by L. M. Roth
Marcus was not alone in his feelings of irritation that Fanchon invariably aroused in him. Cort openly resented the girl’s monopolization of Dag.
“I know that Dag has to wed someone,” he explained to Marcus. “But why could he not choose a girl with a greater mind and a smaller mouth?”
Marcus puzzled in this matter also. Dag was so sober and practical that his attraction to the frivolous and fun-loving Fanchon was a mystery to Marcus. Felix, however, found Fanchon’s incessant chatter amusing. Even more amusing to him was the thought of Fanchon and the silent Trekur Lender as man and wife.
“Do not be too hard on Fanchon, Marcus,” Felix chuckled. “At least someone in the family will keep the conversation going!”
Now as they traveled the desert Marcus pondered what lay ahead. Would the Pearl be found in Koohyaram? Marcus had never heard Valerius mention it. And if Lothair were to be believed, it was not under Valeriun control. Perhaps that was why his father had never spoken of the city. For it must surely be an unimportant little place, if it were not part of the vast Valeriun Empire. For surely no lands could compare to the ones contained in her great domain.
But Marcus was about to learn otherwise, and to have all that he had believed all of his life turned upside down.
Chapter XX
The City of Gold
The morning of the fifth day had dawned. They had kept to an arduous pace, only pausing to rest, never for more than a half an hour every four hours during the daylight hours. At night they slept about seven hours, so eager were they to leave this barren region behind them that they willingly sacrificed sleep to do so.
They divided the night into watches, with Marcus, Felix, and Dag each taking two hours on guard while the others slept. In this manner they each managed to sleep about five hours, but refreshed themselves during their daytime breaks. Exhausted though they were, Marcus did not feel at ease with the thought of everyone sleeping through the night. There were night creatures that came out in the desert, and they needed to be alert for danger.
This vigilance was rewarded on their third night when Dag woke everyone up from a sound sleep.
“Wake up!” he whispered as he shook everyone from their slumbers. “There is no time to waste! Look!”
Marcus peered into the distance and spotted a troupe of bandits traveling under cover of darkness. They were five in number, and they were upon them almost as soon as Dag gave the alert.
“Bandits!” Felix exclaimed. “Of all the scourges of the desert, we had to run into them!”
“Quiet!” Marcus warned him. “We must protect Fanchon and Cort! Do not draw attention to us before they reach our encampment.”
Marcus quickly thrust Fanchon and Cort behind a dune for safety, while he and Felix and Dag stood ready in defense. The bandits descended upon them with shouts and drawn daggers, but Dag grabbed two of them by the neck and cracked their heads together, rendering them unconscious.
Marcus found himself pitted against a swarthy man who was no match for his own expertise with a dagger. He stabbed the bandit in the thigh, making it difficult for him to arise, then through the shoulder, making it impossible for him to raise his arm to fight. Felix proved to be as agile in a fight as he was in his quick thinking, and eluded his attacker with the swiftness of a fox, then whirled around on him and stabbed him through the hand. The man dropped the dagger and cried out in pain.
The remaining bandit was surprised by Fanchon, who, to the astonishment of Marcus and Felix, popped out from behind the dune with a cooking pan she had pulled from Dag’s pack and hit him on the head with a mighty whack. He fell to the ground and lay insensible.
“Well done, my love!” Dag beamed at her.
Fanchon merely giggled, but Marcus, Felix, and Cort laughed and clapped their approval and applause at her daring feat.
“Well, we must be near to the City of Gold if we are encountering scum like those bandits,” Felix remarked. “It would stand to reason that they would be alert for travelers who might be carrying gold and other luxuries out of the City if it truly is as wealthy as we have been told.”
“I believe you are right, Felix,” Marcus nodded. “Let’s double our caution the closer we get to the City, if this is the case.”
Their provisions of food and water skins held up, being carefully rationed. But a steady diet of nuts, dried fruit and berries were all they carried; meat and cheese would spoil in the boiling heat. Each yearned for a hearty meal and thought longingly of the banquets they had savored in Gaudereaux. And their tepid water was far from appealing; a cold, clear drink of icy water was never more appealing than now. Oh, how they longed to leave this desolate tract behind them and see civilization again!
For it had been lonely and eerie in the desert. The only signs of life they saw other than the robbers were strange creatures that appeared armored against the heat, and hostile to any invaders in their domain. A small mammal that Cort wished to befriend shied from his approach, while Marcus and Felix kept a wary out for poisonous snakes known to inhabit arid regions. Dag kept his spear close by his side, lest they happen upon a predator of a species as yet unknown to them, as warned by Lothair the Bard.
Yes, civilization would be welcome at this juncture in their journey! To be safely ensconced once more behind protecting walls from the strange and terrible beasts of the wild, and the marauding bandits, and mingling with humanity again, albeit of a different kind of culture, Marcus thought to himself. He yearned for a warm bath and a hearty meal, accompanied by ice-cold water, enough to drink until he was sated. To engage in intelligent conversation with men who were informed on the topics of the day. And he longed to hear the beauty of music and song instead of the silent emptiness of the desert.
They did not speak much, wishing to conserve their strength for the long trek across the vast expanse. Indeed, merely walking expended so much energy that not much was left for even polite conversation. In the first day or two they attempted to talk, but soon found it too great an effort, and it also increased their thirst. They were quickly reduced to communicating by hand gestures and weary nods of their heads.
On the fourth afternoon, they thought they had found the city. Felix saw on the horizon what looked like water. He insisted he saw a pool of blue. But it proved to be only a chimera, one of those false illusions produced by the sun on sand. And a weary brain! All felt the plummeting of their spirits through the disappointment, but as Felix reminded them, they should have only one more day to trudge through the heat before coming to the City of Gold.
But now as they plodded through the sand, they came to an elevation. Lothair had told them to be on the lookout for it, because over that elevation they would descend to a valley that marked the edge of the desert. Koohyaram was on a hilltop directly opposite. They would see it from the crest of the rise.
Marcus found himself recalling the words of Lothair: “Koohyaram rises from the hilltop like a mound of gold. Her walls soar fifty feet high, and all about her on every side, to protect her from any invader so foolish as to attempt to lay siege to her. She is a vision of beauty that seems not quite real after the barren landscape of the Desert of Dubar.”
Marcus felt he could not take one more step, even after a few hours of sleep. He knew the others were just as weary and resolved not to complain. But, oh how glad he would be to be rid of this baking heat!
Up, up, up. The sand beneath their feet shifted, making their footing treacherous. An orange light appeared in the East as they crested the top of the rise. With a sudden surge of strength Marcus hurled himself to the peak. He extended his hand to Felix, who gave his to Dag. Dag caught Fanchon’s hand, and she grasped Cort. Marcus pulled, and each did likewise, thereby creating a human chain that allowed them to hoist each other up. At last they stood together on the summit.
With deep breaths, they rested and looked to the East. The sun peeked over the horizon, in a glow of light. Gradually the land around them was bathed in a warm radiance, transforming th
e pale sands of the desert into a place of alien loveliness as it took on a glitter that was absent during the scorching heat of the day. Suddenly, the sun rose in earnest, rapidly ascending in a blazing orange ball.
And there, on the opposite hilltop across a valley lay Koohyaram, the City of Gold. Walls of gold encompassed the city and soared to the sky. The sun kissed her ramparts and bathed her in a dazzle of gilded glory. Like a jewel she appeared to grace the emptiness of the landscape; opulent, luminous, and gleaming as the dawn softly caressed her in its embrace.
Felix let out a whoop of joy. Dag embraced first a weary Fanchon who smiled feebly in her exhaustion, then small Cort, who jumped, then slid on the shifting sands. Marcus simply let out a sigh of relief in thankfulness that they made it across the desert.
Slowly, carefully, they began their descent to the valley below.
Chapter XXI
Koohyaram
They stood before the walls. Walls that rose to a height of more than fifty feet by Marcus’ estimation. Now that they were close they could see that they were made of golden sandstone, and not the precious metal for which the city was famed. Still, it was an impressive sight to behold in the first light of day.
“Well, we have arrived safely,” Felix commented. “Now, how do we find out about the Pearl without arousing suspicion?” he whispered to Marcus.
Marcus looked furtively behind them to where Dag, Fanchon, and Cort were bringing up the rear. Only to Felix was the objective of the quest made known. Dag had been told only that their business was of a personal nature. He had joined them to continue protecting Marcus. And Cort and Fanchon stayed with them because of Dag.
“We will make for an inn and then proceed to make discreet inquiries regarding merchants in jewels. We will say that one of us is betrothed and would like to find the perfect jewel for our beloved. That should be plausible enough,” Marcus stated after reflecting on the matter.
Felix’s brown eyes flashed and his narrow lips tightened.
Tullia, Marcus realized. He is thinking of Tullia, even as I am. The thought of rivalry with his dearest friend was not a pleasant one. Marcus believed that Tullia had turned to Felix for comfort when informed of his supposed death. He expected that when the truth was made known to her that all would be as it had been between them before his capture. And then Felix would need comfort.
He sighed and straightened up, tossing back the wayward forelock that would keep falling onto his forehead. The others had caught up with them and joined them at the gate.
“Fancy, how huge! But it is not made of gold, why were we told it was made of gold?” Fanchon commented.
Cort rolled his eyes and shook his head at Marcus, as Felix snickered behind the hand he clapped to his mouth. Dag simply smiled at her adoringly.
“It is only a figure of speech because the city is so very wealthy,” Marcus explained.
He turned to the gate and knocked. A wooden slot opened and a pair of wary dark eyes peered at him.
“What is your business?” a guttural voice inquired. He spoke in the ancient language of Hittitam, one that many had evolved from. It was not one, however, with which Dag and Cort were familiar.
“We are travelers, weary and in need of rest. We have heard much of the beauty of your fair city and desire a few days of respite,” Marcus answered in the same tongue.
There was a pause. Marcus began to fear that they would be denied entrance. Then the huge door slowly creaked open, just wide enough for the guard to block their entrance as he eyed them. He bade them open their bundles in which they carried their clothes and food stores. Satisfied that they were not enemies, he bade them enter and opened the door wide.
The sight that met their eyes was truly stunning. If the city were not actually made of gold, it appeared to be at first glance. Even the streets were carved of the same golden sandstone that composed the walls and the buildings. And the buildings were nothing less than magnificent.
Many of them rose to a height of four stories. They were curious in their design, being tall and narrow with balconies on the second story that were sheltered from the blazing sun by silken canopies in jewel colors of sapphire blue, ruby red, or emerald green. The rooftops on the third stories were flat and open, with gardens providing a welcome splash of color, and a change from the gold displayed throughout the city.
Marcus was astonished that gardens could exist in the desert, and inquired of the guard how this could be so. The guard beamed, clearly proud of his city.
“It is true that Koohyaram lies at the edge of the desert. Yet only two miles to the south of the city is a fertile river plain. Long ago our men devised a way to pump water from the river into the city.
“We have water for drinking and for gardens. We grow all of our own food, and have no need of anything from any other city or country. Our wealth is such that other peoples come to our fair city for trade,” he smirked.
“Well, it is most certainly very impressive,” Felix congratulated him, while he risked a glance at Marcus.
The twinkle in his eyes and his barely suppressed grin revealed to Marcus that he found the pompous guard quite amusing. Marcus shot a warning look at him and interrupted the man’s recitation.
“Tell me, can you recommend a place where we might lodge for a few days?” he asked.
“Lodge? But, we have no such place in Koohyaram. You must simply stay with a citizen who is honored to treat you as a guest. In Koohyaram, our hospitality is legendary!” he grinned with a bow.
“But we do not know anyone. We are simply travelers in need of rest,” Marcus informed him.
“Hmmm, well then, let me think. I know!” the guard clapped his hands together. “I will take you to the palace and the Ashkani will decide where you are to lodge.”
Marcus gulped. This was not welcome news. He knew the ruler might very well probe him for the details of his quest in a way that a private citizen would be too courteous to inquire.
But the guard was not to be dissuaded. He hailed another soldier who was passing by. He informed him that these travelers were to be taken to the palace and given lodging in the city.
The other soldier grinned broadly and bowed to the ground before leading them on their way. Marcus noted, however, with a sense of foreboding, that the man’s eyes lingered on the blonde beauty of Fanchon with a look that went beyond the boundaries of polite admiration. Fanchon herself seemed, for once, speechless at the splendor of the city.
Dag did not appear to notice the guard’s leer at his betrothed. He seemed overwhelmed by Koohyaram. Cort moved closer to his side as if for reassurance.
Marcus reflected that if he and Felix and Fanchon were impressed by the city and its opulence, that Dag and Cort were most likely intimidated by it. For what cities had they ever seen? Gaudereaux was provincial by the standards of Valerium. Koohyaram took away the breath of even the son of the commander of the Imperial Army.
For more than a mile they followed the guard into the heart of the city. It being still early in the morning, peddlers were setting up their wares. Carts filled with colorful fruits and vegetables seemed even richer when contrasted with the gold that was repeated throughout the city streets and buildings. Merchants of exotic, heavy perfumes displayed their scents in bottles of spun glass of intricate design trimmed with gold. Jewelers lay out their fine gems on silken sheets spread on golden trays.
Marcus caught the flash of rubies and emeralds as well as the gleam of pearls as he passed by. He noted that they were of an exceptional quality, and decided to come back for a friendly chat with the seller at the first opportunity. He stole a glance at Felix, who winked his eye in response while his face remained impassive. How good to have a friend with whom words were not necessary for understanding!
At last they stood before the palace gates. Their guard saluted the sentries on duty, who bade them enter. The building that rose before them caused every other they had yet seen to pale in comparison to its splendor. It sprawled in width
to the area of a city block, and rose to a height of forty feet.
The fountains in the courtyard not only provided a refreshing spray of water that splashed on weary bystanders; the water in their pools were covered with rose petals, whose sweet scent permeated the air and made one forget they were in the desert. Birds with blue and green plumage that spread in a fan behind them roamed freely in the courtyard. The guard, when asked what they were, told them they were peacocks. He said they were very honored in Koohyaram, and a fan of their feathers was highly prized.
From the courtyard they were taken into the grand hall of the palace. Here pillars of ivory trimmed with gold relieved the golden sandstone of which the palace was constructed. Throughout the hall, rich carpets of glowing red, green and blue lay on the floors. They were so luxurious that Marcus feared to walk on them lest they be damaged, but he noted the carelessness with which even the servants trod upon them.
He became aware for the first time of the curious shoes that the citizens wore. They appeared to be made of silk and covered the entire foot, and were not open as sandals were.
There was a staircase at each corner of the great hall. As they ascended one of them to the royal apartments, they passed several servants, all of them men. He realized that they had seen no women in all of the city, and was curious as to the reason why.
They climbed to the highest story and waited before a set of double doors. Marcus felt his heart pounding and strove to catch his breath. He dare not let any fear or unease show that might alert their royal host that they were here on anything more than ordinary business.
Chapter XXII
The Ashkani
They proceeded into another hall at the end of which hung suspended a curious curtain constructed entirely of glass beads. The beads were of various size and color, predominantly blue, green, and red, with occasional beads of solid gold for accents. The guard opened the curtain which swished open with a clacking sound. They followed him into an interior chamber, in the center of which stood a large throne of gold.