A bit of foul language this time. I hope I dont need to add a warning in my sinopsis just because of this much. Thanks for reading!

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"The traveler's notes" by Lasley Guinness. Second edition. Published in 9629.

Chapter 2 "Falcon Empire"

Page 21

  The capital of The Empire, Diantes City, is a holder of many records, that should be mentioned to let you understand its pros and cons. Aside from being the largest and most populated (250k souls) city in the world, it is famous for having the largest number of museums, theaters, churches, restaurants, sculptures, parks, etc. Diverse cultural life of this city earned it a reputation of a “town with thousand faces”. You could never be sure, what impression Diantes will make on you the next time you visit. Other records only strenghten that nickname. Diantes is also the dirtiest city with largest number of brothels, arenas, gambling houses and prisons. As you already guessed, not all its faces are pleasant ones.

  There is a saying, which you may find amusing. “You’re not an actor, if you never walked the stage behind the Diantes walls, neither are you a blacksmith if no guard from Diantes wore your sword even once. You’re not a tailor, or a thief, or chef. Not until you tried one of Diantes masks on.” Think of it, dear reader. Perhaps it’s about time you should pack your things and test your luck in the capital of the world? If so, then make peace with all gods you know, as one or two blessings won’t be enough.

Feral Forest

Log outpost

“Are you really going to be fine, girl?” I was waiting for Korhal with my belongings packed, ready to depart, when Barlen’s voice dragged me from thoughts.

“Name’s Akillah,” I replied without turning around. After what happened recently I highly doubt anything can brake me. “Why do you ask?” The answer was obvious but I wanted to tease him anyway. He’s been giving me weird glances for the whole week. I turned around and was pleased to see confusion on his face.

“For ancestors’ sake, why are you still here? You know what I mean,” he parried with another obvious question

“I want to become strong.” It’s truth the thought of leaving never crossed my mind. I have a goal now.  I won’t step off.

“You…you know I...,” his ears told me he’s embarrassed, “…I could teach you.” It was extremely rude for a beastmen to try and steal a student. He must be pretty serious if he decided to go that far.

“I don’t need pity, master Barlen. You just want to take me in to go easy on me. ”

“What’s wrong with making it slow? You’re young. There’s still much time,” he argued.

“To the contrary, I don’t have time at all. The next injury may be last for me,” I pointed at my scar. Healers did good job mending it. It’s a pity we don’t have mirrors, but Korhal says it’s going to be thin, but intimidating. “All of you were there, yet none could do a thing. It’s up to me to protect myself and to be safe I need to be the strongest. You just don’t have the right heart to drag me to the top, master Barlen.”

“Does he have? I can’t approve his methods no matter what.”

“Me neither, but….I improved a lot.” We both gave a deep sight. “You know, he told me and my parets it’s going to be as hard as he could make it. My special conditions do not allow me a single mistake, so we all agreed. I honestly thought I knew what am I stepping into. All in all, the decision was made. I can go back, but I don’t want to.” I wanted to stop at that, but interesting thought entered my mind. ”You know what’s funny? I’ve been feeling so alive these past few days.  Just as a newborn.”

“I see…..I see,” he held his chin with one hand while looking downwards. Another sigh escaped his mouth. “So, the top, huh? We shall meet again then, Akillah. As for now, sixty seventh branch is mine, feel free to come after me when you feel like it. Also, if the day will come when you fight Korhal, please let me know. I would love to see his ass kicked,” he turned around and left me alone.

Grassy smell entered my nose and I immediately turned around and catched another stone flung at me.

“Hahah, the fool finally talked to you.” Korhal’s mood was rather good. “He’s been making circles around you for awhile.” I didn’t answer and we stood in silence for a minute.

“So, what now?” I asked. It’s been less than two weeks since I left home, but they felt like ages. Years away from home are yet to come.

“I think we had this conversation already. I’ll teach you how to run and breath. You did well adjusting your running stance while running from wolves, but there’s still a lot to improve.” He sat down before me, fetched a rope from his robes and tied two knots around my ankles. “I’m not making the rope any shorter, so it should be comfortable to some extent. You should focus on your breathing instead.”

“Is there going to be some theory before practice?” I don’t want to go through do or die experience all the time. “Mind giving me some pointers?”

“How am I supposed to make your lungs supplement you with enough air with words alone? They’ll extend to meet my….our demands the natural way. We have a lot of running to do, so it shall keep you occupied.”

“Can’t you just drag me to our destination in few days?” I immediately regretted asking. There is no way I would ride him for another hour, let alone a week.

“Don’t underestimate basic training, little rascal,” he told harshly. “I don’t want to deal with your lack of stamina on the island. Besides, ropes on your legs make you use more muscles. Also, your tendons in ankles shall become more elastic and help us decrease the risk of traumas. We’ll have as much running as you could take starting now.” He picked my sack and made a step in eastern direction.

“Wait, we’re going the same way, why do we need to go apart?”

“First, to train your sense of smell. Second, I need to shoo all the beasts in the woods. Didn’t you find it strange not a single creature attacked you during the first day of our journey? And lastly, I’m going to throw stones at you from time to time. For your reaction, of course,” he added quickly, “not because it’s funny or anything. Use your knife to repel them.”

I sighed again and went after him to the east. It isn’t going to be easy, but…why do I feel so good?

Falcon Empire

Outskirts of Diantes City

“Thirty axes” tavern

No customers were seen in the tavern this late through the night, except of one. A shabby man and a bartender stood against each other, from different sides of the bar table.

“I think the Emperor is sick.” Long silence hung in the air. The bartender finished to polish one glass, than took another.

“Edward,” bartenders voice was kind and caring, “How many times I shall tell you? Don’t bother me with utter bullshit. Any information that begins with words “I think” can’t be sold. Also, make your report longer. You understand me? Longer means three sentences, “ he showed fingers according to number, ” four….maybe five?”

“But you told me too keep it short last time.”

“I told you to stop blabbering about your neighbor’s affairs and get to the point, you bloody idiot!” Bartender threw his rag on the table.

“Ok, the cousin of my mother knows a cook, who works in the castle. She cooks dessert for emperor himself. He even offered her nobility for her recipes, but old hag refused it. Can you believe? I mean, who cares about recipes when-“

“My patience is running out, Edward” A crack formed on the glass in bartender’s hand. He calmly put it down and took another one.

“Oh…where wa…khm…where was I,” the man choked. “Yeah. There was a huge skirmish in the castle three nights ago and no desserts were requested since then.”

“And that’s it? Your informer is…..a dessert? Maybe his majesty wants to lose some weight? Maybe he finally found a woman?”

“But no one saw him for the last three days.”

“No one saw his majesty for a year . Did the niece of your mother tell you ho-”

“Not niece, sir. Cousin.”

“For fuc*s sake, Edard! We both know you don’t have neither mother, nor cousin,” his eyes pierced Edward like daggers.  “You interrupt me again and I won’t let you in even if you can pay.”

“I’m sorry, sir,” such a stare made him make a step back.

“If the Emperor is sick….just IF” bartender started to rub another mug, “then I need to know details. You understand?”

“Maybe it’s diabetes?”

“God dammit! I don’t want to hear “maybe” or “I think” ever again! Get lost!” A vein popped out on bartender’s forehead. He was clearly reaching his limit.

“Sir, please.”Bartender’s eye twitched, but the man stayed oblivious. He bowed so deep his forehead almost touched the table.

“Phew…here we come again. One bottle of chilli amber, and you’ll bring me some news next week. Some real news, you got it?” He bent down and fetched huge bottle with brownish liquid.

“Thank you, sir.” The man took the bottle with both hands, but the bartender didn’t let go.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“What you say to me is for my ears alone, Edward. Just felt like reminding you.”  The smile on bartender’s face made a sharp contrast with his cold eyes.

“Of course, sir. ”

“I don’t want to hear the same story from another drunkard tomorrow. Now go.” The man finally got his bottle, bowed again and left.  

  With a sigh bartender put down his well polished mug, took a black cloak from under the table and put it on. He put all lights off, locked the tavern and went down the stairs to his wine cellar. A push on the brick triggered a well oiled mechanism and after moments, with no sound at all, a tight passage appeared before him. He went through it until the passage got wider. Another cloaked figure stood under thin light coming from above.

“Took you long, Artemon. We’re getting late. When will you finally fix this hole?” he pointed upwards. “You don’t want some hobo try to get in during the winter,” they both scurried deeper into the tunnel.

“So much work. I keep forgetting ‘bout small matters all the time.”A hour went and gone before Artemon has spoken again.

“It’s the third time I hear rumors concerning Emperor for the last three days.”

“Who cares about your drunkards, Artemon? They’ll sell their sister to Juliette to get a pint. Three quarters of your rumors are outward lies. Not the most creative at that.”

“You don’t understand how it works, Piero. The story told one time is a lie. The story told twice is a fantasy. Tell the story thrice and it becomes truth. Third time means everything.

“Why wasting time on Emperor anyway? His dynasty stood for eight thousand years and is going to stand for another hundred. We’ll be long gone when something interesting happens. You better not embarrass yourself by reporting something useless.”

“I better do it now, then after fourth time comes. I have a rule. Third time decides everything.”

“As you wish. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“How are things on your side?”

“Not well. An eagle arrived this morning. Another sally to furballs failed. I went as far as giving one of my best cloaks to Jerar, but he failed to return too. I swear, my men are getting dumber year after year. We won’t meet our quote on slave market this year. Again. Most of beastmen we get nowadays are from Midior Kingdom, but the fee for keeping official’s eyes closed is just too high. I’m not even supposed to do that job. Not my jurisdiction.” They walked for some time before Piero asked. “What about skirmish in the castle?”

“Ah, that question has been bothering me for days. Our man says there was some kind o stir, but not a single guard was involved. They were ordered to stay on their positions. Also, every single noble left the castle the next day, and all of them went to their provinces in haste. I sent some men after, but… That’s why rumors about Emperor are suspicious. The result is needed now, but I won’t get anything soon.”

“If  you want a guess-”

“I don’t. Leave your guesses with you,” there was an angry note in his reply.

“Hard day, huh? Sometimes I wish I could just serve beverages all day long. I liked poetry before I entered the order, but couldn’t write a single verse since then. Not a word in five years. Sometimes I visit literature evenings and old friends ask me on the stage, but words get stuck in my throat,” even through darkness you could tell he was tired and sad. “Now I like to paint walls red. It makes me agitated. You probably don’t know what I mean, right?”

“No, I don’t.”

“You see, every time blood makes its way on the wall, it forms a different pattern. It’s a spontaneous art, so to say.” After those words Artemon stood still, unable to believe what he heard right now. Piero stopped a second later. “Forget it. No one seems to understand me lately,” he told with a tone even more grim then before.

“You’re just tired, Piero. Take a vacation, go to Rizza and spend a fortune. Just relax.” Kind. Caring. Bartender’s voice was a result of practice, long as a lifetime. He went ahead, angry on his own reaction. He should have known his closest coworker better. Knowing is his job, after all.

“Yeah. You know what? I should do that. Thank you.” They reached a heavy reinforced door and knocked three times, then another two. The door opened with a screech and the guard let them in without giving as much as nod. Another straight passage led them to a round room with a round table in the centre. Thirteen doors led to the room. Thirteen seats stood near the table. Eleven were filled.

“You’re late, gentlemen. Coin master have just finished his report.” One of cloaked men at the table said. The chair he sat on was a bit more lavish then others. You could tell he’s quite old because of his long beard, but black stripes still held here and there. The rest of the face couldn’t be seen.

“We’re sorry, sir. Can we hear a quick summary?”

“A summary? Aside from slave market problem, our finances are steady and boring. You may sit down.” Both Artemon and Piero complied. “War master Ace?”

A burly man stood up and cleared his throat before speaking. “No further than two days ago general Gaspar received a red letter with royal seal on it. To understand the significance of that letter you need to know, that the last time such letter was sent when orcs took our island in Algidile See, twenty years ago. Strangely, no reaction followed. Gaspar continues with his routine, throws poker parties and fencing contests. I suspect something’s up, gentlemen. Something of high secrecy and importance.”

“Interesting,” bearded man muttered. “Spy master Artemon. Have something to add?”

“Certainly.” Artemon’s chair didn’t get warm before he had to stand up again. “There have been too many rumors concerning our parody of an Emperor lately. None of them were anything special or reliable, but after hearing war master Ace my suspicions only got stronger. As much as I dislike giving uncertain reports, the matter is too serious to be ignored. A personal whore was denied entrance to his majesty’s rooms this Friday. He also skipped meals and no laundry left his rooms. There is a good chance his laziness has kicked the bucket.” Gasps were heard all over the place. Few even stood up and threw resentful tantrums, but sat down soon after the leader of the meeting hit the table with his fist, making cracks spread through the surface like a spider web. He then put his hands in a lock and waited, ready to burst should someone dare to make a sound.

“Does any other explanation fall on your mind, Artemon? You better be careful making such loud statements.” Anyone could tell he was troubled.

“Any two out of three could be easily explained, sir. A man, be it Emperor or not, stops eating, shitting and fuc*ing only in one case. When he’s dead.“ The silence held for a minute before Piero broke it.

“I don’t get it. If the Emperor is really dead, in what way does it exactly affect-?”

“In every way, blood master Piero,” the leader interrupted. “The reason for Falcon dynasty to hold the throne for so long was not their excellence as leaders, but a single political trick. All document’s their dynasty signed are considered legit until the dynasty reigns. With Emperor’s death, assuming he doesn’t have a successor, any significant document in this country, any treaty or agreement will become invalid. Anyone prayed for the emperor’s wellbeing, because he’s a single guarantor of stability. His existence alone held major players in balance. If the balance is about to crumble, we better climb the hill before shit starts rolling down,” he took a moment before continuing. “Hear my command! Coin master Jester. You’re going to cooperate with war master Ace and puppet master Carlo. Three of you shall use bribes to secure higher positions for our men. Blood master Piero and spy master Artemon,” he turned his head in their direction. “Terminate all missions abroad and focus on training our men. Especially you, Piero. Your men were by no means impressive lately,” Piero sank deeper into his chair. “Pleasure mistress Juliette, help Artemon with information gathering. Make your girls work extra until something comes up. I need either quick confirmation or refutation of Artemon’s suspicions. Anyone else should focus on hoarding resources. I want our stacks filled to the brim with potions, scrolls and equipment. If no one has anything to add, then you’re free.”

“Shall I continue giving out loans?” Fat man to the right from leader asked. The cloak on him looked like it could rip anytime.

“No, Jester, focus on bribing right men. If Artemon’s suspicion is proved to be truth, buy all smithies people are willing to sell. Also, force into selling those who don’t have an influential patron. Piero will help you to be…persuasive. And find me a sturdy table. I’m done braking furniture every time you lot make me loose temper.”

Few people stood up and left at that. Others exchanged few words before spreading in all directions. Only Piero and Artemon sat still, until anyone else left, both in their own thoughts.

“No vacation for me, it seems,” one of them said.

“Yeah,sorry,” answered another.