The Courier's Code

by T. S. Valmond

  When he reached the lower level, he found Jak and Rasha in the room where they’d cleaned up. Not a room, more like a suite with a separate bedroom and bathroom area. Jak and Rasha sat on high backed upholstered chairs in the seating area. Like most of the other rooms in the palace, it was decorated with luxurious fabrics in deep rich colors. This room’s primary color was red, covering the carpeted floors, bed, and draperies. A rug in intricate designs of varying reds covered most of the floor in the entryway.

  “Where have you been? You don’t want to get Chiza in trouble!”

  “I had to see her one more time,” Lu said. He hoped his feelings weren’t too obvious. Not that it mattered too much. They were his friends. His secret was safe.

  “We’ve been invited to dine with the prince this evening, so make yourself comfortable,” Rasha said. There was something playful in her eyes when she said it.

  “I’m looking forward to a royal feast. I think we’ve earned it,” Jak remarked. He lifted Rasha’s hand to his lips and kissed it. When had they become so intimate? Lu wondered. Rasha wouldn’t allow anyone to touch her, let alone kiss her in public. He felt jealous of them. Jealous that their love would be open and public in hours and his had to wait the months until The Choosing ended.

  “Did you talk to the prince about our licenses?” Lu asked, leaning over her shoulder.

  “Yes, he says it’s already done,” Rasha replied.

  “Then I’d rather get going,” Lu said.

  “What?” Rasha jumped up and rushed over to him. “I thought you’d be thrilled to be seeing Chiza again, what’s wrong?” She sat down on the bed while he packed.

  “I’ve said my goodbyes. There’s no way I can sit around watching the prince fawn all over her and the others.”

  “I see,” Rasha said. “Well, I’ve already told the prince I’ll be staying. I understand if you feel you have to leave.”

  Lu dropped his bag. She’d already given her word. He’d wanted them all to leave together, but maybe this was the way it would be now. She had Jak, one of the most well-known trackers and couriers in the ten kingdoms. Why would she need him?

  “You all have a nice time. I’ll be on my way.”

  Staying there waiting around made his stomach ache. He couldn’t bear it. He finished packing, and the others got ready for dinner. They’d all be gathering in the great hall. Temi whined; he’d been confined to the room all day. Ready to leave, he paced back and forth between Lu and Rasha as if he understood they weren’t all going together.

  Lu opened the door with his bag in hand and bumped into the prince outside their door.

  “Hello,” Bashir said. “Are you going somewhere? You’re all invited to stay for dinner. I hope the invitation wasn’t lost.”

  “No, I was—” Lu looked around for an answer and found Temi. “I wanted to take Temi hunting.”

  “Oh, of course. We have food here for him too. I’ll have someone bring him some treats after our meal. Your companion?”

  “Yes, Jak’s coming,” Lu took a quick glance behind him at the closed door.

  “I’m glad I have the chance to speak with you alone. Lu, is it?”

  “Yes, what can I do for you, your majesty?”

  “I was hoping you could tell me about your impressions of Chiza.”

  Temi growled at his feet. Lu silenced him with a hiss between his teeth. Temi sat down, his eyes never leaving the prince.

  “Chiza?” Lu’s mind raced. What could he say to the prince that wouldn’t be an encouragement nor disgrace Chiza?

  “Yes, you spent time with her on your journey. What were your impressions of the young lady?”

  Lu tried to think of something but nothing came to mind that didn’t sound like raving praise from someone in love with her.

  “She’s a nice person.” Lu could kick himself for being so ridiculous.

  “Nice?” The prince nodded. “Any indication she’s got someone waiting for her at home?”

  Lu’s face was green. Had he been any other color he’d have gone three shades of red.

  “What makes you ask that?”

  “Our introduction earlier. It felt cold, as if she were holding back. I’ve seen it before. It’s a sign that the young lady’s heart is elsewhere.”

  Lu’s own heart soared at his words. The prince had already noticed that Chiza was in love with someone else. She would not be chosen. She was safe.

  “Um, well, I couldn’t say for sure, your highness. A woman’s heart, who can know its depths?” He remembered that quote from a famous Tero poet.

  “True. I see the others are coming. Shall we go to dinner?”

  “Well, um, sure,” Lu replied as he was swept along.

  “I’m afraid your beastie will have to stay, there will be far too much food to tempt him.”

  Temi half whined and half growled as Lu directed him back to the room.

  “Just a little longer, fellow, then we’ll be on our way.”

  “Change your mind?” Rasha asked, walking out of the room with Jak in tow.

  “Yes, well, the prince is here.”

  “He’s what?”

  “I thought I would escort my guests to the dining hall. You’re the only ones here who don’t know the way,” Bashir said, popping into view. “I thought you were upstairs,” he gave her a once over, “getting changed.”

  “Jak and I had business to discuss. I’m sorry. I’ll hurry upstairs and change.”

  “No time for that now. Dinner will be served in moments. My parents don’t like to be kept waiting. Please, follow me.” He put out his arm for Rasha.

  Rasha seemed flustered, but she took it and let him escort her. As they followed, Lu looked over at Jak. His expression was unreadable.

  35

  The dining hall was filled. There had to be more people there than were staying at the palace. Young men and women were mingling all around the table until the prince arrived. The immaculate table was decorated with flowers, gold-rimmed plates, and above it all, a large chandelier that dominated the room. The girls were all atwitter about Rasha and how she’d chosen to wear her courier clothes. There were even whispers and disapproving looks from the servants. Lu couldn’t imagine what her parents would think of this. “If you’ll both excuse me,” the prince said as he bowed to Lu and Jak. He took Rasha’s hand, and he led her away to the end of the table where he sat her down next to him. Chiza was placed on the opposite side of the table from him.

  “How are you feeling about dinner now?” Lu asked Jak.

  Chiza gave Rasha a strange look as she sat down. Lu watched Chiza from across the room. She’d be sitting directly across from the prince. Something in his stomach churned at the sight. She looked up and met his eyes. There was a longing there. He didn’t want to sit through dinner like this.

  He didn’t have to sit for long. A guard approached him.

  “Sir, you need to come with me, there are some strange noises coming from your rooms. The beastie sounds upset.”

  “I’ll see to him right away,” Lu said.

  “Traitor,” Jak said under his breath.

  Lu shrugged, but gave Jak a smile, bowed toward the prince, and met Chiza’s eyes.

  Then he walked as fast as his legs would carry him. When he reached their suite, he heard Temi inside growling and knocking things over.

  “What the yahtz?” he wondered aloud as he reached for the door. Temi growled and bolted. He was down the hall and out of sight before Lu could get him back.

  “What’s gotten into you?” Lu picked up his tracking device. He pulled up the bio-signatures and found Temi’s red dot running toward the back of the palace, into a line of other red dots.

  “I hope it’s not my fault you left so early?” Chiza said from behind him placing a hand on his shoulder.

  “No, we have a problem,” Lu said looking down at the device.

  “Yes, we do,” Bashir agreed as he stepped out of the shadows. “Is there something you two need to tell
me?”

  Chiza’s face went slack, and she opened and closed her mouth, unable to find the words.

  “Yes, Your Grace. But that can wait. For now, we’ve got something of a bigger problem. There are intruders entering the castle from the north gate.” Lu tilted the device so that the prince could see the evidence for himself.

  “Guard!” Bashir yelled directing the men to go to the north gate. The screams coming from the dining hall set the three of them in motion.

  * * *

  Rasha watched Lu leave the table and then Chiza. The prince had seen them too, because soon after Chiza jumped up to follow Lu, Bashir excused himself.

  “Bashir, wait,” Rasha said.

  “This won’t take long, I promise.” He lifted her hand to his lips and placed a kiss there. The kiss didn’t go unnoticed by Jak, who glared at them from the other end of the table. Rasha shook her head, but he looked down and stabbed a piece of meat on his plate. The princess next to Jak took notice of his mood and looked like she was trying to cheer him up. Her red ponytail was high on her head but reached her shoulders, where it bounced in big curls.

  Rasha knew she didn’t have much time before she’d have to explain to Jak what had happened between her and Bashir in the gardens. The queen sat on the opposite side of the table and smiled at Rasha. She was about to say something to her when the rumbling started. The girls gasped and panicked as the ground shook beneath them.

  Rasha couldn’t place the sound…. It reminded her of a stampede of tuskins. When the door flew open and they saw what made the sound, it was much worse. A wolf filled the doorway, growling as it entered. The guards did their best to hold him off, but directly behind him was another large beast. This one, a dragon, stomped into the room and devoured the king in two pieces. His wife stood speechless with her husband’s blood splattered on her face. She was mauled by a large white bear that stood even taller than the wolf when on two legs. The beasts went after everyone in the room. The bear slashed his claws across Osika’s chest, killing her. She fell onto the heap of bodies forming around the table.

  Rasha pulled out her swords and leapt across the table, killing the white bear, before she jumped down on the far end of the table with Jak. The beasts were busy devouring everyone in sight. Jak grabbed her hand and managed to slip out the door behind a beast that had a bull’s head on a man’s body fighting off two guards.

  They stumbled out of the doors, covered in blood and panting.

  The Prince arrived with Lu and Chiza right behind him. “Run!” Rasha yelled to them She slipped on the blood and was skidding helplessly until Jak grabbed her arm.

  “Who is it?” Bashir demanded.

  “Not who, what!” Jak shouted. “Beasts of every kind. They killed the princesses and your parents. We fought, but the princesses were defenseless against them.”

  All of them backed up into the foyer.

  “Where are the guards?”

  “Most of them are still out patrolling the border. I sent them out moments after I heard about your encounter. They haven’t returned,” Prince Bashir replied.

  “How many beasts are there?” Lu asked.

  “Maybe half a dozen. But they’re huge and some of them can speak,” Rasha said as three beasts entered into the foyer. A birdlike man flew in. Another stomped in, the one with the body of a man but the head of a bull. The third was the largest grey wolf he’d ever seen.

  “Where are your friends?” Jak yelled, holding out his long sword, still bloodied from the battle in the dining hall.

  “They weren’t given the warm welcome they deserved.” The bird-man spoke in a high-pitched voice. The feathers on his wings were tipped with talons. The face of the beast was like a man’s, but instead of a nose he had a horned beak.

  “Well, come and get a real Bolaji welcome,” Jak challenged.

  “Bolaji is more than your feeble kingdoms and it’s time you learned that,” the bird-man replied. His talons clicked on the marble floor as he hopped around. Then, with a nod, he signaled the other two beasts.

  The wolf got down on all fours and lunged at Jak. Chiza screamed as the impact hurled Jak backwards. The bull-man came toward Rasha and she had her swords ready. He was slow and a little clumsy, but powerful. One blow had Rasha seeing stars as she landed on her backside. She used her legs to kick his legs out from under him. He hit the floor so hard, it floor cracked under him. He scrambled up, but not before Rasha leapt up, and with one boot landing on his face, knocking him back, away from Chiza and the others.

  She sliced the bull-man across the chest with both swords, finishing him. Rasha turned toward the bird-man, but it was too late. He was heading for Chiza and Prince Bashir. Chiza screamed and at the last moment, Lu jumped in front of her, the bird-man’s talons ripping across his chest instead of hers. Still in the air with his wings flapping, he took aim again and went after Chiza. Prince Bashir pushed her behind him. But they were against the wall with nowhere to retreat.

  “No!” Rasha screamed and she dived for the bird-man.

  In the same instant Temi leapt from the ground, onto his back and sank his teeth into its neck. While he writhed, Rasha leaped and sliced his belly open with her swords. They fell to the ground together.

  Jak delivered a last stab to the wolf and, still panting, ran to Lu. He was fading fast.

  Chiza leaned over him, covered in his blood.

  36

  “Your Highness, you must take shelter in the bunker, you’re not safe here.” Several of the guards arrived to take him.

  “No, wait, she’s one of the last surviving princesses,” Bashir said.

  Lu reached up and gently ran a bloody finger along her cheek.

  “I’m sorry, my love,” he whispered.

  “No, no, don’t leave me.” Chiza’s tears were running down her face.

  “I don’t want to.” Lu choked as blood filled his lungs. “You’re the love of my life.” He choked and looked at Rasha, an unspoken question in his eyes. His thoughts were with his family and she knew what she had to do.

  “Of course I will, I’ll look out for all of them,” she promised.

  Jak reached out and touched Lu’s shoulder.

  “Rest, my friend. All will be well.”

  Temi hadn’t moved, his head resting on Lu’s knees until his last breath. When Lu was gone, he howled with a cry of grief that was heart wrenching. Rasha wanted to scream with anger but she held on tight to it. She’d use it, as she always did.

  “How many beasts are left?” she asked the guard.

  “Maybe a dozen. They’re concentrated on the east gate.”

  Rasha nodded to Jak, and he stood with her. They’d grieve for Lu later.

  “Get her to safety,” Jak said to Bashir as he pulled Chiza up from the floor.

  Prince Bashir took Chiza’s hand and led her away from Lu’s body, dragging her along after the guard, through a passageway hidden in the walls. Rasha and Jak went to the east gate. The guards had made some headway and there were fewer than a dozen when they arrived.

  There were even more types of beasts here. One that looked like a polar bear already cut in several places that was mauling one of the guards became Rasha’s first target. She put her blades in the back of the beast and it let go of its victim. It tried to swing around to get her but couldn’t lay paws on her. Finally, the animal collapsed.

  Rasha and Jak fought for another two hours, taking down more bull-men, wolves, and bird-men. The last of them, one bird-man and a wolf, retreated before they could get to them. The remaining guards yelled in triumph. Rasha didn’t feel triumphant. She dropped to her knees, even her anger spent.

  Jak must have seen it because he sheathed his sword and went to her.

  “Let’s get you some rest.”

  It was only then that Rasha realized the hour. It had already been dark for some time. She followed Jak back to the castle, and when they entered the foyer Lu’s body was still there. Temi was standing over him, growling at the ser
vants who were trying to move him. Rasha moved to catch Temi. He fussed and whined, but the servants were at last able to wrap Lu’s body and lift him up.

  “Where will you take him?”

  “The prince insists that he be given a proper sendoff. He’ll be cleaned up and placed on the front lawn with the rest of the guard who perished and burned at dawn.”

  * * *

  Rasha ran the bath and made the water as hot as she could stand. The entire floor was empty now. It had felt like walking through a tomb. There was no laughter, no talking, nothing. She’d gone straight to her room, with Temi following, and locked the door behind her. Temi lay whimpering under the bed.

  When the bath water was ready, she climbed in. The water turned dark as she washed the blood from her skin and hair. She let the tears fall as she sat there, wishing she had been a little faster. Maybe there was something more she should have done to save Lu. Her mind wouldn’t rest until she’d gone over every possibility.

  She emptied the bath and rinsed it. She couldn’t stand to look at the blood. Rasha wrapped herself up in a towel instead of looking for something to wear. She climbed into the bed and curled up in a ball, waiting for the grief to stop. She didn’t want to, but she’d have to go and tell Lu’s family. Temi came to her and rested his head on the edge of the bed. When had he gotten big enough to do that?

  Temi sniffed at her and gave her the saddest eyes she’d ever seen, the poor beastie. She’d never imagined he’d outlive Lu. She rubbed a hand over his face and neck. He didn’t purr, but he did seem to settle. She closed her eyes and fell asleep with her hand on Temi’s face.

  Rasha woke to arms around her and warm breath on the back of her neck. Jak was on top of the covers and had wrapped himself around her. He smelled of soap. Rasha just lay for a moment, soaking up his warmth. Taking comfort in having someone’s arms around her, protecting her.

  She liked Jak, more than she wanted to admit. Maybe he’d consider being her new partner. He was no Lu, but he was good in a fight. She’d seen it firsthand. He’d slain as many beasts as she had and she’d seen how fast he moved with his sword. He’d been graceful and lethal at the same time.