Isobeel was expecting a visit from Lady Briziit and her daughters so she couldn’t stay long. Jess, of course, left with her. Viky was spared any indignation Jieleen may have felt about her being alone as Sheeli and Shaar arrived. Perfunctory introductory greetings and commiserations had been dispensed. The women settled on couches, Sheeli started tatting as Shaar hunted for something in a large basket she had brought. Viky was served leftover sweet treats and was attempting small talk when Jieleen returned.
“Lady Sheeli, Lady Shaar. More visitors, this is wonderful. I have fresh Caraaf and will serve you immediately.” Jeileen said over armloads of platters as he entered the suite and made his way to the food preparation area.
“We are sorry you were attacked. Thought it was more serious, but glad you are not hurt.” Sheeli said.
“Was it about, you know, the thefts?” Shaar whispered.
“I guess so. Thanks for your concern.”
“We wanted you to have this,” Shaar passed a length of folded cloth to Viky.
The fabric was finely woven and silky-smooth to touch. Muted purple and violet swirls with occasional highlighted streaks of red and pink that shone with a glossy sheen. Viky ran her hand over the beautiful texture and discovered strange bumps hidden within the folds. Shaar raised a finger to her lips in the universal signal for quiet.
“It will take you a while to master, but we're happy to teach you.” Shaar whispered.
Viky lifted a corner of the fabric and peaked underneath. A necklace of chunky circular beads tucked underneath a shaped piece of worked leather. Viky raised an eyebrow.
“Thank you. I've been taught the basics, have used a sling as a child. Becoming proficient would be advantageous. I'll be grateful to take you up on the offer.” Viky replied.
“The secret to any skill is regular practice. You can come to my place; I already have useful targets set up.” Shaar nodded.
“Here we go my ladies.” Jieleen returned grinning, and the delicious scent of Caraaf wafted in with him.
“The shawl is woven from Issaan fibre.” Shaar said.
“I don’t know what that is, but it feels beautiful, and I can see it's been cleverly made. The weave is so fine.”
Viky was confused. Was the shawl a gift for her as well? Not just what a new sling that had been hidden within? She could understand the twins giving her a sling for protection. They didn't know how injured she'd been, or how she managed to fight off her attacker. She also understood why the twins wouldn't want to advertise the skills they had with weapons. Commanders always thought they held the monopoly when it came to protecting women. But why give her a shawl? Unless was it a weapon as well? Viky ran her hand over the super fine threads. Could you smother someone with a garment like this? The people of the Wild Waters had used creative defence capabilities, implemented diverse family structures, and even created their own pictorial written system to circumnavigate Coalition restrictions.
Her parentals had instilled in her a respect for all people, but it was not hard to admire those who refused to become compliant under oppression.
“Issaan are one of the few true furred animals of the Evergreen. They can’t be domesticated, so although they shed fur each rotation the fibre is difficult to come by.” Sheeli said.
“We hope you like the colour, Sheeli thought it would match your eyes, although I told her I didn’t think you had any red in them.” Shaar added.
“Oh, but she does.” Jeileen joined the conversation. “When you first look at them, they are lavender, darkening to purple around the black. And in the evening, when the biophyte dims the purple is almost a dark blue, and then when we are outside, under the Aurora, Viky’s eyes sparkle with shards of red and magenta in their depths. It's a beautiful gift. We appreciate your thoughtfulness.”
“Yes, yes. Thank you, It’s amazing.” Viky agreed
So the shawl was for her as well. And the way Jeileen had described her eyes felt like a gift evrn though she didn’t understand why. She'd only ever thought of his as purple. An impression of pleasure crossed her mind. She had never thought of her eyes as interesting but the way he described them, and with so much detail, was, well incredible. Back at the Rifts there hadn’t been a reflective piece of polished material to have seen her own eyes.
Jeileen performed his disappearing act as soon as he finished serving them.
“Sheeli, Shaar, I appreciate you giving me a sling, it a useful range weapon, one I will be proud to become proficient with, but the shawl, if the fibre is hard to come by it would be expensive. I, well, you don’t have to give it to me.”
“We want to. It’s not just because you were attacked. I wanted to say thank you for being understanding about this whole situation with Isobeel. That could have gone so much worse.” Sheeli said.
“Would have gone so much worse, if you hadn’t stepped in and turned it into an advantage in her mind.”
“And well, we haven’t been terribly supportive of you. It wasn’t intentional, but, we sort of got caught up in our business and have never needed much company other than each other.” Sheeli finished.
Viky’s initial reaction was to reply it was okay, she didn’t need much company. Only, she stroked the exquisite flimsy fabric, felt the beads knobs and subtle leather. Some skills were acquired faster with a competent teacher. She didn’t need friends. She wasn’t going to get sucked into those mistakes again, but iron sharpened iron, it would be foolish not to take advantage of the twins’ offer.
Viky gave the twins a grin. “Thank you, that means a lot. I would love to learn from you. When can we start?”
***
The cave housing the Nisayaan’s roost opened to a short platform before falling off into sheer cliff. Dereniik focused on the pungent, earth scent of droppings and ignored the wafting breezes imbued with fresh forest overtones, the slight scent of well-oiled leather mixed with the scarcely discernible traces of sweet carob. A preferred treat for the animals.
Dereniik took a few moments to orient himself. A group of subdued D’char chatted, seated along a bench working leather straps and lead-ropes. Further back, animals at rest huffed and snuffled in peaceful undertones. Individual animals waiting to be loaded occasionally pulled against their restraints, causing the leather to creak. Merchants barked supervisory instructions to D’char unloading the pouches of recently arrived animals. Most animals hovered in tranquil compliance. One, a younger less trained individual, tugged at the restraint linking her to the hitching rail, twisting and unwinding her tail as she harrumphed in displeasure. Another wing of nine animals, loaded and linked together, were being given a final check over. A couple of young Commanders just back from a ride, hair windswept, conversed as they sauntered past. Pausing, they gave him nods of acknowledgment and hand signals of respect. Layered above all these sounds, was the constant hum of hovering wing blades.
Nisayaan were one of few easily domesticated forest animals and the main form of transportation between the far-flung cities of the Coalition. It made sense to fly, for twenty-one months of the Rotation everything in the forest grew with such ferocity that keeping roads clear was beyond the most diligent city overseers. For the larger cities it was hard enough to keep the forest from encroaching over the city walls, with some species of invasive plants banned from ornamental gardens or courtyard plots.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
Some cities maintained short roads into the forest to facilitate gathering or foraging, but if you needed to travel any distance riding a Nisayaan was your only viable option. Growing up in Hunnaal, a city boy, he had not been exposed to Nisayaan during childhood. That had all changed during his first rotation of training with compulsory lessons each nine-day. Dereniik had grown to love riding, and respected the animals. They acted on instinct rather than intelligent, but once you understood the rules, were unerringly reliable. It didn’t hurt that they looked majestic and as a bonus could become invisible at will.
Dereniik wondered if he would ever fly again. Nisayaan were susceptible to scent. The pouch had strong muscles capable of expelling its contents. With his current inability to keep the contents of his own stomach in place, he doubted the likelihood. But as he had nowhere to go, it wasn't an issue.
“My Lord, is there something you require assistance with?” A low-ranking Commander observed his presence and hurried over. He took note of the epilates and insignia before his eyes lingering with sceptical doubt on Dereniik’s crutches.
“Yes, thank you. I am Deputized Operative Commander Dereniik, and you are?”
“Anathooth, Commander Anathooth, sir.”
“Thank you, Commander Anathooth, I am inquiring as to any unscheduled departures you may have experienced within the last few days.”
The young man scratched a short brown beard. Dereniik noticed dirt under his fingernails, sweet carob ends sticking out of his pocket and a rubbing cloth tucked into his belt. His teammate Torgo was never seen without similar equipment and had been passionate about the animals.
“Sorry mate, I couldn't really say. Bit would be the person to ask. Hey, Bit get over here and answer this Commander's questions.”
Bit detached himself from the group oiling leather. They were an older D’char, still limber of limb and the weathered face broke into a toothy grin.
“My Lord, it is a pleasure for this humble servant to be of service to you?”
Dereniik hid surprise, the man spoke with a cultured Elimelech accent.
“Thank you Bit. I wish to know if there have been any unscheduled Nisayaan departures in the last few days.”
“Yes, my Lord, two animals escaped, without riders, goods, or authorization three days ago. We have received confirmation they arrived back at their home roost without incident.”
“Did anybody see who released them?”
The servant ran a hand back over a bald head. Clean fingernails, shrewd eyes, they wouldn’t miss much. Dereniik waited for the answer.
“My Lord, it is with much distress that your servant did not see who released them.”
“Bit, would you say that maybe there was nobody to see? The person who released them was in fact not visible?”
“My Lord, it was indeed mysterious. The leads had been securely tied, and nobody was seen approaching or within the vicinity of the animals. Your suggestion does fit the facts, in your humble servant’s opinion.”
“Thank you Bit, could you please tell me where the released animals home roost is located?” Dereniik asked.
Nisayaan would fly with little complaint wherever the man at the reins directed. But they always sought to return to the roosts they morphed from come nightfall. Without human control or the restraint of a rope, all animals natural default kicked in and without exception returned them to their home roost.
“Yes, my Lord, they were heading to the roost at the way station of Alsoos.”
Dereniik nodded. “Please correct me if I'm wrong, but that is the way station halfway to the bottom edge of the Riffs?”
“Yes, my Lord, although it also is used as the way station to the salt mines at I'll’Gaary.”
Dereniik acknowledged his words, knew where salt mines were, but it was irrelevant data.
“Bit, it's very important for you to think about this. The person with Invisibility would have needed to know which specific animals to release. To gather that information either they, or an accomplice, would have inquired to find out animals originating from that specific location. It would serve them little purpose to release a random animal. Was there anyone asking about Nisayaan that originated from either The Rifts or Alsoos?”
Bit gave the question some thought. “My Lord, this humble servant is not aware of anybody asking those questions.”
God's light. Stone walled. Dereniik glanced at Anathooth still standing by his elbow. The information Bit had provided up until now was useful, but this was a lie. Why? Who was he protecting? Or what was he afraid of? Weariness tugged at Dereniik’s limbs. He could cross examine each D’char, somebody could slip up. But that would take time, a luxury he did not possess.
“Bit, I would like to dignify you by explaining the situation. A few days ago, a young woman was attacked by a person with Invisibility. She was injured but will survive. Hiding a dead body in Chruciaal would not be difficult, but less questions would have been asked if it was believed she left of her own free will. Releasing Nisayaan whose default would cause her to immediately return to the young Ladies region of origin makes sense. Her attacker failed in their first attempt, but it is unlikely they will stop trying. They have become more motivated, not less. You can imagine trying to protect a person against someone with Invisibility, it's difficult. We need to find them before they try again, and next time they may succeed. Please help me.”
Bit had begun chewing his lip halfway through Dereniik’s explanation.
“Moss and mould, that's terrible,” Anathooth said. “Bit, you have to help, think carefully, a young woman's life is at stake.”
“Perhaps it would help if you consulted with the other D’char? Together you may be able to work something out.” Dereniik suggested, giving the servant the opportunity to come back with a reply and not incriminate themselves for lying.
Bit nodded and took three graceful back steps. They spent a short time consulting with the other D’char, before returning with his answer.
“My Lord, after checking with the others, your humble servant remembers a young D’char, about five or six rotations old, who asked questions about which animals were heading to The Rifts. Unfortunately, none of us had seen the child before and we do not know their name. The only information we have that may be useful is that they are not a servant of the city.”
“Thank you Bit, well done. It is excellent that you have recalled that information after three days. Commander Anathooth is it within you power to grant some privilege or favour to this servant or the group for rendering this service?”
“Yes, yes of course.” Anathooth smiled, relived the problem had been sorted.
Only of course it wasn’t. The information was useful, it was most probable that the attacker had a young servant, or a couple if the youth Kyd had observed was not the same individual. It narrowed his search, but not by a great margin. Limping back to his suite Dereniik cursed his inability to put in a full day’s work.
***
The bryophyte softened, twilight falling into soft shadows. Viky rolled tense shoulders, got up from the desk and stretched, glad the day was done. The knock at the door was unwelcome and too late for visitors. Jieleen grumbled as he rose and jerked the door open.
“What do you want?” his voice then softened. “You're Maddie's servant, aren't you? Is everything alright?”
“Yes, My Lord, this humble servant has a message for your lady.”
“Please come in Ly,” Viky called from the reception room.
The sprightly older servant joined her.
“My lady, you made some requests to this humble servant. After asking around this one has obtained some information that is perhaps worthy of your attention.” Ly said, casting a hasty glance in Jieleen’s direction.
“Do you have any information about who attacked her?” Jieleen had not sat down, he towered over Ly.
Ly shook a bald head. “I'm sorry my Lord, your humble servant was most distressed on learning about it. This one's information this pertaining to a servant seen loitering in the area. This one was observed entering the servant’s tunnel after my lady on the day of the attack. After a short time, they reappeared, short of breath, and continued down this Broadway for a short distance before entering another servant’s tunnel leading towards the residential sections of the city closer to the cliff face. This happened before my lady was attacked but is possibly related.”
“Commander Dereniik thought there may have been a look out. That's excellent information Ly, do you think you'd recognize them if you saw them again?” Viky asked.
“My lady, it was not this humble servant that observed the other, but rather one of the young water carriers. Your servant Ly, has questioned them, they had not seen the servant before but were able to ascertain the servant following you was not a city D’char.”
“We had better tell Dereniik,” Jieleen suggested, as he took up wearing a track in the floor again.
“Yes, of course, it's Commanders with permanent assignments in the capital in those areas, isn't it? Viky asked Ly.
“This is correct my lady. This level is composed of broad sweeping arcs running parallel to the Cliff. Those who have been here the longest are clustered closest to the Cliff face. My lady, there is one other potentially relevant piece of information.” Ly hesitated.
Jieleen nodded, turned, and waited for the servant to continue. Viky was not so patient.
“What is it? What else did you find out?”
“My lady, the servant in question was young, six maybe seven rotations, certainly no more, and they had been beaten. Fresh bruising on the face, and neck, older faded bruises on the shoulders. It is possible they may not be difficult to identify even though they are unknown to the witness who saw them. The bruising was substantial and not likely to be easily hidden or fade significantly in a few days.”
“Thank you, Ly, I appreciate you finding this out.” Viky said.
“It is your humble servant's pleasure, little one, and this one's sincere heart’s desire that you keep safe.” Ly’s old eyes crinkled with concern.
‘Little one,’ her parentals nickname for her. Apparently, they had called each of their children that in infancy, but somehow for her, their last child, it had stuck. It was a well-used moniker in the Rifts, she'd heard it used by other parentals. A form of endearment use to denote affection. But it was not something a servant would often say to a Lady.
Jeileen was still pacing, he hadn't noticed. But Viky did, she gave Ly a hesitant smile and it was returned with genuine warmth.
“Keep safe my lady,” Ly said again as they bowed. “This humble servant will continue to make inquiries on your behalf.”
“Thank you.” Viky said, still trying to work out what Ly had meant by using the term of endearment.
“Yes, thank you.” Jieleem made the hand signal for dismissal and lead Ly to the door.
Ly left quickly, the visit leaving Viky with more questions and disquieting thoughts.