It was strange to feel concern and relief at the same time. I was just on the edge of the Emperor's ire, as it raged about in the capital. And I needed only glance to the left of me to see an edge of the ground I stood upon, above a dizzying canyon and icy water. I had been sent up north to check on Prince Yudha, and inspect the front of the war. Keeta's finest had looked over the manor to safeguard him, while the royal doctors and healers presided over his health. The manor proved a welcome sight. More, so than the column of smoke and steam that stretched into the blank sky.

Past the fortified walls, searches, and sterilizations, I made my way through the courtyards and gardens, before coming across the young lord. He looked weak, but seemed to have some color back in him. The most uplifting sight about him, was that he could actually walk, if only with a cane. "Gomess…" he uttered, "…What brings you up here?"

I bowed, and led him to a secluded spring room, "Well, aside from checking on your health, I have news from the war: the front is moving up north, and may very well reach here. I fear you may not be perfectly safe here, soon."

Uncertainty mixed into his dazed expression, "Do you think they'll come for me? Do they know…?"

"I fear the worst, Young Lord. Even though the Garo may suspect Durya to be selected, they may go after you first, to get to the Emperor. They have eyes and ears everywhere."

He reclined, and stroked his chin, "Hmm… I trust you have an escape plan, should the front get too close? The Garo are crafty, and would strike even behind the lines, if it's for something valuable enough."

"Indeed," I began to explain, "That's why I've devised a plan to smuggle you out of the principality, should you feel so inclined. But first, I need to know your condition, Yudha."

"I'm feeling stronger each day, lately. To the point, that the doctors say I'm no longer contagious," he spoke with confidence, "Where would we be going?"

"I've found a safe haven in Olun. If we need to, we can leave tonight."

His expression turned grave, and asked, "Anywhere else? Possibly one that doesn't go through the forest?" My brow raised, "My reasoning comes from reports of unusual goings on in there. Scouts have been reporting what sounds like Garo activity in there. I suspect they may have number of spies holed up in there. I fear they may know I'm here. And if what you're saying is true, then they know my significance, and they'll either want me kidnapped, or dead."

"Has the guard tried to dislodge them?" I offered.

The prince shook his head, "We haven't the numbers here for a full skirmish, barely enough to put scouts out there. And you know how well they can hide themselves…Can we get help from Keeta?"

I shrugged, "Much of the army is already being used to contain the uprisings throughout Soji, in addition to the front itself. If we try to send detachments from either theater, the Garo will know, and move right in."

"And through those positions they hold, the Garo know our every movement," he concluded. I felt half-proud of this quick wit of his. If only it weren't coincided with the frustration over this conundrum.

"Don't imagine we can smuggle you through Galose. They'd take it as exile. And Durya would be only too eager to take your place."

Suddenly, something sprung up in him, "Wait… What of Durya, and forces in Ikana?"

"Durya is well…and a number of detachments are caught up in the inquisition."

"Is Durya there?" he asked, an idea glowing behind those eyes.

"Yes…" I replied, still uncertain, before it hit me, "Wait, you want him to clear them out?"

"Maybe not so much clear them, as much as divert them!"

My eyes shot wide open at the idea, but then other concerns made me stifle him. Our eyes scanned about us. The walls were tall, the guards' patrols were tight, and the wind was low: they all had ears.

He caught on quickly, and spoke loudly, "Gomess, while it is lovely to meet with you again, I feel a touch overdue for my afternoon bath."

"But of course, Young Lord," I played along, "It would nearly be treason of me to impede your recovery. We can discuss another time."

He leaned in closely, and whispered, "There are attendant garbs in the servant's quarters. The water is loud."

I nodded with him, and strolled off, as if I was to normally stay. After disguising myself, dismissing any other would-be listeners, I escorted the prince into the spring bath. There, we discussed the plan further.

"Durya doesn't have much in the way of subtly," I cautioned, as I poured the hot water on him.

"Which is why he'd be perfect for misleading the enemy twice over. He proceeds along the normal path, with his regular guards, distracting the Garo. While the inquisition forces sneak in through the forest."

"And I trust the inquisitors would be disguised, as well?" I offered.

"Indeed, some would be as his guards, while the officers they pretend to be lead, would lead the skirmish."

"What of his own safety? No doubt, he'll want to partake in the battle, too. You know how he loves to flaunt that magic bow of his."

"They can comb through the forest, on the opposite side, driving them towards him. Tell him that they're flushing the Garo out."

"Do I scrub around these grey sores, or directly over them?"
"Directly over them with the oil, but gently. SH-SHh…gently!"

"Sorry, young lord," I then scrubbed softer.

"Ghg…There…Then, once the spy party is in disarray, or enough are captured, I can get back to Ikana, and maybe smooth things over, with the inquisition."

"That reminds me, Stone Tower's been sealed off, until further notice. The living will of the…remaining nobles & priests keep it shut off. At least no more of those beasts can get out."

"From sanctuary, to prison," he murmured, "How is Father?"

I gulped, as I applied more salve, "Still furious. He's calmed a little bit more, at the cost of a third of the suspects."

Yudha's face fell into his hands, "Then he needs me more than I thought. We'll have to act quickly. We'll have to send a messenger to Ikana, Gomess. I'll need you here."

And so, we planned & plotted, codified the message, and sent the messenger. A Royal Messenger was not an appealing target, even to the most daring of highwaymen. Any that died in service, invited the empire's wrath, wherever they fell. And the empire always knew where they fell.

Merely two days later, the guards on the wall reported a bombastic force marching toward the estate. At the forefront, Durya strode upon his mount, bearing his signature proud smile. He looked as if he half-expected fanfare, but appeared happy to see his brother again. And on his command, his company poured the weapons of nearly a hundred Garo upon the courtyard ground, and a bloodied Garo's mask for each one. We nearly celebrated that night, but most of us agreed to save it for returning to Ikana. And it would be best for the people there to save & savor what they had, now. Mourning would be soon to come.