Chapter 3: Honest Answers are Not Received Well

  Amos walked briskly toward the exit of the Sanctum with E’Tar on his heels when Torun called from a doorway. “Amos, wait!”

  Amos paused, a look of annoyance crossing his face before he turned back to the doorway. “Yes, Torun? What is…it?”

  His voice faltered when he spotted a group of Athelward standing beside his mentor. They were older in years and clearly higher in rank, flanking Torun with expressions that ranged from stern disapproval to indifference. Amos gazed back and forth between his mentor and the Athelward. “What is going on here?”

  Torun stepped forward. “I’m afraid the Athelward superiors need a word with you.”

  The eldest of them stepped forward, frowning at Torun before turning on Amos. Amos remembered him to be called Melkiat, head of the sanctuary. His long beard quivered as he spoke in a deep tone. “Amos, we have watched your progress and you have truly come a long way. You have the potential to become a great Athelward in your own right.”

  “Thank you, Melkiat…”

  “However, we would request that you consider living within our community and not wander about Hatisep without supervision.”

  Amos scowled. “We have been through this before, I am not locking myself away in some tower and abandoning my sister…or my freedom.”

  “And we would once again urge you to reconsider. It is a good life here.”

  “While I appreciate that, why is this suddenly a bigger concern of yours that you ask again?”

  Melkiat folded his arms into his long sleeves. “With your increase in power and capability in using your gift, you pose a danger to yourself, the world around you, and to our order.”

  Amos raised his eyebrows. “Excuse me?”

  “It is a well-known fact that Athelward who do not temper their power with wisdom will use it for personal means and selfish ends. You will be tempted to misuse it and harm yourself, or worse, innocent people around you.”

  Amos nodded with incredulity. “Uh huh…and tell me the real reason now.”

  Melkiat glared, clearly incensed at his sarcastic tone. “If you abuse your power, the punishment won’t just fall on your head. It will fall on our order as well. Our relationship with the Athelward of the United Houses is tenuous. You would bring down their wrath upon us all. You train here, you work here, you spend much of your waking hours here. Who would not connect a rogue Athelward with our Sanctum? We would not risk our order being hindered in its life and practice because of the mistakes of a single young man.”

  Amos shook his head. “I wouldn’t do anything foolish with it. I don’t even use it in public.”

  “Forgive us if we hold your statement with some skepticism. You are a young and, judging from what I have seen and heard, highly opinionated, headstrong man. You will inevitably succumb to the temptation to use your power for some cause you believe to be ‘right’, even if it is to help another. That is why we once again strongly urge you to enter our order officially and live in the Sanctum.”

  Amos sneered, his face contorting in an unpleasant fashion. “I wouldn’t join your order for anything in the world. You must simply trust me when I say that I don’t use my power…something we have in common I believe.”

  The faces of the other Athelward clearly showed he had crossed a line and murmurs arose from the small group of Athelward who were watching the conversation from within the courtyard. Torun’s face was pinched, like he was holding in a smile as his eyes glinted while E’Tar looked more nervous and awkward than ever to be standing beside Amos. Melkiat did not seem to react to the jibe other than to raise an eyebrow and deepen his frown. “I suggest you do not speak of matters of which you have no understanding and are of no concern to you.”

  “Yet they would concern me if I took you up on your offer,” retorted Amos. “I tell you, I am not interested. Will you force me to comply or let me walk away?”

  Melkiat stared hard at him before bowing slightly. “We cannot force you…yet. It is not our way. We bid you peace and leave you to be on your way.”

  Other members seemed to be in disagreement but they didn’t speak up. Amos gave a stiff bow in return. “Peace to you.”

  Amos turned on his heel and exited the Sanctum, through the large double doors, out into the sunlit street. E’Tar followed after a hasty bow of his own. Torun shook his head but let a small smile slip out as he stared at the young men retreating from the Sanctum. His gaze shifted to a figure in a light brown dress, a cord for a belt, and a headscarf. She walked through the double doors. She seemed quite simple but her face was fair and her eyes were alight with a bright fire as she gazed about in wonder at the Sanctum. Torun, brushing his tunic down, put on a charming smile and approached her. “Are you in need of assistance, Isha?”

  The woman blushed at his title for her. “I am no Isha. My name is Roshana and I am a sister in the Order of Ministers. I am seeking sanctuary and was hoping the Sanctum could offer me a bed for a few nights.”

  Torun nodded. “Ah…a member of the Order of Ministers. I haven’t seen any of our kindred Athelward from your group in years. I thought they had all but given up their sacred purpose. Are you a missionary then?”

  Roshana nodded. “I am. I have been tasked in healing those who are suffering in the outskirts of the United Houses. I cannot stay long in one place. There is much ground to cover and I must visit many towns.”

  “Are there no other order members with you?”

  “No, I was sent alone.”

  Torun shook his head. “That is not right…to send a woman out alone into such hostile territory, even if it is charitable work. It’s unpardonable.”

  Roshana gave him a small smile that held a hint of sadness. “I choose the assignment so the fault lies with me. I wanted to be of most use where the people were in most need.”

  Torun’s gaze softened even as his smile grew wider. He nodded. “It is so, there are many here who could use the skills of a healer like yourself. I fear your work is cut out for you. However, I do believe the Athelward here could have a room to spare for an Isha such as yourself.”

  “I told you, I am not an Isha.”

  “My lady, it is a term of respect. I say it now not due to your stature or beauty, both of which are clearly evident, but because your mission and purpose is noble…and one not seen carried out these days.”

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Roshana was taken aback by this statement and appeared unable to speak for a few moments. “I…thank you. You are most kind.”

  “Come. We will find Melkiat together and see if we can have a guest room made up for you.

  *

  Amos ignored the young woman in simple clothing as he passed her in the gateway, nearly running her over in his haste to abandon the scene which continued to cause his cheeks to burn a bright scarlet. E’Tar said nothing but followed closely behind him . It wasn’t until they reached a street corner out of sight of the Sanctum that Amos stopped to sit down and put his head in his hands. E’Tar bent down in concern. “Are you alright?”

  “Yes…no…I will be.”

  E’Tar seemed unable to cope with such a confusing answer. He sat beside Amos and bumped his arm against his friend’s shoulder. “Do you…um…want to talk about the problem?”

  “I shouldn’t have lost my temper like that…especially to Torun. He’s only ever cared for me…and Ari’El.”

  “So why did you?”

  Amos grinned at the unintended bluntness of the question. “Because they deserve it, but not Torun. That order abandoned us. It abandoned the people. I don’t even know why they exist. They don’t help anyone, just serve themselves.”

  “They are under orders not to. The Athelward with the United Houses would probably punish them for acting without permission.”

  “And for spreading the wrong message,” scoffed Amos. “So, they are useless and the Athelward of the United Houses are corrupt. I feel so much better.” He sighed and nudged E’Tar. “Hey…did you think of something we could do for enjoyment?”

  E’Tar frowned. “Oh…was I supposed to be doing that? Sorry. No.”

  Another sigh. “Well…we could go get another blanket with today’s earnings.”

  *

  Suti was adamant as she led Haran and Avner toward the run-down palace complex of the governor of Hatisep. “Remember, no talking to anyone while inside. I’ll get you into the audience room and then you may speak. Haran, keep any comments to yourself and for the sake of all gods Avner, do not start tossing insults at the governor’s feet. I promise you, his sensitive nature will not allow them to stand uncontested.”

  “Relax, Suti. Contrary to what you think, I can control my incurable barbed tongue.”

  Haran poked him in the back. “Incurable is right and she isn’t the only one with doubts.”

  “And your bluntness will definitely get you killed,” remarked Suti.

  “I’ve told you, Haran,” said Avner, his tone mockingly serious, “Honesty is something no one is looking for…especially in copious and hard-hitting amounts.”

  Suti hissed at them and they fell silent. The guards at the gate stood at attention as they approached and blocked the path with their spears. “No passage. The governor is not seeing visitors at this time.”

  “He has expressed a desire to see my clients,” said Suti, pulling a pouch from her belt. “I believe we are expected.” She extracted three silver coins and passed them to the nearest guard while leaning in close to his ear. “For you two to share…if you feel the need to divide it evenly.”

  A stupid grin appeared on the guard's face as he pocketed the money and twitched slightly when Suti’s delicate finger brushed his cheek to straighten the helmet strap under his chin. She gave a small smile and he nodded. “Right. You may pass. There are plenty of guards between here and the palace anyway to deal with you.”

  She nodded and gestured for her two armed companions to follow her. Her smile fled as soon as she passed them, replaced by cold determination. Avner and Haran remained close to her as she made her way across a dirt courtyard and toward the columned entrance of the palace. Several guards glanced at them with suspicion but didn’t react. When they reached the entrance to the building, another pair of guards stopped them and Suti handed them another three silvers. As they entered the building, Haran grumbled, “This interview is starting to get expensive. It had better be worth it.”

  “No comments,” hissed Suti.

  As they entered the building, the dusty and worn stone pillars with the paint peeling off heralded a bleak interior. Yet, when they entered, they found the entrance room was nicely furnished and decorated with fine tapestries, long and ornate carpets and plush seating. The wealth contrast was striking from the rest of the town. Avner couldn’t help himself and murmured, “Uh oh, looks like someone has been dipping into the budget.”

  “Comments like that are not appreciated,” murmured Suti, making a sharp turn and digging her nail into Avner’s exposed armpit through his armor. She was heading toward a recess in the wall where a small door resided. She approached a servant that was waiting by the door. “We are ready.”

  The servant held out a hand mutely and she proffered him a single silver coin. He bit it, his mouth showing blackened teeth and a tongue that appeared to be missing. He nodded and opened the side door, beckoning them in. The party entered and Haran whispered, “Why are we taking this side tunnel?”

  Suti responded. “I have no desire to pay every guard we meet along the way, have you? We will take the servant's passage to get to his audience room.”

  The tunnel was cramped and stuffy, lit by small lamps and with no window for ventilation. Avner, being the tallest, had to bend to proceed through it and this went on for some time till his back ached and he began to sweat profusely. Finally, the servant took them through a kitchen and into a hallway that had a pair of double doors set into the wall. The servant pointed and Suti nodded in gratitude. She turned to her companions. “Right, I will go first to see that he is ready. Remember, be polite and mind your mouths. We want him to think you are competent enough to solve his problems and not children in the bodies of full-grown men.”

  “We understand,” growled Haran. “Just get us in there.”

  Suti glanced at him in annoyance.

  Avner patted Haran on the shoulder. “Ignore him. I’ll do the talking, of course. Good luck.”

  Suti headed to the door, was stopped by the guards but, instead of paying them, had a quick whispered conversation and was allowed in. Avner leaned against the wall and crossed his arms. “So…do you think this job will be worth the ambiguities?”

  Haran shook his head. “He is a rich man because of his theft and greed. I do not like the thought of working for him. Whatever this job is, it cannot be good.”

  “No doubt he simply has a local bandit problem and needs our help with it because his men are too pathetic.”

  “His men are bandits.”

  “True…but other…bandits. We’ll see when we get in there.”

  Haran stood rigid, his back to the wall and his gaze fixed on the door. “What if he asks us to attack innocent people…perhaps to force them to pay taxes they are skating out on.”

  “Then we deal with it in another way that doesn’t help the governor but in a way in which he thinks we are still helping him.”

  Haran frowned at him. “How do you plan to do that?”

  Avner rolled his eyes and smiled disarmingly. “I’ll figure it out as I go. I’m good at that…”

  “Does Suti know about this?”

  Avner didn’t answer as his voice trailed out. He was staring down the hall at another side door. A woman had emerged with a bucket and brush and was walking wearily toward the kitchen door which he was standing in front of. She stopped when she spotted him and her face became visible in the light. Avner peered at her and said, “Ari’El?”

  He got no answer from her as she spun on her heels and retreated toward the door she had come from. Avner pushed himself from his leaning position and began moving toward her. “Ari’El…wait…”

  The double doors opened and two guards emerged along with Suti, blocking his view of Ari’El. Haran bumped into his back and muttered, “What are you doing?”

  “I thought…”

  “Governor Rim-Sum will see you now,” said Suti calmly but with a clearly threatening look in her eyes.

  Avner gave one last glance to where Ari’El had disappeared before turning to the large double doors. He took a breath, erasing the lines of concern on his face. With a smile, he entered the room for his interview.

  *

  Ari’El had her back to the door as she tried to steady her breathing. She stood there for a few moments, her eyes darting and her hands trembling. She then brushed her hair from her face and turned to peek through a crack in the doorway. Avner and Haran were gone, entering the double doors of the governor’s audience chamber. She quietly opened the door and picked up the bucket and brush which she had dropped in her haste. Luckily, the bucket hadn’t tipped and she was able to carry it quickly past the double doors and toward the kitchens.

  “No…no, no, no,” she muttered as she crossed the silent hall. “What is he doing here?”