An Emperor's Fury: Most Favored

by Paul Heisel

  "Is it justice you wish?" Feln asked.

  "That's not for me to decide," said the captive. He held his head proudly. "I will die knowing Furawa will conquer Emesia. I don't care who you are, nothing will stop us."

  "Untie him."

  The captive's eyes were wide with fear as the militiaman untied his hands. He trembled as Feln dipped closer.

  "Return to your master Kojo," Feln said. "Tell him the next time he sees his sword it will be as it's lopping off his head. Go before I change my mind. You two," he said, motioning to the militiamen, "escort him outside to his horse. He's to leave the other two horses here."

  The soldier stood and stepped away, keeping his eyes on Feln. The militiamen did as told and took him outside. He stumbled as he was guided through the workers and went through the open door.

  The anger filtered out of Feln. He could feel the belt's magic integrating with his chi, augmenting it, and fueling his anger. He could feel his flesh healing, it itched, and the more he concentrated the better his wounds became. With deep breaths, he sat down in a chair and put his face in his hands.

  "I have never seen anyone move as swiftly as you did," said the innkeeper. "The Fury would have destroyed this building and everyone in it had you not killed him. I'm grateful you stood up when you did. You saved all of us."

  Feln removed his hands from his face and glanced at the innkeeper. He didn't know how to respond, or if he should. It was as if everyone remaining in the room was watching him closely, all teetering on the edge of calamity. Was that the power of the belt? Was that the power of the Most Favored? Everyone here seemed terrified of what was going to happen to them. Perhaps he should explain. It was worth a try. He stood up.

  "Everyone," he announced.

  Not a person moved.

  Not one of them breathed.

  "I'm not here to hurt anyone." He walked forward and turned in all directions. "I'm Feln-en-Xialao-Narneth, Most Favored of Pyndira. Although you may see me as one of the Most Favored of a different family, when I came here, I was a simple traveler wanting shelter," he pointed to the inn, "food and drink," he pointed to a table, "and good conversation. I didn't mean to bring to you harm or danger. Had I known the Fury was after me, I would have dealt with him away from here, away from where innocent people could have been hurt."

  "You don't need to explain any of your actions to us," the innkeeper said. "We're honored to have you here, no matter what family you are from. Go. Return to your room and your companion. Rest. We'll take care of this."

  Feln shook his head, as he had to take a closer look at the Fury. "Later. I need to see the Fury."

  "He's outside. We'll cremate him, along with the other one, tomorrow - unless there is something else you want us to do with them."

  "No. I just need to see his arms."

  "He only has one. You cut off the other."

  "True."

  The innkeeper led him through the door and outside. It was still raining. Two horses were tied up next to the inn, the third had been taken by the other soldier as he had instructed. On the cold, wet ground were the two dead. The blue hat covered the stump where the Fury's head had been. Blood stained the garish robes, and as the rain came pattering down, it rinsed the fabric. The coldness of the rain seeped into Feln, chilling his bare skin. He reached down to the Fury and pulled up the sleeve to the shoulder, revealing a pale arm. The green serpent tattoo was there, tail starting near the hand and winding along the arm. The head was obscured by the fabric at the shoulder. He pushed it higher and looked at the head of the snake, it staring at him with unblinking eyes. Feln replaced the sleeve and stood.

  "His possessions are upstairs," said the innkeeper. "Including the katana he came for."

  "We'll be leaving in the morning," Feln said, pointing toward the two horses. "We have two other horses at the stables."

  "All of them will be ready for you."

  "Good. I'd like to rest now."

  The innkeeper led him inside and took Feln upstairs to the third floor. It was quiet now and the only sounds were the innkeeper's plodding steps and the creaking of the floorboards. He showed Feln to a door and opened it, then ushered him inside. It was much more spacious than the room he and Iristi had taken earlier. The furnishings were modest and neat. Their clothes were hung on pegs. On a bigger, soft bed was Iristi, and nearby a woman tended to her. The woman smiled at Iristi and hurried toward the door.

  "We will wake you at dawn," the innkeeper said.

  "Thank you."

  "You're welcome. Sleep well." The innkeeper bowed and departed.

  The candles in the room flickered. Lightning flared outside, startling Feln. Thunder followed. Iristi waved him over. He sat down on the bed, the strength gone from him. His head dipped. Iristi's hand found his and he didn't protest.

  "You're cold," he said.

  "You're injured," she responded.

  "I'll be fine. The belt will heal me in time."

  "They told me that you killed the Fury."

  Feln nodded absently. He felt as if he were outside his body, floating. He was tired, yet the energy was returning. It was almost as if he were drunk with the magic of the belt.

  "You killed one of the bodyguards. What of the other?"

  "I let him go. I sent him back to Kojo with a message."

  "What message?"

  "I was angry," Feln said. "I told him that Kojo would only see his sword as I was killing him. Something to that effect. It was a threat."

  Iristi lifted a bandaged hand and stroked the side of Feln's face.

  "How badly are you hurt?" he asked.

  "Not badly," she said. "I've had sunburn before and it feels like that. You threw yourself in front of the Fury's magic. That was gallant, but not smart."

  "I did it a couple of times," he whispered then he laughed. Tears came to his eyes and he wept. "It hurt Iristi, it really hurt. Shades it hurt."

  "A normal man would have been dead intercepting the first blow. That is the power of a Fury. You survived. That is the power of your belt."

  "I was a fool, I was too trusting. I shouldn't have given him the sword. I should have known they were here to kill us no matter what we did."

  "It was my idea to give the blade back," Iristi said. "I'm sorry. I thought they would have enough honor to take the sword and be on their way. Kojo must be livid if he told them to kill us."

  "Indeed." Feln rolled off the bed and stood up. His eyes fell upon the special blade sitting on a table. By it were his katana, six thick knives, another katana, and the Fury's sais. Pouches and bags were there as well. Feln opened up the pouch - it was gold. "How much are gold coins worth?" he asked as he grabbed Kojo's blade.

  "Fifty silver, give or take a few. Depends on what the local exchange rates are."

  He was only half listening. Without question, Feln was drawn to Kojo's sword for an otherworldly reason. He gripped it. It felt wondrous in his palms, as if it were an extension of his hand. It was light. He yanked it from the sheath. I came out with no noise. Just as quick he sheathed it.

  "We have more horses," Feln said. "We can sell them here or when we get to Hiru. How many days to Hiru by horse?"

  "No more than four or five, I think. We're almost there. They saw your belt and figured out you were a Most Favored, didn't they? That's why were in a better room and everything the Fury had is on that table."

  "Yes. I gave them my name. Who knows what will happen now. I keep expecting the militia to come."

  "Come, rest." Iristi patted the bed. "You don't have to worry."

  "About the militia?"

  "No, me. I'll behave."

  "I'm exhausted." Feln blew out the candles and slipped into the bed. He pulled the blankets over him, the soft fabric rubbing against his burns. He clenched his teeth. On his back he lay there, staring up. The belt's magic flitted through him, undaunted. Gently Iristi's arm went over his chest. He glanced down into the near darkness as she rubbed the only spot not red with burns.
/>   "What are you thinking?" she asked.

  "Nothing. I just need to rest."

  "You can tell me anything. I'll listen."

  Feln took a deep breath, expanding his lungs as much as the burns would allow. It would be days before he would be pain free. "Let's get some sleep."

  She snuggled closer to him.

  He shut his eyes, wishing she wasn't so close. "I thought you were going to behave," he said.

  "Let me put it this way. Being comfortable is not misbehaving. If you want me to show you misbehavior, then just say so."

  Her words were lost on him as felt as if he was drifting, wandering aimlessly through the wind. Nothing was making sense. Nothing. He tried to keep the vision out of his mind, but it wouldn't leave him. The Fury's tattoo, the serpent, stared at him without emotion, a cold reminder of the Fury's power. He couldn't put aside the notion that there were problems in his real home, Malurrion. What it all meant, he didn't know, but he was worried for the Accord of the Hand. There was nothing he could do about it until he returned, so he used the magic belt to force himself to sleep. No matter how much he hoped, he knew it wasn't a coincidence that the Fury had an identical tattoo to Kara's, the Master of Spring.

  Chapter 15 - Hiru

  The city of Hiru loomed in the distance and the size of the great metropolis was staggering. It dwarfed any city Feln had ever seen. The outlying areas were smaller towns and farms, each sporting a variety of eclectic features. Long ago the outlying areas had been farming villages, now transformed into smaller towns, built up over time, absorbed by the capital city, and connected by a system of paved roads. Newer, larger structures dominated quaint farmhouses that served as other businesses. The architecture took Feln by surprise, particularly the towers. Each outlying town had a large tower holding ten or more vertical floors. The towers had steep roofs along each level with wider ground level floors. It made the towers look like fat pine trees. Iristi remarked since she had been here the city had grown substantially.

  A host of marching soldiers forced them to the side of the main avenue. Pikemen, archers, swordsman, cavalry, dismantled war machines, supplies and the like headed south, presumably going toward Kojo and his Furawan army. Feln and Iristi watched as the parade of mighty warriors went by, the green banner of Emesia flying high. Golden stalks of wheat, bound together and crossed, were centered on each banner. While the army went by, Feln sketched a tower and the banner in his book.

  After the army passed, they rode toward the focal point of the city - the palace. There were ten different walls and gates to go through to get to the palatial grounds, including steep rolling hills that they had to climb. Feln thought this would be a difficult city to lay siege to, even more so to attack the palace. The natural features would make it difficult for any army to approach without suffering considerable losses. Feln knew that Kojo's six thousand men weren't enough if taking this city was the intent. He expected, though, that the real battles would be elsewhere and to the south. It was Hou they were after.

  Since leaving the inn where they had encountered the Fury, the trip had been ordinary. Feln paid the innkeeper handsomely for his generosity and they parted on amicable terms. They sold two of the horses to the stables, keeping the better mounts for themselves. On his horse he had a variety of weapons and he intended to sell the excess once they reached Hiru. All he needed were Kojo's katana and the Fury's sais, as the three weapons were of craftsmanship far beyond anything he had ever encountered, particularly the katana.

  The sights, sounds, and smells of the city greeted them. They stopped and ate at an inn, deciding to stay the remainder of the day and night. The first thing they needed to do was find proper clothes. After searching the entire afternoon, they found a clothier who dabbled in the latest fashions, and he was able to put together an ensemble of standard silk dresses and accessories for Iristi. They gave Feln rich red robes embroidered with gold threads that buttoned up the middle. Underneath, though, he insisted on wearing his fighting clothes. Iristi grew weary of trying to convince him he didn't need them and finally gave up. The remainder of the day they spent selling his excess weaponry, bringing in enough money to cover the costs of their trip and then some.

  #

  The next morning they left the horses at the stables and made their way to the palace on foot. Rabble and children constantly accosted them, all begging for money. Feln felt compassion for the less fortunate, wanting to help in some way. In Borgard there had been the Accord of the Spirit to help, and in his own city of Waskhal, the less fortunate always managed to find a way to survive with the help of the Accord of the Hand. Here the city was so large that it appeared that no one cared about these lost souls. Roving militia came by, clearing out the rabble. The urchins scattered and they had some peace for now.

  As they approached the palace, they could see nobles and aristocrats coming and going from the outermost gates. According to the conversations they could hear, court was being held, so there were numerous events taking place at the seat of government. They spoke with one of the guards at the outermost gate and he gave them directions to the heart of the palace. They were still distant from where they needed to go. Gates at odd intervals greeted them as they walked along the cobblestones. Merchants and nobles lived inside the gated area, and many Emesian guards were constantly on patrol. The businesses here were well kept and frequented, flourishing was the word that came to Feln's mind.

  The outer gate was traditional in the sense of what Feln had seen before in his limited travels of Pyndira. It had a mechanism to close the gates at a moment's notice and a gatehouse from which warriors could rain arrows upon the attackers. The walls were thick - Feln estimated well over thirty feet, which meant it was actually a constructed space, like a tunnel. Troops could move along the interior and tops of the wall. As they passed through, Feln could see doors at one hundred foot intervals. Moving troops in a concealed manner would be a great advantage during an attack.

  Around them was cobblestone and grass. The area was open, but narrowed toward what looked to be gigantic steps. To the left was a great wall sectioning off this part of the palace grounds, along it there were slits cut in the stone to allow archers to shoot arrows. The steps were made of stone and it was difficult for them to ascend them, and finally someone showed them normal steps to go up which would make it easier. Feln could see by the design the large steps were meant to slow down soldiers on foot and keep any war machines from coming closer. Horses could navigate the large steps, yet the stones were so slippery that Feln thought the horses would have poor footing. The decorations on the risers of the steps were large faces, the mouths and eyes hollowed out. Only up close did Feln realize underneath the massive terrace was an empty space for more hidden archers.

  Additional stone structures consisting of shops and smaller older looking homes were here. People were out and about enjoying the sunny day and many were dressed similarly to him and Iristi. Ahead of them was a stone wall. More steps. More climbing. They followed the crowds and tried not to wander off on their own. Up the steps and to the left was the next gate, smaller than the first. The area here was constricted, and more slits in the wall gave additional spots for archers to do their deadly work. Feln walked along and took Iristi's arm at her insistence. They went through the open gate, though, no one paying attention to the throng of court goers.

  The space before them was decorated with a gorgeous pond. Swans swam lazily while ducks splashed on the edges. To the right was another wall decorated with lanterns and mosaics. Feln studied it more, discovering a space where troops could be kept in reserve. Not until an enemy had taken the gate and advanced would they know defenders were there. Feln was anxious to find a place to stop so he could sketch the plan of the palace. There was more here than he had expected.

  To the left was a ramp leading to another section of the palatial grounds, and beside it was open space - an additional spot to hold troops. Iristi was talking to Feln about the grounds and how stun
ning they looked, but he wasn't paying attention. Mentally he was back in Waskhal with his instructors and Caleth, trying to find different ways to breach this palace. Feln thought it would take a force of twenty or thirty thousand men.

  They walked into a narrow spit of land between the pond and the wall on the left, a bottleneck, which took them through the next gate. There was no gatehouse. To the left were a stone structure with a swept roof and another structure with a flat roof. Feln could see vertical supports on the flat roof where the defenders could anchor ballistae or other such siege devices. Farther up to the left was a steep avenue that meandered back and forth between large mansions. The incredible homes were set far back into the hill, in the far distance snowcapped mountains rose elegantly into the air. White clouds drifted by, blocking parts of the deep blue sky.

  From here a stream of people walked away from the palace, which was confusing to Feln. The arrangement of the cobblestone road and the markers indicated they should move toward a gate set in a wall, but everyone was going in the opposite direction. Feln crossed the expanse of the courtyard and stopped when he noted the gate there was false. It was another clever deception. Anyone not familiar with the grounds would go straight for the false gate. More arrow slits awaited the foolish on two sides.

  Up a path they went, steep now, sharing the road with pedestrians and carts. Each cart bore the insignia of Emesia, and Feln presumed it was supplies headed for the palace. They came to another gate. Overhead the palace loomed, a great stone monolith with towers and swept roofs, gables, and spires. Feln could see balconies high up where people stood and looked out over the grounds. Through the final gate they traveled, the guards not giving him more than a glance, but they did stare at Iristi for a moment too long. After a short trip up to a more level courtyard, Feln could see various buildings spread about. To his far left was a massive manor house. Set in the hills were other small homes, businesses, and other tradesmen to support the palace. There were stables, a busy market, and several upper class inns.