Chapter 29:
Chulivey sat by the fire pouring over the yellowing parchments. Ocasionally her eyes darted to the door. Despite the loud ruckus of the rather Bohemian crowd that had gathered in the pub below, the room seemed to be unusually quiet to her .Lee was curled in the layers of fur, finally succumbing to sleep. Faraco sat huddled not far from her, his eyes impatiently darting to the door as well .It seemed ages since Lord Hotohori had left, but the truth was that hardly an hour had passed.
She edged a little closer to the fire carefully adding another log to the smoking flame .She was feeling a little sleepy herself but lately she dreaded falling asleep .Her once dreamless slumbers were now filled with dark terrifying visions of an unknown terror or deliciously sinful fantasies involving a very unsuitable man with mesmerizing green eyes and she nearly always awoke with more tired than refreshed or in the latter case flushed and guilty.
With a groan she pushed the parchments from her .She had always thought herself to be a level headed person .She had been attracted to other men in the past and even fancied herself to be in love once but every time her heart had been overruled by her logic .She had always chosen to be guided by her brain than by her heart. Lately her heart was rebelling, filling her unwanted, unwelcome, but not altogether unpleasant feelings.
' I am feeling like this because he was the first person I saw when I awoke from that never ending nightmare .Its stupid really. After all, I am no maiden fair and he is no gallant Prince come to my rescue.' She frowned ' I still don't understand why they spared my life and I abhor confusion. But lately my life has become one giant puzzle. First, I find a dear freind near dead in the middle of a lonely grassland .He tells me his secret and vanishes. Next I am running from something I do not know, stumbling deeper and deeper into a nightmare from which I am awakened by the most gorgeous pair of eyes I ever encountered.' She sighed drawing the cloak around her ' Only my prince turned out to be my enemy and if I harbored any delusions as to his intent he promptly banished them the next time we met.' Her hand rose to touch her temple her fingers running on the expanse of skin where Suraco had given her the bruise the last time they fought.
' That's right .He is the enemy .He attacked me.' She thought angrily fisting her hands into balls ' There is no reason for me to get worked up over a pair of pretty eyes because he is and always will be my enemy.'
Like always this idea did not motivate her as much as she thought it would .It only left an aching hole in her heart for reasons she dared not delve into.
"I am going to get something to eat."Chulivey shrugged off the cloak and stood up "Do you want anything."
Faraco looked up "No. But you should not go down there."
"Nonsense."Chulivey shrugged wrapping her travel cloak around her
"Be careful."
She opened the door and stepped into the draughty corridor outside. A dying torch lit the narrow corridor and she could only imagine what was going on behind the closed doors of the remaining rooms on this floor. There was a single rickety staircase that led below to the pub. Picking up her courage she started towards the staircase.
"So them bastards are here?"The voice was rough.
Instinctively Chulivey sought refuse in one of the darkened niches of the hallway desperately hoping that the shadows would offer her some succor.
"Yes."
She recognized it as the voice of the maid who had brought them the meager and overpriced repast at midday .She frowned. What was going on?
"How many?"
"Four men and two girls."
"Girls eh?"Chulivey could almost sense the lust in the owner's eyes and curbed her desire to fry him. "Which room?"
"The last one in the corridor."The maids voice was conspiratorially quiet "You can't miss it .Now about my pay sir..."
Chulivey heard the soft tinkle of copper coins .She had no doubt that these men were looking for them. Who were they?
She heard the stairs creak. Somebody was going down.
"What now?"It was the man with the rough voice.
"Master Sung wants them ...alive."This time Chulivey heard another voice "Let us get some more men and overpower them .Oh yes .The girls must not be harmed. Master Sung would want to sample the wares first."
"Damn."The man with the rough voice swore laughingly.
Chulivey's brow clouded with anger .She heard the stairs creak again and realized that the men were going down .She made sure that they were gone before turning to her heels and running to the room and knocking on the door urgently .She nearly pushed Faraco inside in her haste and closed the door firmly behind her.
"Chulivey ...what?"
"Ssh."She put a finger on her lips.
Quickly she went to the door that led to the verandah and eased it open .A powerful draught entered the room with reckless abandon extinguishing the fire in the hearth plunging the room into darkness.
"Chulivey? Faraco?"It was Lee's voice, confused and worried." Where are you?"She was jerked into awareness by the sudden cold.
"Calm her Faraco."Chulivey said in an urgent whisper before crawling outside.
"Faraco?"Lee's voice was getting hysterical when she felt strong arms envelope her small body.
"Calm down Lee."Faraco's voice was reassuring.
"What's going on?"
"I don't know."He sounded just as confused as her.
All of a sudden it hit her, this nearness with him, his hot breath tickling the hairs on her neck, holding her comfortably in his arms...
"Master Sung's men have surrounded the house. They have come for us."
... Chulivey's voice ...What an anticlimax .The romantic violin in the background suddenly went out of tune .She felt his arms tightening around her.
"What do we do?"His voice was a low growl "I swear I will kill them all if they as much as look at Lee."
"Shut up Faraco."Chulivey snapped, "We are at a disadvantage here."
"I don't care."
"Its simple mathematics. They have more and we have less. "Chulivey said quietly "I have an idea. The front door is guarded and so is the stairs. However, I don't think that the roof is guarded. Therefore, that is how we will make our escape."
"Okay."
' Okay! ' The voice in Lee's head panicked ' that's stupid .Tell them that you have no sense of balance .Who do you think you are ?Batman ?'
"Umm ,Chulivey I don't have much faith in my climbing skills ."She spoke hesitatingly .
"Don't worry ."Faraco's voice was husky "I will not let you fall ."
' How cute .' The voice in her head squealed .
"Well ,lets not waste anymore time ."Chulivey said dryly "If it is any sort of assurance to you ,I do not claim to be some brilliant acrobat either .But desperate times calls for desperate measures ."
"How true ."Lee agreed half-heartedly .
They slowly moved into the darkened verandah .Chulivey peeped over the rickety railing .The mist was swirling like a torrid ocean around them ,but through the hazy veil she could see a few men standing guard in front of the house .
' Don't look up .' She gave a silent prayer to every God she knew and prepared to swing herself onto the roof .Balancing herself lightly on the rotting wood she swung herself onto the ledge above with surprising ease for someone who claimed to be no great acrobat .
Lee gulped a little to see Chulivey's cloak disappear out of sight .' Now this is why we shouldn't have cut those gym classes .' The voice in her head grumbled ' But one thing is certain ,if we survive this we'll rock in all those physical fitness exercises .'
Lee nodded her head a little silently agreeing to her somewhat annoying inner voice and prepared to follow Chulivey's path .Daintily she stepped on the wood balancing her to swing onto the roof . Unfortunately ,the wood was already much abused by time ,rot and Chulivey's weight gave away under her feet with an agonizing groan .For a while she felt her legs dangle in the air before feeling a jerk near her navel and finding herself flat on her stomach on the roof .
"Lie still ."She heard Chulivey's hoarse whisper and lay stiff as a board .But she was sure that if anybody listened carefully ,the thumping of her heart would give away her position .
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Gakka was having a bad time .He pulled the cloak closer to himself desperately trying to keep himself from groaning out loudly .He decided that life was not fair .If it was then he would be inside a warm room keeping his previous engagements with a charming little ladybird who reportedly knew more tricks than a traveling monkey .Instead ,he was here ,standing in the freezing cold chasing after some escapee slave .
"Hey Gakka ,wouldn't you love some sake now ?"His partner addressed him "I swear I am freezing ."
Gakka snorted .He couldn't wonder why the slaves hadn't left Nobu .Nobody undermined Sung's authority in Nobu and lived to tell the tale .
It was then that a chunk of rotting wood nearly fell on him with a an dull thud .But the sound seemed to be magnified in the silence surrounding them and nearly made him jump out of his skin .
"What the hell ?"Gripping his sword he looked up .The mist was making vision notoriously low .
He heard a soft meow and found himself looking at the hazy outline of a cat that peeped through the broken rafters of the verandah above .
"Its only a cat ."It was his partner ,relief evident in his voice .
"Yeah ."He turned once more to resume his guard duty .
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"I think everything is clear now ."Chulivey said quietly .' That was quick thinking on Faraco's part .'
They felt Faraco land softly on the roof . "You could have just levitated us to the roof Chulivey ."He said in an angry whisper "What would have happened if Lee fell down ."
"Lady Lee did not fall down "Chulivey said placidly "Besides I wanted to do this with as little expenditure of ki as possible ."
"That is a stupid excuse Chulivey ."
"Actually ,it is very viable Faraco .We are marked ,fugitives in the city of Nobu .Do not think that this is the first and only enemy we will face . As I said before ,they have more and we have less .We will be better able to protect Lady Lee if we rejoin with the rest of our comrades .For that we will need a locating spell .Unfortunately ,that consumes a lot of ki ."Chulivey paused turning at Lee "I am sorry if my decision had caused you undue stress .It was not my intention to harm you ."
Faraco snorted "Right ."
"Shut up Faraco ."Lee said quietly "It was not your fault .It was the damn wood's fault .So ,what now?"
"We try to find Lord Hotohori ."
"Umm...Chulivey "Lee turned towards the sound of her voice "I don't see that well in the darkness and this fog is not making it any better .I don't have much faith in my sense of hearing either because it is just about as good as my sense of balance .How the hell am I supposed to move ?"
She heard Chulivey's soft laughter followed by a soft incantation .Suddenly the fog seemed to lift from in front of her eyes .She could see Chulivey outlined in the dark in a shade of red .She turned to see Faraco crouching not far from her .She looked around to see the shilloutes of the buildings outlined by the same shade of red .
' Oh cool .' The voice in her head was awed.
"Is that better ?"
"Infinitely ."Lee grinned "Now lets get to work ."
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Hotohori looked around "This is hopeless ."He said with a frustrated groan ."I swear we passed that house at least thrice ."
"This ain't gonna work ."Liang shivered "This town is like one goddamn maze ,we ain't never gonna find that fellah Sung's house .Lets head back ."
"Not yet ."
"Not yet ! Do ya want to freeze out 'ere ?"Liang spluttered "At this rate Sung needn't kill us ,the cold will ."
"Stop your nagging Liang ."Menesku said quietly .
"Who asked fer yer opinion ice block ?
"Hey you !"
They turned to face a small group of men .Their heavily muffled forms were outlined in the faint light of the few lamps they carried and it was evident that they carried a motley collection of arms .
The leader of the group moved forward "Ya remove yer hoods ."
"Are ya mad ?"Liang snuggled deeper into the folds of his cloak "Why don't ya remove yer cloak ?"
The group closed in on them threateningly ."Are ya trying to threaten us ?"The self appointed leader of the group sneered a little ,confident of having the advantage since his group was heavier in numbers.
"Not yet ,we are not ."Menesku said calmly "But why do you wish us to lower our hoods ?"
"Ya talk too much ."The man growled "Get them ."He gestured at his men .
Hotohori sighed unsheathing his sword "That dialogue is getting old ."
For moment steel clashed in the near darkness momentarily breaking the dense silence that enveloped Nobu ...then everything was still once more .
"I don't understand yer obsession with slicing and dicing ."Liang wrinkled his nose watching the crumpled forms on the cold stones and the dark liquid that stained pristine snow .
"We are swordsmen Liang ."Hotohori said grimly seething his sword "Slicing and dicing is what we excel at .Pick up that lamp and bring it here ."He towered over the shivering form of the once fearless leader of the group .Menesku was standing behind the man calmly holding his naked blade on the now exposed flesh of his throat .
"Talk ."
The man tried to look defiant but failed miserably to procure the desired effect "Yer playing with fire . I am Master Sung's man .Ya will not get away with this ."
"Master Sung ?"The three of them exchanged a quick glance ."And so why exactly are you going about attacking random people in Nobu ."Hotohori probed .
"I ain't telling you anything."
"Very well then ."Hotohori smirked raising his eyes to meet with Menesku's impassive gray orbs
"Kill him ."
In the sick yellow light of the lamp Liang saw the a sickly green taint on the man's face .There was a brief flash of light as Menesku raised his sword ..."No ,no wait." The man flung himself at Hotohori's feet kissing the hem of his cloak "Spare me life . Meself will tell ya what ya wants to know ."
Hotohori looked coldly at the prostrate man "Let go of the cloak my good man .There is dirt enough on it already ."
The man hastily let go of the cloak cowering at his feet .
"Now ,what is this all about ?"
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Izuke leaned back into the cushion twirling the sake cup in his hands "Let me see if I understand this correctly . A day ago your favorite henchman Loki ..."
"Loki is a fool ."Sung cut in bitterly "You know that I don't play favorites .A man's worth to me is only as long lasting as his usefulness ."
"True enough ."Izuke agreed placidly "Anyway Loki entered a game of chance with one Liang and got swindled out of the clothes on his back ..."
"Then the fool decided to gamble with my property and lost a ship ."
"How unfortunate .But I do not think that Loki had any intention of giving Liang anything to begin with . Do not think that I have forgotten how newcomers disappear in the city and end up in the slave markets or the killing fields of Ishak . Liang was supposed to meet the same fate ,wasn't he ?"
"He was a fine specimen and so was the other one .They would have fetched a hefty price and you know that I am quite a connoisseur in these matters ."
"That you are .I suppose that at that time you considered Loki's bungling to be an investment ."
"I did not know anything about Loki's foolishness then Izuke ."
"Nonsense ."Izuke chuckled "Of course you knew .I doubt that he can breathe without you knowing . You make it a point to know everything about the men you employ .After all a man in your position can never be too careful ."
Sung let out a large bellow of laughter "How true Izuke . One can never be too careful ."
"Loki successfully captured them and imprisoned them in your strong house at the docks putting some of the best goons to guard your precious cargo .After that Loki came here to inform you of his success. Naturally you rewarded him and told him sell the goods to Azuma .But when Loki took Azuma to see the goods ,they found the guards unconscious ."Izuke paused "But evidently the prisoners had not yet escaped .Here's the part I do not get .You said that Loki was tricked by a girl .But ,shouldn't the girl have been with the two fellows ?"
" Loki never saw the girl .But I had a few other fellows watching the house .They would have interfered at the first instance of trouble ."Sung allowed the slave sitting at his feet to refill his cup "They say that they saw a girl enter the house .She had two male companions .One of them accompanied her inside ,while the other stayed outside ."
Izuke raised an eyebrow .
"Its not that unusual Izuke ."Sung said quietly "It is not only men who desire pleasure slaves .Besides there are many in Nobu who enjoy the charms of a pretty boy ."
"Like you for example ."
"I am a connoisseur of everything beautiful ,men and women ."
"Of course ."Izuke agreed dryly "So the woman appeared to be the mistress of a whore house ?"
"No ."
"No ?"
"Borna ,the leader of the group who was keeping watch on the house would not have spared her a second look if she looked like the tarts that run the pleasure coves in the city .I know them all ."
"I am sure you do .You own half of the brothels here ."
"That I do ."Sung agreed with great humility "Borna tells me that the woman appeared to be of high birth .Her face was nearly obscured by the cloak she wore and she moved like a lady of quality ."
"So do half of the elite courtesans in Nobu .Does that make them a lady ?"
Sung laughed "True enough .But the woman apparently had a quiet air of authority around her and a pair of dark fathomless eyes ."
"Fathomless eyes ?"
"So Borna says .I have not yet the opportunity of meeting with the elusive lady . But Izuke she surely tickles my fancy ."
"I am sure she does ."Izuke said quietly ,his eyes thoughtful ' Is she who I think she is ?'
"Anyway she came out after sometime and called her other companion .Borna followed them to the docks ,but he lost them their .The fool ."Sung looked at Izuke "You look very deep in thought .Do you know the wench ?"
"Perhaps ."Izuke's eyes were unreadable ' So the news I received from my sources might be true .But I have to be sure .'
"As I was saying ,moments later Loki returned .He say he found the men inside unconscious . Strangely enough the prisoners had not escaped then .When Loki entered ,they killed Azuma and five of my best men and left ."
"I would hardly call them your best men if they were unable to contain two unarmed men ."
"Oh but you see they were not unarmed .The woman who had come earlier gave them a sword .With that Liang's freind cut through them like butter ."Sung paused "Only think what marvelous sport he could give in the arena of Ishak ."
"If you managed to capture him ."
"Oh capture him I will ."Sung smirked "I have already dispatched men to apprehend them .It would seem that Liang and his freind are a part of a group of four men and two girls .All fine specimens and the girls are quite good looking . They will all fetch a hefty price ,especially the women .Fresh flowers always fetch the highest price ."
"I am sure they do ."Izuke said quietly "But for now I would like you to call off your men ."
"Call of my men ?Now why would I do that ?"
Izuke raised an eyebrow "I believe that we agreed that you will view this as an investment ."
"Ah yes .I remember you telling me something about tailing them ,but not harming them . "Sung smirked "But then Izuke I do not wish to harm them .Damaged goods do not sell well ."
"Forget them Sung .You will profit much more if you let them be ."
"Let them be ?"
"Yes .The information we can glean from them is priceless ."
"Izuke ,you and I have worked together for many years and I have always profited from our joint ventures ."Sung twirled the emerald in his hands "And frankly ,I am tempted by your offer. But ..."
At this point the door opened and a servant shuffled in carrying a heavy tray .
"Ah refreshment ."Sung smiled and indicated the servant to put down the tray on the low footstool in the middle of the room . "This one is new ."He informed Izuke ."He was a difficult dog to train ,but I have trained him well .Haven't I ?"He addressed the slave .
"Yes master ."The man's voice was meek but it had a strange ring to it .
"Good boy .Here's your reward ."Sung threw a half eaten bone at the man "Now Izuke ,where were we? "
Izuke paused for a while to observe the new comer .Though the man's body language was submissive as he took a hesitant seat at Sung's feet nibbling on the bone Sung threw him ,he did not miss the sudden flash of hatred that passed like lightning in the man's lowered eyes .He saw the dark bruises that disfigured his fair skin and could only imagine how many scars the utilitarian woolen cloak hid . The hands that held his food were swathed in linen bandages that were stained a dull red in places .
' You have not trained him Sung .You have broken him .' Izuke let a bitter smile touch his lips "We were talking about ..."
"Ah yes .The job you offered me is very lucrative .But ,I am unable to accept your offer ."
"And why is that ?"
"They called me the uncrowned King of Nobu .Do you know what it takes to keep this position ? Do you think that the people here respect me ?Do you think they love me ? No .They fear me .I rule with an iron fist ,therefore I keep my throne ."Sung paused "Those two men killed my men and made a mockery of my power . That is not the point .Men die everyday . I kill men if they are incompetent , sacrifice them if need arises .But their life is mine to take .By killing my men they have challenged my authority and I will make an example of them ."
"You will ?"
"Yes .I will sell the men to the worst slavers I know and keep the women for my pleasure ."
"And excellent plan .But for once think beyond Nobu .Do you not wish your playing field to be much larger than this little city ? Do you not wish to be the secret player that controls the rise and fall of kingdoms ?"
"Izuke you bore me .My mind is made up ."Sung looked into Izuke's eyes "Stay and enjoy my hospitality but do not interfere with my decision ."
"Very well then ."Izuke sighed getting up "I just have one thing to say ."
"What ?"
"My dear freind ...You have become obsolete ."There was a flash of light and a dull thud as it made contact with flesh .
Sung gave a small gurgle and toppled over ,a sluggish flow of blood seeping from the wound where the knife had punctured his neck .For a while the two body guards who guarded him remained immobile and then with a bellow of rage attacked Izuke .
"Come ,come my good men ."Izuke parried a vicious thrust "There is no reason for us to fight ."
The men pressed on .Izuke parried lightly and thrust his blade into the soft flesh of one of the guards . He twisted the blade viciously before pulling it out and turning his attention to the other guard . This one was a big fellow and apparently had some idea of swordplay .The blows delivered somewhat accurately held a great strength behind them and it jarred Izuke's elbow .
' It's a pity that I have to kill him .' Izuke smiled bitterly evading the man's thrust quiet easily and plunging his bloodied sword into his gut . He repeated the process of twisting it before drawing it out but this time there was an audible snap and the blade broke leaving the steel fragment inside the man.
"I am never buying another sword from those damn Simians ."Izuke made a light tutting sound observing the bloody and broken hilt that remained in his hand "Ten silver pieces .Damn ."
There was a brief scuffle behind him .Izuke turned around to see the first guard being wrestled to the ground by the slave .Apparently the man wasn't as dead as he thought he was .He saw the slave twist the knife out of the man's hand and plunge it in the man's heart .
' So you are not as broken as I thought you were .'
Izuke saw the slave stand up .His stance was that of a proud man who had once again reclaimed his pride .But he could see a shade of green around the slaves white mouth and the wild look in his eyes .
He walked up to the man and took the bloody knife from his shaking fingers .The man relinquished the knife without a demur before bending over and emptying the contents of his bowel on the bloody floor.
Izuke poured some sake and held it out to the man ."Drink ."
The man snatched the cup and downed the fluid in a gulp letting the warm fluid dribble down his chin ."Thank you ."He panted .
Izuke nodded and turned to the other slave in the room ,Sung's pleasure slave .He found that she was sprawled at the doorway, a deep slash disfiguring her bare back .She must have tried to run away and got caught in the middle .He turned once more to the slave who had defended his back .
"Why did you help me ?"
The man looked at him .Izuke found himself looking into warm violet pools in which silver flecks floated like the ice bergs of the Ku Youg sea . "Because I thought you were different ..."His violet eyes rested for a while on Sung's still body and once more Izuke saw the hatred in his eyes "...Than him ."
"What if I am not ?"
The man sighed looking at the floor ."I am desperate .I want to be free .I will be no man's slave ." There was a suppressed passion in his voice that moved Izuke "I want to walk the halls of my home again and hunt in the meadows that surround my house .For that I will do anything .I have already been a dog ,a slave ,a murderer ...If I have to be a fool now ,then so be it ."
"Leaving Nobu is not as easy as you think it is ...What is your name ?"
The man looked up "I am Shizimi ."
"Shizimi ."Izuke smiled pouring himself some sake "Do you wish to go home ?"
"I do ."Shizimi's eyes shone .
"Then do as I say .Go and get Loki .He should be imprisoned in the house some place .Take care that no one gets any idea of what happened here ."
"Very well ."
Izuke saw the man disappear through the door ,closing it behind him . Izuke watched Sung's glassy eyes with a very detached smile on his face .' How often have you told me that Nobu is like a jungle Sung ? You should have watched your back better my old freind .There is no honor among thieves .'
He pulled the dagger out of Sung's neck and began to clean it with a kind of practiced indifference 'For a King you are remarkably less guarded .Especially for a tyrant who rules by fear .Oh ,I forgot, it was your own rule that nobody should disturb you while you are here .Except for me of course , since I was your prodigy .You taught me too well I am afraid .' He looked around ' In this room you have ruled Nobu .You have taken lives and this house has reverberated with the tortured screams of they who you have crushed under your heel to make your throne .You have taught people to ignore the screams that rise from this room .How very fitting that your screams be ignored as well .'
He smiled mirthlessly ' Remember what you told me Sung .There can only be two ends to a mercenaries life .To die at the end of the blade of another mercenary or to die skewered at the end of an honest soldier's blade .'
The door opened once more and Loki stumbled in .For a while he stared at the bloody floor and then at Izuke .
"L...Lord Izuke ?"
Izuke smiled at him "Loki are you well ?"
"Tolerably well ."Loki flinched turning to see Shizimi guard the door .
"You know that I am called the uncrowned Prince of Nobu and my power is second only to Sung ."
"Y...Yes Lord Izuke ."
"So which side do you chose ? "
Loki gulped "Yours my Lord ."
"Good ."Izuke smirked "You know what to do ."
"Yes ."
"Very well .Let it be known that Nobu has a new king ."
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