The Gang of Three, Pinisla Manse, Harvest Season, 3rd rot., 10th day evening (Foskos Time)
“With whom were you mindcasting, and what’s the bad news?” Thuorfosi rocked the infant Resepex in her arms while tucked into a corner of the couch.
Kayseo sat up and rubbed her eyes with one hand. “It was our Mistress,” she said, referring to the courtesy title that healers used for the High Priestess of Mugash. “Emily and Spot had trouble on their second day of travel, and—“
“Emily!” Twessera rolled her eyes. “Of course, it has to be poor Emily — again! What has happened now? That girl has the worst luck.”
“They ran into some kind of freak storm,” Kayseo said in a worried voice. “A tree fell on Spot. Ud is currently rescuing him. Emily is missing. Ud knows about Emily, but she’s not releasing any details to either Lord Usruldes or the Queen. Oh, I almost forgot — the Queen delivered twin girls half past the fourth bell today. She went into labor in the middle of the night after the Holy Kamagishi delivered a foretelling.”
"And what else?" Twessera gave Kayseo an impatient look. "There has to be more than that. The Queen should not have given birth this early. She has at least five more rotations until her birthing window. What was this foretelling that caused the Queen to go into early labor?"
"It wasn't the foretelling, which was simply that Emily and Spot needed rescuing," Kayseo squeaked, intimidated by Twessera. "The Queen used the Great Crystal to find Spot. Then, she used the Great Crystal to cast stasis on him, even though he was half a world away. The stasis charm was the apparent cause for the early labor."
“Merciful Mugash!” Thuorfosi swore. “How is that even possible?”
“Significant stressors are a frequent cause of premature labor and miscarriage,” Kayseo started lecturing, “though no studies to date have shown a distinct correlation. It must be said that only 14 studies have been done on this matter in the—”
“Stop, you insufferable child!” Thurofosi rolled her eyes. Kayseo smirked.
Thuorfosi heaved a great sigh, "The Queen's ability to do magic leaves me both in awe and fear of her."
“Casting stasis on someone half a world away is amazing,” Twessera said. “It also opens up a new line of research. Is it only the Queen who can cast charms through the Great Crystal? Or can anyone who can use the Great Crystal also cast charms through it? And what sorts of charms can be cast through the Great Crystal? We know that stasis works, but what about charms of warmth and cooling? Mind’s hand? Healing charms? We’ll have to enlist both the Queen and the Holy Foyuna. I wonder if—”
“Twess," Kayseo flipped a seat cushion at her, "I give you less than ten years before you will be teaching at the Main Shrine full-time. You are such a brain."
“Plepff,” Twessera removed the cushion from her face. “I can kiss an appointment at the Main Shrine goodbye if I accept the marriage Lisaykos arranged.”
“I know you don't like the match," Thuorfosi frowned, "but you haven't told us why, dear heart. I thought it was a good match because you both chase after your gender under the sheets. You come from similar backgrounds. He's a second son in a merchant house, and he's shrine-trained. You're also from a merchant house, and you, too, are shrine-trained. He's working as a scholar attendant at the Fated Shrine, so at least he's a brain like you. He'll be set to raise your children in House Arnmay, in that family's mansion, where they will have the best of everything. Your respective parents even know each other already, Surd save us, and they couldn’t be happier with Lisaykos’ arrangements. Things like this make me wonder — just how extensive is the intelligence network belonging to our mistress?”
“What’s wrong, Twess, with marrying Onsus Arnmay?" Kayseo leaned forward, concerned. "I thought you already knew him."
“I haven’t seen him since I was fourteen,” Twessera groaned. “I confess, I’d rather not see Onsus Arnmay ever again. Onsus wanted to be bedmates with my older brother, who wasn’t interested, but my sister wanted to bed Onsus. It was a lovely mess, and I was happy to escape back to Aybhas for that particular Coldtide Break. That was seven years ago. It’s also why I time my visits home for when my sister is out of town on business if I can manage it.”
“Twess, I’m sorry,” Thurofosi frowned. “I didn’t know it was like that. You never talk about your family other than how much you miss hanging out with your mother.”
“Well, yeah, I don't like being reminded of it, so I don't like even thinking about it.” Twessera slumped and sighed. “There’s another big disadvantage of moving to Is’syal. How do I get a teaching appointment at the main Shrine within ten years if I’m stuck in Is’syal?”
“Maybe he would be willing to move to Aybhas,” Thuorfosi suggested. “Have you thought about talking with him regarding your career as a healer?”
“No, I haven't. I start thinking about Onsus, which always leads me back to the mess of when Nixos was chasing Onsus, but Onsus was chasing Chapoep." Twessera groaned. “I can’t even imagine what an ordeal the hand-in-hand ceremony would be. Just what were our parents thinking? Have they forgotten just how horrible it was seven years ago?”
“Maybe everyone has grown up since then,” Thuorfosi countered. “You were all a lot younger seven years ago, Twess. Even bratty fourteen-year-olds like you managed to grow up without getting murdered by your peers. Maybe you should try assuming everyone else matured, too."
“You’ve never met my sister,” Twessera grimaced. “Kayseo has. She can confirm that my Nixos is, well, she...”
“Thuorfosi,” Kayseo leaned forward, “it’s true. Twessera’s sister is a bit much, especially after she took over the family firm.”
“These days, my sister thinks very well of herself,” Twessera added. “She’s also the kind of person who never forgets a grudge. In addition, she hates me and the air I breathe. That’s the other reason I avoid her.”
“How’s that?” Thuorfosi asked.
“I'm a silverhair, and she's not," Twessera replied.
“Seriously?”
“My sister’s not normal, Thuorfosi. If I married Onsus, I might get murdered in my sleep!”
“Gods. What a muddle,” Thuorfosi shook her head.
“I think you need to talk with Onsus, Twess," Kayseo stated.
“You may be right, Kayseo.”
“Damn,” Thuorfosi frowned. “No wonder you never talk about your family.”
“Then let’s change the subject,” Twessera suggested with enthusiasm. “What’s the deal with Emily, Kayseo?”
"I don't know," Kayseo shrugged. "Nobody knows. Apparently, Ud knows, but she's not talking, though she hinted to the Queen that the gods have Emily off on another quest of some sort.”
“I pity whoever must deal with our little prophet right now. We all know how much she loves the stuff the gods dump on her,” Thurofosi chuckled. “I know I should be worried, but this is Emily we’re talking about. I have reviewed the evidence carefully and concluded that our little troublemaker may be indestructible."
“What?!” Twessera and Kayseo said almost in unison.
"Every time Emily recuperates, she is in better health when she's done than when she started. Her health has steadily improved over the two years we've known her. It's been slow, but the progress is there if you look for it."
“But she’s always getting hurt, sometimes badly,” Kayseo rebutted. “One of these days, one of her mishaps is going to get her killed.”
“Ah, but that’s my point, dear heart,” Thuorfosi smiled, “That particular mishap has already happened. Remember? The Queen offed our little prophet. Em’s already died once, and she bounced back from that. I say that if you can bounce back after being killed by Aylem I’m-a-monster Nonkin, you must be indestructible. Everything else that’s happened to Emily is mere pocket bronze compared to what the Ice Queen did to her. It doesn't matter what happens to that poor girl; Emily will always bounce back.
“One last point,” Thuorfosi paused to briefly wipe up some baby drool, “Emily has eleven gods keeping track of her. She’s not in any life-threatening danger so long as the gods have a use for her. I predict that Emily will return, showing up somewhere unexpected in a way that will surprise us. It will be late in Planting Season or the beginning of Growing Season if I’m any judge, and given my expertise in small troublesome prophets, I do concede some knowledge of the subject.” Thuorfosi suddenly grinned, “I know! We should have a betting pool for when Emily shows back up!”
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“Oh, please,” Twessera snorted in disgust.
“Oh!” Kayseo sat up, “I had a bad thought. Does Tom know Spot is injured and Emily is missing?”
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Usruldes, Harvest Season, 4th rot., 1st through 8th days (Impotu Time)
I never imagined that the Holy Fassex would back me up when I made my case to the King that I should go to Mattamesscontess and Mattamukmuk.
My poor big brother might have been able to contradict my arguments, but he couldn't prevail against Fassex. When I began talking to Imstay, and Imstay started to argue back, Fassex was eavesdropping. She interjected herself into the exchange and wrapped poor Imstay up like a present at a Coldtide Feast. Her concluding point left the poor man speechless.
“Imstay King," Fassex purred, "the gods favor Foskos because we have stayed true to the revelations codified in the scriptures. No other polity on Erdos has remained faithful to what the gods have given us. Part of our piety is spent on honoring and protecting those the gods have blessed, namely those with double blessings and those the gods have touched.
"Both Tom and Spot are included among our sacred persons, and the gods have decreed that those two should be together. Currently, the Blessed Spot is injured. Who knows how long he will be with Ud while he recuperates? Spot's passenger and Tom's partner, the Prophet and Revelator Emily is missing. Spot's rider, the Revered Tom does not know that his mount is wounded and his wife's whereabouts are unknown. As one of our sacred people, Tom must be told about Spot and Emily as soon as possible.
"Mighty One, the gods have now handed us Mattamukmuk, Impotu, and Jutu. It behooves us to return these countries to correct forms of worship and right living. Mattamescontess is currently under Vassu's eye. We do not know what she desires for the future of that country, but given the aid we are giving to Chem, we are not uninvolved. Not only do we need to consult with the Revered Tom, we need to know what is happening there. This is not a trivial matter you can delegate to just anyone. You would be wise to send Usruldes. He and Tom are on good terms, and Usruldes is the best there is for evaluating and improvising if need be."
Faster than my wife can roll me in bed, Fassex arranged for my old boss, the retired spymaster Gwilekos haup Yant, to take over for me in Suapsepso to attend the King. I was on Cadrees winging our way east across the prairies of central Impotu before the fifth bell. I crossed the Sasnakra River close to dusk and made camp.
In the morning, I detoured to put eyetracks on Arkaline Ugi's fort on the bluffs above the confluence of the Sasnakra and Sachev Rivers. I was able to surprise two of the twelve wraiths watching the fort. I didn't find the third wraith on duty; the fourth found me. That was Snapper, our best scout. The other eight wraiths were resting, eating, or sleeping.
“How good is Arkaline's security and barrier magic where she sleeps?" I asked Snapper. I inherited Snapper when I took over as spymaster. Snapper was old enough that she had great-grandchildren. She had to be as old or older than my own mother. Despite her age, she was in superb physical and magical shape.
“The Empress-Wannabe has the center chamber on the east side of the second floor of her headquarters building," Snapper explained. "That's the two-story Manse-like structure in the center of the fort, along the east side of the parade ground. She sleeps on a camp bed in the room's northeast corner, next to a window. A curtained-off washbasin and necessary pot are in the southeast corner. Her attendant, a mute halfhair woman named Rusa, sleeps on a camp bed in the southwest corner. An impromptu kitchen and eating table take up most of the northwest corner."
“When does she sleep, and how often is the attendant in the room?" I had to ask.
“She tends to go to bed close to the second night bell and wakes about an eighth before the first day bell. Rusa gets up a quarter before the first day bell to prepare her mistress' kit and make a simple morning repast, usually some grain porridge or rice congee. Once Arkaline leaves for the offices downstairs, Rusa makes and eats her own meal and then cleans and does chores. Arkaline likes to take an afternoon nap right after mid repast. Rusa uses the time to pick up supplies and something for dinner if Arkaline stays in for the evening. She will either make dinner for Arkaline or dress Arkaline if she attends any parties or formal affairs. She usually goes to bed before the first night bell. Arkaline puts herself to bed and rarely wakes Rusa to help her undress."
“What are the barriers like around the camp and headquarters?" The barrier charms would be the main impediment to approaching Arkaline's quarters.
“Their barrier magic is surprisingly lax," Snapper replied. "There is a dome barrier over the headquarters building, but they don't adequately guard the openings in the barrier at the doors. I entered their headquarters three times already, through the front door," she scoffed. "They don't have barriers up on their perimeter. I can't fathom what they think they are doing with such negligent security. Do they think they are really safe? Our biggest danger is getting complacent with our own precautions. I must remind these youngsters daily not to get too arrogant because our enemy is careless."
“Is it that bad, Snapper?" This was something that concerned me. We needed to keep surveillance on Arkaline. One small mistake could endanger our efforts.
“I would like people on this mission to spend two rotations here and then head home or go to another different duty.”
“I am tempted to ruin Arkaline's sleep tonight," I said. "Such an action will kick over a beehive inside the Impotu fort. Sticking close to the fort for quite a few days won't be safe. Instead of getting grounded by their mounted patrols, take the entire squad this afternoon and retreat to Bobbo's camp at Hoydee. Spend a rotation taking a break. Then work with Momma Bear," that was Gwilekos' field name, "and General Bobbo and set up two-rotation-long duty cycles however you see fit, Snapper."
“Thank you, Spider," Snapper gushed. I patted her on the shoulder and then left on Cadrees to eyeball the fort from the air.
After making rendezvous plans with Cadrees, I cast circular light, misdirection, shadows, and nothingness for good measure. Then, I leisurely floated over the fort's wall and down the main road from the fort gate to the parade ground. I sat in a tree next to the headquarters and watched the traffic in and out of the front doors. The officer overseeing the sentries around the building probably had a gift for battle precognisance because she was lurking by the doors, looking like she could sense something wrong. I was sure she would detect me if I tried to enter.
I sat in my tree for at least a bell and a half, waiting for that officer to leave. She was a sneaky one. She went inside and sat in a chair that wasn't visible from outside but had a view of everyone entering the front foyer. She sat there for about half a bell before changing to a different chair. Then she spoke with a sentry squad leader and flew up to watch from the roof. She disappeared for a while and reappeared just before the seventh bell in the foyer to be relieved by the next duty watch.
Finally, she was gone. Officers wearing fancy uniforms began to arrive at the headquarters. A small gathering of them collected inside the doors and into the main meeting room, which was set up for what looked like a formal dinner. I floated in over the heads of dressed-up officers on their way to dinner in the main meeting room, which was the room below where Arkaline slept. I amused myself by knocking the hat off a pompous-looking teenager in the uniform of a mounted cavalry wing leader. Then, I floated my way upstairs.
I didn't anticipate the guards on either side of Arkaline's door. Snapper had not mentioned any guards. I contemplated what to do when Arkaline, robed as an empress, exited her room. She walked down the hall with the two guards with bared swords preceding her. A middle-aged servant, who I assume was Rusa, stood at the door of Arkaline's quarters to see her off. Then, Rusa turned and went back inside after Arkaline reached the stairs and went down. Rusa shut the door behind her.
I watched Rusa with my clairvoyance as she ate some cold grouse and nips. Then she changed into a nightgown and curled up in bed to read. I waited about an eighth of a bell and cast deep sleep on her. Then I let myself in and had my fun. I would be on the east coast when Arkaline received my gift. I left the room after nibbling a piece of grouse. I gently woke Rusa back up, casting my charm while standing in the hallway on the other side of the wall from her bed. She thought she had merely nodded off while reading. I floated my way back downstairs.
My sentry officer was back, now dressed as an infantry officer, lurking in the foyer. She must have had a substantial gift of battle precognisance. With the way she fingered her crystal ring, she was probably scanning the area with precognisance. She glanced at the stairs as I floated above the steps, but she couldn't penetrate the charms that made me invisible.
I had to flatten myself against the sloped ceiling above the stairs as she abruptly turned and jogged up them. When she reached the top of the stairs, I was down them and out the front doors as fast as I could manage without making noise. Then I made my usual escape, going several thousand hands upwards before heading to my rendezvous with Cadress.
Six days later, Cadress and I were over the Dawi Plains. It was midmorning when I felt the pending charm of my spider note expire. Arkaline must have woken up to see the spider illusion hovering over her head. I wish I could have watched her find the spider and then read the note attached to it. It was a nasty note.
“Greetings Arkaline. Be assured that if I wanted you dead, you would not be reading this note. I will give you and your army this one opportunity to surrender. If you have not conceded to your defeat before my next visit, be assured that the next time I come, you will die. I remain your faithful adversary, Usruldes the Wraith.”
I entertained myself that day by considering all the different ways to creatively assassinate Arkaline Ugi. It was only a matter of time before the Fated Shrine of Galt issued a judgment upon her for her assault on the Holy Losnana, the fire of the Great Library, and the desecration of the Destined Shrine of Galt in the former city of Salicet. Galt was not a merciful god. Arkaline’s fate was set.
Arkaline had to know that retribution was coming for her. She knew what her crimes were. Her days were numbered. No one can escape the punishment of a god. Did she persist in fighting this losing war for the sake of her son, the missing Arkashar? She had to realize she would not win.
When the Fated Shrine issued the order, Imstay would act with dispatch. I wasn’t the only wraith with assassin skills, but I was the person the King preferred to send for high-level terminations. My reputation was far bigger than my actual achievements. In total, I have assassinated far fewer people than people believe, mostly lords who got out of line, like Mortonos haup Blockit and Us’sayyos haup Kas, three Timarran tribal leaders, and a handful of Jutuan and Impotuan generals.
What made my reputation was the assassination of Mortonos haup Blockit. He sided with Imstay’s brother and sister in the fight for the throne. After Imstay defeated the forces of his siblings, Lord Blockit blockaded the Salt and Ark’kos Rivers and the tow roads, effectively cutting off the southern and northern halves of the kingdom. His forces were experts at river combat, something in which Imstay’s forces had no experience.
Imstay’s solution was to send me. It was my first assassination, and it was public. Imstay and I decided that creating some terror would do good things to stabilize his rule, which was then in its fourth year. I drugged the beer and wine served in Mortonos’ Manse with solgal, a potion that Ud had taught me. When everyone at Mortonos’ dining table was robbed of their magic and the ability to stand up without falling down, I walked in the door and announced that I would take his life in two days. Then I vanished and spent the next two days watching in amusement as Mortonos fled in the night for one of his forts in the Island Swamp. Of course, I had to follow.
I perched on the roof of his headquarters in the swamp and watched with my clairvoyance as he suddenly pitched forward into his dinnertime bowl of stew as my time-delayed poison stopped both his hearts. I had dosed his bowl of wine two days before with a poison I learned from old Gwilekos, who taught me my spycraft.
That incident established the beginning of the mythos of Usruldes the Wraith. Imstay’s shenanigans of having me address his staff meetings while using the charm of circular light added to my mystique. In a way, I was sorry that the current conflict had brought me and my people out in the open more often, but keeping the Prophet and the royal family safe took priority over remaining covert. At least my two villages of wraiths were still secret.