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Sieg and Marien Part 10 - Rendevous

What the rest of the world called winter could more realistically be called the rainy season on Basikal Island. Cold winds blew across the ocean from the southernmost reaches of Mekkan, combining with the warm gusts of the equator, created almost daily storms that raged across the island. Howling winds, bitter cold, and sheets of rain like gossamer grey shrouds battered the land and its inhabitants.

The normally quiet rivers and streams became raging and unpredictable torrents of muddy, frigid water. The fleet of fishing boats that would usually fill Kaiser Bay were docked, their sails removed and packed away until the weather became less dangerous and unpredictable.

As a chill rain and fog blanketed the hills around Basikal, the air around Fort Dauntless was filled with the sounds of steel ringing against steel

Marien dodged to the side, the point of a sword missing her throat by mere inches. Sparks flew as the blade ground against her own. Her breath was a billowing cloud in the chill air as she forced the blade away with a cry.

Beads of sweat flew off of Marien's hair and streamers of steam trailed from her fur as she moved like a deadly whirlwind. Her sword was an extension of her own body as she launched a flurry of attacks, striking high and low, each motion flowing into the next. More sparks flew as her blade slammed against her opponents against and again, the vibrations shooting up her arm like lightning bolts.

Marien's opponent swung his sword hard, knocking her blade to the side, before throwing his cloak into Marien's face. Refusing to back down, Marien surged forwards and lashed out with her sword. Her blade pierced the heavy canvas and raked across her foe's shoulder plate with an ugly, grinding squeal.

Before Marien could retreat, her foe stepped forward and brought up his elbow, slamming it into the side of her jaw.

Slightly dazed, Marien took a step back, spitting out a mouthful of blood. With a roar of triumph her opponent lunged forward, aiming a sweeping blow at her chest.

A vicious light flashed in Marien's eyes as she bent backwards, her opponent's sword passing over her. With her left foot she caught her opponent's leg and twisted hard. As he stumbled, Marien placed her hands on the ground and struck out with her other leg. With a cry, her foe's footing was completely knocked out from under him and he fell heavily to the ground, his sword tumbling out of his grip.

Seizing hold of her opponent's fallen blade, Marien lunged forward and leapt atop her opponent. As he tried to sit up, his hand going for a dagger at his waist, Marien dug her knee into his chest, pinning his arm with her own sword while bringing the point of her opponent's own sword to his throat.

"Alright! I yield! I yield!"

With a triumphant grin, Marien picked herself up and extended a hand to her opponent. "Well fought."

Her opponent took her hand and clambered to his feet. Reaching up and removing his helmet, Lyon shook his head to clear the sweat from his eyes.

"That was an excellent counter riposte," Marien said, brushing her hair out of her eyes. "And your footwork is excellent."

"Not excellent enough it would seem," Lyon grumbled, brushing mud from the fighting circle off of his tunic and wincing as he tried to straighten his tail. "I was sure I had you with that elbow strike."

"You're quite a fan of that trick and you use it too often. Though I imagine you were less fond of it when Sieg used it on you."

Lyon chuckled to himself. "True." He bowed and extended a hand towards the exit, "After you, my lady."

"Oh I wouldn't dream of it, Lord Chariot."

As Lyon and Marien stepped out of the fighting ring, a small crowd of soldiers that had been watching the fight cheered and whistled.

"Well done Captain!"

"Congratulations Captain Kolvest!"

"Good show lord Chariot!"

"Your troops seem in good spirits," Lyon observed, nodding respectfully at a few who offered him salutes.

"They should be," Marien replied with a smile. "The Chariot Family has been quite generous. The new armour and cloaks arrived last week and the smiths sent word that the swords will be ready by the end of the month."

"Excellent. All I demand is that you fight well when the time comes."

"My troops will be prepared, that I can assure you."

"Excellent. And who will be taking command of them when you are no longer able to."

Marien paused for a moment, her hand drifting to her expanding lower belly. "Lieutenant Volfen will be taking over for me. Has he had a chance to speak with you?"

"We've had a few words, nothing more than that. I wanted to confirm our deployment plans first, before speaking with him in detail."

"Marien!"

Marien turned and her heart swelled as Sieg stepped out of the crowd holding a towel and a steaming thermos.

"Please don't tell Sieg about our deployment," Marien whispered to Lyon. "I don't want him to worry. Took me weeks just to convince him that sparring is still alright."

"My lips are sealed."

As Sieg got closer, Marien walked up to meet him. "Sieg," she smiled, "I didn't know you were going to be here."

"Commander Bachres gave me the afternoon off," Sieg replied as Marien took the towel from him and cleaned her face.

"You know I can do this alone," Marien said, using the towel to clean the mud out of her ears. "It's just a checkup, you don't need to be there."

"Need, no. Want, yes. Here." Sieg extended the thermos to Marien, "Chicken soup."

As Marien dried her face and hair Sieg turned to Lyon, trying and failing to keep a flicker of dislike from crossing his face. "Lord Chariot, always a pleasure."

"Indeed, guardsman."

"Seems my wife beat you again," Sieg observed, a small smile at the corner of his lips.

"She is a capable warrior." Lyon crossed his arms over his chest. "I must say, I'm surprised they could spare you down at the dock. It must be frightfully exciting down there this time of year."

"It can be dull," Sieg admitted, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Some days I feel about as useful as a Royal Guard who is hundreds of leagues from the nearest drop of royal blood."

"Would you boys cease fire for just a moment, please?" Marien chuckled.

"Merely good natured fun I assure you Captain," Lyon replied, bowing his head. "However, as I am currently wearing a good deal of your fighting ring, I feel the need for a bath. In the meantime, I would like to offer my carriage to take you to the healing guild."

Sieg and Marien looked at one another for a moment.

"Thank you for the offer," Marien replied, nodding her head. "We will take you up on it."

Sieg looked over sharply. "We will?"

"It's raining, it's windy, and it is cold, so yes, we will."

Lyon clapped his hands, "Splendid, the driver has been told to expect you. Captain, I shall see you later. Guardsman... I'll see you when I see you I suppose."

"Yeah, don't hurry on that," Sieg grumbled under his breath as Lyon strode away.

===

The Carriage rolled and bumped as it travelled down the winding road from the fortress to the city. Rain pattered against the windows as Seig stared out, his face twisting into a frown.

"I don't like him."

Marien rolled her eyes, "Come on Sieg, please not this again."

"He's arrogant, rude, and he put me in the hospital for weeks. You know my shoulder still hurts right?"

"For which he has apologized, an apology that you accepted," Marien replied, tapping her fingers against the hilt of her sword. "According to the law, the matter is closed."

"I don't trust him."

"And you think I do?" Marien raised an eyebrow. "Sieg, I am not an idiot. A family like the Chariots doesn't spend a small fortune outfitting a military company for no reason."

"Then why accept?"

"Because I'd rather have him close where I can keep an eye on him."

"What do you think he wants?"

Marien propped her elbow against the door and stared out of the window. "At first I thought it might be revenge for his wife. But I've given him more than enough chances to make his move, and he's not taken the bait."

"What do you mean 'given him chances'?" Sieg demanded.

"I've spent time with him, I've turned my back to him, I spar with him for goodness sake. And still, nothing."

"You've 'spent time' with him?"

Marien's gaze shifted to meet Sieg's. "Sieg, I know what I am doing."

Fighting back the urge to argue, Sieg's ears drooped. "I know you do. But I'm still concerned."

"Well don't be. Either he is more patient than he appears, or he is after something else."

"And what if he 'makes a mistake' during one of your sparring sessions and kills you?"

Marien's eyes narrowed and her ears flattened against her head. "He will find himself surrounded by soldiers who have sworn loyalty to me, soldiers to whom I have given very specific orders should that situation occur."

"You'd still be dead, and so would our child."

"I know! But what would you have me do? Deny my troops weapons and armour?"

"No, but-"

"Then back off!" Marien barked, her tone startling both Sieg and herself.

Taking a deep breath, Marien pinched her nose and shook her head. "Sieg... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you like that."

Marien sighed and leaned back against the cushions. "I'm finding it harder and harder to control my temper some days." She reached up and ran her hand through her hair, "Gah! These damned mood swings!"

"It's okay," Sieg smiled, reaching out to take Marien's hand. "I understand. "

Taking a deep breath through her nose, Marien took a moment to calm herself. Her mind was swirling, a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, excitement, guilt, anger, and love, all grinding against each other. Finally, she opened her eyes and met Sieg's gaze. "I just need you to trust me, alright? "

"It's not you I don't trust."

"Do you trust me to handle myself?"

"Always."

"Then trust me. I can handle Lyon Chariot."

Sieg's shoulders slumped a little, but he nodded. "Alright, I trust you. Just..."

Marien tilted her head, "Just what?"

"If something happens, if something is wrong, no secrets, okay?"

Marien paused. For a moment she considered telling Seig about her plans to take her company to the front after she gave birth, about the campaign that she and Lyon had been planning. The idea of hiding anything from Sieg made her feel deeply uncomfortable.

"No secrets."

"You promise?"

"I can't risk it." She told herself, "Sieg would just worry, it would ruin all of this for him."

As the carriage came to a stop outside the front gate of the healing guild, Marien leaned forwards and touched her forehead to Sieg's. "I promise."

===

Marien lay on a bed, a blanket covering her lower body, while Sieg stood at her shoulder holding her hand. Sieg's tail nervously whipped back and forth, and his ears twitched at the slightest noise. At the other end of the bed, Dr. Kallen examined Marien.

"Have you had any pain?" Kallen asked, gently kneading Marien's lower belly and hips.

Marien shook her head. "No, not really."

"And you are still exercising I see, that's good. Any feelings of sickness, weakness or nausea?"

"Sometimes when I wake up, but after about an hour it passes."

"Anything else?"

"Well... I haven't been able to stomach tea for a while. Every time I drink it I feel very ill."

"Hmmmmm"

"What's 'hmmmm' mean?" Sieg demanded. "Is that bad? Is she okay? What about the baby?"

Kallen sighed and raised her head. "Mr. Kolvest, please, if there is a problem I will tell you. Still... that is odd."

Sieg looked down at Marien. "Could it have something to do with the medicine you took?"

"Medicine?" Kallen's ears perked up, "What medicine?"

"Uh... Well, Sieg and I... We..." Marien cleared her throat, "We were... having some trouble... having a child, so I took some medicine to... help."

"What kind of medicine?"

"It was... herbal," Marien replied after a moment. "A friend recommended it to me."

"And what did it do?"

"Yeah, what did the medicine do, 'honey'?" Sieg asked, managing to smile through his nervousness.

Marien shot Sieg a sharp glare, before replying. "It... not much from what I could tell."

"And did this friend happen to mention what exactly it was you were taking?"

"Not... as such."

With an exasperated sigh, Kallen shook her head. "While I can understand your frustration, please refrain from those sorts of 'medicines'. Goodness knows what kind of nonsense can be cooked up by old wives tales and half remembered rumours. Leave medicine to the professionals."

"I will, doctor, I promise."

Reaching over to her instrument table, Kallen picked up a long wooden tube, carved into the shape of a trumpet. She put the instrument to her ear and began listening to Marien's stomach.

"Your heartbeat is good... and the baby's..." Kallen frowned a little. "Hmmmmm."

Sieg had to bite his lip to keep from exploding.

Eventually Kallen lowered the instrument and replaced it on the table.

"What's wrong?" Marien asked.

"There's nothing wrong," Kallen replied. "The baby's heartbeat is steady, but it is a little weaker than I had expected."

A flash of panic unlike anything she had ever felt before tore through Marien's mind like a bolt of lightning. "What do you mean weaker?" Marien demanded, struggling to sit up. "Is she okay?"

"There is no indication of anything wrong. It's possible that the child's position has made hearing her heartbeat more difficult, or she may simply be developing a little slower than anticipated."

"So she's not in danger?" Sieg's voice squeaked slightly as Marien's grip on his hand threatened to cut off circulation and her claws dug into his flesh.

"No, I don't believe so. But I will have you back in a few weeks for another checkup." Kallen pulled off her gloves and stepped over to the washing bowl. "In the meantime, exercise is good, but perhaps you should postpone any further sparring matches."

Marien blinked in surprise. "Wait, how did you-"

"I know a bruise when I feel one," Kallen replied, drying her hands on a towel. "Honestly, I know you soldiers find this distinctly difficult, but do try and apply some common sense."

"I... Yes doctor."

"And if you speak to this 'friend' again, do try and get some idea of what you took. I can't imagine it's still affecting you now, but better safe than sorry."

"Of course." Marien nodded, "Thank you."

===

"Here you go little one." Alwyn smiled as she gently tied a scarf around the neck of a young Basitin girl kneeling in front of her. "And now we loop this end around here, and.... good as new."

After examining her scarf, the girl bowed her head, "Thank you priestess."

"Just be careful, and make sure you don't let it get caught again," Alwyn called out as the girl ran off to join her friends.

Smiling as she watched the children play, Alwyn leaned back against a large cushion. Her nest was much like the others, constructed from pillows and hanging curtains sewn together from dozens of scraps of multicoloured fabric. A few personal trinkets lay scattered about, an elegantly curved bottle of blue glass, an ivory carving of a basitin female, a lock of black hair tied with a delicate red ribbon and a dried rose. Hanging on the wall behind her head was the bottom half of a greatsword. Judging by the shape of the break in the blade, the top half had been cleaved off with enormous force.

Alwyn picked up a long pipe carved from a piece of ox horn. After lighting it on a nearby candle, Alwyn took a few puffs, the pale blue smoke curling around her face like tiny eldritch fingers.

Life around the hearth had been mostly quiet for the last few weeks. Their seasonal shipment of food had arrived almost a week ago, and the process of rationing it for the coming season had largely been completed. Half a dozen of her followers had moved on to another hearth, while eight from a hearth on the mainland had arrived just before the rainy season. The newcomers had already integrated into their new community, and several had already paired off.

While the exchanges were necessary, if bittersweet, they made maintaining the integrity of the bloodlines within the hearth community a full time job. Females would often have children by different fathers, Alwyn herself had three daughters and a son, all of whom had come from different fathers, all of whom now lived in different hearths all over Basidian. The nightmarishly complicated family trees made avoiding accindental incest a matter of genuine concern. A large, massively thick leather bound book sitting off to Alwyns right side contained the labyrinthine bloodlines of each and every hearth member. Each hearth had such a record, each carefully maintained by the hearth's head priest or priestess.

"Thank goodness Teela is better at record keeping than I am," Alwyn thought to herself as she smoked. Her gaze drifted over to the other side of the cavern, where her consort was teaching a pair of adolescents how to use the loom from which the hearth's wonderfully intricate cloths were woven. A warm smile crossed her face as she watched Teela congratulate one of the youngsters as he held up his first attempt at a piece of his own, the pattern slightly lopsided but still remarkably intricate.

"Maybe it's because she's so good at working with thread," Alwyn pondered. "Weaving thread and bloodlines may not be all that different."

As Alwyn pondered, she noted the approach of one of the guards.

"What is it Dirk?" She asked as the male drew close.

"Forgive me for bothering you priestess, but there is a messenger from Argent who wishes to speak with you. He says it is urgent."

Alwyn took a deep puff on her pipe, a frown crossing her face. Argent was the codename of the hearth's primary ally on Basikal, but Alwyn had learned that the phrase 'it is urgent' almost always preceded bad news. Pulling herself to her feet, Alwyn set her pipe aside and nodded. "Very well."

Alwyn followed Dirk as he led her to the other side of the cavern, to one of the smaller side passages. Standing in the shadows of the narrow cave was a Basitin in full armour, though Alwyn knew he wore a blindfold beneath his helmet.

"High Priestess?" the messenger asked as he heard Dirk and Alwyn approach.

"Indeed. You have a message?"

"I come bearing word from Argent."

"Yes yes, what is it?"

"There has been a significant increase in troop movements. Despite the rainy season, large numbers of soldiers are being shuffled around, some being deployed from the island, others being brought home without warning. Argent believes that there is a large military operation being planned."

A cold rush of fear crept up Alwyn's spine. "Have we been discovered?"

The messenger bowed his head. "I am sorry, but I do not know. I was merely told to inform you of the situation."

"And what does Argent suggest?"

"That you cease any contact with the outside, and that you regard any intrusion as a potential threat and eliminate it. It may also be a good idea to consider moving the children to a safer location."

Alwyn paused for a moment, crossing her arms. "Is there anything else?" she asked after a moment.

"Argent suggests that you make certain you are ready to fight at a moment's notice. There may not be time to get a warning to you if the military makes its move."

Alwyn nodded, "Very well. Please tell Argent that we appreciate the warning, and we will act accordingly."

"Yes, Priestess." As the messenger turned to leave he paused. "Priestess... there is one final thing."

"Yes?"

"Is... there any word on Sylph?"

With a warm smile, Alwyn reached out and placed a hand on the messenger's shoulder. "Her raft was intercepted and she has been escorted safely to the Fox Coast." Alwyns smiled broadened. "Both her, and your daughter."

The messenger stiffened, "She... I have a daughter!"

"Indeed, and we will make certain you can join them, you just have to give us time."

The messenger bowed his head. "I am in your debt, Priestess, thank you."

As the messenger departed, Alwyn turned and noted the curious look on Dirk's face.

"His lover's cycle came late last year," Alwyn explained, leading the way back into the main area of the Hearth. "There was a moment of weakness, and she became pregnant outside of the time of joining. She refused to give up the father's identity, so she was banished."

Dirk nodded, "I see."

"Now, onto more important matters," Alwyn said, her military training returning as she folded her hands behind her back. "Send a message to our allies in the MMTG informing them of the situation. Also, see that a route for the children to be moved to hearth Thandris is prepared, and make certain that everyone has a weapon within arms reach at all times. It may also be a good idea to booby trap some of the tunnels."

"Do you think we really may come under attack?" Dirk asked, the fear in his voice obvious despite his attempt to hide it.

"If they know of our existence, then most certainly." Alwyn's eyes narrowed. "If anyone intrudes on our territory, I want them brought to me, and I will deal with them myself."

===

"Sieg... where are we going?"

"Just hold on, we're getting there."

"I really, really don't like being blindfolded."

"It'll be worth it, I promise."

Marien sighed as she let Sieg guide her up a small flight of stairs. The carriage had taken them from the healing guild to an unfamiliar part of the city near the docks. The air was thick with the smell of fish and the sea, but there were other aromas as well, far more pleasant scents of baked bread and cooking meat.

Sieg stopped and Marien heard the sound of a key rattling in a lock.

"Alright, we're here. You can take it off."

Reaching up to undo her blindfold, Marien blinked a few times and looked around. "Sieg it's..."

"Nice, right?" Sieg put his arm around Marien.

Sieg and Marien stood at the entrance of a large, multi roomed apartment. The whole place smelled of sea air and baked goods from the tavern below. To the left of the entrance was a small kitchen, with a large window overlooking the docks. There was a seating area, with two cushioned chairs sitting in front of a small fireplace against the north wall. Finally, tucked away behind a small privacy wall, were two small bedrooms.

Sieg beamed with pride as he led Marien into the apartment. "Come on, I'll show you around."

"How can you afford this place?" Marien asked, staring in disbelief.

"I've been taking extra shifts for the past few months." Sieg smiled and stepped over to the counter and picked up a small wooden box. "And this apartment isn't all that taking those extra shifts got me."

Marien's eyes widened as Sieg opened the box, revealing a pair of silver pins shaped like swords.

"Sieg, are those what I think they are?"

Sieg nodded, "Yep. Lieutenant Trabe transferred. I must have impressed Bachres by taking all those extra shifts, because he promoted me."

Seig put his hands on his hips, a proud smile on his face. "I am now Lieutenant Sieg Kolvest, commander of the harbour night watch."

"That's great!" Marien beamed, taking Sieg's hands and squeezing.

"Well there's something else I want to show you. Come on!"

Sieg led Marien towards the back of the apartment and opened one of the bedroom doors. Thick blankets hung on the walls, and the ceiling was painted to look like the night sky. Figures of the greatest Basitin leaders, those carved from stone that guarded the entrance to the capital, were painted in each corner of the ceiling, gazing benevolently down. Finally, in the middle of the room, sitting on a thick red carpet, was a tiny cradle carved from a single piece of solid wood.

Tears started to well up in Marien's eyes as she looked at the cradle. "Oh... Oh..."

"I went to see my mother," Sieg said softly, leading Marien into the room. "She said my great grandfather made this cradle when his wife was pregnant with my father's father. It was my father's, then Renner's, then mine, and now..." Sieg guided Marien's hand to touch the cradle, "It's going to be our child's"

As her fingers touched the old, solid wood, her shoulders began to shake and tears began streaming down Marien's cheeks.

"Hey, are you okay?" Sieg spun Marien to face him.

All at once Marien leapt forwards and embraced Sieg. "Yes, I'm okay," she mumbled into his shoulder between sobs. "I just can't believe it."

"I want to show you this as well."

Sieg pulled aside the soft woolen blanket at the bottom of the cradle and revealed the wooden figure of the Basitin warrior that Marien had carved. Sieg had painted the figure himself, the warrior's fur dark like Marien's, his eyes amber like Seig's.

"It's adorable," Marien whispered, tears still streaming down her cheeks.

"There's one final thing," Sieg whispered, stroking Marien's back. "I've been doing some research. The law says that, and I quote: 'if one or both parents are unable to provide proper care for their offspring due to limitations imposed upon them by military duties, both parents are permitted to live in the same household, so long as no additional offspring are conceived outside of the one week allotted period'. Do you know what that means?"

Sieg's face lit up as he smiled, "We can live together, and be a family! I mean, we won't have a lot of time together since I'll be working nights, but it'll be better than one week! Plus, this place is almost on the dock, I can be at my post in less than ten minutes! Add to that the three years you are allowed to take off from the military to raise our child, we'll finally get to be together! For real! "

"I..." Marien paused for a moment, "That's... that's wonderful."

Marien's tone startled Sieg. He stepped back, his hands on Marien's shoulder's. "What's wrong?"

"Sieg... There is something I need to tell you." Marien opened her mouth to speak, but no matter how hard she tried she could not bring herself to say the words.

"Is the apartment not big enough?" Sieg asked.

"What? No, no Sieg it isn't that."

"Then what is it?"

"I..." Marien looked away, unable to meet Sieg's gaze.

Sensing Marien's discomfort, Sieg pulled her back into a hug. "It's okay," he said softly, stroking the back of her head, "I can wait."

"I'm sorry..."

"It's okay."

"You're not sleeping with Lyon, are you?" Sieg asked after a long moment.

Marien looked up sharply, "Are you for real?"

A wide grin spread across Sieg's face, "I mean, he's rich, noble, and irritatingly good looking."

"I am not, and will never, have any interest in doing anything of that sort."

"Hey, just asking."

"Well, if you ask that particular question again, I'll tie your ears in a knot." Marien crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "Also, irritatingly 'good looking'? Would you care to unpack that particular statement?"

"No... no I would not."

"Good." Marien leaned back and nuzzled her face against the side of Sieg's neck. "Then don't say silly things like that."

"Fair enough." Sieg chuckled. But as he took Marien back into his arms, deep within him, he could feel a small, smouldering ember of frustration.

"So much for 'no secrets'," he wanted to mutter, but he resisted.

"It's alright," he thought to himself, squeezing Marien tighter. "Whatever it is, we'll face it together." But still, deep within him, the ember burned.

===

As with all Basitin cities, when the sun set, Basikal City was under curfew. The law was very clear on such things, no one but the city guard were allowed to walk the streets in the dark. But, as ever, there were those for whom the laws were little more than rain upon oilskin.

A cold, wet breeze blew up the street as Conrad Kolvest and his bodyguards made their way towards the center of Basikal City. The stiff wind from the north and the moisture in the air smothered even the faintest flicker of warmth, even the street lanterns seemed weak and subdued. Despite his heavy cloak, Conrad felt a chill, but that was of little consequence. He had business to attend to.

As Conrad and his bodyguard turned onto a sidestreet, they almost ran straight into a pair of city guards.

"Halt!" the lead guard exclaimed, lowering his spear and aiming it at Conrad. "You are our past curfew! Return home at once!"

"I am Colonel Conrad Kolvest of the Second Legion," Conrad replied, crossing his arms as his bodyguards put their hands on their swords. "I have military business to attend to. Stand aside or I shall remove you."

The first guard immediately backed down, but the second stood her ground and raised her spear. "The law is the law, and we have received no orders to allow you to pass! Return home, sir."

Conrad raised an eyebrow, almost impressed by the defiance of the guard.

"Please forgive my comrade, Colonel Kolvest," the first guard said, pushing the second's spear down. "You may continue on your way."

Conrad's eyes shifted to glare at the two guards as he strode past. "You will forget that you saw me."

The first guard saluted quickly, "Yes, sir!"

As Conrad and his bodyguards vanished into the darkness, the first guard slapped the second one upside the back of her head.

"Are you crazy? Didn't you hear him? That's Colonel Kolvest, Commander of the Second Legion!"

"So?" the second guard asked, rubbing the back of her head.

"So?! He isn't someone to be trifled with! People who get in his way tend to vanish."

Fear flickered across the second guard's face. "You mean, he might have me..."

"Not if you do as he says and forget you saw him."

"S-saw who?"

With a smile and a nod, the first guard clapped the second on the back. "Good answer."

===

Making his way down the street, Conrad eventually turned and stepped up to the front door of a darkened tavern. Instead of ringing the bell, he rapped his knuckles lightly on the window three times, and on the wooden door twice.

Moments later, the door unlocked and opened by a portly Basitin with thick spectacles.

"Welcome Colonel," the Basitin said, stepping aside and gesturing for the Colonel to enter.

"You two come in but wait by the door," Conrad ordered his two bodyguards as he stepped into the tavern.

"Yes, sir."

"And if you see anyone snooping, detain them for interrogation later."

"As you command."

"It is good to see you again sir," the portly Basitin said brightly, leading Conrad towards the back room. "Still with the Second I take it?"

"Indeed. And how are you fairing, Corporal Tray."

The Basitin paused and bent down, rapping his knuckles against his wooden left leg. "Hurts when it rains, and it rains too much in this bloody city. My daughter wants me to move to the mainland with her but I don't think I will ever leave Basikal."

"Glad to hear it. You seem to be eating well at least."

"Don't remind me," Tray grumbled. "Keeping this place up keeps me busy, but it's not good exercise."

"We all serve in our own way." Conrad put a hand on Tray's shoulder, "At least you still remember your duty to your people and your homeland."

"Aye sir." Tray paused for a moment, "Sir... I was sorry to hear about Renner. He was a good lad."

"He was," Conrad nodded stiffly.

Tray shook his head. "We should have attacked the Empire the moment that damned Templar set foot on our land. You were right, if we'd taken the initiative and attacked their fleet at Calmberth... Well we could've taken Morlin Hall by now, and strung up every last Templar like they are so fond of doing to Keidran."

"It was the King's decision to make," Conrad replied, his voice dripping with disdain.

"Yeah well, just so you know Colonel, there are lots of us who still remember what it means to be a true Basitin."

"And know that there are many in the military that remember and honour sacrifices like yours, my old friend."

Stepping up to a mounted deer's head on the wall, Tray pressed a small release hidden within the deer's fur. "No need to worry about a thing sir," Tray said, nodding at Conrad as a shelf swung out from the wall, revealing a narrow passage leading down. "I haven't even told the wife about this little space."

"Good man."

"The others have already arrived, by the way."

"I figured as much." Conrad turned and clapped Tray on the shoulder, "Again, thank you my friend."

"Take all the time you need sir," Tray said as Conrad started down the stairs. "And there will be an ale waiting for you up here when your business is done."

Conrad descended into the musty basement of the Tavern, careful not to allow his cloak to brush against the dirt walls of the passage. Moments later he arrived in a lantern lit cellar filled with large oaken barrels and shelves bearing hundreds of dusty old bottles. A rusty still sat in pieces in one corner, the twisted tubing casting a spider web of shadows up the wall.

A solid wood table sat in the center of the room. Upon the table lay Shani, her hands folded behind her head and legs hanging over the table's edge. Jabarian stood in the shadows of the far wall, his arms crossed as he leaned against a stack of barrels.

"You came early," Conrad observed, pulling his cloak off and hanging it up on a hook against the wall.

"Just wanted to get a lay of the land," Shani replied, twirling a small knife around her fingers. "A bit surprising for you, this sudden change of venue. You'll forgive us for being cautious."

"Meeting at the fortress is no longer an option, and neither is meeting at my home." Conrad's eyes narrowed, "General Silver has been sticking his nose into the movements of my troops."

Jabarian's ears twitched, "Is he suspicious?"

"Even if he is, there's nothing he can do. The Second Legion is mine, they listen to me. By the time we make our move, I won't just have their loyalty, I will have the rank and authority necessary to challenge General Silver directly."

"So your promotion came through," Shani smiled. "Thank you daddy Chariot."

"I have also begun making certain that any troops or commanders that might cause a problem have been deployed to the front," Conrad continued, ignoring Shani's barb. "By the time they know what is happening, even if they decide to try and stand against us, there will be nothing they can do."

"My, you are efficient," Shani crooned.

"Of course, that does bring up one particularly pressing issue." Conrad's eyes narrowed, "You have yet to fulfill your end of the bargain."

Shani cocked her head, "Hmmmm?"

"The Western whore, why have you not dealt with the problem?"

"I've made contact with him, but your son seems quite devoted to Marien," Shani replied, sitting up and smiling seductively at Conrad. "It would be easier if you hadn't raised him to be such a good boy."

"Or perhaps you are not as irresistible as you think."

"Well you say that, but you should see his face when he sees me walking down to the dock to say hello."

"And yet you have failed." Conrad growled, his ears flattening against the side of his head.

Giving no outward sign of the anger swelling in her chest, Shani spun a knife around her fingers. "What's the matter, not looking forward to being a grandpa?"

"And how exactly did that happen?" Conrad demanded, turning to Jabarian. "You assured me that she would never bear my son any children."

"I am uncertain what happened," Jabarian admitted. "But preparations are underway to deal with the problem."

With a scoff of disgust, Conrad crossed his arms over his chest and glared at Jabarian and Shani, "Two years of planning, the Chariot family, Sliver the 'master assassin', and his 'talented protege'. Yet, when you have one simple task, still you bungle it. If you want my cooperation, and the cooperation of my troops, you are going to need to impress me far more than you have managed thus far."

Shani stood up from the table, her tail thrashing back and forth. As Shani walked towards Conrad, Jabarian could see murder in her every movement, from the way she placed her feet, to the way she tested each muscle in her fingers. He considered speaking up, but decided against it. If Shani had already decided to kill Conrad, then there was literally nothing and no one in all of Mekkan that could stop it now.

Shani raised a hand, and Jabarian was certain she would cut Conrad's throat, but instead she brushed off the shoulders of his uniform.

"I understand you know," she said softly, every syllable enunciated. "Your frustration I mean. You've spent your little life scabbling for importance, wondering why we get all the tastiest cuts, while you are left to chew on the gristle."

Conrad stiffened as Shani drew closer, her nose almost touching Conrad's as she set about straightening the collar of his uniform. "Jealousy is etched on every single inch of your body. You've probably spoken long into the night, to anyone who will still listen, about how corrupt the great families are, all the while subtly trying to imply how much more worthy you are. It must be hard for you, knowing that the only way you will get the revenge you crave, and the generalship you need, is by using your own son to bind our families together." Conrad's hands clenched into fists as a sympathetic smile crossed Shani's face, "It must burn you up inside."

Conrad opened his mouth to speak, to let loose a searing rebuke, but Shani placed a finger over his lips. "But, you still need us. And if you ever find yourself in doubt of that, remember this: if Jabarian or I die in this basement, if a drop of our blood is spilled, if I decide that I don't like your tone, then you, your wife, your son, your brother, his wife, his daughter, every single person you consider a friend, will turn up in the harbour, skinned. A horrible tragedy which, after but a single word from myself or my brother, the authorites will determine was an extremely odd suicide. Whereas, if you die in this basement, you will get a perfectly nice funeral, a lovely little statue, and a few nice words spoken over your body by people who are struggling to remember exactly who you were. "

"Don't you threaten me!" Conrad snarled, slapping Shani's hand aside as she reached up to stroke his face. "If you want me and my troops to support your brother when he moves to claim the throne, then you will fulfill your end of the bargain!"

"And we will."

"Perhaps we should simply get it over with and kill the Western woman outright," Jabarian grumbled.

Shani shook her head, "No, I think not."

"And why not?" Conrad demanded.

"Because your son's union with me must be of his own choosing." Shani hopped back up onto the table. "Which, of course, means that his decision to abandon his dear, sweet Marien must also be his own, made freely and without suspicion. Besides, we already tried the direct approach once, and we all know how that ended."

"That was your fault!" Conrad snapped, his patience nearly at its limit. "This is not a complex problem! One archer, with one well placed arrow, and the problem is solved!"

"And I suppose your son will simply believe that the arrow fell from the sky?" Shani scoffed as she leaned back on the table again. "If she dies, your son will spend the rest of his life trying to figure out who killed her. Tell me, just how high do you think that you, the stern father who always hated his Western bride, would be on Sieg's list of suspects."

"Then what? What do you intend to do?"

"Everything can be broken, if only you know the right pressure points to hit." Shani raised a hand over her head and examined her fingers. "I have a plan and it is already in motion, that's all you need to know."

Conrad was about to speak again, when the door at the top of the stairs opened.

"Colonel, we have trouble!" Tray called down the stairs, his voice strained.

"What kind of trouble?"

"We caught someone sneaking about the back! You better come quick!"

"Well, it seems that's our cue," Shani said, sitting up and hopping off the table. "Wonderful meeting Colonel, we really must do it again. In the meantime, Jabarian and I will take care of the Western problem, you just focus on getting your soldiers all nicely arranged."

End of Part 10

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