Arc 1- The Case of the Forged Silver Coins
Chapter 5-2
Raithion sat on the side bench on Azula’s left. He sat straight, his arms crossed against his chest, and his eyes closed. He tuned his senses to the pace of the carriage as it moved and listened to the rhythm of the horses his legion officers were using, memorizing the pace.
“My older sister packed beef jerky for me. She’s always afraid I’ll starve during a journey. Would you like to try some? It is well cured,” Azula said, breaking his concentration.
“Not now,” Raithion said, opening his eyes to find Azula holding the beef jerky in a cute wooden container.
“Suit yourself,” Azula said, eating with a pleased smile.
Raithion wondered how he could be so carefree.
Raithion watched Azula chew on his beef jerky for a while. A frown creased his forehead as he wondered how Azula could be so relaxed. He was not at all worried that he was taking on a fight that may lead to his death.
What the hell was with Azula Doriel? Why was he so maddening?
****
The carriage offered a comfortable ride. It was not cramped, but with only two passengers, that was expected. Azula was glad to discover his carriage design was quite good. Maybe they could offer a cheaper version of the model for sale in time.
“Do you live on the Sura Island all the time?” Raithion asked, interrupting Azula’s thoughts.
“Yes,” Azula said, studying Alva’s packed food. He liked the beef jerky, but now that he had had a taste, he could not eat the sweet dried mangoes. It would make the taste in his mouth strange. He closed the lid on the container and placed it on the bench beside him.
“Where is Chief Doriel?” Raithion asked.
“My parents live in the capital,” Azula said. “My sister travels between the island and the capital every three weeks. She keeps us together.”
“Your older sister will be the next chief, right?” Raithion asked.
“That’s the plan,” Azula said with a happy nod. “My parents must travel to the Sura Island for the ceremony. The crowning ceremony for a new chief is considered sacred and is done when the new chief decides to marry. Alise has chosen a partner, but she has not stated an intent to marry him yet.”
“Ah,” Raithion nodded in understanding. “Everyone in the capital knows that the Sura Clan has the most yearly weddings. Your father is always hosting marriage ceremonies every weekend.”
“More pairs mean our numbers will grow the clan,” Azula said.
“Why don’t you live in the capital?” Raithion asked.
“Pa says I am too unruly for the civilized streets of Genad,” Azula said with a smirk.
“I agree,” Raithion said without hesitation.
Azula scowled at him.
“Actually, I prefer the wildness of our home island. I would rather swim in the lake near our home and climb the steep slopes of Sura Mountain or work in the workshop forging metal into useful tools than be in the capital.”
“We’re alike in that perspective,” Raithion nodded.
“Where do you prefer to live?” Azula asked.
“In our family home in Draeya County,” Raithion said. “Our home is also near a lake and we have a lot of family living in the area. Every time I return, it feels like my heart is lighter.”
“What do you do when you’re not in the army camp?” Azula asked.
“I raise war horses and work with wood to make furniture and tools,” Raithion said with a smile. “I also like to fish for naughty prey playing in the water. If I’m lucky, I can save them from being in trouble.”
Azula noted the pointed look Raithion gave him and threw the last piece of the beef jerky he was eating at him.
Raithion caught it mid-air with practiced ease. He took a bite and nodded in approval.
“The jerky tastes good,” Raithion said.
“Mm, my sister is very good at curing meat.”
“Alise?”
“Not Alise,” Azula said, shaking his head. “I have another sister, not related to me called Alva. She takes care of our family home. She’s the one who makes the jerky. Do you have sisters, General Raith?”
“I do, two sisters younger than me,” Raithion said. “They are my closest family…”
“You smile when you talk about your sisters,” Azula noted with a grin.
“I can’t help it,” Raithion said with a nod. “Noriel had her wedding days ago, and Soriel is twenty this year. She is still too young. We’re all hoping she accompanies our parents for another year or two. By then, I will have discovered what kind of man Soriel wants to marry.”
“General Raith, I did not know you would be a doting big brother,” Azula said with a happy chuckle.
“I can’t hide it,” Raithion said. “Our mother blessed them both with unprecedented beauty. I’ve had to fight off unwanted suitors for a time. This task grows tougher as they grow older and their beauty intensifies.”
“What a good big brother they have,” Azula said with a happy laugh. “If I tried to chase suitors for Alise, she would bash me with the hefty stone she carries on her belt. I’ll be sure to tell her about you and your ideas.”
****
It was three days after Dio Adertha officiated the Draug wedding. Noriel and her new husband would visit her parents’ house to thank them for the ceremony and show they were getting along in their new married life.
“Lord Draug has already sent word to his parents’ in-law,” Theod Dorn reported. “He will bring his wife to Marquis Draeya’s manor for the lunch hour meal tomorrow, and they will stay the night and leave the next day.”
“I want to visit with them,” Dio said. “Make preparations for me to leave the palace unnoticed tomorrow.”
“I’ll plan for it,” Theod said, looking around Dio’s private office.
Dio took the opportunity to take him in. Theod Dorn was in his late fifties and head of the palace guard. Theod made sure Dio was safe at all times. He quite literally trusted Theod with his life.
Over the years, Theod had turned into a reliable confidant. He had helped Dio get through the difficult transition of power after Basileus Rokas died. There was nothing more dangerous than a hostile palace. Dio frowned, thinking about his ambitious mother.
The Dowager Basilinna had secrets that worried Dio. Secrets he could not dig into yet, until his freedom was secure. It was taking everything he had to stay out of her clutches.
“Your Majesty,” Theo said. “Dowager Basilinna met Lord Gesi Ajai’s daughter two days ago. The meeting was disguised as a visit to one of her oldest friends in the capital. Thanks to the two legion officers Marquis Draeya gave us, we followed her and discovered the formal meeting. Dowager Basilinna had Lady Ajai pour her a cup of tea in the introduction. The Dowager will find a way for you to meet the girl and propose an engagement.”
“My grandmother is opposed to the match,” Dio said, sitting back in his chair. “For the same reasons, I’m opposed to Gesi Ajai gaining more power in my court. My aunt Sanan is my strongest backing in the Imperial Diet. The owner of Rose Hall will be someone I love, not some woman my mother wants to consolidate her Witia power.”
“It’s easier said than done,” Theod said.
“Yes,” Dio agreed. “So, I’m going to gamble. If I can make a better match before my mother’s proposal is heard, her bid with the Imperial Diet will fail.”
“Is this why you are choosing Maenaer?” Theod asked.
Dio studied the jade ring on his right thumb, then smiled.
“My father sent me a powerful chess piece, complete with a private army. They are strong and loyal to each other. To the Maenaer home, their blood, and their house’s ambitions.”
“Thanir Maenaer does have ambition burning in his eyes,” Theod nodded. “His son has a different kind of energy. Raithion Maenaer invests in the property his father gave him in Draeya County. Anyone looking into him will see he hopes to return there to live a quiet life.”
“I’m afraid I cannot let him,” Dio said. “I don’t want to let him go. I want to keep Raithion Maenaer close. To do that, I need to marry his little sister.”
Theod nodded but made no comment on Dio’s thinking.
Dio glanced at Theod and found him frowning.
“What? Am I cruel in your eyes for plotting against Lord General Draeya?”
“Perhaps,” Theod said with a pained tone.
Dio could see that Theod respected Rathion Maenaer. There was no reason not to, after all, Raithion was quite impressive to have reached the station of General at twenty-seven. The Naga State King also relied on the Draeya General. What was not to admire?
“Draeya General is a good man. He is loyal and true. If you corrupt his life with politics and machinations—”
“I have no choice,” Dio said. “Gesi Ajai is at my door with a daughter he wants to make a Basilinna. That insidious politician cannot gain more than he plans to. Thanks to Thanir Maenaer, I have a way to escape his plans. I also now understand Ajai’s purpose with the forging of silver.”
“Which is?” Theod asked with a deepening frown.
Dio stood up from his chair and walked around his desk. He paced across the marble floor to the windows. He stared out into the cool evening. The palace was quieting down. Most officials had left for the day, leaving the resident palace attendants to clean up and lockdown for the night.
Dio’s office was on the ground floor of the palace. He had a wonderful view of the central gardens. The central gardens were a hundred and fifty feet long rectangle divided with four paths. The paths divided the garden, allowing for a spectacular walking view. The gardener took pride in his work, and the flowers growing in the courtyard were neat and vibrant.
A young palace attendant walked along the paths now lighting the garden lamps built in intervals.
Dio dragged his attention back to the case that had taken over his court for weeks.
“The ministry of agriculture, Ajai’s ministry, can only do so much for his political career,” Dio said. “He needs the Ministry of Finance to make an impact. It is the same path the current prime minister took to gain a foothold in the capital. So, what would an insidious politician do to gain power in a largely peaceful ministry?”
“Find a way to make trouble for the finance minister,” Theod said with apprehension.
“There will be losses before the case of the silver forgery is concluded,” Dio said. “The battle between the ministries has already started. Ajai’s allies attacked Finance Minister Pamplona in court today, asking him what he is doing to protect farmers against the volatile silver-gold exchange.”
Dio shook his head at the memory of watching Pamplona try not to drown in the face of so much opposition from the agriculture office.
“The inspector general in charge of the case has named the Sura Clan the source of the ore used in the forgeries. Minister Pamplona tried to defend them and faced backlash for his efforts. I had no choice but to order a thorough investigation on the Sura Clan’s workshops and the Ministry of Finance offices.”
“Ajai will ensure evidence is found to remove Pamplona,” Theod guessed.
“I have talked to Thanir Maenaer,” Dio said. “I asked him to do his best to save Pamplona’s family from the aftermath of Ajai’s machinations. Ajai may turn heavy-handed and force Pamplona’s family into a deadly corner.”
“What about the Sura Clan?” Theod asked.
“Silver forgery is deadly,” Dio said, shaking his head with a heavy sigh. “Draeya General is in pursuit of clues that may help the Sura. I’m afraid he will not make it in time to stop the damage here in the capital. At best, any evidence he finds will be enough to save the clan’s lives. They have become collateral damage.”
“Why are you so sure, Your Majesty?” Theod asked.
“The Inspector-General will raid the Sura Workshops tonight,” Dio said. “I hope there is no evidence to bring before a magistrate for their sake.”
“What is your plan now?” Theod asked.
“I must protect my position before I can help anyone,” Dio said. “That means visiting Marquis Draeya’s manor tomorrow. Grandmother has agreed to write the proposal for me. Aunt Sanan will come with me and present it to the Draeya Marchioness. I will marry Soriel Maenaer. I will gain Raithion’s full support, forcing him into the military command office.”
“He may hate you,” Theod pointed out.
Dio turned to smile at Theod. Theod looked handsome even in his late fifties. Theod was a staunch supporter of Basileus Rokas and the Adertha House. He was the first courtier to point out to Rokas that there was a problem with the Witia Basilinna. The suspicions remained dark for a while before they became strong and hard to ignore.
When Rokas died, Theod continued to support Dio. Doing his best to support Dion in a palace and with an imperial diet filled with three very strong supporters of the Dowager Basilinna.
“Draeya General will forgive me in time,” Dio said now. “Most importantly, the Imperial Diet needs new blood. You know that as well as I do. Mother has two strong supporters, Jonas Gella, the imperial history minister, and Frio Briale, the imperial tutor now a magistrate.”
Dio leaned on the window sill and thought about the people who helped him manage his bloodline as the Basileus. The Imperial Diet had seven seats. Three were controlled by his mother, Dowager Basilinna Olneth. The other four were controlled by House Adertha.
“On my side, I have the Military Commander, an old fierce general who is always in the defense ministry with no time for palace antics. I have Lathan Ryul from the Ministry of Rites and grandmother. Aunt Sanan breaks the tie, but if anything happens to Grandmother—”
“You will be vulnerable,” Theod said when Dio broke off. “Olneth will put her relatives in your grandmother’s seat.”
“Yes,” Dio said with a scoff. “If I marry Soriel Maenaer, her mother will take my grandmother’s place.”
“Thanir Maenaer will join the Military Commander’s office, and on the outside, you will have Raithion Maenaer,” Theod said. “That is a strong political move, Your Majesty.”
“Draeya General is my powerful chess piece,’ Dio said with a pleased smile. “I may ask too much out of him, but I’ll work at making it up to him.”
Theod stood studying Dio for a minute, his gaze quite speculative. He stood tall, dressed in the palace guard uniform. A dark green military coat decorated with gold embroidery and insignias of his rank. The six chevrons on his sleeves were enough to declare his considerable service to the Lyria Kingdom.
His brown hair was cut short on the sides and left to grow long at the top. It was dusted with gray, thanks to his age. He was a handsome man.
Theod’s brown eyes turned worried, and Dio sighed.
“What have you thought of now?” Dio asked.
“Marrying Soriel Maenaer will not remove your problem. Ajai will still have his daughter and will be looking for a match to serve his purpose,” Theod said.
“Yes,” Dio nodded. He had spent a considerable time thinking about the consequences of his choices.
“What will you do about Gesi Ajai’s daughter?”
“Send her into the Maenaer manor,” Dio said.
“What?”
Dio smiled at Theod’s wide gaze.
“I told you, I will ask quite a lot out of Draeya General this time. In time, I’ll find a way to make it up to him.”
“That’s—”
“There is no other way, Theod,” Dio said, holding his gaze. “Now, please make plans for my visit to Marquis Draeya’s home. No one can know my intentions until Soriel Manor walks down the palace court aisle to take her place as the new Basilinna. I’m afraid Ajai and my mother will try to stop me from marrying Soriel.”
Theod let out a heavy sigh and then nodded. As he left, Dio thought he read disappointment in Theod’s eyes. He did not stop his old friend. He did not want to explore that look further.
He would if he could keep Raithion from marrying Ajai’s daughter. However, the most logical place to stuff such a volatile chess piece was in the Military Commander’s house.
The Maenaer family could control Ajai’s daughter, and nullify Gesi’s influence while growing Soriel’s power as a Basilinna.
Besides, Raithion had not mentioned having a lover. His marriage was to benefit the court as Thanir Maenaer had promised himself. Dio needed this play for now, so he would take it and worry about the outcome later.
“It’s the only way,” Dio murmured to the empty office.
****
“Good news,” Marius Doriel said, holding a note to his wife, Lasma. “Azula reported the thefts to the port magistrate. “The boy has become sensible. I can’t believe he followed instructions. At least with a report of theft, we can have a good standing in the magistrate’s court.”
“I hope so,” Lasma said changing into the simple white plain dress she wore to bed. Sinking her fingers into her hair, she finger-combed the long strawberry blonde hair with a blissful moan.
“The day has been too long today,” Lasma said as she moved to sit at the foot of their large bed. “I spent most of the day convincing our clients we will fulfill their orders in time. This is the first time we’ve ever had to deal with such ore scarcity. I’m worried we will lose trust.”
“It’s temporary,” Marius said keeping Azula’s note in a box in his side of the open closet. He was already dressed in comfortable white cotton trousers and a simple matching tunic for bed. His graying hair was in neat braids that Lasma had restored the night before. Marius closed the closet doors and turned to smile at his wife.
“Once Azula arrives, we’ll be able to meet our promises to our customers and find a way forward so that this never happens. Maybe we will convince Azula to stay here with us.”
Lasma chuckled.
“Until he drives you insane with mischief,” Lasma said.
Marius broke into a rich laugh and crossed the room to join his wife at the foot of the bed. He sat beside her, taking her left hand with both of his. He studied the ring on her right middle finger. It was silver with a dark ilmenite stone as the centerpiece. He had designed and forged the ring when he wanted to marry her.
Over twenty-five years ago, he thought. So many years of ups and downs. Lasma had stood with him, by him, for him and their children through every minute of it.
“We’ll get through this one, too,” Marius said, squeezing Lasma’s hand. He looked up to meet her gaze and smiled when she leaned in and kissed him.
Yes, they would get over this small crisis, too.
The sound of hurried footsteps distracted Marius from his wife’s kisses, and then an urgent knock came on the door.
“Pa, it’s Alise.”
“Come in,” Lasma called out, breaking their kiss.
Alise opened the door and hurried in her expression one of extreme worry.
“The inspectors in charge of the silver forgery case have raided all our workshops across the city,” Alise said, her voice shaking. “Yemin says they are headed to our manor next. What do we do?”
“Has there been a message from Marquis Draeya?” Marius asked. “He promised to help—”
“Yes,” Alise said, holding a rolled note to Marius. “We just received this from Marquis Draeya’s people minutes ago. I have our transport drivers watching the gates.”
Marius took the note from Marquis Draeya and read it aloud.
“The charge is treason like Black Cove. Save as many of your people as you can. The capital is no longer safe for your clan. There is no way to escape what is coming.”
Marius frowned when he finished reading the note.
“What does the Marquis mean?” Lasma asked.
“He means we’ve fallen into a pit,” Marius said, getting up. “Alise, evacuate everyone. Use the plain carriages we use to transport Magnus’s mangoes. Let everyone dye their hair black. Lasma, pack the chests in our vaults and send them along with our people to the island.”
“I don’t understand,” Alise said, taking the note from her father. She frowned when her mother ran out of the bedroom to do as Marius asked.
“Pa, what is black cove?” Alise asked.
“They were a mining clan similar to ours. They mined gold in the rivers near Brusan Lake during Basileus Rokas’ time. A case emerged of workshops forging gold coins outside the imperial mint. The members of the Black Cove clan came under suspicion. The ensuing case led to the massacre of all the clan members. It looks like we’ve offended someone in the capital city. We’re now facing the same problem.”
“But we are not forging silver coins,” Alise said, shaking her head. “We can prove it before a magistrate—”
“There will be no time to prove it,” Marius said, taking Alise’s right hand and squeezing it tight. “I trust Marquis Draeya’s reasoning. His warning is not light. The best you can do to help right now, Alise, is to get as many of our people out of the city. I’ll face the inspectors when they come. I will stall them enough to give you time to get everyone out.”
“What about you?” Alise asked. “How will you come out?”
“I’ll find a way. Yemin will be with me. You told me to trust him,” Marius said, smiling as he caressed Alise’s hair.
Alise’s green eyes filled with worry. She was afraid.
“Listen,” Marius said. “You’re my daughter. Brave and fearless. Our people have long looked up to you, Alise. You are their future. Show them they still have one. Get them to the Naga State Port. Make sure everyone crosses to the island and then hold our ships on the island. It will be the only way to keep the clan safe and out of imperial reach.”
“What about you?” Alise asked.
“Once I finish with the inspectors, I’ll head to the port. I can always get a boat from the fishermen and return home,” Marius said. “I may be your old father, but I was sailing our wicked seas before you were born. Hm…don’t worry. I’ll find my way home.”
“What will we do if we lose trade in the capital?” Alise asked.
“I’ll borrow Azula’s words,” Marius said, pulling Alise into his arms for a tight hug. “The world is vast, and our ships are sturdy. Lyria Kingdom is not the only land. Azula has always been too brave, but his courage will help you sail beyond our island to Genad. You can establish a new trade route. For now, though, we just need to save our people. Can you help me?”
“Yes, Pa,” Alise said, letting go of him.
“Good, now go,” Marius said. “Don’t forget to turn your hair dark. The inspectors will be using our traits to capture us.”
Alise kissed his left cheek, then hurried out to complete her orders.
Marius looked around the master bedroom he had used for the last decade as he tried to establish their clan’s presence in the capital city. All his plans had been hatched in this room. It was such a pity that it was now turning to dust.
Thinking about Marquis Draeya’s note, his stomach tied in knots of dread.
*****
The night had grown older. Thankfully, the moon was out, the silver light illuminating the deserted road as the carriage raced along, heading to Genad City.
Haedor rode alongside the carriage with his five of his legion brothers. While the rest of the team rode far ahead, heading to the first stop on the journey. Haedor gripped his reigns when he heard a boisterous laugh inside the carriage.
Haedor winced, wondering how his general was handling that excitable little imp. A deeper laugh followed, and Haedor’s gaze widened. Azula Doriel was to be admired. He had somehow charmed the aloof Draeya General. No one knew how they were getting along inside the carriage.
Azula studied the chess board on the bench between him and Raithion inside the carriage. The black and white chess pieces were carved from fine jade. Raith had produced the board from his bags to occupy Azula’s mind.
Azula frowned as though in deep thought, and then he moved his queen to capture Raithion’s queen. He placed his black queen on Raithion’s side and held Raithion’s queen with a triumphant grin as he met Raithion’s surprised gaze.
“What?” Azula asked.
“That is not allowed,” Raithion said. “Azula, you’re not following any of the rules at all. You’re a game rule breaker.”
“So?” Azula asked. “I don’t like your tone when you call me a rule breaker. I took possession of your queen on the board. Mine has taken over everything. The game is won.”
“You ignored all the rules of the game. Your win doesn’t count. You’ve gone wild on the board. You have not won the game. You’re cheating.”
“You said I needed to capture your queen or king. You watched me move my queen to capture yours,” Azula said, pointing to the board. “How did I cheat? Look, this is my pawn. I’ve moved it, and boom.”
Azula moved his black pawn to knock Raithion’s white pawn to the side. He took Raithion’s white pawn and placed it on the side to join Raithion’s queen. He made no effort to move the pawn according to the game’s rules. It looked like a pawn jumped from one end to the other.
“I haven’t cheated you one bit,” Azula insisted with a satisfied nod. “Your eyes are open. You watched me move my jade piece. What cheating? I’m clearly following your instructions.”
Raithion released an exasperated sigh, then placed his hand over the chess board, scattering all the pieces.
“Only a mad man would try to explain the game of chess to you,” Raithion said. “We’re not playing your way. Find another game to play.”
“Are you giving up?” Azula asked as he stared at the scattered chess pieces. “I mean, this one was kind of fun. Moving white pieces around with fancy rules. General Raith—
“Choose another game,” Raithion said.
“Okay,” Azula said putting away the chess pieces into the handsome carved wood box Raithion had pulled out of his bag. “Do you play this game with your friends?”
“Yes, with Haedor, my father, and my best friend Kailu, among others,” Raithion said.
“Hm,” Azula said as he put away the last pieces.
“Are you sure you don’t fall asleep through it?”
“No, I don’t fall asleep. You’re the only one who would think of sleep while playing chess,” Raithion said.
Azula chuckled at the annoyance in Raithion’s voice. He studied the various neat carvings and decided the queen he stole from Raithion looked handsome. He took the white queen and held it up to Raithion.
“Can I keep this?”
“The set will be incomplete,” Raithion said.
“I can compensate you,” Azula said, closing the handsome box and handing it to Raithion. He held on to the white queen and grinned. “Come on, Draeya General. I know you can find another white queen to complete the collection.”
“It will still feel incomplete,” Raithion insisted.
“Then, think of me every time you pull this board game out to play,” Azula said and slipped the white queen into his jacket pocket.
Raithion shifted on the bench so that he sat facing Azula.
“What will you compensate me with for this loss?”
Azula studied him for a moment.
Draeya General was fascinating to spend time with. The man watched Azula too, gauging his every reaction, documenting his mannerisms. It was both interesting and unsettling.
Oddly arousing, too, Azula thought with a smile. He suddenly had the mad urge to kiss Draeya General.
So, this was what it felt like to spend time in the company of such a powerful man.
Azula leaned down to touch the wood under the bench they were sharing. He unlocked a hidden compartment and pulled out a leather bag with a pair of daggers he had brought along on a whim.
Azula momentarily examined the quality leather bag, then handed it to Draeya General.
“I made this using precious ore I found in my home workshop. My master says the blades are stronger than usual. I have no use for them other than cutting deer meat and maybe firewood to roast it. Perhaps you can use them to defend someone.”
Raithion took the bag, holding his gaze before focusing on untying the leather string and opening the leather bag. Inside the bag were two handsome blades. The handles were crafted with intricate designs meant to support a firm grip.
Raithion placed the bag on the bench and pulled the blades from the leather bag. He studied them with keen interest. The blades were beautifully crafted. Not heavy as to feel cumbersome when in use. The handles were perfectly crafted to weather use. The blades themselves were even more fascinating. The steel used was tempered with an extra mineral that made the face of the blade shine like white ash.
Raithion traced his right index finger on the blade, wondering if the shine would fade. But it did not. The blades were clean, and the glow was part of its structure.
“The handles,” Raithion said after a period of study.
Azula smiled.
“I’m glad you noticed. Otherwise, it would have been quite a letdown, Draeya General,” Azula said.
“How do they attach?” Raithion asked.
“Face the ends together, and you’ll see,” Azula said.
Raithion turned the handles to face each other, and the moment he held them close, they seemed to snap together. The outer layers of the handles twisted to lock the blades together into a double-bladed spear. One side was longer than the other.
Raithion stared at the weapon with a rare smile. Azula felt like he had discovered Raithion’s most preferred weapon.
“How?”
“My secrets,” Azula said, then grinned. “A clever combination of magnets and levers. I like to tinker. The mechanism will hold up to the abuse of a true fight. I tested it by hitting it against mountain rock for three months. If it could withstand the abuse, a battle would be no issue.”
“Thank you,” Raithion said, twisting the blade handles left to unlatch them. He watched the blades detach with a pleased smile. “Your gift is more valuable than a chess piece from my board game.”
“You’re helping me transport ore for my family at night with no pay,” Azula said. “It’s equal value.”
“Okay,” Raithion said, returning the blades to their pouch. He would need to find suitable sheaths for them.
Azula understood that was something Draeya General would manage with ease.
“Should we play cards?” Azula asked, patting the space between them.
He wondered if Draeya General would dare. So far, they had tried chess, before that there was a game of Go, in which Azula broke all the rules after claiming to be a master. Raithion had positively steamed with annoyance. Azula bit back a laugh at the memory.
“Which card game do you want to play without breaking the rules?” Raithion asked.
“Rules are for breaking,” Azula said, leaning over to look into the hidden compartment under the bench. Azula pulled out a neat pack of cards.
“Your compartment can be considered a marvel,” Raithion commented. “It keeps a Go gameboard, cards, intriguing blades, and beef jerky box. What else will I find if I look in there?”
“Many things,” Azula said, closing the compartment. He shifted on the bench to get more comfortable and held up the pack of cards to shuffle them. Raithion swiped a card from Azula’s left hand and spent a few minutes studying the beautiful designs on the card.
The back of the cards was decorated with a deep blue background color and gold lines laid out in an intricate doodle. The face of the card had a handsome painting of a lake with a small boat sitting on the horizon. Gold lines made a delicate frame around the painting, and the numbers were embossed on the corners with gold.
“My sister makes the cards,” Azula said, explaining the beautiful art to Raithion. “Each card holds a different painting. They are scenes from our Sura Island. Everyone appreciates having them around, especially when our clan members have missed home.”
“The cards are beautifully done,” Raithion complimented.
“My sister would be glad to hear that,” Azula said with a pleased smile. “Should we play?”
Azula reached for the card Raithion held and started shuffling honestly. The carriage happened to go over a bump on the road, and Azula lost his balance, leaning forward with a startled gasp. Raithion gripped his shoulders tight to steady him.
Azula looked up to thank the painfully handsome general and found himself looking into captivating green eyes.
His breath caught at the punch of attraction that hit him in the gut. No, not attraction, really, but lust. He felt in lust with Draeya General. He wanted to taste Raithion’s lips and find out what it would feel like to have Draeya General hold him and run his hands all over his body. Fates, what would the weight of him holding him down feel like? Azula bit his bottom lip hard, forcing his brain back to the present. He dropped the cards on the bench and pressed his right fist to his hot cheeks, cursing his love for harsh-faced men to eternal damnation.
“Um,” Azula started, hoping to fill the ensuing silence with anything other than his shaky breath.
Raithion let out a small chuckle as he studied Azula’s blushing face.
Azula scowled at him for his obvious teasing.
Then, before either of them could say more, a knock came on the window.
“Lord General,” Haedor said. “The team ahead sent a scout. Fifteen mercenaries are waiting in a forest clearing five minutes away.”
Raithion’s expression changed, turning into a severe no-nonsense expression.
“Do it as we planned. Let the carriage run without an escort, with only the driver and an attendant. Let’s catch them in the act,” Raithion said.
“Yes, Lord General,” Haedor said.
“Good hunting,” Raithion said.
“You too, Lord General.”
Azula put away the cards scattered on the bench and locked the hidden luggage compartment under their bench. He watched Raithion button his military jacket, then move the daggers to rest on the bench beside him.
“We will face your thieves. Haedor will replace the driver, and one of the legion brothers will take over from your attendant. Your Sura people should already be at the rest stop. You will not face losses tonight.”
Azula nodded and took a deep breath, calming the riotous butterflies in his stomach. He let it out with a nod for Raithion and sat back.
“General Raith,” Azula said as they counted the five minutes to the attack.
“Yes.”
“Thank you,” Azula said. “In case I don’t get a chance later.”
“You’re welcome,” Raithion said, leaning over to touch the braids in Azula’s hair. “Maybe we can have a mug of warm ale at our next stop. Talk about why you hate following the rules of any game we play together.”
Azula chuckled and nodded.
“Sounds like fun.”
“Then, it’s a promise,” Raithion said.
*****
Azula looked apprehensive, even as he sat on his bench, back straight, arms against his chest, with a tough expression. He looked ready to face the bandits alone, but he was also very nervous.
Raithion hid a smile and closed his eyes, listening to the rhythm of the carriage. The horses accompanying the carriage were gone. Their pace was faster. Haedor was never one to drive a carriage slow if it could get him someplace fast.
Then, the sound of a log falling across the road disrupted the carriage’s momentum. The horses neighed in distress as Haedor pulled them to a stop. Then, a shout, and Haedor and his assistant fought off attackers with swords.
Azula shivered, but he did not shake with fear.
Raithion respected him for that. Not many could withstand the sound of vicious fighting. A scream rent the air. Azula shifted on the bench, but Raithion remained calm. Listening…the five officers in the legion soon joined Haedor and his partner.
The fighting was intense, the sound of swords clashing turning more vicious.
The inevitable scratch at the door came, and Azula took an apprehensive breath.
“Stay where you are,” Raithion said when Azula started to move. “You’ve done everything you should. It’s my turn now. I’ll be happy if you stay still. That way, I can make sure you won’t get hurt, Azula.”
Azula held his gaze for a moment, then nodded.
“Okay.”
“Good,” Raithion said as the door was smashed with a hammer. The thieves had come prepared to break into the carriage. One moment, Raithion sat calmly on the bench, the next, the blades were in his hands and he was sinking them into the two men rushing in through the door they pried open.
Raithion’s blade was swift. He was glad Azula stayed put in the corner, catching a glimpse of him in the corner of his eyes. Azula sat frozen, eyes wide as he watched Raithion fight off their assailants, not letting them enter the door.
****
Hulan pushed his horse to the limit as he chased after Draeya General and the Sura Carriage he had spied at the port. Now that the Doriel Son had protection from the government, Hulan knew that he needed to stop the last raid on the Sura carriages. Otherwise, it would ruin his master’s plans.
Hulan tried hard to catch up, but he was too late. When he came up on the Sura Carriage, it was to witness Draeya General and six of his legion officers fighting the small band of mercenaries that Hulan managed. A bulky, muscled legion officer cut down Levi with little effort. Stabbing his sword into Levi’s chest without mercy. Hulan fought a scream, caught between going to help his fellow mercenaries and running for his life.
Three of the mercenaries had tried to unlock the carriage with a hammer. Draeya General stood at the doors fighting off two assailants. His blades swift, he cut into the two men fighting him and kicked them away from the door. The action was fast and brutal.
Hulan realized Draeya General was guarding the entrance into the carriage.
“Shit,” Hulan cursed as he watched his losses grow bigger. The only thing he could do now was run away. Live to fight another day.
Hulan started to turn his horse back into the forests near the scene, but a sharp sword rested on his vital vein at his nick before he could run for it.
“Caught a scurrying rat,” a soft, amused voice said.
Hulan closed his eyes as panic set in, and the legion officer took over the reigns of his horse.
****
“Lieutenant, I found this one trying to escape the net,” the legion’s scout said. “He was quite interested in the fight. Watched it for a while before he decided to escape.”
“Good catch, Amola,” Haedor complimented.
The mercenaries were subdued and looked at the new capture with wary gazes.
“Boss,” One of them called out, and Haedor smirked, meeting Amola’s excited gaze.
“A really good catch,” Haedor praised Amola, then dragged the man off his horse.
Hulan did his best to walk under Haedor’s unforgiving drag, and soon, he found himself kneeling before Draeya General.
“I remember you,” Azula said, peeping from behind Draeya General’s shoulder. “You were in the magistrate’s office. You made fun of me when I tried to report the thieves troubling us.”
“Is that so?” Draeya General said, his sharp gaze resting on Hulan. “Who is behind you?”
Hulan scoffed.
“It doesn’t matter who is behind me. I’m a small part of the plan,” Hulan said.
“Why the Sura Clan?” Draeya General asked. “They are a small clan that mines. They have no political power to exploit.”
“Yet they run most workshops in the Genad City,” Hulan said. “Even a small cog is important in the grand scheme.”
“Well said,” Draeya General said. “You will help clear the Sura Clan’s name. Where is the rest of the clan’s ore?”
“You won’t find it,” Hulan said, then smiled as Haedor grabbed his arms and tied them behind his back. He met Azula’s interested gaze and grinned. “It’s too late to save your clan anyway. We’re all pawns in the end.”
“What does that mean?” Azula yelled, jumping off the carriage and moving around Draeya General to grip Hulan’s wool jacket. “What do you mean by it’s too late?”
Hulan laughed.
“You’ll know when you get to the city. That’s all I will say.”
“Take him away,” Draeya General ordered.
Haedor dragged Hulan away.
Azula panicked and worried, turned to Raithion.
“Will my family be fine? You said as long as we reported, everything would be solved. You promised, Draeya General,” Azula said.
“I did promise,” Raithion said, holding his daggers in one hand. He wrapped a comforting arm around Azula’s shoulders and led him back to the carriage.
“Don’t listen to the bad guy when we haven’t reached the capital,” Raithion said. “Now that I have the thieves in hand, your case should get easier.”
“Trust me,” Raithion said once Azula was settled in the carriage.
Raithion left to make sure all the thieves who were alive were arrested. He left five mercenary corpses with four of his legion officers. Once they reached the rest stop, Raithion would send the morgue attendants to relieve his officers.
It was lucky that Haedor had sent Azula’s companions ahead, allowing them to fight without restraint.
Back in the carriage, Azula’s playfulness all but disappeared. He sat in the corner of one bench with his arms crossed against his chest. The expression on his face was full of worry.
Raithion assumed he was thinking about his family in the capital. Understandably, the next few hours were going to be difficult for the Sura Clan.
*****
Chaos erupted in the capital city as inspectors from the Counterfeit Inspector Unit started a mass arrest of all Sura Clan members. Merchants closed their doors to anyone with strawberry blonde hair or the colorful clothes the Sura Clan liked to wear.
People on the streets scolded Sura Clan members if they met them. Caught between annoyance and relief that the case of the forged silver coins was ending. No one wanted to suffer more losses at the exchange bureau.
Inspectors dragged Marius Doriel out of his manor with a few subordinates while a coordinated search for the rest of his family started. They searched the Doriel Manor for clues, but when none could be found, the inspectors started a tough interrogation, hoping Marius would give up his secrets.
“I have to get them out,” Alise said, pacing the length of the small waiting room at a warehouse owned by Yemin’s aunt. It was on the outskirts of Genad City and served as a station to get Sura Clan members on the Naga State Road to the port.
“Your mother said no,” Juya said, packing up a bag filled with beef jerky to be eaten by children on the road. “You have to get to the port to direct our clan’s departure.”
“I can’t just run to safety and leave Pa and everyone caught with him,” Alise said, shaking her head as she paced. She wrung her fingers together and closed her eyes. “What do we do?”
“Let’s get everyone who has made it here into the carriages first,” Juya suggested, closing the bags he was packing behind her. “Your Ma is not here yet. We need to make sure she leaves too, then we can find out what to do about Chief Marius.”
Alise stopped pacing and met Juya’s worried gaze. He gave her a wan smile which she returned and gave him a nod.
“Alright, let’s do it as you say,” Alise said, taking four bags filled with jerky.
Alise hurried to the back door of the warehouse. Three carriages waited there, all of them used for passengers. Inside the carriages were Sura Clan members, children and their mothers, the elderly and injured. The able-bodied men would ride horses in the forests and ensure the carriages made it to the port without catastrophe.
Alise handed out the bags of beef jerky and then helped Juya distribute large bottles of water. When everyone was settled, she stepped back as the carriages closed doors and the carriage drivers took control of the reins.
One of the women leaned out of the carriage window to wave at Alise.
“Take care, Island Princess,” she said. “Be safe and return to the island soon.”
Alise lifted her hand in goodbye and watched the last batch of her people leave for the port. It was almost midday. She and her mother had scrambled to get everyone out using secret routes, but some had not gotten the message to escape or dye their hair.
The Counterfeit Inspectors Unit had captured close to twenty Sura Clan members, along with Yemin, her father, and the ten guards who were left at their manor.
Lasma had taken her long-time guard to ensure Juya’s grandmother made it out. She still had not arrived at the workshop yet.
Alise trembled, and her fingers tightened into fists.
“Your mother will make it,” Juya said when Alise stood in the backyard, not making a move to enter the warehouse.
****
After five hours of travel, Raithion and Azula finally arrived in Genad City. Azula was nervous, unable to sit still.
“I’ll take the thieves to the Counterfeit Inspectors Unit,” Raithion said. “Along with the order to investigate from the Port Magistrate. From there, we will investigate the thieves and find out where they took the ore. Your clan should be cleared by our findings.”
Azula gave him a swift nod but did not speak.
“I’ll leave you to the carriage,” Raithion continued. “I’ll take my horse and Haedor. Your people should have joined us when we entered the city. You can rush to your parents’ manor. Don’t worry so much.”
“Mm,” Azula said, finally looking at Raithion. “Thank you, General Raith, for everything.”
“We never got to have that mug of ale together,” Raithion said with a smile as the carriage stopped.
“No,” Azula said, thinking they had been in too much of a hurry to get to the city to linger at the rest stop. “Maybe we can try after all this is settled?”
“Then it’s a plan,” Raithion said with a quick smile. He got up from the bench and reached out to pat the top of Azula’s head, rubbing his hair and tugging on the braids in Azula’s hair.
“How will I find you?” Azula asked.
“Don’t worry about that,” Raithion said, thinking he would be occupied with the inspectors and then with his father and Basileus Dio. “I’ll find you when I’m done managing everything.”
“Okay,” Azula said as Raithion opened the carriage door. “See you.”
Raithion jumped down and gave Azula one last glance.
“See you, Chieftain’s son.”
Azula gave him a small smile at the address. It was not as bright as the one from the inn or in the carriage while they played cards, but it was enough to make Raithion want to see it again.
Raithion lifted his hand in goodbye, then closed the door. He turned to mount the horse Haedor led to his side and ensured Azula’s carriage was well-manned before it continued down the street heading to the Doriel Manor.
“We should hurry,” Raithion said when he turned and saw the thieves in custody riding on horses with their hands tied between his legion officers. “The faster we conclude this investigation, the easier life will get for the Sura Clan.”
“Yes, Lord General,” Haedor said, then called out the order to ride to the Counterfeit Inspectors Unit.
****
Azula could barely contain himself when he reached his family’s home. He ran out of the carriage into the usually busy courtyard, only to stop when he found the place empty and the paths into their manor stained with dark blood.
“Azula,” Sennin came running behind him, gripping Azula’s left arm when he would have hurried into the house. “There is news from our network. Something happened to Chief Marius. Everyone is running out of the city as fast as they can. Your sister told everyone to dye their hair black.”
“What?” Azula tried to get away from Sennin to enter their house, but Sennin gripped his left arm and dragged him toward the kitchen. “I need to check the house.”
“We need to follow your sister’s instructions. Disguise ourselves first before looking for what happened,” Sennin said, winning the struggle.
The kitchen, usually had over twenty people working at any given time, was empty. Dishes were in disarray, and vegetables were trampled on the floor. Azula felt a pang of fear cut through his chest.
“Something’s terribly wrong,” Azula said.
“I know, let’s change the color of your hair first,” Sennin said, hurrying into the pantry. He returned with a pot filled with finely ground charcoal. “Looks like someone worked hard to grind charcoal for the change. Let’s get this done, Azula. The faster we finish, the better.”
Azula fought the urge to scream with frustration and followed Sennin to the sink basins in the corner to change his hair color. His heart was pounding too fast as he wondered what had happened to their family.
*****
Raithion led his entourage determined to reach the Counterfeit Inspectors Unit, eager to complete his tasks. However, he never reached the gate to the compound. His father’s guard intercepted their progress, with over twenty soldiers armored and armed. The guard flanked them on all sides.
“Lord General, Lord Draeya invites you back home,” the head of the guard insisted.
“I am on official business,” Raithion said. “I have prisoners to turn in.”
“Lord Draeya invites you back home now,” the head of the guard insisted. “We should go. Please don’t resist, Lord General.”
Raithion understood that the guard would subdue his legion of officers without effort. It was difficult to fight on the main street in the busy capital. The Head of the Guard knew he had to comply with the request.
Raithion turned to Haedor, thinking to let him take the prisoners to the inspectors.
“Everyone goes with us,” the Head of the Guard said.
Raithion frowned and gave Haedor a nod to do as the guard insisted. They changed directions and headed toward the new Draeya Manor.
Thanir Maenaer and Basileus Dio were waiting for him when he arrived home. Raithion walked into his father’s study, feeling tired and irritated by the detour. He had wanted to conclude the case of the forged silver coins tonight, so he could have time to find Azula in the next few days.
“Sit,” Thanir said when Raithion stood in the room, facing the large desk in his father’s study.
Dio sat in his father’s chair behind the desk while Thanir stood by the windows, staring out into the bright afternoon. His window had a nice view of a rose garden below where Noriel, Hujan Draug, Soriel, and Silveren were having tea while sitting on outdoor chairs under a large umbrella.
“I prefer to stand,” Raithion said, frowning as he studied Dio’s excited expression. “What’s going on? Why did you stop me from turning prisoners to the counterfeit inspectors?”
“The case is closed,” Dio said.
“What have you done?” Raithion’s gaze shifted to Thanir, who glanced at him with a scowl.
“Not me,” Thanir said. “I’m not always the architect of political schemes.”
Raithion tightened his grip on his gloves and turned to look at Dio.
“It wasn’t me either,” Dio said, lifting his hands up. “Blame Lord Gesi Ajai. The court swiftly agreed yesterday to investigate the Sura Clan’s workshops and the Minister of Finance’s offices.”
“No one has had a peaceful night,” Thanir said. “A purge has left the Minister of Finance dead and the chief of the Sura Clan in prison undergoing intensive torture to give up his accomplices. The Sura people are being captured on the streets like rabid dogs. Some are dead, others have managed to escape. Ajai is leaving no stone unturned to bring justice to the people who had corrupted the kingdom’s money. He attributes his good work to Basileus Dio.”
Raithion closed his eyes, his thoughts filling with Azula.
“Any evidence found is fake,” Raithion said. “I captured the ore thieves in the act. I have brought them with me. What happens now?”
“The guard should have already managed them,” Thanir said, meeting Raithion’s gaze.
Realizing what his father meant, Raithion started to turn away and head out of his father’s study to stop his father’s crazy plan.
“There is a much larger plot at play here, Raith,” Thanir said, stopping in his tracks. “Soriel is engaged to Basileus Dio. The Grand Dowager has proposed to your mother, and she accepted.”
“What?” Raithion looked at his father in shock. “No—
“It is the only way to protect Basileus Dio’s position,” Thanir said, taking a few steps toward Raithion. “Gesi Ajai wanted his daughter to become the next Basilinna but we cannot let that happen. So, let him have the conclusion he wants to the forged silver coins. His success in closing this case will make him the new finance minister. Meanwhile, we will have thwarted his attempts to enter the palace as a relative.”
“Dad, you—” Raithion broke off his thoughts filled with Azula’s hopeful gaze. “You’re killing the Sura Clan.”
“Not all of them,” Dio said. “Theod, my palace guard, has secured one last deal with Lord Gesi Ajai. The Sura Clan’s future will depend on your answer to my next question, Raithion Maenaer.”
Raithion’s grip on his gloves tightened as he met Dio’s gaze.
“What question?” Raithion asked, his voice filled with unwillingness, even as he faced the rule of the kingdom.
“Will you marry Lady Naeri Ajai?” Dio asked. “She will enter the Maenaer House. After your wedding, you will become Commander General of the Kingdom’s forces. Qualified to command all the army forces of this kingdom on my behalf. Your new position will make Lady Ajai a Commandery Princess.”
Raithion closed his eyes then.
“What about the Sura Clan?” he asked.
“Your acceptance of this proposal determines their fate,” Thanir said. “Gesi Ajai will be willing to allow them to leave the capital unhindered, never to return again.”
“You mean you want them to give up their livelihood,” Raithion said, his words bitter even to his ears. “You’re destroying an innocent clan.”
“We are saving them,” Thanir answered in a harsh tone. “Your marriage will guarantee their lives. It was the least Basileus Dio could do for them.”
“The least,” Raithion said, shaking his head, disappointment sinking into his bones. “Who will tell the Sura the truth?”
“They can’t know,” Dio said, his voice a command and an edict. “Draeya Commandery Prince, Raithion Maenaer. You are forbidden from sharing this conversation with anyone else outside this room. Otherwise, you will ruin the plans that are yet to come.”
Azula’s face filled his thoughts, and he blinked hard as tears filled Raithion’s eyes at the order.
“You will never understand what you’ve done…” Raithion said, trailing off. He turned around, and Thanir hurried to grip his left arm.
“Raith—”
“Don’t worry, father. I will do what you say,” Raithion said, shrugging his father’s grip on his arm away. “Doesn’t mean I have to like or respect it. Now, I have to go. There is something I need to do.”
“Raithion,” Dio called in a panic, but Raithion ran out of his father’s study.
Haedor met him in the front courtyard of the manor.
“Lord General, the guard has executed all our prisoners,” Haedor said. “I only managed to get Hulan to sign his confession before they cut his head off.”
“Keep that confession safe,” Raithion ordered. “We need to find Azula and ensure he gets out of the capital city safely. He is not safe.”
“What’s going on?”
“Betrayal,” Raithion said, as he ran out of his father’s manor, mounted his horse, and raced toward the Sura Clan’s stronghold.
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