The tea was excellent, as was usual. Kushina used the right mix of herbs so that it woke one and soothed the nerves just by the aroma. The presence of lavender on one side in boiling water soothed the nerves. As they kneeled within the shrine's great hall, Kushina brought her tea to her lips and sipped it. Sahshir allowed his mask to fall and swallowed it, careful not to look at his reflection.

After a moment, she set down her cup and smiled. It was a stern, controlled smile as she usually did. Kushina had never been one for open displays of emotion. "I must admit, I'm surprised you made it back into the city without anyone knowing. I suppose Tuor did well by you in training."

"He did," said Sahshir.

There was further silence as she seemed to contemplate her response. "I'm sorry about what Asim did," said Kushina. "I'm afraid that one of his spies overheard my conversation with Tuor. I believe he became afraid of this very thing."

"He should fear me," said Sahshir. He brought up one gloved hand and looked at it. How long until the skin beneath it withered away?

"Are you here to kill him?" asked Kushina. "To stand on your rights and cut him down?"

"I have been forbidden from ending his life or the lives of any of his subordinates," said Sahshir. Why? Why should Tuor insist on that?

"So then you are looking for a means to remove him from power. All while making him wish you could have killed him," guessed Kushina.

"I may not be," said Sahshir.

"I know you, Sahshir," said Kashina with a laugh. "You have a vengeful streak a mile wide. You've never forgiven Sushaki, even though he only did his duty. But, unfortunately, there are better times for you to act. If you move against him, there may be a kin slaying.

"And the armies of Dinis are moving."

"Armies?" asked Sahshir, raising an eyebrow beneath his face. "You mean the legions? Or one of their vassals?"

"The legions," said Kushina, shaking her head with closed eyes. "I spoke with the birds. They tell me of vast hosts of legionaries marching toward Zigilus. That is just over the border. Using the airships of Zigilus, they could move very quickly to our doorstep."

"The airships fail when they go too far, however," said Sahshir, remembering what he had learned in his youth. "They cannot go far beyond the source of demonic energy."

"True," said Kushina. "But it gives them a unique capability to move within that area. This is the first time anyone has managed to win a battle against the defenders of that place. Or have you forgotten your grandfather?

"He was a great leader of men who had won many battles. Decades ago, at the zenith of his power, he boasted that he would seize Dinis and quench the flow of monsters. He led a great host. But even as his armies met Garacel's, the airships came from above. The Battlelusters of Zigilus fell upon them, and he was routed. Without Asim covering the retreat, our armies would have been annihilated.

"We owe him an outstanding debt.

"Even so, it was the worst defeat we ever suffered. That day, the territory of Zigilus expanded by ten miles, and now they are very near our towns. King Aresh spent most of his time leading the recovery from that disaster. And we have only just stabilized. The western Kalthakians under King Belosh look down on us scornfully.

"It is written-"

"'The fool seeks battle on the demon's own ground,'" Sahshir finished for her. "I know the texts."

Priestess Yuna had drilled the matter into him for years and years. He looked on those earlier days with some fondness.

Then the door opened. A young, black-haired girl rushed in. She was clutching her broom. "Big sister, big sister!"

"Sczhara," said Sahshir. "You've grown." So what did this nuisance want? He wasn't in the mood for pretending to be nice to her.

Schzara halted. "Sahshir, I haven't seen you in months and months. Where did you go?"

"Elsewhere," said Sahshir. With luck, she wouldn't press the matter.

Why did this girl insist on bothering him whenever he came here?

Kushina stood quickly. "Schzara, how is the sweeping coming?"

"Really well," said Schzara. "I cleaned the entire terrace myself and everything. So all my chores are completely done."

"Well then," said Kushina, "why don't you go find some other children and play?"

"I don't like them," said Schzara. "They say you're just a placeholder."

"Then find some of the others," said Kushina. "I've trained you to sense people. Use that power to find a lifeforce you like."

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Schzara nodded before turning to leave. As she left, Sahshir did not breathe a sigh of relief. He wished he could have. Now, he ought to make polite conversation, hadn't he? "...How does the shrine fair?"

Kushina sighed. "The Blade of Chaos has been acting up. More than usual, I mean. There will be pulses of energy from it that strain the boundaries. Then, I have to get up in the middle of the night to reign it in. It's very frustrating.

"I suspect that it may be sewing the seeds of Chaos. The spirit of Typhos works through it and seeks to start a battle."

"It is causing an invasion?" asked Sahshir.

"The invasion may be unrelated," said Kushina. "Whatever the case, Asim has been working to make the place as secure as possible.

"All this started a few months ago, after the meeting."

"Between you and Father?" guessed Sahshir, remembering the note and the assassination attempt.

"Yes, that one," said Kushina. "Somehow, Asim learned what was said and became afraid you would usurp him."

"Why?" asked Sahshir.

"It wasn't just the training," said Kushina. "That alone could be merely a way to get you out. But I... well, I was angry with Tuor. And he was wearing the Sword of Order, which traditionally goes to the King of Eastern Kalthak. It was a gift from Baltoth, even if it was delivered by Tuor.

"He technically had the right to it.

"But, I demanded he gives it up and cedes it to you." She stood and made her way over to the wall. Sliding aside a secret panel, she drew out the Sword of Order. It was a simple weapon with no ornate decorations. But the design was elegant, and Sahshir felt a chill down his back as she drew it.

Kushina kneeled and offered the blade to him, holding it with a practiced grace. Sahshir wondered if she had rehearsed for this moment. Often, she had done for important matters when they were young. He remembered her and Sushaki going after formalities time and again. That had been before Kushina's parents were taken by the plague. Before Sushaki betrayed him. Had those been better times? Or only a lie?

Kushina was not a lie. Sahshir was sure of that. As for that wretch Sushaki, he would be dealt with in due time. "'In the beginning, there was only Chaos and the pretender Valranor. Then came Baltoth, the Inexorable Lord of Pride. He cast down the pretender and brought Order. He drove out the scheming Dust Elves and built a mighty empire. And he named it Calisha, after the one he loved most of all.'"

"The first words of the Book of Baltoth," said Sahshir. He hesitated to take it in hand.

"Yes," said Kushina. "Before the darkness came. Before the God of Chaos was made manifest.

"The Blade of Order is yours."

Sahshir remained silent and still for only a moment. Was he genuinely ready? It did not matter. He took it and admired the way the light gleamed off it.

Kushina sighed. "It was taken from the body of Valranor long ago. And it is awarded to one of his descendants in Kalthak with each generation. So now it is yours."

"Why do you give this to me?" asked Sahshir.

"As I said, the Blade of Chaos is showing signs of becoming active," said Kushina. As if that explained everything.

"So it has been done many times," said Sahshir, lowering the blade. "The true reason?" He very much doubted that this was a gift without attachments. For no present was without a price of sorts.

"...Tuor wanted to use it," said Kushina.

Sahshir nearly dropped his blade. He had to lean forward to catch it in hand. "What?"

"Wait, that isn't fair," said Kushina. "He wanted to look into the possibility of using the Blade of Chaos. He argued that Chaos merely reflects Order and that both used in balance result in true power." She shrugged. "I wouldn't have any of it. My task is to ensure the blade remains safe here."

"That was wise," said Sahshir. He looked back to the blade and gripped it in his two hands. Then, standing, he tested the weight. "My father did not have the decency to give it to me with his own hands."

"That isn't fair, Sahshir," said Kushina. "Tuor is the Disciple of Baltoth. By his nature, he must remain objective. If he showed great favor to you because of who he was, it could be... counterproductive."

"And so he has left the kingdom in the care of Asim," said Sahshir.

"Asim is a but a conceited caretaker," said Kushina. Sahshir thought this assessment to be reckless and dangerous. Asim was a deadly warrior and a great leader of men in his own way. What he lacked in political flair, he made up for in lethality. "You will lead this village one day. And if he interferes, it will be worse for him." She stood up. "In any case, you should not speak to any of our concerns. Aside from myself, very few know the Blade of Chaos is even manifesting."

"Who else?" asked Sahshir.

"You and Tuor," said Kushina. "Perhaps some of those he most trusts."

There was a sharp breath. Sahshir arose with the Blade of Order in hand and pulled aside the door. Schzara stumbled forward to fall on her knees. Sahshir lowered his blade. "You were listening in?" How had she done so with neither noticing? Schazara learned the art of quiet footwork well. Sahshir knew Kushina had also ordered her to be trained with bow, arrow, and spear. That, as well as many other rituals.

All those things Kushina was a master of. Yet Sahshir had always thought they needed to fit Schazara and Kushina.

"I didn't mean to," said Schazara, halting. "I just forgot something, came back, and got interested and... " She trailed off, looking afraid.

Kushina took Sahshir by the shoulder. "Wait. Schzara, what have I told you about eavesdropping?"

"I just, um..." began Schzara.

Kushina kneeled down before her with a sudden bout of gentleness upon her. She set a hand on each of her shoulders and brought her close so they were pressed together. "Listen to me very carefully, Schzara. You must tell no one what happened here. Forget you heard anything."

Schzara nodded. "Yes, big sister."

Sahshir sheathed the Sword of Order and hooked it to his belt. As he did, he wondered the last time he had been held in such a fashion. Never seemed to be the answer, for such outward displays of affection ill became a man. Sushaki had been born like that by Asim and his Mother, and Sahshir had envied him. Then he walked toward the door. Kushina looked up at him. "Where are you going?"

"I must inform Master Tuor I will take a leave of absence from his service," said Sahshir. "This kingdom will need me."

"I recommend you send a letter," said Kushina. "I have runners I can trust. You should stay here for a time?"

"Won't Asim act against me?" asked Sahshir.

"Asim is not mad," said Kushina. "He will not harm those under the protection of Baltoth. And so long as you are my guest, you are under his protection."

Sahshir remained silent. "Very well. I will remain here."

"Good," said Kushina. "now, why don't we plan a coup."

That was typical of her. Sahshir decided to settle accounts with Asim, which was precisely what he needed.