A Warrior's Path (The Castes and the OutCastes) (50 page)

“It is repugnant,” Magistrate Drent said with feeling.

Rukh stiffened, his mouth forming a thin line of anger.  He was tired of the dehumanizing attacks aimed at Jessira. 
They
were what was repugnant.  He could only imagine what Jessira thought of them.

“There is more, isn’t there?” Fol Nacket asked, before Rukh or Jessira could respond to Magistrate Drent.

Rukh nodded.  He described the attack of the Shylows, the death of Keemo and Brand, the separation from Farn, and the long march back to Ashoka, including the meeting his Aia.

“Rukh Shektan, you have undone us,” Drent said
.  The Duriah had his head bowed, and he appeared to be trembling.  “Our way of life is changed forever.”

“He has saved us,”
Magistrate Martel said, her liquid voice soaring.  “Change is part of life.  We Murans know this better than any.  We see it every day in our farms and our fields.”

“This…tale,” Linshok said.  “Can you prove it?”

“Am I not proof enough?” Jessira asked, stepping forward and speaking for the first time.

Vos smiled thinly.  “She has you there.”

“He brought us warning of what we face,” Magistrate Belt said.  “Suwraith is sane.”

“
Worse, we face three Plagues.  Devesh save us,” Jone Drent said.  “We are lost.”  He looked to Krain Linshok for confirmation.

The Kumma Magistrate looked unhappy and worried.  “The battle wi
ll be bloody and hard,” he said grimly.

“
First, Li-Choke isn’t sure how sane the Queen truly is.  And second, the battle next spring doesn’t need to happen.  Not if we strike first,” Rukh said into the morbid silence left by Linshoks’s words.  “I know the location of their birthing caverns.”  That got their attention.  “The SarpanKum told me where it is and even described the make up of the defending force of Chimeras.”  He related everything Li-Dirge had told him that night before Suwraith had exterminated the Baels.  “Based on what he said, I think a combined force of fifteen hundred-to-two thousand Kummas along with five hundred Murans and Rahails should be able to get there undetected and get the job done.  We can kill every last one of their breeders and set the Queen back for decades.  She won’t have the three Plagues she wants.”

“You
believe this Li-Dirge enough to risk our warriors in such a way?” Linshok asked.

Rukh considered how best to answer the Kumma Magistrate.  It wouldn’t do to appear over-eager or trusting.  “I don’t like the Baels,” he began.  “I hate what they’ve done to us, but I’ve thought a lot
about what Li-Dirge told me.  Many of us have studied the military histories before Hammer’s fall and how the Fan Lor Kum has fought ever since.  We’ve all noticed their incompetence, but we never knew why it happened.  Now, I think we do.  Prior to Hammer, Humanity had seemed headed straight for extinction, but afterward…it’s the only explanation that makes sense.  I believe Li-Dirge when he said the Baels worked to protect us as best they could.  And I believe Li-Choke, the Bael we saved.  The Levner confirmed the words of his SarpanKum.”

“You have given us much to think about, Rukh Shektan,” Magistrate Nacket said.  “It is time you three departed so the Magisterium may discuss how best Ashoka can deal with th
ese…crises.”

Rukh didn’t miss the plural.  By crises, Nacket wasn’t
only talking about the three Plagues possibly heading to Ashoka next spring.  He was also talking about the Baels, but what he was especially referring to was the existence of the ghrinas, the OutCastes surviving and thriving in the vast Wildness.

Rukh and Nanna bowed as they prepared to exit.  Jessira did not, and Rukh couldn’t blame her.  She hadn’t missed the looks of loathing thrown her way or the words spoken by Magistrate Drent.

“And cover yourself,” Magistrate Linshok said in a waspish tone to Jessira as she was about to turn and leave.  “Your appearance will cause a riot.”

Rukh
heard her mutter in stifled irritation, but she did as she was ordered.  He wanted to offer her support, but he didn’t think doing so in public would go over very well.

They walked back in silence to the
Seat of House Shektan and waited on the decision of the Magisterium.

It came quickly enough.  Later in the afternoon, word
arrived in the form of a specially printed bulletin, freely distributed at every major boulevard.  It described the recent findings of the Magisterium.  Everything Rukh had told them was included; the possibility of the Sil Lor Kum, the claims made by the Baels, Suwraith’s presence, the Plagues, the OutCastes, the Shylows…all of it was explained in full detail.

The news set the city afire as people from all walks of life argued
over what it meant for Ashoka.  For the Kumma Houses, though, the most important detail was the last one: a strike against the Chimera breeding grounds was being planned.  Volunteers were needed, and every able-bodied Kumma warrior answered the call, almost twenty thousand in all.

The
only discordant notes as far as Rukh was concerned were twofold.  First, the Magisterium was only willing to approve fifteen hundred Kummas and five hundred Murans and Rahails rather than the higher number he thought might be needed.  And second, according to the bulletin, the man chosen to lead the expedition was Marshal Ruenip Tanhue of House Redwine, close ally and friend to Hal’El Wrestiva, father to Suge Wrestiva.

*****

T
he Council of Rule, the highest body of the Sil Lor Kum gathered once again, as was their custom, in a non-descript room in the back of a non-descript place of business.  Their meetings were never held in the same place twice in a row.  One could never be too careful.  This time they convened in the back of a tailor’s shop, owned by an unskilled fool who had chosen to serve the Sil Lor Kum rather than face indentured servitude given his inability to sew a straight line.

The room
was unremarkable, which was just how the Sil Lor Kum liked things.  It contained a single, rectangular worktable.  It was sturdy, and only an hour ago had been piled high with bolts of fabric and work orders, which the tailor farmed out to others.  Above the table hung a series of firefly lanterns, and had they all been lit, the room would have been bright.  However, this was a meeting of the Council of Rule, and their work required darkness.  As a result, the lanterns were kept dim.

The SuDin studied the other members of the Council.  They were all still here, in Ashoka,
although all had their exits planned from the city.  After all, none had forgotten Suwraith’s promise as given to the SuDin in his dreams.  She was coming.  The Shektan whelp had simply confirmed it, and now the whole city knew.

Varesea tilted her head in slight acknowledgment when she caught his eye.  He couldn’t get enough of the woman.  He caught himself dreaming of a night when he could cradle her in his arms as they fell asleep next to one another.

A foolish and impossible fantasy.

“Why have you called this meeting?”
Pera Obbe, the pain-in-the-backside representing Caste Duriah demanded in her nasally whine.  “Ashoka knows of the Sil Lor Kum.  We should be cautious.

“Calm yourself,” the SuDin said, speaking as condescendingly as possible, certain it would infuriate the arrogant Duriah.  He hid a smile when he saw her stiffen in anger.  “They merely know we exist.  They do not
know
who
we are.”

“But now they will search for us,”
Obbe complained.

“They’ve known
of our existence for the past two months,” the SuDin replied.  “Several Houses have inquired into the two sacrifices we’ve made, trying to ascertain how such deaths could have happened.  The Shiyens are investigating as well.”

Pera Obbe
appeared appalled.

“And you saw fit to keep this to yourself?” Varesea demanded in her best hectoring tone.

The SuDin repressed a smile.  The tenor of her accusation was strictly for the benefit of the other Councilors.

“There was nothing to tell,” the SuDin replied.  “I
only know inquiries have been made by members of certain Houses regarding the two murders.  Nothing more.  It seemed unnecessary to reveal such vague information.”

“And they have learned what exactly?”
Yuthero Gaste, the physician of Caste Shiyen asked. 

Her question earned an
exasperated exhalation.  “I am not privy to what they know.  They don’t see fit to keep me abreast of their secret discussions,” the SuDin replied.  “But had we been found out, we would already be food for the crows.”

“And what does the Queen have to say?”
Mesa Reed, the Cherid asked in her languid manner.  “Surely She has questioned our own loyalty given the betrayal by the Baels.”  Her drooping bodice allowed everyone a full view of her bosom.

Moke Urn, the Sentya
, licked his lips and leaned forward, the desperate lust obvious on his face.

The SuDin
watched Urn’s reaction in amusement as he considered how best to answer Reed’s question.  “First, we do not know if the Baels have betrayed our Mistress.  We only have the word of a Shektan brat…”

“And an OutCaste,”
Ular Sathin, the quiet, elderly Muran murmured.

The SuDin nodded acknowledgment.  “And an OutCaste abomination,” h
e added.  “But in my estimation it is not enough to decide what truly happened to the Shektan or what he saw in the Wildness.”  He laughed.  “Some of his tales, such as the one of the mind-speaking Shylow…it is utter folly.  It is madness I tell you.”

“
Madness, eh?  Do you then mock our Queen?” the piggish Pera Obbe challenged.

The SuDin openly rolled his eyes.  “Only a fool would think so,” he answered.  Again,
Obbe tensed with anger.  The woman really needed to learn to control her temper if she ever wished to challenge the SuDin for his position.  “Regardless, in answer to the Cherid’s original question, the Queen has not yet made Her will known to me.”  In fact, it had been weeks since the Queen had visited his dreams, but there was no reason for the Council to know that
.
  It would set them clucking like panicked hens.  “But She was clear in Her most recent commands.”

“Clear?” Varesea asked.  “I don’t believe I have ever heard Her described like that.”

“She was
most
clear.  Lucid, in fact.”

“So Rukh Shektan wasn’t mistaken.  She is sane,”
Moke Urn said, the visible part of his face growing pale.  “That is not good news.”

“She was nothing of the sort,” the SuDin said.  “She was simply
less insane.”  And it was true.  Weeks ago, when the Queen had visited his dreams, She had been almost coherent, but the SuDin purposefully left vague his impression of the Queen’s state of mind.  It would leave the rest of the Council off balance as they tried to guess how best to plan for a somewhat less insane Suwraith,

“What did She command?” Varesea asked.

The SuDin glanced at her.  “It is Her will that we do nothing for now.  We are to await Her word.”

“And the Knife?” Obbe
asked.  “Other than killing in a gruesome and spectacular fashion, have you been able to divine its purpose?”

“Of course,” the SuDin announced.  “It kills, and in doing so, it drains the victim’s entire
Jivatma
, and I think it somehow channels it down into the crevices of the Oasis, eating at it like an acid.”  It was an utter fabrication but had the others learned the Knife channeled that stolen
Jivatma
directly into the murderer, they would have demanded use of the Knife themselves.  It would vastly increase the risk of exposure for all of them, but the greedy fools wouldn’t have cared.  Their personal ambition was their true lodestar, whereas the SuDin did what he did for Ashoka.  There might come a time when it was his strength and will alone that sheltered the city when the Sorrow Bringer came for them.

“
Then is it wise for you to ever use it again?” Gaste asked.  “If the Oasis crumbles before we are prepared to flee, the Queen might kill us all where we stand, especially if She is sane.  She will think we secretly betray Her at every turn even as Her own Baels apparently have.”

“She will not kill us,” the SuDin said.  “At least not all of us.  We know the stories of the Sil Lor Kum from other cities.  Men and women who escaped the destruction of their homes,
washed ashore in a new place with their wealth intact.  We will be fine.  The Queen will honor Her compact with us.”

“I hope you are right,”
Mesa Reed said with a sigh.

“There is one other thing,” the SuDin said.  “The Queen did demand I choose one last victim.  I was loathe to
fulfill her wishes until we convened, but now since all of you know, I feel compelled to carry out Her instructions.”

“Perhaps this time you should choose a means by which the body cannot be found,”
Yuthero Gaste suggested.

“Do you have an idea?
” Varesea asked.

Gaste
nodded.  “Burn it.”