Part Two: What They Tended

Wooden Horses

Manu and Aanya rode down the mountain as the sun rose before them. They rode in relative silence, neither of them morning people. He traveled in front, careful to keep himself alert for any signs of danger. He wore an uncustomary breastplate that day, deciding to make anyone that tried to stab him have to really work for it. He wore long leather tassets that bounced against his legs as they traveled down the rocky path. Behind him, Aanya wore the same clothing she had worn when she first arrived two nights before. The only change was that now, she carried one of Manu's daggers in a sheathe on her hip. It was only at her request that he give it to her; but, he was glad that she had no hesitation in asking. Dozens of attempts to unseat or kill her had left her mindful of being able to defend herself. Manu considered forming a new palace guard to protect her, but it was something that would have to wait.

When they reached the bottom of the mountain, Manu turned his horse around to look at his sister. She looked back at him with her golden, steady eyes. "I want to go with you." She told him. "I don't like leaving you alone."

Manu nodded. "I won't be alone," he reminded her. "I'll have Motiwala along with me." He had used magic the night before to send a message to his Talika friend coordinating today's inspection, and had received a dove back soon after. Motiwala was no fighter, but assassins from Duren would think twice about trying to hurt Manu in front of the great-uncle of Lord Talika. Motiwala, as royal chamberlain, also needed to be with Manu when he looked over the properties that the Crown would be selling to him.

Aanya pursed her lips. "Hmm." She said, shaking her head and snapping her reigns. Her horse began galloping towards the grand Duren Palace. Manu watched her go for a few moments. He owed her his life, without a doubt. He hoped that by leaving her in the protection of her current guards and soldiers, she would be safe. She told him the night before that the Startouch Elf was locked away in the lowest explored levels of the catacombs, and was being given food and water only by a deaf jailer who would never be able to hear any secrets the elf would have to reveal. Manu admired Aanya's creative mind, and appreciated her concern for his secrecy. Wearing his human image was still a necessity, and he knew that he could trust her to keep his true identity to herself.

Not wanting to waste any more time, knowing he had a long ride ahead of him, Manu started east towards the lands of House Talika. He kept his horse at a gentle canter on the road. He only passed a few people as he traveled through the lands by the Palace, but he also knew that by taking the road he was on, he would avoid the traffic going to the palace town. He kept the mountains to his right side as he rode on the same route that he had gone to the Magisterial College a few days before. The sun was finally up when he arrived at the College, and he realized that it would be a hot day to be wearing metal armor. Taking a sip from his waterskin, he slowed his horse down out of mercy and kept going towards his destination. It was harder for his horse to travel in Talika territory, as the roads were less well taken care of than those of the Ankar lands surrounding the Palace.

After a few more hours, he made it to the small town of Angoor, where Motiwala waited for him outside the wooden gate with a large saddlebag and a smile. He pushed his spectacles up his nose as he mounted his own horse with surprising agility. "If you cut your hair," he reminded Manu. "You would be less hot in the sun."

Manu pushed back a sweaty lock of hair from his forehead. "Good morning to you too, Moti."

They did not go through Angoor, instead deciding to go around it. The town was in the middle of a massive olive grove, and generations and generations of oil pressing and olive growing gave the air a strong scent. Angoor was an old town that grew very slowly, as the Talikas were more focused on their only other town, the one around the College. Manu reasoned that as long as Angoor provided with taxes and oils to trade, the Talikas really had no need to pay much attention to it.

They reached the large river that separated the lands of House Talika with the lands that formerly belonged to House Chamakeela. Across the stone bridge before them, Manu could see a large forest of trees with stone towers just visible beyond them. Columns of wispy smoke poked their fingers into the midday sky. As they crossed the bridge, Manu looked at his older friend. Motiwala looked around him with a keen eye, but whether he was looking for imperfections in the bridge or hidden dangers, Manu could not be certain. It was likely both.

They slowed their horses down while they crossed. Manu brought his closer to his friend. "Should I start calling you uncle?" He asked. He decided now would be a better time to broach the obvious question between them.

Motiwala looked at him. His pensive eyes were large behind his spectacles. "I had no idea my nephew would try to do that to you," he replied, referring to the engagement contract. "Had he asked me, I would have counseled him against it."

Manu raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Really?" He asked. "But it's incredible for the Talikas." He knew he could speak bluntly with Motiwala.

His friend shook his head. "Perhaps, but I feel bad for anyone who has to marry that girl, Chaya." Motiwala shuddered. "She is more beast than woman."

Manu smiled to himself. So Motiwala had not been a part of the conspiracy. He felt more comfortable with him now than he had before. They came off the bridge, and the first thing Manu noticed of the former Chamakeela lands was that the roads were smooth cobblestone instead of the packed dirt in the Talika lands. It made the horses' hooves click as they trotted along. It felt strangely surreal to Manu, such a drastic change from the rest of the Kingdom. Not even the Ankars, the most wealthy great House, had their roads paved. He wondered how much it had taken for the Chamakeelas, once the greatest of the great Houses, to decide to risk everything they had to kill and overthrow his sister.

Before too long, they came to a large gate that was open to them. On both sides of the gate was a large stone wall, with soldiers patrolling on and alongside it. A few of them turned to look at the two newcomers, but they soon returned to their duties. There was a cluster of guards at the gate, and as Manu and Motiwala approached, a tall one with a spear raised a hand to get them to stop.

"Hold there," he said. "What business do your Lordships have in North Jindagee?" His voice was stern and serious.

"I am Motiwala Talika," Moti told him, pulling a rolled scroll out from his saddlebag. He offered it to the guard, who took it and opened it. "Royal chamberlain to Her Majesty. I am here to show Magister Amin the Chamakeela properties."

The guard looked at the scroll, and then up at Manu. He appeared surprised. "Oh, it's you lot." He said, more to himself than anyone else. "I've been told to inform you that everyone has gathered at Fort Chamakeela in preparation for your arrival."

It was Manu's turn to be surprised, but Motiwala nodded before he could say anything. "Thank you, sir." He said, tapping his horse with his heels to prod it forward.

Manu followed his friend through the gates. North Jindagee was a thriving town, from what he could see. People were everywhere, going about their daily lives. Merchants shouted prices and products on top of boxes, holding their goods in the air for everyone to see. Children ran about, chasing each other and giggling whenever they bumped into someone. A few farmers led mule carts through the crowd, the carts piled with bushels of wheat from the recent harvests. No one paid Motiwala and Manu much attention, other than get out of their way.

Bringing his horse up closer to Moti, Manu leaned in so that he could be heard over the commotion. "What exactly do you have planned?" He asked.

Motiwala shrugged. "It's customary that when a new Lord takes over a property, they meet with the staff of the former owner. They'll give you their report on the state of the fief, and then you can ask them any questions you have."

Manu had never heard of this, but then again, he knew there was a lot he had to learn in the way of governing and the traditions of the great Houses. "And then what?" he asked.

"Well," Motiwala started. They passed a woman shouting at another man in the street. He could hear snippets of the conversation: apparently the man had gone to the market and forgotten to buy bread for the week. Once they passed, Motiwala continued. "Then, you ceremoniously release them from their duties, and replace them with your own staff."

Manu was taken aback by this. "What?" He asked. "That doesn't make any sense."

Motiwala shrugged again. "It's tradition." He said plainly. "If one House were to take over the fief of another House, then it would be in the best interest of the new family to replace the staff members loyal to the old family. Before the practice came to be, it was all too common for the old staff to sabotage the new owners. Incorrect bookkeeping leading to overspending and debt, fields not being tended properly, even important mail not being delivered." They passed by a group of soldiers standing on a street corner. They held on to their spears lazily, barely noticing as Manu and Motiwala passed by. They looked as though they had not seen any combat for a long time.

"That's just petty." Manu said, flicking a lock of hair out of his face. They turned a corner and started heading north through the town. He noticed that as they got farther from the walls, the buildings got cleaner, and the people dressed nicer. Clearly, the center of town was the place to be. "How many people live here?" He asked Motiwala.

"A few thousand," his friend replied. Manu could see their exit from the city - the north gate was much less busy than the eastern one. "Most of the workers live on the plains between Bandaragaah and South Jindagee."

"Bandaragaah," Manu repeated. "Isn't that the port city?"

Motiwala nodded. "Aye." He said. "Ships sail the lake until they reach the Neolandian Neck, and then they take the great river to the sea.:

Manu had forgotten about the port he was also going to claim as his own. "I'm very fortunate," he told his friend. "To be able to purchase all this land."

Motiwala did not look at Manu as they approached the gate, but Manu did look at his friend. His posture had changed. It was something about his shoulders - they suddenly were risen, as though in great discomfort. "Well," Motiwala said. "Let's just hear the reports from the staff before you declare yourself fortunate."