Servant of the Empire

by Raymond E. Feist

  The plea made no impression on Desio. Staring into the distance, his voice a harsh whisper, as if to speak the hated name were to give it substance, he whispered, 'Mara of the Acoma must die!'

  Glad now for the dark room, which hid his own fears, Incomo agreed. 'Of course, my Lord. But this is not the time.'

  'When!' he shouted, his bellow hurting Incomo's ears. Desio kicked at a pillow, then lowered his voice to a more reasonable tone. 'When? She contrived to escape my father's trap; and more: she forced him to dishonour his own pledge for the safety of a guest, compelling him to kill himself in shame.' Desio's agitation simmered higher as he recounted Mara's offences against his house. 'This . . . girl has not merely defeated us, she has humbled - no, humiliated us!' He stamped hard on the pillow and regarded his adviser with narrowed eyes.

  The fan slave shrank from the expression, so like that of Jingu of the Minwanabi when roused to rage. Bleeding from nose and mouth, but still trying valiantly to cool his sweating master, he raised and lowered his fan in barely unbroken rhythm while Desio's voice turned conspiratorial, a harsh whisper. 'The Warlord looks upon her with amusement and affection, even favour — perhaps he beds the bitch — while our faces are pushed into needra slime. We eat needra droppings each day she draws breath!' Desio's scowl deepened. He stared at the tightly closed screens, and as if seeing them stirred a memory, a glint of sanity returned to his eyes for the first time since Jingu's death. Incomo restrained a sigh of open relief.

  'And more again,' Desio finished with the slow care a man might use in the presence of a coiled pusk adder. 'She is now a real threat to my safety.'

  Incomo nodded to himself. He knew that the root of Desio's behaviour was fear. Jingu's son lived each day in terror that Mara would continue the Acoma blood feud with the Minwanabi. Now Ruling Lord, Desio would be the next target of Mara's plotting, his own life and honour the next to fall.

  Although the stifling heat shortened his patience, Incomo attempted to console his master, for this admission, no matter how private between a Lord and his adviser, was the first step in overcoming that fear, and perhaps in conquering Lady Mara, as well. 'Lord, the girl will make a mistake. You must bide your time; wait for that moment. . . ."

  The jade-fly returned to pester Desio; the slave moved his fan to intercept its flight, but Desio waved the feathers away. He glared through the gloom at Incomo. 'No, I cannot wait. The Acoma cow already has the upper hand and she continues to grow stronger. My father's position was more advantageous than my own; he stood but one step away from the Gold Throne of the Warlord! Now he is ashes, and I can count loyal allies on one hand. All our pain and humiliation can be placed at the feet of . . . that woman.'

  This was sorrowfully true. Incomo understood his master's reluctance to speak his enemy's name. Barely more than a child when her father and brother died — with few soldiers and no allies — within three years Mara had secured more prestige for the Acoma than they had known in their long, honourable history. Incomo tried in vain to think of something soothing to say, but his young Lord's complaints were, all justified. Mara was to be feared, and now her position of power had increased to the point where she not only could protect herself, but could directly challenge the Minwanabi.

  Softly the First Adviser said, 'Recall Tasaio to your side.'

  Desio blinked, momentarily looking stupid as his father never had. Then comprehension dawned. He glanced about the room and noticed the fan slave still at his post, despite the blood trickling from his broken nose and torn lip. In a moment of unexpected consideration, Desio dismissed the unfortunate wretch. Now alone with his adviser, he said, 'Why should I call my cousin back from the war upon the barbarian world? You know he covets my position. Until I marry and sire children, he is next in succession. And he is too close to the Warlord for my taste. My father was wise to keep him busy with affairs upon a distant world.'

  'Your father was also wise enough to have your cousin arrange the Lord Sezu's and Lanokota's deaths in the first place.' Hands tucked in his sleeves, Incomo stalked forward a step. 'Why not let Tasaio deal with the girl? The father, the son, now the daughter.'

  Desio considered. Tasaio had waited until the Warlord had been absent from the campaign upon the barbarian world to order Lord Sezu and his son into an impossible military situation. He had ensured their deaths without exposing the Minwanabi to any public culpability. It had been a brilliant stroke, and Desio's father had ceded some desirable lands in Honshoni Province to Tasaio as reward. Tapping his cheek with a pudgy finger, Desio said, 'I am uncertain. Tasaio might prove dangerous to me, perhaps as dangerous as . . . that girl.'

  Incomo shook his head in disagreement. 'Your cousin will defend Minwanabi honour. As Ruling Lord, you are not a target for Tasaio's ambition, as you were when Lord Jingu was alive. It is one thing to seek a rival's demise, quite another to attempt to overthrow one's own lawful Lord.' Incomo pondered a moment, then added, 'Despite his ambitions, it is unthinkable Tasaio would break his oath to you. He would no more move against you than he would have against your father, Lord Desio.' He stressed the last to drive home the point he wished to make.

  Desio stood, ignoring the fly, which at last perched upon his collar. His eyes fixed on a point in space, and he sighed aloud. 'Yes, of course. You are correct. I must recall Tasaio and have him swear fealty. Then he must defend me with his life, or forfeit Minwanabi honour forever.'

  Incomo waited, aware his master had not finished. Sometimes clumsy with words, Desio still possessed a cunning mind, though he lacked his father's instincts or his cousin's brilliance. He crossed to the windows, ‘I shall include all other loyal retainers and allies in my summons,' he declared at last. 'Yes, we must have a formal gathering.' He faced his adviser with finality. 'No one shall think I have hesitated in calling my cousin to serve at home. No, we shall have all our vassals and allies here.'

  Decisively the fat man clapped his hands. Two servants in orange livery slid aside painted doors and entered to do his bidding. 'Open these damned screens,' commanded Desio. 'Do it quickly. I am hot.' As if a great burden had been lifted from his soul, he added, 'Let in fresh air, for the gods' mercy.'

  The servants busied themselves with latches and bars, and presently light flooded the study and cool air flowed inside. The fly on the young Lord's collar took wing toward freedom, and the lake beyond. The waters sparkled silver in sunlight, dotted with fishing boats that plied nets from dawn to dusk. Desio seemed to shed his self-indulgence as he strode across the room to stand before his First Adviser. His eyes came alight with newfound confidence as the paralysing fear brought on by his father's death fled before his excited planning. 'I will make my vows upon my family's natami in the Holy Glade of Minwanabi Ancestors, with all my kin in attendance.

  'We shall show that the Minwanabi have not fallen.' Then, with unexpected dry humour, he added, 'Or at least not very far.' He shouted for his hadrona and began relaying orders. 'I want the very finest entertainment available. This celebration will outshine that disaster my father arranged to honour the Warlord. Have every family member attend, including those who fight upon the barbarian world . . .'

  'This shall be done, my Lord.' Incomo sent a runner scurrying with instructions for officers, senior advisers, servants, and slaves. Within moments two scribes were furiously copying Desio's commands, while, close by, the family chop bearer hovered with hot wax.

  Desio regarded this bustle with a cold smile on his lips. He droned on a few minutes more, his orders and grandiose plans making him feel better than wine. Then suddenly he stopped. To all in the room he announced, 'And send word to the Grand Temple of Turakamu. I will build a prayer gate, so that each traveller who passes through will invoke the Red God's indulgence, that he will look favourably upon Minwanabi vengeance. To the god I vow: blood will flow freely until I have the Acoma bitch's head!'

  Incomo bowed to conceal his sudden concern. To pledge so to Turakamu might bring fortune during a conflict, but one did not vo
w lightly to the Death God; disaster could befall if vows went unfulfilled. The patience of the gods in such a matter was a fickle proposition. Incomo gathered his robe about him, finding the air off the lake suddenly chilling. At least, he hoped it was the breeze and not a premonition of doom.

  Sunlight streamed through the tree branches within the largest of the Acoma gardens, painting patches of light upon the ground. Overhead, leaves rustled, while the fountain in the centre of the courtyard sang its never-ending melody of falling water. Despite the pleasant surroundings, all those called to council shared their mistress's concerns.

  Mara sat within her circle of senior advisers, her thoughts troubled. Clad in her thinnest lounging robe, adorned by a single green jewel on a cho-ja-carved jade chain, she seemed almost abstracted, the picture of the Lady in repose. And yet her brown eyes held a glint that these, her closest advisers, all recognized as puzzlement.

  One by one the Lady studied the officers and advisers that were House Acoma's core. The hadonra, Jican, a short, nervous man with a shrewd mind for commerce, sat diffidently as always. Under his detailed management, Acoma wealth had multiplied, but he preferred progress in small, secure steps, avoiding the dramatic gambles that appealed to Mara. Today Jican fidgeted less than usual, which the Lady of the Acoma attributed to the news that the cho-ja silk makers had begun their spinning. By the winter season their first bolts of finished cloth would be ready. Acoma riches, then, were on the increase. To Jican, this was of vital concern. But Mara knew wealth alone did not secure a great house.

  Her First Adviser, Nacoya, had repeated this to no end. If anything, Mara's recent victory over the Minwanabi made the wizened old woman more nervous than ever. 'I agree with Jican, Lady. This expansion could prove dangerous.' She fixed Mara with a steady gaze. 'A house can rise too fast in the Game of the Council. The lasting victories are ever the subtle ones, for they do not call for preemptive action by rivals unnerved by sudden successes. The Minwanabi will be moving, we know, so let us not bring uninvited appraisal from other houses, too.'

  Mara dismissed the remark. 'I have only the Minwanabi to fear. We are at odds with no one else at present, and I wish things to remain that way. We must all prepare for the strike we know will come. It's just a question of when and in what form.' Mara's voice held an uncertain note as she added, ‘I expected a swift reprisal after Jingu's death, even if only a token raid.' And yet, for a month, no changes had been observed in the Minwanabi household.

  Desio's appetite for drink and slave girls had increased, Mara's spies reported; and Jican's quick eyes had noticed the drop in Minwanabi trade goods sold within the Empire's marketplaces. This decrease in wares had driven prices up, and other houses had prospered as a result: hardly the desire of the power-hungry Minwanabi, particularly after that family had suffered such a loss in prestige.

  Neither were there any overt preparations for war. The Minwanabi barracks maintained practice as usual, and no recall orders had gone out to the troops at war on the barbarian world.

  Force Commander Keyoke had not taken the spies' reports to heart. Never complacent where Mara's safety was concerned, he laboured among his troops morning until nightfall, reviewing the condition of armour and weapons, and overseeing battle drills. Lujan, his First Strike Leader, spent hours at his side. He — like all Acoma soldiers — was lean and battle-ready, his eyes quick to fix upon movement, and his hand always near his sword.

  'I don't like the way things look,' Keyoke said, his words sharp over the fall of water in the fountain. 'The Minwanabi estate might appear to be in chaos, but this could be a ruse to cover preparations for a strike against us. Desio may be grieving for his father, but I grew up with Irrilandi, his Force Commander, and I will tell you there is no laxity in any Minwanabi barracks. Warriors can march in a moment.' His capable hands tightened on the helmet in his lap, until the officer's plumes at the crest quivered with his tension. Ever expressionless, Keyoke shrugged, ‘I know our forces should be preparing to counter this threat you speak of, but the spies give us no clue where we should look for the next thrust. We cannot keep ourselves at battle readiness indefinitely, mistress.'

  Lujan nodded. 'There has been no movement in the wilds among the grey warriors and condemned men. No large force of bandits is reported, which should mean it's safe to assume that the Minwanabi are not staging for a covert attack, as they did against Lord Buntokapi.'

  'Seem not to be,' Keyoke amended. 'Lord Buntokapi,' he said, naming Mara's late husband, 'was given ample warning.' His eyes showed a fleeting bitterness. 'For Lord Sezu, warning came too late. This was Tasaio's plotting, and a more clever relli has never been birthed by the Minwanabi,' he observed, referring to the deadly Kelewan water serpent. 'The moment I hear Tasaio has been recalled, I will begin sleeping in my armour.'

  Mara nodded to Nacoya, who seemed to have something to add. The old woman's pins were askew, as always, but her gruff manner seemed more thoughtful than sharp. 'Your Spy Master's agents will pay very careful attention to important matters within the Minwanabi household.' A shrewd expression crossed the adviser's face. 'But he is a man, Lady, and will concentrate on numbers of soldiers, stockpiling of stores for battle, the comings and goings of leaders, messages to allies. I would suggest that you put your agent under orders to watch for the moment when Desio tires of his slave girls. A man with a purpose does not dally in his bed. This I remember well. The moment Desio ceases drinking wine and fondling women, then we know he plots murder against your house.'

  Mara made a faintly exasperated gesture. The slightest hint of a smile curved her lips, making her radiantly pretty. Though she was unaware of the fact, Lujan was not; he watched his mistress with devoted admiration and added a playful comment. 'My Lady, First Adviser' — here he nodded to the wizened Nacoya — 'I will bid the warriors who sweat through their drills at noon to await the exhaustion of Desio's member. When the Minwanabi flag droops, we will all line up for the charge.'

  Mara blushed and threw the First Strike Leader a dark look. 'Lujan, your insight is apt, even if your example is not.' Since her wedding night, Mara had little comfort with such talk.

  Lujan bowed. 'My Lady, if I have given offence . . .'

  She waved away the apology - she could never stay angry with Lujan — then turned her head as her runner rushed up and bowed at her elbow.

  'Speak, Tamu,' she said gently, for the young boy was new to his post and still uncertain of himself.

  Tamu pressed his forehead to the floor, still intimidated by being in a noble's presence. 'Lady, your Spy Master awaits in your study. He says he has brought reports from Hokani Province, particularly from estates to the north.'

  'At last,' said Mara in relief. She recognized in the runner's choice of language what her Spy Master, Arakasi, had striven to impart. Only one estate in Hokani mattered. He would have word of the countermove her people had been awaiting through four strained weeks. To her advisers she said, 'I will speak with Arakasi at once, and meet with you all later in the afternoon.'

  Breezes played through the ulo leaves, and the fountain still sang its splashing song, as the Acoma officers bowed to acknowledge their dismissal. Keyoke and Lujan were first to rise. Jican gathered his tally slates and asked his Lady's permission to look in on the cho-ja silk makers. Mara granted his request, but waved him off before he could reiterate any of his constant concerns.

  Nacoya was last to rise. Arthritis had slowed her movements of late, and Mara was jolted by the unpleasant recognition that age was taking its toll on the indomitable old woman. Nacoya's promotion to First Adviser had been well earned, and despite her belief that she had risen higher than she deserved, Mara's former nurse had worn her mantle of office with grace and shrewd intelligence. Thirty years serving the wives and daughters of Ruling Lords had gained her a unique insight into the Game of the Council.

  Mara watched Nacoya's stiff bow with trepidation. She could not imagine Acoma prosperity without the old woman's acerbic guidance or her s
trong, affectionate nature, which had supported Mara through worse troubles than she had ever imagined she might survive. Only the gods knew how long Nacoya might live, but, with a chill, Mara sensed that her First Adviser's days were limited. The Lady of the Acoma was in no way prepared for the loss. Save for her son, the old woman was all Mara counted family in the world. If she lost Nacoya unexpectedly, there was no clear choice among her servants for the role of First Adviser.

  Mara pushed such gloomy thoughts away. Best not to think of future sorrows when the Minwanabi were busy plotting vengeance, she justified to herself.

  Mara bade her runner slave rise and inform Arakasi that she would be joining him in the study. Then she clapped for a servant and sent to the kitchen for food. For unless Arakasi changed his manner, he had come straight to his mistress from the road and had not eaten since the night before.

  Mara's study was dim and cool, even during early afternoon. Furnished with a low black table and fine green silk cushions, it had hand-painted screens opening onto a walkway lined with flowering akasi plants. When open, the outer doors provided a view of the Acoma estates, needra meadows rolling away to the wetlands where the shatra birds flew each sunset. But today the screens were only partially open, and the view was blocked by filmy silk drapes that admitted air while keeping out prying eyes.

  Mara entered a room that appeared at first glance to be empty. Experience had taught her not to be deceived; still, she could not entirely control her slight start.

  A voice spoke without warning from the dimmest corner. 'I closed the drapes, Lady, since the work crew is trimming the akasi.' A shadowy figure stepped forward, graceful as a predator stalking prey. 'Although your overseer is honest, and Midkemians are unlikely to be spies, still, I take precautions out of habit.'