Part Two: What They Tended

Lands of the Crown

He had heard tales of the magnificence of the Chamakeela Fort, but as he rarely went anywhere further than the College, he never found the time to really see the rest of Duren. The stories he heard of the stone citadel, however, could not have prepared him for his first sight of it even this far away. The fort was built upon a small spire in the center of a small island, and a mighty stone brick wall ran around it. Towers were placed here and there, with curved green domes capping each of them. Manu could just barely see the rooftops of the other buildings within the walls, but his attention was more focused on the main attraction: the castle itself. It was impossible to miss once the trees cleared from his view as they left the Jindagree wood behind.

The castle easily rivaled the Duren Palace in terms of grandeur. It had buildings set into the sides of the small mountain, clearly built deep into the rocky faces. Each building was connected to the others by large stone staircases that spiraled up to the massive keep at the summit. Wide topped towers poked into the skyline, gleaming in the noon sun. Manu saw a strange, large glass gem poke out of the stone - it sparkled in the sun, every glint a temptation for Manu to come closer. He noted a lack of banners or flags from any of the walls and towers. He imagined that once the properties were seized by the Crown, they were torn down fairly quickly.

"Quite the sight, isn't it?"

Manu was jerked out of his trance by Motiwala's wise voice. He looked away for a moment at his friend. "It's massive." He said, knowing that his words, just like the stories he had heard, would not do the Fort justice. "I've never seen anything like it."

Motiwala coughed. His unease was still noticeable. "It's certainly big."

Manu turned to Motiwala and pulled on his reins. His horse shook it's head and came to a stop. "Moti," Manu asked. "What's going on here?"

Motiwala pulled on his reins as well, and turned his horse around and looked at Manu. His lips were pursed in discomfort. "This is a huge property," he said, clearly tired of keeping his thoughts to himself. "The Chamakeela estate triples the size of your House, and brings in ten times more income." He brought his horse closer to Manu's. Manu looked at his friend, remembering why he trusted him. His honesty was always good intentioned, and when something bothered him, he always revealed it eventually.

"Manu," Motiwala confided, his voice low. There was no one around to hear them. "I'm worried that this will paint a huge target on your back."

Manu leaned in. "Who?" He asked, wondering if there were factors he had not considered. "The Ankars, the Shers, obviously, but who else-"

"The damned Chamakeela boy, that's who!" His friend sputtered. He gestured with a hand at the landscape around them. Manu could see the harvested fields in the distance - he wondered if any of them were the valuable saffron plant that had inspired him to take this venture in the first place. He knew next to nothing of farming.

"He's the only one left," Manu responded. "It's not like he has any influence he can use at court to help him. He has nothing."

Motiwala shook his head. "He has the right to retake what should be rightfully his, Manu." His friend told him. "When you have nothing, revenge is worth more than gold."

Manu bit the inside of his cheek. He knew that Motiwala was right. There would be comeuppance eventually from the last Chamakeela, but he would have a long time to prepare. He looked at the walls of the Fort, at the tall towers, at the battlements, and knew that for as strong as they all were, they would not be able to keep out someone determined enough to get through them. He knew that for all his determination to rebuild House Amin, his motivation paled in comparison to what the Chamakeela boy must be feeling. Manu wondered if he already knew that Manu was looking to purchase his family's old lands. He wondered how he himself would feel, if the roles were reversed.

He stopped himself before he got too deep into pity - pity was for those who could not solve their own problems, and who's circumstances were not their own doing. The Chamakeelas were traitors, and so they rightfully had their properties seized from them. That was how Manu decided he would justify his actions to himself.

Manu looked his friend in the eyes. "I'll worry about that once I have reason to."

Motiwala picked up his reins again. He shook his head; knowingly, but still somberly. "I worry that when you do, it will be too late."

Manu tapped his heels to the sides of his horse and moved it forward. It was about twenty minutes before they crossed the bridge over the river that surrounded the Fort. The bridge was impressive too: it had two towers flanking it on both sides, which looked to be more ornamental than military. Lanterns, unlit, hung down from long cables stretched between the mirrored towers. The bridge was made of the same study stone that made up the walls and the buildings, and it was wide enough for at least two horse carts to easily be able to turn sideways on it. At the end of the bridge, there was a massive open gate about half the size of the towers themselves. A few men stood on the wall above it, curiously looking down at Manu and Motiwala as they approached. When they did not challenge them, Manu figured word of their arrival had preceded them.

"It's incredible, Moti." Manu said as they crossed the bridge. Just inside the open gate, he could see a line of men and women waiting for them. The staff, he assumed. They crossed under the large gateway, and he got his first view of the inside of the Fort. It was more beautiful and developed than he expected - there were beautiful gardens that ran along the walls, with wooden buildings here and there. It was as though a small town lived within the walls, and he watched people carry sacks and buckets to and fro, going about their business. A massive pathway led to a large doorway built into the side of the hill, with the large staircase he noticed from afar beginning right inside the entrance. The entire place had clearly been very well taken care of by the Chamakeela family over the many centuries they had owned it.

"I've been here so many times," his friend admitted, "And it still never ceases to amaze me."

The line of men and women waited for Manu and Motiwala to approach. Manu looked them over, and he saw that they returned his curious gaze. They all looked older than he was, the youngest probably being only a decade more. None of them wore any fine garments, each wearing simple, drab colors that did not draw attention. One of the men wore burnished armor that clearly had not been polished for a very long time, if ever. It was a sorry group, especially considering how everything else around them looked so pristine and perfect.

Two stable hands ran towards him and Motiwala. Motiwala nodded as the boy helped him down from his horse, but Manu raised a hand before the other one could get too close.

He slid off his horse, landing on the ground to realize how much his legs were tired from the long ride that day. His chest plate clinked as he did a few basic stretches, unconcerned by the confused glances the assembled group of advisers and foremen were trading with each other. Motiwala looked at him, clearly fighting the urge to shake his head, and then turned back to the staff.

"Royal Chamberlain," a man in the middle of the line greeted, voice deep. He was of fair height, and had deep brown eyes and dark skin. His head was shaven and his tunic was sleeveless - he clearly kept himself appropriately suited to the heat of Duren. He looked at Manu, and bowed. "Magister."

Manu looked at his wrists, and noticed the rings of scars that could only have come from either the shackles of imprisonment or servitude. The man had clearly lived a tough life, either way.

"Magister Amin," Motiwala said, stepping forward. His voice was formal and precise. "I present to you Chamberlain Amir, manager of this estate."

Manu nodded. Custom kept him from bowing in turn - nobles did not bow to commoners. "Chamberlain," he said. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

The Chamberlain bowed again. "The pleasure is all mine, Magister, to welcome you to the lands of the Crown." He voice was equally proper and precise, but Manu could not help but notice the minute emphasis on his title. It was an important distinction - Manu was not a Lord, as he owned no major properties. The emphasis was an underhanded insult. "I have heard stories of the masterful feats you have performed in Her Majesty's service."

Manu smiled politely. "I'm afraid most of the stories told are wildly exaggerated." He wondered if the Chamberlain had heard how Manu had used his magic to protect Aanya from the Chamakeela assassins. Perhaps the dark man had even been a part of the plot. "Please, Chamberlain," Manu continued, gesturing to the assembled staff. "Introduce me."

The next hour was spent meeting the important staff of the Fort. As Manu met each of them, he looked into their eyes and tried to discern whether or not they resented him. Some stares were certainly more aggressive than others - some bows were noticeably shorter, too. He wondered who among them had plotted against the Crown, and whether or not some of them still did. He was certainly not as safe as he would like to be, in his new home.