Chapter 30
General Kayl walked through the bathhouse of the Capitol palace with his robe loosely tied around him. The bathhouse was one of the few remaining spots where the royal class could get away from the troubles of the rest of the city and find a bit of peace. It was where relaxation and duty often met. Over the centuries deals had been struck between men enjoying the warm waters of the baths and the privacy of the steam rooms.
The plan for the day was quite simple. Kayl’s return to the Capitol from Myrus was fueled with only one desire. He had to make contact with some very powerful people and there was only one place for that. The bathhouse.
The pool Quaet sat in was off to the side of the grand quarters. The older gentlemen liked his privacy, Kayl remembered. That made his mission even easier. Kayl watched as Quaet put his head back against the stone rim of the pool. The council member closed his eyes and basked in the heated waters. He welcomed the return of their aqueducts since the Tcher invasion. It was one of the only things that were immediately rebuilt when the Tcher army retreated back to their homes. Quaet even put in a little of his own fortune to have the project move faster. He did not regret a cent of it.
Kayl took the chance to step into the heated pool that Quaet was occupying. Quaet was so focused on the warmth surrounding him that he did not notice when the other man entered the waters.
Kayl let out a small cough, alerting his presence to Quaet. Quaet heard the disturbance and he opened his eyes.
“What are you doing here?” Quaet asked his former council member.
“I’m just enjoying the renovated bathhouse,” said Kayl. “I heard the water is better than before.”
“We had some improvements made,” said Quaet. “Perhaps you should try out another pool. I hear that one is a little warmer.” Quaet pointed out a pool that was several plots away.
“No,” said Kayl. “This is where I want to be.”
“Then what do you want?” Quaet asked. He had no times for games. There was only one reason why Kayl would interrupt Quaet’s time in the bathhouse. The general wanted something.
“Some colleagues of mine were talking,” began Kayl. “Your name came up. They asked me to enquire.”
“My name comes up in a lot of discussions,” said Quaet. “I have my fingers in a lot of developments.”
“Of course,” said Kayl. “But this one is a little more sensitive. It involves Louson and Eluan.”
“Is there word from Louson?” Quaet asked. “I have long been trying to reach them across the canyon. But it seems yet again a rebuilding of the crossing is impossible. The thing keeps collapsing.”
“What for?” Kayl asked.
“I’ve always supported the alliance between Eluan and Louson. It pains me to see the progress that we could have made fall apart so easily.”
“With Nikali in power now, do you think it is wise to continue supporting Louson?” Kayl asked.
“I’m sure Nikali has the same beliefs as I do. He wants what is best for Eluan,” answered Quaet.
“Are you so sure?” Kayl asked. “While I haven’t been to any of the executions, I have heard plenty. Now, anybody healthy is the enemy of Eluan. How long before we all become his enemy?”
“I’m a frail old man,” said Quaet. “I do not think I will become anybody’s enemy any time soon.”
“Are you sure of that?” Kayl asked.
Quaet adjusted his body in the water. He leaned forward to get a better position against Kayl. The lies and pleasantries of their conversation were beginning to peel away.
“If I’m careful then Nikali will not have to bother with me,” said Quaet.
“What about the rest of the Royal Council?” General Kayl asked. “Are they as willing to keep their heads down while Nikali turns Eluan upside-down?”
“I’m sure they all have a breaking point,” said Quaet.
“What is yours?” Kayl asked.
“Nikali would have to destroy Eluan before I break,” said Quaet.
“What about Marina?” Kayl prodded. “I suspect it is only a matter of time before she is dealt with by Nikali. Does he remember that she is still here?”
“Nikali has been distracted as of late,” said Quaet. “He wanted to execute Marina, but I managed to hold that off the last time it was brought up. He hasn’t been to a meeting since to make it an issue any more. But trust me. I am working hard on releasing our Empress.”
“If you do release her, then what?” Kayl asked. “What do you have to gain from her in power?”
“She is a stable leader for one,” said Quaet.
“My colleagues tell me that Marina wants more than stability. She wants to see Nikali hanged, and her family in charge,” pushed General Kayl.
“Who are these colleagues that you’ve been speaking with?” Quaet asked, leaning forward in the pool.
Kayl smiled. He leaned back against the stone ledge, confidant now that he had Quaet’s full attention. “Believe it or not, my colleagues have spoken with Marina.”
“Impossible,” said Quaet. “She is still being guarded.”
“By unenthused guards,” said Kayl. “It wasn’t difficult to get to her. There wasn’t much time to talk, but an accord was made. We promised to help her, but we needed help ourselves. She sent us to you.”
“How can I help you?” Quaet asked.
Kayl paused a moment. He eyed down the older man as a way to size him up. “How well did you know Alexus?”
“Well enough,” said Quaet, keeping his answer vague. “Listen, General, we’ve had our dealings in the past. I am too old to dance around this game anymore. If this is about Nikali then speak.”
The smile went away from Kayl’s face. He looked sternly at Quaet. “Very well. We know about you. I’m coming to you as a representative of the Suraya. We want you back in the fold. After Alexus died communication was cut off. We understand laying low for a little bit, but then the war came and we were never called upon. Heric is down, but then you let Nikali take control. This cannot be what Alexus wanted. Where are we in the plan?”
“What did Marina tell you?” Quaet asked.
“She told us you were the second in command,” said Kayl. “I know your identity was meant to be a secret, but the others are growing desperate. Jordon is in Myrus working with Seres, now. We are stronger than ever before, but we still need to know what Alexus’ full plan was. We can still salvage this.”
“You are working with Seres?” Quaet asked to confirm.
“Yes,” said Kayl. “We decided to bring him in officially. He will protect Farrah for us when we retrieve her.”
“And what of Marina?” Quaet asked.
“We will break her out of her exile,” said Kayl. “She can return home to bridge the gap between Eluan and Louson.”
“Good,” said Quaet. “Then the only thing standing in our way is Nikali.”
“Yes,” said Kayl. “Do you have a plan?”
“With the Suraya back in the fold, I think we can figure out something,” Quaet said with a smile. Then he leaned back and relaxed once again in the pool. The bathhouse was always a place for new opportunities.
Chapter 31
After several more days of walking Abigail’s following set up camp at the ghost town of Jemn. The former city once flourished with workers and traders that relied on business flowing in and out of both Myrus and Ater. Now, it was nothing but shambles of empty buildings and houses, overrun for over two decades by wildlife and nature itself.
Grifith made sure to pick out the best standing house for Abigail. He wanted her to be as comfortable as possible. Meanwhile, Darden helped the others coordinate a layout for tents and getting the sicklier into houses of their own.
Darden was satisfied with the skeleton of the town. During the first war, Tcher’s army destroyed everything in its path. They slaughtered the mainlanders, burned their homes, and kept moving west. Jemn was one of the last towns to be attacked before the push toward Prial. Eluan ente
red the war just in time to save a lot of the physical aspects of Jemn, but too late to saves its people.
Abigail wandered through the camp. She looked at the remaining destruction of the town from over twenty years ago. The burned buildings churned memories and emotions inside of her. She remembered fire.
Her memories were slowly coming back to her. But sometimes they only left more questions. Abigail started to remember her time on Tcher. She remembered feeling safe. Heric had abandoned her. As did Nikali. Nikali had looked her straight in the eye and said nothing. Heric ordered her execution. Tcher was her only sanctuary and Eluan came and burned the island back to the sea.
But how did that fit with what Abigail remembered. She remembered blood on the Eluan palace steps. She saw hundreds of bodies strewn about. She had seen an enemy Eluan had never faced before. But she tried to remember what it was. She couldn’t see the enemy. She couldn’t see the army that devastated the Eluan military.
According to all the reports Abigail was given, Eluan still stood tall. They were hit hard when Tcher breached their walls, but the Capitol remained and Emperor Nikali had complete control of the city.
Abigail was concerned about Nikali. She knew him all too well, and the night she saw him at Hilldad, he was not who he used to be. He used to not have a care in the world. Nikali would disregard the rules of his Uncle Cyrus and he would openly criticize the royal class. It always made Abigail feel more welcomed when he was around. They were both outcasts at parties they were obligated to go to. Many times they would sit in the corner of the parties after a while and chat about anything, no longer concerned about the other guests. Their friend ship was blooming. But, eventually Nikali began to grow distant and Abigail was not blameless either. At the same time, Heric and Abigail were growing closer, and everything changed.
Now, Nikali had lost his way. He was obsessed with arcan. Nothing else mattered to him. That was clear to Abigail. She had to make it to Myrus before Nikali caught up to her. Fear was growing everywhere Abigail went. The deeper she got in the Eluan Empire the more she could feel the uncertainty that Nikali was bringing to the world. But Myrus was holding on to hope. It was a small spark that drew Abigail forward. It was calling to her. They were waiting for her still.
Upon Darden’s request the traveling parade of followers were allowed to take a couple days of break in Jemn. It offered a chance for many people to heal faster, and Abigail the chance to regain her strength.
Lookouts surrounded the camp. If anybody approached, the group would know about it well before any visitors were near. Darden’s only fear was of Eluan soldiers. If they were seen on the horizon then the group would have to move quickly, and unfortunately, have to defend themselves again.
It was those concerns that shot through Darden’s mind as he saw one of his lookouts rush back toward the camp from the east with a report. It made no sense for Eluan soldiers to approach from the east, but Darden did not want to take any chances. He hurried out of his own house to get the information first hand. Time was of the essence if they were going to be attacked.
“What is it?” Darden asked before he finally reached the scout. She used to have problems breathing, and could barely hold a conversation without coughing up phlegm and blood. Now, she was running miles a day.
“There’s a small group of people approaching,” she answered.
“Not soldiers?” Darden asked before he let his scout finish.
“No,” she answered. “I think they are from the outerlands.”
Darden frowned at the information. Eluan was surrounded by two great deserts in the north and the south. They had never been crossed or at least no one had ever returned.
The outerlands were at the edge of the Eluan Empire. Food didn’t grow as well out there, and it tasted dull. Sandstorms erupted randomly and could destroy anything man built. The sun could burn your skin and leave it charred black. And the people that chose to live out there were as rough as their landscape. Darden never understood it. The stories sounded bad enough. He could never see himself moving out there.
“Let them in,” said Darden with some reservations. He knew they were here to see Abigail. It was the only reason. He hoped whoever they were would not cause any problems. Stories that were told about the outlanders left them looking like thugs, despicable people that would steal and kill for any advantage. But what worried most about the situation was that the outlanders were hearing about Abigail. They were farther out than the Eluan Capitol. It was only a matter of time before Abigail and her followers were opposed.
A small caravan of riders came into the camp. Four people rode horseback through the small town. They were covered in baggy clothes and shawls. Their heads were covered by dark veils. No one could see their faces.
Darden kept an eye on them as they made their way through the camp to speak with him. The rest of Abigail’s followers kept their distance. They recognized the garb of the outlanders. The clothes were to protect their bodies from the harsh conditions of their homes. Even in a much more generous environment they continued to wear their traditional wardrobe.
“Welcome,” said Darden when he was satisfied at the strangers’ approach. “I’m Darden. I help run the camp. What are your troubles?”
A woman spoke up from behind the shadowed veil. “We’re here to see Farrah.”
“And she welcomes you,” said Darden. “But she is done for the day, and there are others waiting for her as well.”
“I want to speak with Farrah, now,” said the woman. “It is urgent.”
“Is there somebody deathly sick with you?” Darden asked, truly concerned.
“I will not discuss it further with you,” said the woman.
Darden grew agitated. He was trying to help, but this woman would not accept the situation.
“There are no secrets,” said Darden. “The people you see around you came to Farrah with open hearts and their vulnerability for all to see. Farrah accepted them with opened arms. That is what we are built upon. Whatever your problem is we can help you, but we have to know what it is?”
The woman suddenly dismounted from her horse. It was one swift move that startled Darden. She was quick. Before he could properly react the woman was face to veiled face with Darden. She gripped Darden’s jacket and pulled him in tight. She was strong. Darden could not break her grip.
He tried to look through the veil, but even up close it was hard to differentiate any features. He could see movement in her face, but that was it.
“We need Farrah’s help,” said the woman. “The rest we will tell Farrah directly.” Her hands moved as she spoke, and it shook Darden back and forth. He was like a ragdoll in her arms.
“Let him go, sir,” called out a man under the garbs of the three outlanders.
The rough handling stopped. Darden shook off the dizziness and stared back at the veiled woman holding him. Just like that she let go of his jacket. Darden fell back several steps. The woman made no play to recapture him.
“We will wait,” said the woman. “We will talk to Farrah when she is ready.”
Darden did not reply. He was too afraid. He stood silent and still as the four strangers turned away and found themselves a spot in the camp to make home.
They were quiet and kept to themselves. Their tent was veiled as black as their head coverings. A fire burned inside the tent with a hole at the tope to allow for smoke to escape, and four silhouettes walked around their little space, but no details could be made out. The rest of the followers kept their distance. Some tents moved to others parts of the camp.
Later, the camp continued on with its daily routine, and never once did the four strangers cause any more disturbances.
Chapter 32
“What do you think he is doing?” Colonel Palin asked the other eight members of the Royal Council that stood by his side on the balcony of the Council Room. They overlooked the east side of the city. Down below, a line had formed in the streets. It stretched from one end of the pal
ace to the next and then turned the corner and disappeared behind the neighboring buildings.
The people in line looked near comatose. Many of them teetered on their feet. Whenever the line moved forward, some people would fall down, others wouldn’t move for another minute. But somehow the line kept growing and moving forward.
The gathering had just begun this morning. There was no warning. Many of the royal class were surprised to see such unkempt and repulsive people suddenly presenting themselves in front of the palace once again.
“They look to be from the Talons,” said Marais, offering the only observation he could make.
“What’s at the end of the line?” asked General Twell. “Has anybody gone and checked on it?”
“Several servants have been sent,” said Marais. “They have yet to report back.”
“This has got Nikali’s hands all over it,” said Palin.
“Of course, it does,” said Twell. “His antics are getting out of hand. What does Nikali hope to accomplish with these people?”
“We should wait and let him explain,” suggested Irling, one of the more soft spoken members of the Royal Council.
“I agree,” said Darren. “Nikali has been able to bring spirit back into the people. We should not overlook that.”
“He has executed over a dozen people in the past weeks,” said Palin. “The people Nikali is rallying are calling for more. That is not the spirit that I want.”
“The people he is executing are Tcher soldiers,” said Rohmer. “It is the law.”
“Are you sure?” Twell asked.
“Of course, said Rohmer. “I’ve seen the letters from our army. They are the ones bringing them in.”
“When?” Twell asked. “I’ve sent messages every day and in every direction at this point. I have never seen a direct reply. The letters that come in are sporadic and vague, never addressing any of mine or others’ concerns.”
“They have to be vague,” defended Rohmer. “If one of the Tcher soldiers intercepts the letters then they’ll know where our army is. Our men could be ambushed.”
Eluan Falls: A Whisper of Fate Page 15