrate. This was the chance he had been waiting for and he would not get another. Reaching back to the early days of his magic lessons, he concentrated on his tutor’s face and mentally repeated the lesson. His step steadied and his mind cleared somewhat as Alazar led him out of the cell. He allowed the First Minister to lead him like a child as he focused on his lessons in concentration. He was only peripherally aware of moving through the corridor and the door leading out of the mage block. He sensed, rather than felt, the stairs as they climbed, all the time rehearsing his lessons. He opened his eyes and found the torches lining the stairs too bright. He squinted, but everything was still a blur to him.

  Sounds penetrated his mind as he left the stairs and they intermingled with his lessons becoming a jumble of sounds that made no sense. Pinwheels of color paraded through his squinted eyes as figures floated before him and dashed away. He was aware of footsteps now and the voices were louder, hundreds of voices competing to be heard. A woman’s laughter and his mind flashed back to Rhodella. Tears welled up in his eyes obscuring his sight further. A man’s boastful banter and he saw Master Caulder stretched out on the floor dead. A young girl’s giggle and he saw Lyra sneaking off to play with the boys. Lyra. Sweet young Lyra. Had they killed her too? Why not? They killed everyone. Little girls weren’t meant to die! No one should kill little girls. Only a monster could do such a thing. A monster. A monster that deserved to die.

  He was suddenly aware that nobody was holding his arm now. He wiped the tears from his eyes. People. There were people all around him. Some were staring at him. Others took no notice. Fine people. Rich people. They were smiling, having fun, enjoying them
selves. Why? Rhodella was dead. Lyra was dead. Everyone was dead. He twirled around, unsteady yet on his feet. The room was familiar to him. He had been here once. Long ago. Yes. When Alfred invited them to a reception given by the Katana. The monster. The monster who killed Alfred. The Katana. Must concentrate.

  The room slowed down and Master Malafar sought his bearings. He could see the people clearly now. So many people. The Katana’s platform. There it was. He moved closer. It was empty. The monster was gone. His chance to avenge Alfred was gone. And Rhodella. And Lyra. Gone. He twirled around again looking for Alazar. People were staring at him now, but he did not care.

  The door at the back of the Katana’s platform opened. A figure entered with four Monitors. Monitors like Alfred. The figure was covered in white and gold. The monster. Malafar’s eyes narrowed on the figure shutting everything else out. Concentrate. Remember the shields. One chance. Concentrate.

  Master Malafar raised his hands and pointed at the monster in white and gold. Concentrate. He delved deep inside himself and shut out the entire world except the tiny figure on the platform. He felt the power surge through him with the invigorating tingle he had not felt in years. Since Alfred died. Thunder clapped through the room and people screamed. A bolt of lightning flashed down and struck the monster. Flashes erupted all around the white and gold demon, tendrils of lightning flashing from one side to the other, and Master Malafar sneered as he saw the shields. Holding the Lightning spell, the old mage cast another spell and a high-pitched screaming honed in on the demon, battering the shields with a constantly rising frequency that drowned out the screams of the people in the room.

  Master Malafar was aware of others on the platform now as bodies tumbled to the floor and writhed in pain. Monitors were running, but they moved in slow motion, their feet inching through the air as they ran. Still the demon stood. The lightning crackled again and the Master mage smiled as he saw the shields smaller than before. They were shrinking. Now they would shatter. Master Malafar cast another spell and the wind roared towards the platform. An icy wind that formed a frost on everything it passed. The wind struck at the demon and encircled him, his shields turning white and obscuring the monster inside.

  Again the mage called up his power and felt the skin of both arms ripple as his hands curled into fists of death. Master Malafar released the power from both fists and sent the force hurtling towards the frosty cocoon on the platform. He smirked with malicious glee as the Katana’s shields shattered with deadly ice missiles flying off into space. The monster. Exposed.

  The old mage saw the horror on the Katana’s face as their eyes met. “For Alfred,” Malafar snarled as he sent another force bolt screaming towards the demon. “For Rhodella,” he screamed as he unleashed another before the first even struck home. “And for Lyra,” he cried as he watched the monster’s body explode into a thousand bits of flesh.

  Master Malafar’s legs wobbled and he felt the searing pain in his back as he sensed the magical projectile slamming into his body. He felt himself flying through the air and slamming down onto the floor face first. His reward. He knew he was going to die now. Another magical projectile screamed over his head as he still slid along the floor from the force of the first projectile. Without thinking, he flicked his wrist and a blinding flash of light erupted and the screams grew louder around him. The pain in his back burned with fury and he could see nothing. There had been no time to shield his own eyes and he was blinded like the rest. It didn’t matter. He knew he would die. It would just take them longer to get him. Long enough for him to say goodbye to his loved ones, he hoped. To Alfred. To Rhodella. To Lyra. He would join them soon.

  “Master Malafar,” whispered the sweet voice, “can you walk? We must move quickly.”

  Malafar cocked his head and listened. The angel had come too soon for him. He had not said goodbye properly yet.

  “Hurry, Master Malafar,” the angel insisted. “I must get you to Lyra, but you must come now or it will be too late. More Monitors will be on their way.”

  Angels should not fear the Monitors, thought the confused mage. He felt someone tugging on his arm. He smelled her sweet scent. He could still hear others screaming. He was not dead yet. Swiftly he struggled to his feet and the angel dragged him across the floor. He could hear people running now and she shoved him against the wall until the footsteps had passed.

  “Who are you?” he asked. “Is Lyra really alive?”

  “She is Master Malafar,” the angel whispered, “but you will not get to see her if we do not get out of here quickly.”

  “Lead the way, my angel,” he whispered back, a thrill of hope filling his soul for the first time since the massacre. “Lead the way.”

  Chapter 26

  Dangerous Houseguest

  “What do you mean you can’t find him?” demanded the First Minister. “He is here somewhere. He can’t just walk out of the palace. Have the city gates been closed?”

  “Yes, First Minister,” the Monitor responded. “There is no way out of the city. I have men searching the entire palace again, but it appears that he left the palace somehow. Perhaps when the guests were leaving.”

  “Very well,” growled Alazar. “Make sure he is found. Have all of the Ministers been assembled?”

  “Yes, First Minister,” assured the Monitor. “They are in the Council Chamber.”

  Alazar turned and strode off towards the Council Chamber. He silently cursed Malafar. He had not counted on the old mage surviving the attack especially when he was prepared to kill Malafar himself as soon as the Katana was dead. Unfortunately, Alazar was blinded like everyone else. It wouldn’t matter, Alazar assured himself. Soon he would be Katana and Malafar wouldn’t matter anymore. The Monitors continued their routines even with the Katana dead and they opened the door as Alazar reached the Council Chamber. He entered and took his usual chair, leaving the Katana’s chair empty.

  “Sorry, I am late,” the First Minister said. “I was directing the Monitors to assure that the assassin does not escape. Ministers, while we all grieve the death of the Katana, it is up to us to keep the government running smoothly. Our first order of business is to choose the new Katana. Under the circumstances, it is imperative that we fill that position immediately, preferably before the news of the Katana’s death travels far.”

  “Why rush?” asked Minister Asgarte. “The Council has never had to rush in the past. The search for a new Katana is always an exhaustive search. Every city in the country is normally polled and just the nomination process can take months.”

  “We have never had a Katana assassinated before,” the First Minister lectured. “The assassination of the Katana indicates a weak government and we all know what happens to weak governments. We are especially vulnerable right now with the Sakovan attacks and the reports of troop movements along the Khadoran border.”

  “Khadora has troops on our border?” asked the Minister of Finance. “Why have we not heard of this before?”

  “The report came in this afternoon,” Alazar explained. “I reviewed it with the Katana and he had planned on calling a meeting tomorrow. He did not wish to spoil the party for Minister Kapla.”

  The Minister of Finance merely nodded.

  “Very well,” Alazar resumed. “We need to select a person who will hold this country together during this perilous time. We need to show some continuity as well so the change does not appear to be a dramatic shift in policy. Does anyone have any nominations?”

  “General Didyk would make an excellent nominee,” offered Minister of Agriculture, Asgarte. “He would have continuity and it would send a message to the Khadorans.”

  “I am sure that General Didyk would make an excellent choice,” responded Alazar, “but the Katana cannot come from the army. We must have another nomination.”

  “I think I would make an excellent Katana,” declared the Minister of Trade. “Coming from the Katana’s Council will certainly provide the continuity you seek.”

&nb
sp; “Someone from this Council certainly assures continuity,” the First Minister conceded. “We have a nominee in Larst, Minister of Trade. Are there any others?”

  Alazar met the eyes of each of the Ministers as he looked around the table. He gave a slight nod when his eyes met Minister Kapla and the former General nodded back.

  “I cannot think of a better person to become the next Katana then yourself, First Minister,” Kapla declared. “You are the second most powerful figure in Omunga now and you have dealt personally with the Katana for years. Already you have organized the search for the assassin and taken control of the Monitors so that the palace continues to run smoothly. Even if we had an exhaustive search for the new Katana, you would probably still be chosen.”

  “I appreciate the kind words of the Minister of Defense,” smiled Alazar. “Without objection, I will place my own name in nomination.”

  Alazar saw a frown come over several faces including Minister Larst and continued, “If I am chosen, I would of course expect Minister Larst to assume my position as First Minister.”

  Larst raised his eyes with surprise. He had quite often been an adversary of the First Minister and had not expected such generosity. He also knew that if it came down to a contest between him and Alazar, he would lose. Grabbing the opportunity presented to him, Larst spoke, “I am grateful for the confidence shown in me by the First Minister. I think we could set aside our past differences and work well together to secure the continuity necessary right now.”

  There was a general consensus of nods around the table and Alazar knew it was time to strike. “Very well,” the First Minster said, “It would appear that we can get this agenda item out of the way and start talking about what must be done. Let us vote. Everyone supporting me for Katana raise your hand.”