Rise and Fall (Book 1)

by Joshua P. Simon

  “You said you know who the other spies were as well? Is that true?”

  “Yes and no. As you said, I’ve been away too long to know all the dynamics of the nobility. I’m just giving them something to think about that may sway their loyalty. However, I have ideas on a couple I may be able to feed false information to and add to the confusion.”

  “Oh.”

  Jonrell paused. “I’d like to leave in two days and that doesn’t give us much time to prepare for the journey and see to the kingdom’s affairs. I hope you weren’t planning to get to bed early.”

  Elyse shook her head. “I don’t sleep well anymore.”

  “I understand.” He let out a sigh and continued. “Well, then let’s go. I want to look over what you and Grayer have accomplished. Then we can see to…”

  Jonrell kept talking as he went over the agenda for the next couple of days. Elyse missed half of what was said as she focused on one thought.

  How can he be this organized and have everything down so well after being gone for so long? I never left and I feel like an idiot.

  Chapter 20

  Tobin strolled through the market, eating steamed fish wrapped in banana leaves. He shared a conversation with Lucia as she looked over the day’s ware. It was the second time in as many days that the two had shared lunch and he felt at ease in her company for the first time in months.

  Jober was courteous enough to give them privacy, but never far enough away where Tobin felt that he was truly alone with Lucia.

  The disdainful way he looks at me makes it seem like I was the one responsible for Kaz’s disappearance. Tobin gave the former stable hand a sidelong glance. Has he forgotten how much better his life is as a result of that night? He never did thank us for what we did for him. “What do you think of this material?” asked Lucia.

  He looked at the roll of light blue fabric mixed with shades of maroon. He imagined he was alone with her, and she stood before him in his bedchamber wearing a fine silk dress made from the thin material. He imagined it hugging the contours of her body.

  She would have been mine if Kaz hadn’t stolen her from me.

  “Do you hate it that much?” she asked.

  “What?” Tobin said blinking away his desires.

  “I asked you a question but all you gave me was a blank look.”

  “Sorry, I was just thinking of how beautiful you would look in a dress made from the material.”

  Lucia put her head down and despite her dark skin, Tobin could see she was blushing. “It is lovely,” she said.

  “I think the material would be so lucky to have you wear it. Of course, no other woman would dare wear it afterward since they would never do it the same justice as you.”

  She blushed again but this time looked up at Tobin and smiled.

  So beautiful.

  “I think I will buy the material then. I’ve never cornered the market before,” she said giggling. “You know, I think I forgot just how much you used to cheer me up.”

  Tobin moved closer to her so they were only a couple of feet apart. “I only speak the truth, Lucia. You are an amazing woman. Anyone unable to recognize that would be a fool.”

  “Kaz used to tell me the same thing,” she said, her voice distant as if remembering some past moment she had shared with Tobin’s brother.

  The mention of his name extinguished some of the hope Tobin had felt a moment earlier.

  “I miss him so much.”

  “I know it is hard to do, but you must let him go.”

  “You speak like he’s dead.” she said looking up at Tobin, her face filled with betrayal.

  “It has been months and we have heard nothing about his abduction or disappearance. Not even a letter seeking ransom,” said Tobin, feeding his previous lies. “I see no other possibility.”

  “How can you believe that? You are his brother. You know the kind of man he is.”

  A cold, callous, evil man, Tobin thought, though he dared not say so. “He was not invincible,” said Tobin, settling on a response.

  “He’s not dead. I know him. He will come back to me,” said Lucia. There was a certainty to her tone that said she would not be swayed. “I know others think I am a fool for believing so, but your father thinks the same.”

  Tobin winced at the bitter reminder. Even if his attitude toward Tobin had improved, Bazraki still had not shown him the same level of respect he had shown Kaz.

  At least more of the Kifzo are accepting my command each day.

  Because of these small improvements in his life, Tobin had finally convinced himself to see Lucia again. She was the last piece of the life he had always wished for. He was not foolish enough to think that something would develop immediately between them, but Tobin also hadn’t realized his dreams lay so far outside his reach.

  She clings to Kaz’s memory as if he is all she had. What about me?

  “My father is a fool in denial,” said Tobin.

  “Does that mean that I’m a fool, too?” she asked, hurt from the comment. “Or Jober for that matter?” she said pointing to her bodyguard, leaning against a nearby wall, watching their conversation. “He thinks it’s possible for Kaz to be alive.”

  “Of course he would,” Tobin muttered under his breath, shooting Jober a look that caused the man to turn away.

  “What was that?” asked Lucia.

  “Nothing,” snapped Tobin, turning back to Lucia. “Don’t live your life for a ghost, Lucia.”

  Tobin stalked away before Lucia could respond. It only stands to reason that what I want most out of life is the thing that still alludes me. Kaz, you haunt me even in death.

  * * *

  The two Kifzo Tobin personally chose to watch over Odala and Soyjid, greeted him as he approached the lone entrance to the captive’s rooms. The guards were less aggressive than most of the other warriors. Such an attribute caused Tobin to select them for their task, wanting to ensure that none would question his visits, especially as their frequency increased.

  And why? There is no need for me to be here now.

  The warriors stepped aside from the door and Tobin knocked. He was sure that they found it odd for him to announce himself when he had every right to barge into the room. He saw little need to intimidate someone who was already uneasy in their surroundings and posed no threat to him. After some noticeable shuffling from behind the door, a muffled voice called out for him to enter.

  Furnished as lavishly as the rest of the palace, the room contained a pair of padded chairs around an ornate table and a stone fireplace. A canopied bed covered in blue silk sat near a doorway that led to an adjoining room. Along the wall, in the middle of the room, a large bay window with curtains drawn up, allowed sunlight to spill into the space. Odala stood by the window.

  He was ashamed to admit that she was the reason for his regular visits. The way she stands, the shine of her skin, the grace in how she carries herself. But like Lucia, she is beyond my reach.

  Tobin lowered his gaze, ashamed of the lustful thoughts for one so young. He knew in many ways it wasn’t Odala that he lusted after, but such a revelation did little to ease his mind. After all, I am here to torture myself once again—to remind myself what I will never have. Why do I do this?

  “Does your father wish to speak with me?” she asked.

  As always, Tobin was surprised to hear such a mature voice from the young woman. “No,” said Tobin.

  “Then why do you come?” she asked, tilting her head.

  That look. It is so much like Lucia. Tobin shrugged in an attempt to appear indifferent, even though he felt the knot forming in his stomach. “You were there when my father charged me with your well being. And of your brother’s,” he said leaning forward to look into the doorway of the adjoining room. He did not see anything of importance from that angle. “Where is Soyjid?”

  “Avoiding you,” she said bluntly. “He has much pride for his age. He may have accepted our current circumstances, but he does not like them.�
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  “And you have accepted them?”

  “What other choice do I have? Would you send me home if I asked?”

  “You know the answer to that.”

  She shrugged. “So I have accepted it,” she said, turning her gaze back out the window.

  Tobin frowned, unsure what else to say. “I will not disturb you any longer then.”

  At least there are no mixed signals with her. She shows her displeasure openly.

  He turned and left the room.

  * * *

  Odala flinched as the door slammed shut behind him. Tobin was obviously upset with her but she couldn’t understand why. Why does he keep coming to see me? And what does he want? Is he looking for gratitude for saving me when one of his men tried to attack me?

  He had saved her the first night of their captivity. But she had been too angry and scared to show him any gratefulness then. Even now, weeks later, her feelings toward Tobin hadn’t changed.

  He acts like he is a good man, someone trustworthy. But I saw the malice in him when he threatened Father. I saw the rage in his face. Her body shuddered as she recalled the look in his eyes that night. She hadn’t seen that look from him since, but it was one she would not forget. The look of who he really is.

  “He didn’t stay as long as last time,” came a voice from behind.

  Odala spun round, startled. “I told you to quit sneaking up on me like that.”

  Soyjid shrugged. “We have three rooms to share. It’s not like I can hide.”

  “Then what were you doing when Tobin was here?”

  “I was in the other room, listening. He was not here to see me, Sister.”

  “What is that supposed to mean? Father’s little genius has all the answers again, doesn’t he?”

  “As a matter of fact, I do. It means he isn’t interested in anything I can offer him.” He grinned. “I see you catch my meaning,” he added.

  “No,” she gasped.

  Soyjid laughed. “You really couldn’t tell? The way he looks at you? He cannot take his eyes off of you.”

  Odala shook her head at the thought. “Everyone has looked at me differently since I’ve become a woman. He is just another man.”

  “His look isn’t some whimsical lust. No. I think he has feelings for you.”

  Now it was Odala’s turn to laugh. “That is ridiculous. You saw the way he threatened Father and how he struck fear into the man who attacked me. Someone like that does not love. He takes what he wants.”

  “Then why hasn’t he taken you? He is Warleader. No one would know if he made you his. And none would care, either. There must be something else behind that look of desire in his eyes. Something more.”

  Odala didn’t want to believe what her brother was telling her, yet the more she thought about it, the more things began to make sense.

  Checking in at random hours of the day and night, trying to make conversation, never seeming to have a purpose for his visit. It was so obvious, she couldn’t believe she never thought of it herself.

  “What should I do?” she asked.

  “Embrace it, Sister. Show him that you care for him.”

  “How could you say something so cruel?” she hissed.

  “You must use him to our advantage.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Act like you care. Get him to talk to you. Maybe in time you can influence his decisions and hurt him as retribution for hurting Father. I promise that night was only the beginning. They will continue to take from us. They will push us around until we are no better than any other clan they’ve conquered. Isn’t it proof enough that he already took away part of what was originally offered to us in the alliance.”

  “It was only after Father insulted him,” she said

  “It was a poor deal to begin with and Father knew it. They rule over all of Hesh and in return we get a bit of extra land and money. We would still be subservient to someone not of our own clan.”

  “What makes you think Tobin would be so easily influenced?” asked Odala.

  “People do stupid things when they are in love.”

  Love. The word in connection with that monster made her skin crawl and her stomach turn. “What do you know about love?”

  “I know enough. I watch and I listen. You may have gotten mother’s looks but I inherited her mind. It’s a good thing too, because with Father getting older it will soon be my turn to lead our clan. That is, if we make it home alive….” His voice trailed off, but after a moment he continued. “I don’t know why the idea seems so repulsive to you. You’ve been manipulating suitors for over two years now.” His eyes narrowed. “And last I remembered, you enjoyed doing it.”

  That was different. It was fun then to flirt and have people give me nice things. None of it was serious. She’d even let them steal a kiss if she was attracted to them. “It was a game,” she said, sounding disheveled. “If I did this, I may have to do things with him,” she said.

  “Perhaps, but not right away. That would be too suspicious.”

  “But eventually…” she started.

  “Eventually, you may come to find him tolerable. He certainly has the look of the men you used to gawk over with your friends. If you must, when the time comes imagine you are with one of them.”

  “I don’t know how you can say such things. Father would never want me to do that,” she said.

  “Father isn’t here. He never has to know. This can be kept between you and me. Besides, if you are to succeed, who knows what could happen. Perhaps our clan will be the one to conquer Hesh, and Father could become ruler. Wouldn’t you want to give that to him if you could?” he asked.

  Odala hugged herself and closed her eyes trying to imagine herself with Tobin. But even if it was an act, she couldn’t bear the thought. “I can’t do it,” she whispered. “I just can’t.”

  “You always were selfish,” he said in an icy tone. He turned and stalked back into his room.

  * * *

  Tobin saw his opening and moved in for the kill. But his opponent spun away from the attack. Walor feinted high and struck low. Tobin whipped his blade down and the dulled practice swords banged together. From the look on his opponent’s face, the noise came as a surprise. Having expected his strike to find its mark, the Kifzo took two quick steps back in retreat.

  Tobin cut off his path each time Walor looked to gain better positioning. He sidestepped with balance and precision using an ankle that no longer held him back.

  Walor’s uncertainty was evident and Tobin seized the opportunity by pressing his opponent with a flurry of moves, lashing out recklessly in wild swinging motions. He dodged or parried each of Tobin’s strokes while smiling the entire time.

  His sword slid off as he shifted and turned his blade for a thrust to Tobin’s gut. Tobin recognized the feint and made no effort to counter the strike. Tobin turned his shoulder and slammed into the smaller man while sweeping his back leg. Walor fell. Tobin placed his blade against Walor’s cheek.

  “You’re dead,” said Tobin between breaths.

  “You set me up, didn’t you? The whole thing? Swinging your blade like some young fool eager to end a fight. I can’t believe I fell for that,” said Walor.

  “And yet you did,” said Tobin with a grin.

  “What is that? Four straight matches you’ve won?” asked Walor.

  “Five,” answered Tobin. “Do you want to make it six?”

  “No. I would however, like to get up,” said Walor, his eyes focused on the blade.

  As he helped Walor to his feet, Tobin noticed the gesture warranted him a few looks from the Kifzo watching the match.

  I help up my brethren. There is no reason why I have to keep you beaten down like my brother did. He and my father saw weakness in such a move. I only see respect.

  Walor stood up, working his shoulder with a freehand.

  “Do you need a healer?” asked Tobin.

  Walor cast him a sidelong glance.

&nb
sp; I shouldn’t have asked him that in front of the others. “I didn’t mean…” said Tobin, starting to correct himself.

  Walor held up a hand, cutting him off. “I’m fine, Warleader.” He rolled his shoulder again, changing direction until there was an audible crack. Walor let out a sigh of relief. “Better than ever.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Don’t get any ideas,” said Walor. “I think next time we spar, I’ll wait until after you’ve been worn down a little first.”

  As they left the practice circle, Tobin whispered. “How do my skills rank in comparison to the rest of the Kifzo?”

  Walor grunted. “Even with your injury, you were above average. Now, you’re becoming one of the most skilled with a sword.”

  “But not the best?” asked Tobin. “Not as good as Kaz once was?”

  The two walked in silence for a moment as the question hung out there unanswered. “No, not the best. Not yet anyway,” said Walor. He nodded over to a different practice circle at a man facing off against three opponents at the same time. “Some of our best, such as Guwan, spar with multiple Kifzo. Your brother went against three or four of our best men, sometimes more. I’m sorry Warleader, but Kaz was the best I’ve ever seen with a sword.”

  Tobin shook his head. “Then I need to practice more.”

  “Why? You may not be our best with a sword but no one can come close to your skill with a bow or a throwing ax. Your brother never could either. What does it matter if you are our best swordsmen?” asked Walor.

  “You know why. They compare me to Kaz in everything I do. It matters little to them how well I can shoot a bow because I was that way before Father made me Warleader. Now, I need to be something more. Kaz set a precedent that a Warleader must lead his men into battle at the front of the lines. Therefore, I must be better at a sword than any man here, just as he once was. In fact, I need to be better than even he was. That is the only way I’ll get them to forget the man Kaz made me out to be.”

  Walor nodded. “I see your point. But you need to make sure you aren’t showing any shortcomings in front of the others. I can help you with this if you would let me.”

  Tobin turned to face the man. “Thank you. You have always been a good friend to me.”