The Case of the Forged Silver Coins
Chapter 2-1
A majestic mountain stood in the middle of the Sura Island. Under this mountain, a series of tunnels existed. These tunnels were built in the hundreds of years the Sura Clan had called the island home. Generations came, passed their knowledge to the youngsters, and moved on. Youngsters grew up, taught their next generation. The cycle continued until mining and working with ore became a way of life for the Sura.
The Sura Clan lived with deep loyalties to family. Theirs was a community based on family first no matter the situation. The members of the clan lacked for nothing. There were no restrictions on love and marriage, ambition or spirit. They supported each other without question.
Hence, the Sura Clan nurtured skilled jewelers, tool artisans, weapon forgers, talented blacksmiths and many more. The only thing their chieftain, Marius Doriel, worried about was their small number compared to the other clans in the Lyria Empire. The Sura Clan was only two thousand, five hundred and twenty-three souls strong. Marius was in a constant bid to encourage marriage and child bearing to every Sura Clan member’s dismay.
It was lucky the passionate chieftain had moved to stay in the capital for the sake of their trade.
Marius lived with five hundred Sura people in the capital city. This group endured his constant nagging to procreate. Weddings were a usual practice during days of rest at Marius’ main home. He even footed the wedding bill as long as a couple approached him with the intention to marry.
The Sura who remained on the island had an easier time, as they lived as they wished. However, the marriage bug caught the Sura quite early. Every month, the assistant chieftain hosted a marriage ceremony at the main hall in the center of the Sura Village on the island. Everyone hoped their numbers would grow and allow Marius some peace of mind.
Marius watched a young couple exchange rings before him and clapped when they smiled at each other before they kissed. He smiled wide too and nodded as the guests in his hall erupted into wild cheers, toasting the young couple’s happiness.
The couple ended their kiss and their peers pulled them to the large circle made in the middle of the room for a dance. It warmed Marius’s heart to see a new pair start a family in his clan.
“Have a drink, Marius,” Lasma said. “Come sit with me and let the young ones dance.”
Lasma was his wife and they had been married for twenty-five years. They gave the clan two children. A girl named Alise who was the next chieftain. Alise was twenty-four years old. And their son, Azula who was only twenty.
Of his two children, Marius worried about Azula most. His son was a skillful warrior and a talented blacksmith. Azula ran wild and preferred life at the Sura Mountain, swimming in the lake where their ancestral home stood, and eating sweet and sour chicken roasted by his dear godfather, Magnus.
Marius sometimes blamed his second cousin, Magnus, for allowing Azula such unbridled freedom. He was convinced Magnus was the reason Azula shunned any attempts to civilize him. He could only dream of seeing Azula dress in formal robes and stand in a room like this without causing trouble.
“Thinking about Azula?” Lasma asked, sitting next to him.
“How did you know?”
“You always have a frown when you think of Azula,” Lasma said, pressing the pad of her index finger on his forehead. “He is young, only twenty years of age. He does good work running our ancestral home and the mines without us. Give him time.”
“I hope daily that he will be able to support Alise in her work.”
“Alise is strong on her own,” Lasma said, her gaze shifting to their daughter across the room.
Alise stood surrounded by the members of the chief’s council, two men and two women. They looked in deep discussion. Alise spoke and the others listened to her with rapt attention.
“She grows to look like you every day,” Marius said, studying his eldest daughter.
Alise, like everyone in the Sura clan, had thick strawberry blonde hair. It grew long and she kept it in a tight braided ponytail. She had green eyes, an oval face, fair skin and a slender figure. She was five foot three, but her personality more than made up for the lack of height.
Alise was dressed in a beautiful light yellow dress with long skirts, and a gold knitted belt at her waist. The oval ilmenite jewel hanging at the end of the belt was the only indication of her station. Her smile was ready. Although when she was discussing business, it rarely made an appearance.
“She is managing the clan’s affairs,” Lasma said, with a wistful smile.
“Do you think she will choose her husband soon?” Marius asked, wondering when he was going to get to hold grandchildren.
Lasma chuckled.
“You told her you did not like Yemin,” Lasma said. “Alise and Yemin have been close for a year.”
Marius let out a huff at the mention of the strong warrior who helped them run the workshops in the capital city. Yemin was tall at six feet. He forged the best swords, second only to Azula, but he was conceited.
Marius worried he would make trouble for Alise, if they married.
“Why can’t she choose Juya?” Marius asked, his gaze on the young man standing next to Alise. “He is smart, manages our accounts and can tell apart precious tones with a single look. He dresses well, and is part of the council so he understands Alise’s responsibilities.”
“We are Sura, my love,” Lasma said, sitting back. She nibbled on carrot slice and smiled. “We follow our hearts when it comes to marriage. Don’t look down on Alise’s choice. She’s the only one who knows why Yemin is the right one.”
Marius sighed and shook his head when Lasma handed him a fresh carrot stick from the platter on the table before them.
“You’re right. Look at this, I’ve allowed you to turn me into a rabbit,” Marius complained as he ate the carrot slice.
“I’m nurturing your health,” Lasmas said. “When Alise comes to you with Yemin, promise to give them your consent.”
Marius grumbled but he agreed with a nod. The side door opened, and he turned to see his secretary rushing to him. He looked worried.
“What is it, Torak?” Marius asked.
Torak sighed as he came to a stop next to Marius. He was dressed down in leather trousers and a white cotton tunic. Noting the curious gazes everyone was giving him, he took in a deep breath and leaned in closer to Marius and Lasma.
“There has been another robbery,” Torak said. “The third one this past week. This last one makes it six missing cargo carriages in total. We are running short of burnt ore here in the capital. The workshops are behind on orders. The robbers killed the drivers. We must plan two more funerals.”
“Where is Yemin?” Marius asked.
“Yemin is on the route doing his best to guide the search for the six missing cargo carriages. He is also handling the funeral arrangements for the two affected families,” Torak said. “He told me to mention that the thieves might have other motives. The carriages have not made it to Genad City.”
A cloud of anxiety filled Marius’s chest as he glanced at Lasma. He was afraid Yemin was right. The uneasy feeling that had been plaguing Marius since the first robbery of their cargo carriages increased.
“Send a message to Azula,” Marius said to Torak, holding Lasma’s gaze. “Have Azula escort the next shipment of burnt ore in person. Tell him to take precautions.”
“Yes, Chief,” Torak said, starting to leave, but then he paused. “What about Yemin and the men on the route?”
“Ask Yemin to concentrate on the funerals,” Marius said, his frown deepening. “They will not find the cargo carriages. Let Azula handle the robbery issue. When the funerals end, Yemin should bring me a report of how much black ore is left in each of our workshops. We need him here handling our failed orders.”
“Okay,” Torak hurried off.
Lasma took Marius’s left hand and squeezed.
“This is not the first time we’ve encountered theft,” Lasma said. “But this episode is extreme and vicious. We also cannot find the cargo carriages. What do you think these thieves want?”
“I’m afraid whatever it is does not bode well for the Sura,” Marius said, his gaze on Alise.
As though sensing his unease, Alise excused herself from the council members and made her way to their table.
“Another robbery?” Alise asked when she was close enough, keeping her voice low.
“Yes,” Marius said with a grim nod. “We have now lost twelve of our seasoned drivers. The transport team is losing morale.”
Alise leaned on the table. She picked up the tail of her gold belt and played with the woven gold. She bit her lip in thought, and then frowned.
“Yemin suspects the ore thefts are tied to the cases of forged silver coins,” Alise said. “It’s a speculation—”
“A dangerous one,” Marius said, sitting up straight as he studied Alise. “We cannot be implicated in silver coin forgery, Alise. Our clan will suffer enormous ruin.”
“I know,” Alise said, shaking her head. “But what if the person robbing our black ore is helping the forgers? What should we do?”
“Do the best we can to thwart the culprit’s plan,” Lasma said, answering for Marius. “Help the blacksmiths with inventory in all our workshops. Make sure the ledgers are completed. Melt any molds we have that make small coins. Your dad might need to visit the magistrate’s office to report this case.”
Alise pushed off the table and started to leave.
“Alise,” Marius said, making her stop to look at him. “Yemin is a good man. Ask him to visit our manor for a meal when he has finished with the funerals. Tell him he will like your mother’s sweet and sour chicken. He had better show up if you’re ever to help him braid his hair.”
Alise smiled wide and ran to kiss Marius’s right cheek.
Marius grinned with pleasure.
“Thank you, Papa,” Alise said, then hurried away.
Lasma squeezed Mariu’s hand, and Marius glanced at her.
“Forging silver coins is treason,” Marius said, hoping to ease her concern. “If someone is plotting against us, we need to be careful. Anything could happen. You are right. It’s best to report the matter of stolen black ore to the magistrate. Then, I shall reach out to the old Draeya general from Naga County. He may have a solution.”
“He is a good man,” Lasma said. “I’m more concerned for Azula. He will have to face these thieves on the way to the capital. Do you think he will make it?”
Marius smiled.
“Azula outsmarts wild tigers in our mountain. He designed the tracks that run our mines and even the cargo carriages we use. Azula might not catch the thieves, but they will not rob him,” Marius said, his voice filled with pride. “He won’t give them the chance.”
“So much praise, I almost can’t believe you were worried about him earlier,” Lasma said, grinning.
“Azula is Azula,” Marius said, his voice wistful. “I’ll be glad to have him in the capital. Maybe we can get him to wear a nice pair of clothes like Juya. I think Azula would look better.”
Lasma chuckled.
“Azula is more likely to kiss Juya for dressing that well.”
“If he would make an effort,” Marius said, “Juya might think of kissing him too.”
Lasma laughed then and shook her head.
“I bet he is neck-deep in mud at the moment, making trouble for Magnus,” Marius speculated.
“Or climbing trees, and ripping his tunics,” Lasma countered. “Poor Alva is constantly sewing his clothes.”
“And Kalas and Sennin are always chasing after him, hoping he doesn’t break his legs,” Marius said with a sigh that descended into a chuckle. “I truly do miss him.”
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Sui Writes 
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