“I thought that too,” I replied. “But then you got stuck in my head and now I think differently. It’s nice to have someone to lean on when things get rough and to help you when there is trouble. Sure, you become responsible for what happens to them, but the good outweighs the bad. Your friend knew the risk but he was going to stay anyhow. He trusted you enough to stand up to the King of Balendar himself.”
“I still don’t understand why,” Cathy said.
“It’s not something you understand it is something you feel,” I smiled. “Did you just sit there and watch him die or did you try to help him?”
“Tried to help him of course,” she answered looking up at me.
“Even though it was hopeless and nothing good would come from it?” I asked.
“Yes,” she nodded.
“Why?” I asked.
“Because…”she started but trailed off.
“Because you didn’t want to see your friend hurt,” I answered. “No matter how hopeless that thought was.”
She looked at me silently for a second before nodding. “I’ve got some thinking to do. Thank you for talking to me.”
“Anytime,” I smiled. “I’m slightly shocked that what I said was helpful. I seem to be uncharacteristically deep in my dreams.”
She chuckled and stood up. “Well, not to crash that party but it is time to return to the real world.”
I stood up as well. “How do we get out? I should have woken up by now.”
“Oh, that’s easy,” she smiled. “Stand in front of me.”
I positioned myself in front of her. “Okay, what now?”
She slapped me across the face.
***
“Hey!” I exclaimed as my eyes shot open.
Don’t get angry at me for falling for that, Cathy chuckled.
“A heads up next time would be great,” I said softly as I sat up in the bed.
Well, now I know, she giggled.
I looked around the room and pieced together the foggy memory. I was in a small inn at Rooksbend. The small dumpy looking room had been the only one available and it was good enough to sleep in for a night.
I threw off the covers and put on my robe and hat. Shouldering the pack, I headed out of the inn quickly so I wouldn’t be offered any breakfast specials. It looked like the type where the food would move off the plate on its own.
Nothing wrong with extra protein, Cathy joked.
Remember. We share taste buds.
I’ve had worse, she said.
That’s a story you can keep to yourself.
I stepped out of the inn into the bright light of mid-morning. The small military outpost that is Rooksbend was alive with the marching of troops along the main road. They were heading out of town in the direction of the capital. It looks like the King’s orders were being executed.
You better hope Nesqa doesn’t decide now is the perfect time to strike, Cathy said.
All the more reason to hurry.
The troops passed and normal traffic returned to the main road. I stopped at a general goods store and picked up some bread for a quick breakfast on the road. The border wasn’t much of a journey from this town and it was still debatable what type of reception I would receive.
Tea and cakes is my guess, Cathy said.
Probably something a little deadlier.
Really hot tea and banana cream cakes? Cathy asked.
That sounds accurate.
I didn’t realize that I had crossed the border into Nesqa until the foliage started to change and we entered a forest. I stretched out with my mind to survey the area for any signs of life. The hum of life from the forest was deafening and I had to tune my power to just specific types of activity. When I felt Human activity getting closer to me, I stopped and raised my hands.
“I am not here to fight,” I called out. “I am a Mage from the Tower of the Watchful Eye and I will not hurt you.”
“That remains to be seen,” a voice called out as a dark skinned man emerged from behind a tree. “What is a Mage doing this far East? Tower business always comes from the North.”
I could feel that there were three other people surrounding me and I kept focus on them as I looked at the leader.
“I bring information about the disappearance of the Princess that I wish to show your Emperor,” I answered.
The leader’s face twitched in surprise. “Is that right? Has Balendar finally admitted to taking her?”
“They had nothing to do with it,” I answered. “The Princess is in Nesqa.”
The leader unsheathed his sword and pointed it at me. “You speak lies. We would know if she is here.”
“Why would I be here?” I asked. “Why waste my time?”
“You won’t trick us this time, Mage,” he said.
You better give him some information, Cathy said.
“She is in the custody of a crime lord. Someone who wants influence over your Emperor,” I said boldly not taking my eyes off him but aware of the tension of the other guards. “Tell me, has your Emperor been acting weird lately. Maybe making questionable orders?”
The leader stared at me in surprise before sheathing his sword. “How do you know this?”
“Because I know where she is,” I smiled.
“Tell me,” he said quickly.
I shook my head slowly not taking my eyes off of him. “I will only speak about it to the Emperor. Take me to him.”
The leader nodded slowly. “Yes, of course you will.”
He motioned with his hand and the other guards stepped out from the bushes. I stopped scanning with my mind and watched as the leader pulled out a piece of cloth.
“You must be bound, to ensure no funny stuff,” the leader said.
“I’m not much of a comedian,” I said. “But…”
I held out my two hands palm up so my wrists could be bound. The leader walked up to me with another guard. The other guard pulled out a jar of Red Jacket honey and began to smear it on my wrists. My fingers, hands and wrists started to tingle.
“Clever,” I said.
“You are not the first Mage we have bound,” the leader said, “and you won’t be the last.”
He tied the cloth around my honey covered wrists and secured it tightly. I gave a few practice tugs on it and nodded to the leader.
“Lead on,” I said.
I’m still waiting for cake, Cathy said excitedly.
Me too.
Chapter 22
The land of Nesqa is as beautiful as it is dangerous. My ‘escort’ grew annoyed at my constant questioning but seemed happy to school a Mage in information about the province. The tropical forests of Nesqa are home to some of the most poisonous plants. My ‘escort’ chuckled about how only the top Nesqian doctors could turn these plants into healing aids. I decided not to mention the alchemy classes I had growing up.
When we hit our first town, I had to stop and admire the architecture. In Balendar, the buildings were made from wood and stone but in Nesqa I learned that the buildings were made from something they called con’creat. They would create large smooth blocks of it and build their bungalows and watchtowers. My escort told me their ‘Maiseons’ had developed this technique because the wood form tropic trees that grow native to the area are too soft for construction.
Looking at the Nesqian towers and houses reminded me a little of the Tower of the Watchful Eye. Cathy said it was possible that during the Tower’s construction both Nesqa maiseons and Balendar engineers had a hand in it.
All day we continued south finally making it to the ridge overlooking the sea, the sparkling blue water a welcome sight from the green of the forests. With the walls to the capital in sight, I was getting excited to finally have these bonds off my wrist. The tingling was driving me crazy.
“Kay Julis,” my escort said, “The Crowned Island. Home of the Palace and capital of Nesqa.”
“It’s beautiful,” I replied looking out over the water. I noticed several ships sailing
between islands and pointed with my bound hands. “That’s a lot of ships.”
“Ferries between the various cities,” he explained. “The forest here is too dangerous to be trying to build large cities around. The islands hold all the major cities: Kay Naro, Kay Alvara, etcetera, etcetera.”
Why did I never try to come here in the past? Cathy asked, most likely to herself. It is so beautiful.
The looming con’creat walls of the capital cast a welcomed shade over us as the two gate guards watched on with curiosity. Their armour looked more designed for combat then my escort’s armour. A thick hide covered the chest and back and a battle skirt like piece to cover the upper legs. The armour was designed to protect the major organs while still keeping the wearer cool in this environment.
“Another Mage?” one of the gate guards asked as we approached.
“He has information for Emperor Naliwa,” my escort answered.
“A group of Mage’s already came through here and left,” the gate guard said.
“What colour robes were they wearing?” I asked.
The gate guard gave me a sharp look. “Blue and Red.”
What would Elemental Mages be doing here?
I don’t know, Cathy answered. But it can’t be a coincidence a team of Spiritual mages gets killed by Elemental Mages, a possessed Elemental Mage helped a group of bandits AND a team of them are sniffing around the capital the same time we bring a map with the location of the Princess. Be on your toes.
“I bring him from the East,” my escort said to the gate guard.
The gate guard’s eyebrow twitched in intrigue. “An interesting development. Go ahead.”
The second gate guard motioned inside and the gate started to rise.
“No funny business, Mage,” the first gate guard said. “We are always watching.”
“With my hands bound like this,” I said raising my hands. “The most I could do is scare some children with shadow puppets.”
“Is that some sort of Moumno trick?” the gate guard asked defensively.
Moumno?
Demon is my guess, Cathy answered.
“Only if you find cute little bunny rabbits to be evil,” I said as I curled two of my fingers to make a poor example of a rabbit.
My escort just shoved me forward from behind as the gate guards gave me a confused look.
“What’s wrong with you, Mages?” my escort hissed as we pressed on down the street.
“I blame our upraising,” I answered. “Being torn away from your family at a young age can’t be good for some people.”
“We are still masters of our own lives though,” he replied. “You can’t hide behind excuses just so you can treat people around you poorly.”
“If only more people tried that,” I said.
“If only people tried, period,” he grumbled.
We walked in silence along the dirt road. The city lay at the bottom of a ravine right on the water with the walls protecting the only visible way down. The Palace was visible from here. It had been carved right into the side ravine with a large staircase leading from the city below.
More stairs? Cathy asked. What is it with humans and grand staircases?
Classic ‘upper class’ attitude. You have to be above everyone because you are superior to them. That’s why the Tower is the largest building.
But why would you want to be so detached from everyone? She asked. I would rather be on street level and just have everyone throw themselves to their knees when I walk past them.
Annnnd I’m going back to reality.
The city was bustling with energy as people were running about their lives...
What would you do if you were the ruler? Cathy said.
...My escort pushed me through the crowd. The interesting thing about the Palace was...
You can’t just ignore me, Cathy said.
...that you could always see it no matter which road we turned down. It was another example of the upper class attitude...
La la la la la la la la la la, Cathy sang.
I sighed.
I’m not ignoring you. I am trying to focus on the path ahead of us so we don’t walk into someone.
I know, Cathy giggled. I am just having some fun at your expense.
I shook my head.
“Why’d you stop, Mage?” My escort said. “Keep moving.”
Now look what you did.
You’re welcome, Cathy giggled.
We reached the stone staircase and began our long ascent to the top. My escort was already looking tired from the trip and I waited a couple of times for him to catch up. At the top we were both breathing heavily and my escort motioned towards my sword.
“Time to hand over your weapons,” he said.
“I’m shocked you let me keep them,” I responded.
“I’m confident in my binding skills,” he smiled. “Go ahead. Draw your sword like you would attack me.”
To humour him, I grabbed at my sword. My bound hands made getting to the handle difficult and when I finally got a grip on it, it fell out of my hands as I pulled it out.
“See,” he laughed as he picked up the sword. “Did you want to try the staff now?”
“I’m fine,” I said.
He laughed again and removed the staff from my pack behind me. He held it up and admired it for a second. “Dibs on this when you die,” he said as he turned me towards the front door.
“The Mage has information about Princess Morowa that he wishes to share with the Emperor,” my escort said to the palace guard protecting the door.
The palace guard nodded and pulled open the door and we followed him in. For being a hole in the ravine, the Nesqian’s did an amazing job of making it look regal. The throne room was a giant circle that dropped down into the assembly area. The Emperor’s throne was along the far wall overlooking the assembly area on a balcony. Currently, there was a group of people on the assembly floor discussing something with the Emperor.
My escort moved me around the outside of the room so we didn’t disturb the group. The palace guard was already running ahead to a door at the far end of the room that must have led up to the Emperor’s balcony throne.
That would be my guess too, Cathy said.
I know you aren’t big on polite talks with authority figures but I might need your help on this one.
A little nervous? Cathy chuckled.
The Red Jacket honey has left me sapped. If I say the wrong thing our story comes to an end quickly.
Well I don’t know how much I can help, Cathy said. The honey has been leaving me a little out of it. Haven’t you noticed how quiet I’ve been?
...
Ok besides the ‘la la la’ moment earlier, Cathy said.
I suppose. Still do what you can.
Ok, she said.
I looked up to the Emperor and saw the palace guard talking with the Emperor. The Emperor started scanning the room before stopping and staring directly at me.
Whatever you do, don’t start waving like a madman, Cathy said.
Wasn’t planning on it.
The Emperor stood and turned back to the group. “I will take care of this, but there is nothing I can do at the moment,” he said before turning to my direction. “Bring me the Mage.”
“You’re up,” my escort chuckled.
“Wish me luck,” I muttered as he grabbed my arm and led me into the centre of the assembly circle.
The Emperor looked down from his position on the balcony. “This better not be some trick from your Tower. We have plenty of trouble on our own.”
“This is no trick,” I responded. “I have been tracking the bandits across Balendar and now they are in the jungles of Nesqa. I have a map of the place she is being kept.”
“Show it to me,” he boomed.
I started to go for my pocket but stopped when I realized there was no way to get it with my hands bound. “A little help,” I said to my escort. “The pocket closest to you.”
M
y escort removed Mongoose’s map and document and handed it to the palace guard from the Emperor’s balcony. He took it and returned up the stairs to the Emperor quickly.
I wouldn’t want that job, Cathy said.
The Emperor studied the document and map silently but grew visibly excited. “Where did you get this?”
“From the dead hands of the Mongoose himself,” I responded.
“Then you have my thanks for saving me a trip up there,” the Emperor said. “But it still doesn’t help me.”
“That is why I asked to be brought here,” I started. “I am here on a different type of business as well. I wish to offer a trade. I will return the Princess to you in return for a Demon’s Bane Flower.”
A light murmur spread throughout the assembly room and the Emperor stood up. “You will do well, Mage, to remember that my daughter isn’t a possession,” he said coolly. “But I hear what you are saying. The Ba Moumno isn’t something we share lightly to outsiders but given the situation. I will gladly reward you for the safe return of my daughter.”
“Thank you, your excellence,” I said with a slight bow.
Ha! Cathy exclaimed. You didn’t need me at all.
You can never predict everything.
The Emperor returned the map and documents to the palace guard and he hurried down to return it to me.
“Oh, and Mage,” the Emperor started looking at me with hate. “If any harm finds my daughter I will not hesitate to declare war on your Tower. We have had enough of magic and would rather see ourselves die then remain slaves to your Masters.”
“You have nothing to worry about,” I said to him. “I serve no Master of the Tower.”
I turned around and headed for the front door with my escort close behind me. The entire assembly was quiet as they watched me walk past them. A guard opened the front door and I walked outside without looking back.
Nice closing line, Cathy chuckled.
Yeah, I’m starting to get used to this.
“You’re crazy, Mage,” my escort said as he put down my weapons and grabbed my bound hands. “But maybe crazy is what we need for this.”
“Are you crazy enough to come with me?” I asked as he started to undo the binds. “I could use some help with this.”
“I’m crazy, but not that crazy,” he answered. “I am needed on the border. If you head down to the docks you might find a couple of mercenaries that could help. If you have the coin.”
The Tower Of The Watchful Eye: The Legend Of Kairu Book 1 Page 18