by C. R. Daems
"You bring a Sands barbarian into the castle to spy and accuse me of insulting her. What about your insulting the duke?"
"Sir Harkin's right." Sandar slammed his fist unto the table and glared at me.
I bowed. "Since you no longer require my services, I'll leave." I turned, gathering Qi from everywhere in the room, while opening the door with Ayria following behind me. The two guards outside stepped in front of us, but my Qi and Ayria's pushed them gently away. I walked down the hallway, down the steps, and toward the stables. I didn't know where I was going, but if my advice was unwanted, there was no reason to stay. If the fools wanted to kill each other, it was their decision to make.
"Where are we going?" Ayria asked, smiling. I liked her. She would make a good Qi'advisor given time and training.
"You're going back to Negozi. I haven't decided. Since my services are no longer required, I'm free to leave. I suppose I should return to the Qi'temple." I threw the saddle onto Windrunner's back.
"Negozi would welcome you," Ayria said as she saddled her own mount.
"Stop. You can't leave!" Mastal shouted. Irmak and six soldiers were with him. Sir Harkin trailed behind them. "The Duke has forbidden either of you to leave."
"Lieutenant Mastal, Lieutenant Irmak will tell you that Witch Ayria's the Sands leader's personal advisor and mentor. If she's not permitted to leave, you will die. I don't mean you, the duke, and the troops. I mean every man, woman, and child in Xihu. Of course, it's Duke Sandar's decision to make. That is only my unsolicited observation."
I was beginning to fully understand why Qi'advisors were so important to the powerful. A Qi'advisor wouldn't be blinded my emotions and bias and, therefore, less inclined to make rash decisions that affected hundreds if not thousands of people. Mastal looked at Irmak, who nodded. Sir Harkin stood well back glaring at us.
"Ayria, I'm sorry."
"Negozi and I knew the risks, as you knew the risks in the Sands. It was worth a try. But you're right. Negozi will be very mad."
"We're your prisoners, Lieutenant Mastal." I sat and Ayria followed. I could feel her raising Qi and pulling it in around her as I had taught. I did the same and peace descended. Four guards stood duty but no one touched us as the sky blackened with night and the morning sun rose with the dawn. As it did, Crina approached cautiously.
"Qi'Nisha, may I get you and…Ayria something to drink or eat?"
"That's very thoughtful of you Crina. Ayria and I are comfortable."
Several hours later, Sandar and several others approached.
"I've come to the conclusion that Qi'advisors are difficult people to have around, because they tell you things you don't want to hear. And in times of trouble, they are even more difficult as emotions run high. And you, qi'Nisha, are the most difficult Qi'advisor because you take actions that appear inappropriate. But as my wife points out, they have saved my family and my life and were reasonable when I listened to your explanations. My advisors have been discussing the situation all night. Thanks to Vidya, I realize we are behaving like fools. We know nothing of what's going on, yet we pretend to be able to develop a solution. I've a Qi'advisor and I don't even listen to her advice." He paused. When I said nothing, he continued. "I'd like to hear your advice. After that, you and your guest may leave if you wish."
I rose. "If we could have some water, I'll tell you my observations, and the Witch Ayria may answer your questions if you have any."
"I apologize if I've insulted you or the Witch Ayria in any way. I lost my temper. The last several weeks have been very stressful, what with Wenrich harassing Xihu and waiting to hear back from you. We thought you dead."
"Your Grace, I'm not insulted or mad. I'm nothing but a Qi'advisor, who serves at your will. If you're dissatisfied with my services, you're free to discharge me. It does not hurt my feelings it you choose to ignore my advice. I do not rule Ferox nor do I wish to."
"I'm afraid that's why you appear so difficult. You honestly don't care. Everyone else around me does. Please, rest and join us for dinner tonight. Afterward, my advisors and I will listen to you and Witch Ayria."
I nodded and began walking toward main building. I heard Sandar.
"No guards. My Qi'advisor is inscrutable, but she's done nothing contrary to my best interest."
* * *
The dinner was held in the main dining room, which seated fifty people. The duke had invited the wives. Vidya and her daughter sat at the front of the table with the duke and his son. Ayria and I sat to his right and across from us, Mirza and his wife. After that came Sir Harkin and his wife, Lieutenant Irmak, and other officials and their wives. The duke's daughter, Suetta, sat near Ayria and was full of questions. Ayria didn't seem to mind and appeared to be enjoying herself.
"Witch Ayria, what do you think of the food?" she asked.
"I've eaten most of the meats on the table, but we use different spices, which grow only in the Sands. But we would only have a feast like this once a year. Many of your other foods require one to stay in one place to grow. We are nomads and more comfortable with the foods qi'Nisha eats."
"You'd be cheap to feed," Suetta said and grinned at her mother.
Vidya also had her share of questions, mostly about life in the Sands. Questions to me involved the Qi'temple. There was little talking, with everyone trying to listen to Ayria or me talk. The Duke did reassure those present that there was no reason to panic. The warriors were not threatening Xihu and had lifted the siege by Wenrich.
After dinner, he excused everyone except for his war counsel, Vidya, and Suetta.
"Qi'Nisha, I would like for you to tell us what happened in the Sands and your conclusions," Sandar said, after everyone had settled down.
"We left Xihu…" There were many interruptions, questions about the incident in Zeno, the original traps, the decimation of Wenrich's troops, the incursion into the Iovis corridor, the meeting with Duke Tebos, and the defeat of the Inari troops.
"What deal did you make with Negozi?" Sir Harkin asked, his lips tight in anger.
"Sir Harkin, Qi'advisors do not make deals or decisions."
"Why should we talk with the barbarian? We'll crush him when we unite with Wenrich."
"Duke Tebos is surrounded by over ten thousand warriors. Negozi will crush him within the year. He merely has to wait to starve them out. Rhybac cannot rescue Hala because they don't have an army large enough. If they try, the army will be defeated and Rhybac will fall to Negozi." I paused and looked around the room, giving them a chance to absorb the situation. "If you unite with Wenrich, the combined forces will still be insufficient to drive Negozi back into the Sands. And if you try, he will defeat you, leaving Rhybac at the tribes' mercy. If you don't attack, Negozi will keep Hala and the Iovis corridor."
"What's in it for Negozi, since you seem to think we don't have the troops to beat him?" Sandar asked.
"You will have to unite with Wenrich and declare him king of Rhybac. If Wenrich is a good strategist, it'll be a stalemate for years to come. Each side will raid the other time after time. It'll be endless bloodshed on both sides. Judging by his theft of the Royal Scepter and the subsequent traps, Negozi's a fine strategist. If Wenrich remains impulsive, Negozi will eventually break the stalemate and Rhybac will fall to the tribes."
"You're telling that barbarian our secrets, so he'll win. You're a traitor!" Harkin said, his face flushed scarlet.
"What secrets do I know to tell him? I'm telling him nothing he's not already aware of. The only reason he's willing to talk is because he would prefer not to have an endless war—although his war chiefs wouldn't mind. If qi'Senka and I hadn't advised against sending a large force into the Sands, Rhybac would now be under siege and would have fallen within a year, two at most."
"What does Negozi want?" Sandar asked. I nodded to Ayria.
"The Sands are drying up. It will no longer support us. If we cannot move, we will slowly die. We need land that will support us, and we are willing to fight to the last wa
rrior for it. Since Wenrich is our mutual enemy, Negozi has agreed to talk."
"How can we trust him? The talks could be a trap, or after he wins, he could turn on us," Mirza said, looking at me.
"I can only tell you my observation based on what I've seen and heard. Negozi holds the Scepter. If Hala and Ferox can convince the provinces to use the Scepter to pick a king, and the king would be willing to form a treaty with the Sands, everyone would win. Don't get me wrong. I believe war's inevitable. The question is how long a war, who wins, and who loses."
The discussions went on all night and the next day. During the break, Vidya pulled me to the side.
"Qi'Nisha, you can't let Sandar go to Hala. He's needed here. You talked him out of it last time."
"No, Lady Vidya, I didn't talk him out of it. He made the decision because it made the most sense. He'll again have to decide what makes the most sense."
"What will you advise?"
"Although I'm called an advisor, I don't advise and seldom give my observations until a plan's decided. I can't tell you what the duke will decide or what I'll see after he does. But let me ask you a question. Who should decide on the future of Ferox—you, your son, Minister Mirza, Sir Harkin...?"
"Sandar is right. Not only are you a difficult person to understand, you have an irritating habit of telling us things we don't want to hear. But you have always acted in his best interest. I guess I'll have to be content with that."
* * *
In the end, Sandar decided to go to Hala. To Mastal's dismay, he would be left at Xihu as his father's heir. Irmak would again lead a detail of ten troopers. A larger force didn't make any sense, since well over a thousand warriors would be accompanying us back to Hala. We left the next day.
* * *
During the day, Ayria frequently rode with us, but at night she left us alone to talk. Irmak and her detail were relaxed, as all but one had been through this before, but the duke remained on edge for the first few days.
"Aren't you nervous being around so many warriors?" Sandar asked Irmak as we sat around a small fire. We had made it through the Sobek Pass early that morning and were within three days of our planned meeting. At the pace we were setting, we would be two days early.
"Traveling with qi'Nisha is interesting on a good day and terrifying on a bad one. I was a captive in a Negozi's camp, where Wenrich's troops and..." she looked to me. I gave a slight shake of my head. "Were being tortured. The warrior women were skinning them alive. That made me nervous. After that, this is just interesting." She laughed and received shocked looks from the gathered troops.
"I don't know what I expected when I sent you out to scout the Sands. It certainly wasn't a meeting with the tribes' leader. I don't suppose you have any expectations from this meeting," Sandar said.
"No, Your Grace. Each of you has needs. Negozi needs fertile land, Duke Tebos wants Hala safe from the tribes, and you want Ferox free. Those are nonnegotiable conditions. Each of you will have other wants and needs. It'll require compromise to find common ground."
"And if we can't find common ground?"
"I believe Negozi will grant you several days to flee before he begins whatever action he plans next."
"Who will be at the meeting?"
"I don't know, but I would be surprised if it weren't limited to six people: You, Tebos, Negozi and your three advisors, unless you or Tebos choose differently."
* * *
We arrived two days early and were left at the meeting site without any warriors to guard us. Not that it would have been necessary. Twenty against ten thousand wouldn't be good odds.
Tebos arrived the next day with qi'Senka and a troop of ten. When the dukes went off by themselves, I sat with qi'Senka.
"You've managed to get two enemies to talk. What now?" she asked.
I sat quietly, wondering if she really expected me to have an answer about what would happen tomorrow.
"They talk," I said.
* * *
At first light the next day, Ayria rode into camp and dismounted in front of the campfire where the dukes, their war councils, qi'Senka, and I sat. Everyone immediately stood.
"The meeting will be held a quick walk north of your camp." Ayria paused to look at me.
"A league," I interrupted.
"There you will be one...league from your detail and Negozi will be one...league from his warriors. You may bring only your Qi'advisors."
We couldn't argue. Sandar and Tebos had no way to force the issue. Ayria mounted without another word and galloped off to the north.
"Why only the advisors?" Tebos asked, the question on everyone's minds. Qi'Senka smiled.
"He's a very shrewd man. If he brought his war chiefs and you brought your war councils, there would be days if not a week or more of arguing, with each person wanting a say. But in the end, the decision—the responsibility—rests with you three. The advisors understand and will offer their observation, if asked, but won't try to interfere," qi'Senka said.
I agreed. Negozi thought before he acted. As with the Scepter, the traps, and this meeting, he had given each considerable thought. That meant he already knew what he wanted to achieve in the upcoming meeting. Sandar and Tebos didn't. They spent the next hour huddled with their war councils. Qi'Senka and I sat alone waiting.
"The next day or two will be the real test of the worth of the Qi'temple," qi'Senka said, while nibbling on a fig.
"Don't forget the Witch Ayria. She's a significant player."
* * *
When we rode into the meeting site, Negozi stood in front of a large tent with an awning, which provided shade for a large round-shaped rug set with cheeses, nuts, dates, and water. When we dismounted, a young boy took the horses' reins and walked off into the distance.
Ayria pointed to Tebos. "This is Duke Tebos of Hala province. This woman is qi'Senka, his Qi'advisor. This is Duke Sandar of Ferox province. And this woman you know. I present to you the Great One, Negozi of the Sands," she said, and gestured to the mats around the table.
After a moment of silence, everyone sat. Qi'Senka quickly moved to sit to the left of Negozi. Clever. It made sure I wasn't next to him, which might give the impression my sympathy lay with the tribes. Tebos sat next to her, then me, Sandar, and Ayria. Negozi spoke first.
"We captured qi'Nisha and should have killed her for disrupting my perfect plan. But it's hard to kill someone who points out how well it was executed and how it nearly worked. The missing Scepter provided an opportunity for a power-hungry man to seize power and make himself king—just as I had hoped. Thanks to qi'Nisha, he lost only a little more than one in nine and not half of Rhybac's warriors as I had hoped. And he has lost half again as many trying to seize Xihu. It should be obvious that he's not the right king. He has divided the kingdom at a time when it should be united and lost many warriors before the war has started."
"And you think you should be king?" Sandar asked.
Tebos nodded agreement but remained quiet. He felt more threatened by Negozi, who had Hala isolated.
"No. I've enough grief controlling five war chiefs, who, like your Duke Wenrich, think only of war and not its consequences. We've been a divided nation for most of our history. We understand war much better than peace."
"Now that you're here, what do you want?" Tebos asked. His face was drawn and pale and his eyes sunken under dark rings. The last few weeks had given him time to realize he couldn't win against Negozi. He could hold out for a while, but in the end Hala would fall and his people would die or be made slaves.
"Land that's alive. The Sands are near death."
There it was, Negozi's nonnegotiable condition. Tebos wanted peace with the tribes but had nothing to bargain with.
"And?" Sandar asked.
"What you want—peace for my people." Negozi picked up a skewer of meat and waved at the table for the others to eat. No one talked for a long time.
"You want us to fight the other provinces for you? In exchange for what?" San
dar asked. He also felt trapped, responsible for a solution, and not knowing what he should do, so he lashed out in frustration.
Negozi smiled. "Could you win against the other provinces? Even with their individual smaller armies, they would just hide behind their walls. Could you hold a siege long enough to starve them out? Over time, they would unite and you would be defeated. You would be better off uniting with them and fighting us." He raised a hand to stop Sandar from responding, although Sandar appeared stunned by his response. "I wish you to talk with the other dukes to see if an agreement can be reached that will avoid an endless war."
"And if they won't negotiate?"
"Then there will be war and you, Tebos, and the provinces must choose sides."
"How can we trust you?"
"How can I trust you?"
I looked to Ayria and qi'Senka. Ayria nodded and whispered something to Negozi, who gave a short laugh.
"My advisor has just told me that we have been sitting in the sun too long and need to cool down. You may use the large tent over there to refresh yourselves."
Ayria, qi'Senka, and I rose immediately, forcing an end to the current session. Sandar and Tebos walked off away from the tents, heads close together in quiet conversation. Ayria stayed with Negozi, while qi'Senka and I walked over to the second tent in anticipation of the dukes' return.
"What do you think, Nisha?"
"Negozi is looking for a reason to form an alliance. Sandar and Tebos are looking for reasons not to."
"They feel they will be traitors if they align with the tribes. Besides, they don't trust them. What will you do if there is war, Nisha?"
"Continue to walk the Path. I have no one I wish to follow, and I have no desire to lead. Is it not enough that today is interesting?"
"I understand why everyone finds you so frustrating. You see clearly because you don't care, and that makes you appear not to be loyal, which of course is not a Qi'advisor's function—contradictions within contradictions," qi'Senka said.
When the dukes returned, they stood looking down at us.