Talon of the Unnamed Goddess, a Fantasy Adventure Read online

  "Actually, collecting information was simple. Every inn, market, and group of two or more people talked about it. I knew you would want my report fast, even if unverified, rather than waiting weeks for me to verify the obvious." Marku paused before continuing. "I'm sorry to tell you, hi'Lady Rhiannon, that your father, hi'Lord Varius, died in the attack on the caravan."

  "Thank you, Marku Talon, for your concern, but you're not the first to tell me of my father's death. Hi'Lord Baqir told me two days ago that he had information my father had died," Rhiannon said.

  "According to the talk, every man and woman in the caravan was killed, including you and your chaperone." Marku paused before he continued. "And almost every Talon was killed. The Valda soldiers wouldn't let the Talons stop fighting after hi'Varius was killed. We know because two escaped—Taras and Leszek Talon."

  "Brother Leszek arrived here right after we did, but I did not know of Taras's escape. I believed he had died as well." Relief flooded over me. I had grown to respect Brother Taras, glad he escaped the slaughter.

  Marku continued. "It seems clear hi'Radulf's soldiers attacked you. His soldiers now occupy all the major cities—Livorno, Terni, and Savona. They claim to support sec'Tadzio and bring order in this time of chaos. Hi'Radulf and sec'Tadzio took up residence at Savona. We learned that hi'Radulf attempted to kill the Talon guards under contract in Valda because they refused to participate in the ambush of hi'Varius's caravan. Only five of the twenty Talons escaped."

  I frowned, hoping that Healer Luminita had had news soon enough to get away. Leszek might well be right that she would be a target, but I could think of no way of finding out what had happened to her.

  "Master Dragos is enraged at their treachery. He has ordered the clan to war and ordered all Talons to meet in Dahab. I've sent word with Sanko Talon that you and hi'Lady Rhiannon are alive and in Zenjir."

  "Oluchi, did you hear anything while you were in Dahab?" The town of Dahab was close to the border of Granya and traded with the towns of Terni and Livorno, the three towns forming a triangle, each separated by thirty leagues.

  "The same general rumors. The town is being flooded with soldiers and others loyal to hi'Varius. I talked and actually drank with quite a few soldiers. I told them that I had heard the rumor that pri'Rhiannon had escaped the attack on the caravan. Almost all of them said they would fight for her. I hope I didn't do anything wrong."

  "What do you think, Master Anton?" I asked. I had an idea forming but wanted the opinion of someone with more experience.

  "Master Dragos will destroy hi'Radulf," Anton said so quietly he might have been talking to himself. "That is the reason he is calling the clan to war and ordering all Talons to Dahab."

  "How can he do that, Master Anton? Many of us have contracts." I didn't think the clan would ever break a contract unless the other party violated its terms. Yet his recall required us all to break our contracts.

  "Master Dragos will be forced to demonstrate to all four kingdoms that targeting Talons has consequences to be feared. Hi'Radulf, sec'Tadzio, and all their supporters are dead men." Anton shook his head. "They will be an object lesson for the next hundred years."

  "How can the Talons win, Anton Talon?" Rhiannon said. "I didn't think you had that many fighters."

  "My dear hi'Lady, the Talons are the best assassins in the four kingdoms. We will not fight army to army. We will kill in the shadows. No one who supports hi'Radulf will be safe, neither in the kingdom of Granya nor in Valda." Anton actually laughed.

  Rhiannon squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. "I don't know what I'll do if you leave. But if you must, I'll manage somehow."

  I was Talon and would obey the clan. They were my family, my life, but I was Rhiannon's bodyguard and under clan contract. How could I desert her? Yet Anton was right. Master Dragos had declared war on Radulf, and all Talons would answer the call. It tore at my heart to desert Rhiannon, especially since Baqir's offer seemed conditional that I accept a contract to him. Desperately, I tried to think of a way to satisfy the clan without breaking my contract.

  A glum silence descended on the room, broken only by the sound of Rhiannon's soft sobs. Earlier an idea had started growing, one that I hesitated to even mention. Yet, if I was going to solve this dilemma, my idea might be the only way.

  "Perhaps I have an idea," I said. "Let's see if you can do this."

  Rhiannon face brightened as she listened to my plan. "The hi'Baqir has three sons. You could propose a marriage between you and one of his sons with the understanding that you would rule in Granya, not the son. It would be a tempting offer for one of his younger sons. I believe you can raise a small army from those who have fled to Dahab and those still in Granya who supported your father. I also believe Master Dragos would support you since your interests are similar." I stopped to look at Anton, who neither agreed nor disagreed. A good sign, I thought.

  I got up to pace back and forth across the room, which helped me think as I spoke. "And if hi'Baqir agrees, he will support you for his son's sake. The idea should appeal to him, as his grandson or granddaughter will eventually rule Granya. If you rebuilt the Granyan army, you and hi'Baqir could attack Valda and defeat hi'Radulf. You could agree to support Jaddah and give the kingdom to one of his sons to rule. Hi'Baqir's family then would rule three of the four kingdoms, not a minor matter from his point of view. "

  I looked at Rhiannon. She stared at me. I couldn't tell if her look was one of approval or horror.

  "You aren't betrothed. A marriage of convenience…" I let the rest go unspoken.

  Rhiannon shrugged, sighing. "That is what a marriage always is in a noble family for men and for women. If you're lucky, it's someone you can like and respect."

  "What do you think, Anton?"

  I waited for Anton's reaction. My suggestion was presumptuous in the extreme, involving a hi'Lord and a hi'Lady as well as the leader of the Raptor Clan. I hoped he wouldn't laugh.

  "I like it," Oluchi said.

  "If it works, it is worthy of our Master, Sister," Marku said.

  "If hi'Lady Rhiannon agrees, I will support your proposal," Anton said.

  I turned toward Rhiannon, who frowned at the floor. She put her hand on my arm and looked straight into my eyes. "Only if you remain my bodyguard … and adviser."

  "Do you support such a contract, Anton?" I asked. I didn't want to violate my clan oath, but this couldn't wait for Master Dragos to approve it. It had to be made conditional on a betrothal of Rhiannon and one of Baqir's sons.

  "If hi'Baqir agrees," Anton said "as a member of the Raptor Clan Council, I will witness a blood oath and declare it made in the clan's interest. I will prepare a contract stipulating the terms."

  "Now all we need is hi'Lord Baqir's agreement." Oluchi laughed.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Zenjir: A counterproposal, the Plan

  We stayed up late discussing various aspects of the proposal, including possible counteroffers from hi'Lord Baqir. Master Anton spoke for the Talons. I found out that he served on the Raptor Clan Council. I spent the final hours throwing questions at Rhiannon, since she would negotiate with Baqir.

  "What is your pitch to hi'Baqir, Rhiannon?" I asked.

  "I will propose a marriage alliance between the Granya and Jaddah houses."

  "Why?"

  "So I can retake Granya."

  "Not enough. There must be mutual benefits from the alliance."

  "He helps me take Granya, and I will help him take Valda."

  "Better. Don't forget that your children will be his grandchildren and eventually inherit your rule. What do you bring to the table?"

  "I can raise an army of Granyans, and I have the support of the Talons." Rhiannon paused. "How do I know that the Talons will support me?"

  "Because it is in our best interest, hi'Lady," Anton said. "We must punish sec'Tadzio and hi'Radulf. They violated their contracts with the Talons and violated long-established rules. Every ruler will think they have the right t
o life or death over the Raptor Clan if the clan allows them to get away with this. We must eliminate sec'Tadzio and hi'Radulf and everyone who supports them. If you have an army, and you are intent on punishing them, then our objectives are the same, and we will support you. If not, we will do it on our own."

  "How can you do it on your own, Anton Talon?" Rhiannon asked.

  "We are trained assassins. We will kill them one at a time until they are afraid to leave their houses, their castles. And then we will kill them in their homes and castles. Their punishment will take time, but we are patient."

  "You said they broke their contracts and the rules. What rules?"

  Master Anton cleared his throat and gave Rhiannon a piercing look. "Rules go back a hundred years, since the last time the Talons had to remind rulers that we were not their subjects. One, if we are hired to guard you, we will give our lives to defend yours, but if you are killed, we will stop fighting, because our contract is void. Two, we have no interest in avenging your death. We are not your kin—we are hired help. For those reasons we expect our opponents to stop fighting. Hi'Radulf and sec'Tadzio broke the rule when their soldiers would not let your father's Talons quit fighting after your father was killed. Everyone understands these rules, and these rules benefit both parties."

  Rhiannon tilted her head, giving Anton a long look. "I didn't. How do they benefit me?"

  "If you hire a Talon, you know you will not be attacked by Talons someone else hires. And if you kill or hire a non-Talon to kill a person a Talon is guarding, you know no Talon will seek revenge."

  "Are there any other rules?"

  "Yes. Talons are not under the rules of any kingdom in which we are employed." Anton smiled. "Remember when the rumor was that Aisha would get whipped? The Talons wouldn't allow it. If a Talon needs punishment, the Raptor Clan will intervene. Hi'Radulf had Talons killed as punishment because they would not attack your father, who had Talons guarding him."

  "It sounds so cold."

  "These rules make us dependable. Those who hire us know exactly what to expect. We are predictable. Most mercenaries for hire have no rules. Not so the Talons of the Raptor Clan, which is one of the reasons we are in demand. But we must enforce our rules."

  * * * *

  The next morning Rhiannon sent word to Baqir, requesting a meeting. Near sunset, a messenger returned to the Inn to find us outside, drinking a spicy beverage made with yellow leaves, hot water, and sweet syrup.

  "Hi'Lady Rhiannon, hi'Lord Baqir has agreed to receive you and Aisha Talon tomorrow at ten turns of the glass." He read from a parchment document.

  "Thank you. Please tell hi'Lord Baqir we will be there," Rhiannon said. "Aisha, I think I could learn to like it here in Zenjir if I accept hi'Baqir's offer."

  "Yes, it would be an easy life with few worries." I masked my thoughts, not difficult since I didn't know what Rhiannon would face here. Her life seemed linked to mine. Baqir's deal linked to me. Rhiannon's betrothal linked me contractually to her. Though I fought it off, somehow I cared. I could hear Master Jiang lecturing me about emotions.

  "What would you advise, Aisha?" Rhiannon put her hand on mine. "Please?"

  "I can tell you what I wanted at eight, I no longer want at eighteen. I suspect what you want today will not be what you want ten years from now. I can only tell you that whatever you decide to do, don't do it to avenge your father. Do it for yourself or for your people." Somehow my words made me feel old.

  "You are going to fight sec'Tadzio and hi'Radulf for revenge?" Rhiannon watched me intently.

  "No, Rhiannon. I will do it to protect my clan, not for my own feelings of anger or need for revenge." I nodded, feeling the truth of the statement.

  "Thank you, Aisha…advisor to the hi'Lady."

  * * * *

  The next day Rhiannon and I arrived at the castle gate a quarter glass early. We were escorted to a small private room where Baqir and Anton waited. Baqir stood as we entered. He appeared anxious to hear an answer to his offer.

  "Please make yourselves comfortable, hi'Lady Rhiannon and Aisha Talon." Baqir motioned for us to sit. The walls of the room were lined with a hundred cushions of different shapes and sizes. As soon as Rhiannon sat, servants entered with trays of hot drinks.

  "Hi'Lady Rhiannon, I assume your scouts verified the information that the winds carried and that you recognize the benefits of my offer?" I stood next to Rhiannon as Anton stood next to Baqir. It was Rhiannon's place to negotiate with the hi'Lord, not mine. By now, she understood her options, but even I didn't know what decision she had made. She had listened to Anton's and my advice but was going to make her own decision.

  "Yes, hi'Lord. My scouts report that hi'Radulf's troops attacked the caravan, that my father was killed and all his Talons executed, that sec'Tadzio claims to be hi'Lord of Granya, and that he is supported by hi'Radulf's and his soldiers. In addition, hi'Radulf had the Talons in Valda killed for refusing to participate in the ambush." Rhiannon paused and took a sip of her drink.

  "Hi'Radulf had Talons killed?" Baqir shook his head. "He is a bigger fool than I had been led to believe."

  "Your offer was more than generous, hi'Lord Baqir. However, I have a counterproposal for you." Rhiannon's breath came fast but she clasped her hands in front of her and pressed on. "I propose a marriage between my house and yours. I can raise a small army and will have the support of the Talons. With your help, I can reclaim Granya. In a year or so, I can build a large army. Between you, me, and the Talons, we can crush hi'Radulf's army. Afterward, I will support whichever of your children you want to appoint as hi'Lord to the kingdom of Valda. Under our alliance, your blood will rule three of the four kingdoms."

  Baqir roared with laughter, slapping the cushions next to him. "I thought the winds had brought me a small honey bird. Now I find I was mistaken. They have brought me a bird of prey. Do you believe you can win without my support?"

  Rhiannon looked toward me, so I put in, "I have been told that all Talons are being recalled for war against sec'Tadzio and hi'Radulf."

  "Including mine? That will be a breach of contract." Baqir voice rose slightly and his eyes narrowed.

  "All Talons. The Raptor Clan can't ignore this treacherous breach of contract against us. All must know that there are rules in dealing with Talons. Hi'Radulf and sec'Tadzio have violated those rules. We will make their bloodlines extinct," I said. Hi'Baqir looked up at Anton, who nodded his assent.

  Rhiannon continued. "Yes, hi'Lord. It will take longer without you, maybe years, but we will win. I will join forces with the Talon, and together we will avenge our dead and rid the kingdoms of hi'Radulf and all who support or follow him. In that case, I will decide who rules Valda."

  "Talons seeking revenge…a frightening thought. Please stay for a midday meal, while I discuss the issue with my wife and children. My aide, Chima, will escort you to the garden. My family and I will join you shortly."

  Chima led Rhiannon and me out of the room and down the colonnade through a small arch with a single warrior guard. We entered a walled garden, grassy with a white pebble walk threaded through flowering shrubs. The walls of the garden were white, barely visible behind the tall fronds of the palms lining them. The castle shielded the courtyard from the heat of the scorching midday sun. A double hand of fountains scattered about sprayed water skyward and cooled the air.

  "Please make yourselves comfortable," Chima said, stepping aside at the top of the steps off the colonnade.

  I took a deep breath of the scented air and walked toward one of the fountains, appreciating the coolness.

  Rhiannon followed at my side. When Chima left and was out of sight, she asked, "What do you think the hi'Lord will do, Aisha?"

  "You did well, hi'Lady." I acknowledged Rhiannon's no-nonsense approach and refusal to be cowed by the older leader. I hoped the clan would let me continue to guard and advise her. "I think the idea appeals to his ego as well as the obvious benefits of having three kingdoms aligned with him. He will dis
cuss it with his family to work through the details. He has three sons and two daughters. He must decide who will be his heir, who will lead the army that supports you, who will marry you, and who will be appointed hi'Lord of Valda. He probably already knows, but he has to pretend to discuss it with them."

  Chima returned with several servants carrying plates of food served in individual small bowls. He led us toward the only table in the courtyard, a large one made of light wood. The table was set about with green-cushioned chairs surrounded by palm trees."

  I found the strange, spicy food delicious, and once again I enjoyed eating with my hands. Rhiannon also seemed to enjoy her food as well as the break from the tension. We had finished our meal, the servants had cleaned up the dishes, and we had been served cool foamy drinks when Baqir and his family entered the courtyard.

  "Hi'Lady Rhiannon, I have gathered my family here to discuss the details of your proposal and to introduce you to them. I will dispense with titles, as it seems you will soon be family."

  I stood to one side and scanned everyone as the introductions took place. I was not one to relax while on duty.

  "My honored wife, Sauda," Baqir said with a proud smile.

  Baqir's wife smiled at Rhiannon. With her almond-shaped eyes and high, arched brows and black hair pulled back into elaborate braids, she was a beautiful woman in spite of having grown sons.

  "Welcome," she said, nodding to both of us.

  "My oldest, Tafadzwa. He grows weary of waiting for me to die, so we decided he will lead the Jaddahan army and will be the new hi'Lord of Valda." His son stepped forward, a man of middling height, but he had a muscular build and moved with the smooth grace of a trained warrior. A dark moustache drooped around his lips and his dark eyes sparkled.

  "Rhiannon, if you weren't so young, I'd marry you myself. Your idea is pure genius," Tafadzwa said with a small bow. "Instead, I will help you make it a reality, sister."

  "Thank you, brother Tafadzwa. I look forward to you being the new hi'Lord of Valda."