home

search

Chapter 4: Two Interviews with Mixed Results

  Chapter 4: Two Interviews with Mixed Results

  The throne room’s high pillars, wide windows, and fine drapes were far more grand than this place deserved. Avner and Haran stood before a raised platform and presented themselves. Sitting in an outrageously cushioned chair, padded with wool, silk, and feathered pillows, was Governor Rim-Sum in all his glory. The grandeur of the chair ended starkly with the figure perched upon it. He was a portly figure, better fed than his citizens, with a wispy beard and mustache. His eyes squinted at the pair and his pasty skin was moist from sweat. “You seem competent enough. But looks can be deceiving.”

  “Or they can be exactly what they appear,” said Avner, a small smile twitching up despite himself.

  Suti turned to give him a baleful look as she approached the platform. “My Lord Rim-Sum, these men are quite competent at all times. They are skilled at arms and what they lack in brains is made up for by me.”

  “You do not fight beside them, do you? That is highly unsuitable.” His high, raspy voice grated on the ears and Avner’s smile grew.

  Suti’s voice dripped with honey. “Of course not, my lord. I am their spokesperson but, when violence is needed, I let them do what they are best at.”

  “Well…good. I need men of violence to deal with this matter.”

  Avner spoke up. “You have yet to tell us how we might be of assistance, Lord…Dim-Sin.”

  Avner caught the slight jerk of Suti’s head and Haran’s hiss was just audible. “Rim-Sum!”

  “Rim-Sum!” Avner blurted out. “My apologies. My memory for…things is terrible.”

  Rim-Sum huffed onward. “I have an issue of thieves stealing livestock from my personal flock and making off with it to gods know where. To sell it or eat it no doubt.”

  “May I ask a few questions, my lord?”

  Rim-Sun nodded to Avner. “Of course. Ask whatever will be most helpful for you to succeed.”

  “How or where are these thefts happening? Are your men not capable of guarding the flock themselves?”

  “I am told the theft occurs when the flocks are out in the fields. There are several ravine’s and the thieves likely slip through there. I have guards posted on horses but they have still been unable to catch them.”

  “And you are sure they are taken during they day…while they are out in the fields?”

  “The sheep are counted before they are returned to the stocks. They are always missing by the end of the day.”

  “But are they counted before they are let out for the day?”

  “Well…no. They wouldn’t go anywhere during the night. They are locked up tight and guarded!”

  “And yet, if they are not disappearing during the day under constant watch, they must be vanishing some time from when they are counted in the evening and let out the next day.” He leaned in and whispered loudly, glancing at the guards. “You may also have a guard that isn’t being truthful.”

  His serious expression caused Rim-Sum to bolt upright in his seat. “You think so?!” He glanced at the guards at his door with great suspicion which caused them to blush and squirm.

  “I am not suggesting anything yet, my lord. However, I will begin my work now…if that is what you wish, of course.”

  “Of course!”

  “Then there is the small matter of payment…”

  Rim-Sum snapped his fingers at a servant and gestured to Suti. “Give their secretary a quarter of the payment for expenses. The rest is delivered upon completion. And mercenary…I want these thieves alive but if they resist, I don’t care if you kill them. Bring proof of their guilt and I will not care about their fate.”

  Avner’s smile returned in full. “Fear not, Lord. We will complete this task one way or another.”

  A servant emerged to hand Suti a pouch of coins and she took them, bowing to Rim-Sum. “I assure you, lord Rim-Sum, it will be done within a few days.”

  Avner flicked a frown toward her but replaced it quickly with another big smile. He bowed and Haran emulated him from behind. The pair retreated through the double doors and Avner couldn’t help but give the guard who was glaring at him by the door a wink. Rim-Sum was heard behind them saying, “Did you know this is lion cub fur? It’s very soft.” He brushed the chair with a finger and gazed at Suti who remained beside him.

  Haran took a deep breath as the door closed behind them. “What possessed you to behave so foolishly? Did you not hear Suti’s warnings?”

  “Don’t fret like a housewife, Haran! He is too stupid to understand rational beings.”

  “And forgetting his name! You could have just ended with lord…what are you doing?”

  Haran followed Avner who was snooping down the hall toward the side door where he had seen Ari’El emerge and then retreat again. “I saw someone earlier…didn’t you recognize her?”

  Haran shook his head. “I didn’t get a good look. Who was it?”

  Avner glanced at him to see the reaction. “Ari’El.”

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Haran’s face took on a deeper frown. “Oh…you are sure? We assumed she was…you know, dead.”

  “Of course, I’m sure.”

  Suti emerged from the double doors and joined them. “That man is disgusting…a sweating pig. Let us begin our work and finish, the sooner the better.”

  “Not just yet.”

  “Excuse me? What are you doing?” As Avner didn’t respond she glanced to Haran. “What is going on here?”

  “He saw his sister.”

  Suti stared at Haran and back to Avner. “Sister? You have a sister?”

  *

  Ari’El could not convince the head servant to allow her to leave without promising to put in extra hours. “I swear to you, I will take a night labor. I promise.”

  “Not good enough,” stated the head servant, his voice tired and spiteful. “If you want to leave in the middle of the work day then you’ll do three night labors, not one.”

  “But that’s…” Ari’El gritted her teeth and sighed wearily. “Three labors.”

  “You start tonight.”

  Ari’El nodded and wringing her hands in distress. She was out of the servants exit and down to the courtyard as quickly as she could without running. Glancing from left to right, she made her way out into the open area and began to walk toward the gateway. “Ari’El! Stop!”

  She jerked in surprise and her desperate expression spoke of a desire to bolt. She quickly pulled her face together and, jaw set, she turned around to be almost knocked over by a massive hug from Avner. “It is you! I can’t believe it!”

  She was rigid in his hug but didn’t struggle. He pulled back, holding her arms as he looked her up and down. “Look at you…all grown and more beautiful than even Mother! It’s amazing…”

  “Don’t talk about Mother,” she snapped.

  He paused, his smile faltering ever so slightly. “Ari’El…am I missing or forgetting something? Are you not happy to see me?”

  A bark of laughter escaped her. “Is that a serious question? No! I am not! You abandoned our family a long time ago and left us for dead and now, in your wanderings, you find me by accident and expect me to be happy to see you?!”

  Avner stepped back, his hands brushing his tunic in embarrassment and some dismay. “Well, I…no. That is…how have you been?”

  Ari’El’s eyes bugged slightly and she turned on her heel. Avner’s hand shot out and caught her by the shoulder. “No…I didn’t mean…”

  “Don’t touch me!” Ari’El did face him then, her expression struggling to remain calm. “We are fine without you and don’t need you here. So be on your way.”

  “We? Is…Amos is here too? Thank the Creator! I didn’t know who escaped, if any! Is El-Azar alive also?”

  Ari’El paused and when Avner said no more she shook her head. “You aren’t going to ask about father? Typical. Still can’t let go of your petty grudges.”

  “Hold fast now…that isn’t fair. Is Father here?”

  “No, he’s dead. Surely you would know that.”

  “I did. Or I thought I did till you…never mind. What of the others?”

  “Now you care? After all these years? Did you even come looking for us?”

  Avner spluttered slightly, his hands flailing at his side. “What is…why are you acting this way?! I was in no position to look for you after what happened. Later the trail was cold, if there was one. You see, we were in the battle of…”

  “You didn’t even bother looking, did you?”

  “Ye…well no. I heard the news and assumed…that isn’t fair to pin that on me! The news was that the whole household was dead and burned alive!”

  “And I imagine you thought you were free at last?”

  Avner’s expression changed from hurt to anger. “Really? You believe so little of me? Of course, you do.”

  Ari’El’s face twitched but she spun away again and started toward the gate. Avner was at her side and putting both hands on her arms. “Now stop! Stop, Ari’El!”

  “Let go of me!”

  “Excuse me.”

  A man had approached the pair while they were fighting and stood close by, hand resting on a sword sheathed on his waist. Haran, who had been standing awkwardly in the background, now put a hand on his ax handle. The man’s eyes flicked toward him but he didn’t grip his own weapon. He stood tall and straight, the same height as Avner, and was dressed in full armor save for his head which showed his short red hair and full beard, neatly trimmed. He was not a common soldier, this much was clear. He turned his gaze from the two men to Ari’El. “Are they disturbing you?”

  “We aren’t,” began Avner.

  “I’m asking her.”

  “No, but if they continue then they will be.”

  The man turned back to Avner. “I suggest you let her be on her way.”

  Avner stared down the man, each meeting the gaze of the other. The red-haired man didn’t flinch. “Make this easier on everyone. We don’t want a brawl in front of a woman.”

  Haran began moving in but Avner put a hand up to block him. He then lifted both slowly. “I’m not looking for trouble. She can be on her way if that is what she wants…”

  Ari’El ignored this last statement and spun away to the gate. The red-haired man stared down Avner and Haran one last time before walking toward the palace. Avner studied his retreating back. “Well wouldn’t you know, a noble of the United Houses here in this backwater.”

  “Their accent always gives them away, arrogant bastards,” grumbled Haran. “He could use a beating or two…wipe that smug confidence off his face.”

  “Oh, he wasn’t smug my friend, just confident. He didn’t need to prove anything.”

  Avner turned back to find his sister was disappearing through the gate and into the street. Suti came up behind them both. “I see your sister didn’t care for the happy reunion.”

  “She’s still has the same issues…even when she was a child, she was stubborn and thought she knew everything.” He turned back to Suti. “I need a favor.”

  “You want me to follow her to her home.”

  “Yes…but not in the creepy way you made it sound.”

  “Don’t you think we should focus on the job and not family members with issues?”

  “Please…it is important. Haran and I will begin investigating by speaking with the head servant while you do this for me. I promise, we will be good while you are gone.”

  “I never trust that.” She sighed and drew her veil closer over her face. “Very well. But I expect results when I return.”

  “And you shall have them,” said Avner, nodding in farewell. “You are a gem and an excellent business partner, did you know that?”

  “I’m good at what I do,” she said as she left, on the trail of Ari’El.

  *

  Ari’El hurried down the street to her home, glancing over her shoulder as she did so. She darted through the door and slammed it shut. She stood on the other side of the door, her back to it, as she sought to steady her breathing. She sat at the table, her head in her hands and then shifting under her chin, her eyes darting as her thoughts took her down several different paths. Unshed tears filled her eyes and she closed them firmly, shaking her head in anger at their existence. With a rapid shove of the chair, she rose to prepare dinner with what she could scrounge together from their meager supply.

  When Ari’El had darted through her door and slammed it shut, Suti’s face appeared around the corner of the street and stared at the door. Her finger rose as she counted the row of houses till it reached the entrance Ari’El had gone through. She nodded and turned the street corner, back toward the palace.

Recommended Popular Novels