The rest of the evening felt like a dream or a more like a nightmare.
When I barged inside of the house with my clothes smeared with blood, I could see the face of mother yelling and screaming yet can't remember a thing she said.
They vigorously shook me to check if I had any wound and only when they were sure it wasn't my blood on me did the commotion calm down enough for me to speak up.
I don't know how my dad managed to understand me, I must have sounded so confused and nonsensical. Yet he took me to the city garrison to report the event. I somehow managed to bring a patrol of doubtful guards back to the alleyway where the murder took place.
Great was my surprise to find it empty. No body, no blood either, the rain washed everything. The guards were starting to doubt my story and were threatening to punish me. They only calmed down when my father proposed we all go to the temple so they can vouch for my probity.
I can still remember the shock on the face of Orzhov who was on guard duty at the entrance, I'll have to thank him later: his teachings might well have saved my life.
Patiyar vouched for me, the city guards did not dare discuss further. If the head priest was backing me they wouldn't dare doubt my story in front of him.
I was taken by Sansho to the kitchen. There she babbled for a long time. She was the one doing most of the talking as I was in no condition to recount much, still dazed by the events of the evening.
I only vaguely remember her talking about the firebirds of the southern archipelagos, yet when I got to Patiyar's office I was somehow dressed in a new, clean, robe.
The old man sat me in front of his desk and poured me some hot tea. This was not the usual brew but one made of the purple coffee smelling leaves. I'd never had a taste of it before but it did have some of the bitterness of coffee but lacked the burnt taste left by the roasting of coffee beans.
“This will help you calm down, Kawa has nerve soothing properties.” gently said the old priest.
Indeed, after drinking the herbal tea I felt oddly relaxed, almost floating out of my body. I could still hear the furious thumping of my heart but it was now a distant drumming. Same for the blood rushing through my veins, now sounding like a distant calm stream gently flowing in its bed.
Only now did I manage to start getting a hold on my thoughts. “I think I killed someone.” I confessed to the old man. My voice was sounding coarse and gooey as if I was slightly drunk or drugged.
His wrinkled face grew even more wrinkled when he smiled at me. “I'm sure you had no choice. Don't worry no one blames you. If what your father understood is correct you were attacked?” he was carefully probing at the events.
Only now did I realize that my father wasn't around. I nodded to the old man an the motion brought a wave of vertigo at me. I struggled to add more details “They ambushed me. Somehow, I knew that I couldn't let him take me, he was going to hurt me, I had to defend myself. I didn't want to kill anyone.” I defended myself.
“It is fine. No body was found. So you might very well have killed no one. Even if you did, I believe that you didn't want to.” He stood up from his chair to join my side and pat my head. “And I'd rather have you defend yourself than learn something bad happened to you. The only one at fault here is the one that attacked you, Jalea vouches for you.” He soothingly said in a low tone. Did his goddess of Justice really absolve me? How did it work for gods to brand someone as heretic after a murder?
I somehow felt like crying. This may be childish but it was either the effect of the tea or just the aftershock. Still I struggled to keep the tears inside, I didn't want to cry in front of Patiyar.
Sensing my distress the old man surprised me with a hug. It came out of nowhere, the head priest was always kind but never informal.
“I've killed a lot. I know this is never easy. Even more so when unprepared and unwilling to.” He confessed, his voice almost breaking in emotion. His beard was trembling and somehow itching at my cheek. “Just rest for now, we will discuss this matter tomorrow. You'll stay at the temple for tonight, Orzhov and Sansho will keep a watch nearby.” he stated.
I wanted to protest but as I started to I felt my head go light and dizzy and when I tried to stand up my body failed me. I was caught in Patiyar's embrace just before tripping. “Easy there, kid. Now you will sleep, let the kawa take you.” he soothed me.
My night was dreamless.
* * * * *
When I woke up I was on a bed in what looked like one of the acolyte's chambers in the temple. Not unlike when I got my blessing.
I reflexively touched the area around my right eye. If Shinpilo didn't punish me I guess I was fine in regard of the divine law.
Since the blessing I had tried speak with the god again. I tried to pray, offer a page of textbook to catch his attention but got no answer back. I wanted to know more about [them] and what powers he could bestow me as part of our deal. But silence was the only answer, right now I was prefering that to a condemnation,
Beside the door sat a cross legged Sansho curled around a kettle. She must have felt cold leaving her kitchen to stand watch by my side. The coldness of the night had thrown her in a torpor and she didn't wake up when I gently nudged her. I covered her in a blanket and took her kettle, I would need to reheat the water if she was to wake up in time to prepare breakfast for everyone.
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I don't know what time it is. There is are no windows here and I didn't hear any of the bells.
Outside the room Orzhov is sitting on a stool, shields in hand. He rose his head to look at me with sunken sleepy eyes,. “How are you feeling,were you hurt?” he asked while shaking away the sluggishness.
“No. Thanks to your teachings I knew what to do. I'm not the one who got hurt yesterday.” I try to sound more confident than I am. I'm really grateful for his teachings though, without the training I don't know how things might have turned out. I could be kidnapped, raped, murdered or worse.
He nods in satisfaction “Do you know who your assailant was?” he inquires.
I shrug “No. Never met him as far as I can tell. It was dark, rainy and he was in my back,” I apologize, “But I don't think he had as much Chi as Gupta. His grip was strong but not extraordinary and I managed to kick him down. So he can't be trained.”
My tutor smiled with pride: “Fine analysis. I agree. You aren't that good a fighter. So if you won, your foe wasn't that strong.” he harshly but justly states.Seeing the disappointment on my face he follows up, “Yet no body was found. So what does that mean?” he questions.
I can only think of one reason and it makes me shudder: “He wasn't alone.” Accomplices took the man or the body. Which also means I could have been in more troubles if I hadn't run for my life.
“Correct. You were ambushed and not by one man alone.” Seeing my trouble the boy remembers he is currently frightening a kid. “But that's for a later talk. Come, you need to eat something, a meal worthy of a fighter. And if you saw Sansho on your way out, you know we'll have to cook ourselves.” he jokingly add.
I wasn't feeling like I had much of an appetite after remembering that I killed someone and that things could have gone wrong in many ways. But when I finally stood in front of a nice slice of bunta bread covered with dried berries the rumbling coming from my stomach made it clear that I needed this.
After finally grabbing a meal we brought a warm kettle to wake Sansho up. The heat quickly brought her back to her senses and she even complained about how we messed in her kitchen in her absence.
As she was brewing more tea I got called in Patiyar's office by one of the acolytes.
* * * *
Patiyar is seating at his desk, looking tired. The old man had a short night probably busied by the troubles I caused. In front of his desk there is also Nutusi waiting for me. This time wearing her blue shawl hiding her face.
“Come, sit and join us, Telerios” says Patiyar with a gentle smile while pointing at the empty chair next to Nutusi. “Did you manage to get some sleep? Kawa is of help in such moments.”
The old priestess interrupts him harshly, her coarse voice infers that she didn't get much sleep either. “Enough with the chit chat. Telerios, sit. We have to talk.” I quickly obey. The grumpy granny goes on “I had my men screen the area around the alley and ask the clinics and priests of Fusaad. No one was treated during the night.”
As I am about to protest she raises a hand with surprisingly quick reflexes for a woman her age. “Don't worry I believe you. But this means your aggressor wasn't alone and either his accomplices disposed of the body,” I shrug once more, reminded of my deed. Even if I was in the right it still annoys me to have killed someone, “Or it means that they have their own healer. Which means trouble.” She pauses. “Or it can also mean that the man had enough chi to control his blood flow and mend his wounds on his own. But I doubt you would have made it out if that was the case.” She mercilessly concludes.
Patiyar tries to sweeten her words a bit: “What sister Nutusi tried to say is that...”
“Majores Nutusi, you old senile man. I did not work tirelessly for years to still be a simple sister.” she interrupts him.
Patiyar is annoyed but refuses to play her game, allowing her a cheap victory for once. “Majores Nutusi,” he insists, “Happy now? You said no useless chit chat.” he points out and Nutusi can only snort when her own words backfire at her. “What she means is that we are all glad you are fine but this attack worries us.” He takes some time to watch out for my reactions. I don't understand where they want to lead the conversation.
Nutusi picks up. “My men did find a blood trail but lost it. Whoever they are, they aren't simple muggers and have some basic reflexes. This is what worries us. At least two men ambushed you and they can't be simple cut-throats.” I can't see her eyes from under her shawl but I can still feel the full weight of her peculiar gaze, blind but that can see it all, screening my mind for the truth.
“I can't tell you much. I only saw one men and barely. He was behind me for the most part and it was dark and rainy. I didn't stop to have a clear look for clues or ask for his name.” This last part sounds a bit more cheeky than I wanted to but I'm also a bit tired and on edge.
Before Nutusi can reprimand me Patiyar steps in to calm everyone down. “Of course, no one is blaming anyone here.” he says while looking with meaningful eyes at the Shinpilo's priestess. “But is there anything more you can remember? I know you might not want to recall the events but trust me now is better than later.” he wisely adds.
I comply and lose myself in the memory of yesterday's events, trying to recall as much as I can.
Since my blessing I believe my memory got better but it can't perform miracles either.
After carefully skimming through everything I could remember only two things stick out: “I can say he was from around here, probably the slums, according to his accent and speech. And I remember his breath had a distinctive smell, something like burned or smoked mint maybe. But nothing else much.” I clearly remembered the strange smell of his breath and that was also on his hand when he covered my mouth to silence me.
I can see Patiyar frown and share an understanding gaze with the veiled Nutusi. Can he even see her eyes to share such a stare, crosses my mind for a second.
“Naena.” he states with a worried face. Seeing the question on my face before I can voice it he explains “It is a stimulant used by soldiers and mercenaries. Although it enhances one's senses and reflexes the downside is that it has long lasting side effects. Those who use it too often tend to end up slow witted and it dims the senses. This is often a death sentence for those who live by the sword. Short burst of glory for a long term hindering.” His face is quite sorrowful.
I've never heard of any drug other than alcohol and some smoked leaves until now.
Nutusi adds “Use in the army is strictly regulated. So as to not have our men suffer from the long term effects. Only fools and sell-swords would risk using it often. This means your assailant was probably one of those junkies. Luckily for you he must have been under withdrawal, thus why you were able to escape a chi user.” She makes a point. I knew that despite my training it felt weird that I could overpower an adult. If he was crippled that makes more sense. “In despair for money to buy his next dose he must have tried mugging anyone. Still feels strange that he went for a kid. Children don't carry much money.” Her smarts are spot on again.
I suddenly remember what the robber said: “He said that someone tipped him that I carried a book with me. He was after it specifically.” Patiyar eyes widen at that statement. I can't see Nutusi's face but her voice is full of urgency “Why didn't you tell us this sooner ?! This is
bad. An addict warrior and someone who leaked informations.” She turns towards the old priest who looks anxious, face full of dark wrinkles of worry. “Patiyar, we have a mole. One of the acolytes most probably.” says the Shinpilo's priestess.
The bearded priest gather his resolve “I fear it too. We will immediately conduct interrogations. Can I leave this task up to you?” He requests at Nutusi, unusually polite with her.
“At once. You can trust me for it.” She answers the same, without her usual taunting tone at him.
For them to agree this must be bad but I can't really say how. A kid might have leaked that I took a book, big deal?
“Is it that serious?” I probe.
Nutusi takes her shawl off to let me have a look at her dead serious face. Her milky eyes are probing directly at my soul to imprint her will: “It is. Even young acolytes should know that it is dangerous to leak out who is carrying valuables around. But that is the best case scenario: a simple mishap. Worse case it was a plot to steal from the temple and worst case they figured you are a blessed one and you were a target of heretics.”
It sounds highly unlikely to me that an assassination attempt would rely on one or two junkies but she truly seems worried. If even a master plotter like herself is, I'll trust her word that I should be too.