by Matt Russell
Thalice whirled then and faced the Nemesai. "High Inquisitor, I believe it is my right under our treaty to arbitrate this matter."
Sebastos fidgeted, then said in a tone of forced calm: "Yes, of course it is, my lady."
Thalice nodded to him and then turned back to Kota, Gretis, and Otho. "It may surprise many of you to know that my people are well aware of Sansrit Philosophy and have been for thousands of years." Her glowing eyes shifted to Gretis. "There are those among us who know all of its secrets." The elf smiled and slowly gazed around the room as she went on: "Many centuries ago, humans who studied the arts of the Sansrit Path were welcomed into our cities. We found a kind of kinship with them that we had never known with any other creatures." Thalice’s exquisite smile broadened as she said: "You see, in all the world, Sansrit Masters are the most like what we are."
There was muttering all around, and Kota's ears took in every whisper.
"The blade-witch is like an elf?"
"What does that mean?"
"Can you believe there is a real elf in the temple?!"
Thalice put small hand on Kota's shoulder and said aloud: "I give the Nemesai Order full assurance that Sansrit Philosophy makes no affront to the Gods, but in fact, it makes full acknowledgment of their existence within its doctrines. Therefore, I exercise my right to give summary judgment: Kota of the shamalak people is guilty of no heresy and must, therefore, be immediately freed." She bent down and made a little sweep of her finger. There was another flash of yellow accompanying the sound of splitting of metal, and the two halves of the chains binding Kota's feet parted.
Otho breathed a deep sigh of relief, and he walked over to Kota and rested a thick hand on his shoulder, though it was to Thalice that he spoke: "I thank you from the bottom of my mortal heart, my dear."
"As do I," Gretis said in a tone filled with respect.
Kota stepped toward her and said: "I owe you the most thanks." He turned to Telemachus and said: "To you as well, Telemachus Vale."
The Starborn walked over and clapped Kota on the elbow. "It is no trouble. You are a friend, even if you do not realize it. Thalice and I have both already met you through Cassian's memories."
"The brave little shamalak," Thalice said. She craned her neck to look up into his eyes. "You have grown quite large."
Otho turned to the still speechless Sebastos and said in a deep, fierce voice: "I believe that concludes your business with us, and I think now you can get the hell out of my temple."
The high inquisitor glared at Otho, then at Kota, and then finally his eyes fell on Telemachus. "You have chosen to stand with your brother Cassian, Telemachus Vale. That will be remembered in days to come."
"Gods above," Telemachus said, rolling his eyes. "I am standing on the side of peace. Can you truly not see that? How many enemies do you intend to make on this trip? Perhaps you will threaten our elven guest next?"
Otho glared at Sebastos and said: "Oh-h-h-h, if he tries that, I'll have a very nice excuse."
Glavius appeared from the crowd of soldiers and moved to Otho's side and whispered: "Please allow me, sir." His eyes fixed on the high inquisitor, and he said: "This ugly bastard’s just too damned tall. I think he'd be so much easier to look at if I shortened him up by say...a head." Otho gave a little chuckle and patted Glavius on the back.
Darius's right hand moved to the hilt of his weapon, and he said: "Sir, these men have no more official business here, and there is no impending threat. Technically, they no longer have grounds to claim sanctuary."
Otho smiled as he stared into Sebastos's eyes. "My men do not seem to like you, High Inquisitor," he said. "I think you should leave and tell Cromlic that his plan has failed." The Bishop’s thick eyebrows knitted together, and he moved his own hand to the hilt of his sword. The instant he did, the sound of metal scraping against metal hissed through the hall as every Onkai present drew his weapon. "Why don't I give you to the count of ten?"
"This will not be forgotten!" Sebastos hissed through his teeth as he took a few nervous steps backward. Kota heard the violent pulse of the man's heart and caught the stink of his fear in the air. The High Inquisitor turned and walked at a very brisk pace down the hall to the right, his men moving in a tight formation behind him.
"Take care!" Glavius shouted after them. "The road is a dangerous place at night. I hope nothing should befall you all."
They all watched the Nemesai group disappear, and then Telemachus said: "Perhaps we might go and talk somewhere, Bishop Otho."
Otho nodded and said: "Yes, come this way." He made a sweeping gesture through the crowd of Onkai soldiers still standing about. The men parted immediately, and he and Darius walked side by side through them.
Kota was not sure as to whether he was meant to be part of this talk, but the elven girl moved to his side and gracefully slid her arm into his, whispering with a breathtaking smile: "Shall we?" Kota swallowed and fell into step with her, the newly split chains on his ankles clinking softly along the floor. Gretis and the Starborn moved together behind them.
The group made their way through several intersections of stone hall to a small room with a large wooden desk. Otho entered first and dropped into a thick wooden chair and then gestured for the rest of them to take the chairs across from him. There were four, which suited the group perfectly. Darius closed the door behind them, and everyone sat down, Kota finding a place between Gretis and the beautiful elf girl. As he sat down next to her, she casually ran her index finger over the shackle on his left wrist, and again there was a tiny but brilliant yellow flash as the metal split apart.
"I cannot thank you enough for helping us," Otho said to the two guests to the temple.
"Yes, how did you even know to come?" Gretis said.
"My brother has many spies who report on the Nemesai Order, but now that he has gone to fight for the empire, he assigned most of them to report to me," Telemachus said. "I suppose that is fortunate. If Cassian had learned of this, he might have flown here on his dragon and handled the matter quite differently than I did."
"I might have liked to see that," Otho muttered with an amused chuckle.
"So would Bishop Cromlic, I think," Telemachus said, his voice becoming troubled.
Darius nodded. "Yes, I do believe Asango attacking a High Inquisitor—within the Onkai Temple no less—would have worked quite well to Cromlic's advantage."
Telemachus nodded. "Cromlic has almost certainly become aware that Cassian has informants watching his every move. This ploy was likely designed either to force the Onkai into supporting my brother’s arrest or to provoke him into doing something foolish. It was a clever enough tactic, but of course, Cromlic did not expect us to be able to enlist Thalice here to speak on Kota's behalf."
Gretis reached up and rested a hand on Kota's shoulder and said: "You are quite lucky, Kota. Few people in the world have such powerful friends."
Kota felt a little flustered at these words, but Telemachus quickly cut in: "Few people are unlucky enough to become caught in the center of a war between the Nemesai and a Starborn. His troubles may not end here."
"Hah!" Otho grunted, his gaze fixing on Thalice. "Kota has the word of an actual elf on his side. Short of being declared the Messiah, I doubt there could be greater protection from the Nemesai."
"Officially yes," Telemachus said in a grave voice. "Unofficially, the bishop is free to use unofficial agents." The Starborn's gaze fixed on Kota's, and he said with a grim sigh: "We have just embarrassed the Nemesai Order, and you are the very centerpiece of the affront. Cromlic is still seething over the humiliating defeat Cassian dealt him years ago.” Telemachus breathed in slowly, hesitating, and then said: “We should assume the Bishop will kill you if he can. He has been trying to poison my brother or arrange an accident for him for years. Cassian has been able to thwart their attempts because he is one of the most powerful telepaths in the world, but you possess no such advantage." Telemachus' gaze swept
the room, and he added: "None of you do." A troubled silence passed over the small office.
"Fortunately, I have a way to protect you," Thalice said in her wonderful elven voice. She rose from her chair and faced Kota, and said: "Student of the Sansrit Path, I extend to you an invitation to the Talsian Grove." Her burning turquoise eyes shifted to Gretis, and she said: "The invitation is granted to both of you. You may come and live in my house while Kota's training is completed."
"Gods!" Darius whispered. The look on his face seemed to mirror what Kota was feeling. So far as the historical texts in the Onkai's archives told, no mortal had been invited to live among the elven people in hundreds of years. Kota could not speak.
Otho stared at him with an astonished expression and whispered: "I dare say no human assassin could touch you there."
Gretis cast the elf girl a kind smile and drew in a very slow breath through her nose. There was a distant, wondrous look in her eyes, as if she were letting her imagination run free. After a moment though, her expression lost some of its luminescence, and she said in a soft whisper: "No. You honor us both beyond measure with your most gracious offer, but we cannot accept. The time has come for me to draw my pupil’s power out." Her gaze shifted to Kota. "That will be dangerous, even to creatures such as elves. I must take him deep into the wilderness, far from anyone whom he might hurt.” Gretis moved her hand to Kota’s wrist and squeezed as she looked into his eyes. “I feel there is no more time. We shall go this very night."
Kota drew in a deep breath.
"I understand," Thalice said with a soft nod.
Telemachus cleared his throat and then looked at Gretis, saying in a troubled voice: "When you were about to take the inquisitor's arm off, I felt what was coursing through you. I had no idea Sansrit Masters wielded such power."
"That is why I must take Kota far away,” Gretis said.
There was a moment of silence as the Starborn stared at the two of them. Kota had the sense that he was being telepathically probed, and it was more than a little unnerving. Finally, Telemachus straightened and extended his hand. "It was a pleasure to finally meet you, Kota of the Nakawa Tribe." He spoke the words just the way Cassian had years ago, and for an instant, Kota's mind leaped back to that fateful meeting. Telemachus' voice pervaded that flash of memory, though the young man's mouth did not move:
The Starborn turned and said his goodbyes to everyone else then, explaining that he had urgent business. Though Otho pleaded for Thalice to stay for a meal with him, she politely excused herself as well and departed with Telemachus, stopping only briefly to remove the rest of Kota's shackles with her strange power. After that, Gretis told Kota to go to the kitchens to get some food before going to her home to pack his things. She stayed behind to speak to Otho alone for a few moments. As Kota left the room and made his way through the temple, he considered all that had happened. He walked slowly, his senses dulled by the weight of introspection. He was terribly excited and terribly afraid of what was about to come.
Chapter 11:
The Better Tactician
So many people mistake the Heretic’s moments of kindness as evidence that he was not a being of evil. It must be acknowledged that Asango saw himself as a good person, but this is the case with many terrible men. For all his supposedly high-minded ideals, he was a ruthless killer, and in the end, he showed the world exactly what he was.
---Bishop Arodias of the Anti-Cassonian Church
General Romulus squinted down at the large papyrus map on the table in his study. Cassian had mentally etched precise details of the landscape and the enemy positioning into the paper while flying over the countryside upon Titus's back. Using his dragon, he knew, was an enormous advantage over Dimitris, but one he felt he had earned and represented his capabilities in war given that he and Titus were bonded for life. He had made notes on the enemy troops and where different units would be before and during his attack.
"The force numbers four thousand three hundred and forty-nine," Cassian said, gesturing to a swarm of neatly clustered circles he had drawn in the valley twelve miles east of where they currently stood.
"How do you have such a precise number?"
"I counted them," said Cassian.
"Huh," Romulus grunted, seeming befuddled and impressed in the same moment. "You were able to get so near to the enemy?"
"I was in their camp," Cassian said. This elicited an excited smile from Romulus. Cassian's Elokien had been badly damaged in the Nemesai battle years ago, but he could still force power through it for a few minutes at a time and bathe himself in illusion, or project himself within a certain distance. This was another somewhat unfair advantage over his brother, but again, he had earned the elven amulet through battle and was not afraid to use it. "Their leader, Vrokun Tarnath, is a cruel despot. He came here from a small nation far in the north that is called Meskethia on our maps, but due to its having been conquered, it is now deemed as part of the Tarnath Empire."
"Oh?" Romulus grunted.
"They call themselves an empire, but Denigoth could lay waste to the whole nation in a few weeks with only our northern forces," Cassian sighed. "Still, they seem to have gotten cocky enough to commence raiding within our borders. Tarnath believes he can outmaneuver our troops." Cassian pointed to a thin pass between two rock faces. "Specifically, he is going to use this route. Tarnath will move through first with his supply lines held in arrears until he is certain he is not walking into a trap. He will be."
"Will he?" said Romulus with a loud chuckle. Cassian could tell the general was impressed.
"Yes. I carefully placed a handful of spells within the rock face on either side, with a heavy concentration at the opening. With a few whispered words, I can trigger an avalanche upon this king and his men. I estimate at least a quarter of his army could be killed within a few seconds, with moderate to severe injuries to at least another fourth, and with nearly the entire force immediately trapped with only one direction in which to go. This would, of course, separate the army from their supplies, leaving only a hundred men at most guarding the stolen wealth and food. We could take it back with ease."
"How would you take the rest of the men?" Romulus said. His eyes were fixed on the map, brimming with eagerness. "I do not want anyone escaping."
"I would position two small contingents of archers on both sides of the rock face. It is difficult terrain, but if we gather perhaps two hundred able-bodied men and get them into place, they should be able to pick off Tarnath's men at their leisure after the initial attack. I would position them about a quarter mile back from the entrance, so they do not give away the trap. Once the avalanche takes place, there will be no rush. Depending on whether Tarnath is killed in the rock fall and how much panic is generated, this may be enough to elicit surrender. If not, our main force will be positioned at the opposite opening. The enemy will be running desperately away from arrows sent from unseen places above for nearly two miles. They will be exhausted and terrified, and I estimate we can obtain a quick surrender when they see an organized force ready to cut them down."
"Fascinating," said Romulus. His eyes shifted to Cassian's. "We won't be accepting anyone's surrender though. These men invaded Denigoth, and every one of them must be put to death."
Cassian swallowed, saying nothing to this. The thought of pointless slaughter repulsed him, but now was not the time to make that point.
Romulus continued: "I do question what you will do about the scouts this Tarnath will inevitably send ahead."
"I already know who they are," Cassian said. "I took the liberty of invading their minds. They will ride ahead, see our forces in position, and ride back telling Tarnath exactly what I wish them to say."
Romulus stroked his chin. "This all very well might work.”
"It will work, and I estimate that our side will suffer extremely minimal casualties if we take any at all. I will be flying above on Titus, my drago
n, overseeing every aspect of the battle and issuing commands telepathically."
"You can fly around on that creature's back?" said Tarnath, gazing at Cassian with undisguised awe.
"I can."
Romulus took a very slow and loud breath through his nose, looking intently down at the map. "There won't always be a clever trick like this available to you in battle," he muttered. "Still, this is extremely impressive." After another moment, his head cocked up, and he said: "I have made my decision. Come."
Cassian followed Romulus out of the tent where the small contingent of guards immediately stood to attention and saluted. Romulus nodded vaguely at them and then turned his attention to Dimitris, who was seated about fifty paces away at a tree-stump table across from Somar of all people, playing a game of cornerstone. When Dimitris saw Romulus, he stood, and Cassian sensed a wave of nerves from his fellow Starborn.
Romulus walked up to Dimitris. "My boy," the general said in a smooth and friendly voice, "the plans you provided were adequate, yet this young man's were far better." He gestured to Cassian. "I believe Lord Asango here can carry out the operation with scarcely a man lost on our side. That is why I must grant him command of this force. You are to submit to his orders in this venture, Dimitris Anondine."
Cassian felt the shock and anger in his brother almost immediately. The two of them locked eyes, and Cassian knew that Dimitris was not at all ready to accept this outcome. The calm, friendly game of cornerstone was just a display for the men to see. His brother had been more obsessed with this victory than Cassian had realized.
"What is this plan, if I may ask?" Dimitris said, straining very hard and failing to sound composed and gracious.
"It is not your place to ask," Romulus said, his voice suddenly cruel, and more than loud enough for many of the soldiers about to hear. "You have lost. At least have the dignity not to simper like a child over it.”