Richard Tuttle - Star of Sakova

Lyra was vaguely aware of StarWind standing next to her with her mouth hanging open and the Star scowled at the thin man, “If I wanted such a vulgar display, I would be staying down by the wharf.”

The man looked genuinely confused as his eyes darted from Lyra to StarWind. His face reddened deeply and bowed slightly to Lyra. “I am sorry, young lady,” he apologized. “I was not talking to you, but the woman in front of you.”

“And that makes it any better?” Lyra growled. “Take your filth out into the streets and leave us alone.”

Lyra felt StarWind’s hand on her shoulder and saw Goral coming up behind the man.

“Do I know you?” StarWind asked the man, although she recognized him immediately.

“I never forget a voice,” the thin man smiled, his face still beet red. “I did not mean the invitation as vulgar. I merely would like the opportunity to speak with you again as we did in Campanil not long ago.”

StarWind nodded and smiled. “I would be pleased to speak with you again, Mayor Ferde,” StarWind declared. “I did not expect to see you in Okata.”

“Nor did I expect to find you here either,” grinned the Mayor. “My room is on the third floor at the top of the stairs or if you are more comfortable in public, we could have dinner together.”

“Let me dwell on it,” StarWind smiled. “I will let you know.”

The Mayor smiled and bowed slightly before leaving for the stairs. The significance of the man’s statements finally struck Lyra and she felt a chill between her shoulder blades. Discovery so soon after entering Okata could be disastrous. She knew that they had to find Malafar and do it quickly before anything else went wrong.

She turned to find the clerk trying to suppress a smirk. She swiftly finished registering for the room, and promptly went up the stairs. Temiker stood in the hallway outside his open door and Lyra entered the room and sat down. Within moments, all of the Sakovans were in the room and Temiker closed the door.

“What needs to be done with Ferde?” Lyra asked.

“I am not sure what he wants,” admitted StarWind. “I never expected to be recognized by my voice, but the fact that he didn’t shout for the Imperial Guard when he heard me is promising. I think I should meet with him as he asked.”

“Then do so,” commanded Lyra, “but do it in his room. Let’s not take the chance of someone else hearing us. I want the rest of you out looking for signs of Malafar. Search all the inns and anywhere else he might find a room to sleep in. See if you can learn anything about Alazar’s movements or schedule without being too obvious.”

“Perhaps we are here first,” pondered MistyTrail. “Should we watch the gates for his passage?”

“He is here already,” Temiker frowned. “I heard some of the Imperial Guard talking about a weird fog that developed this morning at one of the gates. I am sure that it was Malafar.”

“I have a few friends in the city who can be trusted,” stated SunChaser. “I will get them to help search for the mage. Should I warn Kapla? Maybe we can get the Katana to stay indoors.”

“No,” stated StarWind. “If they search the city for Malafar, none of us will escape this time. The result of finding a bunch of Sakovans in the city would be as disastrous as killing Alazar. We have to find Malafar ourselves.”

Someone must stay behind with Lyra, commanded StarWind. She should get some rest and must be protected while she does.

Can I keep watch for you? chirped MistyTrail. I will not let anyone disturb our Star.

Lyra smiled at the diminutive Sakovan. You can keep watch for me anytime, she answered.

Let's go to work then, ordered StarWind. Goral take the waterfront, StormSong the Merchant District, SunChaser the Diplomatic District, HawkShadow the trades area. Temiker, you know your brother the best. Search out those areas where he might have friends or acquaintances that we would not know about.

Where will you be? asked HawkShadow.

I have some people to talk to, starting with Mayor Ferde, frowned StarWind. Let's meet back here in four hours.

StarWind watched her small band nod and split up before ascending a flight of stairs and tapping lightly on Mayor Ferde's door. The door opened promptly and a smiling Mayor Ferde waved StarWind into his room.

Thank you for coming, he smiled. I apologize for my unfortunate display in the common room. Come sit down. We have much to discuss.

StarWind's eyes swept the room as she hesitantly crossed it and sat in a chair by the window, allowing her a view of the street below.

I am not trying to trick you, laughed Ferde. I am travelling alone and I have not alerted anyone to your presence here.

Why not? she quizzed.

Frankly, he admitted, I think I believe you. I am puzzled by some things though, like why you are travelling with Malafar's daughter?

A shiver of fear streaked down StarWind's back and her eyes narrowed to slits as her lips pressed tightly together. Her body tensed, a tight coil ready to spring at a moment's notice. Malafar's daughter? she questioned.

Ferde shook his head and smiled. Lyra's picture was posted all over Campanil when she fled the Academy. I do not forget faces either. Are you safeguarding her from the government? Or are you using her to track down Malafar?

StarWind silently cursed herself. She had forgotten about the wanted posters and now Lyra was deep in the bowels of the enemy capital. Regardless of their search for Malafar, they must get her out of the city immediately.

Ferde's eyes widened with surprise during StarWind's silence. Malafar is still in the city, isn't he? He is going to try to kill another Katana.

StarWind stared at Mayor Ferde as her mind raced. If the Campanil Mayor spread his suspicions to the Palace or the Imperial Guard, they were all dead. Lyra had to be their first concern and then Malafar, but the question that was most poignant was how far she should trust the Mayor. He could be a great help or the kiss of death. Yet, he had not revealed their presence so far. She could easily kill the Mayor and put her efforts towards getting Lyra out of the city, but that would not stop Malafar and he had to be stopped to avert the war. Swiftly, she calculated the risks and made up her mind.

Malafar is here as you suspected, StarWind admitted. We must stop him before he does something foolish.

Like killing Alazar? Ferde whispered as his head nodded slightly.

Yes, agreed StarWind reluctantly. I think that we can stop him, but if the Imperial Guard knows we are here, they can foil our attempt. I must insist that you remain quiet about our presence in Okata.

Mayor Ferde frowned as he watched StarWind. He knew that her request was more than a plea and that she was quite capable of killing him to guarantee his silence. Still, he had to stop the assassination if he was capable.

Why do you and Lyra have a better chance at stopping him than the Imperial Guard or the Monitors? he asked. Lyra dare not show her face outside her room and you can scarcely guarantee to stop a powerful mage by yourself. Convince me that you can avoid this despicable crime and I will remain silent.

I do not think you understand your position, frowned StarWind. We want the same thing. Do not make me do something I have no desire to do.

Are you so quick to spill my blood and still expect me to believe your good intentions? quizzed Ferde. If we both want the same thing, then why not work together?

I can stop you from going to the authorities without hurting you, smiled StarWind. I need not spill your blood, only detain you. The Imperial Guard is not going to work peacefully with Sakovans. If they learn of our presence here, they will spend their time rounding us up and Malafar will strike in the confusion.