Richard Tuttle - Island of Darkness

“Gather citizens of Okata,” shouted Lyra. “What I have to say is important to your future. Gather your friends and neighbors. I will wait for them to arrive.”

People began streaming into the area of the plaza, although they could not get into the plaza itself. Over a thousand Imperial Guards had formed a ring around Lyra, and were not letting any citizens get close. Lyra saw a disturbance in the direction of the Imperial Palace. She watched as a dozen Monitors pushed their way through the crowd of Imperial Guards. The Monitors stopped when they reached the inner circle and were able to see Lyra and her blue cylinder.

“That is the Star of Sakova!” exclaimed one of the Monitors. “Do not go near her.”

“We already tried that,” retorted one of the Imperial Guards who had lost his blade. “What are we supposed to do?”

The lead Monitor turned to one of his men and said, “Notify Colonel Zanta about this immediately. Make certain that he knows that it is the Star of Sakova. Also seal the Imperial Palace. Nobody goes in or out except through the front door, and then only after they have gained permission from Colonel Zanta. Move.”

“What about the Katana and the Council?” asked the Monitor. “Should I have them come out?”

“Absolutely not,” snapped the lead Monitor. “That is probably what she is here for. The Council is in session. Let them stay there. Do not even inform them of the commotion out here. Have the Katana isolated and protected at all times.”

The Monitor nodded and ran towards the Imperial Palace. The Lead Monitor stared at Lyra for several moments before speaking.

“You will not have your way this time, Star of Sakova,” he said. “You may hide inside your shields for now, but even you will hunger eventually. You will not leave this plaza alive.”

He turned to leave, and the junior office of the Imperial Guard stopped him.

“That is it?” he bellowed. “You are just going to let her stand there?”

“For now,” answered the lead Monitor. “Your men seem to have her surrounded. Besides, I do not think she plans on leaving the plaza until she kills the Katana. That will not happen this time. I will send some mages out to test her shields. There must be a way to get through them.”

The Monitors retreated with the lead Monitor shouting orders to the others. He instructed them to round up their units and man each and every entrance to the Imperial Palace.

* * *

HawkShadow and SkyDancer listened to the distant shouting coming from the plaza on the other side of the Imperial Palace. HawkShadow was dressed in the uniform of an Imperial Guard. SkyDancer walked before him as if the soldier was guiding her to some destination.

“This is the park,” HawkShadow said softly. “Enter it.”

SkyDancer immediately turned and entered the old park as several Imperial Guards raced by in the street. The park was poorly cared for, its flowers wilted and weeds spreading through the grass. SkyDancer ignored the scenery and headed towards the old potter’s shed at the rear of the garden. With a quick glance around the garden to see if anyone was watching, SkyDancer opened the door to the shed and walked in. HawkShadow immediately followed her and closed the door.

The Sakovan assassin watched as SkyDancer opened the door to the secret passage. He followed her into the dark corridor and closed the door behind him. Moments later they emerged in the office of the First Minister. HawkShadow slid the bookcase to cover the secret passage.

“Anyone pay any attention to you?” asked StarWind.

“No,” answered HawkShadow as he looked around at the others who gathered inside the Imperial Palace. “I don’t think the garden sees much traffic any more. It certainly is not well kept. People and Imperial Guards are rushing towards the plaza though.”

“As they should,” nodded Temiker. “Does everyone have the map memorized? If not, now is the last chance you have to look at it.”

“I’m good,” answered SunChaser.

“Is there a problem if I take the map with me?” asked Goral. “No one is going to search me if I am discovered.”

“Let him have it,” interjected Ukaro. “Goral will not be mistaken for anything other than an intruder. Besides he will be with us.”

Temiker nodded and handed the hand-drawn map to Goral. Goral looked at it briefly and then stuffed it into his pouch.

“When do we move out?” asked SkyDancer.

“Soon,” answered Ukaro. “We have to allow the Monitors time to react first. Relax for a little while. I will go out and see what is happening.”

“Relax?” chuckled SkyDancer as Ukaro disappeared. “I think that is asking a bit too much.”

“Quiet,” admonished Temiker as he peered through the spy hole in the doors to the corridor outside the room.

Nodding his head as he cracked the door open, Temiker watched as the cat darted through the opening. Temiker immediately closed the door.

“How does he do that?” asked SunChaser. “He disappears completely when he does it. I wonder what would happen to him if the spell went wrong during the short period of time when he didn’t exist.”

“I assume that he would cease to exist,” StarWind answered softly. “Is everyone clear on their objectives? We will not get a second chance to do this right.”

The Sakovan spymaster looked each person in the eye and waited for their assurance. Everyone nodded affirmatively. She walked to the large desk in front of the fireplace and sat in the leather chair. She idly opened the drawers and inspected the contents as she waited for Ukaro to return. The wait seemed interminable, but she sat erect when Temiker finally opened the door to admit the cat. Everyone watched as the cat disappeared and the Chula shaman took its place.

“It is as we expected,” reported Ukaro. “Monitors are massed at every exit. They are fully alert and expecting someone to try to gain entry to the Imperial Palace. The Katana’s Council is still in session. There are two Monitors outside the door as sentries.”

“We can handle that,” HawkShadow said assertively.

“Good,” Ukaro continued. “The Katana is currently in his chambers. That has to change for us to succeed. He has a dozen Monitors protecting him.”

“If the Monitors remain true to their practices,” interjected SunChaser, “they will move him if they suspect that any intruders are in the palace. The chambers have too many entrances to be totally secure.”

“Are you positive of this?” asked StarWind. “This all falls apart unless they react as you have described.”

“I am positive,” nodded SunChaser. “Every time the Katana has been threatened, they have reacted the same way. It is not the Katana who chooses what happens in such a situation. The Monitors will insist on following their own procedures.”

“Colonel Zanta might be a problem,” Ukaro continued when he was sure that the previous question was settled. “He has been moving around the palace checking on the deployment of his men. I crossed his path several times. You may have a problem with that one, StarWind.”

“SunChaser and I will improvise,” promised StarWind. “Colonel Zanta has never met a lure like Cherri.”

SunChaser giggled and grinned. “Actually,” she said, “Colonel Zanta is a nice man. I think that I can get him alone.”

“Alright,” StarWind said with an air of authority, “let’s make this happen. Goral, Temiker, and Ukaro are the first to go.”

Temiker peered through the spy hole as Goral and Ukaro gathered near the door. He inhaled deeply and opened the door. The two mages and the giant slipped out the door and closed it behind them. HawkShadow started counting numbers in his head as everyone else waited for their turn to leave. StarWind and SunChaser huddled by the door. StarWind peered through the hole until HawkShadow announced that is was time for them to leave. StarWind opened the door and left the room. SunChaser followed and closed the door behind her.