An Emperor's Fury: Most Favored

by Paul Heisel

  Iristi leaned into his shoulder and rested her head. "Feln, you're here with me. You're in a different world, far away from Malurrion. Until we find Suun, you won't be able to go back home. Consider this; don't ignore that which you have in front of you."

  "I have to. What you're proposing isn't what I want. In fact, I'm not sure what you want from me. I'm as confused as you."

  "I want to be free of Hiru and the political marriage arranged by Jun-ba-Ku-Chang. That's what I want and I know you can help me. But what's happened is I've found you. You have to understand this is perplexing for me too. I didn't travel to Hiru so I could fall in love with you. And I have. I love you."

  "This isn't easy for both of us, but for different reasons." Feln took a needed breath to keep from feeling so flush. "We're in this situation and we have to help each other. You want your freedom and I want to get back home. We'll have to work together, but nothing more can come of our relationship despite your feelings."

  "I didn't think I would become so attached to you," she said. "You're kind and strong, funny and odd."

  "Odd?"

  Iristi laughed, slipped her arm around his shoulder and gave him an indefensible kiss on the cheek. "In a good way and I say it with the utmost respect. The past week with you, despite the rain, have been wonderful for me. I don't want this togetherness to end. I don't want us to end. I understand why you don't want to get any closer to me. Because of Owori. Because of your love for her. I do understand that. It doesn't mean I'm going to give up trying."

  "But give up you must," he told her. "I'm happy that you understand the situation. What you want can't be and I'll ask you to treat me as a friend. Even the notion of a relationship more than friends would upset Owori and me."

  "Is she the type that doesn't forgive? No gray, only black and white?"

  "Let's reverse this and put it into context. Imagine you and I are in love, we've been good friends for ten years and know each other well. Now imagine there is another woman who has my attention, spending time with me, trying her best to make me hers. How would you feel?"

  There was a pause. "I see your point."

  "Now imagine being in my situation."

  "I understand," she said. "Owori isn't here, though. We are."

  "If Owori were here she'd probably kick my ass," he said, repeating his earlier thoughts.

  "Well, she'd have to go through me first," Iristi said. "I'll protect you. I can be more than a handful if I have to."

  "I don't doubt you would try." Feln couldn't bear the thought of Owori and Iristi ever meeting, and he imagined Owori's temper would explode and it all would be directed at him.

  "Are you hungry?"

  "Yes," Feln said, relieved the conversation was headed in a better direction.

  #

  The Mossy Run was bustling. The variety of people assembled ranged from simple merchants and farmers, to local workers who were easy to spot because of their clothes. There was a flurry of activity, and Feln felt fortunate they were able stay at their good table that had a view of the entire room. The rain had driven everyone indoors, many conversations around them centered on the bad weather. In front of him were patrons eating and drinking, above them on the second level he could see what appeared to be the wealthier folk dining, reserved for the local nobles they were told. Halfway through their meal a musician began to play haunting notes from an oblong wooden instrument Feln had never seen before.

  They talked quietly about their plan when they reached Hiru. Once inside the city, they would have to find a tailor and obtain clothing. Iristi estimated they had enough money to get clothing suitable for presentation at the palace. Properly adorned, they would approach the court and ask for an audience with Chang. It could take days of waiting to see the Most Favored, however, Iristi was confident Feln could use his status to see Chang right away. Once he had the audience with Chang, he could demand that Chang dissolve Iristi's engagement to Hiru. To Feln that seemed too simple. It was all in making demands, Iristi told him, simple or not. Most Favoreds made demands and people followed their wishes or there would be consequences. She said he needed to be confident, firm, and unwilling to compromise. Afterwards they would leave Hiru. Being a Most Favored would be enough to get them out of Hiru safely. Then it was a matter of making their way to Safun, which would take them a long time.

  Feln was nervous about the plan. What she had proposed didn't seem right to him. Yet, he didn't know Pyndira as she did and would have to trust her judgment. He wondered if the belt could have that much political power? Could he exhibit that much influence just because he was in possession of a belt? Why wouldn't they take him prisoner? It all made his head spin thinking he was walking into a trap.

  The evening was coming to a close. Many patrons were leaving for their homes while others were headed for their rooms on the third floor. The activity had diminished and the musician had retired for the night. Upstairs the nobles carried on as if the night was just beginning. Feln was ready to get sleep he badly needed. They still had days of travel ahead of them and they would need their strength.

  "One last thing," Iristi said as she folded her hands underneath her chin, elbows on the table. "You need a name."

  "You mean my formal name."

  "Yes, all of the Favored Ones and Most Favored have a formal name. We must come up with one for you."

  "I know there is a convention - but how are names chosen?"

  Iristi shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know how they are chosen, but I do know the convention. The convention is as follows - the first name is an ordinary name, like Feln or like your mother's, Sari. The second is a two syllable modifier, one consonant, one vowel. Then comes your family name, and lastly, the name you wish others to call you."

  "I don't know any other names. I did hear Suun tell me that she was the daughter of Narneth. He died in battle. Could I use that?"

  "Probably."

  "Feln-en-Xialao-Narneth," he proclaimed.

  "I'm honored to meet you Narneth."

  "Maybe I should put the Feln at the end?"

  Iristi muttered the name several times and shook her head. "Narneth-en-Xialao-Feln. It sounds better with Narneth at the end. I will call you Feln, though."

  "I think I'll tell everyone to call me Feln," he said. "It'll make them remember me."

  There was thunder from the storm overhead that shook the whole structure. It made everyone pause. A bright blue glow came from outside, flooding the windows with eerie light. Had lightning struck? Was there a fire? Feln thought it strange, as the eerie light persisted for a short time. The blue glow winked out suddenly. The room became silent. People shrank back into the shadows. A man and woman bolted upstairs. The nobles left their tables and were looking over the railing. The remaining patrons, like he and Iristi, didn't move a muscle.

  "What is it?" Feln asked.

  The front door swung open, bringing with it a spray of wind driven rain. From the dark and rainy outside came a man dressed in garish blue and red robes. His wide brimmed hat was matching blue, and it hid his face completely. Behind him came two warriors dressed in black. All three of them looked soaked to the bone and cold. The man in the garish robes lifted his arms and head. Feln could see his face now. He was pale, white as a ghost, and had pockmarks on his cheeks and forehead. The sleeves of the robe fell down from his upraised arms, exposing a tattoo. Along his right arm was a bright jade-colored snake, tattooed in a vivid green that looked real.

  It was the man from the hill man attack and Iristi's capture. Kojo had found them.

  "He's a Fury," Iristi whispered.

  Feln wasn't familiar with the term, but based on how Iristi had a death grip on his leg, he figured it couldn't be good. "What does this mean?"

  "A Fury is a user of magic. You have a magic belt and from it you can do incredible things - like when you attacked the hill man with your fists. A Fury doesn't need the belt. He has inherent magic. They are able to call lighting, produce frost, or create fire. Ot
hers just do strange things, like push objects. Favored Ones and Most Favoreds use Furies for protection. Some though are hired to do dirty work. Some are assassins."

  "Wonderful," Feln said.

  "Not the word I would have picked."

  "Assassins?"

  "In a sense. But they don't need to sneak around. The tattoos mark them a Fury, so everyone knows they have magic. The common person stays clear of a Fury."

  The two warriors flanking the Fury brought out katanas, steel glinting. The Fury strode forward, his arms lifted, making sure everyone saw the tattoo that marked him. The patrons around them shrank away while the nobles upstairs could be heard retreating. Blue lightning crackled on the Fury's fingertips. He brought his arms down and shoved them inside his sleeves, concealing his hands. The lightning sparked from within.

  "I have come looking for a man and a woman," the Fury proclaimed as he scanned the room.

  Iristi squeezed harder. Feln gently took her hand off his leg and moved it away.

  "I'm looking for a filthy ranan, a rogue, a thief named Feln and his companion, Iristi. I come in the name of Koto-na-Nomu-Kojo, a Favored One of Furawa. They have stolen from my master and murdered his best friend in cold blood. Anyone harboring these fugitives will be as guilty as they are and not spared punishment by magic or steel."

  Feln and Iristi remained motionless in the back of the room and thus far were undiscovered. People around them murmured. The two bodyguards took up defensive positions, eyes scanning for trouble. The Fury examined the room and locked on Feln. He walked forward. Feln's heart slammed into his throat. The Fury came closer to them, his arms now out of the sleeves. Blue lightning sparked. The bodyguards grabbed a man making a run for the door and slammed him against a table, spoiling his departure.

  "We've tracked them here," the Fury announced to the room, his voice angry. "For days they have eluded us. Is this what you want? To be caught doing business with murderous thieves? He is here, being harbored by all of you, and you're willing to die with him?"

  "We aren't murderous thieves," Feln said. His voice was calmer than his insides. He stood so there was no mistaking who the Fury wanted. None of the innocent people in the room should get hurt because of him.

  "Kojo's best friend died by your hand. You don't deny this?"

  "Kojo left three men, including his friend, to kill me. I was unarmed and I survived, they didn't. Consider that while you're making accusations in front of these people."

  The Fury laughed. "A falsehood if I ever heard one. Return the blade you stole and I will spare your lives."

  Iristi tugged on Feln's shirt. "Give him the blade."

  Feln removed Kojo's katana from his back and offered it to the Fury. The Fury put out his sparking hand.

  "But first," Feln said, "I will tell these good people what really happened."

  "Feln, that's not important!" Iristi yelped. "Just give him the blade!"

  "Iristi and I are traveling to Hiru, to meet with the Most Favored Chang. We were traveling in peace, when the Furawa army attacked the town we were in. They slaughtered everyone, men, women, children - fortunately we were able to escape their brutality. Many of your fellow countrymen didn't."

  The Fury clenched his jaw.

  "Kojo and his soldiers found us, though, and took Iristi captive. They kidnapped her against her will and left me defenseless against three Furawa soldiers. After I escaped from them, I was able to free Iristi and took Kojo's blade so it wouldn't harm another Emesian. Would you fault me for that?"

  Murmurs filled the room.

  "The blade," the Fury hissed. "Now."

  Feln handed it over. The Fury slung it over his back and walked away, giving a slight bow to the room. His light blue eyes darted back and forth. The two bodyguards moved forward, blades ready.

  Feln felt it before he saw it. "Shades!"

  The Fury came around and extended one hand that sent blue lightning shooting out, lancing at him and Iristi. Feln bore the brunt of the attack, the blue lightning dancing over him. The magic blast threw Iristi out of her chair, leaving her motionless on the floor. To Feln, it felt as if sharp pins were pricking his body. Deep within he found the strength to overcome the magic, it was the belt that protected him, and he darted forward with his katana out and flashing. The first bodyguard came at him, but he was too slow. Feln brought the katana crashing through the man's shoulder and lung. He whirled and pulled the blade free of the falling body, blocking the attack from the second bodyguard. With brute strength he forced the man's blade down, stepped on it with his foot, and cracked him in the face with an elbow. He went down hard.

  The Fury attacked again, more lightning coming forth in an unabated stream. It tore at Feln, burning half of his shirt away and one pant leg. He recovered and ran forward, the pain terrible. He wanted to scream. His whole body felt as if it were on fire. Another massive stroke of magic came at him. It was deadly. Feln was ready this time, and he rolled forward underneath the bolt and jumped to his feet. Everything was moving slowly. He could see the last remnants of the magic discharging behind him, smashing into tables and chairs, splintering them into kindling. The Fury unleashed two sais, a last desperate defense, but it was too late. Feln's katana removed the Fury's left arm with a single downward slash. Feln kicked the Fury back against a column harder than he thought possible, the chi flowing unabated into his body from the belt. The Fury stumbled forward, staring at his detached arm. Feln didn't delay and he lopped off the Fury's head with a smooth stroke.

  Feln retreated, running to where Iristi had fallen. Her clothing was scorched on one side, and she had minor burns on her arm. Feln reached down and pulled her up. Her eyes came open, she swooned, then she lapsed back into unconsciousness. Holding her in one arm, he squatted down and picked her up and put her over his shoulder. In his right hand he still held the bloody katana. His only thought was getting to safety, but he didn't know where that was.

  Pain came and he braved it. He could see pink skin where the lightning had scorched him. Half of his clothing was gone, burnt away as well as some of his hair. Feln screamed, letting everything out. It was primordial. He spun around, looking at the shocked expressions in the room as everyone stared at him. His strength wavered. Feln fell to one knee and dropped his katana. With both hands free, he took Iristi and put her on the wood plank floor.

  Men and women came forward. They grabbed Iristi and half dragged half carried her away. Feln fought to stand, grabbing for his katana. "Leave her be! Don't touch her!"

  A steady hand grasped his arm. "We'll help you," the man said. "Please, put your weapon down."

  Feln stared at the innkeeper, who was trembling with fear.

  "Please, we'll help you," he repeated.

  The pain came in a rush again. Feln dropped his katana once more and ripped the man's hand from his arm. He fell to his knees and threw his head back, screaming. The magic and pain consumed him, then all went black.

  #

  Beneath him was a cool hard surface. Wood he presumed, not sure if it was floor or table. Feln opened his eyes and stared up. Overhead was a ceiling with red pinecone lanterns. There was a strong smell of incense in the air and he could hear people talking. Slowly he sat up, glancing at his burnt chest. He had on loose fitting dark pants, not sure how they got on him, and he could feel burns along his leg. To his left was a scorched portion of the building, scarred from the Fury's magic. To the right he could see workers mopping up the blood. The bodies were gone. One of Kojo's men, the Fury's bodyguard, his nose broken and bloody, was tied to a chair. Guards from the town had arrived.

  Feln swung off the table and stood. He felt disoriented. The movement caught the attention of the people in the room. All became quiet. The innkeeper came over, as did two guards. A pang of apprehension shot through Feln. More trouble? What now?

  "Your friend is resting well," said the innkeeper. "She's upstairs and has minor burns. There's no permanent damage that we could see. She'll be fine."


  Feln nodded. "Thank you."

  One of the militia gave a curt bow. "Is it true Furawa attacked a town to the south?" the militiaman asked.

  "Yes. We've told others along the way, but no one will believe us. It's true, there is an army of six thousand camped in a defensible valley. I don't remember what the name of the town was."

  "Is the army headed in this direction?"

  "We don't know for sure, but doubtful. They've established a base of operations and can move north or south with ease. My guess is they aren't coming this way, so they may be moving southward."

  The two militiamen looked at each other as if either didn't have the authority to make a decision.

  "Should we send a messenger to Hiru?"

  "That would be a good idea," Feln said.

  "I can go on a swift horse. I can be in Hiru in three or four days."

  They were looking to Feln for direction and he didn't understand why. Why were they asking him? Shouldn't they be asking their militia captain? "If you think it will help spurn Hiru into action, then yes, you should send a message."

  "Who should I say the message is from?"

  It was then Feln realized the belt of the Most Favored was exposed through his burned clothes, the gold dragons glinting in the lantern light. He was a Most Favored and they would expect a full name.

  "My name is Feln-en-Xialao-Narneth."

  "Xialao?"

  "Yes. From Safun," he added, remembering. "What's your name?"

  "Ruchi."

  "Thank you Ruchi. Please write in the message as well that I will be coming to Hiru and I will require an audience with Chang."

  "I'll inform the captain and the local commander. There are soldiers here as well - they will want to send a patrol." The militiaman bowed and ran out of the door, stepping over workers who were scrubbing the floor. The other militiaman motioned toward the captive. "What do you want done with him?"

  Feln didn't answer. He walked over to the battered bodyguard and stood in front of him.

  "You should have killed me" the captive spat. "Please make it swift."