An Emperor's Fury: Most Favored

by Paul Heisel

  "Blue is fine," he said quickly before she could elaborate. He looked out over the area as the setting sun cast a golden glow across the land. Lanterns were being lit below, the various paths illuminated for visitors when it became dark. The manor houses in the distance were awash with lantern light as well. Feln picked out Chang's. That's where he needed to go now, to find out more about his mother and his family.

  "The two guards, Heng and Avy, they will be traveling with us to Safun," Feln said. "They volunteered to be part of the contingent. I was assured we would have proper protection and good horses."

  "You trust them, those two, don't you?"

  "I do. I'm sure we'll have our share of spies traveling with us, though, that is my guess. I may ask that only those two go with us for protection. It'll be easier anyway."

  "I'll leave it up to you," Iristi said. "You know more about that than I do."

  "I'm anxious to see Chang, so I'm going to see him now. Can you make it to the hall? Or do you want to wait here for me?"

  "I'll go to the hall. I'm sure I'll be safe a few minutes without you. Don't linger though. Another may take your seat at our table who blushes just as red as you do."

  #

  Outside of their suite was busy with activity as the guests prepared for the upcoming feast. They walked together to the common room where more people waited, both took the stairs down and they separated, Iristi went to the hall to greet guests, while Feln went to talk to Chang. As Shuo suggested, he would take the underground tunnels and not bother with the overland trip through the walled areas. Oranges and purples lit up the sky as the sun dipped toward the horizon. He couldn't see the twin moons. Soon those views through windows were lost as Feln descended deeper into the palace. Now torches and lanterns lit the way.

  He was anxious to talk with Chang about his mother, as it would be valuable for him to find out what she was like and how she had led the Xialao family. He was certain Chang would know the secret of transporting back to his home as well, or at least he would have an idea of how to use the belt's most mysterious property. As he dropped deeper into the castle, he felt a sense of unexplained urgency. True, he was anxious to see Chang, but there was an excitement in the air. Perhaps it stemmed from the upcoming feast and Chang being seen in public for the first time in months.

  The conversation they had with Ushisu still bothered him, yet the 'why' eluded him. As he walked down the darkened corridors toward the secret tunnels, he went over what he could remember of the conversation. It wasn't the words he had said about him and Iristi having a prosperous life together, nor was it about the proposed alliance with Hou. It was something about Furawa. Ushisu had told him the Furawans were dogs.

  Feln came to a stop.

  How could Ushisu know that Kojo was leading the Furawa army and had attacked? He never told him that. He didn't tell the messenger either. The information wasn't that specific. How could this Emesian official know the name of their invader? Unless, he knew they were going to invade. Was this why Chang's boyhood home was attacked as well, to make sure Chang issued a response? If Ushisu was manipulating the army, it could mean he was manipulating other decisions that were being made. Feln's insides twisted and he wondered, should he tell Chang?

  Feln came to the bottom most level of the palace and shuffled ahead into a darkened corridor. He retreated and grabbed a waiting lantern so he could see better, and he continued on with it in hand. The darkness surprised him because yesterday the corridors had been lit with torches and hanging lanterns as well. The lantern light extended into the distance, and as he approached he could see two unmoving shapes on the floor. There was no mistaking it, two dead guards were bathed in their own blood in front of the door that led to Chang's manor.

  #

  Though she never meant for it to happen, Iristi was enamored with Feln and she firmly believed she could convince him that they were meant to be together. He was handsome and strong, it was no wonder this Owori loved him - what wasn't there for a woman to love? She admired him for his resolve and stubbornness; that would serve him well as the Most Favored of Safun. That was a major component of the attraction too, his station. She knew it and didn't deny that powerful men were attractive to her. She was a political animal and if she were to marry a Most Favored, she would have the wealth, power, and status she deserved. It would take time for him to come around, but she could tell that he was interested in her. There was no denying she was attracted to him on different levels, and no matter what happened, she wouldn't give up. One day she would pounce on him and he wouldn't resist her.

  The day had been exhausting and Iristi was certain the evening again would be filled with too much wine, so tomorrow would be rough going. Traveling, no doubt, would be hard. Tonight she would take it slower and not indulge as much. There would be plenty of nobles and merchants to talk to again, and she would get caught up on the local gossip that everyone was so willing to share.

  As she watched Feln depart she smiled and waved, hoping he would turn around, but he didn't. No matter, she would see him in a few minutes and he would be with Chang, then she would have the ear of two Most Favoreds. She glided across the floor, her legs full of energy and her face full of smiles. Everyone was looking at her as she made her way to the hall. The atrium was filled with people mingling and drinking, the din of the conversation was rather high. Performers walked around and juggled or did magic tricks for the guests to great rounds of applause and laughter. A path to the door opened and she made her way toward it, grasping an offered goblet of wine. It was red and fruity, dry, just as she liked it. Ahead of her was a group of splendidly dressed men, among them Ushisu with his strands of long gray hair spilling out of a black skull cap. Next to him was a broad shouldered man, handsome with square features. The man was chiseled from head to toe, strong and virile, and was wearing a dark green uniform with stalks of grain sewn out of a golden yarn that adorned the shoulders. He had dreamy blue eyes and wavy hair. It was then Iristi realized she was standing in front of Hiru. Her heart pounded. She was supposed to marry him.

  "Iristi, so good to see you," Ushisu said. "I hope you are well."

  "I am well, thank you for asking," she said, though she couldn't take her eyes off of Hiru. He was staring at her with no expression. "It is good to see you."

  "May I present to you Xian-er-Ku-Hiru, Favored One of Emesia. He has been eagerly awaiting your presence."

  "Yes, of course," she said, trying not to stumble over her words. She took it slowly. "I'm pleased to meet you. Feln will be here any moment with Chang."

  "Indeed," Hiru said.

  It was then Iristi noticed two formal-dressed guards had slipped behind her and servants were directing people away from them at Ushisu's urging. Hiru held out his hand to her, which she felt compelled to take.

  "What is the meaning of this?" she asked.

  "Nothing," Hiru said. "I'd like to talk to you in private if I may."

  "You don't need guards to do that."

  "I don't like being told 'no'," he said. "Thus I had to make sure you'd say 'yes', one way or another. We have many things to discuss."

  "If I'm not here when Feln arrives, he won't be happy. Feln and Chang will be here in a moment."

  "When they arrive I will celebrate their good health with wine and song, and I will receive Feln as an honored guest, as a long lost brother. Please, come with me so we can talk."

  "The arrangement with you has been called off," she said, handing him one last desperate plea. "This has already been decreed. There is no need for further discussion."

  "I disagree. We still need to talk."

  "About what?"

  "I have a better offer."

  With that Hiru directed her into the heart of the assembled guards and led her through the crowd. Iristi looked over her shoulder, searching for Feln. He wasn't there, and she figured he would never be there. The atrium was spinning, awash with conversation and merrymaking, none of which she would partake of. She felt off ba
lance, floating, and not because of the sips of wine she had taken. The whole world was crashing down. She knew that she would never see Feln again as he was walking into a trap. They were going to kill him.

  #

  As he approached the door to the secret passageway into Chang's manor, he saw the two guards sprawled on the floor. The light of the lantern reflected off the black blood trickling from their mortal wounds. Feln's heart raced. He had to decide, retreat and get help, or follow this trail of blood. If he delayed, Chang would be dead for sure. He reached down and touched the flowing blood. It was warm and they had been killed recently, even a minute or less. Perhaps there was time to thwart this threat. Feln pushed open the door, stepped over the dead bodies, and disappeared into the unknown, the Dragonfly katana sliding silently out of its sheath.

  Chang. Shades!

  He ran through the passageway, lantern clanking. Moments passed and ahead he heard a muffled scream and sounds of a struggle. He ran faster up the slope where the secret door to the manor was open, at the door's threshold was a woman's black shoe. His insides fluttered as he stormed into the hallway and saw two legs disappear into Chang's room. He pressed down the hallway. From the doorway Shuo's head rolled, blood spilling out over the wooden planks. The headless body soon followed, blood went everywhere.

  "Guards!" Feln screamed as he vaulted ahead. "Guards!"

  The chi came with a rush of energy and Feln darted through the door, prepared for anything. One assassin lunged at him with two whirring blades, Feln blocking the attacks with Dragonfly. With precision, Feln killed the assassin and moved farther into the room. The other assassin, dark clothing sucking in the light, went toward Chang with his sword. The Most Favored of Emesia stood there, unmoving, pale as a ghost. An invisible attack sent the frail Chang tumbling backwards. Chang tripped on his bed, coming to halt amongst the rumpled soft covers. The assassin pounced and drove his sword deep into Chang's body, stopping only when it could go no farther. Chang sputtered and grasped at the air with wispy thin arms. Blood frothed from his mouth in a fountain. The assassin turned in time to meet Feln, but the only defense he offered was a long dagger. Dragonfly cut through the air, whistling, and removed the assassin's head with one smooth stroke. The body slumped to the ground.

  "Guards!" he called again at the top of his lungs. How could they not hear him!

  Feln hurried to Chang's aid, but he knew he was too late. The sword had gone through vital organs, the point of the sharp blade stuck on the base frame of the bed. Sheer will kept Chang alive, he was trying to sit up, but the sword had him pinned to the bed. Blood continued to flow and Chang coughed, spitting forth pink froth. He struggled. He was trying to speak but he was drowning in his own blood. Feln yanked the blade out with all of his might and cast it aside.

  "What is it? Chang!"

  He gurgled and spat out a glob of blood, spraying Feln with it. "Fury," Chang sputtered.

  Feln turned.

  "You're early."

  He felt a rush similar to whipping wind. The invisible force grabbed his body, but without sound, and it hurled him toward the wall. He hit the wood, slamming into it hard. The air rushed from his lungs and Dragonfly spun from his grasp. Gravity took over and he fell to the wood planks. Feln sprang up, dazed, searching for his blade. I'm early?

  In front of him was an average sized man, bald, with light skin. The Fury's hat had been knocked from his head and he retrieved it casually. A tattoo lined his right arm, looking like the tail of a tiger. His clothing, brown and simple, was unremarkable. He looked up with green eyes and cast out his hand at Feln, sending him flying back once again. This time the effect wasn't as great, and Feln was able to resist the force with his own magic. He recovered, rolled, and grabbed Dragonfly in one graceful motion. Darting, he came closer to the Fury.

  "Guards!" he screamed.

  Again the Fury used his magic, more forcible this time, and sent Feln skittering across the room, sideways. He banged into Chang's bed, flipped from the impact, and landed on the cold floor where he came to a jarring halt. He couldn't breathe as the pressure on his lungs was too great. Gulping and gasping, he forced his lungs to work, but an invisible crushing force deterred him. Scooting along the floor, he managed to come to a kneeling position. Feln called up the magic of the belt, flinging the Fury's magic aside. Anger filled him. He stood. This Fury would pay.

  The Fury darted out the door.

  A terrible clamor erupted. It was the sound of soldiers coming to Chang's aid. Feln moved ahead, though, intent on catching the Fury. A solitary soldier came flying through the door, tumbling unnaturally, his neck already snapped by the Fury's magic. The soldier's momentum knocked Feln to the ground. Feln stood up and took a deep breath, then brought forth the magic, letting it filter through his body. It was working, calming and soothing him. He moved forward. The Fury wouldn't get far.

  Soldiers poured down the hallway and into the room. They had blades at the ready and surrounded Feln, blocking off any hope of chasing after the Fury.

  "The Fury is getting away! The assassin!"

  "Stay where you are," the Captain said.

  "The tunnels! The Fury is escaping! It's the only way he can escape!"

  "Put your weapon down!"

  Feln backed away. "I didn't do this. I was visiting Chang when the assassins attacked. I tried to save him. One of them is escaping!"

  "Put your weapon down!"

  "I didn't do this!"

  "Take him! Alive!"

  The soldiers rushed forward with blades ready, intent on capturing him. The first to arrive used his sword to engage the Dragonfly katana, and rotated to land a kick. Feln let one hand go free of his katana and snatched the foot as it was nearing his ribs, pinning it there and putting the soldier off balance. His katana was free, but he didn't end the man's life, just hit him square in the chest with the handle and sent him to the ground. The soldier hit the floor and his skull cracked.

  Two more were upon him and attempting to get at him in the space of the room, one coming straight on and one coming from the side. The Dragonfly katana was still brandished and Feln knew if he wasn't careful he would kill these men. He had no reason to kill them. Backing away, Feln took a defensive stance and used the furniture in the room to his advantage. Now they could only come at him one at a time, unless they wanted to climb over the bed where Chang and one of the dead assassins were.

  "I didn't do this!" he repeated. "You're letting the third man get away!"

  The Captain looked at the bodies and the blood. Chang was unmoving on the bed. Feln was covered with blood as well, some of it now drying on his robes, hands, and face. There were two dead men on the floor, blood still flowing from one of them. No one moved. Swords were still ready.

  "Surrender. If you have done nothing, then you have nothing to worry about, nothing to hide. Surrender and the truth will prevail."

  "I didn't do this." Feln wiped the Dragonfly katana and sheathed it. "I was visiting Chang and surprised the attackers. These two masked assassins and a Fury. Bald, green eyes, wide-brimmed hat. He had on brown clothes, like a peasant. His tattoo was orange with black stripes, like a tiger's tail."

  More soldiers arrived in the small space. They were jammed in the room and the hallway. There were too many for Feln to fight and he couldn't just disappear. They would find him.

  "This is your last chance," the Captain said. "The next order I will give means your death."

  "I didn't do this."

  The Captain motioned with his arm. Swords were ready.

  "You're making a mistake. The man you want has escaped through the tunnels!"

  "No one is in the tunnels," a soldier said.

  "Take him," the Captain said.

  Feln put his hands up and surrendered. The soldiers came forward and took him into custody. One of the soldiers, a familiar face, relieved him of his blade. It was Heng. The old soldier looked him in the eye.

  "I'll take care of this," Heng said as he gripped th
e keen katana. "It won't leave my hands and I'll hold it until you can get back to your family."

  "Escort him to the tower until we figure out what to do with him. You, go and inform Ushisu and Hiru that Chang is dead. They will want a full accounting of this." The Captain looked at Feln. "The rest of you see if you can find this Fury with the tiger tail and the big hat."

  #

  The underground tunnels were extensive, just as Feln had thought. They traveled for several minutes, going through secret doors and hidden portals, twisting and turning in all directions underneath the palace grounds. Feln reflected on what Heng had said and the slight emphasis on the word 'family,' and now he knew Heng's allegiance - he had to be part of the Xialao family, or in the least an informant? Feln was happy to have one ally, but surely to get out of this he would need more. Heng stayed close to Feln, but he didn't say another word. Several soldiers were in front, more were in back with no possible way for him to escape. He would have to let this play out and he was hopeful the truth would prevail. They came to another door that was barred heavily. They opened it, revealing a short hallway with another door. Beyond the next door were winding stairs leading up into the unknown.

  Up they went. Feln counted the stairs, giving up his tally after two hundred. They were high in the tower, distant from the palace and Chang's manor. They bypassed several intermediate levels and finally stopped at the absolute top. Heng opened the door and showed Feln in. There was a simple thin mattress, fireplace, an old table, and chairs. The walls were made of rough stone. A solitary opening led to what appeared to be a small balcony that looked out over the surrounding countryside. The roof above was steep. Underneath the overlapping shingles were countless webs, old and new. Heng ushered the other guards outside of the room and closed the door.

  "You'll have to stay here for now," Heng said. "I'm sorry."

  "I'm happy to have an ally," Feln offered in a low voice.

  "Speak of this no more," Heng whispered. "I have revealed too much already."

  "I didn't kill Chang. There were three of them. A Fury and two assassins. They came in through the secret tunnels, killed the two guards by the door, and must have surprised Shuo. She ran and hollered for help, but they caught her and killed her. I couldn't stop them, I almost saved Chang, but I was too late. I called for the guards, but no one came!"