Abuud: the One-Eyed God (21 page)

"What happened to her?" asked Master Khatama.

"An army came through town one day," Niki sobbed. "They smashed the market up and destroyed my mother's stall. When she tried to complain they beat her and gave her to one of the officers as his slave. It was horrible what they did."

Niki started bawling and Boris reached for another clean cloth. He let her cry herself out in silence. After several minutes, Niki continued.

"They handed her off from man to man," sobbed Niki. "When that was not degrading enough, they started handing me off. That is when it ended. My mother found out what they were doing, and she knifed the officer in his sleep. They hauled her out into the street and tore her apart by tying her to four horses and riding them in opposite directions. I escaped and ran away. I did not stop running until I could not run any more."

Niki lapsed into silence. After a long period of meditation Boris smiled at her.

"We will find something that you are good at," Boris said with a fatherly smile. "I know we will."

Master Khatama pushed well into the night before stopping. He had eventually come out near a north-south trail that would run past Southland. He took advantage of the good trail to make up for the time he had lost going eastward. Boris pulled the wagon into a small clearing off the trail that had seen recent use. There was already wood piled near a fire ring, and the merchant quickly started preparing a meal.

Boris smiled to himself as Niki grabbed the bucket under the wagon and began brushing the horses without prompting. He watched her as she put effort into the grooming and his mind started thinking about her potential talents. By the time Niki was done taking care of the horses, Boris had completed the meal. He served it into two bowls and handed Niki one as she joined him by the campfire.

"You certainly do that job well," smiled Boris.

Niki gave Boris a puzzled look and began eating.

"I saw you tugging on the mare's tongue," commented Boris. "Why did you do that?"

"She likes it," Niki said simply.

"That she does," nodded Boris. "Strange like for a mare. How did you know she liked it?"

"I don't know," Niki frowned. "I just knew."

"Think about it while we eat," suggested Boris. "Maybe something will come to you."

The meal was quiet and peaceful. Master Khatama lit his pipe, and Niki rose and gathered up the bowls and utensils. She took them to the stream and washed them and placed them in the rear of the wagon. When she returned to the campfire, Boris looked up at her.

"Thank you," Boris said. "That part is really my job, but it was very thoughtful of you to do it."

"I didn't mind," smiled Niki. "I like traveling with you. I can talk when I want to talk, and I don't feel obligated to talk when I don't want to. It makes me feel peaceful."

"Have you thought about the mare?" asked Master Khatama.

"Yes," nodded Niki. "I cannot determine how I knew. I think I understand why you are asking though."

"Do you?" quizzed Boris.

"Certainly," nodded Niki. "You think I have some type of intuition."

"Not exactly," smiled Boris. "I could be wrong, but I think she told you."

"Told me?" asked Niki. "She is not a unicorn is she?"

"No," replied Master Khatama. "Just an ordinary mare. I am wondering if you have some type of capabilities in animal speech. Have you ever had thoughts about animals? Have you developed close bonds with any?"

"Animals do like me," smiled Niki. "I guess they always have. I always used to feed crumbs to the birds and the squirrels. The squirrels used to run around me in circles. It used to make me laugh so hard. Do you think they knew it made me happy?"

"Perhaps," Boris remarked thoughtfully. "I will try to think of some way of testing this theory. It is a rare talent if you do possess it, but I am hesitant to get your hopes up. Promise me that you will not fantasize about this talent until we determine if you have it."

"I promise," stated Niki. "I am not sure what good such a talent would be anyway."

"Every talent has a use," instructed Boris. "Many make the mistake of only valuing certain talents that are common in life. Often it is the undiscovered talents that matter most in life."

"I am beginning to understand you, Master Khatama," smiled Niki. "At first glance you have practically no talents at all, but I am beginning to realize that I will learn a lot from you. The exciting part is that I will be learning about myself."

***

Konic Clava walked into the Palace Shadow and scanned the dining room. He saw Duke Graves and his allies in the far corner and walked purposely towards them.

"Councilors," greeted Lord Clava. "I couldn't help notice you here and wanted to stop and thank you for your support of my resolution to change the makeup of the Council. I truly think it will help alleviate these assassinations, although I imagine it might have made myself a few enemies."

"Enemies?" questioned Duke Graves as he waved to Konic to sit. "Join us please."

"Yes what do you mean that it will make you enemies?" asked Duke Zalski.

"Well," frowned Konic, "there were three councilors opposed to the resolution, but worst of all is that whoever is calling for the assassinations will no longer gain from it. It is bound to make that person or persons quite angry."

"I hadn't thought of that angle," admitted Duke Graves. "I trust you have security in place."

"Of course," nodded Konic. "Koman mercenaries. They are very professional. Have you ordered dinner yet?"

"Yes," answered Duke Tredor. "It is just several plates of various meats and cheeses. There will plenty for you. Wine?"

"Yes please," smiled Konic.

"Uh oh," frowned Duke Tredor.

Everyone at the table followed Tredor's gaze and saw Mitar Vidson approaching. He walked up to the table and everyone waited for the bad news.

"Lord Clava," said Mitar, "might I have a private word with you please."

Konic nodded and rose. Mitar Vidson led Konic a short ways away from the table. They spoke briefly with Konic nodding repeatedly. Konic withdrew a small book from his pocket and scribbled something and then handed a page torn out of the book to the Koman mercenary. Mitar Vidson nodded and left the dining room. Lord Clava returned to the table.

"You found out that your fears were justified?" asked Duke Graves.

"Yes," frowned Konic. "There is a verified threat against me. It was bound to happen sooner or later."

"My condolences," Duke Tredor said. "Did you agree to boost your mercenary force?"

"Certainly," nodded Konic. "Only a fool would refuse to."

"You should get financing immediately," suggest Duke Graves. "Do not wait like Lord Gelman did."

"I had already arranged for the financing through Stafa Rakech," declared Konic. "All I had to do was give a note to Mitar Vidson, and he will collect the funds directly for Rakech."

"How did you arrange that if I may ask?" questioned Duke Zalski.

"I put up my estate for collateral," stated Konic. "Stafa Rakech will lend me money up to its value. If I do not need to borrow then I don't, but should I need funds quickly, it merely takes a note from me."

"Excellent," Duke Graves said. "Will he do this for anyone?"

"I assume that he would do it for any councilor," answered Konic. "I have no special relationship with him. I merely asked if he would do it and he said yes."

"You don't suppose that these verified threats could be a ruse to extort more money from us, do you?" posed Duke Tredor.

"No," Konic shook his head. "These mercenaries are professional and honest. I trust them with my life. I expect that most of the councilors will probably receive threats in the next few days. Especially if the assassins fail in their attempt to kill me. I probably should get back to my estate and oversee the new mercenaries. I hope you gentlemen will excuse me."

"Certainly," smiled Duke Graves. "I wish you well."

"I wanted to talk to him about joining our little group," sighed Duke Graves after Konic left, "but today did not seem to be the right time."

"I hope he lets us know if the attempt is made on his life," remarked Duke Zalski, "but I guess we will know when the army is called to remove the body."

"These mercenaries will never inform the army of it," advised Duke Graves. "They will dispose of the body themselves and never say a word to anyone."

"We will know about it," smirked Duke Tredor. "I have a spy in his home."

***

The six Koman mercenaries entered the servants' quarters at the Clava estate with their swords drawn. The servants were ordered to ascend to the main floor. The dozen servants hurried up the stairs and into a hallway that was lined with mercenaries.

"What is going on?" the servant named Handershiv asked another servant. "I am new here. Does this happen often?"

"Never happened before," a servant answered. "I heard there are assassins coming."

"Assassins?" echoed Handershiv. "You mean more than one? How do they know?"

"These mercenaries know everything that goes on in this city," declared the servant. "I wouldn't get in their way either."

"All of you servants sit down on the floor and don't move," ordered a mercenary. "Do not speak unless you are spoken to."

Mitar Vidson entered the hallway and gazed at the servants before turning to his men. "Are all of the servants accounted for?" he asked his men.

One of the men nodded.

"Good," stated Mitar. "Our intelligence reports that all three of the assassins intend to attack at once. I have three squads set out to deal with them. You men are to remain here unless you are called for. The servants are not to move, and nobody is allowed to access the stairway. If anyone steps on those stairs, kill him."

"Where are our three squads located, Sir?" asked one of the mercenaries.

"One is in the servants' quarters," answered Mitar. "Another is in the study, and the third is at the rear entrance. You men are one of three groups to react to any changes in plans that the assassins might make. Stay ready."

The hallway fell silent for a long period of time. The guards were absolutely motionless and glared at the servants anytime one of them fidgeted. Suddenly, the sounds of battle erupted downstairs in the servants' quarters. Within seconds, battles could be heard in the study and at the rear entrance. Within a minute, the silence returned. Mitar Vidson walked calmly towards the study and then towards the rear door. As he returned to the hallway, he stuck his head in the stairwell and talked to someone. He pointed to the four servants on the end of the row.

"You four need to clean the study," he ordered. "The next four handle the rear entrance. The rest will clean the servants' quarters. I want all of the blood cleaned up. Anything that is stained must be reported so it can be replaced. Do not touch the bodies and do not get in the way of my men. One last but important order, you will speak to nobody about what happened here tonight. Get moving."

Handershiv was in the last group and he hurried down the stairs to the servants' quarters. His eyes opened wide as he saw the mercenaries shoving a body into a cloth sack. One mercenary bent down and picked up a human arm and threw it into the sack. The floor was covered in blood and the servants moved swiftly to mop it up. The mercenaries carried the sack away. Within an hour all of the servants had returned to the servants' quarters. Handershiv inquired about the attacks at the other locations and found that they also resulted in bodies being carried away and massive amounts of blood on the floor, which required cleanup. In the space of two hours the mercenaries had set up for the attack, defeated it, and had the mansion cleaned up. Nobody would imagine that three assassins had tried to kill Lord Clava.

Handershiv told his fellow servants that he wanted to sneak out for a romantic meeting with a friend, and they agreed not to tell anyone. He ran through the streets until he arrived at Duke Tredor's estate. He reported everything that had gone on at Lord Clava's home and then returned before anyone noticed him missing.

The following morning Duke Tredor shared his information with Duke Graves and Duke Zalski.

"Three assassins at once," Duke Graves shook his head. "They must be getting desperate. At least we can all feel confident now that the mercenaries are not just spreading lies about the threats. This has proven that the threats are real."

"It also troubles me," interjected Duke Zalski.

"What troubles you about it?" queried Duke Tredor. "It was not an attack on your life."

"Not last night," agreed Duke Zalski, "but whoever is hiring these assassins just lost three more men. He lost the men because Lord Clava boosted his security. It makes sense that he would now try to target someone who does not have the extra men."

"That is what I was thinking," nodded Duke Graves. "It probably doesn't really matter which councilors he eliminates. In that position, I would go for the easiest targets."

"And we are among the easiest," frowned Duke Tredor. "Perhaps it is time for another visit to Stafa Rakech."

Duke Graves and Duke Zalski nodded in agreement.

The three councilors visited the home of Stafa Rakech and executed agreements similar to the one Konic had said he had. They pledged their estates as collateral for a credit line that they could use whenever it was necessary.

After the three councilors left, Stafa Rakech had three more visitors, but he entertained them in his furnished sitting room.

"The plan is progressing well," Oscar declared. "The time for Queen Marta to enter Tagaret is fast approaching. We need to plan for it."

"Do you want us to go out to the farm and get the Red Swords prepared?" asked Alex.

"I would love to go myself," sighed Oscar, "but that would jeopardize too much. We now have all of the Rangers in the city. We still have to eliminate three councilors to make sure that we control the majority of the Council."

"And figure out how to deal with Duke Everich," added Tanya. "He does not seem the type to leave quietly."

"Duke Everich has met his match in Oscar Dalek," smiled Jenneva. "He may not know it yet, but he is losing the Contest of Power."