Richard Tuttle - Aakuta - the Dark Mage

“Right after I visit with the Lord Marshal,” promised Lord Marak.

Kasa moved swiftly to carry out Lord Marak’s orders. Marak entered Yenga’s suite and sat across the desk from the Lord Marshal.

“How did the meeting go?” asked the Lord Marshal.

“It went well,” answered Lord Marak. “Fisher is leaning towards Lord Quavry as our spy. I agree with him, but I must be sure before I act. We must act soon as well. If Lord Quavry is the spy, I want him replaced before the Assembly of Lords. Still, I cannot figure out how Lord Quavry would know when our caravans leave. Is that information ever sent via air tunnels to the mages we have stationed at the other estates?”

“Certainly not,” Yenga shook his head vigorously. I would never permit such information to be given out. The mages we have on the other estates are there to provide us with information, not the other way around. I seriously doubt that any of the other estates are even aware that the people we posted there are mages.”

“What about Marshal Patoga?” inquired Lord Marak. “Is he loyal to me or Lord Quavry?”

“Without a doubt,” declared Yenga, “he is loyal to you. Patoga is above suspicion.”

“Good,” nodded Lord Marak. “Arrange a meeting with him and explain our problem. Perhaps he can enlighten us on how Lord Quavry could receive notice of our shipping dates.”

“I can hazard a guess right now,” stated Lord Marshal Yenga. “We have a dozen Sorgans here in Fardale on any given day. We are training their people in every discipline. We provide housing for them here, but most have families back in Watula Valley, so they go back and forth. It would be fairly simple for Lord Quavry to find out what is happening here.”

“Contact our mage at Watula Valley,” instructed Lord Marak. “She is to use her air tunnels to spy on Lord Quavry. I want to know how he is getting the information.”

“If it is him that is the spy,” interjected Yenga.

“Yes,” agreed Lord Marak. “If it is.”

“What do you plan to do to make sure?” questioned the Lord Marshal.

“I will have his warning intercepted,” explained Lord Marak. “Once we are certain Lord Quavry is the spy, he will be replaced.”

“What about the person he is sending the information to?” asked Yenga.

“That is where the two cortes that we are sending out in Ragatha uniforms come in,” smiled Lord Marak. “As soon as they are clear of Fardale, I want them to move directly to the site of the last ambush. I want them to be very familiar with the area, and I want them to prepare a reception for the next set of gray warriors.”

“Ambush the ambushers?” Lord Marshal Yenga asked as his left eyebrow rose.

“Exactly,” replied Lord Marak. “Impress upon them that I want at least one survivor of the bandits to give us the information we need. I want the next caravan squad to be outfitted with Qubari armor, in case we are unsuccessful in eliminating the bandits.”

“Good idea,” agreed Yenga. “What do we do when we find out what clan is attacking us?”

“I do not know yet,” admitted Lord Marak. “Let’s take this one step at a time. The timing of this will be important. It will take me a good week to get to the capital, so the next caravan must leave in a few days. I want Lord Quavry to have time to get the message off before he leaves.”

“You are risking an awful lot on this spy being Lord Quavry,” frowned the Lord Marshal. “What if you are wrong?”

“If I am wrong,” answered Lord Marak, “we will still have two cortes ready to attack the ambushers. We will also have the squad guarding the caravan protected by Qubari armor. The only thing I lose is the chance to capture the real spy. I suspect that you will work on that during my absence.”

“You can count on it,” declared Yenga. “We will find the spy no matter who he is. How many men will you be taking to the capital with you?”

“I hadn’t really thought about it,” Marak confessed. “I suppose a squad would be sufficient.”

“A squad?” echoed the Lord Marshal. “A squad cannot guard our caravans. I certainly expect to send more men to guard my lord.”

“What is normal?” asked Lord Marak.

“Normal is relative,” sighed Yenga. “Some estates send only a squad, while others send four to five cortes. The more powerful lords like to parade their troops through the capital streets, as if that will impress the citizenry. Of course it is really to make a statement to the other lords. It says that the lord can afford to send an army to the capital and not worry about a neighbor taking over his estate in his absence. Every action in Khadoratung has significance.”

“What message am I supposed to be sending then?” asked Lord Marak.

“I am not sure,” frowned the Lord Marshal. “I was hoping that you would not attend the Assembly of Lords. Khadoratung can be more dangerous than the center of any battlefield.”

“Where are the escorting troops housed in the capital?” inquired Lord Marak.

“They may be kept in the lord’s suite in the palace if there is enough room,” answered Yenga, “or on the grounds outside. The more powerful the lord, the larger the suite afforded him. Your suite, Lord Marak, will be very small. While you control a good deal of the frontier in this corner of Khadora, you will be considered insignificant in the capital. All of the power of Khadora emanates from the Imperial Valley. It has always been so.”

“How small a suite?” questioned Lord Marak.

“A squad would be hard pressed to make themselves comfortable,” sighed Yenga. “Remember that there is room outside for a larger force. Besides, no weapons will be allowed outside your suite in any event. I think you should take several cortes. Our enemies will be surprised by the armies of your other clans should they take the opportunity to attack Fardale. We will be safe here.”

“I do not want my troops in a holding area outside the Imperial Palace,” Lord Marak shook his head. “Besides, that is not the impression that I wish to make this trip. I will compromise with you. I will take two cortes and a squad. The squad will stay with me in the Imperial Palace. The two cortes will camp within a day’s ride from the capital. If there is trouble, they will be able to respond. If there is no trouble, you can be assured that I had a proper escort.”

“I know better than to argue with you,” Yenga shook his head. “I will stipulate that two air mages go with you, one with the squad, and one with the two cortes. If help is to be a day away, I want them to be able to communicate with each other.”

“Done,” Marak grinned as he rose from his chair. “If you need me for the rest of today, I will be entertaining our Sakovan friends.”

Lord Marak left the office and exited the mansion. His black and silver cape blew gently in the wind as he strode over to the sparring yard. He immediately saw StormSong in the yard with a Fardale opponent. He smiled inwardly as he watched the tall Sakovan women battle the burly local man. StormSong was the most able female fighter that Lord Marak had ever met, and she enjoyed a good spar like few other people could. Lord Marak was drawn to the rail fence surrounding the practice yard. He leaned on the fence as he watched StormSong’s perfectly executed maneuvers. Her opponent was withering under her constant blows.

Lord Marak watched for several minutes before he realized that there were no other Sakovans watching the match. He frowned as he stood erect and looked around for the Sakovans. He finally spotted them under a tree a fair distance away. His forehead creased as he watched the animated conversation. Something was wrong.

Lord Marak strode swiftly towards the Sakovans. Their conversation ceased when they noticed Lord Marak approaching.