Retribution

Blockade

Our arrival back at the docks in Kuvash revealed a bad sign. There was next to no activity in the water. The ships that would once drift along the river to the estuary and beyond were still firmly roped to their moorings. The busy activity of trade had ceased. Instead, a single vessel with a raised naval flag indicated a military closure. No ships were permitted in or out, by orders of the queen.

Sulma Tan was clearly vexed, though her cool, stern expression betrayed little emotion. As we neared the bank, she began to walk the deck impatiently.

‘If you have other business,’ I said, ‘go to the queen. Make clear my command to your soldiers and I’ll handle the rest.’

She scanned my eyes for any hint of speaking between the lines. I was only a little insulted that, after all I had done for her nation, she found hesitation in doing so.

‘Have everyone converge at the palace. The children can be looked after in comfort by the staff there. You know where to take the prisoners. I’ll ask the captain of our ship to accompany your entourage there.’ She untwisted a gold signet ring from her thumb and handed it to me. It bore the markings of the nation, a raised stag set in a blue stone. The craftsmanship was exquisite, the detailing crisp. ‘Should you have any trouble, show this and it will ensure that whatever instructions you have will be carried out.’

‘You’re most kind.’ I indicated the vacant waters and the strange sense of quiet. ‘What do you think it is?’

‘I think we are at war, Lucan. My nation and yours have probably come to conflict. Detrata was our biggest trading partner — now look. The only people who will make money now are those in the weapons trade.’

Sulma Tan rode on ahead, while the rest of us marched behind on foot.

We received no bother on our way through the city. Armed escorts ensured no trouble came from the prisoners. The captured men trudged in a line, their faces reddened by the sun, their clothing filthy. A few passers-by gave us curious glances as we led twenty-three glum-looking children through the streets, but other than that our passage was without incident.

This was late afternoon and the city should have been thriving. As it was, a handful of carts were led away from empty marketplaces. Awnings offered shelter to no one. A handful of people regarded us from open windows, to see if we brought news with us; but they soon looked away.

The prisoners were taken to the palace gaols, the children to a guest room usually reserved for ambassadors or visiting dignitaries. They were brought good food as well as new clothing and, in the briefest possible terms, I explained to the members of staff nearby just what an ordeal they had been through. My firm words were enough to see them treated like royalty.

And then Leana and I simply waited to present our findings to Queen Dokuz Sorghatan.

By the time Sulma Tan came to find us it was early evening. She brought information that a member of the Sun Chamber had arrived, a man named Dorval. I hadn’t heard of him.

The two of us were brought together and left alone in a private chamber. The warm light of several cressets showed him to be of good physique. Athletic and with a noble bearing, he stood a shade shorter than myself. He was roughly the same age, and with keen, green eyes and chestnut hair. A diffident fellow, he had a likeable demeanour.

Our first sentences were spoken in code, as we explored just what level of clearance we each had, and when we came to a satisfactory conclusion we wandered out of earshot of gossiping administrators lingering in the doorway, or guards who could have been spies.

‘There are not many agents left in these parts,’ I said, now speaking standard Detratan.

‘Oh we’re still to be found here and there,’ he said and smiled. ‘We’re just not as obvious as rumour makes us out to be.’ Dorval’s tone grew more serious. ‘And we only make ourselves known when strictly necessary.’

‘How long have you been in Kuvash?’ I asked.

‘I arrived a few hours after you set off on your trip, so I remained here for the night. Not a bad city really. Successful mission?’

I wondered how much he knew. ‘A success in terms of completion of my investigation. However, it was something of a failure for the soul and a belief in human dignity.’

‘It gets to you, being an officer, doesn’t it?’ he said. ‘Still, it’s not much better being an agent, but I mustn’t complain too much — things are about to get a lot worse.’

‘The border conflict?’

‘You could put it like that. I’d prefer to call it jingoistic warmongering in very poor disguise.’

‘Who’s at fault?’

‘Who do you think?’ Dorval muttered. ‘The new Detratan republic is on the warpath. Ambassadors are fleeing or being killed outright, and Koton will likely fall very soon. Friend, I give it ten days. Ten days before ten thousand men march into the city, and they won’t be wearing Kotonese colours.’

‘This place isn’t exactly kitted out for a siege.’

‘Which is why Koton will easily fall under the advance of Detrata.’

‘And nothing can be done about it?’

‘The Sun Legions are on standby, having so recently been sent out of Detrata to Maristan, but I’m not sure they’ll intervene in the matter. Not now things are this serious, anyway. They normally like to add pressure or help provide force to settle small disputes. Getting involved in a conflict this size would mean they had to pick sides. That act, simple though it may seem, would result in the Sun Chamber breaking up the Vispasian Royal Union. It is unthinkable.’

‘Shouldn’t they do that? Should they not simply protect Koton from their aggressor?’

‘Well said, for a Detratan boy, but these things are not for us to decide. Besides, much blood will be spilled, friend. It may be that if Koton surrenders quickly, many lives will be spared and the Sun Chamber can attempt to negotiate a reconciliation afterwards. Maybe they’ll redraw the borders slightly and that will be enough to see that Detrata’s thirst for conquest is quenched.’

‘Do you honestly think a few yards of land will satisfy them?’ I asked.

‘Not a chance.’ He grinned. ‘I’m ever the optimist.’

For a moment it felt as if he had more to tell me on the subject, some subtle nuance on the art of war or on the prevention of bloodshed. Instead an easy silence fell between us.

‘Why are you here?’ I asked.

‘To connect with you in the first instance. To inform the queen of the military manoeuvres and advise where she should organize her defences.’

‘And you think she will take advice from outside her nation?’

‘She has the choice to ignore me,’ he added. ‘Anyway, I’m really here to get the royals across the border when the time comes, though she doesn’t know it yet. Koton will fall. Kuvash will be taken. Queen Dokuz can either hang around to greet the invading army or perhaps I can tempt her to safety. She’ll be more valuable alive in the long run.’

‘She’s a proud woman,’ I replied. ‘I’ve no idea what she’ll say.’

‘I can be charming when I need to.’ There was a flash in his eyes as he spoke.

‘Do you need any help getting them out?’

He shook his head. ‘We’ve people ready throughout the city on standby. Besides, my friend, you have other orders. You’re to return to Free State.’

‘Is my investigation here known?’ I asked.

‘Partially. You’ll have a chance to report fully in person, in the Free City. All officers from the northern and western nations are being recalled right now. There’s a conclave the likes of which we’ve not seen in years.’

‘This situation must indeed be serious.’

‘Only time will tell, friend,’ he replied coolly.

‘I need to make my final report to the queen and send through my messages to the Sun Chamber ahead of me. It’s urgent that I do so, given the nature of the investigation and what I discovered.’ I informed him, in a concise manner, of what had been going on here and on Evum. Dorval listened without comment to the horrors I described, his gaze occasionally flickering to the doorway as someone passed along the corridor outside.

When I finished he rolled his lips and nodded thoughtfully. ‘You did well. The Drakenfelds are certainly thorough. They were right about you — you’re like your father in his prime.’

As long as I wasn’t like him in later life. .

‘So be it,’ Dorval continued. ‘Present your findings to the queen. Make your farewells and we’ll have you out first thing in the morning.’

‘What action do you think will be taken here when I’m gone?’

‘If you’d have asked me a year ago, then that would have been simple enough to decide. As it is. . with war about to flare up, we may need to keep some of your findings secret. Can you imagine what such a mineral might mean during wartime?’

He had a point. Though I did not work for the Sun Chamber for glory, I had hoped for some recognition. He must have seen my expression, for he added, ‘But don’t worry — the commissioner, so they say, is already impressed with you. This will enhance your standing in the right circles, ones that will see you amply rewarded.’

‘So long as justice is served.’

Dorval shrugged and guided me back to the others. ‘The continent is now at war, friend. Justice will have a new meaning.’

In a private court session I gave my findings to the queen. The only other people present were Princess Nambu Sorghatan, Sulma Tan, Leana and myself. Guards had been sent from the room. The hall remained almost empty, the queen’s throne suddenly so isolated and vulnerable.

Using my notes, I spoke at length. For over an hour the queen listened to my unintentional humiliation of her nation. My words reverberated around the chamber, even though I spoke with quiet consideration. She nodded here and there in my speech, and asked me to expand upon points, but generally she let me continue without interruption. When it came to physical evidence, I laid out the two rings containing evumite on a purple cushion provided by Sulma Tan.

After I concluded the case, the queen’s expression remained blank for some time. Nambu was visibly aghast, and had remained so since I began my description of the events on the island.

After a profound silence, the queen spoke considered words. ‘Given all things remain the same with the current political tensions, what would be your suggestions for further steps to take with this case?’

‘Sulma Tan would, I’m sure, be able to handle any further investigation required. That is acting upon the names provided by the prisoners, and rounding up everyone else who was involved. This operation probably runs deep in your society and there are still many questions to be answered. From what I understand, the network of those who conducted the operation is spread wide. It was built up over the years, with core ringleaders. I suggest you start your investigations with the Kahn brothers. .’

The queen gave a silent nod and I could only imagine the suffering those two men would soon undergo.

‘There is still the separate matter of the original murders, of course, and of those responsible. Brell being among their number.’

‘Quite. This is most embarrassing.’ The queen’s gaze lingered on me. I could not help but notice her eyes glazed with tears she might soon allow to flow. ‘And do you think they should receive justice, given that their lives had been so brutally abused at a young age?’

‘That is not for me to say, your majesty,’ I breathed, wary of interfering with justice and wary of what her response would be.

‘Astran’s mercy,’ she snapped. ‘I am asking you what you think.’

A sigh, as I searched my soul for an answer. ‘I believe murder is murder, your majesty. What they did was horrific even if the victims deserved punishment. Their past gives reason to the murder, but I do not believe it provides an excuse for killing. These are my own quiet reflections, based purely on my desire to see less blood being spilt across our continent.’ At that moment I recalled how I had given my word to Sojun that I would argue the case for Elliah, yet I could not overstep the line of interference. ‘I will add one thing, and that is we are dealing with exceptional circumstances. The minds of the young would have been changed excessively by what deeds were enacted on that island. Elliah, Sojun and Brell — we may call them murderers. But in their own way they, too, are victims. Evil deeds breed only more evil. Would we have done any differently? However, such talk stretches my duties too far. I am here merely to facilitate the law. To decide upon who should live and die is the business of the gods only.’

A knowing smile came to her lips. ‘And this is where the matter remains a difficulty, for we royals are sanctioned by the gods, are we not? We are their messengers. We are the will of the gods.’

‘I do not envy you, your majesty.’

‘They will be executed alongside those taken from this new island of mine. They will all receive punishment for, as you say, interfering in the business of the gods.’

‘But Mother,’ Nambu interrupted. ‘Would you not be the same in their position?’

‘Silence, child. They had the choice to inform us. They chose their own peculiar ways of justice.’

‘Maybe,’ Nambu pressed, ‘they thought if Lydia and Grendor were involved then you might be too? And that bringing it up might have meant their heads were cut off?’

I held back a smile. The girl had a point. Besides, I knew from interviewing Sojun that the killers had wanted to do this their own way. Punishment had to come from their hands, no matter what the law said.

The queen turned to me. ‘Will you inform the Sun Chamber of these events?’

‘I’m afraid I must, as with all my work. They will want to know, but it will remain confidential amongst my peers.’

‘Our reputation will suffer.’ The queen’s expression grew to one of anguish. ‘Since my father’s death, and despite the best efforts of other clans, I have worked to prove we Kotonese are the equals of any other Vispasian nation. Look at us. We are savages after all. It is in our blood. For pity’s sake, they worshipped Hymound! I knew he was a dark god, but really. .’

‘I have witnessed nothing but an advanced society, the equal of any in this continent, and I have worked with people as skilled and as intelligent as Sulma Tan. Whenever I speak of Koton, I will make sure that its true reputation is known.’

‘Spoken with the confidence of a Detratan,’ she sighed.

I decided to continue with my boldness, now I had paid her nation a compliment. ‘Might I enquire as to what will happen to the Rukrid family? Before we left for Evum, we discovered that they had been behind the attempts to kill or capture Nambu.’

‘Yes.’ She gave a bitter laugh. ‘It is amazing what news torture brings. They wanted to stop my lineage, would you believe? The issues with Detrata forced their hand sooner. They thought I was weak in the face of such rampant imperialism. I, who have sent most of my troops to the border, who risk my own security by moving soldiers away, and they think I am weak? They have been trying for years to get to me. So they thought they would get to my daughter instead, and made repeated efforts to ensure I was the last of my line. At first they paid for assassins and then, able to trust no one else, they trained their own family members to commit the crime.’

‘I trust you responded accordingly.’ As I spoke I glanced at Nambu and could see the pain in her face, knowing what her mother had done.

‘The Rukrid family is no longer a concern, Drakenfeld.’

‘Have they been forced to flee?’ I recalled there had been a good dozen of the Rukrid clan present at the Kotonese Games, young and old, and I imagined them scampering across the border in fear after what happened.

A cruel smile came to her lips, the sign of the savage queen materializing for just an instant.

‘You misunderstand me,’ she said. ‘The Rukrid family is no more.’

That was that. Leana and I had done our job, and I had resisted interfering in the matter more than was necessary. We headed to our quarters to pack up our belongings, though I was in no hurry to leave for Free State. A long journey lay ahead of us, and would take a good few weeks of travelling. Once we arrived, who knew how long we would remain there?

Sulma Tan knocked on the open door and I casually beckoned her in, glad to be seeing her one last time before we were to leave. She was wearing a vibrant green dress, styled like a long tunic, but considerably more ornate, and her boots were well polished.

‘I have a message from Nambu,’ she said. ‘Well, more specifically, the message is for Leana.’

‘Can she not come here in person?’ Leana asked.

‘Her mother wants her by her side as she begins to understand the coming conflict. It will apparently be good for her and I can appreciate the sentiment. I think what you did was a good thing in helping the young princess. The queen was even quietly impressed that her daughter killed a man.’

‘It is understandable,’ Leana muttered. ‘What does Nambu say?’

‘She wishes for you to write with further instructions on how to carry on her training from time to time. Mere direction, perhaps techniques she can seek out from local tutors.’

Leana gave a smile of a kind I had rarely seen. ‘I will insist on a punishing regime from afar.’

As if aware of some desire for Sulma Tan and myself to be alone, Leana strolled into the adjacent room, where Nambu had spent her stay with us.

‘That was not completely the reason why I came,’ Sulma Tan confessed.

‘No?’ I moved tentatively to the other side of the bed.

‘I wanted to give you this.’ From her pocket she produced a small purple velvet purse. ‘But please, you must open it on the road.’

‘I will,’ I replied, and firmly placed the item within the pocket of my tunic.

‘Thank you for your help,’ I offered. ‘Without it we would have been truly floundering.’

‘It was mostly your work.’

‘Our work,’ I replied. ‘You used the census information. You helped with so much of the research.’

‘If you ever visit Koton again,’ she whispered, ‘please, come to Kuvash. I will see you are welcome here.’

And with that she smiled and walked away, soon leaving only the sound of her footsteps.