Richard Tuttle - Star of Sakova

Rounding you up? grinned Ferde. So it is not just you and Lyra. Good. Let us not bicker about priorities. As you said, we want the same thing. We both agree that Alazar must not be assassinated, although I have been checking up on your accusations and I am inclined to believe all you told me in Campanil. How can a handful of Sakovans accomplish more than thousands of Imperial Guards?

Did the Imperial Guards protect the last Katana? retorted StarWind. Did they stop Malafar from fleeing the city? Did they prevent him from returning? Did they stop Lyra, others, and me from entering the capital? If they start searching for Malafar, all they will do is find out that others are looking for him too. The threat of a Sakovan conspiracy will rage and they will shut down the city. That didn't stop Malafar the last time. We are the only hope that Alazar has. You could help us.

How could I help? inquired Mayor Ferde.

Get Alazar to avoid public appearances, answered the Sakovan spymaster. Invite him to Campanil and whisk him out of the city quickly. Buy us time to find Malafar and deal with him.

Ferde gazed out the window, looking at nothing in particular as his mind raced with options and questions. How will you deal with him? the Mayor finally asked.

We will do whatever must be done to avoid the assassination, frowned StarWind.

Ferde paced the room anxiously for a while and then turned abruptly to StarWind. The Imperial Guard failed to prevent the last assassination because they had no warning, he stated. I cannot fathom Malafar escaping again if they knew he was planning this foul deed. Besides, are you sure you even want to stop him? Perhaps it would be better for Omunga and Sakova if we let Malafar succeed. Why do you risk yourself to save Alazar?

You forget that Malafar is a potent weapon, StarWind explained. While it might be inconceivable for a mage to carry out the assassination and escape the Imperial Guard, Malafar has no plan to escape this time. He is despondent over being drugged into assassinating the last Katana. We think he plans to die along with Alazar. With his power and desperation, it is not safe to even be in the city when he attacks.

Ferde's eyes opened wide in horror. By the Holy Katana! the Mayor exclaimed. Is he powerful enough to destroy the entire city?

Truth be known, StarWind sighed, we do not know the extent of his powers. It would be better for both countries to be rid of Alazar, but as long as people believe the Sakovans have assassinated their Katana, the call for war will grow stronger. Even if Malafar fails. We will stop Malafar to prevent war, not for love of Alazar.

Mayor Ferde nodded grimly and sat on the bed. If it was just Alazar, we could cheer, he sighed, but not innocent people. I think I could quell the call for war if it happened. Perhaps. I have spoken to some officials and they are now aware of Alazar's deeds. Still, nobody will raise a hand against him. I will do what I can to get the Katana out of the city.

Thank you, Mayor Ferde, StarWind smiled thinly. Will you also remain quiet about our presence here?

Yes, Ferde replied. You have been honest with me and I cannot doubt your good intentions. As you are no threat to Omunga, you are no threat to me. What is Lyra going to say about your actions against her father? Will she reveal your presence? Does she know you are Sakovans?

StarWind stared at the Mayor as she contemplated her answer. She had been totally honest with him so far and she dare not break his trust. He was the only Omungan ally they had, and one that must be kept and cultivated if they ever hoped to end hostilities between the two peoples. Besides, with the number of Sakovan spies that Alazar had been capturing of late, the truth of her identity would not be secret for long. She decided at last to confide in him.

Lyra's mother, Rhodella, was Sakovan, revealed StarWind. Malafar was horrified to discover this and so Rhodella hid it and became the perfect Omungan wife and mother. Still, that makes Lyra Sakovan in our eyes. We sheltered her in Sakova for a time before learning the truth.

The truth? questioned Ferde. The truth of what?

Our god, Kaltara, has chosen Lyra to lead the Sakovan people, declared StarWind. Lyra is the Star of Sakova.

Holy Shades! Ferde gasped as StarWind's statements struck home. The daughter is the leader of the Sakovans and the father seeks to assassinate the Katana. Your dilemma becomes increasingly clear. Why would you ever bring her here? What is she going to say if you have to kill Malafar?

We did not wish her here, admitted StarWind. I tremble at the thought of her capture or death, but her word is law and cannot be argued. As for her father, we will do whatever she commands.

Surely she will not command his death, objected Ferde. There is no way you can succeed in your endeavors.

Do not underestimate our Star, StarWind stated. She is fully aware of the poor choices facing us and I am confident that Kaltara will guide her well. Lyra has given over her life to Kaltara and she will do what is necessary for the Sakovan people, even if it means her father's life or her own life.

The only course I see is to get Alazar out of the city, Ferde declared as he rose. Let me be about my task before Malafar strikes. I will seek you out when the task is completed. Perhaps I can help you get out of the city. You have never given me your name.

You are most kind, smiled StarWind rising. My Name is StarWind, but I am not registered as such. I will return here later and we can talk.

StarWind crossed the room and let herself out. Swiftly, she descended to the ground level and left the building. On the steps she stopped and surveyed the plaza before crossing it and heading to the Imperial Guard headquarters.

The building was a large four story stone structure with wide steps and columns on either side of the main entrance. Imperial Guards were stationed at the top of the stairs, but StarWind knew they were mostly for show and casually marched up the steps and passed between them. Inside the doors was a large room with a tiled floor and a large oval counter in the center manned with a host of clerks. A number of corridors led off the main room and dozens of Imperial Guards were constantly visible as they moved from one corridor to another or tended to whatever tasks or errands that had to do. Only two other civilians were present and both of them were at the counter, probably filing complaints or seeking information.

StarWind knew that each Imperial Guard post maintained a board with notices and drawings of criminals. She stood just inside the doors and scanned the room until she saw it on the wall to her right. She drew no notice as she glided over to the board and started reading the postings. There were descriptions of many wanted people, but few drawings. She found Lyra's likeness quickly. The drawing was yellowed and covered by other postings and she did not pause when she located it. She continued to read the other listings while casually scanning the room. While nobody was paying particular attention to her, there was no way she would be able to remove the drawing and get out unnoticed.

While her left hand moved over the board, as if to keep track of where she was reading, her right slid into her pouch and located a small tin. She popped the lid off the tin and dipped her finger into the sticky substance. Returning to the drawing of Lyra, StarWind raised her right hand and moved her finger over the likeness of the Star. With her left hand, she nonchalantly let the drawing on top of Lyra's cover the Star's face and pressed firmly on it, effectively gluing the two drawings together.

It might prove to be little help as each gate would also have a drawing, but any little precaution must be taken when it was available. There were many more recent postings than Lyra's and the guards at the gates would not bother them until it was time to leave.