An Emperor's Fury: Most Favored

by Paul Heisel

  He sat up.

  An older man with a scarred face was there, staring at him with concerned eyes. His weathered skin looked as if it has seen many hot summers. Though elderly, his hair was jet black with just a few grey streaks. In his hands he held a jerkin, his, and his bare chest showed other scars of both age and battle. Wisps of smoke rose from the brown leather shirt.

  A crowd gathered and Feln could see the people were all dressed similarly. The men were wearing sandals, brown pants, leather jerkins, and hats of all sizes. Some carried farm implements, a few had weapons, and the rest were carrying baskets and the like. The women gathered were wearing a variety of things; most had on simple farm dresses, others were dressed as the men, and a few were wearing expensive looking silk dresses. He could see buildings, it was a city, and this creature's attack had intruded on the day's normal activities. Three and four story structures rose into the sky and surrounded the large central square, the same one from the picture in the book he had seen. Not far was a considerable sized market where merchants had set up their shops. This was the place he had imagined, Pyndira, from that drawing he had seen. Was that how transporting worked? You just imagined the place you wanted to go and it happened?

  He sat up with help of the man who had extinguished the flames. Feln could see the path the creature had taken - the dead were everywhere. A building was on fire. Militia had arrived, helping to keep order, fighting the fire to keep it from spreading, and attending to the wounded and the dead. Citizens were helping by bringing buckets of water to throw on the burning building. Feln stood and surveyed himself to understand his injuries. There seemed to be nothing critical, and it felt as if he had been sunburned on his arms and around his eyes. His fighting ghi was burnt through in spots, exposing his skin.

  "Thank you," Feln said, bowing to the elderly man. He grasped part of his ghi where it had burnt through. Now he was aware of the places where fire must have touched his skin briefly and it stung.

  The man bowed in return, it was deep and respectful. "It's a small recompense for what you did for us. You kept our city from additional destruction and saved many lives. Thank you for your valor."

  The creature was a pile of ashes surrounded by a ring of scorched earth. The only untouched part was a strip of earth about the size of a man. My shadow, thought Feln.

  "My name is Rayu," the man said, bowing again. "It's good fortune you stepped out of the crowd and dispatched that demon. Strange times these are."

  "My name is Feln."

  "Come, let us have a look at your wounds." Rayu put on his singed jerkin.

  "The others?"

  "They will be looked after. Come." Rayu motioned Feln toward the middle of the city. Three and four story buildings were along each side of the main avenue, hundreds if not thousands of people were everywhere and trying to return to their normal routine. The militia were securing the area and helping to organize a cleanup. Despite the fire being managed, it was still chaos.

  They walked past the row of buildings. Feln could see they were shops, businesses, restaurants, and stores. The buildings were stout structures built of stone and wood, the first floors were stone, and the upper floors built later and made of wood. After walking a thousand feet, the paved avenue ended at an open area circular in shape. There was a four story structure ahead, ringed by a short stone fence. There was a grassy area and elegant deciduous trees spaced around the grounds. The greenery was well-established and painstakingly cultivated. People milled about with books, scrolls, and writing instruments - administrators. Compared to the other buildings they had just passed, this one looked older. Though weathered and worn, it appeared to be of sound construction. Painted symbols on a sign were faded, but Feln clearly recognized them from his research into Pyndira. It was a city hall, the seat of government. It wasn't fortified, so Feln guessed this city wasn't where the dayma, the ruling lord, lived. This was an important city, probably backed by numerous lords called samurai. The building was raised above the ground and had a steep roof with sweeping, curved eaves. The sides were wooden and had been warped by time. On one side, Feln could see where planks had been replaced in the past year or two. As they neared the structure, Feln realized it was larger than he had thought. It was massive, at least two hundred feet wide and half as deep with four stories stretching into the sky.

  Rayu directed Feln to the side of the building to a different door, avoiding the front entrance. As they arrived, Feln could smell a stew. The herbs and vegetables were aromatic, and it made his stomach rumble. Rayu opened the door and led Feln inside, where the aromas were stronger. It smelled of cabbage and beets, as well as rosemary. His stomach growled again. Women and men scurried about in an open kitchen, cooking and preparing what looked to be a feast for hundreds if not more. Their clothing was plain and each wore a food-stained apron. They were laboring tirelessly.

  They sat down at one of many tables spread about. "I'll return in a moment." Rayu disappeared behind a door across the chamber. While Feln waited, he looked around the kitchen. No one paid any attention to him as they were too busy. Feln wondered, was this what happened every day? Did these cooks and servers have to do this every day? What a chore! Feln noted the simple decorations and paintings on the walls, nothing lavish or gaudy was here. There were pictures of landscapes - Pyndira landscapes. Feln got a chill. He was here, a place he had only imagined. A deep breath did little to soothe his excitement. Rayu returned carrying a bowl of water and strips of cloth thrown over his shoulder. Behind him came a woman carrying two bowls on a wooden tray, and she appeared to be perturbed about having to do this. As Rayu sat down, he took Feln's scorched arm and examined it, twisting it this way and that to assess the damage.

  Feln paid no attention to what Rayu was doing.

  To say she was enchanting was the least Feln could say, and he didn't dare think anything additional for Owori's sake. The woman approaching them was beyond beauty defined, and she cast a wonderful glow that Feln had never seen before. She was wearing a tailor made silk dress that was far more extravagant than what he had seen other women wearing. The dress was a deep blue and fit her perfectly, it moved as if painted upon her skin. The sleeves were short, revealing the soft, flawless olive skin of her arms. The front of the dress was embroidered with yellow thread sewn into delicate flowers. Straight, dark hair flowed to her shoulders and swayed as she walked. Raven eyes stared at Feln and her rosy cheeks seemed to become redder as she approached, as if she was embarrassed.

  "This is my niece, Iristi."

  She acknowledged Feln with a slight bow and set down the tray. On it were two bowls of liquid, one was flecked with tiny spheres, the other was a dark red liquid.

  "My name is Feln."

  Iristi smiled. "I'm honored to meet you, Feln. My uncle says you saved many from the horse demon. Thank you for your bravery. We don't have much valor, or honor, in these troubled times."

  "Iristi, we're doing our best," said Rayu.

  "I must change my clothes. Excuse me. It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance." She turned and hurriedly walked away.

  "Horse demon," Feln muttered.

  Rayu cleaned the arm and wrapped it with bandages. "You're not from here," Rayu said. "But I won't question your comings and goings, nor will I question your motives for helping us. I'm certain you are a Favored One; the blade you carry can be nothing short of one reserved for a samurai of importance. I suspect you have come here with purpose. Are you on an errand? A mission? Can I assist you in any way?"

  Feln didn't know what to say. His thoughts were still on the horse demon. From what he had read, they were servants of evil in Pyndira, summoned by incomprehensible forgotten magic and their only purpose was to cause havoc among the living. The texts had mentioned their cruelty and loathing of humans and human civilization.

  "Please, drink," Rayu said.

  "What is it?"

  Rayu gave him a strange look. "The spheres will help heal you, drink it quickly. The wine will help t
o sooth your nerves. Please, drink." Rayu released his arm and moved to Feln's exposed leg. The damage there seemed to be more severe.

  Feln drank down the first bowl. The soft, gelatinous spheres were difficult to swallow, but he did so as fast as he could. An unfamiliar fire burned inside and he almost cried out. His limbs tingled and needed energy returned. Feln gasped for breath. He set the bowl on the tray and took the other, downing it quickly. The wine was neither good nor bad, but it did have a settling effect on his stomach. He felt better, the burns were tolerable and he felt even, balanced.

  "Where am I?" Feln asked.

  Rayu stopped working on Feln's leg. He looked up and paused, as if he was measuring his response. "What sort of trial is this?"

  "I'm not testing you, if that's what you think. I'm just asking a question."

  Rayu kept working on Feln's leg, carefully cleaning the ash from the burned fighting clothes. "I didn't mean to question you, Favored One. My sincerest apologies."

  Feln wasn't sure what to make of Rayu's statement. It was confusing. Feln knew he was in Pyndira, transported here by the magic of the belt, his hand movements, and the picture of this place in his mind. He was certain that was how he would return to Waskhal, his monastery; he would perform the same ritual and go home. Relief came, then he remembered Owori and his other companions. He didn't know if they had lived or had died in the tunnel, or if they had managed to survive and get through the fire at the monastery. He had to go back to Borgard and make sure that Owori was safe. A notion tickled him and he paused mentally, trying to piece together what had happened before he transported to Pyndira. What was he missing?

  "Favored One, are you feeling any better?"

  "Yes," he answered after a short delay. "Call me Feln."

  Favored One. It echoed in his mind. It was what Suun had called herself. He wondered, was she around here? He didn't know, though, where in Pyndira he was or if Suun would be close. His research indicated it was a vast land, stretching for thousands of miles. There were mountainous regions, great valleys, measureless forests, untouched lakes, deserts, and frozen wastelands to the north. How could he even begin to find one person in this land? What little he did know about the geography and political system of Pyndira would, he hoped, prove useful. Pyndira was an empire, ruled by a single emperor who had great power. The remaining lands outside of the Emperor's were divided into six provinces, each with different leaders - he thought they were considered warlords or daymas. He had committed the names of these provinces to memory, yet he didn't know more than the names. "Where am I?" Feln asked again.

  "You are in the city of Hou," Rayu answered. "We are the largest city, except for Hiru, in this province. Many merchants and artisans come from here. But our main production is food - we have fertile soil because of the joining of the Cedar and Black Rivers to the north. Why do you ask? Why are you here?"

  Feln shook his head. "I can't explain why I'm here."

  "No explanation is necessary. A Ku Favored One is always welcome in Hou. Next time you come to Hou, you should give us warning and we can arrange accommodation, whatever you need." Rayu finished with his leg. "Stand."

  Feln complied.

  "If you allow me, I will inspect you for additional injuries. You must remove your ghi. If you would prefer to go to one of the vacant rooms here, we can go there. The kitchen staff will not bother us if that is what you are worried about."

  Feln looked at the kitchen. No one was looking in their direction, nor did anyone seem interested in what they were doing. "This is fine." Feln removed his weapons and loosened outermost clothing. He set the weapons on the table and waited for Rayu.

  "Ah, I was right, you are a Favored One." Rayu pointed at Feln's waist and tilted his head back, as if that would make him see it better. "The belt."

  Though he didn't feel threatened, Feln felt uncomfortable. What if the belt identified him as an enemy?

  "I have never heard this name, Feln, prior to our meeting. What district are you from?"

  "I'm not from any district," he answered, then realized he had made a mistake. Lords without lands were ranan, wanderers, which was what he just identified himself as.

  "I see," Rayu said.

  Feln sat down and put his arms over the belt's identifying marks, hiding them.

  "Remain here, I will return." Rayu shook his head and he turned away, rushing towards another door.

  The situation had changed and he was sure Rayu was going to get the militia to place him under arrest or they were going to detain him. If he tried to lie and give a name for a district that didn't exist, he would put himself into a deeper hole. Like Owori had told him; when you're in a hole, stop digging.

  Rayu returned with a white ghi and a thin and plain brown robe folded over his arm, then he motioned Feln toward the side of the kitchen. "Bring your things."

  Picking up his weapons, Feln followed Rayu into a side room.

  "You may put these on - I will return in a moment with food for your trouble."

  "Rayu, I…thank you."

  "Our city doesn't look favorably upon ranan," he scolded. "You have helped our city and put your life in danger by confronting the horse demon, that I can't deny you. You have shown nothing but respect for our city. For this, I will not bring the militia. Within these walls you're safe with me, outside I can't make that guarantee."

  Feln tensed. "What do you mean?"

  "You carry the sword of a samurai yet you have no local affiliation. You are a wanderer, a sword for hire looking to cause trouble or commit other crimes. I'll return with food and I will shut the door behind me. When night falls, I will check this room again. You will be gone by then, yes?"

  "Of course."

  #

  "Don't waste all of your ink on Hiru," Rayu said as he entered Iristi's modest room. One of the perceived benefits of being a member of the local government was free housing, but in reality, Rayu thought, it wasn't anything special. The building was used by the city for meetings, gatherings, and celebrations; always busy and not peaceful as a normal home would be. It was four levels, the uppermost being the residences of himself, Iristi, the cook, the gardener, and their families. The third level served as government offices and meeting chambers, the second level was open multipurpose rooms, and the ground floor was where the kitchen and eating hall was. The library on the second level had grown too large so it had to be located in a building many blocks over. One day they would have enough funds to expand the building so the library could come back.

  "No ink is ever wasted if you're putting down important thoughts," Iristi responded.

  "I'm sure the words you would use extemporaneously would be acceptable. You know what to say, you know what must be done to make peace with him. I don't know how the horse demon attack fits into this, but I have a feeling Hiru is responsible."

  "No dayma would conjure horse demons against his own people," Iristi said. "Besides, who has the magic and knowledge to do such a terrible thing? Horse demons haven't been seen in hundreds of years. There must be another who is responsible for the attack. Even so, I must go to Hiru and set things right. We can ask for his help at the same time we are asking forgiveness. Perhaps he'll have advice for us. Or he'll send samurai and troops to defend our city. We need help."

  "I wish things were different," Rayu said.

  "Things are impossible uncle. We need Hiru's protection, now more than ever. Lawless bandits are attacking villages. Criminals have moved in as well, even as close as Tero I'm told. No one will stand against them. We need Hiru's protection and his soldiers. What is left of our militia isn't up to the task."

  "So many of our soldiers are in the countryside protecting the villages. Call them back to Hou then. Let Hiru send soldiers to protect the villages."

  "We must protect the outlying villages and roads," Iristi said. "The council decided that months ago. Trade is our livelihood. It must continue."

  Rayu was content to argue even if he knew he wouldn't win. "Reca
ll the soldiers. We need them here. In Hou. What if another horse demon comes? What will we do then?"

  Iristi shook her head. "No. If the criminals and rogues invade the outlying villages, they will bring trade to a halt. We must ensure the roads stay open and what little trade we have continues. Our merchants will have no wares to trade or sell, and our farmers will have no one to sell their crops to, either here or abroad. The militia must protect the villages and the roads. Hou can endure. We can survive long enough until I fix this mess, and fix it I will."

  "Iristi…"

  "Hou must sacrifice, even battle more horse demons, so we can keep the trade flowing. That is all that matters. If the trade disappears, Hiru will do anything he wants with Hou, then we'll have no hope whatsoever of maintaining our identity."

  Rayu sighed. "Again you're correct. If only Wafu were here."

  "Don't speak his name," she said. "I haven't the strength to hear it and not be saddened."

  "You can't continue your life and not mention your betrothed's name. He was a great man, full of grand ideas, and all for the good of Hou. I have never liked the north and Hiru's rule, Chang lets him do too much, you know that. That's why I supported your betrothed and his plans. That's why the council supported him as well. He was a great man. That's why you fell in love with him, was it not?"

  Iristi put the writing instrument down. "He was foolish. I loved him very much. He risked everything and lost. Now we're suffering the consequences. We shouldn't have listened to him." She motioned toward the outside wall. "Our citizens have paid with their lives. He betrayed all of us with his ideas and trusting his host of loyal samurai. Where are they now? They abandoned us and took their armies with them!"

  "Wafu did what we all thought was right. He had the best intentions."

  Iristi scowled. "The demon road is paved with good intentions."