Alazar saw a frown come over several faces including Minister Larst and continued, “If I am chosen, I would of course expect Minister Larst to assume my position as First Minister.”
Larst raised his eyes with surprise. He had quite often been an adversary of the First Minister and had not expected such generosity. He also knew that if it came down to a contest between him and Alazar, he would lose. Grabbing the opportunity presented to him, Larst spoke, “I am grateful for the confidence shown in me by the First Minister. I think we could set aside our past differences and work well together to secure the continuity necessary right now.”
There was a general consensus of nods around the table and Alazar knew it was time to strike. “Very well,” the First Minster said, “It would appear that we can get this agenda item out of the way and start talking about what must be done. Let us vote. Everyone supporting me for Katana raise your hand.”
The vote was of course unanimous and Alazar kept on moving. “Thank you for your show of support,” he smiled. “Our next item is assuring that the assassin does not escape justice. I am having the palace searched for the third time, but it appears that he managed to slip out with the party guests. I have ordered the city sealed, but there is a small chance that he might have been quick enough to already be outside the gates. Minister Kapla, I would like to order the army to block the entrances to the Sakova to ensure that he never gets home. The Imperial Guard has let others slip through their fingers and we do not want to take a chance this time. I would suggest sending our best units to handle the job. General Didyk could handle the Gatong to Fortaka area. General Romero will cover Alamar and Tanzaba. That leaves Okata to Campanil for General Valdey. Does this sound reasonable?”
“It sounds like an excellent deployment, Katana,” Minister Kapla smiled. “You would have made a fine general.”
“Good,” Alazar said. “We will need to select a new Minister of Trade, but until that time, Larst, I want you to keep up with those duties. Your first task will be to manage caravans into and out of the city. We are effectively cut off from the outside world and could remain so for some time. You must work out an efficient means of getting goods through the gates while maintaining a security so tight that Master Malafar cannot get out. It will not be easy.”
“I will see to it, Katana,” nodded First Minister, Larst.
“Very well Ministers,” Alazar smiled grimly, “let’s get this country organized. The Sakovans are attacking our cities and have now killed our Katana. They will not be allowed to remain a threat. I want everyone to prepare plans for their areas based on a state of war. It is quite late tonight, so we will not meet in the morning, but the following morning we will. I want those reports ready by then. Meeting is adjourned.”
***
“The Katana has been assassinated,” stated Goral.
“That is why the city is sealed up tight,” frowned StarWind.
“It indicates that the assassins have not been apprehended yet,” pondered Fisher. “Okata is going to become a very uncomfortable place for us to be. They will be interrogating everyone and the chance of them discovering us has increased dramatically.”
Fisher looked around his room and started packing his belongings. StarWind smiled absently at the assortment of disguises the Khadoran spy carried, while her mind raced to find a way out of the city before the search tightened.
“We are not safe here,” StarWind stated the obvious. “I have a contact in the city who may be able to hide us. Will you come with us?”
“Yes,” nodded Fisher, “but only for as long as it takes me to find a way out of the city. I cannot afford to be bottled up here for long and this heightened security could go on for weeks.”
“Let us move quickly then,” StarWind suggested. “Goral round up our horses and meet us in the alley at SunChaser’s house.”
Goral moved silently out the door and StarWind waited until Fisher had everything packed and they left the room. She led Fisher along the city streets, keeping to the darkness and skillfully avoiding the ever-increasing patrols of Imperial Guards. The city was being locked up tight and, if StarWind guessed correctly, a house-to-house search would start in the morning. It took over an hour to travel to SunChaser’s via a circuitous route and they found Goral waiting with the horses when they arrived in the alley. StarWind tapped lightly on the door and got no response. She knocked louder and still there was no answer. Finally, she pulled out a small piece of metal from a pouch and began working on the lock. The door swung open before she could manage to pick the lock and StarWind’s hand went to her sword.
“Oh, it is you,” SunChaser sighed. “Come in quickly,” she said softly as she stared at the new member of StarWind’s party. Handing a key ring to Goral, she told him to put the horses in the stable and left the door cracked for him to get in afterwards.
“I am sorry to come unannounced,” apologized StarWind, “but we need shelter. Someone has assassinated the Katana and the city is being secured.”
SunChaser did not respond, but continued to eye Fisher with concern.
“Sorry again,” StarWind smiled. “This is Fisher. He is a friend and you can talk freely in front of him. He is from Khadora and we are trying to arrange a meeting with his Lord.”
“We are in trouble,” SunChaser announced. “I have Master Malafar upstairs. I had to give him something to make him sleep while I tried to find out where you were.”
“That’s great,” StarWind said. “How did you get him out of the mage block?”
“I didn’t,” SunChaser explained. “He is the assassin everyone is seeking. He was delirious when I found him only seconds after the assassination. He managed to blind everyone in the room. If I had arrived a couple of seconds earlier, I would have been blinded with the others. He was blinded as well. He is injured too. I am not sure what to do with him.”
“Where are the servants?” StarWind asked as she heard Goral close the door behind her.
“I gave them the night off,” SunChaser answered. “I spoke with the Katana privately just before it happened. He knew about me before Calix died. He let the Sakovan spies exist because he thought they helped keep his own people in line. He did not know about Malafar, but as soon as I questioned him about the mage, he knew the assassination was coming. I still have no clue as to who is behind everything.”
“That answer will be clear by morning,” Fisher interjected. “The new Katana will be your real enemy. Do you know of any way out of the city?”
SunChaser shook her head, “Going through the gates would be suicide. Likewise over the wall. I could go out and investigate.”
“No,” stated StarWind. “It is not safe on the streets now. We must worry about what to with all of us when they come searching.”
“You and Fisher could be my servants,” suggested SunChaser. “The real servants will not be coming back tonight and I doubt they will show tomorrow either. I do not know what to do with your giant friend though. He is so obviously tall that he will stand out in people’s memories.”
“Goral will have to stay with Master Malafar wherever we decide to hide him,” StarWind replied. “I should see what I can do for his wounds. Get the uniforms for Fisher and me. Goral, you might as well come with me. You will be in charge of the mage when he wakes up.”
“Make a left at the top of the stairs,” SunChaser called as she led Fisher off down a hallway.”
StarWind and Goral climbed the stairs and entered the room where Master Malafar was. SunChaser had already cut his shirt open and the wound was visible.
“Fireball,” noted StarWind as she felt the charred skin. “Must have been terribly painful. Get me some water Goral. See what you can find for bandages and get the healing salve out of my pack.”
Goral brought a basin of water and set it down on the bed. He was rummaging through the packs they had brought with them when SunChaser and Fisher arrived.
“I have bandages,” SunChaser offered as Fisher moved to th
e bed to examine the mage.
“I have something that may help,” Fisher said softly. “It is an herb ointment that the Chula use for burns. It will deaden the pain and moisturize the tissue. He will still be badly scarred though.”
“Get it,” StarWind ordered. “I do not think Master Malafar has to worry about scars. You said he was delirious, SunChaser?”
“Yes, SunChaser answered, still adorned in her flowing red dress. “He thought he was dead. He only responded when I mentioned that I was a friend of Lyra’s. If you had not told me about him earlier, I would have left him.”
“We will have to wait until he wakes to find out what happened,” murmured StarWind. “I have done all that I can for him. I think we should all get some sleep. We may need it soon. Goral you sleep in here. Do what you must to make sure he does not leave the room, although I doubt he could move if he wanted to. We will not be able to move him for at least a day so let’s hope the Omungans start their search in the seedier districts.”
SunChaser handed out the servant uniforms and showed everyone where they would sleep. Goral stretched out on the floor of Master Malafar’s room and slept lightly. When Master Malafar stirred shortly before dawn, Goral slipped out and summoned StarWind back to the room. StarWind examined Master Malafar’s back to see how it was healing.
“Darn!,” Malafar exclaimed. “What are you doing back there?”
“Sorry, Master Malafar,” apologized StarWind. “You have a nasty wound on your back and I want to see how it is healing. How are you feeling?”
“Like I was hit by a cannonball,” the old mage growled as he turned over and stared at StarWind. “Who are you?”
“I am called StarWind,” she answered. “You are safe for the moment in a house in Okata. They are searching the city for you and we cannot get out just yet.”
“Are you the one who led me out of the palace?” he asked.
“No,” the Sakovan spymaster replied, “that was SunChaser and this is her house.”
“StarWind, SunChaser, what kind of names are those?” Malafar asked as he tried to sit up.
Goral silently moved in to help the mage sit and Malafar’s eyes widened we he saw the giant. “And what is that?” he questioned.
“That,” chuckled StarWind, “is Goral. We are Sakovans which is why our names appear foreign to you.”
“Sakovans?” spat Master Malafar. “What do you want with me? I have already done your dirty work for you. Help me up. I want to get out of here.”
“You are too weak to move,” frowned StarWind. “You have an odd way of showing your appreciation. If SunChaser had not pulled you out of the palace last night, you would be dead now.”
“Dead is what I should be,” snarled Malafar. “I have no use for Sakovans and I certainly do not intend to be of use to them either. Help me get up.”
StarWind frowned at Goral as if he might know what Malafar was talking about, but the giant just shook his head. “Perhaps you are still groggy with sleep,” suggested StarWind. “You assassinated the Katana last night. The entire city is searching for you and they will not stop until they find you. If you were able to leave this house, you would be killed on sight. You have nowhere else to go.”
“Nowhere is better than being captured by the Sakovans,” growled Malafar. “I know how you operate and I will not play your game.”
“Why this hatred of Sakovans?” quizzed StarWind. “We have never done anything to hurt you. Your wife was Sakovan. I do not understand.”
“Do not speak of Rhodella as a Sakovan,” threatened the mage. “She was Sakovan once, but she rejected all of that revolutionary garbage. She was not a savage who kills for the joy of it. She doesn’t use people and throw them away like you do. I know about Alfred now. Alazar told me all about it. SunChaser said she was a friend of Lyra’s. I suppose you have her now and you will get her to do your dirty work as well?”
StarWind stared at Master Malafar in shock. She thought of a thousand retorts to his misguided statements, but she simply shook her head and said, “You need rest before you go anywhere. Contrary to what you think, the Sakovans do not need outsiders to help them against their will. If you want to leave when you are able to walk under your own power, I will hold the door open for you. Goral will stay and keep you company. If you need anything just let him know, although I am sure you would rather take care of yourself.”
StarWind did not wait for a reply, but turned and stormed out of the door. She returned to her room and put on the servant’s uniform before going downstairs to find something to eat. SunChaser and Fisher were already up and in the kitchen.
“Tayo,” smiled SunChaser. “I hope you slept well?”
“Sleeping was the best part of my stay so far,” scowled StarWind. “That clova chip has really set me off. Instead of gratitude for saving his hide, he is ranting about how terrible the Sakovans are and how he can’t wait to be rid of us. If he wasn’t Lyra’s father, I would have thrown him out the window.”
“Maybe I should have left him,” murmured SunChaser. “I was torn because he assassinated the Katana which hurts the Sakovans, but I knew he had to be Lyra’s father as well. I’m sorry StarWind.”
“It’s not your fault,” assured StarWind as she tried to calm down. “I would have done the same thing. Anyway, he has been talking with Alazar. That was about the only thing I learned from him. I had a lot of questions to ask him, but I could not remain in the same room with him.”
“It may not be him talking,” Fisher suggested. “If you noticed the yellow tinge to his skin, you would know that he has been drugged for a long period of time. The skin color is indicative of prolonged use of Quetara, which causes a thinking dysfunction. The person gets very confused and is susceptible to manipulation. I would be willing to bet that Alazar is the new Katana if this mage has been talking to him recently.”
“How long does this drug take to wear off?” StarWind asked.
“A lot depends on the individual and the dosage,” answered Fisher. “If this mage killed the Katana and that is the opposite of what he would normally do then I would suspect that the dosage was very high. It would be days at the earliest before he starts to think correctly again. There is also the possibility that he has been permanently damaged.”
“You mean he may never act differently than he does now?” questioned StarWind.
“That is possible,” nodded Fisher.
“Great,” sighed StarWind. “I need to send a message to StarCity and let them know what is going on and I don’t know what to say about Malafar.”
“Have you ever seen Malafar before last night?” Fisher asked.
“No,” StarWind responded with confusion. “Do you think he is an imposter?”
“That is not what I was thinking,” smiled Fisher. “Perhaps you should not mention that you have Malafar because you are not yet certain that is who he is.”
“Thanks,” smiled StarWind. “That sounds like the proper path right now. Can you let me use one of your birds, SunChaser?”
“Don’t forget the meeting details with Lord Marak,” reminded Fisher. “I would hate to have him show up for the meeting and end up being alone.”
“That is the main reason for the message,” StarWind stated as she tightened her apron over the pale blue servant’s dress and followed SunChaser into the garden.
It took StarWind almost an hour to properly word her message and then encode it because thoughts of Master Malafar kept intruding in her mind. She finally did decide to report everything including Master Malafar in her report. The situation was too critical to worry about hurting Lyra’ feelings. The old mage was definitely unstable and that could mean trouble for all of them. At any moment he might go running into the street screaming about Sakovans. While she had left Goral behind to watch the mage, she doubted that the giant could repel the type of magic she was certain Master Malafar possessed. Having the mage with them magnified the difficulty of the situation they were already in, StarWind
could not imagine just turning him loose to be killed by the Omungans either.
She marched back into the kitchen and saw Fisher in his new pale blue servant’s suit preparing to take food up stairs to Malafar and Goral. “Let me take it,” she ordered. “There is no point in letting the mage know about you as well. I doubt he could stomach a Khadoran in his midst. Play the servant in front of him until we find out which way he is going to fall.”
Fisher handed her the tray without comment and she took it upstairs. Without a word, she deposited the tray on the bed and retreated downstairs. When she got downstairs, StarWind saw Fisher and SunChaser in the dining room and went in. SunChaser had the large table filled with maps of the city and the surrounding area.
“Maybe we can get an idea from these,” SunChaser offered. “We dare not go out today anyway so I thought it would be worth the effort.”
StarWind sighed,” Might as well do something. Maybe it will keep my mind off Malafar.”
The three of them pondered the many maps for long hours, ignoring the hunger pains as high sun passed by, and continuing through the afternoon. Just as they were gathering up the maps to attend to dinner, a loud knocking came from the front door. The three of them froze.
“Are you expecting anyone?” StarWind asked.
“No,” answered SunChaser. “Fisher, get rid of the maps. StarWind, answer the door. Remember you two are servants and nobody else is here. If it is Imperial Guards or Monitors, we are in trouble. Anyone else, get rid of them.”
StarWind slowly approached the front door, making sure that Fisher had time to get rid of the maps. She cracked the door slightly and peered out. The first thing she saw was the sparkling white and gold of a Monitor’s uniform. Her heart pounded furiously as she eased the door open. There were two Monitors outside as well as a fat man in a military uniform.
“Can I help you?” StarWind asked passively.
“This is the home of Cherri is it not?” asked the military man.
“Yes it is,” confirmed StarWind as she pondered whether is was better to say Cherri was sleeping or offer to summon her. If she said she was sleeping, they might go away. Then again they might demand to enter while she was wakened. “Should I get her for you?” StarWind asked.
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