by Tony Roberts
Zonis was tired. He knew his job was almost done, but there was still one big task to see through to the end. He had elicited a promise from the jealous Wottek that a messenger be sent to Niake. Wottek was prepared to betray Lombert Soul and got a promise from Zonis that his niece would be given to him once Soul was dead. The messenger had left with a package from Zonis a few days earlier, and had yet to return. It was a gamble, but to Zonis there was no other choice. Time was getting very short indeed and now was the time to reveal everything to his brother.
Kimel stood alongside the seated Zonis, watching the panting spearmen tramp up and down in line, spears pointed forward menacingly. Zonis held his cloth before his mouth, ready for the next bout of coughing. Some of them were pretty bad these days and once his strength faded the end would not be far. He had to keep going for Clora’s and Sannia’s sake. Both of them were in grave danger and he was their only hope at the moment.
“They’re looking much better than they were ten days ago, wouldn’t you say, Kimel?” Zonis said, admiring the discipline of the line.
“Fair do’s,” Kimel said automatically. His face betrayed no emotion. Zonis supposed he wasn’t really capable. He wondered if the trustee actually thought about anything before he spoke.
“You wouldn’t want to face them in battle, would you?”
“Scary,” Kimel answered, “don’t need it.”
Zonis grimaced. He could have predicted Kimel’s words. Still, the trustee was as close to a friend as he had in this place, and he cursed the fates and the gods for bringing him so low that he was reduced to this. He also felt the need to smoke and damned his condition anew; he was rapidly becoming an addict himself. Ah to the depths of damnation with it, since he would be dead within the year, why worry? He lit up and sucked in the acrid, white smoke and sighed. The pain lessened and his nerves tingled. He could just lie here in the mid-spring sunshine and let the days pass without a care in the world, but damn it he had a job – two jobs – to do.
The two spear company captains approached, the same two who had been present when Zonis had first begun training the men. At Zonis’ insistence, these two men had been promoted to captain while the other squad leaders had remained just that. As a result Zonis had been looked upon more favourably by the two men. Zonis for his part was happy with that for the second captain was certainly an idiot. Any half capable opponent would send him and his men packing in no time. The other one was more intelligent but lacked initiative. He would have been better remaining as a squad leader but Zonis wanted him promoted out of his comfort zone into a position he wasn’t capable of coping with. All part of Zonis’ plan to ensure Lombert Soul’s army was incapable of facing the Kastanian Imperial Army.
He also didn’t wish for anyone showing promise or talent to be promoted, so he suggested to the captains not to allow this to happen for, as he said to them, they could well make the captains look less than capable. The two captains agreed; best they only show favour to fools rather than be shown to be fools themselves. Zonis smiled to himself; that was how the Duras operated – only promote incompetents to positions of responsibility and as a result make those in charge seem like beacons of brilliance. Hard luck if you have intelligence; that is a burden preventing progression.
“Well, gentlemen,” Zonis wheezed, “I’ve done just about as much as I can with these men; they are now disciplined enough to face cavalry and enemy spearmen. You should be able to use them as an effective weapon of war against the Koros.”
“I’m impressed, Sinoz,” the first man said. “You’re as good as your word, another example of how the Koros are letting capable people slip through their hands. How can we fail?”
“Indeed, how can you?” Zonis echoed, a faint smile on his lips. His message to his brother had detailed just how the various elements of the rebel army were composed and how they were trained. He had done everything possible to make sure they were ready with one exception.
How to tackle archers.
Within the cave complex, behind guarded and locked doors, Clora and Sannia sat talking. Sannia was, as always, in her cage sitting as comfortably as she could. Clora was on a low wooden three-legged stool next to the cage. She didn’t have a key to the cage, for only Lombert Soul had that, and he was away for the moment on other business. At times like this the two women talked, exchanging their fears, hopes and experiences. Sannia had never spoken to one of the citizen class before at length and she found Clora’s story both fascinating and shocking. To her prostitutes had always been women of loose morals and she had had a low opinion of them. Now, after hearing of how Clora had grown up with no parents and out of absolute necessity had been forced into a life of selling her body, her attitude had changed.
Clora had never been with anyone from the nobility before. Prior to this she had thought of them as a people apart, different somehow. Yet after a dozen or so days of cleaning Sannia and disposing of her soil bucket on a daily basis, she had come to understand that they were not so different. They just had more money and were better educated – or in comparison to Clora, just educated. The two had some similar beliefs and opinions on things and, despite her predicament, Sannia had even smiled and chuckled a few times with the low born girl who sold her body in order to get by.
Sannia was taken aback at the apparent cold bloodied manipulation of the girl by Demtro. Although Clora hadn’t said that, it was clear to the young noblewoman that Clora was being used and put in real danger. Clora couldn’t see it as that; she was grateful to Demtro for rescuing her from the seedy tavern life she’d had up to then. Sannia kept silent about what she thought as it may upset the girl and make her feel isolated by the very person whom they were depending on to get them out of their predicament.
Clora was excited by Sannia’s hoped for marriage to the Prince. She wanted to know all about it, what dress was Sannia going to wear, how was her hair going to be made up, what the Prince was like, what had he said to her and so on. Clora clasped her hands against her breasts and smiled as Sannia described the moment he had proposed to her in her house. “Oh, I hope one day to get married myself! It won’t be anything as wonderful as yours will be, but its something I’d love to happen to me! It’d be marvellous, wouldn’t it?”
“Oh yes,” Sannia smiled in agreement, “it’d be your special day! You’d look so beautiful in a summer dress. Where would you want to get married?”
Clora sighed. “I don’t know. You know, Lady Sannia, its just the thought of marrying someone I’ve thought of, not anything like where it’d be or who to invite. I wouldn’t have anyone to invite,” her face fell. “I have no family and those who have known me in my life are either dead or people I wouldn’t want to be anywhere near me. Demtro would have plenty of people.”
Sannia put an arm through the bars of her cage and squeezed her arm. “You might have me, you know.”
“You?” Clora was shocked. “But–but you’re far too rich and famous for me!”
Sannia shook her head. “A friend is a friend, no matter who or what they are, aren’t they, Clora? It wouldn’t be right for you to have nobody. And really, I can’t think of you as anything but a friend; you’ve been lovely to me these past days. All those horrible men staring at me. You have no idea just how welcome you are to me.”
Clora sucked on her lower lip. She didn’t know whether to cry or not. She had to swallow a sudden lump in her throat. “I-I’m not used to people being nice to me. All I’ve been to people before is someone they can use and then go. I’d love to have you there, Sannia….” and she couldn’t speak anymore, ending on a high pitched note as she broke into tears.
The noblewoman held her hand and Clora threw both arms through the cage and round Sannia. The two woman embraced through the bars, holding one another for a long time. Eventually Clora slid backwards, her face red and puffy, tearstained and her nose running. She sniffed loudly. “Oh, sorry. I don’t know what’s going to become of me, I honestly don’t. Men can be so horrible
at times. These men here are just like those I knew back in Niake. They see me just to pleasure themselves. That Wottek is the worst of the lot but Zonis says I must play at fancying him as he’s our way to passing messages to Demtro. It’s horrible.”
Sannia looked at her in sympathy. “You’re a beautiful woman, Clora, and I’m not just talking about the way you look. You’re such a lovely person to know. You’re kind, generous, honest and truthful. Don’t ever change, you hear me?”
Clora smiled wanly, lowering her eyes. “You’re just saying that to cheer me up, Lady Sannia.”
“No I’m not. I’m being honest. Look at me, go on. That’s better. Now smile. There, see? Lights up your face. No wonder Demtro loves you.”
“Oh, I hope he does, Lady Sannia! He’ll make sure you and me are safe, won’t he?”
“Of course,” Sannia said. “His brother is here isn’t he? And my betrothed is doing everything he can to come rescue us. You wait and see.” Sannia smiled encouragingly but inside felt chilled and afraid; here in the cage she felt anything but hopeful for the future.
A short while later the door opened and two guards stepped in. Lombert Soul entered and regarded the two women. “Everything cleaned up, Martha?”
“Yes, Lord,” Clora answered, lowering her head as she had been told to do, and pushing her breasts forward slightly. Lombert looked down her cleavage, wondering whether he had the time to take her at that moment. No, there were issues he needed to deal with immediately. He waved the girl to sit on his desk and look decorative. With a last contemptuous glance in Sannia’s direction he sat down and waited, contenting himself by stroking Clora’s thigh. He would take her later. It would be good; she was always a willing and submissive vessel for his lust. He even slapped her across the face a few times if he’d had a particularly frustrating day, and she said nothing, merely accepting it. Yes, the perfect woman. Submissive, knowing her place, accepting the dominance of her man. Lombert smiled to himself. He would come to dominate Bathenia in time like this woman.
The door opened and in came Captain Wottek. Lombert’s face assumed a scowl. The man was a fool, but when people were hard to come by one had to make do. Once he got a proper governing body established in Niake he’d get rid of the imbeciles like Wottek. In the meantime he’d content himself by openly fondling the fool’s former woman. That would impress upon him who was in charge.
“You wanted to see me, sir?” Wottek said tightly. His eyes were more on Clora, lusting openly at her. He had no subtlety. Clora smiled at him and briefly ran her tongue over her lips. Wottek drew his breath in sharply. His decision to betray Lombert Soul was justified in his mind. He’d have this woman back and make her remember why she was lucky again and again once Soul was out of the way.
“Yes. I want a report of the readiness of the army to advance on Niake. I want enough provisions and supplies gathered for them to last ten days in the field. I want us to be on the road no later than in seven days’ time. We are to march on Niake at that time and bring an end to this stalemate. I also want your report on how the undermining of Niake is going; is the leaf ready for distribution, and if so, when will it be handed to the populace? I want a small squad of enforcers sent in to make sure the citizens are forced into becoming addicts. They will only have to force each man or woman once; every time afterwards they’ll be willing takers.”
“Sir. My messenger is due back from Niake any time. Once he arrives I’ll bring the report to you.” His eyes strayed to Clora again who had pulled her dress top down to bare as much breast as she could. He began shaking with desire. Gods – he’d have to find a woman to vent his frustrations on.
Lombert nodded. “Ensure the army is armed and equipped properly; I don’t want a rag-tag motley selection of peasants. This is to be the beginning of a new Kastania and I want the people to be suitably impressed, you understand? I shall personally hold you responsible. Once we march out of here you shall be left in charge of the camp. When we have taken Niake I shall send for the rest of you to join us in the city. We do not want to hold onto an indefensible camp when we have an entire city to protect us from any move the Koros may try to make.”
“Sir,” Wottek nodded. “I shall get onto it at once.” He looked at Clora again who smiled at him, and he grimaced as if in pain and stamped out of the room. The door crashed shut.
“Idiot,” Lombert commented. “You should not encourage him so much, Martha,” he chided Clora. “He may not be able to listen fully to what I’m saying!”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Clora said. “I was only trying to encourage him to do what you wanted.”
Lombert slapped the desk angrily. “My position is enough for him to be obedient, woman! I can get my men to obey me without anyone else’s help, you understand?”
“Yes, yes, I’m sorry!”
Lombert growled and stood up, looking at Clora severely. “If I had the time I’d beat you for your impertinence but luckily for you I have duties to carry out. Now get my dinner; I’m hungry!”
Sannia tutted from the cage as Clora obediently trotted off to another cavern. Lombert whirled and strode up to her. “And what is it that bothers you, Koros whore?”
“You should treat her properly, not as if she’s a canine. She’s a real person.”
“I’ll treat her any way I like. And as for you, if you don’t shut up I’ll give you to that moron Wottek to rut all night. That would ruin Prince Jorqel’s pristine virgin, wouldn’t it?”
Sannia said nothing; she sat and regarded him with contempt from her cage. She could do little else and she was damned if she would show this evil and ugly man how frightened she was. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.
Lombert snorted. “Nothing to say – that’s no surprise. I’m only keeping you here unharmed while your betrothed is alive. Once I remove his head I’ll bring it to you and you can mourn your loss before I execute you. You’ll be of no worth to me once Jorqel Koros lies dead at my feet. You ought to spend your time praying to the gods that they keep him alive.” He pulled a face at her and moved off.
Wottek sought out Zonis. He was impatient to get his hands on the sensuous Clora again. It was dominating his thoughts these days and his judgement was clouded as a result. Zonis, having finished with the training session, was relaxing in his cave, trying not to think of the burning pain radiating from his lungs. He found he was getting shorter and shorter of breath and he always woke in the morning with blood on his lips. The relief from the pipe was only temporary and he found it best not to be too active. The spring sunshine shone on his face and he had his eyes shut, enjoying a brief moment of tranquillity.
Wottek shattered the moment, bellowing he wanted to talk to Zonis alone inside the cave. Kimel was waved out rudely and the trustee stood at a loss outside as Zonis slowly and painfully made his way deeper into the cave. Wottek’s two guards stood at the entrance, out of earshot. “Yes, what is it, Captain?” Zonis said slowly, softly.
“The army is due to move out in seven days or so and be in the field for ten. Lombert expects that Niake is to be taken by the end of that time and he’ll send for your niece to join him in the city. We must act before then!”
Zonis waved the red-faced man to silence. “Patience. The message has been delivered has it not? Then all we can do is wait for the army to be intercepted. Once news arrives of the battle you can take us to a place of your own choosing.”
“Us? Who’s us?”
“Do you think I’m staying here? Once Lombert is defeated and executed, this camp will fall. Nobody is going to stay here anyway. Those that are left will flee. What of me? I’m dying and have but a short time left. I shall be gone within the year. I wish to spend my last seasons at peace and with my niece; she is all I have left. Once I go, all she’ll have left is you.”
The captain considered that for a moment. “I like the sound of that – I’ll be the only one she has left. Very well, you can come too. But that Koros wench in the cage is to die. Lombert Soul ha
s commanded it and its just about the only order he’s given I agree with.”
Zonis nodded. He’d already worked that one out; Sannia’s life was to end whatever the outcome of the battle. If Jorqel lost, then she had no value left. If Jorqel won, then the last act of spite from the defeated rebels was to kill the woman he was to marry. “And of the Duras?”
“Them? No doubt they’ll occupy Slenna. Once the Prince defeats Lombert then the Duras’ time is short. They have no support anymore; the peasants follow Lombert, not those rich fools.”
Zonis grunted. He could not only await developments; he was not the master of the play unfolding.
In Niake Evas Extonos’s hands shook as he read the message that had been brought to him by Demtro. The merchant-spy was stood before him, arms folded, a severe look on his face. The governor looked up. “This is appalling. What is to be done?”
“Act now! Somebody somewhere will know where they are hiding this stuff. You want your populace to be turned into mindless zombies? Somebody on the night watch has been bought by the Duras, clearly, for that’s the only time the leaf could have been smuggled in.”
“But the gates were locked!”
“It would have been thrown over the walls from outside,” Demtro said acidly, fixing Extonos with a gimlet-like look. “And only when their suborned man in the guard was on duty along that stretch of the walls. I’ve sent my man out into the backstreets to listen out for anyone offering the leaf without payment. That’s the first sign its ready. Arrest the known smugglers and suppliers now. It’ll buy us a few days while they replace them.”