An Emperor's Fury: Most Favored

by Paul Heisel

  #

  When he was near the end of the story, Feln realized he hadn't left out much of what had happened. Chang had listened intently and had asked questions at appropriate times, now at the conclusion Chang was having difficulty staying awake. Feln finished what he had to say, ending with his decision to seek Chang on his own and talk Most Favored to Most Favored. Chang plopped back into his pillows and drew the covers up over his chest. Feln couldn't see him as the thick blankets swallowed him.

  "I think I would have done the same thing if I were in your situation. I don't know why Ushisu would delay in letting me see you, I will ask him tomorrow. I can see that you have wisdom beyond your years. You are a worthy Most Favored."

  "I'm not sure if it's wisdom. Maybe impatience."

  Chang laughed. "You have a wit just like your mother. She was an intelligent and just woman. You have to be just if you are Xialao, that's a given."

  "I wish I would have known her."

  "She was the reason Pyndira had peace. When she became the head of the Xialao family, peace was restored and it remained that way for a handful of years. She was so young and righteous, just like you I believe. Then she disappeared along with your belt, all of Pyndira was lost to bickering and wars, then Pyndira dipped into chaos."

  "I'd like to hear more about my mother. Tomorrow of course, if you're feeling better and have rested enough."

  "I'm a tired old man, Feln. My days are numbered. I've delayed picking one of my distant cousins to receive the Most Favored belt, for I don't know who would rule most appropriately in my stead. Hiru is the obvious choice as he has been an exemplary Favored One. He is strong and a good, charismatic leader."

  Feln wasn't sure what to say, so he said, "You'll find the wisdom to make the correct choice."

  "I must admit, though, I'm disturbed by parts of your story, but I will have to explain while I have these thoughts. Yes." Chang sat up and pulled a pillow behind his head so it propped him up. "The horse demon disturbs me. It takes dark magic to summon those beasts, a sacrifice of souls it is said. For someone to even contemplate using a horse demon makes me ill. Though I don't mind seeing those bastards in Hou suffer for wanting to split Emesia in two again, I would never wish the return of demons to Pyndira. Thousands of years ago, demons came in droves. It was a dark time in our history and it took incredible beings, the Immortals, to banish them."

  "You missed my point I think," Feln said. "The horse demon killed innocent people and destroyed buildings, homes, and businesses. With the samurai leaving Hou, the increased crime, and the presence of bandits, people are leaving the south. I think you would want stability for Emesia including the southern areas. Hou is unstable, on the brink of collapse, particularly if the Furawan army drives south into an undefended city."

  This made Chang sit up. "Understand this, my fellow Most Favored, we do what we must to keep the family intact, to keep our lands as one. That means making sacrifices. Hou gets what it deserves, and what happened was good for Emesia - eventually it will bring the south into line and make us whole again. Perhaps now is not the time, though, to be fighting amongst ourselves. They would kneel to Hiru if I had my way, but with Furawa invading so blatantly, we can't be divided. You are right, I can't abandon Hou. We must stand united against a common enemy, so I will extend them a measure of assistance and forgiveness until the Furawan threat is removed." He sighed. "I trust you'll do your job as well now that you have arrived?"

  Feln nodded, but didn't make a reply. He didn't know what his job was or what he was supposed to do as Most Favored. It was clear to him that Chang was passionate and protective of his province, as he should be, supportive of Hiru and Ushisu, and confident in what he was doing was right. Yet, Feln detected a hint of worry in his voice. Chang was an experienced politician, a leader, and stood by the decisions of those around him, no matter how much he knew or didn't know. He was loyal, just as his Favored Ones were loyal to him. This made Feln worry that the Favored Ones were taking advantage of Chang's loyalty, making decisions that Chang wouldn't normally support.

  "Return tomorrow in the evening and I'll speak to you of your mother and what I knew of her. Also, I will make sure you and Iristi are given transportation to Safun, so you may rejoice in going home. The matters between Hiru and Hou will have to be left to me. Trust me to do what is best for my province. I've been doing this for a long time, and this isn't the first time our family has been faced with internal turmoil. This isn't the first time we've had to deal with Hou."

  "Of course," Feln said. "You've been most gracious. Thank you. I apologize for intruding, and intruding in the manner that I did. Had I known where you were, I would have come through the front door."

  "No offense has been taken. I'm just being as reasonable as you have been, and will be in the future regarding Emesia. Remember, be reasonable, it's a quality we forget we have."

  Feln smiled. "True wisdom lies within the truth."

  "And the future lies with youth. I'm not the future, I'm the past."

  "I'll come back tomorrow. We can talk then."

  "Shuo!"

  Moments later his niece came to the door, hesitating to step inside. Her hair was askew and she looked as if she had been dozing. "Yes Uncle?"

  "Escort Feln to the front of the manor and explain to the guards that he is the Most Favored of Safun, and a trusted guest of mine that you brought with you through the tunnels for a visit. He is to be given anything he wishes and full access to the palace, grounds, and surrounding lands. Hand me a scroll."

  Shuo ran to the desk and grabbed a piece of paper, a wood tablet, and a writing instrument. With a shaky hand Chang wrote a note. When he was done, he handed it to Shuo, who dripped green wax on the paper and sealed it with a metal object. The seal was in the shape of crossed stalks of wheat.

  "I'll see that it's done," she said. "Uncle, please rest. You are nearly recovered. Rest."

  Chang slid into bed, rolled on his side, and turned away.

  "Good night Chang."

  "Good night Feln. I'm looking forward to seeing you tomorrow."

  Shuo doused the lights and led Feln through the open doorway. She motioned for him to follow her down the hallway, under the chandelier to the front of the manor.

  "I apologize if I offended you," Shuo said. "I was only looking out for Uncle. I didn't know you were a Most Favored. Long has it been since a Most Favored has visited us in Hiru. They only assemble at the Emperor's request these days in Daiwer-dar. They never visit for pleasure either, always business. Always fighting. Always bickering. Uncle hasn't been well enough to travel anyway. Hiru went in his stead as a representative the last time the Most Favoreds were summoned."

  "I understand. I apologize as well, as I didn't mean to upset either of you or disrupt your evening. There were matters I needed to speak with Chang about, and no one was helping me, so I helped myself. You understand, don't you?"

  "Of course. Though I still don't know how you got past the guards."

  "I didn't get into here because they're incompetent. My belt allows me unseen passage at times, when I'm desperate, when it is dark."

  "I was going to double the guard. If you'll tell me what weakness you exploited, I can make sure no one follows me again."

  "There was no weakness," Feln explained. "I simply followed you from the shadows. My belt caused the guards to ignore me."

  "So I did hear you creaking on the floor!"

  "You did."

  "Squeaky floors can be good for catching sneaks like you. Forgive me, I shouldn't have said that. Please forgive me…"

  "No offense was taken. Shuo, may I ask something?"

  "Of course Most Favored."

  "Is your mother or father Chang's sibling?"

  Shuo giggled as she stopped at the door. "Neither. I'm adopted. Years and years ago, shades has it been that long, maybe twenty-five years? Chang saved my mother from some brigands, and he treated us like family. Soon we just became part of his family and the palace.
I finished growing up here, was married but never had children. My husband died defending Emesia's borders, and I never found another true love. Mother died four years ago. I spend my time helping Uncle now that he's older. Two months ago he became sick and it decimated him. He has recovered, though, and this is the strongest he's been in a long time."

  "You're a kind and loyal person. He's lucky to have a niece like you."

  "Thank you."

  Shuo took Feln through the door. There were guards here, but facing the other way, and she explained that Feln was with her and had just spoken to Chang. The guards acknowledged Feln, then Shuo took him through unused living areas filled with covered furniture, mirrors, regal paintings of people who looked to be relations of Chang, and additional guards. The manor house was a single story and large, he didn't see any stairs, and it was outfitted with expensive finishes, marble and dark hardwood floors that were polished to a high sheen. At the front, Shuo had two guards take Feln back to the palace, and she told him to use the tunnels when he returned as they were more convenient and that she would speak to the guards about it. The sealed note that she handed to the guards would go to Ushisu.

  The manor house wasn't far away from the palace. It was one of the smaller homes set among a large parcel of land that was surrounded by thick hedges as tall as the structure's walls. The thin tall evergreen trees, colorful flowers, and dark green shrubs were overgrown but not unkempt, they were in a state of flux between trimmed and left to grow naturally. As he walked with the guards, he could see the palace walls and the balconies - one of those was his room. Briefly he turned, oriented his line of sight, and noted the position of Chang's home relative to the palace. He was certain he would be able to see it from the balcony. Farther to his left was the solitary stone tower, the one structure dominating the sky on the back reaches of the vast property.

  "What's that tower?" he asked the escorts.

  "Prison," was the curt answer from one.

  "The dungeons below it are hell for anyone locked up there and the upper rooms are kept for Chang's more important guests." They snickered as if sharing a private joke.

  "Anyone in the tower now?"

  "No," the guard said. "No one lasts long enough."

  Staying in step with them, Feln triangulated the position of Chang's manor home, the tower, and the palace. He recalled other passageways he hadn't taken, and came to the conclusion the underground tunnels interconnected. An 'important guest' could be taken from the palace and escorted to the tower without being seen, and visa versa. There were probably additional tunnels to accommodate soldiers' movements as well, including connections to the thick outer walls that protected the palace.

  The escorts left Feln at his room with the curious pair of guards and went to deliver the message to Ushisu. Feln didn't explain how he got out of the room; he simply told them that the soup wasn't very good. Once inside, Feln barred the door with the straightforward metal slide lock - it wouldn't stop an intruder intent on getting inside the door, but it would keep a normal person from opening the door easily. The suite was quiet and still, the temperature a bit cold from the open door at the balcony. He went to the balcony and stepped outside into the cooler night air, then picked out Chang's manor house amongst the adjacent estates; the thick tall hedges, skinny pines, and roofline pinpointed its location. It looked quite distant contrary to his first estimation. The balcony door closed behind him with a creak as he went back inside, and the noise seemed loud to him in the silence of the room. A candle burned low on a table, flickering, the yellowish glow dancing over the large bed. He could see Iristi had kicked off her covers and had neglected to put on her bedclothes, her perfect shape marred only by healed bruises, cuts, and remnants of minor burns. Her chest moved up and down, the only indication that she was among the living. He placed blankets over her body to both keep her warm and so he couldn't see her. Iristi turned on her side in response and mumbled in her sleep.

  He was thankful the suite had a second bedroom for servants, so he settled into the spare bedroom and closed his eyes, the exhaustion mixing with his thoughts of the day. Finally, he felt as if he had accomplished something. Chang was going to help them and tell him about his mother. Things were going his way for once.

  Chapter 16 - Chang

  The news sent Iristi's spirits soaring, helping to cure her morning headache. She could hardly contain her joy that Chang was going to make things right and let them travel to Safun. It was as if a great weight had been lifted, her burden cast aside and no longer a hindrance. "I can't believe you did it, you did it!"

  "We'll leave tomorrow," Feln said. "I don't want to stay any longer than necessary. Chang is going to give us transportation."

  "This is wonderful! But why are we staying another day? Can't we leave tonight?"

  "Chang said he knew my mother and I want to find out more about her. He also might know how I can get back to my home in Malurrion. I'm going to see him tonight just before dinner. Apparently there's another reception this evening, so I'll meet him at his manor house and escort him to the hall if he's well enough to attend. His niece said he is stronger than he has been in months."

  Iristi's smile dropped from her face. She sat back in the plush chair. "I forgot you wanted to go home. To Malurrion. To your Owori. I was hoping once we got to Safun you would consider staying."

  "Iristi, I don't belong here. I want to go home. I miss Owori." Feln longed for Owori and the promise of their future, he wanted to return to the Waskhal monastery and be with her. The prospect of going home lifted his spirits. The whole adventure to Pyndira had been incredible, but it was time to go home. Later in his life he could return, when he was ready for all of this, and ready to share it with the right woman - Owori.

  Iristi slithered out of the chair and came to where Feln was sitting, reached her arms around his legs and hugged him tight. "I don't want you to go. You've done so much and risked so much for me. I can't repay you if you aren't here." Iristi wept.

  "We have spoken about this before; our relationship can be no more than it is. And I'm not asking for repayment, nor am I asking for your tears. I have to go home and I'm determined to do so."

  "I told you I wouldn't give up," she said wiping the tears away. "I hope you will change your mind on our way to Safun. I won't give up."

  "You have to, we can't be together. I will return to my monastery, find Owori, and live my life as it was intended - with her."

  "Is there anything I can do or say to change your mind?"

  "Nothing," he said. "Not now, not tomorrow, and not on our way to Safun, not ever."

  "But I can still go to Safun with you?"

  Moments passed as he thought about how he should answer the question. He admitted she was an unwelcome distraction, not because she was a bad person or had wicked intentions, but because he was becoming fond of her. Yes, he was steadfast in his devotion to Owori and their love, determined to experience his future with her. Yet Iristi's presence kept invading him, making him question his fidelity. He wanted her companionship, but he didn't want the temptation she openly offered. The reasonable part of him thought he should send her back to Hou. That would bring about other problems - the Furawan invasion, Hiru, and whatever else he hadn't thought through. The best thing for her would be to start a new life elsewhere. Perhaps Safun would be the place for her to go.

  "I'll think about it," he said.

  She squeezed him harder, then stood up, the thin white silk robe she was wearing slid across her curves. It rode up, clung to her body and barely covered her hips.

  "Get dressed," he said, looking away. He was sure he was blushing. "We have a long day ahead of us."

  "I'll think I'll wear red. It'll match the color of your face." She laughed playfully and sauntered away, the robe falling away to the floor as she left the spare room and leaving nothing about her backside to his imagination.

  #

  The morning and afternoon passed quickly. People came and went offering
services, providing anything Feln or Iristi wanted. The guards no longer followed them, and they were allowed to go where they pleased. At times he lost track of Iristi, and she had spent ample time with the seamstresses and tailors putting together an ensemble for the evening's festivities. Feln, content with his own robes, didn't spend one moment on fashion. Instead he went looking for Ushisu to speak with him before the dinner, but the man conveniently wasn't available. Feln knew Ushisu was avoiding him, and after foiled attempts to use his status to meet with him, Feln gave up. At this point he didn't care, because tomorrow he would be gone and Ushisu would have to answer to Chang. As Feln reflected, to him it seemed Hiru and Ushisu had taken too many liberties with their power during Chang's illness.

  Evening encroached. It was rumored in the palace that Chang would be attending to celebrate two honored guests, Iristi from Hou and Feln, the Most Favored of Safun. Preparations for it had taken all day as the favorite foods of the Most Favored of Emesia had to be cooked to perfection. Invitations went out by messenger to the nobles, and they responded by coming in droves. From the balcony, Feln watched the stream of people leave for the day, replaced by the line of nobles, merchants, and guests coming to the feast. There were more soldiers as well in the areas below than he had seen before. Despite Iristi's urging for him to change clothes, Feln remained in his fighting clothes and simple monk's robe over it; he felt he didn't have to dress up for Chang. He knew the leader of the Ku family would understand his decision. Iristi had put on a pale blue dress, one nearly identical to the one she had lost during the Furawa attack, but not of the same quality. She joined him on the balcony and leaned on the railing. Her hair was pulled back and twisted up into a neat bun, not a strand out of place, and her cheeks were rosy.

  "I thought you were going to wear red," he said.

  "I'll wear red only if I can make you blush later tonight."